Buying Guide
The Best IPS 4K Monitors for Gaming
Five monitors compared, from the CUNPU 4K to the 27G810A, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A 4K panel quadruples the pixels of 1080p, so plan for upscaling in demanding games. Every monitor here is 4K, uses an IPS panel and refreshes at 120Hz or more, ordered by refresh rate.
We sorted these picks by refresh rate, resolution and size, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips HDR, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
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)
Lowest Price Here
CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz
A lower price than the XG27UCSR and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz (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)
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)
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 CUNPU 4K cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It avoids OLED burn-in concerns while keeping 4K sharpness. On refresh rate it ties with the 27G810A at 180Hz. A DisplayHDR 600 is unique to it among these picks, while the CUNPU 4K uses an HDR400.
It shares a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut with the 27G810A and XG27UCSR; the CUNPU 4K goes with a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut. 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. When we checked, only the Odyssey G7 27 and cheaper picks cost less, and the 27G810A cost more.
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 CUNPU 4K 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
- If budget leads, the CUNPU 4K was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It covers both uses on one screen. On refresh rate it ties with the AW2725QF at 180Hz. It shares a DisplayHDR 400 with the Odyssey G7 27; the CUNPU 4K goes with an HDR400.
It shares a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut with the AW2725QF and XG27UCSR; the CUNPU 4K goes with a 99% DCI-P3 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the AW2725QF the nearest cheaper option.
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 CUNPU 4K at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
CUNPU's 27-inch 4K screen runs at 160Hz with an HDMI 2.1 input and 99% DCI-P3 coverage.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: refresh rate of 160Hz, behind the AW2725QF (180Hz).
Why we like it
It is one of the cheapest 4K high-refresh monitors here. On refresh rate it ties with the XG27UCSR at 160Hz. You get a fast IPS panel here, which sets it apart from the Odyssey G7 27 and its an IPS panel.
You get an HDR400 here, which sets it apart from the 27G810A and its a DisplayHDR 400. You get a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut here, which sets it apart from the XG27UCSR and its a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut. It also comes with 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles, a factory calibration of Delta E under 2 and 4K at a budget price tier.
It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the XG27UCSR the next step up. What it gives up: refresh rate of 160Hz, behind the AW2725QF (180Hz); by contrast, the AW2725QF offers 180Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: HDR400
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync
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
- 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Refresh rate of 160Hz, behind the AW2725QF (180Hz)
Strong Alternative4 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
- Price-first buyers should look at the CUNPU 4K, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On refresh rate it ties with the CUNPU 4K at 160Hz. It shares a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut with the AW2725QF and 27G810A; the CUNPU 4K goes with a 99% DCI-P3 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.
Worth noting too: 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen. Worth noting too: an IPS panel with wide viewing angles. It was priced above the CUNPU 4K and below the Odyssey G7 27 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 CUNPU 4K at the time of writing
Swivel Stand5 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
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the AW2725QF offers 180Hz.
Why we like it
It suits a high-end graphics card and players who value sharpness over maximum refresh. Its 144Hz refresh rate is the lowest in this group; the AW2725QF leads at 180Hz. Like the 27G810A, it has a DisplayHDR 400, while the AW2725QF uses a DisplayHDR 600.
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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper XG27UCSR and the pricier AW2725QF, at the time of writing.
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
- Refresh rate trails the AW2725QF (180Hz)
- Costs more than the CUNPU 4K at the time of writing
How We Chose These IPS 4K Monitors for Gaming
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the AW2725QF to the Odyssey G7 27, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The XG27UCSR gives no HDR; the Odyssey G7 27 gives no color gamut.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the CUNPU 4K ($150 to $250) to the 27G810A ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in an IPS 4K Monitor for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate across these picks
Here refresh rate runs from 144Hz on the Odyssey G7 27 to 180Hz on the AW2725QF. The AW2725QF is the pick for refresh rate.
Response
The AW2725QF lists 0.5ms; the 27G810A, the CUNPU 4K and the Odyssey G7 27 list 1ms; the XG27UCSR lists 0.3ms. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Features beyond the spec table
The CUNPU 4K: a factory calibration of Delta E under 2. The XG27UCSR: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz. The Odyssey G7 27: Samsung's smart-monitor features listed alongside gaming modes.
Where your budget lands
$150 to $250 buys the CUNPU 4K; $250 to $500 buys the XG27UCSR, the Odyssey G7 27 and the AW2725QF; $500 to $1000 buys the 27G810A at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Spending more for the fullest feature set: the 27G810A. Spending as little as possible: the CUNPU 4K. Buyers who want a swivel stand: the Odyssey G7 27.
How to Choose an IPS 4K Monitor for Gaming
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 |
| Spending as little as possible | CUNPU 4K | A lower price than the XG27UCSR and the rest when we checked |
| 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 swivel stand | Odyssey G7 27 | A swivel stand |
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 |
| CUNPU 4K | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| XG27UCSR | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| Odyssey G7 27 | 144Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The CUNPU 4K 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 | CUNPU 4K |
| About $250 to $500 | XG27UCSR, Odyssey G7 27, AW2725QF |
| About $500 to $1000 | 27G810A |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 27G810A worth paying more than the CUNPU 4K?
On paper it adds refresh rate (180Hz against 160Hz). The CUNPU 4K was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Odyssey G7 27 the Swivel Stand?
It earns the label for a swivel stand. It suits anyone who wants a swivel stand.
Do the AW2725QF and the CUNPU 4K differ on panel?
The AW2725QF, the 27G810A, the XG27UCSR and the Odyssey G7 27 use IPS; the CUNPU 4K uses Fast IPS.
Beyond the specs, what sets the AW2725QF and the 27G810A apart?
The AW2725QF: a dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz. The 27G810A: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 360Hz. The CUNPU 4K: 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles.
Should I pick the AW2725QF or the Odyssey G7 27?
The AW2725QF suits buyers who want dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz; the Odyssey G7 27 suits buyers who want a swivel stand.
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 CUNPU 4K for a lower price than the XG27UCSR and the rest when we checked and the XG27UCSR for a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz if those matter more to you.
Check that your GPU has the port the monitor needs for its full refresh rate.