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Many people place most emphasis, understandably, on the best CPU or graphics card that they can afford for their set-up. But to reap the benefits of these high-performance components, you’ll need the right monitor. With monitor technology becoming more affordable, this is increasingly achievable, but also confusing, with more and more choices available.
One of the most popular and sought-after size and price combinations for monitors, the 27” size monitor for a price that’s less than $300. A 27” size screen is more than suitable when fulfilling daily office work and then the same screen will do a fine job to address your entertainment needs like viewing movies or gaming.
27″ Monitor for Under $300 Comparison Table
PRODUCTFEATURESLATEST PRICE
1. ASUS Designo MX279HS 
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2. Sceptre Curved 27” 
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3. AOC CQ27G1 
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4. MSI Optix G27C2 
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5. Philips 276E8VJSB 
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6. Acer Gaming KG271 
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With a lot of models in the market, to help, we’ve selected what we consider to be the best 27” monitors for under $300 currently available. Over a number of weeks, we thoroughly road-tested each one, using them for a multitude of different tasks. We give our comments and opinions on each below, making our final verdict at the end of which is the best.
27” Monitor Under $300 Reviews and Comparisons
1. ASUS Designo MX279HS
Product Highlights
MX279HS is another beautiful looking monitor in the Designo series, for which ASUS has won awards and set a new benchmark in how monitors should look. It has a slim and lightweight design with very thin bezels and comes with an attractive, yet sturdy stand.
The frameless design of this 27” ultra-wide monitor is simply stunning. Its high-resolution display goes almost entirely to the edge. This, plus its 178-degree viewing angle, makes the ultra-widescreen size great for gaming, as well as everyday usage.
ASUS Designo MX279HS comes with ASUS TUV certified eye care Flicker-Free technology, as well as an ultra-low blue light. Multiple connectivity options, along with built-in speakers, add to the impressive usability that you’re getting with this overall winning monitor.
See Related Article: 30-inch Plus Ultrawide G-Sync Gaming Monitors
Features
- Screen Size: 27”
- Resolution: Quad HD 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Refresh Rate: 76 hertz
- Connectivity: Dual HDMI, VGA
What We Like About ASUS Designo MX279HS
We were impressed by the vibrant and colorful images it produced by its Quad HD 2560 x 1440 resolution. What’s more, the amazing visuals are further enhanced by ASUS Flicker-Free technology, for an even more comfortable viewing experience. Other TUV Rheinland certified Eye Care technology includes efficient filter minimizing and lowering blue light.
The 27” display reaches almost all the way up to the edges that give more viewing satisfaction, especially when using multiple monitor setups.
ASUS Sonic Master delivers an immersive audio experience. Dual 6W speakers and 5W subwoofer provide 2.1 channel audio, developed in collaboration with the renowned Harmon Kardon brand.
What We Don’t Like About ASUS Designo MX279HS
A common complaint and one that we agreed with are its tricky controls. The symbols for each control are etched into the metal so difficult to see. The touch controls themselves are bunched close together, very small, and highly sensitive. It is not user-intuitive when it comes to figuring out the function of each control. With the menus jumping around the screen that makes it even more difficult to control.
For all of its multiple connectivity options, it still lacks a higher bandwidth display port, and
doesn’t have a USB or Ethernet port.
ASUS Designo MX279HS does not have a VESA mount and is not easily wall-mountable. You’ll need to buy a separate adaptor to do so.
PROS
- Great looking monitor with built-in speakers
- Awesome monitor for size, quality, value, price, and style
- Beautiful display for Mac Mini
- Industry-leading 3 years limited warranty, including free two-way shipping
CONS
- Aesthetics over functionality in the design of the controls
- Bad pixels appear in the center of the screen after 8 months, not covered by warranty
- Outdated cables
2. Sceptre Curved 27”
Product Highlights
Sceptre Curved 27” is a large and curved screen display making it very easy on the eyes, in more ways than one. It’s 1080p resolution and 75Hz refresh rate provide good picture quality that’s good enough for casual gaming.
The design is a very attractive slim form factor with thin bezels, supported by a stand with a circular base, that is sturdier than appears. If anything, it looks more expensive than its modest price.
Sceptre Curved 27” offers a high-quality unit with all of these features combined in one good value monitor, which should serve you long and well.
Features
- Screen Size: 27”
- Resolution: FHD 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Refresh Rate: 76 hertz
- Connectivity: Dual HDMI, VGA
What We Like About Sceptre Curved 27”
The fast response times reduce ghosting and blurring during gaming, always keeping the characters and their environment inaccurate and sharp focus during crucial moments.
This is enhanced by its edgeless design, for a highly immersive experience and captivating action. You certainly get the full benefit of its 1080P resolution and 75Hz refresh rate.
