Updated October 1, 2026 · GizmoCue Editorial Team
ALTERNATE vs JAPANNEXT
Where ALTERNATE and JAPANNEXT differ
| Compare |  ALTERNATE | JAPANNEXT ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €31.99 | ¥11,480 |
| Highest refresh rate (Hz) | 540Higher | 320 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 3 yearsHigher |
| Markets | DE, AT, BE, DK, FR, IT, LU, NL, CH, ES | JP, FR, IT, ES, DE |
| Wireless peripherals | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Zero dead pixel policy (No).
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Key differences
- JAPANNEXT scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.1.
- Highest refresh rate (Hz) is higher at ALTERNATE: 540 vs 320.
- Warranty is higher at JAPANNEXT: 3 years vs 2 years.
- Support channels: only ALTERNATE offers Community.
- Founded is lower at ALTERNATE: 1992 vs 2006.
- ALTERNATE is available in 5 more countries.
- Products: only ALTERNATE offers Laptop, Gaming laptop, Desktop.
- Products: only JAPANNEXT offers Monitor, Gaming monitor, Portable monitor.
- Panel types: only JAPANNEXT offers Mini led, Tn.
- Markets: only ALTERNATE offers AT, BE, DK.
Our verdict on each
ALTERNATE
ALTERNATE suits shoppers in its home region who want one store for computers, phones, audio and gaming, with returns handled the same way as other European retailers. Its 2 years of cover and build to order machines make it a solid pick, though 14 days for returns sits mid-table.
JAPANNEXT
JAPANNEXT suits buyers who put refresh rate and clear pricing above a written pixel guarantee. Its quickest listed monitors reach 320 Hz, warranty cover runs 3 years, and entry pricing starts at ¥11,480, though the published warranty terms carry no dead pixel policy.
Score breakdown
| Area | ALTERNATE | JAPANNEXT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.1Entry pricing starts at ¥11,480, with monitors, gaming monitors and portable monitors in the same catalogue. |
| Offer | 9.1Prices start at €31.99, with 2 years of cover and optional extended protection at checkout. | 9.3HigherThe quickest monitors reach 320 Hz, with gaming and portable screens sitting alongside general displays. |
| Trust | 9.2Operating as ALTERNATE GmbH since 1992, with a 14 days return window and email, phone and help centre support. | 9.4HigherTraded as JAPANNEXT Corp. (株式会社JAPANNEXT) since 2006, with its base in Japan. |
How they place
| Ranking | ALTERNATE | JAPANNEXT |
|---|---|---|
| Monitors | 19 of 46 | 18 of 46 |
By the numbers
| Fact | ALTERNATE | JAPANNEXT |
|---|---|---|
| Highest refresh rate (Hz) | 540 | 320 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 3 years |
A third option
Newegg has highest refresh rate (hz) at 720, against 540 for ALTERNATE and 320 for JAPANNEXT.
Newegg reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | ALTERNATE | JAPANNEXT |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Laptop, Gaming laptop, Desktop, Gaming pc, Mini pc, Tablet | Monitor, Gaming monitor, Portable monitor |
| Panel types | Ips, Va, Oled | Ips, Va, Oled, Mini led, TnCovers more |
| Legal entity | ALTERNATE GmbH | JAPANNEXT Corp. (株式会社JAPANNEXT) |
| Headquarters | Germany | Japan |
| Founded | 1992Lower | 2006 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Computers
| Fact | ALTERNATE | JAPANNEXT |
|---|---|---|
| Operating systems | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Ipados | Not confirmed |
| Build to order | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Return window | 14 days | Not confirmed |
| Most memory (GB) | 64 | Not confirmed |
| Graphics | Nvidia, Amd, Intel | Not confirmed |
Gaming gear
| Fact | ALTERNATE | JAPANNEXT |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Pc, Playstation, Xbox, Switch, Mobile, Standalone | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ALTERNATE | JAPANNEXT | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest refresh rate (Hz) | 540highest quarter | 320above the median | 280 |
| Warranty | 2 yearsabove the median | 3 yearshighest quarter | 1.5 years |
Median across 42 listed brands.
