MSI MP272 E14C 27" Black

The MSI PRO MP272 E14C is a budget 27-inch 1080p monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate and USB-C. Performance is solid for the price, landing in the 73rd percentile. It's worth buying if you find it near $110, but skip it at $140 when better 1440p options aren't far off.

The 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT response time are the headline features here, and they land this monitor in the 73rd percentile for performance. That's solid for a budget display. FreeSync helps keep things smooth if you're running an AMD GPU. The 1080p resolution on a 27-inch panel means pixel density is on the lower side, so text can look a bit soft if you sit close. The 300 nits brightness is fine for a typical office but won't wow anyone in a bright room. HDR Ready is marketing speak, don't expect real HDR performance from this panel.

Against the competition, the MP272 E14C is a budget player in a field of heavy hitters. The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B and Dell Alienware AW2724DM both offer higher resolutions and better color performance, but they cost significantly more. The Acer Nitro XV272U W2bmiiprx and HP OMEN 27qs G2 are 1440p panels that outclass this MSI in sharpness and color accuracy. The Gigabyte M27UP SA goes even further with 4K. If you're comparing specs alone, the MSI loses most of these matchups. But if your budget is tight and you want 144Hz with USB-C, none of those competitors touch this price point.

Pricing is all over the place depending on where you look. US listings range from $110 to $140, which is a $30 spread for the exact same monitor. At the low end, this is a reasonable deal for a 144Hz IPS panel with USB-C. At $140, it starts bumping into territory where you can find 1440p options on sale. Shop around before you buy, the cheapest US listing is the one to grab if you're set on this model.

The MSI PRO MP272 E14C is a 27-inch 1080p IPS panel that tries to split the difference between office work and gaming. You get a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and FreeSync, which is a solid combo for a budget monitor. The USB-C port with DP Alt Mode is a nice touch for laptop users who want a single-cable setup.

But the specs tell a mixed story. Color coverage is decent on paper with 87% DCI-P3, but the 6-bit+FRC panel and 300 nits brightness keep it firmly in budget territory. Our database puts it at 53.3 out of 100 overall, which is middle of the pack. It's not bad, it's just not exciting.

Skip this if you do color-critical work. The 6-bit+FRC panel and 83% Adobe RGB coverage won't cut it for photo or video editing. Also skip it if you want a sharp text experience for long reading sessions, 1080p at 27 inches just isn't crisp enough. And if you need a monitor that travels, the 16.3 out of 100 portable score tells you everything, this thing is meant to stay on a desk.

This monitor is for someone who wants a fast refresh rate and USB-C connectivity without spending much. It's a decent budget pick for casual gaming and everyday office work. If you're a competitive gamer or someone who stares at spreadsheets all day, the 1080p resolution on a 27-inch screen will probably bug you. But for a secondary monitor or a first upgrade from 60Hz, it gets the job done.