Buying Guide
The Best 27-Inch IPS 4K Monitors
Five monitors ranked on refresh rate and screen size; the 27US500 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
At 27 inches, pixel density decides how sharp text and games look from a normal seat. Every monitor here measures about 27 inches, is 4K and uses an IPS panel, ordered by refresh rate.
We ranked these monitors on refresh rate, resolution and size using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out refresh rate, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
Alienware AW2725QF Dual-Resolution
A dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz.
Best for: Buyers who want dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz.
Our take Check price for Alienware AW2725QF Dual-Resolution (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
LG UltraGear 27G810A-B
The top of this price range, adding a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 360Hz.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for LG UltraGear 27G810A-B (opens in a new tab)
Swivel Stand
Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4K
A swivel stand.
Best for: Buyers who want a swivel stand.
Our take Check price for Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4K (opens in a new tab)
FreeSync Premium Adaptive Sync
Dell 27 S2725QC 4K USB-C
A freeSync Premium.
Best for: Buyers who want a freeSync Premium.
Our take Check price for Dell 27 S2725QC 4K USB-C (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
LG UltraFine 27US500-W
Undercutting the S2725QC on price when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for LG UltraFine 27US500-W (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz. | Buyers who want dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz. | Check price for Alienware AW2725QF Dual-Resolution (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 360Hz. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for LG UltraGear 27G810A-B (opens in a new tab) |
| A swivel stand. | Buyers who want a swivel stand. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4K (opens in a new tab) |
| A freeSync Premium. | Buyers who want a freeSync Premium. | Check price for Dell 27 S2725QC 4K USB-C (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the S2725QC on price when we checked. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for LG UltraFine 27US500-W (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
Alienware AW2725QF Dual-Resolution on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Alienware's AW2725QF is a 27-inch 4K IPS screen at 180Hz with DisplayHDR 600.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the 27US500 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It avoids OLED burn-in concerns while keeping 4K sharpness. It matches the 27G810A on refresh rate (180Hz). No other pick in this guide offers a DisplayHDR 600; compare the 27G810A, which has a DisplayHDR 400.
Like the 27G810A, it has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut, while the S2725QC uses a 99% sRGB color gamut. It also offers a dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz and Dolby Vision support. Reaching 180Hz 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. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Odyssey G7 27 and the pricier 27G810A, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 180Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 0.5ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR 600
- Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
Pros
- 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
Cons
- Costs more than the 27US500 at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
LG UltraGear 27G810A-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 27G810A runs 4K at 180Hz and switches to 1080p at 360Hz for shooters, with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayHDR 400.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the 27US500 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It covers both uses on one screen. It matches the AW2725QF on refresh rate (180Hz). Like the Odyssey G7 27, it has a DisplayHDR 400, while the AW2725QF uses a DisplayHDR 600.
Like the AW2725QF, it has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut, while the S2725QC uses a 99% sRGB color gamut. It also offers an HDMI 2.1 input for consoles. Reaching 180Hz 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. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the AW2725QF and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 180Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR 400
- Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium
- Stand: swivel and pivot
Pros
- 180Hz 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 27US500 at the time of writing
Swivel Stand3 of 5
Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Odyssey G7 gives 4K at 144Hz on a 27-inch IPS panel.
Best for
- Buyers who want a swivel stand.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the 27US500, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits a high-end graphics card and players who value sharpness over maximum refresh. On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 144Hz: the AW2725QF offers 180Hz, and the S2725QC comes in at 120Hz. It shares a DisplayHDR 400 with the 27G810A; the 27US500 goes with an HDR10.
You also get Samsung's smart-monitor features listed alongside gaming modes. Reaching 144Hz 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. When we checked, only the S2725QC and cheaper picks cost less, and the AW2725QF cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR 400
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium
- Stand: swivel
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Costs more than the 27US500 at the time of writing
FreeSync Premium Adaptive Sync4 of 5
Dell 27 S2725QC 4K USB-C on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the S2725QC brings to the table is USB-C with up to 65W power delivery, plus 4K at 120Hz.
Best for
- Buyers who want a freeSync Premium.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the AW2725QF offers 180Hz.
Why we like it
It also offers a 120Hz refresh rate and offers a 27 inches screen size. Its 120Hz refresh rate is the lowest in this group; the AW2725QF leads at 180Hz. It is the only pick here with a 99% sRGB color gamut; the 27G810A has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut instead.