Pros and cons
ALTERNATE
Pros
- Store categories run from computers and phones to audio, tv, gaming, appliances and refurbished goods, so most tech lists stay in one place.
- Returns run 14 days, a clear window to compare before you commit.
- Build to order is available, which matters for gaming laptops and desktops where stock configurations run out.
Cons
- The 14 day return window sits in the middle of the field, behind the brands ranked higher on that measure.
- A dead pixel policy is not offered, so a faulty panel has to go through the standard returns route.
- Monitor listings cap at 540 Hz, with ips, va and oled panels stocked, which narrows the top end of the display range.
JAPANNEXT
Pros
- The fastest monitors reach 320 Hz, a real draw for buyers who prioritise motion clarity.
- Warranty cover of 3 years, long enough to see out faults appearing mid-ownership.
- Trading since 2006, JAPANNEXT is an established display maker rather than a recent entrant.
Cons
- There is no dead pixel policy in the published terms, so a panel with stuck or dead pixels has no stated remedy.
- Refresh rates top out at 320 Hz on the quickest monitors, so that figure describes those models rather than every screen JAPANNEXT sells.
- Warranty cover of 3 years is the whole of the stated cover, so a fault late in ownership falls outside it.
Who each suits
ALTERNATE
Who it suits
- Shoppers in Germany, AT and BE who want a single store for computers, phones, audio and gaming gear.
- Gaming buyers after laptop, gaming laptop and desktop and pc, playstation and xbox coverage from one seller.
- People who value click and collect and a long support list over the widest catalogue.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want the longest return window in the comparison, where a retailer ranked higher on that measure fits better.
- Anyone shopping mainly for cameras, since JBL does not list that category either but stays audio focused.
- Price hunters comparing the very cheapest baskets, where Banggood's broad category list is worth checking first.
JAPANNEXT
Who it suits
- Gaming buyers chasing a high ceiling, since the quickest monitors here reach 320 Hz.
- Owners who want multi-year cover on a work or gaming panel: warranty runs 3 years.
- Readers who weigh speed and entry price above a written guarantee for individual subpixels.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who needs a written dead pixel guarantee, since there is no dead pixel policy in the terms.
- Buyers who want cover longer than 3 years on a panel they expect to keep for many years.
Country by country
| Country | ALTERNATE | JAPANNEXT |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| Denmark | Yes | No |
| Japan | No | Yes |
| Luxembourg | Yes | No |
| Netherlands | Yes | No |
| Switzerland | Yes | No |
| France | Yes | Yes |
8 of 11 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
ALTERNATE
How long do I have to return something bought at ALTERNATE?+
You have 14 days from delivery to change your mind and send an item back. That is the standard withdrawal period and sits in the middle of this comparison rather than at the top. Keep the product in its original packaging and condition to keep the return straightforward.
What warranty comes with machines from ALTERNATE?+
Cover runs 2 years as standard across the range. Extended warranty is also available, which is worth adding on expensive gaming laptops and desktops. Fault cover and accidental damage are separate questions, so check the terms for the specific machine before you buy.
JAPANNEXT
What does a JAPANNEXT monitor cost?+
JAPANNEXT's lowest listed price is ¥11,480, which is where the catalogue entry point sits rather than the typical spend. The company sells monitors, gaming monitors and portable monitors in the same range, so the entry figure belongs to a general display and not to the fastest gaming panel. Read the individual model's page for the price you would actually pay.
How long is the JAPANNEXT warranty?+
Warranty cover runs 3 years from purchase on JAPANNEXT monitors. That is the published term on the company's warranty pages, and it covers faults in the panel and the unit across that stretch. Anything past the stated term, and anything cosmetic such as pixel appearance, sits outside what the cover promises.