Updated April 18, 2017: We double-checked all of the entries on this list, and they remain the best options available today.
Best overall
Dell UltraSharp U2715H
The Dell UltraSharp U2715H is just about the best monitor money can buy for most people. It features an in-plane switching (IPS) panel, which means you'll have excellent viewing from side angles and fantastic color reproduction. With a resolution of 2560 x 1440, you're getting better-than-HD picture quality, so you shouldn't notice any pixels, even when sitting close to it. The monitor is fully adjustable, and it's able to tilt, swivel, rotate and adjust to whatever height is comfortable for you.
Bottom line: For $450, this screen is an excellent choice with an ultra-thin bezel for more display and less distraction.
One more thing: It has a plethora of ports and connections.
Why the Dell U2715H is the best 27-inch display
Dell's UltraSharp U2715H 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 six millisecond response time means you'll not notice ghosting or judder, so it's great for gaming. Perhaps the best part is the U2715H's 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.
Here's a list of all available ports:
- 2x HDMI/MHL.
- Mini DisplayPort.
- DisplayPort 1.2.
- DisplayPort out.
- Audio line out.
- five USB 3.0 downstream ports (one for battery charging).
- USB 3.0 upstream.
Affordable
BenQ GW2765HT
The BenQ GW2765HT is a great middle-of-the-road option for folks who don't want to spend too much but still need a high-performance monitor. For under $330, you get a 2560 x 1440 resolution IPS panel with great viewing angles, two 1W speakers, modes for zero flicker and low blue light to stave off eye fatigue, and more.
Bottom line: This monitor is simply designed, so if you're all for keeping up with the Joneses, it's not the most stylish. But it's practical and inexpensive at $329.
One more thing: It's a really bright display, so take this as a fair warning if you work in a dark environment.
4K
Dell P2715Q
If 4K is your bag, you can't do much better than Dell's P2715Q, which has an IPS panel, all the media connections you could want, and swivel, tilt, rotation and height adjustments out the wazoo. This puppy refreshes at 60Hz, which is lightning-quick for a 4K monitor, and it also means you'll notice very little ghosting or other visual artifacts. It's great for gaming, watching movies, or just about anything else you can throw at it.
Bottom line: Solid 4K monitor with tons of features and capabilities, and it isn't ridiculously priced, at $549.99.
One more thing: It has a response time of just eight milliseconds.
Gaming
Acer Predator XB271HU
If you're a gamer, listen up. The Acer Predator is the Cadillac of 27-inch monitors, with a 2560 x 1440 resolution and a refresh rate of 144Hz (overclocked at 165Hz with DisplayPort). You'll notice very little (if any) ghosting or other visual artifacts, which makes this the perfect monitor for the serious gamer.
Bottom line: Aside from producing excellent color thanks to its IPS panel, the $750 XB271HU just plain looks cool, with its red-footed stand and super thin bezel that makes the screen seem almost infinite.
One more thing: It comes packing Nvidia G-Sync technology for true display synchronization.
Jack of all trades
ASUS PB277Q
A great all-around pick is the ASUS PB277Q, which has a resolution of 2560 x 1440 and a refresh rate of 75Hz, faster than most standard televisions. It also has a one millisecond response time, which is just about as fast as it gets, so this is a great monitor for gaming or editing complex videos or animations.
Bottom line: It doesn't master any one specific feature but is certainly a display of all trades at $317.99. And it's ideal for anyone seeking a capable 1440p monitor.
One more thing: You can adjust this monitor to whatever orientation suits you, and its flicker-free and low-blue-light modes will help with eye fatigue.
Conclusion
When it comes to 27-inch displays, you're heading into 1440p territory and thus for gaming, you'll definitely need to ensure you have a capable rig to handle the resolution. Turning things down to 1080p could risk some blurriness on larger panels. For everyone else, you really can't go wrong when selecting a monitor from our guide. These are all fantastic monitors in their own right, but Dell's UltraSharp U2715H takes the number one spot.
Best overall
Dell UltraSharp U2715H
The Dell UltraSharp U2715H is just about the best monitor money can buy for most people. It features an in-plane switching (IPS) panel, which means you'll have excellent viewing from side angles and fantastic color reproduction. With a resolution of 2560 x 1440, you're getting better-than-HD picture quality, so you shouldn't notice any pixels, even when sitting close to it. The monitor is fully adjustable, and it's able to tilt, swivel, rotate and adjust to whatever height is comfortable for you.
Bottom line: For $450, this screen is an excellent choice with an ultra-thin bezel for more display and less distraction.
One more thing: It has a plethora of ports and connections.