ASUS VG27AQ3A 27" Black 2024

The VG27AQ3A hits 180Hz with a 1ms response time, landing in the 82nd percentile for performance. But the 250-nit brightness and 17th percentile color score are rough. At USD 325 it's a budget speed demon. At USD 651 it's a ripoff.

The 180Hz refresh rate is the star here. Combined with the 1ms response time, this thing is built for smooth motion. Our performance score puts it in the 82nd percentile, which translates to well above average. You'll notice the difference immediately in fast shooters or anything with quick camera pans. The 2560x1440 resolution on a 27-inch panel gives you a pixel density of about 109 PPI, which is sharp enough for text and fine details without needing display scaling.

But here's the catch. The 250-nit brightness is a real limitation. In a bright room, you'll be cranking it to max and wishing for more. The 8-bit color depth means 16.7 million colors, which is standard but not impressive. The display score lands at 72nd percentile, which is solid but not a standout. FreeSync support helps with tear-free gaming, but there's no G-Sync certification mentioned. For the price, the speed is genuinely good. Just don't expect HDR or eye-searing brightness.

Against the competition, the VG27AQ3A is fighting an uphill battle. The MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2, LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B, Samsung Odyssey G60SD, Gigabyte M Series OLED MO27U2 SA, and Alienware AW2725D are all OLED or QD-OLED panels with dramatically better color, contrast, and HDR performance. They also cost significantly more. The ASUS wins on pure refresh rate per dollar at the low end of its price range. But the moment you compare color accuracy, brightness, or feature sets, the OLED competitors are in a different league. The 17th percentile color score is the giveaway. If you care about image quality at all, save up for one of those OLEDs. If you just want fast 1440p gaming on a budget, the ASUS at USD 325 is hard to argue with.

Pricing is all over the place. US listings range from USD 325 to USD 651, which is a massive USD 326 spread for the same monitor. At USD 325, this is a genuinely compelling budget 1440p 180Hz option. At USD 651, you're in OLED territory and this thing gets smoked. The Newegg listings are the ones to watch, and the single-unit listing at the lower end of that range is the one to grab. If you're seeing this monitor priced above USD 400, walk away. There are better panels for that money.

The ASUS VG27AQ3A is a 27-inch 1440p IPS panel pushing 180Hz with a 1ms response time. On paper, that's a solid recipe for fast-paced gaming, and the 82nd percentile performance score backs it up. But the rest of the spec sheet tells a more complicated story. You get a 250-nit brightness ceiling and 8-bit color, which lands it in the 17th percentile for color. That's not a typo. This monitor is fast, but it's not going to wow you with vibrancy.

Our database scores it at 48.2 out of 100 overall, with office use at 57.6 and gaming at 57.3. Those aren't terrible numbers, but they're not exciting either. The weakest area is portability at 17.6, which makes sense for a 27-inch desktop monitor. The real question is whether the 180Hz refresh rate can carry a panel that's otherwise pretty middle-of-the-road.

Skip this if you care about image quality, HDR, or color accuracy. The 17th percentile color score and 250-nit brightness are dealbreakers for photo editing, video work, or even just watching movies in a bright room. Also skip it if you're on console. The HDMI 2.0 ports cap out at 1440p 120Hz, so you won't get the full 180Hz on a PS5 or Xbox Series X. And if you're seeing it priced above USD 400, skip it. The OLED competitors from MSI, LG, Samsung, Gigabyte, and Alienware are worth the extra money if you can stretch your budget.

The ASUS VG27AQ3A is a speed-first monitor that skimps on everything else. The 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time are genuinely excellent for the price, and the 82nd percentile performance score proves it. But the 250-nit brightness and 17th percentile color score mean this panel looks washed out next to even mid-range competitors. At USD 325, it's a solid budget gaming pick. At anything above USD 400, it's a bad deal. Buy it for the speed, not the picture.