Asus TUF VG27BQ Review – Best 1440p 165Hz Gaming Monitor

Asus TUF VG27BQ Review

Our Verdict:
The Asus VG27BQ is the perfect 1440p monitor for competitive gamers. It has all the important gaming features a serious eSports player would want on his monitor. It also has a decent image quality for a TN panel. Overall, The Asus VG27BQ is one complete package and it delivers impressive value for the money to its user.

Image Quality:
4/5
Ergonomics:
4.5/5
Performance:
4.5/5
Value for Money:
4/5
4.2
4.2/5

What’s Good

  • Decent Image Quality for a TN panel
  • G-Sync / FreeSync support
  • 165Hz refresh rate
  • ELMB Sync
  • 1ms response time
  • Fully Ergonomic Stand

What’s Bad

  • Underwhelming HDR performance

What is Asus TUF VG27BQ?

The Asus TUF VG27BQ is a 1440p 165Hz gaming monitor. It is the perfect choice for competitive gamers looking to upgrade from their 1080p monitor. Read this review of The Asus TUF VG27BQ to know more about it.

Asus TUF VG27BQ – Image Quality

The Asus TUF VG27BQ is a 27-inch QHD (2560×1440) Gaming Monitor. It is based on the TN panel. It covers 99% of the sRGB color gamut and covers true 8-bit color depth.

The 1440p resolution is the perfect choice for those looking to upgrade their 1080p monitor. It supports higher refresh rates than most 4K monitors in the market and also consumes fewer GPU resources than the 4K resolution. 

The color quality of this monitor is decent for a TN panel. It is not on par with the IPS monitors but is still much better than most TN panel monitors in the market. If you’re switching over from an old TN panel to this monitor, you will definitely feel the improvement. A little bit of color tweaking should make it more better.

Here are my best color settings for the Asus TUF VG27BQ

  • Brightness: 70
  • Contrast: 80
  • Color Temp: User Mode: Red: 93 / Green: 94 / Blue: 100
  • Vivid Pixel: 0
  • Adaptive Sync: On
  • Shadow Boost: 1
  • Trace Free: 60

Do keep in mind that these settings worked best for me. Every monitor is different hence you may not have the same results. Nevertheless, these settings should improve the image quality of this monitor by a huge margin. The images will look vibrant and the colors pop out giving you quality visuals.

Most Players who choose TN panel monitors compromise on image quality for better gaming performance. The colors on those monitors look bland. With this monitor, you won’t feel like a big sacrifice. Though the colors of this monitor are not the prettiest, they are decent enough for gaming. You can enjoy both excellent performance and decent visuals in games.

Like any other TN panel monitor, the Asus TUF VG27BQ suffers from narrow viewing angles. It has 170° Horizontal and 160° Vertical viewing angles. Since you won’t be using it from extreme angles while gaming, this should not be a problem for you.

The Asus TUF VG27BQ has an optimal pixel density of 109PPI. The images are detailed and crisp looking. The text appears sharp without any pixelation. It is also easy on the eyes.  

It has a contrast ratio of 1000:1 and a brightness level of 350-nits. It is a fairly bright monitor. You won’t have any issues using it even in a well-lit room. I suggest you tone it down a bit to avoid eye strain. The contrast level is decent enough to make images look lively.

The Asus TUF VG27BQ supports HDR 10. Its HDR performance in gaming is underwhelming. A wider color gamut and higher peak brightness would have made its HDR performance much better. I suggest you not to pin your hopes on this monitor in terms of HDR gaming. 

The monitor we reviewed had no dead pixels on it. There was also no major backlight bleeding. One of the advantages of the TN panel is that there won’t be any type of IPS glow or burn-in like in IPS or VA panel monitors.

Webp.net resizeimage 18 4

Asus TUF VG27BQ – Design, Ergonomics, and Connectivity

The Asus TUF VG27BQ comes in a stylish design. It definitely attracts eyeballs. Its bezels are super-thin. They give it a sharp look and minimize distractions when you use it for a multi-monitor gaming setup.

Its build quality is top-notch. The plastic used is of good quality material. It is strong and durable. The backside of this monitor has a matte anti-glare coating that helps prevent smudges. The stand has a square base and stands sturdy without any wobble.

There is a joystick and four hotkeys present at the backside of this monitor. The joystick helps you navigate the OSD menu. It is much more user-friendlier than buttons. The hotkeys help you switch from one image pre-set to another.

The ergonomics of the stand is excellent. You can adjust its height up to 130mm, swivel it left and right by 90°, Tilt it, Rotate it at pivot it at 90°. There is also a 100x100mm VESA pattern present using which you can wall mount this monitor or connect it to a third-party stand.

The connectivity options of the Asus TUF VG27BQ include HDMI 2.0 x 2, DisplayPort 1.2 x 1. There is a 3.5mm Headphone jack present. It also has 2 x 2W built-in speakers. Like most built-in speakers present in monitors, their sound output is average. I suggest using external speakers for a better audio experience.

Webp.net resizeimage 19 4

Asus TUF VG27BQ – Gaming Performance

The Asus TUF VG27BQ is an excellent gaming monitor. It is perfect for competitive gamers.

