Best Overall Value
Price: £238.99 | Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.1)
The ASUS 27-inch 1440p 300Hz sits in a sweet spot that a lot of first-time high-refresh-rate buyers will appreciate. It's a 1440p IPS panel running at 300Hz, which means you get the resolution bump over 1080p without the complexity and cost of OLED. For someone stepping up from a 60Hz or 144Hz monitor for the first time, this is a proper upgrade that won't overwhelm.
IPS panels are forgiving. Colours look good out of the box without much calibration needed, viewing angles are wide, and there's no burn-in risk to worry about. At 300Hz, you're comfortably above the 240Hz baseline, which gives you a bit of headroom. The 1440p resolution at 27 inches hits a pixel density that makes games look noticeably sharper than 1080p at the same size.
For beginners specifically, the ASUS software ecosystem (DisplayWidget Center) makes it easy to adjust settings without diving into confusing OSD menus. It's not the flashiest monitor in this roundup, and it won't match OLED for contrast or HDR, but it's a reliable, well-rounded 240Hz-plus monitor that's hard to go wrong with. A solid first step into high refresh rate gaming.
Pros
- 1440p resolution at 27 inches looks genuinely sharp
- 300Hz gives headroom above the 240Hz baseline
- IPS panel is forgiving and easy to use out of the box
- No burn-in risk
- ASUS DisplayWidget Center simplifies settings
Cons
- IPS contrast can't match OLED
- HDR performance is limited compared to OLED rivals
- Newer ASIN with limited long-term owner feedback yet
Buy on Amazon£238.99
Best Under £200
Price: £168.60 | Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5)
The Samsung Odyssey G4B is the best budget 240Hz monitor in this entire roundup. Full stop. It's a 25-inch IPS panel running at a genuine 240Hz with a 1ms grey-to-grey response time, and Samsung has kept the design clean and slim rather than plastering it with RGB and aggressive styling. That matters if you're building a tidy setup.
For competitive gaming specifically, this monitor is hard to fault at the price. 240Hz at 1080p is easy to drive even with mid-range GPUs, so you'll actually hit those frame rates in games like Valorant, CS2, or Apex Legends. FreeSync Premium keeps things smooth when you dip below the cap, and the G-Sync compatibility means NVIDIA users aren't left out.
The IPS panel delivers accurate colours and wide viewing angles, which is more than you'd expect at this price point. It's not going to blow you away with HDR or contrast, but it does the fundamentals properly. Owner feedback is consistently positive, with most buyers noting it just works without fuss. If you're looking for the best 240Hz monitors under £400 on a tighter budget, the G4B is the one to beat.
Pros
- Genuine 240Hz IPS performance under £200
- Slim, clean design without excessive styling
- FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatible
- 1ms response time is competitive
- Strong owner satisfaction ratings
Cons
- 1080p resolution feels limiting at 25 inches
- HDR is basic, not worth enabling
- No USB hub or extra connectivity
Buy on Amazon£168.60
Best Curved IPS
Price: £161.66 | Rating: ★★★★½ (4.6)
The ASUS TUF VG27VQM1B is one of the more interesting monitors in this roundup because of its colour credentials. 90% DCI-P3 coverage is genuinely impressive for a curved gaming monitor at this price, and it means colours in games look rich and accurate rather than washed out. For anyone who plays visually rich games alongside competitive titles, that matters.
ELMB (Extreme Low Motion Blur) sync is a feature worth calling out. It works alongside FreeSync to reduce motion blur at high frame rates, which is particularly effective at 280Hz. The curved 27-inch panel adds immersion without going so extreme that it distorts the image. The 1ms response time keeps things competitive.
It's a slightly older design now, and the stand ergonomics aren't as adjustable as newer rivals. But the core panel performance holds up well. If you want a curved 240Hz-plus monitor with better-than-average colour accuracy and ELMB sync, the VG27VQM1B still earns its place in 2026.
Pros
- 90% DCI-P3 colour coverage is excellent for gaming
- ELMB sync reduces motion blur effectively
- 280Hz gives headroom above 240Hz
- Curved panel adds immersion
Cons
- Older design with less ergonomic stand
- 1080p at 27 inches shows pixel density limits
- Priced higher than some newer rivals with similar specs
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Best VA Panel
Price: £118.97 | Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5)
VA panels have a reputation for slower response times, but MSI's Rapid VA technology in the MAG 274CXF pushes that down to 0.5ms GtG minimum. That's competitive with many IPS panels and makes this a more viable option for fast-paced gaming than older VA monitors. At 280Hz, it also clears the 240Hz bar with room to spare.
The big advantage of VA over IPS is contrast ratio. You get deeper blacks and better shadow detail, which helps in darker game environments. The 1500R curve on a 27-inch screen is fairly aggressive and works well for single-monitor setups where you're sitting close to the screen.
The connectivity is a bit dated (DP 1.2a and HDMI 2.0b), which limits you to 1080p at 280Hz rather than anything higher resolution. That's fine for the target audience, but worth knowing. CEC support via HDMI is a nice touch if you're connecting other devices. Overall, this is the best option in this roundup if you specifically want VA contrast at 240Hz-plus without paying OLED prices.
Pros
- Rapid VA delivers better response than traditional VA
- Higher contrast ratio than IPS rivals
- 280Hz at an accessible price
- 1500R curve suits close-up single-monitor gaming
Cons
- Older connectivity (DP 1.2a, HDMI 2.0b)
- 1080p only, no 1440p option
- VA still shows some smearing in very fast motion
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Best 27" Budget IPS
Price: £109.97 | Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4)
The AOC 27G4ZR is a proper bargain. A 27-inch Fast IPS panel at 260Hz with height adjustment for under £135 is the kind of spec sheet that makes you double-check the price. And it holds up. Fast IPS delivers quicker pixel transitions than standard IPS, and the 0.3ms MPRT figure reflects that. It's not the same as GtG response time, but in practice motion looks clean at 260Hz.
