For many people, the 27-inch monitor size is the sweet spot for their home or office desk.
With 27 inches of space, there is a reasonably good chance you’ll have more than enough room to multitask as much as you need without sacrificing windows. Better yet, 27-inch monitors will likely be compatible with just about any PC or Mac you use.
If your workstation is in need of a boost, a 27-inch monitor is likely going to be the exact size you need.
With that in mind, let’s look at the 6 best 27-inch monitors you can buy today.
- #1 Best Overall: Gigabyte M27Q
- Best Audio: Dell 27 Video Conferencing Monitor
- Best Curved: Samsung Odyssey G7
- Best Budget-Friendly: ViewSonic VA2759-SMH
- Best for Creators: ASUS ProArt Display
- Best Gaming: Razer Raptor
#1 Best Overall: GIGABYTE M27Q
- 27-inch 2560 x 1440 IPS display
- 170Hz refresh rate with 0.5ms response time
- Gameplay is super smooth with AMD FreeSync Premium
- Aim Stabilizer helps you track enemies more clearly
Choosing the best 27-inch monitor among a sea of options can be a challenge, at least until you stumble on the GIGABYTE M27Q.
Widely considered one of the best 27-inch monitors on the market today, the GIGABYTE M27Q offers an array of features that help make it a terrific choice. It’s definitely focused on the gaming community, with an incredibly fast (0.5ms) response time, but the M27Q is just as good for the non-gamer.
Stand-out features for the GIGABYTE include its 1440p resolution at 2560 x 1440p. As an IPS display, colors are bright and vibrant courtesy of a 92% DCI-P3 rating, which correlates to a 140% sRGB color gamut. When you add in 178-degree viewing angles, the result is a monitor that not only offers you great colors but also a great resolution you can see from a variety of angles.
Other highlights for the M27Q include support for FreeSync Premium as well as specific gaming features like a black equalizer and OSD Sidekick for easily adjusting monitor settings with your keyboard. Add in a single DisplayPort, 2 HDMI inputs, and 2 USB 3.0 inputs, and you have a truly feature-rich monitor.
Check out the GIGABYTE M27Q on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent color clarity | Best for gamers |
| Great viewing angle |
Best Audio: Dell 27 Video Conferencing Monitor
- Pop-up 5MP IR camera
- Dual 5W integrated speakers
- Dedicated Microsoft Teams button
- Gray
For anyone who shuffles between various video calls during their 9-5, the Dell 27 Video Conferencing Monitor is what dreams are made of.
From the moment you unbox the Dell 27 Video Conferencing Monitor, you know exactly why this purchase is right for you. The pop-up 5-megapixel IR camera offers you a seamless video experience with Full HD quality at 30 frames per second, so you look fantastic to anyone who is chatting with you on the other end.
Better yet, the Dell ensures a heightened level of peace of mind by making good use of the camera’s pop-up ability by hiding it when not in use. Plus, to use the camera, you can create a setting to only access the camera through a facial recognition process supported by Windows’s Hello feature.
Whether you are talking with co-workers or family, the dual 5W built-in speakers deliver incredibly good sound for a monitor and easily strip away background noise with a noise-canceling microphone.
As a bonus, while using the Dell for video you can also make use of its 90W of power delivery via USB-C to charge a laptop, smartphone, or tablet when not in use.
Find the Dell 27 Video Conferencing Monitor on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Outstanding video call quality | Certified for Teams but not other apps like Zoom or Google Meet |
| Can charge a laptop even when powered off | For the best audio quality, external speakers are a must. |
Best Curved: Samsung Odyssey G7
- Rapid 240Hz refresh rate
- The curvature of the 1000R panel matches the human eye for best-in-class immersion
- Infinity Core Lighting adds a terrific visual design
- Available in both 27- and 32-inch sizes
When it comes to a curved monitor and the Samsung Odyssey G7, the level of immersion is vastly improved over what you get with a straightforward monitor.
