For years, my quest for the perfect secondary monitor felt like chasing a myth. I needed a display that could keep up with fast-paced gaming during downtime but also serve as a clear, comfortable screen for hours of writing and research. The market is flooded with options, but they often force a difficult compromise. You could get a cheap 60Hz monitor that felt sluggish and choppy in games, or you could spend a fortune on a high-end panel with features I didn’t need. The middle ground—a monitor that offered a tangible performance upgrade without demolishing the budget—seemed frustratingly out of reach. This common dilemma is what sends so many of us searching for a product like the Sceptre 24-inch 100Hz Gaming Monitor, a display that promises to break the cycle of compromise.
- Blue Light Shift: Blue Light Shift reduces blue light, allowing you to comfortably work, watch, or play applications without straining your eyes.
- Built-in Speakers: Perfectly suited to work & gaming settings, built-in speakers deliver robust & smooth audio while saving space on your desk.
- DP & HDMI Ports: The DisplayPort & HDMI 2.0 ports deliver up to a stellar 100Hz refresh rate, providing visibility that allows you to easily prevail over your foes.
What to Consider Before Buying a Gaming Monitor
A gaming monitor is more than just a screen; it’s a window into digital worlds and a crucial tool for both productivity and play. It’s the key solution for overcoming the limitations of standard office displays, which often suffer from motion blur, screen tearing, and washed-out colors. A quality gaming monitor provides a smoother, more responsive, and more immersive experience, giving you a competitive edge in games and reducing eye strain during long work sessions. The main benefits are fluidity from higher refresh rates, clarity from faster response times, and vibrancy from better color accuracy.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone building their first gaming PC, looking for a budget-friendly upgrade from an old 60Hz screen, or needing a capable secondary monitor for a multi-display setup. It’s perfect for students, aspiring gamers, and remote workers who want a single display that excels at both work and entertainment. However, it might not be the best fit for professional esports athletes who demand 240Hz+ refresh rates or graphic designers who require absolute color precision and 4K resolution. For those users, higher-end, specialized monitors from brands like ASUS or BenQ might be a more suitable, albeit more expensive, alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Resolution & Screen Size: For a 24-inch monitor, a Full HD (1920×1080) resolution provides a sharp, clear image with a high pixel density. This combination is the sweet spot for mainstream gaming, as it’s less demanding on your graphics card than QHD or 4K, allowing you to achieve higher frame rates more easily. Ensure the size fits comfortably on your desk without causing neck strain.
- Performance (Refresh Rate & Response Time): The refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), is how many times per second the screen updates the image. A 100Hz rate offers a noticeably smoother experience than the standard 60Hz, reducing motion blur in fast-moving scenes. Response time (1ms in this case) measures how quickly pixels can change color, which is critical for eliminating “ghosting” or smearing in competitive games.
- Panel Technology & Color Gamut: While not explicitly listed, monitors in this price range typically use VA or TN panels, offering a balance of speed and color. A key spec here is the 100% sRGB color gamut, which ensures colors are vivid and accurate for gaming, media consumption, and even light creative work. This is a significant step up from monitors with poor color reproduction.
- Connectivity & Ergonomics: Check for the ports you need. Having multiple HDMI ports and a DisplayPort provides excellent flexibility for connecting PCs, consoles, and laptops. Also, consider the stand’s adjustability. A basic stand might only offer tilt, while more expensive options add height, swivel, and pivot adjustments. VESA mount compatibility is a huge plus, as it allows you to use a third-party arm for perfect positioning.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Sceptre 24-inch 100Hz Gaming Monitor stands out in several areas, particularly for its balanced performance and feature set at an accessible price point. You can explore its detailed specifications and current offers here.
While the Sceptre 24-inch 100Hz Gaming Monitor is an excellent choice for its category, it’s always wise to see how it fits into the broader market. For those craving an even more immersive field of view for cinematic gaming or expansive productivity, ultrawide monitors present a compelling alternative. For a broader look at all the top models in that space, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- CURVED FOR ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT: An immersive viewing experience with a curved monitor that wraps more closely around your field of vision; It creates a wider view, enhancing depth perception and...
- An improved viewing experience: Experience a high 100Hz refresh rate across your work with a TÜV Rheinland 3-star* certified viewing experience coupled with ComfortView Plus.
- REACT IN REAL TIME: 180Hz refresh rate eliminates lag for exhilarating gameplay with ultrasmooth action; 1ms response time (MPRT) provides frames with minimal blur, allowing you to jump on enemies...
First Impressions: Sleek, Simple, and Ready for Action
Unboxing the Sceptre 24-inch 100Hz Gaming Monitor was a straightforward and satisfying experience. The monitor is incredibly lightweight, coming in at just under 6 pounds, which made handling and setup a one-person job. Assembly consisted of attaching the two-piece stand to the base of the panel with a single thumbscrew—no tools required. From box to powered on, the entire process took less than five minutes. Our initial impression of the design is positive; the “edgeless” or “frameless” three-sided bezel is impressively thin, lending the monitor a modern and sleek look that’s perfect for dual-monitor setups. While it’s not truly borderless (there’s a small internal black border, as is common), the physical bezels are minimal and don’t distract. The package includes an HDMI cable, which is a welcome touch that allows you to get started immediately. It feels purpose-built: no unnecessary frills, just a focus on delivering the screen itself.
