The Acer Predator XB253Q GP is still a capable 24.5-inch 1080p gaming monitor for competitive play: its 144Hz IPS panel, responsive motion, low measured input lag and adjustable stand remain useful strengths. But “XB253Q” names a family, not one specification set, and the GP is not the family’s 240Hz model. In 2026, buy the GP only at a suitably low price and after confirming the exact suffix and condition.
Which Acer Predator XB253Q model is this?
This review concerns the XB253Q GP, specifically Acer part number UM.KX3AA.P03 on its US store listing. The GP is the 144Hz model tested by PC Monitors. Do not apply its measured results to another XB253Q suffix.
| Variant | What to know |
|---|---|
| XB253Q GP | 24.5-inch, 1080p IPS, 144Hz. This is the model covered in the detailed review. PC Monitors review |
| XB253Q GX | A faster 240Hz-class family model; GP measurements do not establish its performance. PC Monitors family overview |
| XB253Q GW | A faster family variant listed in the 240Hz/280Hz class depending on region and model listing. Confirm the exact part number. Acer 2022 esports lineup |
| XB253Q GZ | Acer lists a 240Hz-class model under this suffix; it has its own specifications. Acer GZ listing |
| XB253Q F / F3 | Later or regional high-refresh variants. Acer’s F page demonstrates that the same family name can carry different specifications. Acer F specifications |
Before buying, ask for a clear photo of the rear label, box, OSD information page or exact part number. Acer’s US GP page identifies 144Hz in its main listing but also contains a conflicting 240Hz specification field; treat the GP as 144Hz and verify the unit rather than relying on a shortened marketplace title. Acer US GP listing
XB253Q GP specifications
| Specification | XB253Q GP detail |
|---|---|
| Screen | 24.5 inches, 16:9 IPS |
| Resolution and refresh rate | 1920×1080 at 144Hz native |
| Variable refresh rate | Adaptive-Sync; Acer lists G-SYNC Compatible |
| HDR | VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification |
| Brightness and response claims | Acer rates it at 400 nits and states 2ms on the GP page; “1ms” language may refer to a different mode or marketing claim, not uniform everyday pixel response |
| Color | Acer esports material reports 99% sRGB coverage |
| Video inputs | Two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort |
| Other connections | Four USB 3.0 ports, headphone output and audio line-out |
| Audio and mounting | Two 2W speakers; 100×100 VESA mounting |
| Part number | UM.KX3AA.P03 |
Specifications are from Acer’s GP product listing and its esports lineup material; independent testing below describes one review sample, not a guarantee for every unit.
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- OLED Makes All the Difference: Ever seen an QD-OLED in action? They go above and beyond colors so vivid that you might just question reality. The addition of Image Retention Refresh also works to prevent burn-in. Enjoy longer.
- Brilliant Colors: With the DCI-P3 99% color gamut, Delta E<2, and HDR10, colors are practically bursting out of the screen. Enjoy the best imagery your games have to offer!
- AMD FreeSync Premium Pro Technology: Get in the game with the AMD FreeSync Premium Pro display. Each display is validated by AMD to bring you a smooth, variable refresh rate (VRR) gaming experience that eliminates tearing, stuttering, artifacts, and flicker.
- Fast and Furious: If you want seamless gameplay at ridiculous levels of speed, you’ve come to the right place. With an 280Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms (G to G) response time, your sessions will be fluid, unbroken and unmatched – with little to no ghosting
- Port Haven: Do you stream? Do you have multiple consoles in addition to your PC and want them all plugged in at once? Well, now you can! No more fiddling with cables as the X27U includes two HDMI 2.1 ports and one display port 1.4.
Design, stand and connections
The stand is one of the GP’s practical advantages over many basic gaming displays. It supports height adjustment, tilt, swivel and pivot, and the monitor can also be mounted on a 100×100 VESA arm. PC Monitors described the stand and metal base as substantial. The built-in speakers are convenient for system sounds or casual use, but their 2W rating is not a reason to choose the monitor for game audio.
