What Are The 5 Top 27 Inch Monitors?

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Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Apr 30, 2024 7:22 PM
best 27 inch monitor guide that shows the top best computer monitor model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

When you’re selecting the best 27-inch monitors, look for excellent contrast ratios and complete color gamut coverage to ensure vibrant, accurate colors. Strong brightness is essential to handle various lighting conditions in your home or office. These features, along with low response times and input lag, contribute to superior image quality and smooth performance for tasks ranging from office work to multimedia use.

We analyzed 196 monitors, certified 5 as top performers, and sifted through 319,272 reviews. Unfortunately, 71% of experts were untrustworthy. Our rigorous process uses True Score and Trust Score to filter out fake and low quality reviews and ensure reliability. The winning monitors excelled in key testing areas, earning their place on our buying guide.

How Did We Rank the Best 27 Inch Monitors?

To bring you the best 27-inch monitor recommendations, Gadget Review dissected testing protocols from over 200 sources, pored over user feedback, and tapped into expert critiques. This meticulous approach allowed us to pinpoint the essential criteria: 2 required test results and 1 must-have specifications. Our unique true score system translates this deep analysis into a straightforward guide, helping you choose the ideal monitor with ease.

Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must have a screen size of 27″.

? Test Criteria

  • Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 or higher (infinite), offering deep blacks and bright whites for an exceptional viewing experience.
  • Color Accuracy: At least 90% of the (sRGB or Adobe) color gamut, providing rich and vibrant colors.

Latest Updates

  • 04/29/2024: Published the list of best 27 inch monitors based on our True Score system.

Top Best 27 Inch Monitors For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Alienware AW2723DF

    Versatile and capable, the Alienware AW2723DF can handle anything from creative projects to HDR streaming to intense gaming at a mid-range price.

    Alienware AW2723DF Review →

    True Score

    88
    88
    4

    Experts

    92
    293

    Customers

    SAVE $163
    $704.92
    $541.84
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    HP OMEN 27QS

    Budget pricing with exceptional performance. The HP OMEN 27QS delivers on all types of tasks, from streaming to productivity to graphic design and photo editing.

    HP OMEN 27QS Review →

    True Score

    85
    84
    4

    Experts

    91
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $100
    $299.99
    $199.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dell U2723QE

    A 4K monitor without the 4K price, the Dell U2723QE is an exceptional productivity monitor with fantastic color accuracy and contrast for creative professionals, though gamers will find the refresh rate disappointing.

    Dell U2723QE Review →

    True Score

    84
    84
    8

    Experts

    90
    577

    Customers

    SAVE $145
    $579.99
    $434.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240

    A premium-priced OLED that lives up to its price with unmatched contrast, outstanding color accuracy and unparalleled response times, excellent for productivity, gaming, and multimedia.

    Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 Review →

    True Score

    83
    83
    10

    Experts

    88
    335

    Customers

    $999.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    LG 27GP950-B

    A premium-priced monitor with 4K fidelity, outstanding brightness, and excellent responsiveness, the LG 27GP950-B easily handles editing, design, productivity, and gaming.

    LG 27GP950-B Review →

    True Score

    82
    82
    4

    Experts

    87
    903

    Customers

    SAVE $423
    $899.99
    $476.99

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best 27 Inch Monitors?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required), anyone can quickly and easily compare these computer monitors and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase the best gaming monitor!

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Contrast Ratio>1000:1YesThe difference in brightness between the whites (lit sections) and blacks (dim or unlit sections) of a monitor panel.
Color Gamut % (sRGB Coverage xy)> 90%YesHow much of the sRGB color gamut is covered by the monitor, which helps indicate color accuracy for web content and games.

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 110+ computer monitor reviewers and found that 33 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for computer monitors.

  1. Samuel Breton – Rtings, MuckRack
  2. Chris Eberle – Tom’s Hardware, LinkedIn
  3. Tony Hoffman – PC Mag, MuckRack

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every computer monitor review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Computer Monitor Test Data & Results

1. Contrast Ratio (as ratio, x:1) Test Results

Contrast ratio is responsible for making images appear “dynamic” and “dramatic.” By having a good contrast ratio, a monitor is able to recreate dramatic differences between light and dark spots in scenes, images and games accurately.

At a minimum, we recommend a contrast ratio of 1000:1, as this will do a good enough job at allow for detail in dark scenes and images. If contrast ratio gets too low, the picture quality suffers, and the monitor performs worse across the board, no matter the lighting condition. By getting a monitor with a sufficiently high contrast ratio, you can ensure the picture quality doesn’t suffer, and dramatic scenes with stark shifts in lighting, whether they be in games or videos, are created as accurately as possible. If you work in video production, choosing a good monitor for video editing that maintains a high contrast ratio is essential for accurately rendering scenes.

