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LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B Monitor Review

Tested using Methodology v1.2
Reviewed Jan 18, 2021 at 09:57 am
Latest change: Writing modified Dec 15, 2023 at 10:16 am
LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B Picture
7.7
Mixed Usage
7.6
Office
8.3
Gaming
7.3
Media Consumption
7.9
Media Creation
6.3
HDR
This monitor was replaced by the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B

The LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B is an impressive gaming monitor. It replaces the LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B and is an overall improvement. Gamers should appreciate the incredible response time at its max refresh rate of 144Hz, resulting in minimal motion blur, and it remains fast when gaming at 60Hz. It supports Adaptive Sync and is compatible with both FreeSync and G-SYNC to reduce screen tearing, and the input lag is also incredibly low. It has a large 27-inch screen with a 1440p resolution, which helps deliver an immersive gaming experience without being too heavy on your graphics card. It has an IPS panel with wide viewing angles, so the image remains accurate when viewing from the side. However, that comes at the cost of a low contrast ratio, and without local dimming, blacks appear gray when viewed in the dark.

Our Verdict

7.7 Mixed Usage

The LG 27GN850-B is very good overall. It offers impressive gaming performance because it has a high 144Hz refresh rate with VRR support, the response time is incredible, and input lag is extremely low. Its 27 inch, 1440p screen makes it good for office use and content creators, and it has wide viewing angles if you need to share your screen with someone else. Sadly, it has a low contrast ratio and lacks local dimming, so blacks appear closer to gray when viewed in the dark.

Pros
  • Wide viewing angles.
  • High 144Hz refresh rate and VRR support.
  • Extremely low input lag.
  • Incredible response time.
Cons
  • Disappointing ergonomics.
  • Low contrast ratio.
7.6 Office

The LG 27GN850-B is good for office use. Its 27 inch screen size allows you to open multiple windows at once, and its 1440p resolution delivers clear text. It has wide viewing angles, making it easier to share your screen with others. However, it has disappointing ergonomics as you can't swivel it. Lastly, reflection handling is decent, and it gets bright enough to fight glare in well-lit rooms.

Pros
  • Wide viewing angles.
  • Good peak brightness and decent reflection handling.
  • Large screen and high resolution.
Cons
  • Disappointing ergonomics.
  • Glare may be an issue in really well-lit rooms.
8.3 Gaming

The LG 27GN850-B is impressive for gaming. It has an incredible response time whether you're gaming at its native 144Hz refresh rate or 60Hz, and the input lag is incredibly low. It has FreeSync and G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing. Sadly, it's not a good choice for dark room gaming because of its low contrast ratio and poor black uniformity.

Pros
  • High 144Hz refresh rate and VRR support.
  • Extremely low input lag.
  • Incredible response time.
Cons
  • Low contrast ratio.
  • No local dimming feature.
7.3 Media Consumption

The LG 27GN850-B is good for consuming multimedia content. Its 1440p resolution helps deliver crisp images, and it has a large, 27 inch screen. It performs well in bright rooms thanks to its decent reflection handling and good peak brightness. However, it's not a good choice for dark rooms because it has a low contrast ratio that makes blacks appear closer to gray.

Pros
  • Wide viewing angles.
  • Good peak brightness and decent reflection handling.
  • Large screen and high resolution.
Cons
  • Disappointing ergonomics.
  • Low contrast ratio.
7.9 Media Creation

The LG 27GN850-B is very good for content creators. The large screen and high resolution mean you can easily open multiple windows side-by-side, which is great for multitasking. It has wide viewing angles, so people viewing from the side get the same accurate image as if they would be directly in front. However, it has disappointing ergonomics, making it difficult to position your screen to share with someone.

Pros
  • Wide viewing angles.
  • Good peak brightness and decent reflection handling.
  • Large screen and high resolution.
Cons
  • Disappointing ergonomics.
  • Low contrast ratio.
6.3 HDR

The LG 27GN850-B is mediocre for HDR. While it displays a wide range of colors, its overall HDR performance is limited because it doesn't get bright enough to make highlights stand out. It also has a low contrast that makes blacks look gray in the dark and lacks a local dimming feature to further improve it.