Right away the Samsung Odyssey G7 delivers with the Odyssey’s 1000R panel, which Samsung says will match the curvature of the human eye for a more complete immersive experience. This feeling is boosted by the G7’s WQHD resolution, which offers more than 1.7 times the pixel density of a 1080p monitor, so details are sharper, blacks are deeper, and colors are crisper.
As a gaming-focused monitor, you expect gaming features to be plentiful and Samsung delivers, beginning with a 240Hz refresh rate. Add in NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync and when connected to a strong graphics card, you can make every bit of use of the maximum frame rate on the Odyssey G7.
With its gaming focus, it’s hard to ignore the cool factor that arrives with the Odyssey G7, which starts with the Infinity Core Lighting on the rear of the monitor, which adds something striking to the overall design.
Discover the Samsung Odyssey G7 on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent immersion with a curved screen | Curved monitors are decidedly not for everyone |
| Matches the curvature of the human eye for minimal eye strain | Only one HDMI port |
Best Budget-Friendly: ViewSonic VA2759-SMH
If you’re looking to stick to a budget in the 27-inch monitor space, the ViewSonic VA2759-SMH might have a funny name but it comes with an attractive price tag.
ViewSonic is a name that is well regarded in the budget monitor space and for all the right reasons. The ViewSonic VA2759-SMH offers a Full HD 1920 x 1080p IPS monitor with a 60Hz refresh rate. Making solid use of ViewSonic’s SuperClear IPS technology, you get ultra-wide viewing angles, which means the colors look the same whether you view from above, below, the front, or the side.
Adding to the benefits at this price point are Flicker-Free technology as well as a Blue Light Filter to help reduce the amount of eye strain that can come from staring at a monitor too long. If you are someone who uses the monitor for hours on end, you can make good use of ViewSonic’s VESA-compatible mount and position it in a way for maximum viewing comfort.
Depending on your use case with the VA2759-SMH, ViewSonic adds Game, Movie, Web, Text, and Mono preset modes, which adjust color temperature, contrast, and brightness to fully enhance your monitor experience.
Check out the ViewSonic VA2759-SMH on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent features for the price | Only 1080p resolution |
| Includes built-in speakers | Connectivity inputs are limited |
Best for Creators: ASUS ProArt Display
- 27" WQHD 2560 x 1440p IPS display
- 100% sRGB 100% Rec. 709
- Calman verified
- USB hub, USB-C
- Daisy-chain compatible
- HDMI
- Compatible with laptop and Mac monitors
Whether you are a creator with years of experience looking for a new monitor or just starting out in a creative field, the ASUS ProArt Display is right for you.
The available WQHD 2560 x 1440p resolution on the ASUS ProArt Display is the centerpiece of the monitor, with outstanding visuals and incredibly detailed colors. Centered around an IPS panel, you also get wide viewing angles and additional support for vibrancy out of all of your colors as you use the ProArt display.
Offering a 100% sRGB rating, you can easily see why the ASUS ProArt is a favorite of the creator crowd. Add in high-color fidelity to help bring to life the full expression of colors, and it only adds to the reasons why this is a laptop built by and made for creators.
Having the ability to adjust the height, tilt, pivot, and swivel of the monitor is also a benefit to help find the right ergonomic fit as you express your creative passion through the monitor. ASUS also includes a real-time artwork preview option, so you can save time by using a virtual scale that overlays on the screen to preview documents as they would appear if you printed them out.
Check out the ASUS ProArt Display on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Outstanding choice for creators | Too much technology for non-creators |
| Best-in-class color production | Only one USB-C port |
Best for Gaming: Razer Raptor
- 27” WQHD (2560 x 1440p) Non-Glare IPs-grade display
- Up to 178° wide viewing angles
- 1 ms with Ultra Low Motion Blur and 4 ms
- Fast 165Hz refresh rate for a smooth and crisp image
- 95% DCI-P3 Color Gamut and HDR400 support for a rich, vibrant spectrum of color
- Solid aluminum base with Razer Chroma RGB
- Built-in cable management (display cables included)
- Razer Synapse integration to control settings and connect to your battle station
When it comes to gaming, there is no doubt that the 27-inch monitor space is full of more options than you can count but it’s the Razer Raptor that rises above the rest.
