Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Monitors for Apex Legends
We weighed five monitors on refresh rate and screen size, and the MAG 274QF costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Apex Legends is fast and its fights are close range, so a smooth 1440p IPS screen helps you track targets. Every pick is a 1440p IPS monitor between 144Hz and 240Hz, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these monitors on refresh rate, resolution and size using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these monitors ourselves, and where a maker leaves out response, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
MSI MAG 274QF E20
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting 200Hz refresh rate at 1440p for the least money.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG 274QF E20 (opens in a new tab)
IPS Panel
AOC Q27G41ZE
An IPS panel.
Best for: Buyers who want an IPS panel.
Also Consider
GIGABYTE M27Q2
A quantum dot SuperSpeed IPS panel.
Best for: Buyers who want quantum dot SuperSpeed IPS panel.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE M27Q2 (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL5A
1440p at 210Hz with overclock.
Best for: Buyers who want 1440p at 210Hz with overclock.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL5A (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
KTC H27E6S
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an overclocked 275Hz mode.
Best for: Buyers who want an overclocked 275Hz mode and can spend more than the VG27AQL5A costs.
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Getting 200Hz refresh rate at 1440p for the least money. | Check price for MSI MAG 274QF E20 (opens in a new tab) |
| An IPS panel. | Buyers who want an IPS panel. | Check price for AOC Q27G41ZE (opens in a new tab) |
| A quantum dot SuperSpeed IPS panel. | Buyers who want quantum dot SuperSpeed IPS panel. | Check price for GIGABYTE M27Q2 (opens in a new tab) |
| 1440p at 210Hz with overclock. | Buyers who want 1440p at 210Hz with overclock. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL5A (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an overclocked 275Hz mode. | Buyers who want an overclocked 275Hz mode and can spend more than the VG27AQL5A costs. | Check price for KTC H27E6S (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
MSI MAG 274QF E20 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MAG 274QF runs 1440p at 200Hz on a Rapid IPS panel with FreeSync Premium.
Best for
- Getting 200Hz refresh rate at 1440p for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: refresh rate of 200Hz, behind the Q27G41ZE (240Hz).
Why we like it
It is a balanced step down from the AOC. The Rapid IPS panel is rated at 0.5ms GtG. MSI's AI Vision mode lifts detail in dark scenes and boosts brightness and saturation.
On refresh rate it ties with the Gigabyte M27Q2 at 200Hz. You get a rapid IPS panel here, which sets it apart from the H27E6S and its a fast IPS panel. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards.
It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Q27G41ZE the next step up. What it gives up: refresh rate of 200Hz, behind the Q27G41ZE (240Hz); by contrast, the Q27G41ZE offers 240Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 200Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Rapid IPS
- Response: 0.5ms
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible
Pros
- 200Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a Rapid IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Refresh rate of 200Hz, behind the Q27G41ZE (240Hz)
IPS Panel2 of 5
AOC Q27G41ZE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Q27G41ZE runs 1440p at 240Hz natively, with an overclocked 260Hz mode, on an IPS panel.
Best for
- Buyers who want an IPS panel.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the MAG 274QF was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is rare to see that combination at this price. It matches the H27E6S on refresh rate (240Hz). No other pick in this guide offers an IPS panel; compare the VG27AQL5A, which has a fast IPS panel.
You get a G-SYNC Compatible here, which sets it apart from the VG27AQL5A and its a FreeSync Premium. It also comes with 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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper MAG 274QF and the pricier Gigabyte M27Q2, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the MAG 274QF at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
GIGABYTE M27Q2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Gigabyte M27Q2 is built around a quantum dot SuperSpeed IPS panel, with 210Hz when overclocked on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want quantum dot SuperSpeed IPS panel.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the Q27G41ZE offers 240Hz.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 200Hz refresh rate and offers a 27 inches screen size. On refresh rate it ties with the MAG 274QF at 200Hz. You get a SuperSpeed IPS panel here, which sets it apart from the H27E6S and its a fast IPS panel.
Like the VG27AQL5A, it has a FreeSync Premium, while the Q27G41ZE uses a G-SYNC Compatible. Worth noting: 200Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen. Another plus: 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches.
You also get this: 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage. It gives ground on refresh rate, where the Q27G41ZE offers 240Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 200Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: SuperSpeed IPS
- Response: 1ms
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium
Pros
- 200Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a SuperSpeed IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the Q27G41ZE (240Hz)
- Costs more than the MAG 274QF at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASUS's VG27AQL5A runs a 27-inch 1440p Fast IPS panel at 210Hz on a height-adjustable stand.
Best for
- Buyers who want 1440p at 210Hz with overclock.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the MAG 274QF was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is the TUF model to pick for a balanced 1440p setup. A DisplayPort cable comes in the box, the stand adjusts for height, and DisplayWidget Center changes settings with a mouse. On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 210Hz: the Q27G41ZE offers 240Hz, and the Gigabyte M27Q2 comes in at 200Hz.