Pros
  • Displays wide range of colors in HDR.
Cons
  • Low contrast ratio.
  • No local dimming feature.
  • Mediocre HDR peak brightness.
  • 7.7 Mixed Usage
  • 7.6 Office
  • 8.3 Gaming
  • 7.3 Media Consumption
  • 7.9 Media Creation
  • 6.3 HDR
  1. Updated Dec 15, 2023: Clarified the differences between this monitor and its variant, the LG 27GN880-B, in the Variants section.
  2. Updated Feb 14, 2023: Added text in the macOS Compatibility and Console Compatibility boxes as part of Test Bench 1.2. Also changed the FreeSync result in Variable Refresh Rate to 'Yes'.
  3. Updated Feb 10, 2023: 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.
  4. Updated Jun 01, 2021: We mistakenly indicated the thickness with stand as 32.2 cm instead of 22.2 cm. It has been fixed.
  5. Updated May 06, 2021: We've changed the FreeSync support from 'Native' to 'Compatible' for consistency.
  6. Updated Jan 18, 2021: Review published.
  7. Updated Jan 14, 2021: Early access published.
  8. Updated Jan 11, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
  9. Updated Jan 06, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  10. Updated Dec 15, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
  11. Updated Nov 21, 2020: The product has won our suggestion poll, so we'll buy and test it soon.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We reviewed the 27-inch LG 27GN850-B, which is also available at the LG 27GN880-B. While they use the same screen and perform the same, the 27GN880-B comes with LG's Ergo Stand. It's essentially a mounting arm that you attach to the edge of your desk, and it offers all kinds of ergonomic adjustments. You can see what it looks like here.

Model Size Panel Type Resolution Refresh Rate Ergonomics
LG 27GN850-B 27" IPS 1440p 144Hz Height, Tilt, Rotate
LG 27GN880-B 27" IPS 1440p 144Hz Height, Tilt, Rotate, Swivel, and Extend

The unit we reviewed was manufactured in October 2020, and you can see the label here.

Compared To Other Monitors

The LG 27GN850-B is an impressive gaming monitor that has features most people should enjoy, such as VRR support, an incredible response time, and extremely low input lag. In terms of gaming, it's an improvement over the LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B, but if you need it for office use as well, it's lacking in ergonomics. There are similarly priced options with better ergonomics, like the Dell S2721DGF.

See our recommendations for the best 1440p 144Hz monitors, the best gaming monitors, and the best LG monitors.

LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B

The LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B is a bit better than the LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B. The 27GP850 has a higher refresh rate, resulting in a faster response time and clearer motion. The 27GP850 also has an optional black frame insertion feature to reduce the appearance of persistence blur, but it's a bit limited and only works over a narrow refresh rate range. Finally, the 27GP850 has slightly better connectivity, with a built-in USB hub.

LG 27GN800-B

The LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B and the LG 27GN800-B are very similar monitors. They use an almost identical panel, but the 27GN800-B has a much simpler stand with practically no adjustment options. Unless the stand is a dealbreaker, the 27GN800-B may actually be the better choice.  While most casual gamers may not notice, the 27GN800-B has a slightly faster response time and a lower 60Hz input lag. These are minor differences, but if you're going to mount your monitor, the 27GN800-B may represent a better value.

LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B

The LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B is a slight improvement over its predecessor, the LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B. The 27GN850-B displays wider SDR and HDR color gamuts, meaning it's a better choice for content creators. It also has a quicker response time at its max refresh rate, making it a slightly better choice for gaming. However, the 27GL850-B gets brighter and has better reflection handling, so it's a good choice for well-lit rooms. It also has two USB inputs, which the 27GN850-B doesn't have, so you can easily charge your devices while working.

MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD

The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is a bit better for most uses than the LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B, but they have many of the same features. They both have outstanding response time and low input lag for gaming, but the MSI has a slightly higher 165Hz refresh rate. It also has a BFI feature, but it only works within a narrow range. However, the LG has better out-of-the-box accuracy and colors don't look as over-saturated as the MSI, so you may not need to get it calibrated to enjoy it to the fullest.

Samsung Odyssey G5 S27AG50

The Samsung Odyssey G5 S27AG50 is slightly better for gaming than the LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B. They have a few similar features like the 1440p resolution and exceptional motion handling. The Samsung has a faster 165Hz refresh rate, and it's certified by AMD to have native FreeSync support, while the LG is FreeSync compatible. The Samsung also has lower input lag at 60Hz. On the other hand, the LG displays a wider color gamut in SDR and HDR, and it has much better out-of-the-box accuracy, but this can also vary between units.

Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0)

The LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are both great 1440p IPS gaming monitors. They perform very similarly gaming-wise; the Gigabyte has a higher refresh rate of 170Hz, but the LG has a better response time. The Gigabyte offers more features, such as a USB-C input that supports DisplayPort and charging, a Picture-in-Picture mode, and a KVM. It also has a wider color gamut for HDR and gets much brighter overall.

LG 32GN650-B/32GN63T-B

The LG 32GN650-B/32GN63T-B and the LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B are both good monitors overall, although they use different panel types with different advantages. The 32GN650-B is much better for dark room gaming thanks to its high-contrast VA panel, but the IPS panel on the 27GN850-B has wider viewing angles that are better for co-op gaming. That said, the 27GN850-B has some advantages that might make it a better option if you don't need a larger screen. Both are 1440p monitors, but the smaller size of the 27GN850-B means it has a greater pixel density, resulting in a crisper image. It also has significantly faster response times for clear motion. On the other hand, the 27GN850-B has a lower refresh rate of 144Hz compared to the 165Hz on the 32GN650-B.

ASUS TUF VG27AQ

The ASUS TUF VG27AQ is a bit better for most uses than the LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B. They're both 1440p monitors with a native 144Hz refresh rate, but the ASUS can be overclocked to 165Hz. The ASUS has much better ergonomics, making it easier to place in an ideal viewing position. The LG has a quicker response time at its max refresh rate and 60Hz, but the ASUS has a Black Frame Insertion feature to clear up motion blur.

LG 27GN750-B

The LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B is better for most uses than the LG 27GN750-B, but they have a few different features. The 27GN850-B has a higher 1440p resolution, but it has a lower refresh rate of 144Hz compared to the 27GN750's 240Hz, which also has a lower 1080p resolution. Choosing one over the other comes down to personal preference and whether you need a higher refresh rate at the cost of a lower resolution.

LG 32GP850-B

The LG 32GP850-B is a bit better than the LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B. The 32GP850 has a slightly faster refresh rate, better reflection handling, and it has an optional black frame insertion feature to reduce persistence blur. The 32GP850 also has a larger screen and a built-in USB hub.

MSI Optix G273QF

The LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B and the MSI Optix G273QF are two great gaming monitors. They offer similar overall performance with an incredible response time and low input lag. The MSI has a higher 165Hz max refresh rate that delivers a slightly smoother gaming experience. However, the LG supports HDR10, which the MSI doesn't, and it displays a wide color gamut, so it's a decent choice for HDR gaming.

Dell S2721DGF

The Dell S2721DGF is a bit better overall than the LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B, but the two monitors are very similar. The Dell has a max refresh rate of 165Hz, as opposed to the LG's 144Hz, and this results in a slightly quicker response time. It also has much better ergonomics, making it a better choice for office use, and it gets brighter. On the other hand, the LG has much better out-of-the-box accuracy, so you may not need to get it calibrated.

