Dell Alienware AW2723DF 27" Lunar light 2025

This is the fast IPS monitor to beat. Stunning colors, 280Hz, and a hub of ports make it a smarter buy than most OLEDs for mixed use.

What surprised us is how well the overclock works. It's stable at 280Hz right out of the box, and the 1ms GtG response time makes motion clarity fantastic for competitive shooters. Input lag is nonexistent. The color accuracy is also a standout, 95% DCI-P3 coverage and some of the best factory calibration we've seen on a gaming display. It's not just a gaming monitor, it's a genuinely good IPS panel for editing.

Stacked against the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG or MSI MAG 272UP QD-OLED, the Alienware lacks the infinite contrast and per-pixel lighting of those OLEDs. But it fights back with much better brightness, a more versatile port setup, and a price that's often hundreds less. The MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED is another rival with faster response, but the AW2723DF is the pick for mixed use where you don't want to worry about static UI elements burning in. If you're considering the massive LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B or the super-ultrawide Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 LS57CG952NNXZA, know that those are entirely different beasts for immersion junkies. The Dell UltraSharp U4025QW is a productivity titan with its 5K2K panel, but it can't touch the Alienware's speed for gaming. For a do-it-all 1440p display that won't stress you out, the AW2723DF still holds its ground.

Prices are all over the map, we saw it as low as $430 at Newegg and as high as $120,361 from some joker. At $430-500, this monitor is a steal. Even at $600, it's a smarter buy than most OLED alternatives because you get a brighter screen, zero burn-in anxiety, and that rare USB-C hub. If you spot it under $500, pull the trigger.

The Alienware AW2723DF is the kind of monitor that makes you question why you'd spend more on an OLED. You get a blisteringly fast 280Hz overclock, gorgeous Nano IPS colors, and a port selection that puts most monitors to shame. If you want a 1440p gaming monitor that pulls double duty for some color-critical work and you don't want to baby an OLED panel, this is it.

If you crave deep blacks and true HDR for cinematic single-player games, skip this and grab an OLED like the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B. If you're on a tight budget and just want basic 1440p 144Hz, there are cheaper options, but you'll miss out on the color and speed here.

We'd recommend this monitor to any PC gamer who wants a fast, no-compromise 1440p experience without the OLED tax. The colors are stunning, the speed is addictive, and that stand is one of the best we've ever used. Unless you're dead set on true HDR or HDMI 2.1 for a console, this Alienware nails it.