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The Dell SE2426H is a budget-friendly 23.8-inch monitor aimed at users who want more than a basic 60Hz office display without spending heavily on gaming or professional monitor features. It combines a Full HD IPS panel, 144Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync, 300-nit brightness and a simple, unobtrusive design, making it an interesting option for everyday computing, casual gaming and home-office setups.
The SE2426H is a straightforward budget monitor, in the same ballpark as the Sceptre E225W-FW144 and the Philips 241V8LB, our top picks for budget business/office monitors. Dell hasn’t tried to turn it into a premium productivity display or a high-end gaming monitor. Instead, it focuses on the features that matter most at this price: a reasonably sharp 1080p image, smooth 144Hz motion, wide IPS viewing angles and a simple, compact design.
However, to hit this sweep price point, Dell cuts some obvious corners. There is no DisplayPort, USB hub, built-in audio system or height-adjustable stand. Connectivity is limited to two HDMI ports, while the 1080p resolution is starting to feel restrictive for users who want a larger workspace or sharper text.
And while that may sound a bit restrictive, it isn’t a dealbreaker at all. You’re still gettings a capable, affordable monitor for everyday use and with the 14Hz refresh rate, it makes for casual gaming. But if you need higher resolution, more connectivity or serious ergonomic adjustment, there are better options.
Specifications
- Display: 23.8-inch IPS
- Resolution:: Full HD (1920 × 1080)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: Up to 4ms GTG
- Brightness: 300 nits
- Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync
- Ports: 2 × HDMI
- VESA Mount: 100 × 100mm
Design & Build Quality
he Dell SE2426H takes a clean, understated approach to design rather than looking like a conventional gaming monitor. Its 23.8-inch screen is compact enough for smaller desks, while the relatively slim bezels give it a modern appearance that works equally well in a home office, study or gaming setup. The black finish is conservative, but that makes the monitor easy to pair with different desks and peripherals.
Build quality is solid for a budget display. The monitor feels practical rather than premium, with Dell focusing on keeping the chassis simple and lightweight instead of adding decorative elements. The 23.8-inch size also makes it relatively easy to move or reposition, while the compact footprint leaves useful space for speakers, a laptop or other desk accessories.
The biggest compromise is the stand. It provides tilt adjustment, but there is no height adjustment, swivel or pivot functionality. That limits how precisely you can position the screen for long working sessions. For a more ergonomic setup, the SE2426H supports a 100 x 100mm VESA mount, allowing it to be used with a monitor arm or compatible wall mount.
The Dell SE2426H keeps connectivity simple with two HDMI ports, giving you enough flexibility to connect a PC, laptop or gaming console without constantly swapping cables. However, the lack of DisplayPort, USB-C and a USB hub limits its versatility compared with more advanced monitors. For a straightforward 1080p 144Hz gaming or office setup, the available ports are adequate, but power users may want more connectivity.
Overall, the SE2426H’s design and connectivity is more functional than feature-rich. It doesn’t offer the premium materials or extensive connections of Dell’s higher-end monitors, but its compact size, understated styling and VESA compatibility make it a practical choice for a budget workstation or gaming setup.
Performance
For everyday productivity, the Dell SE2426H is well suited to browsing, document editing, email and general office work. Its 23.8-inch Full HD IPS panel provides a good balance between screen space and desk footprint, while the 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and window movement noticeably smoother than a typical 60Hz monitor.
The 1080p resolution is sharp enough at this screen size for most users, although it doesn’t provide the workspace of a 27-inch QHD display. Multitasking with a few windows is comfortable, but users working with large spreadsheets, editing timelines or multiple applications may benefit from a higher-resolution monitor.
While not designed for pro-gamers, the Dell SE2426H still has a clear advantage over basic office monitors. Its 144Hz refresh rate allows for smoother motion and more responsive gameplay, particularly in fast-paced titles where tracking moving objects and aiming quickly are important. AMD FreeSync also helps reduce screen tearing when supported by a compatible graphics card.
The Full HD resolution is relatively easy for budget and mid-range GPUs to drive at high frame rates, making the monitor a sensible match for affordable gaming PCs. It won’t deliver the sharpness of a 1440p display, but the combination of 1080p and 144Hz prioritizes smooth gameplay over maximum image detail.
Overall, the SE2426H works particularly well as a hybrid work-and-basic-gaming monitor. It provides enough clarity and screen space for everyday productivity while its high refresh rate and adaptive-sync support give basic gamers a noticeably smoother experience without requiring a powerful graphics card.
Should you buy it
Dell SE2426H scorecard
- Design: 3/5 – Simple, compact and practical
- Performance: 4/5 – Smooth 144Hz performance with solid everyday responsiveness
- Value: 4/5 – Strong feature set for a budget 144Hz monitor
- Overall: 4/5 – A value all-round budget monitor
Buy the Dell SE2426H If you want…
A budget gaming monitor
The 144Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync make it significantly more gaming-friendly than conventional 60Hz office monitors.
A compact second monitor
Its 23.8-inch size works well for smaller desks or dual-monitor setups.
A work and gaming monitor
The restrained design doesn’t look out of place in an office.
Don’t buy it if you need…
QHD resolution
A 2560 x 1440 monitor gives you considerably more workspace and sharper text.
USB-C
If you primarily use a modern laptop, USB-C connectivity can be far more convenient.
DisplayPort
Desktop gaming PCs with DisplayPort-focused graphics outputs may be better matched to another monitor.
Ergonomic adjustment
The included stand only tilts.
Dell SE2426H Review: Verdict
The Dell SE2426H is a well-balanced budget monitor that gets the essentials right. Its 23.8-inch Full HD IPS panel delivers good image quality for everyday work, while the 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and gaming noticeably smoother than a standard 60Hz display.
Its main compromises are the basic connectivity and ergonomics. Two HDMI ports are useful, but the absence of DisplayPort and USB-C limits flexibility, while the tilt-only stand makes it less adaptable for long working sessions. The 1080p resolution is also less spacious than a 27-inch QHD alternative, although it remains a sensible match for the screen size and budget gaming hardware.
Overall, the Dell SE2426H is a strong choice for buyers who want one affordable monitor for work, entertainment and gaming. It isn’t designed to compete with premium displays, but its IPS panel, 144Hz refresh rate and FreeSync support give it a compelling balance of performance and value.
Price Comparison
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