Gigabyte AORUS AD27QD

The LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B and the Gigabyte AORUS AD27QD are two very similar monitors. The LG is slightly better for gaming because it has a quicker response time at its max refresh rate and 60Hz. However, the Gigabyte is better for office use because it has improved ergonomics and it gets brighter, so it's a better choice for well-lit rooms.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Curved
No
Curve Radius
Not Curved

The LG 27GN850-B has the same style as most of LG's UltraGear monitors from their 2020 lineup, such as the LG 27GN950-B. It has thin borders on three sides with a thicker bottom bezel. It's mainly black with red accents throughout. Unlike the LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B, the V-shaped feet don't sit flat on the desk and are a bit elevated. There's cable management through the stand, and overall it's a fairly well-built monitor.

7.0
Design
Build Quality

The LG 27GN850-B's build quality is decent. It's similar to the LG 27GN950-B, and it's made entirely out of basic, plastic materials that feel solid. There aren't any obvious gaps or loose parts. The stand supports the screen well, and there isn't much wobble. However, the hook for cable management feels a bit flimsy, but this may only be a problem if you're constantly removing cables from it.

7.1
Design
Ergonomics
Height Adjustment
4.3" (11.0 cm)
Tilt Range
-15° to 5°
Rotate Portrait/Landscape
Yes, Clockwise
Swivel Range
No swivel
Wall Mount
VESA 100x100

The ergonomics are decent. You can rotate the screen into portrait mode, but since you can only do it in the clockwise direction, the inputs are always on top. It could be an issue if you have short cables.

The back of the monitor has the same red ring found on most UltraGear monitors, but it doesn't light up. There's cable management through the hook in the stand.

Design
Stand
Base Width
16.7" (42.5 cm)
Base Depth
11.6" (29.4 cm)
Thickness (With Display)
8.7" (22.2 cm)
Weight (With Display)
13.9 lbs (6.3 kg)

The wide stand supports the monitor well, and the feet are fairly thin, so there's enough space to put stuff in front.

Design
Display
Size
27"
Housing Width
24.2" (61.5 cm)
Housing Height
14.4" (36.5 cm)
Thickness (Without Stand)
2.0" (5.2 cm)
Weight (Without Stand)
9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)
Borders Size (Bezels)
0.3" (0.8 cm)
Design
Controls

There's a single joystick underneath the bottom bezel to control the on-screen menu.

Design
In The Box
Power Supply
External Brick

  • DisplayPort cable
  • HDMI cable
  • Power cable and brick
  • Manual and drivers

Picture Quality
5.7
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
852 : 1
Contrast With Local Dimming
N/A

The LG 27GN850 has a low contrast ratio, which is expected from an IPS panel. Blacks appear gray when viewed in the dark, and there's no local dimming feature to help improve it. This is lower than the advertised 1000:1 contrast, but it may vary between units.

0
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
No
Backlight
Edge

The LG 27GN850-B doesn't have a local dimming feature. The above video is provided for reference only.

7.7
Picture Quality
SDR Brightness
Real Scene
321 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
320 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
322 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
322 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
322 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
322 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
320 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
322 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
322 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
322 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
322 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.000
Minimum Brightness
55 cd/m²

The LG 27GN850-B has good SDR peak brightness. It maintains its brightness extremely consistent across different content, and it gets bright enough to combat glare. However, this is lower than the advertised 350 cd/m². We measured peak brightness after calibration in the 'Gamer 1' Picture Mode with Brightness set to max.

6.2
Picture Quality
HDR Brightness
VESA DisplayHDR Certification
No Certification
Real Scene
325 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
325 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
326 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
326 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
326 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
351 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
296 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
301 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
302 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
305 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
325 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.005

The LG 27GN850 has mediocre HDR peak brightness. It only gets a bit brighter than in SDR, and highlights quickly lose their brightness the longer they stay on the screen. It's not enough to make highlights pop the way the creator intended in HDR. We measured the HDR peak brightness in the 'Gamer 2' Picture Mode.

