I used an $80 monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate for a week — and I couldn’t believe my eyes

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As high-end monitors reach for the stars with QD-OLED technology and 1,040Hz refresh rates, products at the opposite end of the spectrum can offer better baseline value for less than a hundred bucks.

case in point: MSI Pro MP243W24 inch monitor for only $84. Budget monitors in 2026 look a lot better than they did a few years ago, and after getting my hands on it, I found it to be a good value for students, kids, and budget-conscious users who use their computers for everyday tasks.

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That said, there are certainly trade-offs with lower-end monitors, and they won’t be a surprise: less flexibility, less connectivity, and, most importantly, a less vibrant image. However, with the right expectations, a lower-end display can be a smart purchase rather than dropping hundreds on something extremely expensive.

Description and construction

Physically, the Pro MP243W has a minimal footprint and is lightweight at 6.8 pounds. The bezels all around are thin, and the white plastic doesn’t exactly look premium, but it’s neutral and looks good on a desktop.

Unfortunately, it only comes in the aforementioned white color, which may be more of a deal-breaker for some people than the technical specifications. The base of the monitor is just nine inches at its widest point, and the notch provides a convenient place to prop your phone, a touch that teens will appreciate.

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It features a 23.8-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) matte LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate and built-in speakers. It’s nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. The fast refresh makes things smooth, but it lacks the better viewing angles of high-end monitors. This is the first major agreement.

Sitting directly in front of the monitor will provide the best viewing experience, as moving from side to side will make the opposite corner blurry and unclear. High-end monitors are great at presenting an evenly lit, bright image across the entire screen, no matter what angle you’re viewing from. Not the case here.

When the light comes from a single source, such as a shiny window in front of the monitor, even a matte surface is prone to reflections. With a maximum of 300 nits, that means it’s not the brightest monitor on the market; Second big agreement. For this reason, I would recommend placing the monitor away from a window or light source.

On the back, the display has an HDMI port, a DisplayPort 1.2A port, a headphone jack, and a Kensington lock slot. It also has built-in speakers, but they are low-quality, and I would only recommend using them if you have no other choice.

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The screen itself can rotate up to 20 degrees, but cannot be raised or lowered. Behind the right side is the monitor’s navigation button, which brings up onboard menus for a range of visual settings and presets.

what’s that for?

I recently tested Apple’s new MacBook Neo, a $599 version of the MacBook with smart trade-offs, and was so impressed that I bought one for my mom. It’s perfect for what she uses it for: checking email, casual web browsing, and iPhone integration like FaceTime and Messages. However, one thing they don’t like is that the screen is a bit small.

My take: Pair it with MSI’s Pro MP243W. This 24-inch monitor could be a great companion to the Neo, doubling the Neo’s smaller 13-inch screen for less than $100 and creating a dual-screen home workstation in the process.

The screen, with 300 nits of brightness and FHD resolution, doesn’t look better than the Neo’s Liquid Retina display, but it is larger, and offers a second display – which the Neo handles with ease. To do this you’ll need a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter. i recommend it Anchor model for $16.

Also: MacBook Neo review: My biggest concerns with Apple’s near-perfect budget laptop

Of course, you don’t need a MacBook Neo especially Having an affordable workstation – any laptop will do; I’m simply mentioning this use case as it relates to my recent experience.

As mentioned before, another possible use of this type of monitor is for children or teenagers. It’s lightweight and affordable enough to carry around, and if you upgrade in the future, it can come in handy if you have multiple kids who want their own workstation.

ZDNET’s shopping advice

MSI Pro MP243W is a solid 24-inch budget monitor that gets the job done for $84 – a price you can’t argue with. It doesn’t compete with high-end OLED displays, but that’s not the point. It would work well for children, teens, seniors, or as a secondary device in a guest room or secondary office. I just recommend keeping it away from bright light sources, and keep in mind that you may need a monitor stand.