- 25-inch screen
- 1,920 x 1,080
- 240 Hz native refresh rate
- G-sync compatible
- Flat screen
- TN panel
The AW2518H is a smaller version of the high-end, 34-inch AW3418DW. It's a bit bigger than the standard 24-inch gaming monitor (at 25 inches), but doesn't exceed its grasp in terms of screen resolution, offering up a full HD (1,920 x 1,080) palette. Like its big brother, the AW2518H is also G-Sync compatible, features the "AlienFX" RGB lighting system (which is a kind of built-in bias lighting), and a 1ms response time for smooth, delay-free gaming.
While it's usually around $700, you can find the AW2518H for a good deal less money online—under $500 in some cases. That's still not chump change, however, but fear not: you're not simply paying a premium for the Alienware brand, though you are paying for it. This monitor's major draw is its native 240 Hz refresh rate, which puts it on par with some of the most popular eSports monitors in the biz. If you competitively engage in games like Counter-Strike, PUBG, or Overwatch, a 240 Hz refresh rate—the highest native refresh rate amongst displays in 2018—is going to give you an advantage, plain and simple.
However, keep in mind that you're paying more here for the sleek, angular design; for the AlienFX RGB system; and for built-in G-Sync compatibility, which is proprietary to NVidia and thus requires extra investment on the part of the manufacturer. In short, the AW2518H is your standard 24-inch gaming monitor on steroids. If it has any drawbacks, it's the TN (twisted nematic) LCD panel: you aren't going to get amazing viewing angles or vivid colors like you would with an IPS variant. But if you need a monitor where you'll primarily be using it head-on while playing games that are more focused on twitchy, satisfying gameplay than graphical fidelity, this one is a great choice, especially if you can find it around $350 online.