If you’ve been hunting for a gaming monitor that won’t empty your wallet but still makes your setup feel snappy and fun, the Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip is worth a closer look. We’ve been using it for gaming, work, and a bit of everything in between to see if it lives up to the hype.
Manufacturer: Acer
Model: Nitro KG241Y Sbiip
Price when reviewed: $109.99 (Amazon)
Screen Size: 23.8”
Resolution: 1920×1080 Full HD
Refresh Rate: 165Hz
Panel Type: VA
Table of Contents
Overview
We’ve spent time with many budget monitors here, and the Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip stands out for what it offers at its price point. It’s not easy finding a display under $120 that gives you a 165Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync Premium, a VA panel with good contrast, and a design that doesn’t look cheap on your desk.
If you’re upgrading from an older 60Hz monitor, or you just want something that feels quick when you’re browsing, gaming or working, the KG241Y is an option worth considering. It doesn’t try to do too much, but what it does, it does well for the money.
Design and Setup
Acer keeps things simple here. In the box, you get the monitor, a stand, a power cable, and an HDMI cable, so you’re ready to go immediately. The stand is easy to assemble, and although it lacks height adjustment, it offers tilt from -5° to 15°, which helps if you need to angle the screen depending on your setup.
The design is clean. Acer’s ZeroFrame look means slim bezels on three sides, making it a good candidate for a dual-monitor setup if you plan to add a second screen later. The matte black finish fits in well with most gaming or work setups, and the anti-glare coating helps with reflections without making the image look grainy.
If you’re looking to keep your desk clear, the monitor supports 100x100mm VESA mounts, so you can move it to a monitor arm or a wall bracket easily.
Display and Performance
At the heart of the KG241Y Sbiip is its 23.8” Full HD VA panel with a 165Hz refresh rate. Moving from a lower refresh rate monitor to 165Hz is noticeable even in day-to-day use, making scrolling and general navigation feel smoother.
In games, the difference becomes even more apparent. Whether you’re playing CS:GO, Fortnite, or even something like Euro Truck Simulator 2, the higher refresh rate helps keep things clear when the action heats up. Paired with the 1ms VRB, motion clarity holds up well, reducing the smearing that often comes with VA panels in this range.
AMD FreeSync Premium support ensures your GPU and monitor stay in sync, helping avoid screen tearing without adding input lag. In our time using it, the monitor handled variable frame rates well, providing a consistent experience.
Colour and Brightness
Colours on the KG241Y are better than expected for its price range. Covering around 72% NTSC (close to 99% sRGB), the monitor delivers solid colours that are vibrant enough for gaming and media consumption, while maintaining decent accuracy for general use.
Brightness is rated at 250 nits, which is sufficient for most indoor setups. If your desk is near a bright window, you may need to angle the screen to avoid glare, but for a typical bedroom or home office setup, it gets bright enough without issues.
Being “HDR Ready” on a monitor in this price range is mostly marketing, but enabling HDR in compatible games or Windows does give you a slight increase in perceived contrast, though it’s not a game-changer. The VA panel’s natural contrast helps make darker scenes in games look deeper, which is noticeable when watching videos or gaming in the evenings.
Build Quality
Despite the budget price, the KG241Y Sbiip feels well-built. The plastic chassis is sturdy, and while there’s some flex if you press on it, it’s not noticeable during normal use. The stand keeps the monitor stable, with only minor wobble if you bump your desk.
The OSD controls are located on the bottom edge and are easy enough to navigate once you get used to the layout, though you’ll likely only use them a few times to adjust settings and then leave them alone.
Gaming with the Acer Nitro KG241Y
We spent time using the monitor across various games and it performed admirably considering its price point. The 165Hz refresh rate keeps your gameplay smooth, and FreeSync support helps maintain image clarity without tearing.
The 1ms VRB helps in situations where you’re tracking movement on screen, and while there’s still some motion blur in extreme cases, it’s much improved over older 60Hz or 75Hz monitors. For titles like Valorant, Warframe, or even RPGs like Skyrim, the monitor delivers a consistent and enjoyable experience.
If you’re gaming on a PS5 or Xbox, you can still enjoy 1080p resolution and high refresh rates in supported games, making it a solid choice for console gaming on a budget.
Everyday Use
Beyond gaming, the Acer Nitro KG241Y works well for everyday tasks. The 1080p resolution on a 23.8” panel keeps text sharp without scaling, making it comfortable for writing, studying, or browsing the web.
Watching videos on YouTube or Netflix looks decent thanks to the VA panel’s contrast, and for students needing a screen for schoolwork that can also handle gaming, this monitor ticks the right boxes.
The matte screen helps with reflections while keeping images sharp, and since the monitor has a clean, unobtrusive design, it blends well into different setups without being distracting.
Connectivity
You get a solid selection of ports:
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
- 2 x HDMI 2.0
- 1 x headphone jack
This gives you flexibility to connect a PC, console, and a streaming device without constantly swapping cables, which is helpful if you like keeping things plugged in and ready to use.
The inclusion of an HDMI cable in the box is a small but appreciated touch, letting you get started right away.
Price and Value
At $109.99, the Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip offers impressive value. It’s hard to find another monitor that delivers a 165Hz refresh rate with FreeSync, decent colours, and a clean design in this price range.
If you catch it on sale, it becomes an even better deal, letting you step into smoother gameplay and everyday use without stretching your budget.
Who Should Buy It?
This monitor is ideal for:
- Gamers on a budget looking for a 165Hz upgrade.
- Students needing a screen for online classes, writing, and light gaming.
- Console gamers who want a clean, affordable monitor for 1080p gaming.
- Anyone moving from an older 60Hz screen wanting smoother visuals.
- Users needing a dependable second monitor for a dual-screen setup.
Final Thoughts
The Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip 23.8” Full HD VA Gaming Monitor is an easy recommendation for those looking to get into high-refresh gaming without spending too much. It gets the essentials right: a 165Hz refresh rate, decent colour and contrast, low input lag, and a design that fits well on any desk.
You’re not getting advanced HDR or premium build materials, but you’re getting a monitor that performs well in gaming, handles everyday tasks comfortably, and won’t break your budget.
If you’re upgrading from an older monitor or building a budget gaming setup, the KG241Y is a worthwhile choice that shows you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a monitor that feels fast, looks good, and holds up across different uses.
The cer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip 23.8 is available on Amazon.