If you’d like an all-arounder of a gaming monitor that may seamlessly hook up with your laptop computer, the NZXT Canvas 25F suits the invoice completely.
In regards to the NZXT Canvas 25F
Credit score:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
The entire contents included with the NZXT Canvas 25F.
Listed here are the specs of the gaming monitor we examined:
- Worth: $210 (panel solely), $250 with monitor stand
- Show measurement: 24.5 inches
- Decision: 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Refresh fee: 240Hz
- Peak brightness: 400 nits (rated), 417.19 nits (examined), 425.52 nits (in HDR mode)
- HDR help: VESA DisplayHDR 400
- Colour depth: 8-bit
- Colour saturation: 89% DCI-P3, 99% sRGB (rated); 84.6% DCI-P3, 99.8% sRGB (examined)
- Distinction ratio: 1000:1 (rated), 1047:1 (examined), 853:1 (in HDR mode)
- Pixel response time (GtG): 1ms
- Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x USB-C/DP alt (video in) , 2 x USB-A 3.0 (down), 1 x USB-B 3.0 (up), 1 x 3.5mm
- VRR Help: AMD FreeSync Premium, G-Sync suitable
- Different options: VESA mount
Persevering with NZXT’s favored design philosophy of providing glossy PC elements in white or black, like the corporate’s Carry mouse or pc instances, the Canvas 25F’s panel is obtainable in both shade. For those who go for a stand, it may be both black or white and blended and matched with the panel individually. You can even bundle a monitor arm in for $100 extra, or a twin monitor arm for $170.
A 27-inch model of the Canvas 25F with in any other case equivalent specs, the Canvas 27F, can also be out there beginning at $230 however has gone on sale for as little as $175. It shouldn’t be confused with the Canvas 27Q, a 27-inch, 1440p monitor that tops out at 165Hz. All fashions lack audio system.
What we like
The handy measurement and snazzy design
Credit score:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
You may have loads of connectivity choices with this monitor.
The NZXT Canvas 25F hits what I might name the candy spot for 1080p displays. At 24.5 inches, textual content remains to be legible with out wanting stretched, and you need to have sufficient display house for many productiveness duties, barring massive spreadsheets.
Something bigger will look blurry because of the low pixel density, and something smaller might make textual content and different high-quality particulars tough to see. For this reason I personally wouldn’t advocate selecting up a 1080p, 27-inch gaming monitor.
The Canvas 25F knocks it out of the park design-wise, too. It retains the identical glossy traces, skinny bezels, and navigation joystick on the again because the bigger Canvas 27Q, and it may simply be mistaken for a enterprise monitor from afar. It’s unlikely that somebody will ever see the again of the Canvas 25F except you’re in an open-plan workplace or set it up in the lounge, however the consideration to element is appreciated. NZXT has additionally labeled every port so you possibly can see the place to plug your cables in with out having to tilt the panel itself (or guess).
If you wish to simply plug all the pieces in and overlook about it, NZXT CAM permits you to management all the pieces from the monitor’s brightness to paint settings from an onscreen program. It’s a bonus for those who’re already tied into NZXT’s ecosystem, however not a killer characteristic.
The stand is similar mannequin paired with the Canvas 27Q. It’s strong, has an built-in cable routing passthrough, and the perforated holes operating up the backbone are a enjoyable flourish, but it surely’s not price an additional $40. It will possibly tilt, swivel, and pivot 90 levels, however so will most monitor arms.
Quick speeds that don’t blur
A 240Hz refresh fee is one thing that the majority players don’t want, however not like the 1440p Gigabyte M27Q X, will probably be a lot simpler to hit that velocity on the Canvas 25F’s max decision. You gained’t want an RTX 4090 to make the most of what this monitor has to supply.
In fact, a excessive refresh fee doesn’t essentially translate right into a easy gaming expertise. Even the quickest displays with VA panels, just like the 240Hz Cooler Grasp GM27-CFX that prices twice as a lot, can have distracting movement artifacts and trails that lead off of fast-moving objects. Ghosting in high-contrast scenes and muddy colours on account of low pixel response occasions can damage an in any other case nice monitor.
That isn’t the case with the Canvas 25F. As a result of it makes use of an IPS panel, the movement readability and viewing angles are glorious. Whether or not it was chasing down enemies as Sojourn in Overwatch 2, hacking by means of wildlife with a lightsaber in Fortnite, or dashing by means of excessive heats in Hades, I by no means noticed blur behind fast-moving objects.
The identical was true in Blur Buster’s UFO check, the place I may solely detect three frames of motion forward of and behind the UFO. That may appear to be lots, however at 240Hz, it’s almost imperceptible in video games. This type of velocity is meant primarily for esports gamers, and the Canvas 25F doesn’t disappoint there.
