ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM and VG249Q1A: Budget Gaming Monitors Compared

Between the two, the ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM suits competitive players who want the fastest 1080p IPS screen in the budget-to-mid range, while the VG249Q1A suits buyers who want an affordable 165Hz IPS monitor and can accept a lower brightness and a basic stand. A third name searchers often add is the old VG248QE, a 144Hz TN panel from 2013 that is now an older generation and best left to used-market bargain hunters.

At a Glance: VG259QM vs VG249Q1A

ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM

What the maker lists

ASUS lists the VG259QM as a 24.5-inch Fast IPS monitor with an anti-glare surface, a 1920×1080 resolution and a maximum refresh rate of 280Hz. It lists a 1ms GTG response time, 99% sRGB coverage, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, HDR10 support and 400 cd/m2 peak brightness. Connectivity is one DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 inputs, an earphone jack and two 2W speakers. The stand tilts from +33 to -5 degrees, swivels plus or minus 90, pivots plus or minus 90 and raises up to 130mm, and the monitor is compatible with 100x100mm VESA mounts. Weight is 5.1 kg with the stand and 2.8 kg without.

ASUS TUF Gaming VG249QML5A 24 Inch 1080p 240Hz G-SYNC Gaming Monitor | ELMB Sync, FreeSync Premium, Gaming AI, Fast-IPS, 0.3ms, 99% sRGB,Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync, Ergonomic Stand,3yr warranty,

Chosen because it specifies ELMB Sync and FreeSync Premium.

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ASUS TUF Gaming 24” 1080P Monitor (VG249Q1A) - Full HD, IPS, 165Hz (Supports 144Hz), 1ms, Extreme Low Motion Blur, Speaker, FreeSync™ Premium, Shadow Boost, VESA Mountable, DisplayPort, HDMI

Chosen because it specifies Full HD and IPS.

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ASUS TUF Gaming VG249QM5A 24 Inch 1080p 240Hz G-SYNC Gaming Monitor | ELMB Sync, FreeSync Premium, Gaming AI, Fast-IPS, 0.3ms, 99% sRGB,Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync,3yr warranty

Chosen because it specifies ELMB Sync and FreeSync Premium.

View on Amazon →

ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMRL5A 25 Inch 1080p 310Hz G-SYNC Gaming Monitor | Gaming AI, Ergonomic Stand, FreeSync Premium, Fast-IPS panel, DisplayHDR 400, 0.3ms, 99% sRGB, Height Adjustable

Chosen because it specifies Gaming AI and Ergonomic Stand.

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What reviewers report

Tom’s Hardware reports the panel runs at 240Hz natively with a 280Hz overclock, and highlights ELMB-Sync, which allows 280Hz motion blur reduction to work together with Adaptive-Sync. It calls the combination of low input lag and a 280Hz refresh rate a unique and wonderful gaming experience. DisplayNinja reports input lag of about 2ms. Note that the HDR10 label here is a signal format; at 400 cd/m2 with no local dimming it is a modest HDR experience.

Strengths and limits

• Strength: Very high refresh rate for a budget-to-mid tier 1080p screen, useful for players with the frame rates to match.
• Strength: Fully adjustable stand with pivot and 130mm of height.
• Strength: 99% sRGB and 400 cd/m2 brightness give a bright, accurate image for the tier.
• Limit: No USB hub, according to Tom’s Hardware.
• Limit: Only one DisplayPort input, and DisplayPort 1.2 is the version listed.
• Limit: The 280Hz overclock may need specific settings and is not guaranteed on every system.

ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A

What spec sources list

Spec databases list the VG249Q1A as a 23.8-inch IPS monitor with a W-LED backlight at 1920×1080, 250 cd/m2 brightness, 1000:1 static contrast and a 48 to 165Hz refresh range. Response time is 1ms and adaptive sync is AMD FreeSync Premium. Ports are two HDMI 1.4, one DisplayPort 1.2 and a 3.5mm audio output.

What reviewers report

LaptopMedia describes it as one of the more affordable IPS gaming monitors, since most competitors at that tier use VA panels, and measured 92.5% sRGB coverage with an average pre-calibration colour error of 2.4 dE. A roundup on Gadget Review reports that testers praised the 165Hz refresh rate, low input lag and snappy response, but disliked the ergonomically limited stand.

Strengths and limits

• Strength: IPS colour and viewing angles at an entry-level tier.
• Strength: 165Hz is plenty for mid-range graphics cards.
• Limit: 250 cd/m2 is dim in a bright room.
• Limit: HDMI 1.4 ports limit the refresh rate over HDMI, so use DisplayPort for the full range.
• Limit: The basic stand lacks height adjustment, so a VESA arm may be needed.

Availability of the VG249Q1A in 2026 was not confirmed on the maker’s page during research, so treat it as potentially a previous-generation model and look at ASUS’s current TUF Gaming 24-inch line if it is not stocked.

