LG UltraGear 27GR38Q-B review: A 240Hz monitor for the masses

Value When Reviewed

$499.99

Greatest Costs At present: LG UltraGear 27GR83Q-B

$399.99

$499.99

LG’s midrange Ultragear gaming displays are a preferred selection, and it’s clear why. They supply good picture high quality and movement readability at an inexpensive value. Now, LG has upped the ante with the brand new UltraGear 27GR83Q-B, a 27-inch gaming monitor with 1440p decision and a 240Hz refresh charge—a giant leap from older fashions, like the favored 27GP83B-B, which had a most of 165Hz. It’s a worthy improve, although not with out competitors.

Additional studying: See our roundup of the perfect gaming displays to study competing merchandise.

LG UltraGear 27GR83Q-B: The specs

The LG Ultragear 27GR83Q-B’s most essential specs are its most blatant. It’s a 27-inch, 1440p monitor with a 240Hz refresh charge. This mix has risen as the brand new go-to customary for midrange gaming displays in 2023, changing older 27-inch, 1440p displays with a 144Hz or 165Hz refresh charge.

• Show measurement: 27-inch widescreen
• Native decision: 2560×1440
• Panel sort: IPS LED edgelit
• Refresh charge: 240Hz
• Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync
• HDR: Sure, HDR 10
• Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-B upstream, 2x USB-A downstream, 3.5mm audio jack
• Audio system: None
• Value: $499.99 MSRP, $399.99 typical retail

Importantly, the LG UltraGear 27GR83Q-B supplies official assist for each AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync. Many displays are technically able to this, nevertheless it’s unusual to see official certification for each at this value level—and it’s good to see LG take the additional step.

LG UltraGear 27GR83Q-B: Design

Matt Smith

The 27GR83Q-B is much like LG’s 27G95QE-B OLED gaming monitor. It has a skinny show connected to a large, octagon-shaped field that incorporates the monitor’s inside {hardware} and ports. The 27GR83Q-B’s panel isn’t as skinny because the OLED mannequin however nonetheless strikes a good-looking profile.

Materials high quality is nice, too, with sturdy textured plastics that really feel premium when dealt with. LG additionally ditches the garish pink aptitude of older UltraGear fashions, so the 27GR83Q-B seems to be much less out-of-place in a house workplace.

LG nonetheless opts for a wide-legged stand, nonetheless, which is a bit annoying. This design seems to be dramatic and retains the monitor steady, however consumes quite a lot of desk area. That’s dangerous information when you have a small desk. The stand adjusts for top, tilt, and pivot (however doesn’t swivel). The monitor helps 100x100mm VESA mounts, so it may be used with third-party monitor stands and arms.

LG UltraGear 27GR83Q-B: Options and menus

A pair of HDMI ports and one DisplayPort present the LG UltraGear 27GR83Q-B a complete of three video inputs. That’s a modest quantity for a monitor on this value vary. Nonetheless, LG takes the essential step of utilizing HDMI 2.1 ports, which implies all three video inputs can deal with the monitor’s full decision and refresh charge. That’s a perk not all displays on this value vary obtain. The cheaper HP Omen 27qs, for instance, sticks with HDMI 2.0.

USB connectivity is slim. The monitor has a single USB-B upstream port, which drives two USB-A 3.2 downstream ports. All ports are discovered on the again of the monitor, as properly, so including and eradicating USB gadgets is a little bit of a trouble. USB-C can be appreciated however, in LG’s protection, that’s a uncommon characteristic in gaming displays offered beneath $500.

