KTC 24.1″ Gaming Monitor | 25M1 Review: A Small Footprint with Solid Performance

If you have not been paying consideration, KTC has been changing into a reasonably large participant on this planet of gaming monitors, they usually’re completely an organization you need to be having a look at in the event you’re out there. I have been utilizing their H49S66 Ultrawide monitor (and previously reviewed it), and it has been superior.

My private subject, nonetheless, is that I now have the Ultrawide firmly mounted to my Asetek sim racing rig, so I used to be again in the marketplace once more for a gaming monitor for my desk. And as a lot as I did get pleasure from utilizing the Ultrawide on this setting too, properly… my desk house comes with a premium, and I additionally do not have a number of it to spare.

Enter the KTC 25M1, one other slick gaming monitor providing from the corporate that additionally occurs to be way more desktop pleasant, measuring in at 24.1 inches as an alternative of the whopping 49 of my Ultrawide. I have been testing this unit out for a number of weeks at this level, and I have to say, it has been a completely nice and spectacular expertise throughout.

Transport, Unboxing, and Setup

The first step when receiving a brand new piece of tech hardware is all the time the delivery, unboxing, and setup course of. Within the case of the KTC 25M1, I actually do not have an excessive amount of to debate, and that is a very good factor. My solely “concern” I in all probability must cross alongside is that it arrived with out an outer delivery field, and was as an alternative ready at my doorstep with big pink letters screaming “MASTER” and exhibiting off the cool design of the monitor.

That is principally related in the event you’re somebody fearful about porch pirates in your neighborhood, so perhaps simply be sure you’re residence when it is being delivered. The opposite factor right here is that the dearth of an outer field means the monitor is a bit more within the fingers of the supply driver/delivery service, which could be a little scary too. However for me, no hurt, no foul. My field arrived in nice form, was well-sealed to stop any mud/particles from getting into, and received the job finished.

From right here, setup could not be simpler. With each KTC displays I’ve now used, every has one easy screw on the underside of the stand that connects the items collectively, and also you’re up and working. Genuinely, you may be gaming on this factor inside maybe 120 seconds of unboxing, which is a sort of simplicity I actually can respect.

I will be trustworthy, as a lot as I like to consider myself as a hardcore PC gamer and fledgling streamer/content material creator, I do not at present have essentially the most usable desk house. My desk is superior, nevertheless it’s additionally house life for me within the metropolis, so all sq. footage comes with a premium. For me, the small measurement of the 25M1 from KTC is just about excellent.

I’ve gamed on bigger displays earlier than (even excluding my Ultrawide), so going into this evaluate, I positively puzzled if I might discover 24 inches a bit too small. In follow, nonetheless, I feel the dimensions is very nice, matches my house completely, and is not leaving me wishing for extra. That is, after all, an enormous win.

It is sufficiently small to depart room for a second monitor in the event you want one, but in addition looks like sufficient actual property for me when enjoying absolutely anything. It will be as much as you if, say, you are an enormous FPS participant and what the additional benefit of one thing like an Ultrawide, however as a normal-ratio monitor, this one completely will get the job finished and offers you that candy, candy further desk house.

The bottom of the stand can be small, serving to additional with any house issues, and the unit additionally has all of the swivel, tilt, and carry capabilities that you might want. As a pleasant little bonus right here too, the 25M1 comes with adjustable flaps on both aspect of the display that function gentle blockers, and whereas I did not assume these would actually make a distinction initially, I’ve discovered this a really good characteristic to have.

There’s additionally an elective however nifty toggle change that comes with and may sit in your desk, which serves as a extra available menu navigator if you would like to tweak any settings. This is not a vital a part of a gaming monitor, however I do respect the comfort.

Lastly, the again of the unit additionally dons a collapsible headphone holder, additional including some utility and house optimization to the monitor that actually goes the additional mile right here.

Placing It To the Take a look at

However after all, a very powerful a part of a gaming monitor is… properly, the way it features as a gaming monitor. Regardless of the beforehand talked about small measurement of the KTC 25M1, this little unit packs a punch.

