Acer RS242Y P1 vs Dell SE-Series SE2426H

The Acer RS242Y P1 and the Dell SE-Series SE2426H are both 23.8-inch Full HD IPS monitors with a 144 Hz refresh rate, FreeSync, a flicker-free backlight, a tilt-only stand and a three-year warranty. That shared base makes this a close contest. The choice comes down to ports and sound, brightness, and looks.

What you can plug in

This is the most useful difference. The Dell has two HDMI 1.4 inputs and no DisplayPort, USB-C, USB hub or headphone output. Dell states that the HDMI ports carry 1920 × 1080 at 144 Hz. The Acer has one HDMI 1.4 port, a VGA port and an audio-out jack, and no DisplayPort either.

If you want a PC and a console, or a PC and a laptop, on the same screen, the Dell lets you leave both cables connected. The Acer makes you swap the HDMI cable. Its VGA port helps only if you still use an older computer. Most people with a single device will not miss either.

Sound: small speakers or none

The Acer has two 1 W speakers. They handle video calls and system sounds but are thin for music or films. The Dell has no speakers and no headphone output, so sound has to come from the computer, the console or separate speakers. If you want something built in for calls, the Acer saves you a purchase. If you already use speakers or a headset on the computer, this does not matter.

Brightness and the colour labels

The Dell is rated at 300 nits and the Acer at 250 nits, so the Dell is 20% brighter. That helps in a daytime room, though neither will beat a sunlit window. Sharpness is the same, since both are Full HD at 23.8 inches, about 93 pixels per inch.

Colour is harder to compare. The Acer claims 99% sRGB coverage, and the Dell lists 72% NTSC. These use different scales, so they are not directly comparable. ConsumerArena's reviews call the Dell's gamut modest and the Acer's generous for the class, but neither is meant for colour-critical editing. The Acer lists a 1,500:1 contrast ratio and the Dell 1,000:1 static. For documents, video and browsing, expect both to look natural.

Motion: 1 ms or 4 ms?

The Acer quotes 1 ms with VRB, a motion-blur reduction mode. The Dell quotes 8 ms grey-to-grey, or 4 ms in Fast mode, and 1 ms MPRT. These are different measures, so the numbers should not be read as one monitor being eight times slower. Both run at 144 Hz with FreeSync, and the Dell also supports variable refresh rate over HDMI. For casual and esports-style games on a modest PC, either should feel smooth. Many systems start at 60 Hz, so set 144 Hz in your display settings, and use a good HDMI cable.

Looks and desk comfort

The Acer is the better-looking monitor. Its profile is 6.9 mm thick, with a frameless dual-glass design and a back mood light. The Dell is plain black, with slim bezels on three sides and a thicker chin at the bottom. Both weigh about 3.4 kg and support VESA mounting. Both have a security lock slot. Neither stand lifts or swivels, so a monitor arm or a riser fixes the height problem on either. The mood light is a nice extra rather than a reason to buy.

Warranty and eye care

Both come with three years. The Acer's is on-site cover for manufacturing defects. The Dell's is a limited hardware warranty with advanced exchange. Which is more convenient depends on service availability where you live, which the data does not say. On eye care, both are flicker-free. The Dell has a TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort 3 Star certificate. The Acer lists Blue Light Shield, low dimming and ComfyView but no TÜV certificate. That is a paper advantage for the Dell, not proof that it is easier on the eyes.

In the box and on the electricity bill

Both include an HDMI cable, a stand and a power cable, so you can start using either on day one. Dell states its cable is 1.8 m; the Acer's length is not stated, which matters only if your PC sits far from the desk. Typical power use is close, at 12 W for the Acer and 13.3 W for the Dell, so running costs will not separate them. The Dell also lists ENERGY STAR 8.0; the Acer's spec sheet lists no energy certificate.

Which one should you buy?

Choose the Dell SE-Series SE2426H if you want two HDMI inputs, a brighter screen and a certified eye-comfort rating, and you do not need built-in sound.

Choose the Acer RS242Y P1 if you want speakers for calls, a slim and stylish design, and a lower price. It is also the better pick if you use an older VGA source.

The Acer costs slightly less, and the gap is small enough that it should not decide the matter. There is no real premium for the Dell to justify. If you use one device, the differences are too small to matter, and you can pick on looks. For multi-device use or a bright room, the Dell is the better value. For a tidy single-device desk, the Acer is. Prices change and vary by shop and offer, so check the product pages before you buy.

Read the full reviews of the Acer RS242Y P1 and Dell SE-Series SE2426H, see their specifications for the Acer and the Dell, or compare every specification side by side.