Friday, December 04, 2020
27-inch monitors are favored for their expansive screen real estate and high resolutions while still being able to be placed side-by-side for a multi-panel setup. The Razer Raptor 27 is an incredible piece of kit and one of the best computer monitors at this screen size. Rocking a 1440p resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, it demands to be used by gamers and creators alike.
Best Value: Dell UltraSharp U2719D
Dell's UltraSharp U2719D is a fantastic monitor. The ultra-thin bezel means more screen and less distraction so that you can stay focused on the task at hand, and its 8ms response time means you shouldn't notice ghosting or judder too frequently in games. There's a fast mode that brings down the response time to just 5ms, making everything considerably better, but it still falls short of other gaming displays.
Dell offers some excellent value with this display.
One highlight of the U2719D is the plethora of media connections, so you won't have to compromise on what peripherals get to stay plugged in and which ones you have to switch out all the time. We've got DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 1.4, five USB 3.0 ports, and a 3.5mm jack. This is more than enough to hook up various devices on the desk.
And should you grow tired of the included stand, the available VESA support allows the use of a third-party stand or mount, making it an ideal option for multi-display setups.
Pros:
- Sleek design
- VESA
- Color reproduction
- IPS panel
- Great value
Cons:
- Not the best for gaming
- No G-Sync or FreeSync
- 60Hz refresh rate
Best Value
Dell UltraSharp U2719D
A solid monitor with everything you need
Dell makes some excellent monitors, and the U2719D is a fine example. It has everything you need, including HDMI and DisplayPort, IPS panel, VESA support, and a resolution of 2560x1440, so you can get anything you want done.
Best Overall: Razer Raptor 27
Razer's Raptor 27 comes with a resolution of 2560 x 1440, a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, and HDR 400 certification. There's also the choice between NVIDIA or AMD synchronization technologies, and this panel can go bright with a max brightness of around 420 cd/m².
Razer has managed to strike a remarkable balance between gaming, pro graphics, and a stylish design.
These specifications make the Raptor 27 ideal for playing PC games and doing some work too. There are plenty of ports, including DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0b, USB Type-A 3.2 passthrough, and a single USB Type-C PD (DP1.4 in Alt-mode). Being friendly with DCI-P3, sporting a non-glare finish on the panel itself, high AdobeRGB color accuracy, and the WQHD resolution make this a suitable choice for photo and video editing.
Using the Raptor with other Razer Chroma hardware makes for quite the visual experience, too, allowing you to synchronize all the RGBs to work together and create some unique looking environments. The design of the Raptor 27 breaks the mold a little, including RGB lighting and fresh-looking cable management.
This is one gorgeous monitor, both on and off-screen, but it doesn't come cheap. Razer has managed to strike a remarkable balance between gaming, pro graphics, and a stylish design that has been absent from this category.
Pros:
- Non-Glare IPS WQHD
- Outstanding color accuracy
- HDR + 144Hz
- Cable management and design
- NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync
Cons:
- Expensive
- Proprietary cables
Best Overall
Razer Raptor 27
Perfect for gaming or graphics work
Razer created the perfect display for both work and play, allowing you to get more done during work hours and enjoy a little downtime, too.
Best 4K: HP Z27
The HP Z27 is a spectacular all-around pick for those who want a UHD display. It's slim, is beautifully designed, has an adjustable stand, wide viewing angles thanks to the IPS panel, USB-C connectivity, and even a few USB-A 3.0 ports for all your accessories. HP build this thing with productivity in mind.
For picture quality, this is one sleek screen. It has everything a work station would need, 4K resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and an 8ms response time. These aren't amazing specs for gamers, but if you're planning to use your workstation for... well, work, it's a gorgeous screen to gaze at. For some peace of mind, the Z27 comes with HP's Zero Bright Dots warranty, which allows you to get a replacement if a single full pixel is defective.
Pros
- Thin bezel
- Sleek design
- USB-C connectivity
- Adjustable stand
- Strong warranty
Cons
- No FreeSync or G-Sync
- Relatively costly
Best 4K
HP Z27
Best monitor for more people
With USB-C connectivity, a slim bezel, and a beautiful 4K picture, HP's Z27 is undoubtedly the best pick for most people.
