Sceptre Curved 24-inch Gaming Monitor 1080p R1500 98% sRGB HDMI x2 VGA Build-in Speakers, VESA Wall Mount Machine Black (C248W-1920RN Series)
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AI Verdict
This is a dirt-cheap 1080p VA panel that delivers deep blacks for casual gaming and office work, but competitive gamers should avoid the sluggish 8ms response time.
At under $100, this monitor trades premium build quality and speed for a high 3000:1 contrast ratio and a curved VA panel. It handles spreadsheets and casual media consumption perfectly, but the 8ms response time and 250-nit peak brightness make it a poor choice for fast-paced gaming or brightly lit rooms.
If you play fast-paced shooters, look for an IPS or TN panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time instead.
Regret Score™
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Issues discovered after purchase
Critically weak dimension
Amazon rating vs actual quality
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Pros
- 3000:1 contrast ratio from the VA panel produces much deeper blacks than IPS monitors in this price range.
- 75Hz refresh rate provides a slight but noticeable smoothness bump over standard 60Hz office displays.
- Includes a 75x75mm VESA mount pattern for easy attachment to dual-monitor arms.
- 1800R curve adds a subtle wrap-around effect that reduces glare at the edges of the 24-inch screen.
Cons
- 8ms gray-to-gray response time causes noticeable smearing behind fast-moving objects in dark game scenes.
- The included stand only tilts -5° to 15° and wobbles easily if you bump your desk.
- Built-in 2W speakers sound incredibly tinny and are barely loud enough for YouTube videos.
- The 'edgeless' marketing is misleading—there is a visible 1/4-inch black border under the plastic screen cover.
Dimension Scores
The VA panel delivers an excellent 3000:1 contrast ratio for deep blacks, but the 93% sRGB color gamut looks slightly washed out next to IPS displays.
The 75Hz refresh rate is a minor upgrade over 60Hz, but the sluggish 8ms response time causes noticeable dark-level smearing.
Includes two HDMI ports and a legacy VGA port, but lacks DisplayPort or USB hubs.
The plastic stand only offers basic tilt from -5° to 15° and lacks any height or swivel adjustments.
Best For
- Budget-conscious students needing a cheap secondary screen for reading PDFs and writing papers.
- Casual gamers playing slower-paced RPGs or strategy games where 75Hz is plenty.
- Dual-monitor home office setups mounted on a third-party VESA arm.
Not Recommended For
- Competitive FPS players who need 144Hz+ refresh rates and 1ms response times to avoid motion blur.
- Photo and video editors who require accurate color coverage beyond this panel's 93% sRGB.
Watch Out For
- The monitor defaults to 60Hz out of the box—you have to manually dig into Windows Display Settings or your GPU control panel to enable the 75Hz refresh rate.
- The 'black metal' product description refers to the color and brushed texture, but the chassis and stand are entirely made of plastic.
- The OSD menu buttons are located on the back right edge, making them frustrating to reach and navigate if you have a second monitor placed on that side.
- The VESA mount is 75x75mm, so if your monitor arm only supports 100x100mm plates, the bracket might block the power or display ports.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B07KXSR99Y |
| Brand | Sceptre |
| Color | Metal Black |
| Series | C248W-1920RN |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Resolution | FHD 1080p |
| Item Weight | 7 pounds |
| Screen Size | 24 Inches |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Manufacturer | Sceptre |
| Item model number | C248W-1920RN |
| Screen Resolution | 1920x1080 |
| Product Dimensions | 16.04 x 21.61 x 9.06 inches |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 Pixels |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 16.04 x 21.61 x 9.06 inches |
| Screen Surface Description | Matte |
| Standing screen display size | 24 Inches |
What Buyers Say
Reviewers consistently praise the 3000:1 contrast ratio for delivering deep blacks in dark rooms. The 1800R curve is subtle on a 24-inch screen but helps reduce glare from side windows. The 8ms response time causes noticeable ghosting in fast-paced games, ruining the experience for competitive players. The built-in 2W speakers sound incredibly tinny, and the 'edgeless' marketing frustrates people who discover the hidden 1/4-inch black borders under the glass.
“For 90 bucks it's a great second screen for discord and youtube, but the ghosting in Apex Legends is awful and the speakers sound like a drive thru intercom.”
Common Praise
- The 3000:1 contrast ratio makes dark scenes in movies look incredibly deep compared to standard office monitors.
- The 75x75mm VESA mount makes it incredibly easy to slap onto a cheap dual-monitor arm.
- The 1800R curve is subtle enough that it doesn't distort spreadsheets but adds a nice wrap-around feel for gaming.
- The monitor is extremely lightweight at 6.1 pounds, making it easy to move or mount.
Common Complaints
- Fast-moving objects leave a noticeable smear trail due to the slow 8ms VA panel response time.
- The 2W built-in speakers sound like they are playing through a tin can.
- The stand wobbles significantly if you type aggressively on your desk.
- The OSD buttons on the back right are stiff and frustrating to navigate.
Ownership Tips
- The brushed 'metal' texture on the back is actually just molded plastic that attracts dust.
- You have to manually force the monitor to 75Hz in Windows settings, otherwise it stays locked at 60Hz.
- The blue power LED on the bottom right is quite bright and can be distracting in a dark bedroom.
- If your VESA mount plate is larger than 75x75mm, it might block the HDMI ports located right below the mounting square.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this monitor have built-in speakers?
Yes, it has two 2W speakers. They sound very hollow and quiet, so you will definitely want to plug headphones or external speakers into the audio-out jack.
Can I mount this on a dual monitor arm?
Yes, it has a 75x75mm VESA mounting pattern on the back. You just need to unscrew the included plastic stand first.
Does it come with an HDMI cable?
No, the box only includes the monitor, the power adapter, and a manual. You need to buy your own HDMI or VGA cable.
Is the screen actually edge-to-edge?
No. While the physical plastic bezel is very thin, there is a visible quarter-inch black border built into the display panel itself.
Will this work with a PS5 or Xbox Series X?
It will display a 1080p image at 60Hz from modern consoles via HDMI. It cannot take advantage of their 120Hz performance modes.
Why is my screen only running at 60Hz?
You need to manually change the refresh rate to 75Hz in your Windows Advanced Display Settings or your graphics card control panel.
Buying Guide
When buying an ultra-budget monitor, you are always trading speed for price. This specific monitor uses a VA panel, which is fantastic for watching movies because it makes black colors look truly dark instead of glowing gray. The tradeoff is that VA panels are slow to change pixels, meaning fast motion will look blurry or smeared. At 24 inches, 1080p resolution is the sweet spot for sharp text, but the 1800R curve is mostly cosmetic at this size. Buy this for casual use, not competitive gaming.
VA Panel (Vertical Alignment)
Think of it like theater lighting. VA panels block the backlight incredibly well, giving you deep, inky blacks for movies, whereas IPS panels tend to leak light and look grayish in the dark.
8ms Response Time
This measures how fast a pixel can change from one color to another. At 8 milliseconds, fast-moving objects will leave a faint, blurry trail behind them, like a photograph taken with a slow shutter speed.
1800R Curvature
This number means if you put enough of these monitors side-by-side to form a circle, the radius would be 1800 millimeters. It's a gentle curve that brings the edges slightly closer to your eyes.
Alternatives
If you play fast-paced shooters, look for a 24-inch 1080p monitor with an IPS panel, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time to eliminate motion blur.
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