The Pixio PX248 Pro offers a new and improved “Fast Rapid Nano IPS” panel for E-Sports at a very mellow price tag. It is cheaper than the PX248 Prime, which has fewer features and great value for its time. Let’s look at this model to discover what makes it the pro version.
Pixio PX248 Pro Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution:1920 x 1080 FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m²
- Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- 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 2.0 Service x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 21.34” x 19.38 x 10.46”
- Weight: 9.7 lbs
Design and Features
The Pixio PX248 Pro looks simpler than most gaming variants, but it is sharp edges, and domineering stand give its actual status away. The monitor has a matte black finish, so it doesn’t look polarizing in all kinds of PC setups. The display has thinner bezels, but you still get inner borders, just like many modern IPS displays.
It’s a regular-sized monitor by today’s standards, but some of its dimensions are unnecessarily oversized. The stand eats up a large area on your desk since it needs almost ten and a half inches of depth when assembled. However, it’s very light at 9.7 pounds, so it’s a good choice for portable setups to take to LAN parties or gaming events.
Build quality is decent, even if the monitor comes from an exclusively budget-friendly brand. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, with no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The stand kept the screen upright quite well, although it can still slightly wobble if you nudge it accidentally.
The Pixio PX248 Pro also got upgraded to an OSD joystick, whereas some budget models still have to make do with buttons. It’s located at the back, but it’s near the right-hand side of the display, so it’s within reach. The OSD’s layout could use some improvements, but it’s serviceable in our opinion.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, unlike the Prime version. It’s easier to get a comfortable viewing angle, which is crucial for long hours of intense gaming. You can use VESA mounts, but they are only unnecessary in typical scenarios.
The Pixio PX248 Pro’s I/O was simplified to help with reducing its suggested retail price. You only get DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 ports, along with a 3.5mm jack for headphones and a USB 2.0 port for firmware upgrades.
It does have built-in speakers, but they are not gaming-grade due to their lack of clarity and base. They are usable for basic tasks, but the monitor is better served by gaming headsets which are often tuned for E-Sports. Good audio is essential for competitive gaming since it helps you focus and provides an advantage so you can catch your opponents by surprise.
Display and Performance
The Pixio PX248 Pro sports a 24-inch Nano IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 300 cd/m2 limit, while its contrast is listed at 1000:1, like most IPS models. It is not HDR certified since it’s not equipped for it, but it is listed to be HDR compatible.
Gaming corporations are pushing for higher-resolution monitors, but 24-inch 1080p is the universal standard. It is not the sharpest, but visibility and legibility are excellent, so all types and ages of users will be happy with it. It’s also very easy to run with modest GPUs, so you can build a gaming setup for E-Sports without spending a small fortune.
The Pixio PX248 Pro renders cover 100% sRGB and 98% of the DCI-P3 color space for stunning colors in games and movies. Its default accuracy isn’t great, with a deltaE average of 2.64, but it is decent for a wide gamut panel. Most users won’t need to calibrate it, apart from adjusting the brightness levels.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 1.36 which balances out the oversaturation in some hues. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve comparable results since copying settings or ICC profiles cannot guarantee it due to panel variances. We can only recommend the extra purchase for content creators or editors, but it is impractical for gaming.
The Pixio PX248 Pro’s backlight peaked at 281 cd/m2 in SDR, but it reached 303 cd/m2 when its HDR mode is active. Its contrast hits 1136:1 at 40% brightness for better black luminance than some IPS models. However, it is still not capable of extended range or deeper blacks like VA or OLED monitors.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was decent, although the monitor had some minor backlight leaks. They are not noticeable, but putting an all-black image can reveal some of them, especially at night. Note that this can vary between every unit made due to tolerances, so there are better and worse ones out there.
But what gives the Pixio PX248 Pro its Pro nickname in your eyes is its excellent pixel response time. The panel barely shows any blurring, even with the overdrive off, so you only need to keep frames high and use the first level of the feature. It is fantastic for fast-paced games like Valorant or CSGO despite its pricing handicap from the best out there.
The Pixio PX248 Pro is compatible with both freeSync and g-Sync for tear and stutter-free gaming. This makes it suitable for AMD and Nvidia systems, but PS5s and the latest Xbox variants can’t use VRR even if they are compatible with their 120Hz modes through HDMI. Input lag sits at 4ms at 165Hz, so it’s basically lag-free and perfect for E-Sports titles.
Thoughts on the Pixio PX248 Pro
The Pixio PX248 Pro matches or even beats several premium competitors in aspects that matter the most for competitive gaming. It is very fast and responsive, so you are not getting disadvantaged if you buy it. It’s built well, and it includes an ergonomic stand, showing us that it is worthy of your hard-earned money.
It isn’t perfect like most monitors, so you have to live with some limitations at the least. It doesn’t have creature comforts. However, it’s still an excellent buy if we focus on the aspects that matter more for your gaming enjoyment.
Pros:
- Very Affordable Gaming Monitor
- Fast and Vibrant Nano IPS
- Fully Adjustable Stand
Cons:
- No USB Ports
- Limited HDR and Contrast
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.
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