We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, with units that we buy completely on our own, without any 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 and custom tools to measure various aspects with objective data-based results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance against the competition, and whether or not it's easy to find.
Our Verdict
The ASUS VG279Q is a good monitor for most uses. It has wide viewing angles, outstanding ergonomics, and great peak brightness. Motion looks outstanding thanks to the high refresh rate, fast response time, and flicker-free backlight. This TV delivers a good picture quality but doesn't look as good in a dark room. Unfortunately, the 1080p resolution may disappoint some people, but the 27 inch screen offers a good amount of screen space.
- Fantastic motion handling.
- Outstanding color accuracy out of the box.
- Great gaming features, including FreeSync support.
- Limited 1080p resolution.
- Mediocre dark room performance.
Great monitor for office use. The ASUS VG279Q has a great design with outstanding ergonomics, so you can place the monitor how you like. It has very wide viewing angles, which is great for sharing your work, and great peak brightness. Unfortunately, the 1080p resolution isn't ideal for multitasking, but it has good reflection handling and won't struggle with light in moderate-lit offices.
The ASUS VG279Q is a great monitor for gaming. It has a fast refresh rate, supports FreeSync, and has a fantastic response time, so motion looks great with very little blur. It also has excellent low input lag in most modes, which is great for even the most competitive gamers. Unfortunately, the 1080p resolution doesn't deliver an immersive gaming experience.
The ASUS VG279Q is okay for multimedia. It has an excellent response time, so fast-moving objects have a very short blur trail behind them. The image also remains accurate when viewed at an angle, which is great for watching with a few other people. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as good in a dark room, but it has outstanding out-of-box color accuracy, so you don't need to get it calibrated if you don't want to.
Good monitor for media creation. The ASUS VG279Q has excellent ergonomics and wide viewing angles, making it easy to share your work with a nearby colleague. It also has an excellent SDR color gamut, but it has limited coverage of the wider Adobe RGB color space, which isn't ideal for professional media creation. Unfortunately, the 1080p resolution can't deliver the same clear images that 1440p or 4k monitors can.
Changelog
- Updated Apr 14, 2023: Tested the monitor's compatibility with 1440p from PS5, but it doesn't work.
- Updated Jul 14, 2022: Updated to Test Bench 1.2, resulting in changes to the results and scores with the Response Time and Input Lag. Added tests for Console Compatibility and macOS compatibility and made minor changes to other tests, which you can see in our Changelog.
- Updated Jun 01, 2021: We indicated the second audio port as a Digital Optical Audio Out by mistake. It's an analog port to get audio when using the DVI connection.
- Updated Feb 17, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 27 inch VG279 version VG279Q, which is the only size available, but there are similar ASUS Gaming monitors, which are listed below.
| Model | Size | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Notes |
| VG279Q | 27" | 1080p | 144Hz | FreeSync, IPS |
| TUF VG27AQ | 27" | 1440p | 165Hz | FreeSync, IPS |
| VG245H | 24" | 1080p | 75Hz | FreeSync, TN |
| PG279QZ | 27" | 1440p | 144Hz | G-SYNC, IPS |
If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their ASUS VG279Q doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review. Note that some tests such as the gray uniformity may vary between individual units.
The VG279Q we reviewed was manufactured in November 2018, and you can see the label here.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The ASUS VG279Q is an excellent gaming monitor at a great price. It's better than most similarly priced monitors. See our recommendations for the best gaming monitors, the best monitors for Xbox One X, and the best gaming monitors for PS4.
The ASUS VG279QM is much better than the ASUS VG279Q. The VG279QM has a much higher max refresh rate and a much faster response time, resulting in much clearer motion, with little blur behind fast-moving objects. The VG279QM supports HDR, and it supports ASUS' ELMB-SYNC feature, so you can use black frame insertion and the variable refresh rate feature at the same time.
The ASUS TUF VG29AQ is better than the ASUS VG279Q. Though they both have an IPS panel, the TUF VG27AQ has a higher resolution, a slightly faster refresh rate due to its factory overclock, and has HDR support. On the other hand, the VG279Q has better ergonomics and can get brighter. Unfortunately, its black uniformity is quite poor.
The ASUS VG279Q is much better than the MSI Optix G272 for most users and is better for gaming. The ASUS has a much better stand, with a full range of height, tilt, and swivel adjustments, and it has better viewing angles. The ASUS is also brighter than the MSI but doesn't handle reflections quite as well. On the other hand, the MSI has a faster response time, resulting in clearer motion when gaming.