What About the VG248QE and VG248Q?

The ASUS VG248QE is a 24-inch 1920×1080 TN monitor from March 2013 with a 144Hz panel, a quoted 1ms grey-to-grey response, HDMI 1.4, Dual-Link DVI and DisplayPort 1.2. Reviewers note that 120Hz and 144Hz are not supported over HDMI, that it lacks FreeSync, and that it uses PWM to control brightness, so it is not flicker-free. One review site reports ASUS discontinued the SKU around 2018 to 2020 and names the VG248QG (165Hz, G-SYNC Compatible), the TUF VG249 family and the VG249QE5A as replacements, but that claim comes from a single site and was not confirmed by an ASUS statement. The VG248Q was not clearly described in the sources checked, so differences from the VG248QE are unconfirmed.

In short, the VG248QE and VG248Q are previous-generation. For new purchases, an IPS TUF model has wider viewing angles and better colour than the TN panel.

Pick X If… Decision Table

Setup Tips for Budget 1080p Monitors

• Use DisplayPort: It is the safest route to the full refresh rate on PC for both monitors.
• Set the refresh rate in Windows: Monitors often default to 60Hz until you pick the higher rate in display settings.
• Overdrive: Start with a middle overdrive setting and raise it only if motion looks smeared. The fastest settings can add overshoot.
• Consoles: Current consoles output up to 120Hz at 1080p when a game supports it, so the extra refresh headroom is mostly a PC benefit.
• Cable quality: A poor DisplayPort cable can cause flicker or blank screens at high refresh rates.

Alternatives

• LG UltraGear 24GS60F: LG lists a 23.8-inch IPS, 180Hz, 1ms GtG (at Faster), 99% sRGB, G-SYNC Compatible and FreeSync, with a tilt-only stand.
• A 27-inch 1440p IPS monitor: More desktop space and sharper text for mid-range graphics cards.
• A VESA monitor arm with either ASUS monitor: Fixes the stand limitation cheaply.

Matching Refresh Rate to Your Hardware

A high refresh rate only helps when the system can draw that many frames per second. At 1080p, a mid-range graphics card paired with a recent processor can reach well above 144 frames per second in popular esports titles, which is where the VG259QM’s 240Hz native and 280Hz overclocked refresh rates become meaningful. In demanding single-player games, frame rates often sit between 60 and 120, and in that range the difference between a 165Hz and a 280Hz monitor is small. Adaptive sync keeps motion smooth when frame rates fluctuate, which is often more noticeable than the headline refresh figure.

For buyers on an older or lower-tier graphics card, the 165Hz VG249Q1A is the more sensible match. The money saved can go toward the graphics card itself, a VESA arm, or a better keyboard and mouse. Anyone planning a graphics upgrade within a year can look at the VG259QM so the monitor does not become the bottleneck.

Panel Type Basics: IPS Versus TN

Both current ASUS models use IPS panels, which offer wider viewing angles and more accurate colour than the TN panel in the older VG248QE. TN panels were popular among competitive players for their speed, but modern fast IPS panels, such as the one ASUS lists for the VG259QM, close the gap with 1ms GTG ratings. The remaining IPS downsides are lower native contrast (about 1000:1 on both models as listed) and visible backlight glow in a dark room at wide angles. Anyone who games mainly in the dark and wants deeper blacks may prefer a VA monitor, with the trade-off of slower dark transitions.

Another point is colour coverage. ASUS lists 99% sRGB for the VG259QM, while LaptopMedia measured roughly 92.5% for the VG249Q1A. Both are fine for games and video, but photo editors who need accurate colours should consider calibrating either screen or choosing a model designed for creative work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, the VG259QM or the VG249Q1A?

The VG259QM is the faster and brighter model with a better stand, listed at up to 280Hz and 400 cd/m2. The VG249Q1A is the cheaper choice at 165Hz and 250 cd/m2. For competitive play with a powerful PC, the VG259QM is the stronger pick.

Is the VG259QM really 25 inches?

The model is marketed as a 25-inch class monitor, but ASUS lists the actual diagonal as 24.5 inches. At 1920×1080 that gives a slightly sharper image than a 27-inch 1080p screen.

Does the VG249Q1A support G-Sync?

Spec sources list AMD FreeSync Premium. Nvidia cards can often run adaptive sync over DisplayPort on FreeSync monitors, but ASUS’s manual is the place to confirm certification.

Is the VG248QE still worth buying?

It is a 2013 TN monitor without FreeSync and with PWM brightness control, according to reviewers. An IPS TUF model is a better choice for most buyers unless you find a used one at a very low price.

Do these monitors have speakers?

ASUS lists two 2W speakers for the VG259QM. The VG249Q1A lists a 3.5mm audio output, so use headphones or external speakers.

Can I use them with consoles?

Yes, both accept HDMI input. Console output is limited to 1080p at the refresh rates the console supports, so the highest refresh rates are a PC benefit.