A 1080p resolution and 165Hz refresh rate don’t make the Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip cutting-edge for gamers, but these 24-inch monitors still offer tremendous bang for the buck. Any gaming monitor below the $200 price point is considered budget, and there are dozens of cheap 1080p monitors, but it’s never easy to find one that prioritizes image quality. With the Nitro KG241Y, that’s exactly what you’re getting: decent image performance over design and extras.
The Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip is a 24-inch, 1080p monitor with a VA panel, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. This puts it in the middle of the crowded segment of the monitor market. However, it gets some noteworthy specs like AMD FreeSync support, and its Black Frame Insertion feature can be used concurrently with a variable refresh rate, further improving motion clarity.
But for all it offers on paper and musters in benchmarks, it remains basic when it comes to actually using it for anything. Gaming, watching movies, and browsing the web are all a decent experience on this budget monitor on many alternatives, but the LG 32GP750-B remains our Editors’ Choice among budget gaming monitors.
About the Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip
Here are the main specs on the Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip monitor:
- Display size: 23.8-inch
- Native resolution: 1920×1080
- Panel type: VA
- Refresh rate: Up to 165Hz
- Adaptive sync: AMD FreeSync Premium
- Ports: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2
- VESA mount: Yes, 100x100mm
- Weight: 8.36 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.44 x 21.27 x 16.3 inches
Design & Features
The “Nitro” name sounds cool enough, but the KG241Y, like all other monitors from Acer, is pretty simple. Acer’s Nitro line of monitors focuses on performance over design. That’s the reason all Nitro monitors adopt a simple, matte black housing paired with a skinny stand with either a round or V-shaped base. It’s simple, but not cheap.
The stand feels a little flimsy and offers limited ergonomic adjustments: just narrow tilt adjustment. Swivel and pivot aren’t guaranteed at this price point, so it’s not a deal-breaker not to see them offered here. However, it has 100 x 100mm VESA mount support for attaching a third-party monitor arm or stand.
The other issue I have with the stand is cable management. The Nitro KG241Y Sbiip doesn’t have a hole in the stand for routing ca3bles. Instead, what Acer offers is a tiny clip on the base that does a terrible job of keeping cables bundled.
Connectivity includes two HDMI 2.0 ports, plus one DisplayPort 1.4, but it doesn’t have a USB port for connecting wired peripherals. While we’d have wished for at least two USB ports, we’re still satisfied with the available inputs as it’s at par with most budget 1080p gaming monitors.
The Nitro’s menu system would be better even for a budget monitor. It looks basic, with simple icons and unattractive fonts, and it doesn’t feel responsive while using the joystick to scroll through options. Still, the joystick and select buttons are easy to use, but the power button is fairly close to the select buttons. You might accidentally turn off the monitor several times.
Gaming and Hands-on
Right from the start, the Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip performs like a competent gaming monitor, with a few extras that place its performance well above its price point. Having played on many 240, 360, and 500 Hz screens, the 165 Hz, in most cases, is lightweight in the motion resolution department. The Nitro KG241Y’s motion handling is decent, but it doesn’t get as fluid, as let’s say a 240Hz gaming monitor. At 1080p, it doesn’t suffer from trail artifacts, and motion blur is so minimal that you have to look hard to see it.
Input lag isn’t a problem either. Sure, you might notice some slight delay especially when running demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 on a GeForce RTX 4090 PC such as the CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme, but you won’t have problems keeping frame rates at 165 fps. With a powerful machine, you’re able to use the KG241Y Sbiip to its full potential. This is one of the few budget gaming monitors that manages to run games without visible phasing, and with AMD FreeSync Premium, the gameplay gets even more immersive.
However, you’re not going to invest in a PC with an RTX 4090 card and then pair it with a low-cost monitor. In that case, you need a better monitor that will fully utilize your expensive gaming rig; but if you’re running a casual gaming setup; maybe RTX 4070 and below, this is the monitor for your gaming needs.
Playing SDR games like Tomb Raider reminds you that this is a budget monitor, especially its low contrast, but you can compensate by turning on dynamic contrast in the OSD. Without that enhancement, the blacks are darker and the picture lacks some pop.
In HDR mode, the experience is the opposite. The Nitro KG241Y Sbiip, like other recent Nitro screens, delivers superb HDR. While it won’t produce the crispness of a 1,000-nit Mini LED screen, it comes closer than you’d think. The HDR image is stellar, the colors are vibrant and it gets brilliant primary hues and fine-looking earth tones. When gaming, metallic surfaces, and objects have a tactility that’s impressive.
For productivity, the Acer KG241Y Sbiip is well suited to run business apps like Word or Excel. However, if you work in graphics, you’d want a higher-resolution monitor. QHD or 4K in the 24-inch size is a little soft for sine detail in Photoshop, but it’s a good candidate for basic graphics. If you need to catch up on a TV show or just watch videos, just sit back about five feet, and you’ll enjoy an immersive experience.
Should you buy it?
Yes, it is affordable but its performance surpasses the money you’re spending.
It’s truly a great time for bargain hunters who are in the market for a high-performance gaming monitor. 24-inch FHD display with Adaptive-Sync and 165 Hz are becoming common and that means great deals are out there.
In Acer’s case, it offers the Nitro KG241Y Sbiip at a very reasonable price. There are other gaming monitors in this line-up, and all of them offer similar image quality with high contrast VA panels and wide gamut color. But that sub-$200 price is what makes our review model more appealing. It’s an astounding value with one of the highest price/performance ratios you can get right now.
Overall, there’s very little that the Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip does not do well. For the price, you’ll have a hard time finding a better 24-inch gaming monitor. Budget-conscious shoppers should check the Nitro KG241Y Sbiip out.
Recommended Configuration
Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip 23.8” Full HD (1920 x 1080) VA Gaming Monitor
$94.99 in stock
1 used from $94.04
The Review
Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip
The Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip is an affordable 24-inch VA gaming monitor that offers decent performance and can be used for productivity tasks without sacrificing image quality.
PROS
- Very affordable
- Decent image quality
- 165Hz refresh rate
- Low input lag
CONS
- Basic ergonomics
- Mediocre contrast ratio
Review Breakdown
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ARS SCORE
