27-inch monitors are among the most popular sizes on the market, even though larger screens are becoming more common. These displays range from the most entry-level 1080p monitors to 4k gaming powerhouses, including those with high refresh rates. Choosing the right combination of resolution and refresh rate depends on your budget and what type of games you play. For example, someone who plays the latest games in HDR needs a different monitor than someone building their first gaming PC setup on a tight budget.
Regarding a monitor's gaming performance, it's important to consider its input lag, although most have low enough input lag for a responsive feel. Its response time is also beneficial for gaming, as a fast response time results in minimal motion blur behind fast-moving objects. While there's no perfect solution for everyone, thinking about your personal needs is a good place to start when shopping for a 27-inch gaming monitor.
We've bought and tested more than 330 monitors, and below are our recommendations for the best 27-inch gaming monitors available. Also see our picks for the best gaming monitors, the best 27-inch monitors, and the best 1440p gaming monitors.
The best 27-inch gaming monitor we've tested is the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3. It's a 1440p QD-OLED with fantastic picture quality and gaming performance. It has a high 360Hz refresh rate that's ideal even for competitive gamers, and the main advantage of using it for gaming is its near-instantaneous response time. This means that fast-moving objects look extremely sharp without any noticeable blur. It has other useful gaming features like HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and support for all common VRR formats to reduce screen tearing.
It makes your games look vivid thanks to the wide range of colors it displays. It also has a near-infinite contrast ratio that helps it display perfect blacks next to bright highlights, and there isn't any blooming either. It competes against other monitors with the same panel, but the main benefit of getting it is that it tends to cost less than the competition. That said, if you can't find it available for a low price, the Dell Alienware AW2725DF is also a great choice, but it lacks HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.
While the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 provides the best performance in terms of gaming and picture quality, there are still some great high-end OLEDs that you can find for cheaper. One of those is the ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG. The main trade-off of getting this is that it has a lower 240Hz refresh rate, so it isn't as ideal for competitive gaming, but gaming still feels smooth. It also has a WOLED panel instead of a QD-OLED panel like the Gigabyte, so colors aren't as vivid.
That said, it still provides all the benefits of an OLED with deep and inky blacks and a near-instantaneous response time for sharp motion. It even gets brighter than most OLEDs, which is ideal if you want to use it in a well-lit room. One downside is that it doesn't support HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, which is disappointing if you have an HDMI 2.1 graphics card. If you want something with HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, the LG 27GS95QE-B is a good alternative. However, it doesn't get as bright as the ASUS.
There are monitors you can get for cheaper if you don't want an OLED, and one of those options in the mid-range price category is the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx. It often goes on sale for a cheaper price than the ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG, and it's worth getting when you can find it on sale. Without an OLED panel, it doesn't deliver the same deep blacks as the ASUS, and it has a lower 160Hz max refresh rate. But this is still fine for most gamers, and it has good motion handling as well.
One advantage of the Acer over the ASUS is that it has a higher 4k resolution, which results in more detailed and sharper images. It also has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to take full advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, but its input lag increases with fixed 60Hz signals, which is disappointing if your games require fast reactions. In terms of picture quality, it has a Mini LED local dimming feature that improves the contrast, and it makes highlights pop. It also easily gets bright enough to fight glare, so it performs well in any type of environment.
If you're looking for a 27-inch gaming monitor on a budget, there are a few good options you can choose from, including the AOC Q27G3XMN. It's a step down from the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx because it has a lower 1440p resolution, so images aren't as detailed, and it lacks HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to take full advantage of modern graphics cards and gaming consoles. However, this is what you have to expect from an entry-level monitor in terms of gaming features.
What makes it better than other budget-friendly monitors is that it features Mini LED backlighting, similar to the Acer. It has a good local dimming feature that helps it display deep blacks next to bright highlights, and it gets bright enough to make those highlights really pop, too. It even has a fast response time, but there's smearing with fast-moving objects. One thing to know is that it sometimes goes out of stock, so if you can't find it available, check out the Acer Nitro XV275U P3biipx. It's a similar monitor that also has Mini LED backlighting, but it has worse motion handling.