Matt Smith

A joystick situated on the decrease lip supplies entry to the monitor’s on-screen menu system. The joystick is straightforward to make use of and responds shortly to person enter. The menu system is basic LG, with lists of choices scattered throughout a shield-like backdrop. LG’s menus are straightforward to grasp and supply a superb vary of picture high quality customization, which incorporates coloration temperature, gamma, and six-axis coloration hue and saturation adjustment. The monitor has an sRGB mode, however none of its gamma or coloration temperature changes declare to fulfill a selected goal, as an alternative utilizing imprecise phrases like “heat” and “cool.” That is customary stuff for a gaming monitor, and the general vary of adjustment is sweet, if not distinctive, for the 27GR83Q-B’s class. There are additionally a number of gaming options similar to an on-screen crosshair, a black stabilizer mode (which makes enemies in shadows simpler to see), and an FPS counter.

Audio system aren’t included within the 27GR83Q-B, which can also be true of most gaming displays. BenQ’s Mobiuz displays, such because the EX270QM, are the one possibility for players trying to cram first rate audio of their show. That monitor is a minimum of $200 costlier than the LG at present costs, nonetheless, and its picture high quality is roughly related.

How is the LG UltraGear 27GR83Q-B’s SDR picture high quality?

The LG UltraGear 27GR83Q-B is constructed for velocity greater than picture high quality, however that doesn’t imply it shouldn’t look good. Luckily, the monitor delivers good SDR gaming picture high quality total, although it has the downsides typical of most gaming displays offered beneath $500.

Matt Smith

LG will get off to a robust begin in brightness, the place the monitor delivers a most brightness of 477 nits. That’s larger than related alternate options and far more than sufficient for comfy viewing even in a well-lit room with massive, sunny home windows. The Cooler Grasp Tempest GP27Q, a funds Mini-LED monitor, is even brighter—nevertheless it’s arduous to think about a state of affairs the place the added luminance is known as for (exterior HDR, a minimum of).

Matt Smith

The distinction ratio is available in at a good measured most of 1250:1, which is in the direction of the excessive finish for an IPS gaming monitor with an LED edge-lit backlight. The 27GR83Q-B can present a convincing sense of depth in a lit room, however suffers the lack to correctly darken dim areas of the display screen. In consequence, darkish content material can look flat and washed-out. It is a flaw frequent to gaming displays on this value vary.

The Cooler Grasp Tempest GP27Q as soon as once more leaps out as a price-competitive Mini-LED various. It has a dynamic backlight consisting of 576 dimming zones that may activate and off independently, which boosts the distinction ratio. It solely has a 165Hz refresh charge, although—you win some, you lose some.

Matt Smith

Coloration gamut is one other sturdy, although not mind-blowing, outcome for the 27GR38Q-B. The monitor’s coloration gamut spans as much as 92 p.c of DCI-P3, which might’ve been moderately vast a number of years in the past, however is so-so at this time. Nonetheless, most rivals as soon as once more rating equally—or, within the case of the HP Omen 27qs and Sony InZone M3, fall behind.

The 27GR38Q-B’s coloration gamut, although not spectacular, is a nice match for gaming. Most PC video games don’t require a big coloration gamut to get pleasure from a visible expertise true to the creator’s intent. The gamut can also be vast sufficient for a lot of content material creators with much less demanding coloration wants. I wouldn’t suggest it when you’re engaged on the artwork for L’Oreal’s new advert marketing campaign, however most YouTubers, Twitch streamers, and TikTok stars gained’t see an issue.

Matt Smith

It’s an analogous story in coloration accuracy. The monitor’s out-of-box coloration accuracy may very well be higher, and it does fall behind a number of rivals together with the Dell G2724D and HP Omen 27qs. Nonetheless, the colour accuracy accessible right here is okay for PC gaming, and the variations can be troublesome to note exterior of a direct A-to-B comparability.

The LG additionally carried out properly in gamma and coloration temperature exams. It scored a gamma curve of two.2, which is our most popular goal and signifies content material shouldn’t look too vibrant or too darkish. It additionally served up a coloration temperature of 6300K which, although a bit hotter than the goal of 6500K, isn’t far off the mark.

