Dough Spectrum One ES07D03 27" Black 2022

A color-accurate 4K glossy panel that's great for creators and decent for gamers. Just don't expect a lot of ports or a stand in the box.

The 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time are solid, landing it in the well above average range for performance, but it's not going to blow the doors off a dedicated 240Hz esports monitor. What surprised us is how well the glossy finish works. It's a low-haze coating that really does make colors pop and blacks look deeper, which is a nice change from the hazy matte coatings on most IPS panels. The 750 nits of brightness and DisplayHDR 600 certification mean HDR content actually looks decent, not just like a washed-out checkbox feature. The wake-up time from sleep is a little sluggish, especially with a MacBook, which is a minor annoyance but worth knowing.

Against the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCDMG and MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2, the Spectrum One holds its own on color accuracy but loses on contrast and black levels. Those OLED panels are simply better for dark room gaming and HDR. The LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B is a strong alternative if you want more ports and a more traditional matte finish. The Samsung Odyssey G60SD is another OLED option that's often cheaper than the Spectrum One at its higher price points. If you're a content creator who needs accurate color and a glossy screen, the Dough is compelling. If you're a gamer first, one of those OLEDs is probably the better call.

The value story here is messy. In the US, you're looking at $543, but in Europe the price swings from €354 to €608 depending on the vendor. That's a €254 spread, which is huge. If you're in Europe, the €354 listing is a steal for this panel, but at €608 you're getting into OLED territory where the contrast is just better. The stand not being included is a real cost to factor in, so don't forget to add a VESA mount or arm to your budget.

The Dough Spectrum One is a 27-inch 4K IPS panel that's trying to be the one monitor for everything, and honestly, it gets closer than most. The headline here is the glossy finish and the color accuracy. We're talking 98% DCI-P3 coverage and a 98th percentile color score in our database, which puts it in the absolute best right now territory for color work. It's a 144Hz panel with a 1ms response time, so it's not just a pretty face for spreadsheets. But the port situation is a bit of a letdown, and the price is all over the place depending on where you shop.

If you're a competitive gamer who wants the absolute fastest response times and multiple HDMI 2.1 ports for a multi-console setup, this isn't it. Go get an OLED like the MSI MAG 271QPX or the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B instead. And if you need a monitor with a built-in stand and a full port selection out of the box, the Dough's minimalist approach will just frustrate you.

The Dough Spectrum One is a fantastic monitor for a specific person: someone who does color-critical work and also wants to game at high refresh rates, and who values a glossy finish. It's not the best pure gaming monitor, and the port selection is genuinely limiting. But if you can find it at the lower end of its price range, especially in Europe, it's a great deal. Just make sure you have a mount ready because the stand isn't in the box.