Buying Guide
The Best 27-Inch 4K IPS Gaming Monitors
We weighed five monitors on refresh rate and screen size, and the S2725QS costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A 27-inch 4K screen gives very sharp text and games. Every pick is a 27-inch 4K IPS panel, ordered by refresh rate.
The order reflects refresh rate, resolution and size from maker specifications; we did not test these monitors ourselves, 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 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)
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)
Worth a Look
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG
A dual mode that switches to 1080p at 320Hz.
Best for: Buyers who want dual mode that switches to 1080p at 320Hz.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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 dual mode that switches to 1080p at 320Hz. | Buyers who want dual mode that switches to 1080p at 320Hz. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG (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 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
- Price-first buyers should look at the S2725QS, which 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). It also comes with 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. Another plus is 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen. It also brings an IPS panel with wide viewing angles. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper XG27UCSR and the pricier XG27UCG, 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 S2725QS 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
- Price-first buyers should look at the S2725QS, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It covers both uses on one screen. It matches the AW2725QF on refresh rate (180Hz). 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. Worth noting too: 4K resolution for sharp text and detail. 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 XG27UCG 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 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
It matches the XG27UCG on refresh rate (160Hz). 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. Worth noting too: 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen.
It also brings an IPS panel with wide viewing angles. Worth noting too: 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage. It also brings 0.3ms response, the only one here.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the S2725QS at the time of writing. Its price falls between the S2725QS and the AW2725QF, based on our last check.
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
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XG27UCG is a 4K 160Hz monitor that can switch to 1080p at 320Hz for shooters, and adds USB-C for a laptop.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual mode that switches to 1080p at 320Hz.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the S2725QS, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It matches the XG27UCSR on refresh rate (160Hz). A G-SYNC Compatible is unique to it among these picks, while the S2725QS uses a FreeSync Premium. 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. Another plus is 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen. Worth noting too: an IPS panel with wide viewing angles. Its price falls between the AW2725QF and the 27G810A, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 1ms
- Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible
- 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
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 AW2725QF offers 180Hz.
Why we like it
That refresh rate makes it the best all-rounder among cheap 4K screens. Its 120Hz refresh rate is the lowest in this group; the AW2725QF leads at 180Hz. No other pick in this guide offers a 99% sRGB color gamut; compare the XG27UCSR, which has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut.
You get a FreeSync Premium here, which sets it apart from the XG27UCG and its a G-SYNC Compatible. At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. It undercut the XG27UCSR and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
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 AW2725QF (180Hz)
How We Chose These 27-Inch 4K IPS Gaming Monitors
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- 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 S2725QS, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution and IPS panel.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The S2725QS gives no response; the XG27UCSR, the XG27UCG and the S2725QS give no HDR.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the S2725QS ($250 to $500) to the 27G810A ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a 27-Inch 4K IPS Gaming Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate
Here refresh rate runs from 120Hz on the S2725QS to 180Hz on the AW2725QF. Start with the AW2725QF if refresh rate decides it.
Setup checks
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. At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy.
Extras that separate them
The XG27UCSR: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz. The XG27UCG: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 320Hz. The S2725QS: a 120Hz refresh rate at 4K.
How much to spend
$250 to $500 buys the S2725QS, the XG27UCSR, the AW2725QF and the XG27UCG; $500 to $1000 buys the 27G810A at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Spending more for the fullest feature set: the 27G810A. Keeping the budget tight: the S2725QS.
Pick the panel type
IPS offers wide viewing angles and good colour. VA has higher contrast but slower dark transitions. OLED has perfect blacks and very fast response but carries a burn-in risk with static content.
How to Choose a 27-Inch 4K IPS Gaming 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 dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz | XG27UCSR | A dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz |
| Buyers who want dual mode that switches to 1080p at 320Hz | XG27UCG | A dual mode that switches to 1080p at 320Hz |
| 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 AW2725QF leads on refresh rate at 180Hz, ahead of the 27G810A at 180Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AW2725QF | 180Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| 27G810A | 180Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| XG27UCSR | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| XG27UCG | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | 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 27G810A the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | S2725QS, XG27UCSR, AW2725QF, XG27UCG |
| About $500 to $1000 | 27G810A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 27G810A add over the S2725QS?
On paper it adds refresh rate (180Hz against 120Hz). The S2725QS was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the S2725QS our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It suits keeping the budget tight.
Do the AW2725QF and the 27G810A differ on response?
The AW2725QF uses 0.5ms; the 27G810A and the XG27UCG use 1ms; the XG27UCSR uses 0.3ms. The maker of the S2725QS doesn't say.
Will the 27G810A work with my setup?
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. In this guide it ranks second of 5, as our Premium Pick pick.
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 XG27UCSR: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz.
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 XG27UCSR for a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz and the XG27UCG for a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 320Hz if those matter more to you.
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