If you want a basic and cheap 27-inch gaming monitor, check out the Dell G2724D, which you can buy for a low price directly through Dell's website. Like the AOC Q27G3XMN, it has a 1440p resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, but it lacks Mini LED backlighting, and its local dimming feature performs terribly. It also has a low native contrast ratio, which means that blacks look gray, and highlights don't pop.
However, despite its lackluster HDR performance, the Dell is still a great choice for gaming. Fast-moving objects are actually crisper on the Dell, and it doesn't have smearing behind fast-moving objects as the AOC does. Even though it doesn't have HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, it still supports all common VRR formats, including HDMI Forum VRR, which means that its VRR support works with both the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G6/G60SD S27DG60 is an alternative to the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 if you want something with a matte screen coating. This is useful if you often game in a well-lit room, as it reduces glare well. That said, the Samsung also has worse motion handling at lower refresh rates than the Gigabyte.
See our reviewThe MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED is a 1440p, 360Hz QD-OLED that competes with the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3. It has many of the same features and performs similarly, so it's worth getting if you can find it for less than the Gigabyte. That said, it's harder to find at times.
See our reviewThe INNOCN 27M2V competes with the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx, as it also uses Mini LED backlighting. It's worth considering if you can find it for less than the Acer, but it also has bugs and worse build quality.
See our reviewThe ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS is an entry-level 1440p gaming monitor that competes with the Dell G2724D. It's a slight upgrade in a few areas, as it has better motion handling. However, the ASUS costs more, so it isn't worth the price increase for most gamers.
See our reviewOct 11, 2024: We made changes for consistency with other recommendations and to better reflect the current 27-inch gaming monitor market. We replaced the Dell Alienware AW2725DF, LG 27GS95QE-B, and the Acer Nitro XV275U P3biipx with the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3, ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG, and the AOC Q27G3XMN. We also added the MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED, INNOCN 27M2V, and the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS to the Notable Mentions.
Aug 08, 2024: Replaced the AOC Q27G3XMN with the Acer Nitro XV275U P3biipx and renamed it 'Best Budget,' as the AOC is harder to find right now. Renamed the Dell G2724D to 'Best Cheap,' as it has a consistently low price. Removed the Cooler Master Tempest GP27U and added the AOC Q27G3XMN and Samsung Odyssey OLED G6/G60SD S27DG60 as Notable Mentions.
May 16, 2024: Replaced the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM with the Dell Alienware AW2725DF as 'Best 27-Inch Gaming Monitor', as it has better performance. Renamed the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx to 'Best Mid-Range' and removed the Gigabyte M27U, as the Acer is better. The LG 27GS95QE-B was selected as the 'Best Upper Mid-Range' because of its excellent performance. Replaced the Dell Alienware AW2724DM with the AOC Q27G3XMN as 'Best Lower Mid-Range,' as it has better performance. Removed the Corsair XENEON 27QHD240 as a Notable Mention, as the new top pick and 'Best Upper Mid-Range' selections offer better value.
Mar 05, 2024: Replaced the Sony INZONE M9 with the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx as the 'Best Upper Mid-Range' pick, as it has better performance. Replaced the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B with the Dell Alienware AW2724DM as the 'Best Lower Mid-Range' pick, as it has better performance. Removed the Gigabyte GS27QC and added the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B as Notable Mentions.
Jan 10, 2024: Replaced the Gigabyte M27Q P with the Dell G2724D for consistency with other articles and because the Gigabyte is hard to find; added the Gigabyte GS27QC to Notable Mentions.
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best 27-inch gaming monitors currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people. Rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you would prefer to make your own decision, here's the list of our 27-inch monitor reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.