Sceptre C248B-144RN Monitor Review – A No-Frills Good Budget Gaming Monitor

The Sceptre C248B-144RN is a versatile monitor designed for users who spend equal amounts of time working on a desktop PC or laptop PC. It uses a VA panel to deliver rich, accurate colors and offers a healthy set of ports including HDMI, DisplayPort.

The display works with AMD FreeSync technology to deliver the best picture possible during fast motions. That means you can play a host of modern gaming titles without experiencing any screen tearing. All in all, it makes it to our top picks of budget gaming monitors.

Pros

• Simple elegant design
• Decent port system
• AMD FreeSync technology
• Great price point
• Full HD display
• The curved display offers an immersive viewing experience

Cons

• Average brightness
• Built-in speakers are poor

Sceptre is a multinational company that has been providing customers with exceptional monitors and TVs for decades now. While Sceptre is not the first name when it comes to gaming monitors, with the Sceptre C248B-144RN monitor, the brand has done an exceptional job. We look forward to probably seeing Sceptre monitors in professional competition events in time.

Right off the bat, the curved Sceptre C248B-144RN looks like a monitor made for champions. Its design doesn’t fall too far from other Sceptre monitors we’ve had on our desks. Its sharp curve should make you feel closer to the action than with a traditional flat panel. In this review, we access how the Sceptre C248B-144RN monitor stacks up against other monitors in its price range.

Sceptre C248B-144RN Specs

Screen size	24 inch curved
Display	LED
Resolution	1920 x 1080
Refresh Rate	144Hz
Response time	3 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Curvature	1800R
Adaptive Sync	AMD FreeSync
Wall Mount	75mm x 75mm (VESA Ready)
Dimensions	21.5 x 5.4 x 15.6 inches
Weight	6.32 lbs
Color	Black

Design and Features

The Sceptre C248B-144RN doesn’t have an imposing footprint but at 24 inches it is housed in a black cabinet attractive enough to turn heads. The exterior features a classy piano black finish with a slender profile. I would love to say the bezels are thin and unnoticeable when playing videos but that’s not the case.

The bezel is thin but not as trim as advertised – and definitely noticeable. What we absolutely love though is that the materials and construction feel robust with no quality cuts despite the lower price.

It display sports a 1,920-by-1,080 resolution, a 3,000:1 contrast ratio, a 16:9 aspect ratio, a 250 cd/m2 peak brightness, and a 3-millisecond (gray-to-gray) pixel response.

At 21.5 x 5.4 x 15.6 inches and 6.32 pounds, the Sceptre C248B-144RN stands tall and bold. It shares dimensions with some of Sceptre’s monitors such as the Sceptre C248B-144R.

It shares almost the same dimensions with Samsung’s C27F398 27″ Curved Monitor (24.52 x 9.55 x 18.35 in) but relatively similar footprint with the HP’s VH240a IPS monitor (8.58 x 21.22 x 19.65 inches). The weight is also quite friendly at 6.32 pounds which makes it easy to transport across your rooms or offices.

The cabinet is supported by a stand consisting of two separate tripod-shaped legs. The stand is attached to the back of the monitor and supports the display quite well without much wobble. It is an elegantly thin piece of cast aluminum, very sturdy and has a good snug tilting mechanism that allows a -5 to 15 degrees tilting angle adjustment.

For this monitor, however, there is no height or swivel adjustment. Right at the rear where the stand meets the display is the VESA mount. There’s nothing special about the mount as it is just as ordinary as you would expect. The mount holes follow a 75mm by 75mm pattern and you will need screws to mount the monitor to the wall. (The screws are usually pre-packed with the monitor).

Controls and Connections

As far as ports are concerned, there are multiple ports including an HDMI port, DVI port, Display port and Audio out. All these are located in the rear section of the monitor. It’s great having a DisplayPort as they are rarities in budget-priced monitors.

The ports should allow easy connections to your mainstream or gaming desktop or extra monitor setup. We noted, however, that it does not include a USB port that could be used for connecting to flash drives or phones. That could easily be a problem for some.

Just as is on other Sceptre monitors we’ve reviewed, physical controls are found on the bottom right-hand edge. Most gaming monitors have a mini-joystick at the bottom section of the lower bezel. The Sceptre doesn’t, but you can always use the buttons to get to the On-Screen Display (OSD).

It comes with multiple color modes for different occasions: Preset Picture Mode (Standard, User, Movie, ECO); Preset Game Mode – RTS (Real-Time Strategy), FPS (First Person Shooter and Eye Saver Mode which is aligned to Blue light shift to prevent eye strain, alongside adjustable gamma settings.

Performance

The Sceptre C248B-144RN pulls all the stops in pursuit of the best mainstream experience possible. First, the panel has a 1800R curvature which provides a great gaming experience. The general rule of thumb is curved monitors with sharp or more pronounced curves are great for gaming. That is especially if the monitor is 30 inches and larger. Nonetheless, for the price, our unit is great for productivity, watching movies and gaming.

Moving on, the Sceptre C248B-144RN also enjoys a 3ms (gray-to-gray) response time. If you’re planning on gaming, good response time is important. Normally, the standard response time for gaming is between 1 to 3 ms which means our unit is within the sweet spot. Images are clear and there is no stuttering, no ghosting, and the monitor feels ‘snappy’.

Moving on, the monitor comes with an incredible 144Hz refresh rate to keep fast-paced visuals smooth. This also translates to smoother and nicer gameplay with no screen tearing or uneven motion. As if not enough, the Sceptre C248B packs an AMD FreeSync which helps eradicate all those problems by synchronizing the refresh rate of your monitor with the refresh rate of your graphics card.

A No-Frills Good Budget Gaming Monitor

There’s a lot to like about the Sceptre C248B-144RN. It delivers accurate colors and immersive gaming experience with its curved screen. Additionally, it is loaded with a decent port system so you can connect to other external monitor setups. Throw in the Full HD display, 3ms response time, 144Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync technology and you’ve got a winner in your hands. Best of all, it costs less than $200 so it won’t break the bank.

For the price, the Sceptre C248B-144RN does deliver ample screen estate for daily productivity and gaming. If you’re looking to replace your old monitor, buy a new monitor or just looking for an immersive viewing experience on a monitor, the Sceptre C248B-144RN is a great choice. Best of all, it should get you back to enjoying your fragging gaming sessions at a budget-friendly price.

Are there other alternatives?

By most modern gaming standards, $200 does not offer you a lot of extra features, cutting edge specs or beautiful accessories. So when you find monitors offering one or two special features it then is a keeper. The Acer XFA240 bmjdpr is one such monitor offering 144Hz, 1ms response time, 1080p display, TN panel and a budget price (you would have to add $30 to get it though).

Another option would be the ViewSonic VX2458-MHD monitor. It also offers a unique blend of features including 1080p display, TN panel, 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. For the price, you would have to top up at least $20 extra to get it.

Should you buy it?

Finding a fast 1080p monitor under $200 is easy, but finding one in the $150 bracket with great features is the real task. The Sceptre C248B-144RN has a timeless design, thin almost edgeless bezel, 3ms response time and 144Hz refresh rate.

For the price it comes in, you will be hard-pressed to find better. But again, it all depends on your needs and plans for the monitor. If all these features fit your needs and the budget is right, then Sceptre C248B-144RN is a good deal for you.