Buying Guide
The Best 27-Inch 4K Monitors
From the S2725QS to the MO27U2: five monitors ranked on refresh rate and screen size, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
27-inch screens fit a standard desk depth, but resolution changes how close you can sit. Every monitor here measures about 27 inches and is 4K, ordered by refresh rate.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: refresh rate, resolution and size come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing response is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED
Dolby Vision support.
Best for: Buyers who want Dolby Vision support.
Our take Check price for Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
GIGABYTE MO27U2
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE MO27U2 (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR
A dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz.
Best for: Buyers who want dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR (opens in a new tab)
Fast IPS Panel
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27UQ1A
A fast IPS panel.
Best for: Buyers who want a fast IPS panel.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG27UQ1A (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Dell S2725QS
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolby Vision support. | Buyers who want Dolby Vision support. | Check price for Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for GIGABYTE MO27U2 (opens in a new tab) |
| A dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz. | Buyers who want dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR (opens in a new tab) |
| A fast IPS panel. | Buyers who want a fast IPS panel. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG27UQ1A (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Dell S2725QS (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Alienware's AW2725Q is a 26.7-inch 4K QD-OLED at 240Hz with USB-C and a height, tilt, swivel and pivot stand.
Best for
- Buyers who want Dolby Vision support.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
It has one of the most adjustable stands among the OLED models here. On refresh rate it ties with the MO27U2 at 240Hz. Its 26.7 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the MO27U2 leads at 27 inches.
It shares a QD-OLED panel with the MO27U2; the XG27UCSR goes with an IPS panel. It shares a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut with the MO27U2; the XG27UCSR goes with a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut. It also offers Dolby Vision support, 166 PPI at 4K and USB-C with 15W power delivery.
Reaching 240Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. It was priced above the VG27UQ1A and below the MO27U2 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 26.7 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
- Stand: height, tilt, swivel and pivot
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Screen size trails the MO27U2 (27 inches)
- Costs more than the S2725QS at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
GIGABYTE MO27U2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MO27U2 uses a QD-OLED panel at 4K and 240Hz, the fastest here, with 99% DCI-P3.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when oLED burn-in risk with static desktop element is a problem.
Why we like it
It needs a top-end card to use it fully. On refresh rate it ties with the AW2725Q at 240Hz. It matches the XG27UCSR, the VG27UQ1A and the S2725QS on screen size (27 inches).
It shares a QD-OLED panel with the AW2725Q; the VG27UQ1A goes with a fast IPS panel. It shares a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut with the AW2725Q; the S2725QS goes with a 99% sRGB color gamut. No other pick in this guide offers a FreeSync Premium Pro; compare the S2725QS, which has a FreeSync Premium.
Reaching 240Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. At our last price check it topped the group, with the AW2725Q the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium Pro
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the S2725QS at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XG27UCSR adds USB-C and a dual mode at 1080p 324Hz, with ASUS's 3-year warranty.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the S2725QS cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On refresh rate it ties with the VG27UQ1A at 160Hz. It matches the MO27U2, the VG27UQ1A and the S2725QS on screen size (27 inches). It shares an IPS panel with the S2725QS; the VG27UQ1A goes with a fast IPS panel.
It shares a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut with the VG27UQ1A; the S2725QS goes with a 99% sRGB color gamut. Reaching 160Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. It was priced above the S2725QS and below the VG27UQ1A at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 0.3ms
- Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
- USB-C: Yes
- Warranty: 3-year
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Costs more than the S2725QS at the time of writing
Fast IPS Panel4 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27UQ1A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The VG27UQ1A brings TUF to 4K at 160Hz with 95% DCI-P3 coverage and a three-year warranty.
Best for
- Buyers who want a fast IPS panel.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the S2725QS cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It needs a strong graphics card to use its refresh rate at 4K. It matches the XG27UCSR on refresh rate (160Hz). On screen size it ties with the MO27U2, the XG27UCSR and the S2725QS at 27 inches.
No other pick in this guide offers a fast IPS panel; compare the XG27UCSR, which has an IPS panel. Like the XG27UCSR, it has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut, while the AW2725Q uses a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut. You also get 4K at 120Hz for consoles over HDMI.
