Best 27-inch PC monitors 2024

Razer Raptor 27
(Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

The best 27-inch PC 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.

Razer Raptor 27

(Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

Razer Raptor 27

Best overall

Specifications

Panel: IPS
Resolution: 2560x1440
Refresh rate: 144Hz, 165Hz
Sync tech: NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync
HDR: HDR400

Reasons to buy

+
Non-Glare IPS WQHD
+
Outstanding color accuracy
+
HDR and good refresh rates
+
Cable management and design
+
NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Proprietary cables

Razer's Raptor 27 comes with a resolution of 2560x1440, 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.

Dell S2721DGF

(Image credit: Dell)

Dell S2721DGF

Best value

Specifications

Panel: IPS
Resolution: 2560x1440
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Sync tech: NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync
HDR: HDR400

Reasons to buy

+
Sleek design
+
VESA
+
Color reproduction
+
IPS panel
+
Great value

Reasons to avoid

-
Mediocre contrast

The Dell S2721DGF 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 1ms response time with AMD FreeSync and a refresh rate of up to 165Hz means you shouldn't notice ghosting or judder too frequently in games.

For connectivity, we've got DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, various USB ports, and two 3.5mm jacks. 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.

The Dell S2721DGF aesthetics are clean and pleasing to look at, ideal for something you'll be staring at for hours at a time. The stand itself is more than adequate to support the monitor's weight, and the option for VESA mounting ensures you're able to fit the display into the work environment.

HP Z27

(Image credit: HP)

HP Z27

Best 4K

Specifications

Panel: IPS
Resolution: 3840x2160
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Sync tech: N/A
HDR: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Thin bezel
+
Sleek design
+
USB-C connectivity
+
Adjustable stand
+
Strong warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
No FreeSync or G-Sync
-
Relatively costly

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 built this thing with productivity in mind.

For picture quality, this is one sleek screen. It has everything a workstation 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.

Philips 276E9QDSB

(Image credit: Philips)

Philips 276E9QDSB

Best budget

Specifications

Panel: IPS
Resolution: 1920x1080
Refresh rate: 75Hz
Sync tech: AMD FreeSync
HDR: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Thin bezel
+
IPS panel
+
Good color reproduction
+
4-year warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
No G-Sync
-
Stand barely adjustable

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 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.

ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A

(Image credit: ASUS)

ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A

Best for gaming

Specifications

Panel: IPS
Resolution: 2560x1440
Refresh rate: 170Hz
Sync tech: NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync
HDR: HDR10

Reasons to buy

+
144Hz refresh rate
+
1ms response time
+
1440p resolution
+
G-sync and FreeSync
+
HDR400

Reasons to avoid

-
HDR isn't great

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 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.

BenQ PD2725U

(Image credit: BenQ)

BenQ PD2725U

Best creative

Specifications

Panel: IPS
Resolution: 3840x2160
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Sync tech: N/A
HDR: HDR400

Reasons to buy

+
Outstanding color accuracy
+
3-year warranty
+
Beautiful design
+
Fully adjustable stand
+
Generous port selection

Reasons to avoid

-
Forgettable speakers
-
Expensive

The BenQ PD2725U (we reviewed 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 of 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 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and Thunderbolt 3.

Choosing the best 27-inch monitor

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Our favorite 27-inch monitor is the Razer Raptor 27. It's an incredible piece of kit that deserves a spot on your desk and is one of the best computer monitors around. Not only is it great for gaming with either NVIDIA G-Sync or AMD FreeSync, but it's also useful for working with accurate color reproduction, decent HDR, and an anti-glare panel.

Not everyone has $700 to shell out for a new monitor (or two), which is where the Dell S2721DGF comes into play. It also rocks a 1440p resolution and some solid colors, like the Raptor, but there's no sync support for gaming.

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.