Pixio PX248 Wave review: A monitor for fashion, flair, and clarity on a budget

Best Prices Today: Pixio PX248 Wave

Let’s be real: Most gaming monitors are rather boring, and those that aren’t tend to lean towards an edgy, masculine, or cyberpunk look. The few that bucks the trend, like Alienware’s retro sci-fi aesthetic, are usually expensive. Pixio’s PX248 Wave offers an affordable alternative to the status quo, and backs up its looks with good motion clarity.

Pixio PX248 Wave specs and features

The Pixio PX248 Wave’s basic specifications are typical for any budget monitor. It has a 24-inch IPS display panel with a resolution of 1920×1080. The monitor offers HDMI and DisplayPort input and supports Adaptive Sync.

• Display size: 24-inch widescreen
• Native resolution: 1920×1080
• Panel type: Fast IPS
• Refresh rate: Up to 200Hz
• Adaptive sync: Adaptive Sync
• HDR: Yes, HDR10
• Ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-A (for firmware updates only), 1x 3.5mm audio jack
• VESA mount: None
• Speakers: 2x 3-watt speakers
• Price: $149.99 retail

Two specifications stand out, however. The monitor has a 200Hz refresh rate, which, though not the highest available for $150, is certainly towards the upper limit of what gamers can buy on a budget. It also has a pair of 3-watt speakers that are stronger than most of its peers.

What really stands out, however, is something that doesn’t translate easily to a spec sheet: the looks.

Further reading: See our roundup of the best gaming monitors to learn about competing products.

Pixio PX248 Wave design

The experience delivered by the Pixio PX248 Wave depends on the colorway that you purchase. Four colors are available: Black, White, Pink, and Blue. I received the Pink colorway, which is a rare option for any gaming peripheral and especially for a monitor.

And you know what? It looks great. Pixio opts for a cozy, pastel shade of pink that is a perfect fit for anyone looking to create a lighter, more inviting atmosphere for their gaming den.

Of course, going for a more basic colorway like Black will lessen the impact of the design, but Pixio’s build quality is good for the price. Plastic is the material of choice, but I noticed virtually zero flex while handling the monitor, and the design doesn’t scream “budget” to all who look. You could spend twice as much and not buy any noticeable gain in build quality.

Ergonomics is where Pixio makes some cuts. The monitor has a simple tripod-style stand that clips to the back of the monitor and only adjusts for tilt. A VESA mount is included for use with third-party monitor arms and stands but uses the less popular 75x75mm bolt pattern instead of the more standard 100x100mm pattern. The 100mm pattern is also supported with an adapter, which can be finicky.

Those looking to complete the look of the PX248 Wave’s pink, blue, and white colorways should consider the Pixio PS1S Wave monitor arm. I didn’t get a chance to test it, so I can’t vouch for its quality, but it’s built to color-match the PX248 Wave monitor.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

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Pixio PX248 Wave connectivity and menus

The Pixio PX248 Wave’s connectivity is limited even for a budget monitor. It has just two video inputs: one HDMI 2.0 and one DisplayPort 1.4. Both inputs support the monitor’s maximum refresh rate of 200Hz, which is nice to see on a budget monitor. However, most competitors offer three video inputs.

Pixio also includes a 3.5mm audio jack for audio pass-through to a headset and a single USB-A port. However, the USB-A port is only meant for use with firmware updates, and indeed, I could find no other purpose for the port.

The monitor’s options are selected by navigating through the on-screen menu with buttons located on the lower-right lip. These are more cumbersome to use than the joystick-style controls that are common on many monitors. Pixio’s menu is easy to navigate, at least, and offers a fair range of options, including adjustments for gamma, color temperature, hue, and saturation.

A pair of 3-watt speakers are included, and they’re a pleasant surprise. There’s enough volume to be usable and mostly avoid sounding muddy, which is important when listening to music and playing games. There’s even some dynamism in the sound stage that provides a sense of depth that’s uncommon for built-in speakers. Dedicated external speakers will be an upgrade, but I could get by with the bundled speakers in a pinch.

Pixio PX248 Wave SDR image quality

Image quality can be dicey with a budget gaming monitor, but has improved in recent years. The Pixio PX248 Wave reinforces that trend with solid color performance and a decent contrast ratio, though it also has a few flaws.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

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The monitor’s brightness tops out at about 292 nits, which, though not bad, is towards the low end of what I would expect from a modern monitor with an IPS display panel. This level of brightness is enough to be usable in most situations, but brightly lit rooms may begin to overwhelm the display and make it appear dim.