Samsung 390 Series C24F390 24" Black 2016

It's a dim, slow, old monitor with a pointless curve and fantastic contrast. Grab it for under $140 as a dark-room movie screen, otherwise move on.

What surprised us most is how well that 3000:1 static contrast ratio holds up. Blacks actually look deep and inky, which is a rarity at this price point and makes movies pop more than they do on a typical IPS office display. But that's where the good news ends. The 250-nit brightness is dim, and the 72% NTSC color coverage means everything looks a bit washed out. The 4ms response time is fine for casual use, but at 60Hz, any fast motion turns into a smeary mess, landing it in a mediocre 46th percentile for performance in our database.

Stacked against a modern budget champion like the Dell S2725QC, the Samsung gets demolished. The Dell gives you a larger 27-inch screen, a sharper 4K resolution, and an IPS panel that gets much brighter for productivity. If you're actually looking for a smooth gaming experience, the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL5A runs circles around this Samsung with its high refresh rate. The only reason to pick the C24F390 is if you're on an extremely tight budget and absolutely must have a VA panel's contrast for watching movies in a dark room.

Pricing for this monitor is a complete mess, with vendors listing it anywhere from $140 to a laughable $4509. At the lower end, around that $140 mark, it's a decent buy for a secondary screen or a basic office setup if you crave that VA contrast. Anything over $200 is a hard pass. You're getting a barebones, older panel, and you should treat it like one.

The Samsung C24F390 is a budget 24-inch curved VA panel that's been kicking around for years, and honestly, it shows its age. The one thing you need to know is that the curve on a screen this small is mostly a gimmick, but the VA panel's contrast is genuinely nice for a dark room. It's a basic 1080p office and media monitor that some retailers slap a "gaming" label on because of FreeSync, but don't be fooled by the marketing.

If you're looking for a bright, sharp monitor for a well-lit home office, this isn't it. The 250-nit screen will have you squinting all day. Go get an IPS panel like the Dell S2725QC instead, which is brighter, sharper, and way more comfortable for work.

The Samsung C24F390 is a relic that survives on brand name and a genuinely good contrast ratio. It's a passable, cheap secondary monitor for dark-room media consumption or staring at spreadsheets, but its dim screen, lack of modern ports, and sluggish 60Hz panel make it a poor choice for anything else. Only buy it if you find it for a steal and your expectations are firmly in check.