It has a refresh rate of 165Hz. You will have a buttery smooth gaming experience. The HDMI port supports only 144Hz. You need to use the DisplayPort for a 165Hz refresh rate.

Asus advertises 0.4ms response time on this monitor. This is mostly marketing.

The Asus TUF VG27BQ has a response time of 1ms. Its input lag is around 2ms and is totally imperceptible. It has no issues with ghosting.

It is also G-Sync and FreeSync compatible. You will have no more tearing, stuttering, and lagging while gaming.

Another important feature of the Asus TUF VG27BQ is the Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB Sync).

Most monitors that use the ELMB feature cannot use it along with FreeSync / G-Sync.

The Asus TUF VG27BQ allows you to use the ELMB feature together with G-Sync / FreeSync. You will now have no motion blur, tearing, and ghosting in games. It gives you the ultimate competitive edge in eSports games.

Webp.net resizeimage 20 1

Asus TUF VG27BQ – Features

The Asus TUF VG27BQ has a blue light filter. It reduces the harmful blue light emitted by the monitor. You can game on it for long hours without worrying about eye strain.

It is also a flicker-free monitor. You can use this monitor comfortably without any headaches if you’re sensitive to flickering.

The Shadow Boost feature brightens the dark areas of the game without overexposing brighter ones increasing enemy visibility.

Using the GamePlus hotkey, you can make use of in-game enhancements like custom crosshairs, FPS counters, timers, etc. They help you practice your game.

The GameVisual hotkey has seven pre-set image modes to optimize visuals for viewing different types of content. The different modes include Racing, MOBA, Cinema, RTS/RPG, FPS, sRGB, and Scenery.

The Trace Free Feature helps control the response time of the monitor. As it is already pretty low you won’t need to tweak it further. I suggest using either 60 or 40 for optimal performance in games.

Webp.net resizeimage 21 2

Monitor similar to Asus Gaming VG27BQ

The LG 27GL83A-B is an excellent 1440p IPS monitor that is the perfect alternative to the Asus TUF Gaming VG27BQ. It has a 144Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, and is G-Sync compatible. It offers you both excellent performance in games and impressive image quality. It is $20 cheaper than the Asus TUF Gaming VG27BQ and is definitely worth looking into.

The AOC CQ27G2 is a curved 1440p gaming monitor with impressive specs such as 1ms response time, 144Hz refresh rate, and FreeSync support. It is also price cheaper than the Asus TUF Gaming VG27BQ and provides a better bang for the buck. Overall, it is a decent 1440p 144Hz monitor.

The Viotek GFV27DAB is an excellent budget 1440p 144Hz monitor. It costs you $100 cheaper than the Asus TUF Gaming VG27BQ. It has all the specs a serious gamer would want on his monitor such as 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and G-Sync, FreeSync compatibility. It also has a decent image quality. Definitely check out this monitor before buying the Asus TUF Gaming VG27BQ.

The Acer XF270HU Cbmiiprx is the perfect choice for hardcore 1440p competitive gamers. It comes with gaming features like 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and FreeSync support. It costs $70 cheaper than the Asus TUF Gaming VG27BQ. For its price, it is a steal.

The ViewSonic VX2758-2KP-MHD is an excellent bang for a buck gaming monitor. It is an IPS monitor so you will also have better color quality along with excellent gaming performance. It is also a lot cheaper than the Asus TUF Gaming VG27B and offers similar specs. It proves an amazing value for money.

Asus TUF VG27BQ Review

Asus TUF VG27BQ Review – Final Thoughts

The Asus VG27BQ is an excellent monitor for 1440p competitive gaming. Its impressive specs give its users a competitive edge in eSports titles. It is a high-quality monitor and is also priced right. The Asus TUF VG27BQ offers its users an excellent bang for the buck.

Who should buy the Asus TUF VG27BQ?

1.Those who are looking to upgrade from a 1080p monitor for competitive gaming.

2.Those who want a frameless gaming monitor for multi-monitor setups

Asus TUF VG27BQ Specs

Screen Size: 27 Inches
Resolution: QHD (2560×1440)
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Panel Technology: TN
Refresh Rate: 165Hz
Response Time: 1ms (GtG)
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
Brightness: 350 cd/m²
Built-in Speakers: Yes (2x2W)
Adaptive Sync: G-Sync and FreeSync
Stand: Fully Ergonomic
VESA Compatibility: Yes (100x100mm)
Connectivity: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 2 x HDMI 2.0
Audio: 3.5mm Audio Jack
Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 620x507x211mm
Weight: 5.8 Kg

Asus TUF VG27BQ Review: Best 1440p 165Hz Gaming Monitor
Asus TUF VG27BQ Review

This review of the Asus TUF VG27BQ covers everything you need to know about it. All the pros and cons are explained. Its complete specs and other alternatives are also mentioned.

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.2
Avatar of Vishwak
About Vishwak

Vishwak is the man behind Your Tech Bro, now part of the Spacehop family. He has been into technology ever since his dad brought him a PC when he was a 10-year old. He is an avid PC gamer, Android Fanboy, and a Tech geek.

Previous

Acer EB321HQU Review – Budget 32-inch 1440p Monitor

Acer ED273 Abidpx Review – Budget 144Hz G-SYNC Monitor

Next