Reaching 160Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper XG27UCSR and the pricier AW2725Q, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: HDR
- Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium
- Warranty: 3-year
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Costs more than the S2725QS at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Dell S2725QS on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The S2725QS runs 4K at 120Hz on a 27-inch IPS panel with FreeSync Premium.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the AW2725Q offers 240Hz.
Why we like it
That refresh rate makes it the best all-rounder among cheap 4K screens. On refresh rate it trails the group at 120Hz, while the AW2725Q offers 240Hz. It matches the MO27U2, the XG27UCSR and the VG27UQ1A on screen size (27 inches).
It shares an IPS panel with the XG27UCSR; the MO27U2 goes with a QD-OLED panel. A 99% sRGB color gamut is unique to it among these picks, while the MO27U2 uses a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut. No other pick in this guide offers a FreeSync Premium; compare the MO27U2, which has a FreeSync Premium Pro.
At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the XG27UCSR was closest. Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the AW2725Q covers it better at 240Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the AW2725Q (240Hz)
How We Chose These 27-Inch 4K Monitors
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the AW2725Q to the S2725QS, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The S2725QS gives no response; the MO27U2, the XG27UCSR and the S2725QS give no HDR.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the S2725QS ($250 to $500) to the MO27U2 ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a 27-Inch 4K Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate across these picks
Here refresh rate runs from 120Hz on the S2725QS to 240Hz on the AW2725Q. The AW2725Q is the pick for refresh rate.
Screen size
Here screen size runs from 26.7 inches on the AW2725Q to 27 inches on the MO27U2. The XG27UCSR comes second for less money.
Response
The AW2725Q and the MO27U2 list 0.03ms; the XG27UCSR lists 0.3ms; the VG27UQ1A lists 1ms. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Features beyond the spec table
The XG27UCSR: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz. The VG27UQ1A: a 3-year warranty with advance replacement. The S2725QS: a 120Hz refresh rate at 4K.
How much to spend
$250 to $500 buys the S2725QS, the XG27UCSR and the VG27UQ1A; $500 to $1000 buys the AW2725Q and the MO27U2 at our last check.
How to Choose a 27-Inch 4K Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want Dolby Vision support | AW2725Q | Dolby Vision support |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | MO27U2 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K |
| Buyers who want dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz | XG27UCSR | A dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz |
| Buyers who want a fast IPS panel | VG27UQ1A | A fast IPS panel |
| Keeping the budget tight | S2725QS | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The AW2725Q leads on refresh rate at 240Hz, ahead of the MO27U2 at 240Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AW2725Q | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 26.7 inches | QD-OLED |
| MO27U2 | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | QD-OLED |
| XG27UCSR | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| VG27UQ1A | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| S2725QS | 120Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The S2725QS was the lowest-priced pick and the MO27U2 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | S2725QS, XG27UCSR, VG27UQ1A |
| About $500 to $1000 | AW2725Q, MO27U2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MO27U2 worth paying more than the S2725QS?
On paper it adds refresh rate (240Hz against 120Hz). The S2725QS was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the VG27UQ1A the Fast IPS Panel?
It earns the label for a fast IPS panel. It suits anyone who wants a fast IPS panel.
Do the AW2725Q and the XG27UCSR differ on panel?
The AW2725Q and the MO27U2 use QD-OLED; the XG27UCSR and the S2725QS use IPS; the VG27UQ1A uses Fast IPS.
Beyond the specs, what sets the AW2725Q and the MO27U2 apart?
The AW2725Q: Dolby Vision support. The MO27U2: a 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K. The XG27UCSR: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz.
Should I pick the AW2725Q or the S2725QS?
The AW2725Q suits buyers who want Dolby Vision support; the S2725QS suits keeping the budget tight.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the AW2725Q, chosen for Dolby Vision support. Look at the MO27U2 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K, the XG27UCSR for a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz and the VG27UQ1A for a fast IPS panel if those matter more to you.
Check that your GPU has the port the monitor needs for its full refresh rate.