Your eye-care is not neglected during prolonged play or productivity hours. Blue Light Shift reduces blue light, allowing you to comfortably work, watch, or game without straining your eyes.
What We Don’t Like About Sceptre Curved 27”
The in-built speakers aren’t great. The sound quality was disappointing, to say the least. You’ll want some external speakers for a better viewing or gaming experience.
Sceptre Curved 27” has the ergonomic ability to tilt. It doesn’t swivel at all. It isn’t worth the effort to try to wall mount this monitor, better to set it up on your desktop.
PROS
- A great gaming monitor for a very nice price
- Nice monitor for working from home
- The picture is really good
- Text is clear
CONS
- Despite as advertised, not really edgeless
- Only works ok in moderate ambient lighting
- Came with only an HDMI to HDMI connector which had to be replaced with a device connector
3. AOC CQ27G1
Product Highlights
AOC CQ27G1 is an outstanding monitor. Its attractive design and sturdy build are easy to set up. Once you’ve done so, the picture quality is superb, with the text adequate, making it a great choice for pleasure, but also ok for light home office work.
It offers superior performance with a number of standout features, including a high resolution, low response time, high refresh rate, and a curved frameless design.
AOC CQ27G1 is equipped with a high-resolution full HD display, giving immersive image quality, and responsive gameplay. You’ll get punchier colors and faster response time. Along with its sleek design and with a number of sought-after features, this monitor is a beast when it comes to budget options.
Features
- Screen Size: 27”
- Resolution: QHD 2K Wide 2560 x 1440 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Refresh Rate: 144 hertz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Connectivity: Dual HDMI, Display Port
What We Like About AOC CQ27G1
This 1800R curved monitor with QHD 2K 2560×1440 resolution has an incredibly rapid 1ms response time and 144Hz refresh rate. It’s clearly designed and built to deliver an immersive
gaming experience.
AMD Free Sync provides for even smoother competitive gameplay, that’s kinder too on your eyes. Its 3-sided frameless design with ultra-narrow borders goes edge-to-edge and makes for the ultimate multi-monitor setup.
AOC CQ27G1 doesn’t sacrifice comfort or ergonomics either. You can choose between its height-adjustable stand, VESA compatible wall mount.
What We Don’t Like About AOC CQ27G1
We found a few issues that could be improved. While the preset OSD settings are great for gaming, their user-friendliness isn’t. Lacking a joystick, the hotkeys are awkwardly placed beneath the bottom of the screen and aren’t illuminated, so making adjustments is a little difficult.
Also, there are no built-in speakers.
AOC CQ27G1 showed signs of moderate ghosting in fast-paced games. And we found it just not particularly suitable for text-intensive working. As much as it’s an excellent gamer.
See Related Topic: Budget FreeSync Monitors Under $200
PROS
- Awesome gaming monitor for the price
- A nice budget 144 HZ display
- Great performance, build and picture quality
- Excellent contrast ratio from its VA panels
CONS
- It needs some configuring and calibration to get the best performance
- Non-uniform brightness reported by purchasers who needed more than one bought
- No USB connections
4. MSI Optix G27C2
Product Highlights
MSI Optix G27C2 has a stunning 1800R curve panel design for more immersive viewing. Add a 144 Hz refresh rate for seamless anti-ghosting, with AMD Radeon FreeSync technology, and an ultra-rapid 1ms response time and your gaming experience is taken to a higher level.
What also includes this model on our list is its VA Vertical Alignment panel by top manufacturer Samsung, 300 cd/m² brightness rating and 3000:1 static contrast ratio. With specs like that, it’s among the contenders to be considered THE best.
MSI Optix G27C2 has good connectivity options with HDMI, Display, and DVI ports.
Features
- Screen Size: 27”
- Resolution: FHD 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Refresh Rate: 144 hertz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI
What We Like About MSI Optix G27C2
It’s not just the hardware of the screen itself, where it impresses, also its integrated software.
AMD free sync Adaptive AMD free sync technology matches the refresh rate of your PC’s GPU to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering to deliver ultra-smooth, lag-free visuals. And MSI Gaming OSD gives you in-game assistance and on-screen customizations
The color gamut is 20% wider than the average gaming monitors, for more vivid, realistic visuals at 250 cd/m2 brightness.
MSI Optix G27C2 even has the latest eye-care technology; anti-flicker reduces the display flicker rate and works together with the blue light reduction to help combat eye-strain and fatigue.
What We Don’t Like About MSI Optix G27C2
To reach a 144Hz refresh rate, you should use the DisplayPort connection, as the HDMI port can only handle up to 120Hz. So, something to consider when thinking about your PC’s compatibility.
