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Buying Guide

The Best 27-Inch 1440p Gaming Monitors

Five monitors compared, from the Q27G41ZE to the MPG 271QR X50, with the trade-offs of each named.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read5 products evaluated

Desktop monitors on monitor arms above a wooden desk with keyboards and mice
Illustrative image
Jump to
  1. Quick Picks
  2. Our Picks
  3. How We Chose
  4. What to Look For
  5. Comparison
  6. FAQ

27-inch 1440p is the most popular gaming size and resolution. Every pick fits that, 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; a missing HDR is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.

Quick Picks

Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Also Consider

    INNOCN GA27M1Q 27-inch QD-OLED 500Hz

    A 500Hz refresh rate.

    Best for: Buyers who want 500Hz refresh rate.

    Check price for INNOCN GA27M1Q 27-inch QD-OLED 500Hz on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  2. Premium Pick

    MSI MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50

    DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.1 inputs at the highest price in the group.

    Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Q27G41ZE costs less.

    Check price for MSI MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  3. Strong Alternative

    ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR

    DCI-P3 wide colour coverage.

    Best for: Buyers who want DCI-P3 wide colour coverage.

    Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  4. G-SYNC Adaptive Sync

    ASUS ROG XG27ACMES

    A G-SYNC.

    Best for: Buyers who want a G-SYNC.

    Check price for ASUS ROG XG27ACMES on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  5. Lowest Price Here

    AOC Q27G41ZE

    Undercutting the XG27ACMES on price when we checked.

    Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the XG27ACMES the next step up.

    Check price for AOC Q27G41ZE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Also Consider1 of 5

INNOCN GA27M1Q 27-inch QD-OLED 500Hz

The INNOCN GA27M1Q is built around a 500Hz refresh rate, with a 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio on top.

Best for

Buyers who want 500Hz refresh rate.

Skip if

Look at the others if this bothers you: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Check price on Amazon for INNOCN GA27M1Q 27-inch QD-OLED 500Hz (opens in a new tab)
INNOCN GA27M1Q 27-inch QD-OLED 500Hz

Why we like it

On the spec sheet, it offers a 500Hz refresh rate and offers a 27 inches screen size. It matches the MPG 271QR X50 on refresh rate (500Hz). Like the MPG 271QR X50, it has a QD-OLED panel, while the Q27G41ZE uses an IPS panel.

It shares a G-SYNC Compatible with the Q27G41ZE; the XG27ACMES goes with a G-SYNC. To see 500Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk.

G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. Its price falls between the XG27AQMR and the MPG 271QR X50, based on our last check.

Key specs

Refresh rate
500Hz
Resolution
2560x1440 (1440p)
Size
27 inches
Panel
QD-OLED
Response
0.03ms
Color gamut
99% DCI-P3
Adaptive sync
G-SYNC Compatible

Pros

  • a 500Hz refresh rate for fast motion
  • 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
  • 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 Q27G41ZE at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for INNOCN GA27M1Q 27-inch QD-OLED 500Hz (opens in a new tab)

Premium Pick2 of 5

MSI MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50

The MPG 271QR X50 stands out for DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.1 inputs, and it adds a 98W USB-C port.

Best for

Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Q27G41ZE costs less.

Skip if

Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Check price on Amazon for MSI MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 (opens in a new tab)
MSI MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50

Why we like it

It also offers a 500Hz refresh rate and offers a 27 inches screen size. On refresh rate it ties with the INNOCN GA27M1Q at 500Hz. It shares a QD-OLED panel with the INNOCN GA27M1Q; the Q27G41ZE goes with an IPS panel.

To see 500Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. At our last price check it topped the group, with the INNOCN GA27M1Q the nearest cheaper option.

Key specs

Refresh rate
500Hz
Resolution
2560x1440 (1440p)
Size
27 inches
Panel
QD-OLED
Response
0.03ms
HDR
DisplayHDR True Black 500
Color gamut
99% DCI-P3
Adaptive sync
FreeSync Premium Pro, G-SYNC Compatible
USB-C
Yes

Pros

  • a 500Hz refresh rate for fast motion
  • 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
  • a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
  • DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification

Cons

  • OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
  • Costs more than the Q27G41ZE at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for MSI MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 (opens in a new tab)

Strong Alternative3 of 5

ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR

The XG27AQMR runs a Fast IPS panel at 300Hz with DisplayHDR 600, a strong HDR rating for IPS.

