The NZXT Canvas 25F gives you the option to build a suitable desktop display for your competitive gaming setup. NZXT lets you choose how you want to set the monitor up so you don’t have to waste resources on a stand or monitor arm that you won’t use. Let’s check to see if its worth spending extra on this uniquely designed option.
NZXT Canvas 25F Specifications
- Screen Size: 25 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB-C x 1, USB-B x 1, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand (W x H x D): 21.97” x 19.26” x 8.64”
- Weight: 13.29 lbs
Design and Features
The NZXT Canvas 25F has a sleek and sophisticated aesthetic which would make it look gorgeous next to a minimalist case like NZXT’s offerings. It comes in either matte black or white, so you can build it the way you’d like and match your setup. The display has thin bezels on three sides, but it still has that thicker bottom strip and inner borders.
It is not a large display even if you select the regular base or stand since it’s a 25-inch model. However, you can save more space if you choose the single and dual-screen mounts since they only clamp onto the rear edge of your desk. It weighs 13.29 pounds with the base, but the chassis itself is only 7.56 pounds.
Its build quality is great even if it’s at the lower end of the 240Hz category’s pricing spectrum. It mostly has plastic parts, but it feels solid, and it doesn’t sag or wobble unwantedly. Both the stand and arms are reliable, so you don’t have to worry about it toppling over.
The NZXT Canvas 25F has a large joystick at the back for easy access to its settings and features. You can’t see it from the front, but it is hard to miss it since the knob is quite big compared to other designs. Some premium monitors even have remotes, but a functional gadget that doesn’t need multiple keystrokes and memorization of varying functions is enough.
The regular stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments so it should work fine in most cases. The single and dual arms offer more flexibility, but they cost more than the standard setup. You can still use aftermarket VESA mounts, but we only mentioned them since they are cheaper, even if they are less attractive than NZXT’s offerings.
The NZXT Canvas 25F’s connectivity includes Display Port 1.2, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode for video. It also has a USB hub for your accessories and a 3.5mm jack for headphones and speakers. The downside here is the USB-C port’s lack of power delivery, but at least it can be used as an input for laptops.
It’s missing speakers, but that’s okay since gaming monitors almost always deserve gaming headsets. It would also interfere with the monitor’s sleek appearance, and that’s one of the product’s most important aspects. We think that higher-priced displays should include them, but the lack of them isn’t a deal breaker.
Display and Performance
The NZXT Canvas 25F sports a 25-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 limit while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model has VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification, but we all know what that means when it comes to true HDR or actual HDR performance.
1080p monitors are still popular because they are used for E-Sports, but they have also become more affordable. They are easy to run with an entry-level rig, although you will need a more potent CPU and GPU combo if you want higher framerates. It’s also easy to use for productivity in some cases since you won’t strain your eyes trying to read walls of text.
The NZXT Canvas 25F covered 100% of sRGB, but it only managed to put out 78% for DCI-P3. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 0.91, indicating that it has already been calibrated right from the factory. Most users won’t need to do anything to it, so it’s a great pick even for beginners.
Calibrating it did not do much since the process only improved the dE average to 0.57. Squeezing out every ounce of fidelity is a must for professionals, but it is unnecessary for gaming. Getting a colorimeter for this monitor is not worth it, and we think a prosumer variant should be prioritized for color-critical work instead.
The NZXT Canvas 25F’s backlight reached 401 cd/m2, so it has plenty of room for adjustment. However, its contrast failed to impress since it only reached 976:1 at 30% brightness. It’s not capable of deep blacks, but that’s almost always expected from an IPS display.
Panel uniformity for the test sample did not have any major issues like backlight leaks. There was some variance in the backlight’s spread, but it wasn’t entirely noticeable in bright or full-color images. Note that this can vary with every unit made due to tolerances, so there are worse units out there.
The NZXT Canvas 25F is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for tear-free gaming. Dual compatibility is a must-have so you won’t have to buy a new monitor when you switch GPU brands and would want to keep VRR functionality. Its input lag sits at 3ms at 240Hz, so it’s just as fast as the best E-Sports monitors out there.
Thoughts on the NZXT Canvas 25F
The NZXT Canvas 25F is a great choice for users who want a gaming monitor that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. NZXT’s unique packaging helps gamers choose what’s right for their setups so they won’t have to buy add-ons or deal with spacing issues. Its performance isn’t behind as well, so it can go toe to toe with the best E-Sports displays out there.
Our main gripe with it is its exclusivity, which makes it next to impossible to get for many customers. You can also get a better deal for 240Hz 1080p now, although all of them will most likely have a standard base and arm configuration. It’s a fantastic monitor, but gatekeeping availability always limits a product’s success and sample size in a sprawling market.
Pros:
- Customizable Configuration
- Attractive and Functional Design
- Fast and Responsive
- Excellent Accuracy
Cons:
- Pricey
- Stand Options Cost More
- No USB-C PD
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
Leave a Reply