A wealth of connectivity
The Canvas 25F is pitched as a gaming monitor, however one addition units it aside from equally specced opponents: USB-C. The Alienware AW2521HF packs 4 USB 3.0 ports for $40 extra, as does the $200 Lenovo Legion Y25-25, however each lack video-in through USB-C.
This would possibly appear to be a small quality-of-life characteristic, however with the ability to get full DisplayPort 1.2 speeds over USB-C is a boon for laptop computer customers. My Steam Deck and M2 MacBook Professional have been in a position to concurrently put video out and cost through the identical connector.
For those who primarily use a laptop computer and are searching for a bigger exterior monitor with out having to get a dock, the Canvas 25F may very well be a sublime resolution.
What we don’t like
Distinction and shade are nothing particular
Credit score:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
Don’t anticipate a wealth of colours and ultra-clear imagery within the decision.
Sadly, smaller high-speed IPS panels appear cursed with poor shade protection and distinction in comparison with their bigger counterparts, and the NZXT Canvas 25F isn’t any exception. It additionally doesn’t present an amazing viewing expertise straight out of the field.
On first boot, the monitor at manufacturing facility settings was dim and far too warmly coloured. Whites have been trending towards yellow, and all the pieces was a bit washed out. It is best to all the time color-calibrate a brand new monitor, however not everybody will, so having to fiddle with the settings proper after unboxing the monitor was a bit disappointing.
Distinction is simply alright, but it surely actually pales when positioned subsequent to a costlier monitor. I measured a 1047:1 distinction ratio out of the field, which is fairly typical for an IPS show, however that quantity dropped to solely 853:1 with HDR enabled. At the very least it’s shiny, peaking at 417 nits in SDR mode and 425 nits with HDR turned on.
Colour accuracy is the place the Canvas 25F falters, even when it’s corresponding to the Alienware AW2521HF. NZXT guarantees a DCI-P3 of 89%, however I repeatedly measured it at solely 84.7%. sRGB protection was measured at 99.8%, so NZXT was proper on the cash, however Adobe RGB protection was measured at a paltry 74.8%. For comparability, the 27-inch, 1440p, 170Hz Gigabyte M27Q I take advantage of as my most important monitor options DCI-P3 and Adobe SRGB protection of over 92%, and it solely prices $250.
In video games, the colour on the Canvas 25F is a bit washed out, but it surely’s not noticeable to the purpose of distraction. And whereas there isn’t fringing or ghosting, the backlight bloom when shiny objects are contrasted in opposition to a black background is detectable to the bare eye. Suffice it to say, don’t purchase this monitor for inventive work.
HDR isn’t price enabling
For less than $210, you’d doubtless anticipate the Canvas 25F’s HDR efficiency to be missing, and also you’d be right. Though NZXT charges the Canvas 25F as VESA DisplayHDR 400 licensed, I barely seen a distinction between HDR and SDR.
After watching HDR showcase content material, films, and enjoying video games in each HDR and SDR, I’ve to conclude that there’s no motive to allow HDR on this monitor. On prime of the drop in distinction ratio, you gained’t get the broad vary of lifelike colours, darker blacks, and brighter highlights that good HDR implementation ought to present. Like CAM, it’s good that NZXT included the performance, however don’t anticipate nice HDR from any monitor beneath $500.
Must you purchase the NZXT Canvas 25F?
Sure, particularly if you have already got a monitor arm
Credit score:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
It is a superb selection to attach your laptop computer to.
The NZXT Canvas 25F competes in a crowded market. There are many good 1080p gaming displays that may hit 240Hz these days for beneath $250, however the included USB-C connector and general construct high quality places the Canvas 25F forward of the competitors. For those who skip the stand (which you need to), you might snag a killer deal when the panel goes on sale.
For $250, the Alienware AW2521HF pairs extra USB ports with comparable show speeds and Alienware’s controversial (and far thicker) styling. The Lenovo Legion Y25-25 is the Canvas 25F’s greatest competitor; it gives the identical speeds on the identical measurement for $10 much less, however lacks a USB-C port and has worse shade house protection.
The elephant within the room is Gigabyte’s glorious G24F 2. It’s solely 23.8 inches, and “solely” hits a most velocity of 180Hz, but additionally gives a lot better shade accuracy and may be had for as little as $130. Therein lies the issue—most individuals don’t want a 240Hz monitor, and the variations between enjoying at 170Hz and 240Hz have been minimal in my testing.
However in order for you a strong all-arounder of a gaming monitor with a really excessive refresh fee that may seamlessly hook up with your laptop computer, NZXT’s Canvas 25F suits the invoice.
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Costs have been correct on the time this text was printed however might change over time.
Meet the tester
Jonathan is an Electronics Editor for Reviewed specializing in gaming gear and has expertise with all the pieces from controllers to benchmarking the most recent GPUs. He was beforehand the Internet Editor at The Architect’s Newspaper.
See all of Jonathan Hilburg’s critiques
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