Sharpness can also be sturdy. The monitor’s 27-inch 1440p panel packs about 109 pixels per inch. That’s a pleasant improve over a 27-inch 1080p panel, which packs simply 82 pixels per inch. The added pixel density affords a crisp font and supplies a pointy, crisp look in video games. A 4K monitor would look sharper nonetheless, in fact, but in addition place extra demand in your GPU. Only a few gaming PCs can render trendy video games at 4K and 240 frames per second, so 1440p decision is a greater match for a 240Hz monitor.

The LG Ultragear 27GR83Q-B’s total SDR picture high quality doesn’t go away the competitors within the mud, however the monitor posts sturdy outcomes throughout a variety of exams and avoids any main issues. OLED displays with 1440p decision and a 240Hz refresh charge are extra enticing, but in addition twice as costly. The 27GR83Q-B performs properly for the worth.

How is the LG UltraGear 27GR83Q-B’s HDR picture high quality?

LG helps HDR on the UltraGear 27GR83Q-B—however, as is commonly the case with cheaper displays, the expertise isn’t excellent.

The monitor achieves a most HDR brightness of 507 nits. That’s pretty respectable for a monitor in its class, however definitely far beneath the popular minimal of 1,000 nits. The dearth of brightness is an issue, because it means the 27GR83Q-B can’t show the vary of luminance essential to fulfill even the least demanding HDR content material. That, in flip, will crush out element in vibrant scenes.

Coloration gamut and distinction are issues, too. The colour gamut, whereas nice for SDR content material, is definitely restricted for HDR. Colours could look completely different when introduced in HDR, however not essentially higher. The restricted distinction, alternatively, is an issue when viewing scenes that pair small vibrant objects on an in any other case darkish scene. These highlights lack the separation and impression seen on a show with a greater distinction ratio.

All of that is typical for a sub-$500 gaming monitor—I can’t consider any which might be notably higher. Players on the lookout for good HDR on a extra cheap value ought to take into account Mini-LED displays just like the Cooler Grasp Tempest GP27Q, the Innocn 27M2V, and the RedMagic 4K Gaming Monitor.

How is the LG UltraGear 27GR83Q-B’s movement efficiency?

Matt Smith

Players are positive to be happy by the LG UltraGear 27GR83Q-B’s 240Hz refresh charge. It delivers easy, silky movement with minimal movement blur.

A refresh charge of 240Hz isn’t the best accessible at this time—that honor goes to the 500Hz Alienware AW2524H—nevertheless it’s moderately spectacular. Scrolling check pictures from League of Legends and DOTA 2 confirmed nice element in each terrain and character silhouettes. Character names and hitpoint bars have been typically readable, too, although particulars could be arduous to make out relying on the motion at hand.

The monitor’s glorious movement readability is sweetened by the 27GR83Q-B’s official assist for each AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync. In reality, most displays that deal with one customary may also deal with the opposite, however most producers don’t trouble to leap the hurdles required for official certification from each AMD and Nvidia. I’ve all the time discovered this a bit lazy, and I’m glad to see LG do the additional legwork.

Displays just like the 27GR83Q-B are shortly making 240Hz the brand new go-to customary for high-refresh PC gaming. There’s nothing flawed with 144Hz, however 240Hz is now inexpensive and supplies a beautiful enhance to movement fluidity.

Do you have to purchase the LG UltraGear 27GR83Q-B?

LG’s midrange UltraGear gaming displays have earned a popularity as a strong, no-fuss selection for players trying to purchase a superb gaming monitor that’s not ridiculously costly. The brand new UltraGear 27GR38Q-B lives as much as, and even bolsters, that popularity. It’s enticing, well-built, and supplies good picture high quality with glorious movement readability. LG’s solely drawback is the competitors: HP’s Omen 27qs, for instance, delivers related picture high quality at a decrease MSRP of $399.99. The LG is arguably the extra alluring possibility, nonetheless, a minimum of when its value is reduce to $400 (which is already taking place at some retailers).