The MSI Optix MAG273R is a good IPS monitor with a 27 inch, 1080p screen. The relatively low pixel density isn't great for multitasking or desktop work, but this monitor mainly targets esports players, with a high refresh rate, low input lag, and great response time. It also supports AMD's FreeSync variable refresh rate technology, which helps to reduce screen tearing while gaming. This monitor can get bright enough for most rooms, and it has good reflection handling, so glare shouldn't be an issue. Unfortunately, although the stand has a great height adjustment range and great tilt range, it can't swivel and can't rotate to a portrait orientation. Also, like all IPS monitors, it has a low contrast ratio, so it's not a great choice for a dark room.
Our Verdict
The MSI MAG273R is a good monitor for most uses, but due to the low pixel density, it's not ideal for multitasking or office work. It has low input lag and a great response time, making it a great choice for gaming. It has wide viewing angles, good reflection handling, and good peak brightness, so it looks good in most rooms. Although this monitor supports HDR, it has a low contrast ratio and small highlights can't get very bright, so HDR doesn't add much.
- Image remains accurate at an angle.
- Low input lag.
- Outstanding gradients.
- 1080p resolution isn't ideal at this size.
- Low contrast ratio.
The MSI MAG273R is a good monitor for office use. It has decent horizontal viewing angles, great height and tilt adjustment, good reflection handling, and good peak brightness. Unfortunately, the 1080p resolution isn't great for multitasking, and it has a low contrast ratio, so it's not a good choice if you often work in a dark room.
- Image remains accurate at an angle.
- Low input lag.
- Outstanding gradients.
- 1080p resolution isn't ideal at this size.
- Low contrast ratio.
The MSI Optix MAG273R is a great gaming monitor. It has exceptionally low input lag, a fast refresh rate, and a great response time at the max refresh rate. It also supports FreeSync variable refresh rate technology. Unfortunately, it's not as good for console gaming, as the 60Hz response time is just okay, and it's not ideal for late-night gaming due to the low contrast ratio.
- Image remains accurate at an angle.
- Low input lag.
- Outstanding gradients.
- 1080p resolution isn't ideal at this size.
- Low contrast ratio.
The MSI Optix MAG273R is a good monitor for multimedia. The large screen and wide viewing angles are great for watching videos with a few people. It has good reflection handling and good peak brightness, so glare shouldn't be an issue in most rooms. On the other hand, it has a low contrast ratio, so it's not a good choice if you like watching videos at night.
- Image remains accurate at an angle.
- Low input lag.
- Outstanding gradients.
- 1080p resolution isn't ideal at this size.
- Low contrast ratio.
The MSI Optix MAG273R is a good monitor for media creation. It has wide viewing angles, excellent gray uniformity, good reflection handling, and excellent gradient handling. It also has an outstanding SDR color gamut, with great coverage of the Adobe RGB color space. Although the stand has a great height and tilt adjustment, it doesn't swivel, so it might not be the best if you often have to turn your monitor to share your screen.
- Image remains accurate at an angle.
- Low input lag.
- Outstanding gradients.
- 1080p resolution isn't ideal at this size.
- Low contrast ratio.
This is a decent monitor for HDR Gaming, mainly due to its great performance as a gaming monitor. Like most IPS monitors, the MSI Optix MAG273R has a low contrast ratio, and it doesn't have a local dimming feature. It also can't get very bright in HDR, so small highlights don't stand out as much as they should. Overall, HDR just doesn't add much.
- Image remains accurate at an angle.
- Low input lag.
- Outstanding gradients.
- 1080p resolution isn't ideal at this size.
- Low contrast ratio.
- Can't get very bright in HDR.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 27" MSI Optix MAG273R, which is part of MSI's Optix MAG Series of gaming monitors that has other models available, some of which are listed below. We don't expect our review to be valid for the other models.
If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their MAG273R doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review. Note that some tests such as gray uniformity may vary between individual units.
| Model | Size | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Notes |
| Optix MAG273R | 27" | 1080p | 144Hz | Tilt & Height Adjustment |
| Optix MAG273 | 27" | 1080p | 144Hz | Tilt only |
| Optix MAG271CQR | 27" | 1440p | 144Hz | VA Panel |
The manufacturing date of our unit isn't indicated, but you can see the label here.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The MSI Optix MAG273R is a great budget gaming monitor, but it probably won't please more demanding gamers. See our recommendations for the best budget gaming monitors, the best 27 inch monitors, and the best 1080p monitors.
The LG 27GL650F-B and the MSI Optix MAG273R are very similar overall. The LG has slightly better ergonomics and better horizontal viewing angles, and it has much better accuracy out of the box. The MSI that we tested has better black uniformity, but this varies between units, so it might not be an actual difference.
The MSI Optix MAG273R has better ergonomics than the Acer Nitro VG271 Pbmiipx, but if that's not important to you, the Acer has slightly better picture quality and better motion handling. The Acer is brighter, it has a much better response time when gaming at 60Hz, and it's more accurate out of the box.
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.
The MSI Optix MAG271CQR and the MSI Optix MAG273R use different panel technologies, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The MAG271CQR has a much better contrast ratio, and a higher resolution screen, making it a better choice overall for office use or if you're in a dark room. On the other hand, the MAG273R has wider viewing angles, much better gradient handling, and it supports HDR, although this doesn't add much.
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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