While bigger monitors are becoming popular, one of the most common sizes is still 27 inches. With a bunch of models available at different price points, monitors in this size are available with various resolutions, from 1080p to 4k. One advantage of getting a 27-inch monitor is that it isn't so big that it's overwhelming on your desk, and it still offers enough screen real estate to place two windows side-by-side.
Most 27-inch monitors are good enough for most people, and many even include gaming features like high refresh rates and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. That said, if you don't need gaming features and prefer a 27-inch display for everyday use, many include extra features like USB hubs and ergonomic stands. Although there's no perfect solution for everyone, you should consider what type of monitor you need for your use. It's also important to consider your budget, as the highest-end monitors tend to have the most features, but even budget monitors are good enough for everyday use.
We've bought and tested over 310 monitors, and below are our recommendations for the best 27-inch monitors you can buy. Also, check out our recommendations for the best 4k monitors, the best 27-inch gaming monitors, and the best work monitors.
Note: We recently published our Test Bench 2.0, and we're updating our reviews to this new test bench. As such, it may seem that two similar monitors have wildly different scores, but scores aren't comparable between different test benches.
The best 27-inch monitor we've tested for all-around use is the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx. This monitor is versatile for different uses, as it has features for both gaming and productivity. Its high 4k resolution produces high pixel density, so you get crisp and detailed images no matter what you use the monitor for. It has excellent peak brightness and good reflection handling, so it's a great choice if you want to use it in a well-lit room, and its wide viewing angles are beneficial if you also need to share the screen with someone sitting next to you. Unlike many 27-inch monitors, it also has decent HDR picture quality, making it a good choice for watching the latest movies or TV shows.
It has a USB-C port that makes it easy to connect a laptop thanks to its DisplayPort Alt Mode, and its 90W of power delivery ensures that most laptops charge while connected to the monitor. In terms of gaming features, it has full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth so that you can take advantage of gaming consoles and modern graphics cards, and it has a fast response time that makes motion look crisp.
If you don't need something versatile for gaming but still want premium features, check out the Dell U2723QE. The Dell has fewer gaming features than the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx, like the lack of HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and VRR support. That said, if you aren't a gamer, this doesn't make much of a difference, and it has the same high resolution as the Acer for sharp text clarity.
The main advantage of getting the Dell over the Acer is that it's packed with extra productivity features, like a KVM switch, which makes it ideal for multitasking. It has a massive USB hub with five USB-A ports and three USB-C ports, meaning it's very easy to connect multiple devices. Each USB-C port serves different purposes, with one supporting DisplayPort Alt Mode and 90W of power delivery. You can even connect power-hungry laptops and charge them while you're working. Besides the USB ports, it even has a dedicated sRGB mode that results in excellent accuracy before calibration, which is ideal if you're a photo editor who needs accurate colors.
If you find the Dell U2723QE too expensive and prefer something cheaper, check out the Dell S2722QC. It's a step-down monitor from the U2723QE, which is why it costs less, and you can often find it on sale as well. It has fewer features as it has a smaller USB hub with only two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, so you can't connect as many devices as on the U2723QE. That said, it supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, but with 65W of power delivery, it isn't enough to charge power-hungry laptops, so you may need to connect an external power source to charge the laptop while you're using it.
Regarding picture quality, the S2722QC doesn't have a dedicated sRGB mode like the U2723QE, so you need to calibrate it for the most accurate colors. Luckily, it actually has better reflection handling than the U2723QE, and it gets very bright, so you won't have any issues using it in a well-lit room.
If you want a budget 27-inch monitor, the Dell S2721QS is a good choice. It's another step-down model from the Dell S2722QC with fewer features. It doesn't include USB ports, so you can't connect your devices to the monitor or your laptop via USB-C. However, it's still a good choice if you don't need the extra ports, as it performs similarly to the S2722QC. It has a 4k resolution for sharp text and gets bright enough to fight glare.
If you want a budget-friendly monitor with more features than the S2721QS, consider the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV, which has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode, so you can easily connect your laptop to it. It has a lower 1440p resolution than the S2721QS, so text isn't as sharp. This means you must choose between getting something with a high 4k resolution and limited features or going for something with more features and a lower resolution if you're on a budget.
Apr 30, 2024: Replaced the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV with the Dell S2721QS to ensure consistency with other recommendations. In the Notable Mentions, we removed the Gigabyte GS27QC and the Gigabyte M27Q P and added the Dell Alienware AW2725DF.
Feb 28, 2024: Replaced the Gigabyte M27U with the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx as the 'Best 27-Inch Monitor,' as it has better performance. Removed the 'Best Cheap' monitor category, as it was very close in price to 'Best Budget.' Removed the INNOCN 27M2V and added the Gigabyte M27U and Gigabyte GS27QC to Notable Mentions.
Jan 10, 2024: Removed the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM as the 'Best Gaming' monitor because it doesn't fit into the scope of the article; replaced the Gigabyte M27Q P with the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV because it's easier to find; added the Gigabyte GS27QC as the 'Best Cheap'; added the INNOCN 27M2V, ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV, AOC Q27G3XMN, and the M27Q P to Notable Mentions.
Oct 31, 2023: Replaced the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) for the Gigabyte M27Q P because it has better text clarity; removed the Gigabyte G27Q as 'Best Cheap Monitor' because its price went up; added the Dell G2724D to Notable Mentions.
Sep 06, 2023: Added the Dell U2723QE as the 'Best Mid-Range Monitor' to give another option and for consistency with other articles; added the Corsair XENEON 27QHD240 to Notable Mentions.
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best 27-inch displays currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people in each price range. Rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you would prefer to make your own decision, here is 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 metrics that fare worse are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.