The ASUS VG279Q is a much better monitor than the ASUS TUF VG27VQ. Both have a 1080p resolution but the VG27VQ uses a VA panel, while the VG279Q uses an IPS panel, so the viewing angles are much better on it. The VG279Q has better SDR peak brightness and reflection handling, so it performs better in bright rooms. On the other hand, the VG27VQ has a higher max refresh rate and slightly better input lag for gaming.
The Pixio PX7 Prime and the ASUS VG279Q are very similar overall, but the ASUS is better for gaming. The PX7 Prime has a higher native resolution and a higher refresh rate, and it supports HDR, but this doesn't add much. The ASUS VG279Q, on the other hand, has better ergonomics, a slightly faster response time, and an optional black frame insertion feature.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q is slightly better than the ASUS VG279Q. The PG279Q supports G-SYNC and has a higher native resolution. The VG279Q supports FreeSync and has a stand with better ergonomics, to help you place it in a more comfortable position.
The ASUS VG279Q is much better than the ASUS VG245H. The VG279Q has a larger screen, much higher refresh rate, and much better viewing angles. The VG279Q also has better gray uniformity, can get much brighter, and has an optional black frame insertion feature.
The ASUS VG279Q is much better than the ASUS VG248QE. The VG279Q has better ergonomics, and the image remains accurate when viewed at an angle. The VG279Q also has a larger screen, a faster refresh rate, and it supports FreeSync variable refresh rate technology.
The ASUS VG279Q is significantly better than the MSI Optix G27C4 in most uses. The IPS panel on the VG279Q provides much better viewing angles, has much better color accuracy, and it can get brighter to combat glare. The VG279Q's ergonomics are also much better, but on the other hand, the G27C4 has a higher contrast ratio due to its VA panel, and it has a slightly higher refresh rate of 165Hz.
The ASUS VG279Q is a bit better than the Dell S2719DGF. The VG279Q has much better black uniformity, although it still isn't great, and the VG279Q has an optional black frame insertion feature. The S2719DGF has a higher resolution screen, which some people might prefer, and it has a faster response time.
The ASUS VG279Q is a better gaming monitor than the Samsung Odyssey G3 F27G35T, but they have different panel types. They each have a 1080p resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate, but the ASUS has an IPS panel with wider viewing angles, and the Samsung has a VA panel with better contrast. Motion looks much smoother on the ASUS due to its quick response times. It's also a better choice for use in well-lit rooms because it gets brighter and has a bit better reflection handling.
The LG 27GN650-B and the ASUS VG279Q are very similar 1080p, 144Hz monitors. Even though the ASUS scores slightly higher for gaming, the LG has much better response times, resulting in clearer images in fast-moving scenes. The ASUS gets a lot brighter to combat glare, so it might be a better choice if you tend to game in a well-lit room. It also has better ergonomics than the LG, which makes it easier to place the screen in an ideal viewing position.
The ASUS VG279Q and the HP X24ih are two great gaming monitors. The ASUS has a larger 27 inch screen, providing more space for multitasking, but the smaller screen on the HP allows for a higher pixel density since they each have a 1080p resolution. The ASUS has much better ergonomics as the stand offers swivel adjustments. In terms of gaming, they each have low input lag, but the HP has a quicker response time for smoother motion.
The Dell S2721HGF and the ASUS VG279Q have very similar gaming performance as they're both 1080p monitors with a 144Hz refresh rate, excellent response time, and low input lag. The main difference is that the Dell has a VA panel and is better suited for dark rooms, while the ASUS has an IPS panel with wider viewing angles. The ASUS is also a better choice for well-lit environments because it gets brighter, and it offers more ergonomic adjustments, including a wide swivel range and rotation to portrait mode. Also, if you want to use it for 60fps console gaming, the ASUS has a better response time at 60Hz.
The ASUS VG279Q is better than the Acer Nitro RG241Y Pbiipx for most uses. The ASUS has a bigger screen, significantly better ergonomics, and higher peak brightness. It also has wider viewing angles and better accuracy out of the box. However, the Acer has a slightly higher refresh rate of 165Hz, better gradient handling, and faster response time.
The ASUS VG279Q is slightly better overall than the MSI Optix MAG273R. The ASUS has better horizontal viewing angles and much better ergonomics, so it might be easier to place it in an ideal viewing position. On the other hand, the MSI supports HDR and has better gradient handling, although the former doesn't add much, as it can't get very bright in HDR.
Overall, the ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM is better than the ASUS VG279Q. The VG259QM has a much higher refresh rate, faster response time, and HDR support. However, the VG279Q has better viewing angles, out-of-the-box color accuracy, and gradient handling.
The ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV is better than the ASUS VG279Q for most uses; however, they aren't designed for the same purpose. The PA278QV is an office monitor that performs well enough for gaming, while the VG279Q is a gaming monitor first, but can be used in an office setting. The PA278QV has better ergonomics, a higher resolution, and it has a USB hub with four USB 3.0 ports. On the other hand, the VG279Q has better pre-calibration color accuracy, a wider SDR color gamut, and a 144Hz refresh rate that makes fast motion look a lot smoother.
The ASUS VG279Q is much better than the Samsung T55, but they're very different monitors. The ASUS has a 144Hz refresh rate that results in much quicker response time, and it also has a lower input lag. This monitor has wider viewing angles, much better ergonomics, it gets brighter, and it has more accurate colors. However, the Samsung has a bigger screen and it produces deeper blacks because it has a VA panel.
The ASUS PG279QZ and ASUS VG279Q are very similar overall, each with their strengths and weaknesses. The PG279QZ supports G-SYNC and has a higher native resolution. The VG279Q supports FreeSync, which is more universally supported, and the stand has better ergonomics.
The ASUS VG279Q and LG 27UK650-W have very similar overall performance but are very different. The ASUS has a faster refresh rate and a lower input lag, which is better for gaming. Also, the ASUS has much better ergonomics to allow you to place it in a comfortable position with ease. The LG, on the other hand, has a higher resolution and supports HDR.
The ASUS VG279Q is better than the HP OMEN X 27. The VG279Q has much better ergonomics, better viewing angles, and an optional black frame insertion feature. The OMEN X has a higher refresh rate and a higher native resolution, and it supports HDR, although this doesn't add much.
The ASUS VG279Q is much better than the ASUS MX279HS. The VG279G has a much faster refresh rate and faster response time, so motion looks a lot crisper and smoother. The VG279G is much better for gaming, as it supports FreeSync and it can get much brighter, so it's also suitable for brighter rooms.
The ASUS VG279Q is slightly better than the LG 27GL650F-B. The ASUS has much better ergonomics, with a 180° swivel range and a wider tilt range, so it's easier to place it in an ideal viewing position. Unlike the 27GL650F-B, the ASUS VG279Q doesn't support HDR, but this doesn't add much to the LG anyway.
The LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B is slightly better than the ASUS VG279Q for most uses. The LG has a higher resolution screen, and it supports HDR. The VG279Q has much better ergonomics and an optional black frame insertion feature. The LG has better motion handling overall, with a faster response time that delivers extremely clear motion, with almost no blur behind fast-moving objects.
The ASUS VG279Q is a bit better overall than the Acer Nitro VG271UP Pbmiipx, depending on your use. The VG279Q has much better ergonomics and better black uniformity, although the black uniformity varies between units. The VG271UP, on the other hand, has a higher native resolution, and it supports HDR, so it might be better for some people, especially if you plan on VESA mounting the monitor and ergonomics don't matter to you.
The ASUS VG279Q is better than the Acer Nitro VG271 Pbmiipx. The ASUS has a much better stand, with a full range of ergonomic adjustments, and it has slightly better black uniformity, but this varies between units. Unlike the VG271, the VG279Q doesn't support HDR, but this doesn't add much on the Acer anyway.
The Samsung CHG70 and ASUS VG279Q use different panel technologies, each with their advantages and disadvantages. The CHG70 looks best in a dark room, it supports HDR, and has a higher native resolution. The VG279Q, on the other hand, has better ergonomics and the IPS panel delivers wide viewing angles, but it doesn't look as good in a dark room.
The Gigabyte AORUS AD27QD is slightly better than the ASUS VG279Q. The AD27QD supports HDR, although there isn't much benefit to this. The AD27QD also has a higher native resolution, delivering a more immersive, detailed gaming experience. The VG279Q, on the other hand, has much better ergonomics and slightly better black uniformity.
The ASUS VG279Q is much better than the ViewSonic XG2402. The VG279Q has better ergonomics, much better viewing angles, better gray uniformity, and an optional Black Frame Insertion feature. The VG279Q also has a larger screen, but the same 1080p resolution as the XG2402.
Test Results
The ASUS VG279Q has a simple design, very similar to the ASUS VG245H. It's mainly black with some red on the stand and base.
Good build quality. The design has a few nice design features, including rubber covers for the VESA screws.
Outstanding ergonomics, similar to the ASUS TUF VG27AQ and much better than the MSI Optix G272. The stand allows for a very wide swivel range, and it can be rotated into portrait mode either clockwise or counterclockwise, which is great if you need to place your inputs on a certain side. The back of the monitor has a simple design etched into it. There's no quick release on the stand, but it can be VESA-mounted. Cable management is handled by a hole in the stand arm.
The stand is very simple, but supports the monitor well and doesn't take up too much space. The monitor wobbles a bit when nudged, but this isn't too distracting.
There's a joystick and four buttons on the back of the monitor to control the on-screen display.