Key Benefits
- Fluid 100Hz refresh rate provides a smooth gaming and desktop experience
- Excellent color accuracy with 100% sRGB coverage
- Versatile connectivity with 2 HDMI ports and 1 DisplayPort
- Extremely competitive price point for the features offered
Limitations
- Built-in speakers are very weak and lack bass
- The included stand is wobbly and lacks height or swivel adjustment
A Deep Dive into the Sceptre E248W-FW100T’s Performance
A monitor’s spec sheet only tells half the story. To truly understand its value, we put the Sceptre 24-inch 100Hz Gaming Monitor through its paces in a variety of real-world scenarios, from intense gaming sessions to long workdays filled with spreadsheets and documents. This is where the monitor moves beyond its budget price tag and proves its mettle.
Gaming Performance: The 100Hz Difference is Real
This is the arena where the Sceptre monitor was built to shine, and it does not disappoint. The jump from a standard 60Hz or even 75Hz display to 100Hz is immediately noticeable. In fast-paced shooters like Valorant and Apex Legends, motion is significantly smoother, making it easier to track targets and react quickly. The blur that plagues lower-refresh-rate screens is drastically reduced, creating a cleaner and more connected feeling to the gameplay. We found our experience echoed by one user who simply stated, “The quality and the refresh rate is amazing, definitely worth it.” That sentiment captures the core value here perfectly.
The 1-millisecond response time works in concert with the refresh rate to keep the image sharp and free of ghosting. Paired with a capable PC, enabling AMD FreeSync was simple and effectively eliminated the screen tearing we tried to induce. The result is a locked-in, fluid visual experience that punches well above its weight class. It’s important to note, however, that achieving 100Hz depends on your hardware. We saw one user report getting only 60Hz on their Xbox; this is a common console limitation. To unlock the full 100Hz potential of this monitor, you’ll need to connect it to a PC via DisplayPort or a compatible HDMI 2.0 port and select the proper refresh rate in your display settings. The built-in “FPS” and “RTS” game modes are a nice touch, offering quick presets that adjust brightness and contrast for competitive visibility, though we preferred creating our own custom profile.
Visual Fidelity and Everyday Use: More Than Just a Gaming Screen
While its gaming credentials are its main draw, we were pleasantly surprised by the monitor’s performance in day-to-day tasks. The key here is its 100% sRGB color gamut. This specification means the monitor can accurately reproduce the standard color space used for most web content, videos, and games. In practice, this translates to vibrant, natural-looking colors that don’t appear washed out or oversaturated. Photos looked crisp, videos were enjoyable to watch, and text was sharp and easy to read for hours on end. Several users who purchased it for remote work confirmed our findings, with one noting, “The 27-inch screen is clear and bright, colors look great.” (Note: this review is for the 24-inch model, but the sentiment on color quality applies).
The Eye Care technology, specifically the Blue Light Shift feature, is another standout for productivity. Engaging this mode reduces the amount of high-energy blue light emitted from the screen, which can help reduce eye strain and improve sleep patterns, especially during late-night work or gaming sessions. We found this feature genuinely effective, making long hours in front of the screen more comfortable. One user who uses multiple Sceptre monitors for 8-10 hours a day mentioned that many displays give them headaches, but they’ve had “no issue with these.” For anyone who spends a significant portion of their day at a computer, this is a massive quality-of-life benefit that shouldn’t be overlooked in a budget monitor.
Design, Ergonomics, and a Tale of Two Flaws
The physical design of the Sceptre 24-inch 100Hz Gaming Monitor is a study in contrasts. On one hand, its lightweight build and thin bezels are fantastic. It’s easy to move, looks great on a desk, and is ideal for creating a nearly seamless multi-monitor array. The generous inclusion of two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort is a huge win for connectivity, accommodating a PC and a console simultaneously without needing a switch. However, the monitor’s two most significant weaknesses are also part of its physical design: the stand and the speakers.
The stand is, to put it mildly, basic. It offers a limited range of tilt and no height or swivel adjustment. We found this to be a common point of contention among users. One owner was blunt: “The only con is the stand for the monitor. It’s not height adjustable and it’s pretty light, felt like the monitor wobbled a lot.” Another noted that it seems to have a permanent downward tilt, forcing an uncomfortable viewing angle. Fortunately, Sceptre included a critical feature that completely redeems this shortcoming: a 100x100mm VESA mounting pattern. This means you can easily discard the included stand and attach the monitor to a desk-mounted arm, giving you full ergonomic freedom. This is exactly what the previously mentioned user did, transforming their experience.
The second flaw is the built-in speakers. While their inclusion saves desk space, their performance is poor. The sound is thin, tinny, and completely lacks bass. They are functional for system notifications or a quick news clip, but for any immersive gaming or media consumption, you will absolutely need a dedicated set of external speakers or a headset. This is a nearly universal sentiment, with one user stating the speakers are “horrible” and another describing them as “a bit tin-ny.” This is a common cost-saving measure in budget monitors, and while it’s a drawback, it’s an understandable one given the excellent performance of the panel itself.
