The 6 Best 27-Inch Monitors - Fall 2023 Reviews

The best 27-inch monitor we've tested is the Gigabyte M27U. This monitor is a great option because it's versatile for different uses, as it has features for both gaming and productivity. Its high 4k resolution also produces high pixel density, so you get crisp and detailed images no matter what you use the monitor for. It has great peak brightness and decent reflection handling, so it's a good choice if you want to use it in a well-lit room, and its wide viewing angles are beneficial if you also need to share the screen with someone sitting next to you.

It has a KVM switch, which is useful if you need to connect two sources to the monitor and want to use the same keyboard and mouse for both. It also has a USB-C port that makes it easy to connect a laptop, but because it's limited to 15W of power delivery, you can't charge your laptop with it. There are other options that offer better picture quality, like the INNOCN 27M2V, which gets brighter and displays deeper blacks, but that monitor can be harder to find sometimes and also costs more than the Gigabyte.

If you want a 27-inch monitor with the best gaming performance, consider the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM. It's different from the Gigabyte M27U because it has a lower 1440p resolution and a higher 240Hz refresh rate. It also delivers better picture quality thanks to its OLED panel, so it displays deep and inky blacks next to bright highlights, making it a fantastic choice for dark room gaming. However, while it's fantastic for most uses, it isn't something to consider if you want a 27-inch monitor for work, as OLEDs are prone to burn-in with constant exposure to the same static elements over time, so that's why the Gigabyte is more versatile for most people.

The ASUS has incredible motion handling with a near-instantaneous response time at any refresh rate. It also has FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR) support and G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing. It has low input lag for a responsive feel, but you need to update it to the latest firmware for the best performance, as there are issues with its original firmware. If that's a concern for you, the LG 27GR95QE-B is a similar option with the same panel and fewer issues, but it doesn't get as bright.

If you don't need the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM's gaming features or even the Gigabyte M27U, you can look for some 27-inch monitors focused on productivity, like the Dell U2723QE. It's different from the Gigabyte and ASUS because it has a lower 60Hz refresh rate and doesn't support VRR, so it isn't something you would get if you want an option versatile for gaming and work. If that isn't an issue for you, you'll be very happy with this monitor as it's impressive for the office, and its 4k resolution delivers high pixel density and sharp text clarity.

This monitor is so great for office use because it's packed with extra features. It has a massive USB hub with five USB-A ports and three USB-C ports, meaning it's very easy to connect multiple devices. Each USB-C port serves different purposes, with one supporting DisplayPort Alt Mode and 90W of power delivery, meaning you can connect even power-hungry laptops and charge them while you're working. Besides the USB ports, it even has a dedicated sRGB mode that results in excellent accuracy before calibration, which is ideal if you're a photo editor who needs accurate colors.

If you find the Dell U2723QE too expensive and prefer something cheaper, check out the Dell S2722QC. It's a step-down monitor from the U2723QE, which is why it costs less, and you can often find it on sale as well. It has fewer features as it has a smaller USB hub with only two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, so you can't connect as many devices as on the U2723QE. It still supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, but with 65W of power delivery, it isn't enough to charge power-hungry laptops, so you may need to connect an external power source to charge the laptop while you're using it.

It performs well in bright rooms because it easily gets bright enough to fight glare, and its reflection handling is very good, even better than the U2723QE. It also has wide viewing angles that keep the image consistent from the sides, which is great for sharing your screen with others, like if you need to show something to a coworker or friend next to you. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a dedicated sRGB mode like the U2723QE, but the color accuracy is still decent.

If you want the best 27-inch monitor on a budget, check out the Gigabyte M27Q. It's different from the Dell S2722QC because it has a lower 1440p resolution, meaning images aren't as detailed. We tested the original version, which uses a BGR subpixel layout instead of the standard RGB subpixel layout like on the Dell, so there are some text clarity issues in certain programs that don't render text well with BGR. However, there's a second version available that has an RGB subpixel layout, and you can also look into the Gigabyte M27Q P, a newer monitor with an RGB subpixel layout. However, it doesn't perform as well overall as the M27Q.

The main advantage the M27Q has over the Dell is that it has a higher 170Hz refresh rate and better gaming performance, meaning it's a more versatile monitor. It also has a few productivity features, like a KVM switch and Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture modes. However, if you don't need any extra gaming features, the Dell S2721QS is also a great option with a 4k resolution, but it's very basic and lacks extra perks like a USB hub.

While you can get cheap 27-inch monitors at many different retailers, many are basic with lower 1080p resolutions and don't offer anything special. If you still want something cheap with good enough performance, consider the Gigabyte G27Q. It's very similar to the Gigabyte M27Q as it's pretty much a step-down model of it, but the main difference is that it doesn't have a USB-C port or a KVM switch, which is the trade-off you need to make for getting something cheaper. However, it has many similarities otherwise, and it uses a different panel type with an RGB subpixel layout, so it has better text clarity.

It has high peak brightness like the M27Q and good reflection handling, so you won't have many issues using it in a room with a few lights around. Unlike many cheap monitors, it also has a dedicated sRGB mode with good color accuracy, which is important if you care about accurate images. However, you must still calibrate it if your work requires perfectly accurate colors because the white balance is off.