Best for

Buyers who want DCI-P3 wide colour coverage.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the Q27G41ZE cost less when we checked.
Check price on Amazon for ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR (opens in a new tab)
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR

Why we like it

It avoids OLED's burn-in concerns for desktop-heavy use. Its 300Hz refresh rate ranks third of 5 here, behind the INNOCN GA27M1Q (500Hz) and ahead of the Q27G41ZE (240Hz). It also comes with DCI-P3 wide colour coverage.

To see 300Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. Worth noting: 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches.

You also get this: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium Pro to reduce screen tearing. Its price falls between the XG27ACMES and the INNOCN GA27M1Q, based on our last check.

Key specs

Refresh rate
300Hz
Resolution
2560x1440 (1440p)
Size
27 inches
Panel
Fast IPS
Response
1ms
HDR
DisplayHDR 600
Adaptive sync
G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium Pro

Pros

  • a 300Hz refresh rate for fast motion
  • 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
  • a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
  • DisplayHDR 600 certification

Cons

  • Costs more than the Q27G41ZE at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR (opens in a new tab)

G-SYNC Adaptive Sync4 of 5

ASUS ROG XG27ACMES

The XG27ACMES stands out for a 255Hz refresh rate with overclocking, and it adds ELMB SYNC motion blur reduction.

Best for

Buyers who want a G-SYNC.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the Q27G41ZE cost less when we checked.
Check price on Amazon for ASUS ROG XG27ACMES (opens in a new tab)
ASUS ROG XG27ACMES

Why we like it

It also offers a 255Hz refresh rate and offers a 27 inches screen size. Its 255Hz refresh rate ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the INNOCN GA27M1Q (500Hz) and ahead of the Q27G41ZE (240Hz). Like the XG27AQMR, it has a fast IPS panel, while the Q27G41ZE uses an IPS panel.

You get a G-SYNC here, which sets it apart from the Q27G41ZE and its a G-SYNC Compatible. To see 255Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Q27G41ZE and the pricier XG27AQMR, at the time of writing.

Key specs

Refresh rate
255Hz
Resolution
2560x1440 (1440p)
Size
27 inches
Panel
Fast IPS
Response
0.3ms
Adaptive sync
G-SYNC

Pros

  • a 255Hz refresh rate for fast motion
  • 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
  • a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
  • G-SYNC to reduce screen tearing

Cons

  • Costs more than the Q27G41ZE at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for ASUS ROG XG27ACMES (opens in a new tab)

Lowest Price Here5 of 5

AOC Q27G41ZE

The Q27G41ZE runs 1440p at 240Hz natively, with an overclocked 260Hz mode, on an IPS panel.

Best for

Spending as little as possible, with the XG27ACMES the next step up.

Skip if

Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the INNOCN GA27M1Q offers 500Hz.
Check price on Amazon for AOC Q27G41ZE (opens in a new tab)
AOC Q27G41ZE

Why we like it

It is rare to see that combination at this price. On refresh rate it trails the group at 240Hz, while the INNOCN GA27M1Q offers 500Hz. An IPS panel is unique to it among these picks, while the MPG 271QR X50 uses a QD-OLED panel.

Like the INNOCN GA27M1Q, it has a G-SYNC Compatible, while the XG27ACMES uses a G-SYNC. You also get DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 inputs. To see 240Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower.

G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the XG27ACMES was closest.

Key specs

Refresh rate
240Hz
Resolution
2560x1440 (1440p)
Size
27 inches
Panel
IPS
Response
0.3ms
Adaptive sync
G-SYNC Compatible

Pros

  • a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
  • 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
  • an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
  • G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing

Cons

  • Refresh rate trails the INNOCN GA27M1Q (500Hz)

The catch

Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the INNOCN GA27M1Q covers it better at 500Hz.

Check price on Amazon for AOC Q27G41ZE (opens in a new tab)

How We Chose These 27-Inch 1440p Gaming Monitors

Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

A gaming monitor on a desk with purple bias lighting
A gaming monitor on a desk with purple bias lighting
The figures behind the order
We compared five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out HDR.
The shared baseline
All 5, from the INNOCN GA27M1Q to the Q27G41ZE, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution.
Where the specs have gaps
The INNOCN GA27M1Q, the XG27ACMES and the Q27G41ZE give no HDR; the XG27AQMR, the XG27ACMES and the Q27G41ZE give no color gamut.
Price range
At our last check the picks ran from the Q27G41ZE ($150 to $250) to the MPG 271QR X50 ($500 to $1000).

What to Look for in a 27-Inch 1440p Gaming Monitor

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Refresh rate

    Here refresh rate runs from 240Hz on the Q27G41ZE to 500Hz on the INNOCN GA27M1Q, a 108% spread. The INNOCN GA27M1Q is the pick for refresh rate.