It shares a fast IPS panel with the H27E6S; the MAG 274QF goes with a rapid IPS panel. Like the Gigabyte M27Q2, it has a FreeSync Premium, while the Q27G41ZE uses a G-SYNC Compatible. You also get a mid price tier for 1440p. It was priced above the Gigabyte M27Q2 and below the H27E6S at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 210Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium
- Stand: height adjustment
Pros
- 210Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Costs more than the MAG 274QF at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
KTC H27E6S on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The H27E6S runs 240Hz on Fast IPS with a 275Hz overclock, speakers and a swivel and pivot stand at a budget price.
Best for
- Buyers who want an overclocked 275Hz mode and can spend more than the VG27AQL5A costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the MAG 274QF cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On refresh rate it ties with the Q27G41ZE at 240Hz. It shares a fast IPS panel with the VG27AQL5A; the MAG 274QF goes with a rapid IPS panel. To see 240Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower.
You also get this: 123% sRGB colour coverage. Only the VG27AQL5A came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. It gives ground on screen size, where the MAG 274QF comes in at 27 inches.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: HDR400
- Color gamut: 123% sRGB
- Stand: swivel and pivot
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 123% sRGB colour coverage
Cons
- Costs more than the MAG 274QF at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Monitors for Apex Legends
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out response.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the MAG 274QF to the H27E6S, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The VG27AQL5A gives no response; the MAG 274QF, the Q27G41ZE and the VG27AQL5A give no color gamut.
- Price range
- From the MAG 274QF to the H27E6S, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Gaming Monitor for Apex Legends
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate
The Q27G41ZE tops refresh rate at 240Hz and the Gigabyte M27Q2 sits lowest at 200Hz; 2 picks share the top figure. If refresh rate is your first filter, the Q27G41ZE sets the ceiling at 240Hz.
Response
The MAG 274QF lists 0.5ms; the Q27G41ZE lists 0.3ms; the Gigabyte M27Q2 and the H27E6S list 1ms.
Extras that separate them
The Gigabyte M27Q2: 210Hz when overclocked. The VG27AQL5A: a height-adjustable stand. The H27E6S: built-in speakers.
Where your budget lands
All 5 sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, from the MAG 274QF at the low end to the H27E6S at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Getting 200Hz refresh rate at 1440p for the least money: the MAG 274QF. Buyers who want an IPS panel: the Q27G41ZE. Buyers who want an overclocked 275Hz mode and can spend more than the VG27AQL5A costs: the H27E6S.
How to Choose a Gaming Monitor for Apex Legends
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 200Hz refresh rate at 1440p for the least money | MAG 274QF | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want an IPS panel | Q27G41ZE | An IPS panel |
| Buyers who want quantum dot SuperSpeed IPS panel | Gigabyte M27Q2 | A quantum dot SuperSpeed IPS panel |
| Buyers who want 1440p at 210Hz with overclock | VG27AQL5A | 1440p at 210Hz with overclock |
| Buyers who want an overclocked 275Hz mode and can spend more than the VG27AQL5A costs | H27E6S | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an overclocked 275Hz mode |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Q27G41ZE leads on refresh rate at 240Hz, ahead of the H27E6S at 240Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAG 274QF | 200Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Rapid IPS |
| Q27G41ZE | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | IPS |
| Gigabyte M27Q2 | 200Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | SuperSpeed IPS |
| VG27AQL5A | 210Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| H27E6S | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the H27E6S add over the MAG 274QF?
On paper it adds refresh rate (240Hz against 200Hz). Both sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, so the gains in refresh rate cost little extra by tier.
Why is the Q27G41ZE our IPS Panel pick?
It earns the label for an IPS panel. It is aimed at anyone who wants an IPS panel.
Do the MAG 274QF and the Q27G41ZE differ on panel?
The MAG 274QF uses Rapid IPS; the Q27G41ZE uses IPS; the Gigabyte M27Q2 uses SuperSpeed IPS; the VG27AQL5A and the H27E6S use Fast IPS.
What extras do the MAG 274QF and the Q27G41ZE include?
The MAG 274QF: a 200Hz refresh rate at 1440p. The Q27G41ZE: an overclocked 260Hz mode above its 240Hz native rate. The Gigabyte M27Q2: a quantum dot SuperSpeed IPS panel.
Should I pick the MAG 274QF or the H27E6S?
The MAG 274QF suits getting 200Hz refresh rate at 1440p for the least money; the H27E6S suits buyers who want an overclocked 275Hz mode and can spend more than the VG27AQL5A costs.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MAG 274QF, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Q27G41ZE for an IPS panel, the Gigabyte M27Q2 for a quantum dot SuperSpeed IPS panel and the VG27AQL5A for 1440p at 210Hz with overclock if those matter more to you.
Cap the game's frame rate a few frames below the refresh rate to keep it smooth.