The ViewSonic Omni VX2418C is one of the cheapest gaming monitors with a curved screen and a 165Hz refresh rate. Similar specs used to command at least a hundred more, so we’re glad that the market has matured enough to make 144Hz+ gaming reachable for the masses. Let’s take a closer look at the VX2418C to see if it’s worth buying.
ViewSonic Omni VX2418C Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand (W x H x D): 21.3” x 16.2” x 8.2”
- Weight: 6.83 lbs
Design and features
The ViewSonic Omni VX2418C has a simpler aesthetic, so it may look like an office display to some. The monitor has a matte black finish which looks great on both workstations and gaming setups. The display doesn’t have bezels on three sides, but it still has inner borders like most monitors.
It’s not a large device, so it should fit right in with your setup, even if the desk is small or there are other larger peripherals. It needs 8.2 inches of depth, but that’s not exaggerated by today’s standards. The monitor only weighs 6.83 pounds, so it’s one of the most portable around.
It’s one of the most affordable monitors around, but its build quality is still pretty decent compared to other models. The plastic parts have a bit of flex but don’t have cosmetic defects or signs of weakness that will lead to cracking or denting. The included stand can keep the display up, but there is some wobbling if your desk is unstable or you nudge the screen accidentally.
We love that the ViewSonic Omni VX2418C already has an OSD joystick, even if it sits at the lowest price point. Other budget models have OSD buttons which are usually mushy or less tactile. We’re glad that owners have a convenient way to access the settings with less effort and time.
The included stand is limited to tilt, but that’s understandable since it’s an extra-affordable monitor. Curved monitors have to be centered anyway, but the height limitation might need creative solutions like stacking books or buying a monitor platform. You can use VESA mounts, but the added cost will bring you closer in cost to better-equipped models like the AOC 24G2.
Its connectivity layout is also limited to one DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 2.0 slots, and a 3.5mm jack. USB slots have become very useful, but it’s forgivable not to have them at this price range. Adding more will surely affect the price, so we’d gladly miss the extras if we’re paying less.
The ViewSonic Omni VX2418C also has speakers to complete its functionality. However, they only have 2 watts of power each, so they are not capable of immersive audio that’s necessary for gaming. It is still nice to have it for basic uses, but we don’t see them getting much use by the monitor’s primary audience.
Display and Performance
The ViewSonic Omni VX2418C sports a 24-inch 1500r VA panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 250 cd/m2 output while the contrast ratio is listed at 3000:1. This model doesn’t advertise HDR features, but that’s okay since convincing performance in that regard comes from exponentially expensive alternatives.
1080p monitors are easy to use because it is not straining to read text or view images on it. It’s not the sharpest and the most spacious, but games and movies still look decent in full HD. You also don’t need a complicated setup to get it to 165Hz, so it is a great option for those who don’t want to overspend.
The ViewSonic Omni VX2418C isn’t the most vibrant monitor out there since it only produces 93% of the sRGB gamut. However, it is superbly accurate for a budget monitor with a deltaE average of 1.63. Most users won’t need to tweak it, although some minor adjustments for the brightness might be necessary.
Calibrating it with a colorimeter reduced the dE average to 1.07, which is excellent for a monitor at this price range. However, you need the colorimeter to guarantee the same level of improvement. The gadget itself is more expensive than the monitor, so it’s not practical for most uses.
The ViewSonic Omni VX2418C’s backlight reached 304 cs/m2 at 100% brightness, so it has plenty for fighting off glare. Its contrast reached 2699:1 at 40% brightness, enabling it to produce deep blacks and convincing night scenes. The ViewSonic Omni VX2418-P which has an IPS panel, is no match in this regard, although it has better color performance and responsiveness.
Its panel uniformity could be better since there were light leaks on the top and bottom edges of the screen. They added some clouding in night scenes or when the screen is blank, but lighter backgrounds are not affected. This is extremely common on curved displays, but it can still vary between every unit made due to tolerances.
The biggest weakness of the ViewSonic Omni VX2418C’s panel is its slower pixel response time. The monitor has an overdrive feature, but it’s not an effective solution. The highest level helped in reducing the persistence, but it induced noticeable overshoot, so it is not worth it.
The ViewSonic Omni VX2418C supports both freeSync and G-Sync for protection against tearing and stuttering. However, 1080p is rather easy for most gaming setups, so it won’t be as necessary. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 165Hz, so it’s fast enough for most types of games.
Thoughts on the ViewSonic Omni VX2418C
The ViewSonic Omni VX2418C is an excellent choice if you want a high refresh rate screen with the price of an office variant. It offers excellent contrast and a 165Hz refresh rate, so it’s great immersive games with plenty of action. It has limited features, but it is built well compared to similarly-priced offerings.
However, there are some limitations with it such as its slow pixel response time and lack of creature comforts. It’s not fair to expect a lot at this price level, especially if you are getting a high-refresh monitor. But overall, it’s a decent purchase for those who want to enjoy smoother visuals without breaking the piggy bank.
Pros:
- Excellent Contrast
- 165Hz Below $150
- Very Affordable
Cons:
- Slow Pixel Response Time
- Limited Features
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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