From the moment you plug it in, the Razer Raptor’s 27-inch 2560 x 1440p WQHD resolution will wow you with its incredible detail. As an IPS-grade display, you can expect and get excellent color quality with colors that pop right off the screen. The 178-degree viewing angles are also a nice benefit from Razer as it enables you to use the Raptor from any angle.
Of course, as much as colors are important on a gaming monitor, other factors like a 165Hz refresh rate are equally noteworthy as a reason to buy. The same goes for the Raptor’s ultra-low 1ms response time, which means you shouldn’t have any issues competing with eSports titles and keeping up with your opponents.
The Razer Raptor also is notable for its fun aluminum base, which includes RGB lighting across the front of its stand. However, what really helps the Raptor stand out is its claim as the world’s first THX-certified gaming monitor, which gives you the ultimate edge in image quality.
Check out the Razer Raptor on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| THX certification for color quality | Heavy at almost 21 pounds |
| Best-in-glass color quality | Built-in cable quality is a good idea with difficult execution |
©DC Studio/Shutterstock.com
How to Pick the Best 27-Inch Monitor: Step-by-Step
When it comes to making the right choice for your purchase of a 27-inch monitor, there are a few important considerations to factor in.
- Resolution
- Ports
- Refresh rate
- Screen type
Let’s break down each one below.
Resolution
Thinking through all of the important factors that will influence a 27-inch monitor purchase decision, the resolution is likely the most important. At this screen size, you shouldn’t go any lower than a 1080p Full HD screen, but trying to get to 1440p should be your immediate goal.
As you might expect, the higher the resolution, the better the overall screen quality is for gaming, image, and video editing, as well as creative work.
Ports
Whether you are using a monitor with a laptop or desktop, finding one with the right number of ports should be an important consideration. At the bare minimum, you need HDMI connectivity, plus at least one DisplayPort and at least 2-3 USB 3.0 ports.
Ultimately, finding any monitor with USB-C technology is going to give you some confidence in having the right port for the future as well.
Refresh Rate
Any monitor with a 60Hz refresh rate is going to make sure you have a smooth experience across most of your day-to-day tasks. At 60Hz, laggy animations should be almost non-existent and should be your bare minimum when looking at a new monitor.
For gaming, you want to try and start around 144Hz as a refresh rate and go up from there, which is exactly what you need for first-person shooter games. If you are into eSports, going as high as 240Hz is recommended.
Screen Type
As you start your search for a 27-inch monitor, you likely have just two options available to you: flat or curved screens.
For many people, a flat one is where they have long been comfortable and they are happy to stick to this screen type. Flat monitors have many benefits including wide viewing angles and excellent color clarity.
However, if you are willing to experiment with a curved monitor, you can get a wider experience by using more of your peripheral vision and allowing images to almost appear as if they are being shown to you in 3D. However, curved monitors remain more expensive than flat monitors, so that’s an important factor as well.
Using a 27-Inch Monitor: What It’s Like
While the average monitor user might be okay with a 21 to 24-inch screen size. Anyone who values more screen real estate should consider going up to a 27-inch monitor as it is well worth the additional cost. Having more screen space to multitask, edit, or game can and does make a world of difference.
The more screen space you have, the more opportunity you have to be immersed in whatever you are doing and that alone can make going up to a 27-inch monitor an easy purchase consideration.
For gamers, in particular, the extra screen real estate is always going to be appreciated as you feel more involved in whatever you are playing. Creators too will enjoy having more screen space to better focus on important edits, no matter if it’s for video or images.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com.