Contrast Ratio (higher is better)

2. Color Gamut % (sRGB Coverage xY) Test Results

Since color gamut comes in a variety of different types, there’s bound to be some confusion as to which is meant for what. sRGB is an extremely common gamut that is used for the vast majority of web content, including how YouTube videos display, and is the primary gamut used for video games.

If you’re looking for accurate colors while web browsing, watching videos or playing games, you’re going to want a coverage of at least 90%. Higher is always better and hitting 100% means that if you correctly calibrate your monitor, you should be seeing content exactly as it was intended. Higher than 100% means that more than just the standard gamut has been covered, which can create more saturated and vivid colors. Coming in under 100% means the colors are less accurate, though this doesn’t become a major issue until you start to fall under 90%.

For photographers and graphic designers, opting for a monitor for photo editing or a monitor for graphic design can deliver extensive coverage of color gamuts like Adobe RGB and DCI-P3, ensuring precision in your work.

Color Gamut SRGB (in %; higher is better)

Best 27 Inch Monitors: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring resolution: A 27-inch monitor offers plenty of screen real estate, but the resolution matters too. Opting for a low-resolution display on a larger screen can result in pixelation and decreased image clarity. Consider at least a 1440p (2560 x 1440 pixels) resolution for a 27-inch monitor, or even 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) if you prioritize sharpness and detail, especially a 4K gaming monitor if you’re an avid gamer. When it comes to gaming, 27-inch gaming monitors with 1440p or 4K resolutions can offer an immersive experience, while 24-inch monitors might be more suitable if you prefer compact setups. 1080p gaming monitors in the 24-inch size can provide high performance without breaking the bank, ideal for both casual and competitive gamers.

  2. Disregarding panel type: Different panel types—such as IPS, TN, and VA—offer varying characteristics in terms of color accuracy, viewing angles, and response times. IPS panels generally provide the best color reproduction and wide viewing angles, making them suitable for tasks like content creation and graphic design. TN panels offer faster response times, which may be preferred for gaming. If budget is a concern, consider good budget monitors with TN panels, which often provide good performance at a lower cost. Consider your specific needs and preferences when selecting the panel type.

  3. Overlooking refresh rate and response time: If you’re into gaming or fast-paced tasks, pay attention to the monitor’s refresh rate and response time. A higher refresh rate (e.g., a 144Hz monitor) and lower response time (e.g., 1ms) can result in smoother motion and reduced motion blur. However, if you prioritize color accuracy over speed, you may not need the fastest specs. 120Hz gaming monitors can also be a great option, offering improved fluidity without needing powerful graphics hardware.

  4. Neglecting connectivity options: Ensure the monitor has the necessary ports to connect to your devices, such as HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB. Also, consider additional features like USB hubs or built-in speakers if they’re important for your setup. If you’re using a Mac Mini, make sure you have a compatible monitor for Mac Mini that has the correct connectivity options.

The Best 27 Inch Monitors Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Brightness
Contrast Ratio
Color Gamut (DCI P3)
Color Gamut (sRGB)
Input Lag
Response Time (ms)
Reflections %

Alienware AW2723DF

  • Best for Best Overall Gaming Monitor

88
  • 402.8 nits

  • 402.8

  • 92.95%

  • 99.6

  • 8.6ms

  • 4.6ms

  • 7.6%

$541.84
$705
$163

HP OMEN 27QS

  • Best for Best Overall

85
  • 389.5 nits

  • 389.5

  • 94.35%

  • 100

  • 8.5ms

  • 4.2ms

  • 4.8%

$199.99
$300
$100

Dell U2723QE

  • Best for Coding

84
  • 333.62 nits

  • 333.62

  • 93.58%

  • 100

  • 9.1ms

  • 8.6ms

  • 9.3%

$434.99
$580
$145
83
  • 317.53 nits

  • 317.53

  • 96.11666667%

  • 106.96

  • 13.55ms

  • 0.79ms

  • 1.8%

$999.99

LG 27GP950-B

  • Best for 4K

82
  • 410 nits

  • 410

  • 96.75%

  • 100

  • 4.2ms

  • 4.4ms

  • 8.4%

$476.99
$900
$423

27″ Monitor Questions (FAQ)

Is 1080p bad for a 27" monitor?

Some say that 1080p is already "good news" with so many higher resolution screens being sold online. Nevertheless, 1080p is still the basic standard. It's good enough in terms of performance and affordability. HD and PS3 movies and YouTube videos render well on full HD monitors, but for reading documents, a 24" screen with a 1080p resolution might be a better fit. A more expensive 1440p unit would also be more advisable for image editors, graphic designers, and photographers. If you're on a tight budget, 1080p is still a decent resolution and sweet spot on a larger monitor. This larger display may still be the perfect monitor though if it suits both your needs and budget.

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