Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Alienware AW2525HM
Best Budget EsportsMSI MPG 271QRX
Best Value 1440pPrice
$200-$300
$500-$700
Summary
A 1080p esports monitor that PCMag calls excellent value, making smart cuts to hit a wallet-friendly price without sacrificing competitive performance. Ideal for high-FPS gaming on a budget.
A 1440p OLED at 360Hz with USB-C — Wirecutter's upgrade pick that bridges the gap between work and gaming. The sweet spot for competitive gamers who don't want to sacrifice image quality.
Pros
- Excellent value for a 1080p esports-focused monitor
- Fast response times suited for competitive gaming
- Alienware build quality at a budget price
- High refresh rate for smooth competitive gameplay
- 360Hz refresh rate for competitive gaming
- USB-C port enables work-and-game single-cable setup
- 1440p OLED panel balances sharpness and performance
- Wirecutter-recommended upgrade pick
Cons
- 1080p resolution looks soft on larger screens
- Limited appeal for single-player or cinematic gaming
- No OLED panel means worse contrast than premium picks
- Pricier than standard 1440p IPS monitors
- 360Hz is more than most gamers will ever need
- OLED burn-in risk with static UI elements
Our take
Not everyone needs 4K OLED — if you're grinding ranked matches, the AW2525HM gives you the fast response times that matter most at a price that won't hurt.
The USB-C port alone makes this worth the premium over cheaper 1440p options — you get a single cable for your laptop and a blistering 360Hz for gaming. Hard to beat that flexibility.
Buy