The four-port USB hub is useful for peripherals, while the two HDMI inputs and DisplayPort cover ordinary PC and console connections. For a PC setup targeting 144Hz and Adaptive-Sync, DisplayPort is the straightforward choice. The GP does not offer USB-C video or HDMI 2.1; buyers who need those features should look elsewhere. Acer’s US listing shows a one-year warranty, but warranty coverage depends on market and seller, so verify it for the specific unit. Acer US product details
Image quality: good color, ordinary 1080p sharpness
Resolution and desktop use
At 24.5 inches, 1920×1080 is a sensible esports format: it keeps the screen compact and is less demanding to run at high frame rates than 1440p. The trade-off is pixel density and workspace. Text and fine detail look less crisp, and there is less room for desktop windows than on a 27-inch 1440p display. Choose this resolution for frame-rate headroom and a comfortably sized competitive-game view, not because it is the best format for productivity or detailed single-player games.
Rank #2
- Resolution Matters: This 27” UHD (3840 x 2160) display packs a fierce punch. Immerse yourself in the hyper-realistic colors of the game world. Smooth transitions, finer shades and uniform appearance are achieved with 90% DCI-P3.
- AMD FreeSync Premium Technology: Say “goodbye” to stuttering and tearing. With AMD FreeSync Premium, the monitor’s frames are synced with the graphics card’s frames, which eliminates screen tearing and provide the smoothest gaming experience.
- Up to 320Hz Refresh Rate: With a crisp 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution, a smooth 160Hz refresh rate, and support from AMD FreeSync Premium technology, the Predator XB273K V5 is sure to deliver flawless gameplay. Gamers can also choose a higher refresh rate option with a FHD resolution at 320Hz based on the demands of the game and the task at hand thanks to DFR technology.
- Goodbye Ghosting: Up to 0.5ms GTG (Gray to Gray) response time enhanced gamers’ in-game experience. No matter the fast-moving action or any dramatic transitions will be all rendered smoothly without the annoying effects of smearing or ghosting with XB273K Gaming Monitor.
- Be Flexible: The ErgoStand design provides freedom to swivel, pivot and adjust height for maximum adaptability and comfort, while Acer VisionCare helps protect eyes during long gaming sessions.
Color, brightness and contrast
PC Monitors found rich, natural color, consistent gamma and good out-of-box performance for a gaming monitor. It reported true 8-bit output and useful OSD controls for gamma, color space, temperature and low-blue-light modes. The standard-gamut image can look less vivid than a wide-gamut screen, and color claims should not be mistaken for a factory calibration guarantee.
Recommended Free Tools
In that review sample, measured average contrast was about 1,268:1; contrast under the reviewer’s test settings was about 1,207:1. Maximum measured luminance was about 395 cd/m², while minimum luminance without VRB was about 71 cd/m². Acer’s own headline rating is 400 nits and nominal contrast is 1,000:1. Results vary with sample and measurement conditions. PC Monitors measurements · Acer rated specifications
As an IPS panel, the GP provides consistent color across viewing angles, but dark scenes can reveal IPS glow, especially in a dark room. The screen coating can also appear slightly grainy to some viewers. If buying used, inspect a dark image at normal viewing distance; do not judge glow from an overexposed phone photo.
Rank #3
- OLED Makes All The Difference: With a display of these mammoth-like proportions, everything must look good. The WQHD quantum dot OLED display with true 10Bit is obligated to offer stunning contrast, cinematic color. Image retention-refresh keeps the images from sticking.
- AMD FreeSync Premium Technology: Say “goodbye” to stuttering and tearing. With AMD FreeSync Premium, the monitor’s frames are synced with the graphics card’s frames, which eliminates screen tearing and provides the smoothest gaming experience.
- Fast and Furious: If you want seamless gameplay at ridiculous levels of speed, you’ve come to the right place. With an 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms (G to G) response time, your sessions will be fluid, unbroken and unmatched – with little to no ghosting.
- Brilliant Colors: With the DCI-P3 99% color gamut, Delta E<2, and HDR10, colors are practically bursting out of the screen. Enjoy the best imagery your games have to offer!
- Center of Vision: At 26.5-inches, the X27U is directly in your field of view. Considered a hallmark of eSports tournaments, this is the perfect size to gain an edge over your opponents. The addition of a ZeroFrame design also removes the bezels – giving you have even more visibly over every match and every movement your rivals make.