Height adjustment is something a lot of budget monitors skip, so its inclusion here is genuinely appreciated. Ergonomics matter for long gaming sessions. G-Sync compatibility covers NVIDIA users, and Adaptive Sync handles AMD. HDR10 support is present but don't expect anything transformative at this price point, it's more of a checkbox than a feature.
For 240Hz gaming on a tight budget, the 27G4ZR gives you more screen real estate than the 24-inch version below without a significant price jump. If you're choosing between the two AOC G4ZR models, go for this one unless desk space is genuinely limited.
Pros
- 27-inch Fast IPS at 260Hz for under £135
- Height adjustment included
- G-Sync compatible and Adaptive Sync
- Clean, no-nonsense design
Cons
- HDR10 is functional but not impactful
- 1080p at 27 inches is softer than 1440p
- No USB hub
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Best Compact Pick
Price: £89.98 | Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4)
The 24-inch version of the G4ZR shares the same Fast IPS panel and 260Hz refresh rate as its bigger sibling, but in a more compact form factor. At 23.8 inches, 1080p resolution actually looks sharper because the pixel density is higher. If you're gaming at a desk where you sit close to the screen, this size can feel more natural than 27 inches.
The inclusion of DisplayPort 1.4 alongside two HDMI 2.0 ports gives you more flexibility than some rivals. Height adjustment is here too, which is a genuine bonus at this price. The Fast IPS panel handles motion well at 260Hz, and the 0.3ms MPRT keeps things looking clean in fast-paced games.
It's a newer product with less owner feedback than some rivals, but the specs are solid and AOC's track record with budget gaming monitors is generally reliable. A good pick if desk space is limited or you prefer a smaller screen for competitive gaming.
Pros
- Higher pixel density than 27-inch 1080p rivals
- DisplayPort 1.4 included
- Height adjustment for ergonomics
- Compact footprint suits smaller desks
Cons
- Smaller screen may feel limiting for some
- Limited owner reviews as a newer product
- HDR10 is basic
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Best Under £100
Price: £99.95 | Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4)
Under £100 for a genuine 240Hz monitor. That's where we are in 2026, and the AOC 25G3ZM/BK proves it's possible without completely falling apart. This is the entry point for anyone who wants high refresh rate gaming without spending serious money. And it delivers the headline spec. 240Hz is real, not marketing fiction.
The compromises are real too, so let's be straight about them. Colour accuracy is average. The panel won't win any awards for vibrancy or coverage. Build quality is functional rather than impressive. The stand has limited adjustment. But for competitive gaming where frame rate matters more than colour depth, those compromises are acceptable.
If you're upgrading from a 60Hz monitor for the first time and want to experience 240Hz without committing serious money, this is the monitor to start with. You'll immediately feel the difference in motion smoothness. And when you're ready to upgrade, you haven't lost much on the initial investment. It earns its place as the best under £100 pick in this best 240Hz monitors under £400 roundup.
Pros
- Genuine 240Hz at under £100
- Great entry point for first-time high-refresh buyers
- Low financial risk if you're unsure about 240Hz
Cons
- Average colour accuracy and coverage
- Limited stand adjustment
- Build quality reflects the price
- Not suitable for colour-sensitive work
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Best Curved Budget
Price: £129.99 | Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2)
The AOC C27G4ZXED is a 27-inch curved 280Hz monitor at a price that undercuts a lot of the competition. If you want the immersive feel of a curved screen at 240Hz-plus without spending much, this is a reasonable option. The 280Hz refresh rate gives it a slight edge over strict 240Hz panels, and the 1ms response time keeps gaming performance competitive.
FreeSync Premium is properly implemented here, not just a badge. The curve adds genuine immersion for single-monitor gaming setups. HDR10 support is present but, as with most monitors at this price, it's not going to transform your HDR experience. Think of it as a bonus rather than a selling point.
It's not the most exciting monitor in this roundup, and the colour performance is solidly average. But as a curved 240Hz-plus option at an accessible price, it does what it says. Worth considering if the curve is important to you and you don't want to spend more than necessary.
Pros
- Curved 27-inch panel at an accessible price
- 280Hz clears the 240Hz baseline
- FreeSync Premium properly implemented
Cons
- Average colour performance
- HDR10 is minimal in practice
- Outclassed by newer AOC models at similar prices
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Best for Style
Price: £316.99 | Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4)
The AOC C27G2Z3 is the most visually distinctive monitor in this roundup, with its black and red colour scheme that leans hard into gaming aesthetics. If your setup already has red accents, this fits right in. The specs are solid enough: 27-inch curved panel, 240Hz, 1ms response, FreeSync Premium, and DisplayPort 1.4.
Honestly though, the price is the issue here. At over £255, it's competing directly with monitors that offer better panel technology or higher refresh rates. The AOC 27G4ZR, for example, gives you 260Hz Fast IPS with height adjustment for significantly less. The C27G2Z3 is harder to recommend purely on value grounds.
Where it makes sense is if the styling genuinely matters to you and you want a curved 240Hz monitor that looks the part in a red-and-black gaming setup. Performance is fine, not exceptional. It's the last pick in this best 240Hz monitors under £400 roundup because the competition has moved on, but it's not a bad monitor. Just not the best value anymore.
Pros
- Bold red and black design stands out
- DisplayPort 1.4 included
- FreeSync Premium and curved panel
Cons
- Overpriced compared to newer rivals with better specs
- Standard IPS, not Fast IPS
- Styling won't suit every setup
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