8.5
Picture Quality
Horizontal Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Left
46°
Color Washout From Right
46°
Color Shift From Left
55°
Color Shift From Right
55°
Brightness Loss From Left
49°
Brightness Loss From Right
49°
Black Level Raise From Left
70°
Black Level Raise From Right
70°
Gamma Shift From Left
61°
Gamma Shift From Right
59°

The LG 27GN850 has an excellent horizontal viewing angle, which is normal for an IPS panel. The image remains accurate as you move off-center, which is great if you want to use it for co-op gaming.

6.4
Picture Quality
Vertical Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Below
34°
Color Washout From Above
34°
Color Shift From Below
31°
Color Shift From Above
37°
Brightness Loss From Below
39°
Brightness Loss From Above
39°
Black Level Raise From Below
33°
Black Level Raise From Above
28°
Gamma Shift From Below
33°
Gamma Shift From Above
33°

The vertical viewing angle isn't bad. You may notice a loss in image accuracy if you mount the monitor above eye level.

8.1
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
3.109%
50% DSE
0.137%

The gray uniformity is great. The edges of the screen are a bit darker, but there's no dirty screen effect in the center. Solid colors across the screen, like on a web page or document, look great.

5.5
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
2.337%
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
N/A

Black uniformity is poor, but this may vary between units. There's noticeable backlight bleed in the corners and clouding throughout. This could be distracting when watching dark scenes in a dark environment.

8.1
Picture Quality
Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration)
Picture Mode
sRGB
sRGB Gamut Area xy
99.5%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
4.91
Color Temperature (Avg.)
7,183 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.13
Color dE (Avg.)
2.85
Contrast Setting
N/A
RGB Settings
Default
Gamma Setting
Default
Brightness Setting
50
Measured Brightness
181 cd/m²
Brightness Locked
No

The accuracy before calibration is great. It has an sRGB picture mode that locks the colors to the sRGB color space so that most web content doesn't look oversaturated. However, the white balance, color temperature, and gamma are still a bit off. Unfortunately, the sRGB mode locks many settings, including the Response Time and Black Stabilizer settings, so if you want to use those settings, you'll need to use the 'Gamer 1' mode that has oversaturated colors.

9.6
Picture Quality
Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration)
Picture Mode
Gamer 1
sRGB Gamut Area xy
102.6%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
0.52
Color Temperature (Avg.)
6,475 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.18
Color dE (Avg.)
0.59
Contrast Setting
70
RGB Settings
50-48-45
Gamma Setting
Mode 2
Brightness Setting
15
Measured Brightness
101 cd/m²
ICC Profile
Download

The LG 27GN850 has remarkable accuracy after calibration. Any remaining inaccuracies with white balance and most colors can't be spotted by the naked eye. Gamma follows the target curve very well, and the color temperature is extremely close to the 6500K target.

9.6
Picture Quality
SDR Color Gamut
sRGB Coverage xy
99.8%
sRGB Picture Mode
Gamer 1
Adobe RGB Coverage xy
88.8%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Gamer 1

The SDR color gamut is incredible. It has full coverage of the sRGB color space used in most web content, and excellent coverage of the Adobe RGB color space, which is great for photo editors.

9.7
Picture Quality
SDR Color Volume
sRGB In ICtCp
97.5%
sRGB Picture Mode
Gamer 1
Adobe RGB In ICtCp
92.8%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Gamer 1

The LG 27GN850-B's color volume is fantastic. Helped by its incredible color gamut and good peak brightness, it displays colors at a wide range of luminance levels. However, it can't display deep colors due to the low contrast ratio.

8.8
Picture Quality
HDR Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
Yes
DCI-P3 Coverage xy
95.5%
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
Gamer 2
Rec. 2020 Coverage xy
70.0%
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
Gamer 2

The LG 27GN850-B has an excellent HDR color gamut. It has fantastic coverage of the commonly-used DCI-P3 color space, but it's more limited with the wider Rec. 2020 color space.