Gaming performance and motion clarity
144Hz refreshes the image more than twice as often as 60Hz, making motion and camera movement look substantially smoother when the PC can supply high frame rates. PC Monitors found the GP responsive and fluid in Battlefield V, with very little conventional trailing at its native refresh rate. It suits shooters, racing games, MOBAs and other games where tracking motion matters. It is less compelling if your system typically delivers only 60–75fps.
PC Monitors measured input lag at approximately 3.35ms at 144Hz and 4.50ms at 60Hz on its review sample. Input lag is the display’s signal delay; it is not the same measurement as pixel response time. Refresh rate describes how often the screen updates, while pixel response describes how quickly pixels transition. A manufacturer’s “1ms” or “0.9ms” claim does not mean every transition completes in that time during normal use. Review methodology and measurements
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Adaptive-Sync with AMD or Nvidia
The tested variable-refresh range was approximately 48–144Hz. Adaptive-Sync can reduce tearing and judder when frame rate varies within the supported range; Low Frame Rate Compensation can use refresh-rate multiples below the normal floor. FreeSync is available with compatible AMD systems over DisplayPort, and Nvidia users can enable G-SYNC Compatible operation through the current Nvidia Control Panel interface. PC Monitors found Adaptive-Sync useful with both GPU ecosystems, while noting some Nvidia-side issues that could be more relevant to older hardware or drivers.
Rank #4
- MiniLED Will Change You: Mini LED will ruin all other monitors for you. You’ll see dynamic levels of contrast that put reality to shame. Games and movies will take on a new hue as colors explode in up to 1000 Nits luminosity. The Predator X34's 1152 local dimming zones are calling you. Will you answer?
- AMD FreeSync Premium Technology: Get in the game with the AMD FreeSync Premium display. Each display is validated by AMD to bring you a smooth, variable refresh rate (VRR) gaming experience that eliminates tearing, stuttering, artifacts, and flicker.
- Fast and Furious: If you want seamless gameplay at ridiculous levels of speed, you’ve come to the right place. With up to a 200Hz refresh rate and up to 0.5ms (G to G) your sessions will be fluid, unbroken and unmatched – with little to no ghosting
- Brilliant Colors: With the DCI-P3 99% color gamut, Delta E<2, and VESA DisplayHDR 1000, colors are practically bursting out of the screen. Enjoy the best imagery your games have to offer!
- Curved Glory: The 1500R curvature, combined with a 21:9 aspect ratio, creates an all-encompassing gaming environment that draws users in. This meticulously designed display wraps around your field of vision, providing an unmatched sense of immersion and allowing you to lose yourself in the most captivating gaming experiences.
VRB backlight strobing
Acer’s VRB is a backlight-strobing mode intended to reduce perceived motion blur; it is distinct from pixel response time. It cannot operate simultaneously with Adaptive-Sync, introduces flicker, and substantially reduces brightness. At 120Hz, PC Monitors measured about 86 cd/m² in VRB Normal and 64 cd/m² in VRB Extreme. The review preferred Normal over Extreme. VRB is best treated as a specialist option for stable-frame-rate competitive play, not the default for mixed gaming or everyday desktop use. Acer monitor manual
Overdrive depends on refresh rate
The overdrive setting that controls pixel transitions can work well near 144Hz but produce overshoot—bright or dark inverse-ghost trails—when refresh rate falls substantially. The GP lacks fully variable overdrive that continually tunes itself across the VRR range. If your games fluctuate into low frame rates, compare the available settings in your actual games; “Over Drive Off” may look cleaner than an aggressive setting at those lower rates. There is no one setting that suits every refresh-rate range.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is DisplayHDR 400 worthwhile?
The GP is DisplayHDR 400 certified, and its rated brightness is useful, but this is entry-level HDR rather than a promise of dramatic highlights and deep blacks. The display lacks local dimming, so it cannot independently brighten a highlight while keeping an adjacent dark area truly dark. PC Monitors measured roughly 81% DCI-P3 coverage and characterized the HDR effect as limited. HDR may look brighter than SDR in some content, but it is not a strong reason to buy this monitor. HDR behavior can also be unintuitive: depending on the signal and OSD state, Acer’s HDR mode may need manual activation, and the brightness slider may be unavailable once HDR is detected. Independent HDR testing
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- High Resolution Display: The 27-inch IPS panel renders native 3840 x 2160 4K UHD detail across a 16:9 frame with wide, color-consistent viewing angles.
