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Whether you have been lucky enough to get your hands on an Xbox Series X or PS5, or you’re an avid PC gamer, the 27-inch Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ monitor is one of best monitors to play video games on. And definitely the best gaming monitor for under $1000.
Not only are you getting a 4K monitor which can stream ultra-high definition video, but the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ also comes with a 144Hz refresh rate, which makes all the difference for next-gen gaming.
Price and Availability: The Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ is so popular, at the time of this article’s publication it’s only available for backorder at Asus and B&H Photo for $800. But if you need it right now, you can get it for $1080 on Amazon.
Why We Chose It: We were lucky enough to get the Xbox Series X, though if you’re still searching for this console or the PS5, you shouldn’t give up checking Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and GameStop for restock alerts. The thing is, once you get your hands on one of these stunning new gaming consoles, or if you recently upgraded to a high end gaming PC, you’re going to need something to take advantage of the next generation technology.
The Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ has a 4K resolution and comes loaded with HDR (high dynamic range), extended color for vibrancy and accuracy, and most importantly, an insanely speedy refresh rate. We were also impressed with its robust connectivity, which offers two HDMI 2.0 and two DisplayPort 1.4, so you can connect a gaming PC and a console if you’re so inclined. And though there is also a headphone jack, we weren’t thrilled that not only are there no onboard speakers, but no Bluetooth to connect one either. The 4-way ergonomic monitor is easy to assemble and sits on a wide, cast aluminum tripod stand. Asus ROG fans will also notice the familiar molded, etched patterns on the back and a Light in Motion lighting kit to create LED effects with included lenses.
Why You Need It: You may appreciate its style, but what really separates the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ from other monitors of its class is the 144Hz—which offers a quick response time and gorgeously smooth motion. Pair that with the IPS 4K screen and not many monitors can compare.
The 27-screen is also good for work and streaming video, and we appreciated the fact that it didn’t have to be all about the gaming. But, as mentioned above, you’ll have to keep your headphones on because there are no built-in speakers and no way to add an external product. The ergonomics let you adjust the height and allow you to tilt and swivel the monitor as well. Oh, and did we mention you can also swing it into Portrait Mode? Another neat feature.
The pixel display stands at a whopping 3840 x 2160, and comes with the Nvidia G-Sync compatibility best for PC gaming. A mini-sized joystick and four buttons underneath the monitor help you easily navigate the settings, such as display mode, RGB setting, resolution and refresh rate. One thing to consider is that when the monitor is put in HDR mode, you can’t adjust any other setting. You simply choose Cinema or Gaming mode, though we didn’t see much of a difference between the two—both boasted bright colors and excellent contrast for blacker blacks and whiter whites.
What Others Are Saying: The folks at Laptop think the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ can showcase the best of the Xbox Series X and PS5, and appreciated its form as well as its function, saying “For a 27-inch monitor, the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ makes an impression. It stood out and against a 32-inch curved monitor and another 27-inch monitor that sat on my desk. That’s all thanks to its wide, 20-inch long stand. The stand itself stands out (pun-intended), and it also pushes the display outward, making the screen more present when you look at it.”
Over at IGN, the gaming experts see greatness in the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ. “It’s hard to argue that the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ is anything other than great. In all of my gaming, I didn’t notice a single ghost, feel any perceptible input lag, and found myself gawking at how smooth and crisp the picture was.”
Final Conclusion: A beast for both work and play, the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ monitor may be a little pricey, but it’s worth every penny if you’re in the market for a monitor that can handle next-generation games with aplomb.