7.7
Picture Quality
HDR Color Volume
DCI-P3 In ICtCp
78.3%
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
Gamer 2
Rec. 2020 In ICtCp
62.7%
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
Gamer 2

The HDR color volume is decent. Aided by its good color gamut, it displays a wide range of colors but struggles with darker colors because it has a low contrast ratio.

7.4
Picture Quality
Reflections
Screen Finish
Matte
Total Reflections
5.2%
Indirect Reflections
2.7%
Calculated Direct Reflections
2.5%

The LG UltraGear 27GN850-B's reflection handling is decent, similar to the LG 34GN850-B. It performs well in moderately-lit rooms, but the reflections may be too distracting if there's direct sunlight on it.

7.0
Picture Quality
Text Clarity
Pixel Type
IPS
Subpixel Layout
RGB

The LG 27GN850's text clarity is decent. Enabling ClearType (top photo) helps improve the appearance of diagonal lines, such as on R, N, G, and S, but straight lines aren't as bold, as seen on the letters T and I.

9.8
Picture Quality
Gradient
Color Depth
10 Bit

The gradient handling is exceptional. There's virtually no banding with any shade.

Motion
8.3
Motion
Refresh Rate
Native Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP @ 10-bit
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI @ 10-Bit
60 Hz
Motion
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
FreeSync
Yes
G-SYNC
Compatible (NVIDIA Certified)
VRR Maximum
144 Hz
VRR Minimum
< 20 Hz
VRR Supported Connectors
DisplayPort, HDMI
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes

This monitor has native Adaptive Sync support, meaning it supports both FreeSync and is G-SYNC compatible as well. Both FreeSync and G-SYNC work over a DisplayPort connection at its full range, and over HDMI, only FreeSync works between 20-100Hz. If you prefer something with a higher 165Hz refresh rate, check out the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD.

8.8
Motion
Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Normal
Rise / Fall Time
4.2 ms
Total Response Time
7.8 ms
Overshoot Error
0.2%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
5.5 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
10.7 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
1.8%

Overdrive SettingResponse Time ChartResponse Time TablesMotion Blur Photo
OffChartTablePhoto
NormalChartTablePhoto
FastChartTablePhoto
FasterChartTablePhoto

The response time at its max refresh rate of 144Hz is excellent. The recommended overdrive setting is 'Normal' as it results in crisp motion and minimal blur with almost no overshoot. The 'Fast' and 'Faster' settings result in too much overshoot and motion blur.

8.9
Motion
Response Time @ 120Hz
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Normal
Rise / Fall Time
4.2 ms
Total Response Time
7.5 ms
Overshoot Error
0.2%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
5.4 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
9.4 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
2.4%

Overdrive SettingResponse Time ChartResponse Time TablesMotion Blur Photo
OffChartTablePhoto
NormalChartTablePhoto
FastChartTablePhoto
FasterChartTablePhoto

The response time at 120Hz remains amazing. Like at its max refresh rate, the 'Normal' overdrive setting results in the clearest motion with the least amount of overshoot.

8.1
Motion
Response Time @ 60Hz
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Normal
Rise / Fall Time
4.2 ms
Total Response Time
11.4 ms
Overshoot Error
1.4%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
5.1 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
22.0 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
8.3%

Overdrive SettingResponse Time ChartResponse Time TablesMotion Blur Photo
OffChartTablePhoto
NormalChartTablePhoto
FastChartTablePhoto
FasterChartTablePhoto

The LG 27GN850's response time at 60Hz is great. Once again, the 'Normal' overdrive setting results in a lot less overshoot than the 'Fast' and 'Faster' settings, and motion looks buttery smooth. It means that you won't have to change the overdrive setting if the frame rate of your game drops.

