If you’d asked me to recommend a colour-accurate 24in monitor for under £200 before this Philips arrived, I would have directed you to the fairy dust aisle in Tesco. This monitor resets all the rules. Not only do you get a colour-accurate 23.8in IPS panel, but also a fully adjustable stand, a stunning design and even an integrated two-megapixel webcam.
It’s this monitor’s sumptuous design that first strikes you. The top and side bezels are so slim as to be nigh-on borderless, making it seem as if the image is floating in space – and cutting down the room it consumes.
READ NEXT: The best budget, 5K, 4K, WQHD, 1080p monitors you can buy in 2018
Better yet, Philips includes its SmartErgoBase, which provides height, swivel and tilt adjustment. You can also pivot it 180°, while the sturdy base prevents the panel from wobbling. If a tidy desk is important to you, then note its smart cable management around the back, which stops your desk from becoming clogged with cables.
The features don’t end there. Philips squeezes in its ingenious PowerSensor at the bottom. This sensor sits underneath the Philips logo and detects when you’re away from the desk, automatically dimming the display to reduce energy costs and prolong the life of the panel.
Buy the Philips 241B7QPJKEB now
When you want to make a Skype call, you simply pop up the integrated two-megapixel webcam. It’s no match for a dedicated webcam, whether for video or audio quality, but it’s great for occasional calls and handy that it can be popped back into the monitor’s frame. That way, you won’t have to worry about anyone spying on you, too, although note there’s a small LED to indicate when it’s in use.
The 241B7QPJKEB doesn’t look quite so slick when viewed from the side – it bulges rather – but that can be forgiven considering all the ports and connectivity on show. You can connect it up via a DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4 and VGA port, which are tucked around the back along with a 3.5mm headphone jack and PC input. As the latter hints towards, Philips also packs in two 2W speakers, but think Windows notifications rather than listening to Vivaldi. A single USB 3 port, complete with fast-charging capabilities, sits on the left.
I’ve always been impressed by the level of customisation within Philips monitors, and again the 241B7QPJKEB excels. The monitor’s OSD is accessed through the physical buttons found on the bottom right-hand side of the monitor. Within it, you’ll find a selection of different options; most notably you can adjust LowBlue mode, which alters the level of blue light that’s displayed – useful if you’re gazing at this monitor long into the evening. Within the Picture settings you can adjust brightness, contrast, sharpness, response time and enable Pixel Orbiting (to prolong the life of the panel).
This leads me to its Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) IPS panel, which is a brilliant example of its type with excellent viewing angles, superb colour accuracy and a good contrast ratio. In sRGB mode, the 241B7QPJKEB had an average Delta E of 1.6, which means it’s colour accurate. With a contrast ratio of 1,327:1 and a 90.6% sRGB coverage, colours are vibrant and full of life. Blacks appear suitably black (measured at 0.16cd/m² at peak brightness) and its white point is impressive. All of which results in an amazing viewing experience.
Buy the Philips 241B7QPJKEB now
In fact, this display only has one big weakness: peak brightness. With a top luminance of 213cd/m², you’ll struggle to use the Philips monitor in bright ambient light – such as next to a window that catches the sun.
If I was being picky I’d also criticise the uniformity of its brightness, with a 15% variance at its weakest point. This isn’t as bad as it might seem, as most consumer-grade monitors that cost under £200 are far worse.
The monitor isn’t aimed at gamers, but the panel responds well when set to the Fastest mode within the SmartResponse settings. Inverse ghosting is kept to a minimum and input lag is surprisingly low. If you’re looking to play the odd game, its 60Hz panel works well.
Philips 241B7QPJKEB review: Verdict
For under £200, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more complete IPS monitor. Its colour accuracy and contrast ratio make it perfect for watching movies or browsing the web, while that stunning design immediately marks it from the crowd. It’s the most versatile £200 IPS screen around.