LG Ultra HD 27UL650-W 27" Plata y negro 2016

The LG 27UL650-W is a fantastic 4K IPS monitor for work and media, with stunning picture quality and excellent color accuracy. It's not for gamers thanks to the 60Hz refresh rate, but for everyone else, it's a great value, especially if you find it at the low end of its price range.

The display itself is the star here, sitting in the 90th percentile for overall display quality. Colors are accurate out of the box with 99% sRGB, and the 350 nits of brightness keeps things readable in most rooms. The 5ms response time and 60Hz refresh rate are fine for everyday use, but the performance score lands in the 37th percentile, which tells you this isn't built for competitive gaming. FreeSync helps if you have an AMD card, but don't expect high-refresh smoothness. The 1,000:1 contrast ratio is standard IPS fare, so blacks won't be OLED-deep, but they're respectable.

Stacked against the competition, the LG 27UL650-W is a different animal entirely. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCDMG, MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2, Samsung Odyssey G60SD, Gigabyte M Series OLED MO27U2 SA, and Alienware AW2725D are all high-refresh gaming monitors, most with OLED panels. Those will crush this LG in gaming performance and contrast, but they also cost significantly more. The LG's advantage is price and color accuracy for productivity. If you're not gaming, you don't need a 240Hz OLED. You need a reliable 4K IPS panel that shows your work accurately, and that's exactly what this is.

Pricing is all over the place depending on where you shop. In the US, you'll see it listed anywhere from USD 420 to USD 635, which is a USD 215 spread. That's a big gap, so shop around before you commit. The EUR range is tighter at EUR 332 to EUR 372. At the lower end of those ranges, this monitor is a steal for what you get. At the top end, it starts to feel overpriced compared to newer options. Owners consistently mention value for money as a strength, so if you can snag it near the low end, you're getting a premium 4K panel for a mid-range price.

The LG 27UL650-W is a 27-inch 4K IPS monitor that nails the basics for work and media. You get a crisp 3840 x 2160 panel, 99% sRGB coverage, and 350 nits of brightness in a package that won't make your wallet weep. It's not a gaming monitor, and it doesn't pretend to be one.

What it is, is a really solid daily driver. The stand adjusts for height, tilt, and pivot, LG throws in both HDMI and DisplayPort cables, and the picture quality punches well above what the price suggests. If you're staring at spreadsheets, editing photos, or just want your Netflix to look sharp, this thing delivers.

Gamers should skip this one entirely. The 60Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time will feel sluggish if you're used to 144Hz or higher, and there are better gaming-focused 4K monitors out there for not much more money. If you need built-in speakers or deep blacks for dark room viewing, this IPS panel won't satisfy you either. And if you're tight on desk space, the 27-inch footprint plus the stand might be more than you want to deal with.

This monitor is for people who want a premium 4K display for work, photo editing, or media consumption without paying gaming monitor prices. It's ideal for Mac users looking for an affordable alternative to Apple's displays, and the ergonomic stand makes it easy to get comfortable. If you're a gamer, look elsewhere. If you're a professional or a home office warrior, this is one of the best value 4K monitors you can buy right now.