The 1080p display appears very sharp and crisp, with a variety of colours and readability that I have been very happy with after diving into the settings menus and calibrating all the things precisely the way it appears greatest for my room. There is a almost goal sacrifice in the event you’re choosing one thing non-4K and/or OLED today, however there’s additionally definitely one thing to be stated about precise efficiency over the fanciest decision, which is the place the 25M1 shines.

I haven’t got the perfect GPU on this planet, however that is completely okay with this monitor, which is FresSync and G-SYNC appropriate, so even I can cease experiencing display tearing. This was a problem I might seen with my earlier principal desktop monitor, and it is but to be a problem for me with the 25M1.

The star of the present right here and what KTC appears to push essentially the most with this monitor is the excessive refresh price and the pace of the TN panel, which work collectively to just about remove ghosting, blur, and every other nasty issues like that which actually matter once you’re gaming at a excessive stage or enjoying twitchy titles, like a number of shooters.

On the finish of the day, for me, I am simply not having any points in any respect with the 25M1, and on this planet of shopper tech, “no points” actually is what we’re all searching for. The 25M1 works, it performs properly, it appears nice for the cash, and I’ve actually been tremendous, tremendous happy with it.

I am going to additionally level out that I used to note eye pressure on earlier displays, and I do not really feel it almost as a lot with this unit. As somebody who looks like they in all probability put on glasses at the moment due to burning my eyes out on the Sport Boy Advance again within the day, options like what the KTC 25M1 has to maintain my eyes feeling higher throughout a protracted session is actually nice.

Further Specs and Data

In case you’re searching for the detailed tech specs and causes they matter on paper, here’s what KTC offered me with to cross alongside:

• 400Hz / 0.5ms — eliminates movement blur and ghosting, which is an actual benefit in fast-paced shooters
• Quick TN panel — pro-grade pixel transitions, minimal ghosting, purpose-built for pace
• FreeSync & G-SYNC appropriate — no tearing no matter your GPU
• HDR10 + 98% sRGB + 85% DCI-P3 — surprisingly strong colour for a TN panel
• Removable shielding hood — blocks aspect glare, which really makes a distinction throughout lengthy classes
• Totally adjustable stand (peak, tilt, swivel, pivot) + Low Blue Gentle / Flicker-Free for eye care
• Twin DP 1.4 (as much as 400Hz) + Twin HDMI 2.0 — straightforward multi-platform setup

You may additionally once more wish to be aware that this isn’t a 4K monitor, so if that’s one thing that is non-negotiable for you when purchasing for a brand new monitor, simply preserve that in thoughts. For my cash, I nonetheless assume the 25M1 is without doubt one of the greatest displays on this worth vary I’ve ever used, so I am okay rocking with 1080p for a way I take advantage of my PC (and as I take advantage of my 4K OLED TV for normal PS5/Change 2 console gaming).

After all, if you’d like much more detailed spec breakdowns, KTC has all of it for you at their website. The underside line for me is that I am merely having fun with utilizing the 25M1. My video games look nice on it with none display tearing, blurring, or any cause for concern in any respect. I additionally actually do genuinely discover and respect the efforts made for eye consolation and minimal pressure because of the built-in low blue gentle mode and flicker-free design.

It is at present listed at $329.99 (marked down from $399.99), which actually looks like a wonderfully truthful worth for as a lot as I have been having fun with the KTC 25M1 since I’ve began my evaluate course of. That is one to try if all the above sounds up your alley.

KTC 25M1 Product Home Page

In case you’re searching for a small, budget-friendly gaming monitor however do not wish to sacrifice an excessive amount of efficiency (and are okay with out 4K), the 25M1 from KTC actually is a strong possibility. The 24.1 inch display could also be a bit small for some, however I actually am having fun with the additional desk house I am now left with whereas nonetheless with the ability to leverage a high-performing monitor throughout. Eye pressure is minimal, it appears nice, and it is received the spot on my desk as my present principal gaming monitor.

Rating: 8.5/10

Product offered by KTC for evaluate.