It also comes with 1500:1 contrast. At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. Its price falls between the 27US500 and the Odyssey G7 27, based on our last check. If refresh rate is your priority, the AW2725QF (180Hz) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 4ms
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium
- USB-C: Yes
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 AW2725QF (180Hz)
- Costs more than the 27US500 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
LG UltraFine 27US500-W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 27US500 offers 90% DCI-P3 coverage and HDR10 input on an IPS panel in a white finish.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certificatio is a problem.
Why we like it
It suits creative work more than gaming. It is the only pick here with an HDR10; the Odyssey G7 27 has a DisplayHDR 400 instead. It is the only pick here with a 90% DCI-P3 color gamut; the S2725QC has a 99% sRGB color gamut instead.
It also comes with a white borderless design and a Reader Mode. At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the S2725QC was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed refresh rate should compare it with the AW2725QF, which offers 180Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- HDR: HDR10
- Color gamut: 90% DCI-P3
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 90% DCI-P3 colour coverage
- White borderless design
Cons
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- No published refresh rate
How We Chose These 27-Inch IPS 4K Monitors
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the AW2725QF to the 27US500, state resolution, screen size and panel and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution and IPS panel.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The 27US500 gives no refresh rate; the 27US500 gives no response.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the 27US500 ($150 to $250) to the 27G810A ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a 27-Inch IPS 4K Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate
Here refresh rate runs from 120Hz on the S2725QC to 180Hz on the AW2725QF. Start with the AW2725QF if refresh rate decides it. No figure for the 27US500.
Extras that separate them
The Odyssey G7 27: Samsung's smart-monitor features listed alongside gaming modes. The S2725QC: 4K at 120Hz. The 27US500: a Reader Mode.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the 27US500; $250 to $500 buys the S2725QC, the Odyssey G7 27 and the AW2725QF; $500 to $1000 buys the 27G810A at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Spending more for the fullest feature set: the 27G810A. Buyers who want a swivel stand: the Odyssey G7 27. Buyers who want a freeSync Premium: the S2725QC.
Check ports and cables
High refresh rates at 1440p and 4K need DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1. Consoles need HDMI 2.1 for 4K at 120Hz.
How to Choose a 27-Inch IPS 4K Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz | AW2725QF | A dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | 27G810A | The top of this price range, adding a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 360Hz |
| Buyers who want a swivel stand | Odyssey G7 27 | A swivel stand |
| Buyers who want a freeSync Premium | S2725QC | A freeSync Premium |
| Keeping the budget tight | 27US500 | Undercutting the S2725QC on price when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The AW2725QF leads on refresh rate at 180Hz, ahead of the 27G810A at 180Hz. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AW2725QF | 180Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| 27G810A | 180Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| Odyssey G7 27 | 144Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| S2725QC | 120Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| 27US500 | Not listed | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The 27US500 was the lowest-priced pick and the 27G810A the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | 27US500 |
| About $250 to $500 | S2725QC, Odyssey G7 27, AW2725QF |
| About $500 to $1000 | 27G810A |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the S2725QC our FreeSync Premium Adaptive Sync pick?
It earns the label for a freeSync Premium. It suits anyone who wants a freeSync Premium.
Do the AW2725QF and the 27G810A differ on response?
The AW2725QF uses 0.5ms; the 27G810A and the Odyssey G7 27 use 1ms; the S2725QC uses 4ms. The maker of the 27US500 doesn't say.
What extras do the AW2725QF and the 27G810A include?
The AW2725QF: a dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz. The 27G810A: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 360Hz. The Odyssey G7 27: Samsung's smart-monitor features listed alongside gaming modes.
Who should choose the Odyssey G7 27?
The Odyssey G7 27 carries our Swivel Stand label for a swivel stand. It ranks third of 5 here.
Should I pick the AW2725QF or the 27US500?
The AW2725QF suits buyers who want dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz; the 27US500 suits keeping the budget tight.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the AW2725QF, chosen for a dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz. Look at the 27G810A for the top of this price range, adding a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 360Hz, the Odyssey G7 27 for a swivel stand and the S2725QC for a freeSync Premium if those matter more to you.
Set the refresh rate in Windows display settings; many screens start at 60Hz.