AOC has launched three affordable gaming monitors boasting up to 300Hz refresh at QHD resolution. Joining the brand’s G1 and G42 lineups, these aggressively priced displays don’t have much to envy their higher-tier competitors. If your main criteria are speed and image quality, you can save a buck and opt for one of these.
AOC is once more pushing the boundaries of affordable monitors, this time combining sought-after QHD resolution with 240Hz and 300Hz IPS panels. Available in 24.5in and 27in formats, they offer sharp and clear images, all while taking up less desk space. You can even push the 240Hz models to 260Hz via panel overclocking, giving you more value for your money.
AOC Q25G4SR
Starting from the top, Q25G4SR is the fastest of the bunch, delivering a 300Hz refresh rate at QHD (2560×1440) resolution. It boasts a high pixel density of 119.89 PPI thanks to its 24.5-in size, which allows it to look sharp even from a close distance. This makes it a prime choice for users who like to sit centimetres away from their displays. It succeeds Q24G2A, amping up speeds without affecting cost.
Q25G4SR is based on a flat IPS panel, rated for 1ms GtG and 0.3ms MPRT pixel response times, ensuring clear transitions. It’s not on the same level as OLEDs, which still reign supreme in this department, but it’s the best you’ll get in this price range. Likewise, brightness and contrast are set to 400nits and 1000:1, respectively, which is what you can typically expect from this type of panel. That said, AOC does include support for DisplayHDR 400 feeds, giving the Q25G4SR a slight boost in image vibrancy.
Moving to the back, we find two HDMI 2.1 and one DisplayPort 1.4, alongside two 2W speakers plus a fully adjustable stand offering tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments.
AOC Q27G4ZR
Q27G4ZR goes a step lower, offering 240Hz refresh rate at QHD resolution, but this time in a larger 27in format that drops the density to 108.8 PPI. I find this size perfectly suited for 1440p, as it lets you position the monitor further without it being harder to read. Once more, the underlying panel is IPS, but this time supporting overclocking up to 260Hz. Needless to say that reaching 260Hz may depend on your luck, but at least you have the option to further boost speed.
The contrast, brightness, and response times are all identical to Q25G4SR, at 1000:1, 400nits, and 1ms GtG apiece. The same goes for HDR 400 support and overall design. On the back, you will find two HDMI 2.0 plus one DisplayPort 1.4, all of which are fast enough for these specs. As for ergonomics, you get the same stand, adjustable in tilt, swivel, pivot, and height.
AOC Q27G42ZE
Q27G42ZE, is pretty much a copy of the Q27G4ZR that is slightly stripped down to fit within even tighter budgets. Also based on a 240Hz 27in IPS panel that can overclock to 260Hz, this model is all you need if you don’t care about ergonomics. The main things you lose are the speakers and the fully adjustable stand, which now can only tilt. Nothing a VESA arm mount can’t fix, but we are keeping things to a budget here, so fixed stand it is.
Regardless of their specs, every model listed above comes with AOC’s gaming toolkit, including shadow control and crosshairs, but most importantly, they all support current-gen consoles, which makes them versatile display solutions. Q25G4SR, Q27G4ZR, and Q27G42ZE will be available from mid-June 2025 at £239, £209, and £199, respectively. These are as cheap as they get, only beated by some VA type models.