- Dual Frame Rate Technology: Native 160Hz refresh switches to 320Hz at reduced resolution, delivering smoother motion for fast-paced competitive titles.
- Rapid Pixel Response: A 0.5ms gray to gray response time paired with AMD FreeSync Premium virtually erases ghosting, motion blur, and screen tearing during fast on screen action.
- Certified High Dynamic Range: VESA DisplayHDR 400 support and 400 nits of brightness combine with a 100,000,000 to 1 dynamic contrast ratio for punchy, detailed imagery.
- Ergonomic Build and Connectivity: The anti-glare chassis features a height and swivel adjustable stand, dual HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, and built-in 4W speakers.
Setup and settings to check
- Connect by DisplayPort. Use it for the simplest path to full refresh-rate and VRR support on a PC.
- Set Windows to 144Hz. In Windows display settings, select the XB253Q GP and choose 144Hz under advanced display options. Confirm that games are not capped at 60Hz.
- Enable Adaptive-Sync in the monitor OSD. Then enable FreeSync or G-SYNC Compatible in the relevant GPU control panel; exact labels can change with driver versions.
- Start with VRB off for general gaming. It conflicts with Adaptive-Sync and reduces brightness. Try it only if you have stable frame pacing and are comfortable with flicker and a dimmer image.
- Tune overdrive for your actual frame rates. Test high-refresh and lower-refresh games for overshoot rather than copying a single preset.
- Use HDR selectively. Compare it with SDR in the game you are playing and check the OSD behavior; the certification alone does not guarantee a better image.
The monitor offers game presets, customizable G1/G2/G3 profiles, a refresh-rate display, overdrive, VRB, Adaptive-Sync, low-blue-light, color-space, gamma and HDR controls. Some controls behave differently when HDR or Adaptive-Sync is active, so an unavailable setting may reflect the current mode rather than a fault. PC Monitors OSD observations
Who should buy the XB253Q GP now?
It makes sense if
- You mainly play competitive games and prefer a compact 24.5-inch screen.
- Your GPU can sustain roughly 100–144fps at 1080p in the games you play.
- You value the adjustable stand, USB hub and tested motion performance.
- You can buy a verified, healthy unit at a clear discount to current 144Hz or 180Hz alternatives.
Look elsewhere if
- You want sharper text, more desktop space or more detail for single-player games; a 1440p monitor is a better fit.
- You want 240Hz or higher, meaningful HDR, USB-C video, HDMI 2.1 or modern console-focused features.
- Your frame rates often stay low and you do not want to tune overdrive behavior.
- A newer 1440p high-refresh monitor is available to you for a similar price.
Alternatives by priority
The AOC 24G2/24G2U is a relevant lower-cost 1080p IPS comparison in PC Monitors’ coverage: it was described as having more vibrant output and a smoother screen surface, while the Acer showed stronger consistency and faster pixel response in the cited testing. The BenQ MOBIUZ EX2510/EX2510S is another comparable 24–25-inch 1080p IPS option; the cited comparison notes better low-refresh overdrive behavior for the BenQ. These are test-context comparisons, not claims about current prices or every revision. PC Monitors comparison context · BenQ and Acer discussion
Choose a newer 1080p 144Hz/180Hz model if cost is the priority, a 240Hz model if you specifically need faster esports refresh, or 1440p high-refresh if you want one display for both detailed games and general desktop work. Compare exact model suffixes and features rather than assuming a shared family name means equivalent performance.
Price and availability in 2026
As of August 16–18, 2026, Acer’s US store listed the XB253Q GP at $279.99 and out of stock. That is a US official-store listing, not evidence of current third-party street pricing or availability. Its status makes remaining retailer stock, clearance and used listings the likely places buyers will encounter it. Given the age and 144Hz 1080p specification, paying close to that listed amount is difficult to justify when newer displays may offer higher refresh, resolution or features. Acer US listing
For a used unit, check the exact suffix and part number, verify all inputs and USB ports, inspect for dead pixels and backlight defects, and confirm the seller’s return terms and applicable warranty. A good panel at a steep discount can still be a sensible esports monitor; an unverified listing or near-new price is not.