Also inconvenient is the lack of any height adjustment. And for VESA wall-mounting, you’ll require, and need to purchase separately, the special MSI wall mount adaptor.
MSI Optix G27C2 is by no means alone on this list and is seemingly placing form over function. But it’s worth mentioning that its adjustment buttons are also inconveniently placed, hidden underneath the monitor.
PROS
- Simply amazing and easily customizable
- Wonderful monitor for the price!
- The contrast and viewing angles are near IPS standard
- Having 1ms monitor response as well as a VA panel, it outperforms both IPS (slower) and TN (less vivid picture quality/ viewing angles)
CONS
- With 1920 x 1080 resolution, at 27″ the pixels are a bit more noticeable than a 24″
- A little backlight light bleed on the panel
- The inconvenience of a stand that is not fully adjustable
5. Philips 276E8VJSB
Product Highlights
Philips 276E8VJSB is a high-quality model from a reliable and trusted brand. It has an almost bezel-less sleek minimalist design, but unlike some of the others on this list, one that’s also easy to control.
It has the built-in AMD FreeSync technology that is so important to 4K gaming, but its functionality stretches beyond that. It is also a suitable office monitor because of its clear and vivid texts and images.
Philips 276E8VJSB comes equipped with flicker-free eye protection technology, versatile connectivity options, and an extended 4-year warranty coverage. It can seriously be considered one of the best 27” monitors for under $300.
Features
- Screen Size: 27”
- Resolution: 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Refresh Rate: 60 hertz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Connectivity: Dual HDMI, DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI Audio Output
What We Like About Philips 276E8VJSB
The ultra-clear picture quality and wide-view of this 4K UHD monitor delivers the same clarity and sharp visuals that can be seen from any front angle view.
Its color reproduction is life-like, thanks to the 10-bit (8-bit + FRC) display. With 1.074 billion colors and 12-bit internal processing, you get rich color depth. Flicker-free reduces eye fatigue after long use.
Philips 276E8VJSB has ultra-narrow borders for minimal distractions and maximum viewing size. It’s especially suited to a multi-display setup.
What We Don’t Like About Philips 276E8VJSB
We found it very easy to set up on a desktop, but more difficult wall mount as the mounting plates awkwardly sit on top of the HDMI ports. This is especially unfortunate given it has limited ergonomic flexibility.
They also report that you might have to tweak its settings a bit to get the desired results
Philips 276E8VJSB has fantastic performance, but at 5ms its refresh rate sometimes lets it down. Also, to unlock that optimal performance requires quite a bit of tweaking.
PROS
- 4K resolution, IPS, and 10-bit color, from a reputable company for less than $300!
- The top and side bezels of the monitor are super thin, but with a sturdy metal base
- There is no apparent flicker and the Low Blue Light setting gives a very normal brightness
- Correctly set the settings and the colors will jump out as promised!
CONS
- Problems getting the output to display when awakening from sleep mode or monitor power save mode
- No built-in speakers
- Lack of VESA compatibility
6. Acer Gaming KG271
Product Highlights
Acer Gaming KG271 is an affordable option for gamers, who simply need high-speed, but don’t require wide viewing angles and other TN-inherent features.
However, it doesn’t mean that the 144 Hz refresh rate is the only upside of this model. The monitor offers high brightness uniformity, true-to-life colors, and Full HD resolution.
If you’re all about fast-paced gaming and have a limited budget, Acer Gaming KG271 might be the one for you.
Features
- Screen Size: 27”
- Resolution: FHD1920 x 1080 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Refresh Rate: 144 hertz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI
What We Like About Acer Gaming KG271
It may be largely all about the speed with its 144 Hx refresh and 1ms response rates, but you’re still getting a 27” Full HD Widescreen TN Display with AMD FreeSync Technology.
It’s also a good screen for graphics and photo-editing work.
Acer Gaming KG271 also comes with Acer VisionCare Technologies, and 2 speakers of 2 watts per speaker.
What We Don’t Like About Acer Gaming KG271
While WQHD panels can handle the most powerful graphics cards, Acer KG271 can’t.
We found some flickering issues, which despite trying different solutions, we couldn’t solve.
Some previous owners have noted reliability and longevity issues.
PROS
- Great monitor for the casual gamer
- Wonderful for eye and headache issues
- Amazing for the price
CONS
- Some quality control issues
- Questionable build quality
Final Verdict
We tested and compared what we consider to be the top 27” monitors for under $300 currently available in the market.
We considered all factors to come up with what we believe to be the best all-round solution according to the important criteria, and a wide variety of needs.
Over a number of weeks we thoroughly road-tested each one, using them for a multitude of different tasks, at the end of which, our final verdict for the 27” monitor is ASUS Designo MX279HS.