The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQR is a 27-inch, 4k monitor that's an updated model of the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ. First released in 2021, it's designed with PC gamers in mind as it has a 144Hz refresh rate with FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR) support and G-SYNC compatibility. However, unlike many 4k gaming monitors, it lacks HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and can't take advantage of current-gen gaming consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S or HDMI 2.1 graphics cards. Besides that, it has features you'd expect to find in a gaming monitor, like crosshairs and a Shadow Boost feature to make it easier to spot opponents in dark games, and it also has a USB hub that lets you charge your devices while gaming.
Our Verdict
The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQR is great for most uses. It's designed with gaming in mind, and it's great for that use, as it has a 144Hz refresh rate with VRR support. It also has a quick response time at high refresh rates and low input lag for a responsive feel. However, it can't take full advantage of current-gen gaming consoles because it doesn't support HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. Besides that, its 27-inch, 4k screen offers plenty of detail with sharp text, which makes it great for the office or media creation, and it gets bright enough to fight glare in well-lit rooms. It's also good for watching multimedia content thanks to this high resolution, but with a low contrast ratio and terrible local dimming feature, it struggles in dark rooms.
- Sharp text and image clarity.
- High SDR peak brightness.
- Wide viewing angles.
- Quick response time at high refresh rates.
- Some motion blur, particularly at low refresh rates.
- Lacks HDMI 2.1 bandwidth; not fully compatible with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- Low contrast ratio.
The ASUS XG27UQR is great for the office. The 27-inch screen is big enough for multitasking with different windows open, and the 4k resolution provides a high pixel density, which results in sharp text clarity. It's also a great choice in bright rooms because it has high peak brightness and decent reflection handling, so visibility isn't a problem. Lastly, its wide viewing angles make it good to use if you need to show your screen to a coworker next to you as the image remains consistent from the sides, and it offers swivel adjustments.
- Sharp text and image clarity.
- High SDR peak brightness.
- Wide viewing angles.
- 27-inch screen big enough for multiple windows.
- Can't rotate into portrait mode.
- Big bezels; not ideal for a multi-monitor setup.
The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQR is great for PC gaming. It supports VRR through FreeSync and G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing and has a max refresh rate of 144Hz. Motion looks good thanks to its quick response time at high refresh rates, but there's still some blur, especially at low refresh rates. Luckily, it has low input lag, and you won't notice any delay, even during reaction-based games. Unfortunately, it can't take full advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S because it lacks HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, so you can't play 4k @ 120Hz games on them.
- Sharp text and image clarity.
- 144Hz refresh rate.
- Quick response time at high refresh rates.
- Low input lag.
- VRR works without issue over DisplayPort.
- Some motion blur, particularly at low refresh rates.
- Lacks HDMI 2.1 bandwidth; not fully compatible with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- Low contrast ratio.
The ASUS XG27UQR is good for media consumption. The 4k resolution lets you watch the latest 4k shows and movies with a ton of detail, and the 27-inch screen is big enough if you need to watch something with a friend sitting next to you. It also gets very bright, which is great if you want to watch content in a bright room, and it has decent reflection handling. However, it's worse to use in a dark room because it has a low contrast that makes blacks look gray, and its terrible local dimming feature doesn't do much to improve the picture quality in dark scenes.
- Sharp text and image clarity.
- High SDR peak brightness.
- Wide viewing angles.
- Low contrast ratio.
- Terrible local dimming feature.
The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQR is good for content creators. It has a dedicated sRGB mode that results in good accuracy before calibration, but the mode also locks some picture settings. Its 4k resolution provides a ton of detail and delivers sharp images thanks to its high pixel density. It also has wide viewing angles, which is ideal if you have a coworker or client sitting next to you and they need to see an accurate image. It also offers swivel adjustment, but you can't rotate it into portrait mode.
- Sharp text and image clarity.
- High SDR peak brightness.
- Wide viewing angles.
- 27-inch screen big enough for multiple windows.
- Can't rotate into portrait mode.
- Low contrast ratio.
The ASUS XG27UQR is alright for HDR, but it has its limitations. While it displays a wide range of colors and has good HDR peak brightness, highlights don't pop against the rest of the image as it has a low contrast ratio. This means that blacks look gray, and even though it has a local dimming feature, it does a terrible job of improving the black levels.
- Displays wide range of colors in HDR.
- Low contrast ratio.
- Terrible local dimming feature.
- Highlights don't pop against the rest of the image.
Changelog
- Updated Oct 06, 2023: Added that the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQR is another option with HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.
- Updated Jun 14, 2023: Review published.
- Updated Jun 09, 2023: Early access published.
- Updated Jun 05, 2023: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 27-inch ASUS XG27UQR, which is the only size available for this monitor, and it's an updated version of the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ. Similar monitors are available from ASUS, including the ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQR, but the results from this monitor aren't valid for any of those.
| Size | Name | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Panel Type | HDMI 2.1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27" | XG27UQR | 4k | 144Hz | IPS | No |
Our unit was manufactured in January 2023; you can see the label here.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The ASUS XG27UQR is a great 4k gaming monitor that falls short of the competition. It lacks HDMI 2.1 bandwidth found on many of its competitors, and it isn't much of a difference from the older ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ. While it doesn't cost much for a 4k gaming monitor, you can get more value in similarly-priced monitors.
See our recommendations for the best 4k gaming monitors, the best 4k 144Hz monitors, and the best 27-inch gaming monitors.
The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQR is an updated version of the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ. While they have different stands with better ergonomics on the XG27UQ, they're very similar in features and performance. The XG27UQR has the same 144Hz refresh rate with HDMI 2.0 bandwidth as the XG27UQ and has the same selection of inputs. The main advantage the XG27UQR has is its slightly improved color gamut; other than that, they're very similar monitors.
The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQR and the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ are different gaming monitors. The XG27UQR has a higher 4k resolution that delivers more detail with sharper images, while the XG27AQ has a slightly higher 170Hz refresh rate. However, the XG27AQ also has better motion handling thanks to its quicker response time, meaning it's the better choice for fast-paced games.
The LG 27GP950-B is a better gaming monitor than the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQR. The main advantage is that it supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, which the ASUS model doesn't have, and it lets you take full advantage of gaming consoles or HDMI 2.1 graphics cards. The LG also has better motion handling, particularly at lower refresh rates. However, the ASUS gets brighter and has better reflection handling, making it the better choice for well-lit rooms.
The Sony INZONE M9 is better for gaming than the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQR. The Sony supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, which lets it take full advantage of gaming consoles or HDMI 2.1 graphics cards, and the ASUS doesn't support this. The picture quality on the Sony is also better thanks to its superior local dimming and HDR brightness, meaning that highlights stand out more. The Sony also has better motion handling, especially at lower refresh rates.
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.
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