  2. Response

    The INNOCN GA27M1Q and the MPG 271QR X50 list 0.03ms; the XG27AQMR lists 1ms; the XG27ACMES and the Q27G41ZE list 0.3ms. Sort out response before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 2, 2 and 1.

    A gaming monitor above a keyboard and mouse on a black desk
    A gaming monitor above a keyboard and mouse on a black desk

  3. Features beyond the spec table

    The XG27AQMR: DCI-P3 wide colour coverage. The XG27ACMES: ELMB SYNC motion blur reduction. The Q27G41ZE: DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 inputs.

  4. Where your budget lands

    $150 to $250 buys the Q27G41ZE and the XG27ACMES; $250 to $500 buys the XG27AQMR; $500 to $1000 buys the INNOCN GA27M1Q and the MPG 271QR X50 at our last check.

    A gaming desk with a monitor, a racing-style chair and shelves of figures
    A gaming desk with a monitor, a racing-style chair and shelves of figures

  5. Match the pick to your priority

    Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Q27G41ZE costs less: the MPG 271QR X50. Buyers who want a G-SYNC: the XG27ACMES. Spending as little as possible, with the XG27ACMES the next step up: the Q27G41ZE.

How to Choose a 27-Inch 1440p Gaming Monitor

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Buyers who want 500Hz refresh rateINNOCN GA27M1QA 500Hz refresh rate
Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Q27G41ZE costs lessMPG 271QR X50DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.1 inputs at the highest price in the group
Buyers who want DCI-P3 wide colour coverageXG27AQMRDCI-P3 wide colour coverage
Buyers who want a G-SYNCXG27ACMESA G-SYNC
Spending as little as possible, with the XG27ACMES the next step upQ27G41ZEUndercutting the XG27ACMES on price when we checked

Scroll sideways to see every column.

A large monitor showing a game on a low media unit
A large monitor showing a game on a low media unit

Key specs side by side

The INNOCN GA27M1Q leads on refresh rate at 500Hz, ahead of the MPG 271QR X50 at 500Hz.

MonitorRefresh rateResolutionSizePanel
INNOCN GA27M1Q500Hz2560x1440 (1440p)27 inchesQD-OLED
MPG 271QR X50500Hz2560x1440 (1440p)27 inchesQD-OLED
XG27AQMR300Hz2560x1440 (1440p)27 inchesFast IPS
XG27ACMES255Hz2560x1440 (1440p)27 inchesFast IPS
Q27G41ZE240Hz2560x1440 (1440p)27 inchesIPS

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

At our last check the cheapest pick, the Q27G41ZE, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the MPG 271QR X50 at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.

Price tierMonitors
About $150 to $250Q27G41ZE, XG27ACMES
About $250 to $500XG27AQMR
About $500 to $1000INNOCN GA27M1Q, MPG 271QR X50

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the MPG 271QR X50 worth paying more than the Q27G41ZE?

On paper it adds refresh rate (500Hz against 240Hz). The Q27G41ZE sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the MPG 271QR X50 in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if refresh rate decides your purchase.

What makes the XG27ACMES the G-SYNC Adaptive Sync?

The label rests on a G-SYNC. It suits anyone who wants a G-SYNC.

Do the INNOCN GA27M1Q and the XG27AQMR differ on panel?

The INNOCN GA27M1Q and the MPG 271QR X50 use QD-OLED; the XG27AQMR and the XG27ACMES use Fast IPS; the Q27G41ZE uses IPS.

Beyond the specs, what sets the INNOCN GA27M1Q and the MPG 271QR X50 apart?

The INNOCN GA27M1Q: a 500Hz refresh rate. The MPG 271QR X50: DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.1 inputs. The XG27AQMR: DCI-P3 wide colour coverage.

Should I pick the INNOCN GA27M1Q or the Q27G41ZE?

The INNOCN GA27M1Q suits buyers who want 500Hz refresh rate; the Q27G41ZE suits spending as little as possible, with the XG27ACMES the next step up.

Bottom Line

Our first pick is the INNOCN GA27M1Q, chosen for a 500Hz refresh rate. Look at the MPG 271QR X50 for DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.1 inputs at the highest price in the group, the XG27AQMR for DCI-P3 wide colour coverage and the XG27ACMES for a G-SYNC if those matter more to you.

Check panel type: OLED for contrast, IPS for brightness.

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About the author

PC Hardware Editor

Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.

Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility

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