- Manual
- Audio patch cable
- DVI cable
- HDMI cable
- DisplayPort cable
- Compact power adapter (Not Shown)
The contrast ratio isn't bad for an IPS panel. Although VA panel monitors have better contrast ratios, it's still one of the better ones we've seen on an IPS, similar to the ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q.
The VG279Q doesn't support local dimming. The above video is for reference only.
Great SDR peak brightness. It can combat glare in most rooms, and there's essentially no variation in brightness with varied content, which is great. It's quite brighter than the ASUS VG245H.
The VG279Q doesn't support HDR.
Excellent horizontal viewing angle, which is typical for an IPS panel. This is great for when you need to share your screen with others.
Decent vertical viewing angle. You'll lose some image accuracy if you mount it below or above eye level.
Excellent gray uniformity on the VG279Q. Some darker bands can be seen through the screen, but this isn't very noticeable with most content. In near-black scenes, the monitor has nearly perfect uniformity.
Disappointing black uniformity. There's visible clouding throughout. This is especially noticeable when watching dark content in a dark room.
Outstanding out-of-box color accuracy. Most colors are accurate, but the color temperature is a bit colder than the 6500K target, so some colors have a bluish tint to them. The gamma follows the target almost perfectly, although some dark scenes appear darker.
After calibration, the VG279Q has superb accuracy. The color temperature is much closer to the 6500K target, and most people won't notice any color inaccuracies.
Amazing SDR color gamut. The VG279Q covers nearly all of the sRGB color space used in most content. The coverage of the Adobe RGB color space used in photo editing is a bit limited, which might disappoint some professionals.
Excellent SDR color volume. The monitor can't produce dark colors due to the low contrast ratio.
The monitor doesn't support HDR.
This monitor doesn't support HDR.
The VG279Q has good reflection handling, similar to the ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q. It's good enough for most rooms, but the reflections might be distracting in a room with direct sunlight.
Decent text clarity. The diagonal lines on the letters R and N are easier to read when enabling ClearType (top photo).
Excellent gradient performance, similar to the PG279QZ. There's some banding in the darker shades, which is normal for an 8-bit monitor.
The ASUS VG279Q has an outstanding 144Hz refresh rate. It supports FreeSync over HDMI and DisplayPort, and it works with NVIDIA's Adaptive Sync drivers, but only over DisplayPort. We tested this with our NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB and had no issues. If you want a monitor with an even higher refresh rate, the Acer Nitro XV273X is a good option.
| Overdrive Setting | Response Time Chart | Response Time Tables | Motion Blur Photo |
| 0 | Chart | Table | Photo |
| 20 | Chart | Table | Photo |
| 40 | Chart | Table | Photo |
| 60 | Chart | Table | Photo |
| 80 | Chart | Table | Photo |
| 100 | Chart | Table | Photo |
Fantastic response time at its max refresh rate. The recommended Overdrive setting, which is called Trace Free is '80' as there's just a bit of overshoot.
If you want a monitor with better response time, take a look at the ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM or the MSI Optix G272.
| Overdrive Setting | Response Time Chart | Response Time Tables | Motion Blur Photo |
| 0 | Chart | Table | Photo |
| 20 | Chart | Table | Photo |
| 40 | Chart | Table | Photo |
| 60 | Chart | Table | Photo |
| 80 | Chart | Table | Photo |
| 100 | Chart | Table | Photo |
The VG279Q has a good response time at 60Hz. Unlike at its max refresh rate, the best Overdrive (Trace Free) setting is '20.' Although there's still motion blur at this setting, the higher settings have significantly more overshoot and produce artifacts. If you want a monitor with a much quicker response time at 60Hz, then look into the HP X24ih or the MSI Optix G272.
The backlight strobing feature is called ELMB and can be enabled through the on-screen display. It noticeably dims the image and it can't be used at the same time as FreeSync, which are both normal.
This monitor is flicker-free, which helps reduce eye strain.
Outstanding low input lag across most modes. The input lag is significantly higher with the BFI feature enabled, which might disappoint some more competitive gamers.
The 27 inch screen is a great size, but some people might find the 1080p resolution too low. If the low resolution bothers you, the PG279QZ offers a similar gaming performance, but with a 1440p resolution.
There's a 3.5 mm analog audio out port with adjustable volume, and an audio-in port for the DVI connector.
Unfortunately, there are a few minor issues when using this monitor with a MacBook. The variable refresh rate feature doesn't work on the desktop, defaulting to a 144Hz fixed refresh rate instead. However, it works well in-game. It doesn't always recover from sleep mode either, as windows sometimes don't return to their original position.
The VG279Q has a few additional features, which can be accessed through the 'GamePlus' menu.