Motion
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
No BFI
Maximum Frequency
N/A
Minimum Frequency
N/A
Longest Pulse Width Brightness
N/A
Shortest Pulse Width Brightness
N/A
Pulse Width Control
No BFI
Pulse Phase Control
No BFI
Pulse Amplitude Control
No BFI
VRR At The Same Time
No BFI

Unfortunately, the LG UltraGear 27GN850-B doesn't have an optional black frame insertion feature to help reduce motion blur. The replacement model, the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B, has a BFI feature, but it's only available between a narrow range of refresh rates, and it can't be used at the same time as FreeSync.

10
Motion
Image Flicker
Flicker-Free
Yes
PWM Dimming Frequency
0 Hz

The LG 27GN850-B has a flicker-free backlight, which helps reduce eye strain.

Inputs
8.7
Inputs
Input Lag
Native Resolution @ Max Hz
4.5 ms
Native Resolution @ 120Hz
5.2 ms
Native Resolution @ 60Hz
14.0 ms
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
N/A

The LG 27GN850-B's input lag is incredibly low. It increases a bit at 60Hz, but it shouldn't be an issue for most people, especially if you're a casual gamer.

8.0
Inputs
Resolution And Size
Native Resolution
2560 x 1440
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Megapixels
3.7 MP
Pixel Density
109 PPI
Measured Screen Diagonal
27.0"
Screen Area
311 in²

The LG 27GN850 has a great resolution and size. There's enough space to open multiple windows side-by-side, and the 1440p resolution helps deliver crisp images.

7.0
Inputs
PS5 Compatibility
4k @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
1440p @ 120Hz
Yes
1440p @ 60Hz
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
HDR
Yes
VRR
No

The LG 27GN850-B works well with the PS5, but without HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, you can't take full advantage of it with 4k @ 120Hz signals. Luckily, it downscales 4k @ 60Hz signals, which results in a sharper image than a native 1440p signal. Also, you have to disable Adaptive Sync on the monitor for 1440p @ 120Hz to work, but since the monitor doesn't support VRR from the PS5 anyways, it's better to keep it disabled at all times.

9.2
Inputs
Xbox Series X|S Compatibility
4k @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
1440p @ 120Hz
Yes
1440p @ 60Hz
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
HDR
Yes
VRR
Yes

The LG 27GN850-B works well with the Xbox Series X, but without HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, you can't take full advantage of it with 4k @ 120Hz signals. Like with the PS5, it downscales 4k @ 60Hz signals. Sadly, you still need to disable Adaptive Sync on the monitor for 1440p @ 120Hz to work, but the VRR support works with other signals.

Inputs
Inputs Photos
Inputs
Video And Audio Ports
DisplayPort
1 (DP 1.4)
Mini DisplayPort
No
HDMI
2 (HDMI 2.0)
HDMI 2.1 Rated Speed
No HDMI 2.1
DVI
No
VGA
No
Daisy Chaining
No
3.5mm Audio Out
1
HDR10
Yes
3.5mm Audio In
No
3.5mm Microphone In
No
Inputs
USB
USB-A Ports
0
USB-A Rated Speed
No USB-A Ports
USB-B Upstream Port
No
USB-C Ports
0
USB-C Upstream
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Rated Speed
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Power Delivery
No USB-C Ports
USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
No USB-C Ports
Thunderbolt
No
Inputs
macOS Compatibility

This monitor works fine with macOS, but there are some limitations. Using a fixed 144Hz signal results in screen flickering to the point where it's unusable, so it's better to enable VRR, which you can use up to 120Hz. Luckily, there aren't any issues with the VRR support. Like many monitors that require a DisplayPort to USB-C adapter, windows return to their original position when waking up a MacBook from sleep, but not when you reopen the lid.

Features
Features
Additional Features
Speakers
No
RGB Illumination
No
Multiple Input Display
No
KVM Switch
No

The LG 27GN850-B has a few extra features, such as:

  • Crosshair: allows you to add a virtual crosshair for FPS games.
  • Black Stabilizer: Adjusts the gamma in dark games, so you can see your opponents in the shadows better.
  • Low Blue Light: Removes blue light to help reduce eye strain.

Features
On-Screen Display (OSD)