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Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A Review

True Score

69
68
2

Experts

72
4,111

Consumers

Expert Rankings

Top critics praised the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A monitor’s 170 Hz IPS panel for almost all use cases. In addition, they found its peak brightness adequate for a decent HDR viewing experience, which is rare in its range. However, they did not like its out of the box color accuracy.

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Product Snapshot

Overview

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A is a mid-range monitor that was first released in 2020. Similar to some of the highest-rated computer monitors in its range, this model features a 27-inch 1440P IPS high refresh rate panel that can reach up to 170 Hz. In addition, the brand claims that, just like the best gaming monitors in the industry, it supports both NVIDIA’s G-SYNC and AMD’s FreeSync technologies for VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). Similar to their own ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ gaming monitor, it also supports HDR 10 right out of the box. The brand also promises to deliver superb ergonomics with its included stand, as it features height, tilt, and swivel adjustments.

Consensus

our Verdict

Our group of vetted experts almost universally loved the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A monitor for nearly all use cases. Editors at RTings.com had high praises for its 170 Hz IPS screen, as it performed admirably in their tests while playing fast-paced games, even when compared to the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27WQ1B monitor. And unlike the ASUS ROG Swift 360Hz PG259QN gaming monitor, they were able to measure a peak brightness of 478 nits in HDR during their tests.

Unlike the Corsair XENEON 32QHD165, despite measuring its color gamut coverage at 98.8% (sRGB), expert reviewers from MonitorNerds.com weren’t very happy with its out-of-the-box color accuracy.

Reason to Buy

  • Supremely high 170 Hz panel refresh rate
  • Extremely low response time and input lag
  • Support for wide color gamut
  • Exceptionally wide viewing angles
  • Support for AMD’s FreeSync and NVIDIA’s G-SYNC technology for VRR

Reason to Avoid

  • Poor contrast ratio
  • Lackluster black levels and uniformity
  • Local dimming doesn’t work very well
  • Limited to only HDMI 2.0
  • Color accuracy isn’t good out of the box

Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A Specs

Display TypeLED
HDMI Inputs2
HDR FormatYes
Max Resolution2560 x 1440
Panel TypePanel TypeIPS
Refresh Rate170 Hz
Response TimeResponse Time1 ms
Screen size27"
Sync TechnologySync TechnologyAdaptive Sync

All Specs

Test Results

Brightness (nits)318
Contrast Ratio (as ratio, x:1)1,016
Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 uv)95
Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 xy)0
Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB Coverage xy)84.9
Color Gamut % (sRGB Coverage xy)98.8
Color Gamut % (Rec. 2020 Coverage xy)69.7
Color Gamut % (Rec. 709 Coverage xy)0
Input Lag (ms)8.6
Response Time (ms)6.9
Reflections % (Total Reflections)5.4
Horizontal Viewing Angle (Washout Left)47
Horizontal Viewing Angle (Washout Right)45
Vertical Viewing Angle (Washout Above)28
Vertical Viewing Angle (Washout Below)31

All Tests

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Product Comparison

Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A Review

Asus Tuf VG27AQ Review

Asus Tuf VG27AQ Review

True Score

69
NR
NR
NR
NR

Ranking

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162

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196

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196

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Market Context

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A is a mid-range monitor that was first released in 2020. Similar to some of the highest-rated computer monitors in its…

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A is a mid-range monitor that was first released in 2020. Similar to some of the highest-rated computer monitors in its range, this model features a 27-inch 1440P IPS high refresh rate panel that can reach up to 170 Hz. In addition, the brand claims that, just like the best gaming monitors in the industry, it supports both NVIDIA’s G-SYNC and AMD’s FreeSync technologies for VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). Similar to their own ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ gaming monitor, it also supports HDR 10 right out of the box. The brand also promises to deliver superb ergonomics with its included stand, as it features height, tilt, and swivel adjustments.

Both the ASUS TUF VG27AQ (older model, released in 2019) and the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A (the monitor on this review, released in 2020) perform…

Both the ASUS TUF VG27AQ (older model, released in 2019) and the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A (the monitor on this review, released in 2020) perform very similarly in almost all regards. However, the newer model does beat the ASUS TUF VG27AQ when it comes to peak brightness in HDR, as its screen can reach up to 478 nits compared to the VG27AQ’s 329 nits. The newer model also has a slightly better response time of 27.1 ms in 60 Hz against the older model’s 32.1 ms, which is helpful for console-based gamers, as neither of these monitors can deliver 120 Hz over HDMI.

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A (the monitor on this review) beats the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A in terms of peak brightness, as the former model…

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A (the monitor on this review) beats the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A in terms of peak brightness, as the former model can hit up to 478 nits compared to the VG27AQ1A’s 250 nits. The VG27AQ1A also does not feature any dedicated USB hub with a USB Type B uplink for accessories, but the VG27AQL1A does.

Despite featuring a slightly slower screen refresh rate of 165 Hz, the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD gaming monitor easily beats the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A in…

Despite featuring a slightly slower screen refresh rate of 165 Hz, the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD gaming monitor easily beats the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A in terms of response time, as its panel responds to input within just 6.9 ms against ASUS’ 10.1 ms, resulting in smoother and clearer motion in fast-paced content. It also surpasses ASUS’ model in HDR, thanks to its excellent quantum dot layer.

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A’s 170 Hz screen effortlessly beats the LG 27GL850-B gaming monitor’s 144 Hz panel when it comes to gaming. ASUS’ model…

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A’s 170 Hz screen effortlessly beats the LG 27GL850-B gaming monitor’s 144 Hz panel when it comes to gaming. ASUS’ model also comes with a BFI (Black Frame Insertion) feature that LG’s display lacks, and it sports a much brighter panel that can reach up to 478 nits of peak brightness in a 50% window against LG’s meager 363 nits while playing back HDR media.

Display Type

LED

HDMI Inputs

2

HDR Format

Yes

Max Resolution

2560 x 1440

Panel Type

IPS

Refresh Rate

170 Hz

Response Time

1 ms

Screen size

27"

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

68

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

72

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

69

Any product with a True Score above 80 is a Absolutely Fresh

Expert Score Breakdown

  • Rtings
    103.4

    Category Trust Score

    By:

    Alexander Tozzi
  • Rtings
    103.4

    Category Trust Score

    By:

    Alexander Tozzi

Customer Score Breakdown

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