The MSI Optix G273 is a basic, no-frills gaming monitor with a low native resolution and a fast refresh rate. It's for gamers who care more about gaming performance than overall picture quality. It doesn't support HDR and has very few additional features. It's part of MSI's G-Series gaming monitors, budget models with high refresh rates but a basic design and limited feature set. There's a smaller variant of this monitor, the MSI Optix G243, but it uses a different panel type and doesn't perform the same.
Our Verdict
The MSI G273 is an okay monitor overall. It's designed for gaming but delivers just a decent gaming experience, with low input lag and variable refresh rate (VRR) support but a relatively slow response time. It's just okay for office use, as the low native resolution makes it difficult to multitask effectively. It has great accuracy out of the box, though, and a superb SDR color gamut, so it's alright for watching videos in the dark or for media creation.
- Great peak brightness.
- Excellent low input lag.
- Terrible ergonomics.
- Low native resolution.
- Blacks look gray in a dark room.
The MSI G273 is just okay for office use. The low pixel density results in just decent text clarity, and it's hard to multitask effectively due to the limited pixel density. It performs well in bright rooms, thanks to its great peak brightness and very good reflection handling. Unfortunately, it has very few office features, as there's no built-in USB hub, and it doesn't support USB-C connectivity.
- Great peak brightness.
- Very good reflection handling.
- Terrible ergonomics.
- Low native resolution.
- Blacks look gray in a dark room.
The MSI Optix G273 is a decent gaming monitor overall. It has low input lag, and it supports both FreeSync and G-SYNC Compatible variable refresh rate technologies, ensuring a nearly tear-free gaming experience. Sadly, its pixel response times are considerably slower than most comparable monitors on the market, resulting in more noticeable blur behind fast-moving objects.
- Great peak brightness.
- Excellent low input lag.
- Fast refresh rate.
- Slower response time than most similar models.
- Low native resolution.
- Blacks look gray in a dark room.
The MSI G273 is alright for watching videos in a dark room. The low native resolution is just okay for movies, and it has a low contrast ratio, so blacks look gray in a dark room. On the other hand, it has a superb SDR color gamut and great accuracy out of the box, so it's a good choice if you're looking for accurate colors, but it doesn't support HDR.
- Great peak brightness.
- Great accuracy out of the box.
- Superb SDR color gamut.
- Low native resolution.
- Blacks look gray in a dark room.
- Doesn't support HDR.
The MSI Optix G273 is reasonable for media creation. It has great color accuracy out of the box, with a superb SDR color gamut. It also has a good horizontal viewing angle, so you can easily share your screen with someone else. On the other hand, the low native resolution makes it difficult to multitask, and it has terrible ergonomics, so it's difficult to place it in an ideal viewing position.
- Great peak brightness.
- Great accuracy out of the box.
- Superb SDR color gamut.
- Terrible ergonomics.
- Low native resolution.
- Blacks look gray in a dark room.
- Doesn't support HDR.
This monitor doesn't support HDR.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 27" MSI Optix G273, which is part of MSI's G Series of gaming monitors. There are many other models in this lineup with similar names, but they perform differently.
If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their G273 doesn't correspond to our review, let us know, and we will update the review. Note that some tests, like gray uniformity, may vary between individual units.
| Model | Size | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Panel Type |
| Optix G243 | 24" | 1080p | 165Hz | VA |
| Optix G272 | 27" | 1080p | 144Hz | IPS |
| Optix G273 | 27" | 1080p | 165Hz | IPS |
| Optix G273QF | 27" | 1440p | 165Hz | IPS |
| Optix MAG273 | 27" | 1080p | 144Hz | IPS |
Our unit was manufactured in October 2021; you can see the label here.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The MSI Optix G273 is a basic, entry-level gaming monitor that doesn't perform as well as its competitors. Even at budget prices, there are much better choices available.
See our recommendations for the best budget gaming monitors, the best 27 inch monitors, and the best 1080p monitors.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is a much better monitor than the MSI Optix G273. The MAG274QRF-QD delivers a much smoother gaming experience with a faster response time, resulting in less motion blur behind fast-moving objects. The MAG274QRF-QD also has better compatibility with consoles, as it can display a 1440p or downscaled 4k signal, so your favorite games look sharper and more detailed. Finally, the MAG274QRF-QD supports HDR, whereas the G273 is limited to SDR.
The AOC 24G2 is better than the MSI Optix G273. The AOC has a smaller screen and a lower native refresh rate, but it delivers a much cleaner gaming experience, with a significantly faster response time at any refresh rate. The AOC also has much better ergonomics, with a full range of motion on that stand that makes it much easier to place it in an ideal viewing position.
The Gigabyte G27Q is much better than the MSI Optix G273. The Gigabyte has a higher native resolution, resulting in clearer text and sharper images. The Gigabyte also has a much faster response time, resulting in clearer motion, and it supports HDR10. Finally, the Gigabyte has better ergonomics, with an excellent height adjustment, making it easier to place it in an ideal viewing position.
The ASUS TUF VG27AQ is significantly better than the MSI Optix G273. The ASUS has a higher native resolution, resulting in much better text clarity and sharper images. It also has a much better stand, so it's easier to place it in an ideal viewing position. The ASUS is also way better for gaming, as it has a much faster response time, and it supports 4k downscaling, which is great for PS5 and Xbox Series X gamers.
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.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for videos & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for videos & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
