How good should a gaming monitor be? Well, the Dell 24 Gaming Monitor S2421HGF is the very definition of a “good enough” display, that straddles the gap between affordable and good performance. This 24-inch monitor pairs AMD FreeSync with 144Hz refresh time to deliver decent 1080p images for both gaming and productivity. That right there is what sets it apart from similarly priced productivity monitors out here.
Pros
- Well priced for the features
- Decent frame rate
- Great design with ultra-thin bezels
- Height adjustable stand
Cons
- Narrow viewing angles
- Inferior image quality to IPS and VA panels
Again, unlike most models with similar specifications, the Dell S2421HGF sports a nice design with super-thin bezels and even adds a height-adjustable stand. If anything, it’s just refreshing just how straightforward this monitor feels.
Granted, its color balance is off, and its interface isn’t as robust as it should, but it works as it should: run games at full HD and not empty your pockets. For just under $250, it’s neither cheap nor expensive.
Read our Dell S2421HGF Gaming Monitor review to find out why this is the best monitor for simple setups.
Dell S2421HGF Review: Specifications
| Screen Size | 23.8-inch |
| Resolution | 1920×1080 (Full HD) |
| Panel Type | TN |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 (Widescreen) |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
| Response Time (GtG) | 1ms (GtG) |
| Adaptive-Sync | FreeSync (48-144Hz) |
| VESA | Yes (100 x 100mm) |
Taking design tips from bigger gamers
The Dell 24 inch Gaming Monitor is about as simple as budget gaming monitors come. It rocks a screen that measures 20.9 x 12.1 inches, with a 24-inch diagonal. It barely has any bezels to speak of, except for the bottom, where you’ll find a silver “Dell” logo in the middle.
There’s a hidden power button on the underside, and there’s also a control hub and some three buttons on the back-right of the monitor.
With a hexagonal base, the Dell 24 is easy to put together, and doesn’t take up much space on your desk. You only need a flathead screwdriver, and you’re good to go. The screen is quite sturdy once propped, it can be tilted back and forth slightly, it has height adjustment, but you can’t rotate it and it makes for a poor vertical second screen. Even when rotated, the ports are extremely hard to reach.
Speaking of port, the monitor has two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, which should be enough for most consoles and gaming PCs. The Dell S2421HGF speakers are a good addition, but like monitors, they are quiet and metallic, making then not worth using unless you have no other choice.
Media & Gaming performance
As mentioned above, this Dell gaming monitor comes with a 24-inch 1080p TN screen. The monitor looks pretty good just like the Sceptre E255B-1658A with 284 nits of brightness and 107% sRGB color coverage, it’s unimpressive for a gaming monitor, but you’re getting it for cheap, so that’s expected. Compared, the very similar Dell 24 S2417DG can display 123% – although that monitor costs over $400 or more, making the Dell S2421HGF a fair alternative for budget gamers.
With 1080p resolution, a 1ms response rate, and a 144 Hz refresh rate, the Dell 24 Gaming Monitor S2421HGF can sync with older and less-powerful machines to run modern games at steady frame rates. If you have an older, less-powerful machine, you can run Doom Eternal, Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales, and similar games on this monitor without glitches.
To spice up things, the S2421HGF has built-in gaming options for FPS, MOBA/RTS, and RPGs, which you can use to boost your gaming experience. While at it, just remember that the FPS mode on this monitor is abysmal, while RTS and RPG modes handle visuals better. For instance, those preset run Age of Empires II at a steady 60 frames per second, while Thronebreaker averages the low 100s. Both are crisp, distinct visuals, although the colors aren’t extraordinary for either title.
Bottom Line
As priced the Dell 24 Gaming Monitor is pretty much what you’d expect for the price. It’s a reliable, simple and nice-looking monitor for a 1080p gaming PC – and it even supports current-gen consoles. We’d argue that even at 24-inches, you’re better off with a quad HD monitor like the Dell 24 S2417DG, but that means you’ll have to spend a little more.
All said, the Dell S2421HGF Gaming Monitor is an overall excellent budget gaming monitor for competitive gaming, but if you’re a particularly hardcore player, we recommend checking out an IPS alternative, like the LG 24QP500-B or the Sceptre E248B-FPT168, that boast of wide viewing angles and better overall brightness.
Our Pick
Dell S2421HGF 24 Inch FHD TN, Anti-Glare Gaming Monitor - 1ms Response Time, 1080p 144Hz, LED Edgelight System, AMD FreeSync Premium, VESA, Gray
2 used from $178.00