Controls and Usability: The One-Button Secret
Navigating the on-screen display (OSD) initially caused us some confusion, a feeling that was validated by a particularly helpful user review. The product manual and some online information incorrectly suggest there are side buttons for settings. In reality, all control is managed through a single, joystick-like button on the back of the monitor. A simple press powers the monitor on and off. Pushing the joystick left, right, up, or down brings up the menu and allows you to navigate settings for brightness, contrast, volume, input selection, and picture modes. Once we understood this, navigating the menus became intuitive and fast. One user perfectly described the discovery: “if I hadn’t accidentally hit the power button at an angle I would NEVER have found out how to adjust the volume.” This single-button control scheme is clean and efficient, but better documentation would prevent initial user frustration. For those who invest in this display, knowing about this “secret” from the start will make the setup process much smoother.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, user feedback for the Sceptre 24-inch 100Hz Gaming Monitor paints a clear picture of a product that delivers exceptional value for its price. The overwhelming majority of positive comments center on its performance. Owners consistently praise the smooth 100Hz refresh rate and the crisp, vibrant picture quality, often expressing surprise at how good it looks for the cost. As one new gamer put it, “I’m definitely happy with my purchase. This is my first gaming monitor and I’m definitely enjoying it so far!” Many also highlight its utility as a work-from-home or secondary monitor, with one person noting it was a “significant upgrade” from using a TV.
However, the criticism is just as consistent, though it focuses on forgivable compromises. The two most common complaints are the wobbly, non-adjustable stand and the poor quality of the built-in speakers. A user who bought the monitor for work summarized the stand issue well: “My only major problem is that… It tilts down towards the desk, meaning you have to lean down a little bit or have to get a stand to have comfortable viewing angles.” Another noted the speakers are “horrible,” advising others to buy a separate set. These critiques are valid but also point towards the smart compromises Sceptre made to keep the price low while prioritizing the quality of the screen itself—the part that matters most.
How Does the Sceptre 24-inch 100Hz Gaming Monitor Compare to the Competition?
While the Sceptre monitor excels in its price bracket, it’s important to see what other options are available if your budget or needs differ. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable alternatives.
1. KTC 27 Inch 100Hz QHD Computer Monitor
See latest priceThe KTC monitor offers a direct step up in both size and resolution. Moving from the Sceptre’s 24-inch 1080p panel to this 27-inch QHD (2560×1440) display provides significantly more screen real estate and a much sharper image. While both monitors share a 100Hz refresh rate, the KTC’s IPS panel and higher resolution make it a better choice for productivity, multitasking, and enjoying high-fidelity games where visual detail is paramount. This monitor is for users who are willing to spend a bit more for a premium visual experience and have a graphics card powerful enough to drive games at 1440p.
2. ASUS ProArt PA278QV 27″ WQHD Monitor
See latest priceThe ASUS ProArt PA278QV is in a different league, targeting creative professionals rather than just gamers. Its main selling point is its exceptional color accuracy, being Calman Verified with a Delta E < 2 rating and covering 100% of both sRGB and Rec. 709 color spaces. It also features a superior, fully ergonomic stand with height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments. While its refresh rate is a standard 75Hz, it’s the ideal choice for photographers, video editors, and graphic designers who prioritize color fidelity above all else. If your work involves color-critical tasks, the ProArt is a worthy investment over the Sceptre.
3. Samsung S3 27″ 100Hz Curved Monitor
See latest priceThe Samsung S3 offers a compelling alternative focused on immersion. It matches the Sceptre’s 100Hz refresh rate but does so on a larger 27-inch panel with an 1800R curve. This curvature is designed to wrap the image around your field of view, creating a more engaging experience in games and movies. While it sticks with a 1080p resolution, which can look slightly less sharp on a 27-inch screen, it’s an excellent choice for users who prioritize a cinematic feel over pixel density. If you love immersive single-player games or watch a lot of movies at your desk, the Samsung’s curved design might be more appealing.
Final Verdict: An Unbeatable Value for Budget-Conscious Gamers
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Sceptre 24-inch 100Hz Gaming Monitor is a phenomenal value. It successfully delivers on its core promise of providing a high-refresh-rate gaming experience at a price point that was once reserved for basic 60Hz office displays. The smooth 100Hz performance, coupled with a fast response time and surprisingly accurate colors, makes it a joy to use for both gaming and general productivity. Yes, compromises were made—the stand is flimsy and the speakers are weak—but these are intelligent trade-offs. The inclusion of VESA mounting holes provides a perfect escape route from the ergonomic issues, allowing the fantastic panel to shine. We wholeheartedly recommend this monitor to anyone building their first PC, upgrading on a tight budget, or seeking a capable second screen. It proves you don’t have to break the bank to get a truly excellent display.
If you’ve decided the Sceptre 24-inch 100Hz Gaming Monitor is the right fit for your setup, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API