Best Budget: Philips 276E9QDSB
When you're on the hunt for an affordable display, you could do much worse than the Philips 276E9QDSB. It's not the friendliest of names out there for a monitor, but this is a pretty solid option, considering the price. It's a 1080p display with a refresh rate of 75Hz, has FreeSync support, which is ideal if you have an AMD GPU, and comes with pretty good colors thanks to the IPS panel.
Some downsides to this display are the lack of DisplayPort - you only get HDMI, DVI-D, and VGA - and there's no option for G-Sync so that NVIDIA GPU owners will be out of luck for gaming. Lastly, the stand isn't that adjustable, but as a budget option, this monitor has a lot going for it where it matters most.
Pros
- Thin bezel
- IPS panel
- Good color reproduction
- 4-year warranty
Cons
- No G-Sync
- Stand barely adjustable
Best Budget
Philips 276E9QDSB
Great for saving money
Not everyone requires the best monitors out there. If you infrequently work from home or play games on the weekend, a budget-friendly display is all you need.
Best Gaming: ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A
Are you looking for a 27-inch gaming display? The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A is an excellent option. It's a little more affordable than other, more advanced gaming displays, but you still get G-Sync support. Fear not if you have an AMD GPU as this display also comes with full FreeSync support so that you can use it with most graphics cards.
It has a 1440p resolution, a refresh rate of 144Hz, and just 1ms for the response time. While it's nice for the panel to be certified for HDR400, you won't want to purchase this monitor for the HDR since it's slightly on the weaker side. You can expect to pay far more for a better HDR certified display.
Pros
- 144Hz refresh rate
- 1ms response time
- 1440p resolution
- G-sync and FreeSync
- HDR400
Cons
- HDR isn't great
Best Gaming
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A
For NVIDIA and AMD PC gamers
ASUS packs everything gamers need into the VG27AQL1A display, including 1440p, a 1ms response time, and a refresh rate of up to 144Hz.
Best Creative BenQ PD2720U
The BenQ PD2720U is one of the best monitors for creative use. You've got a 4K resolution, amazing color accuracy, which is calibrated out-the-box, and a great design that'll fit right at home on your desk. As well as being calibrated for sRGB, AdobeRGB, and DCI-P3 gamuts, this display has a few other notable features.
HDR10 is supported, which truly brings content to life on-screen. There's a three-year warranty should you somehow require it, and the stand is fully adjustable if you don't have a mounting arm to hang it off. There's even a generous port selection, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt 3.
Pros
- Outstanding color accuracy
- Three-year warranty
- Beautiful design
- Fully-adjustable stand
- Generous port selection
Cons
- Forgettable speakers
- Expensive
Best Creative
BenQ PD2720U
Be more creative
This BenQ monitor is great for anyone looking for a display with accurate color reproduction across sRGB, AdobeRGB, and DCI-P3. This is all calibrated right out of the box too.
Bottom line
Our favorite 27-inch monitor is the Razer Raptor 27. It's an incredible piece of kit that deserves a spot on your desk. Not only is it great for gaming with either NVIDIA G-Sync or AMD FreeSync, but it's also useful for work with accurate color reproduction, decent HDR, and anti-glare panel.
Not everyone has $700 to shell out for a new monitor (or two), which is where the Dell UltraSharp U2719D comes into play. It also rocks a 1440p resolution and some solid colors, like the Raptor, but there's no sync support for gaming.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Rich Edmonds is a staff reviewer at Windows Central, which means he tests out more software and hardware than he cares to remember. Joining Mobile Nations in 2010, you can usually find him inside a PC case tinkering around when not at a screen fighting with Grammarly to use British words. Hit him up on Twitter: @RichEdmonds.
Cale Hunt is a full-time writer for Windows Central, focusing mainly on PC hardware and VR. He is an avid PC gamer and multi-platform user, and when he has some free time, you can usually find him practicing guitar or reorganizing his ever-growing library. If you hear him say, "Sorry!" it's only because he's Canadian.
Richard Devine Richard Devine is an Editor at Windows Central. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Central. Currently, you'll find him covering all manner of PC hardware and gaming.
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