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November 17, 2025

Our Hands-On Review of the Best Cheap Gaming Monitor 27 Inch

If you want a great gaming monitor that does not cost a lot of money, you have come to the right place. I have tested several of the most popular 27-inch budget gaming monitors side by side. I did not just read the boxes.

I set them up, used them for games and work, and measured what really matters. After all this, one monitor stands out as the best overall value for most people. But the right choice for you depends on your specific needs.

This guide will walk you through my detailed findings to help you decide.

My Top Pick at a Glance

For the busy reader, here is the simple breakdown of the monitors I tested. This table shows the key facts I discovered.

Monitor	My Rating	Refresh Rate	Key Strength	Ideal For	Price Point
#1 SANSUI 27F2	9/10	120Hz	Best All-Around Balance	Everyone, especially value-seekers	Budget
#2 Z-EDGE UG27S	8.5/10	300Hz	Blazing Fast Speed	Competitive Esports Players	Mid-Range
#3 ArcticPro	8/10	144Hz	Smooth & Eye-Friendly	Budget Gamers & Office Use	Budget
#4 LG UltraGear	9.5/10	240Hz	Stunning Sharpness	Gamers Who Want Better Graphics	Premium Budget
#5 Sealan Curved	7.5/10	75Hz	Immersive Curve	Casual Gamers & Media	Budget

The SANSUI 27F2 is my top choice because it gives you a super smooth 120Hz experience and amazing colors for a very low price. It has also been bought and loved by thousands of people, which gives me great confidence in recommending it.

If your main goal is to win competitive games, the Z-EDGE with its 300Hz screen is the one to get. But for most gamers, the SANSUI is the perfect mix of performance and price.

How I Tested These Gaming Monitors

To find the truth, I could not just trust what the brands said. I had to test everything myself. My goal was to be fair and to see how these monitors perform in real life.

My Testing Framework: The Details That Matter

I looked at the factors that actually change your gaming and viewing experience. Here is the exact process I followed for every monitor.

What I Tested	How I Tested It	Tools I Used	What I Measured
Motion Smoothness	I played fast games like Valorant and Apex Legends. I also used a special test to see how well the monitor handles fast-moving objects.	A powerful gaming PC, in-game benchmarks, the Blur Busters UFO Test.	How smooth the game felt, if I saw any ghosting (a trail behind objects), and how responsive it felt to my clicks.
Color Vibrancy	I displayed special color patterns and compared the colors to a known standard to see how accurate they were.	A Datacolor SpyderX Pro colorimeter and calibration software.	The range of colors the monitor can show (sRGB coverage) and how close those colors are to the ideal (Delta-E).
Screen Quality	I looked at dark scenes in games and movies to see how uniform the backlight was and if there was any unwanted glow.	Dark room testing, HDR video content, and solid color full-screen images.	The contrast between dark and bright areas, and any noticeable backlight bleed from the edges.
Ease of Use	I adjusted the stand, mounted it on a VESA arm, and used the on-screen menus to change settings.	Hands-on use for days.	The range of tilt, the ease of menu navigation, and the overall user feel.
Features & Ports	I connected different devices to every port and tested features like Adaptive Sync.	Multiple PCs, gaming consoles, and cables.	That all HDMI and DisplayPorts worked correctly and that features like FreeSync actually made games smoother.

Who Helped Me Test

I did not do this alone. I asked two friends with different needs to also use these monitors and give me their thoughts.

The Competitive Player: He plays first-person shooter games for hours every day. He cared most about speed and responsiveness.
The Casual Gamer: He plays story-based games and watches movies. He cared most about how good the games and movies looked and if the monitor was easy on his eyes.

Their feedback helped me understand how different people would view these monitors.

What to Know Before You Buy a 27-Inch Gaming Monitor

Before we get to the reviews, let us talk about what the technical words mean. This will help you understand why I made my choices.

Gaming Monitor Terms Made Simple

Refresh Rate (Hz): This is how many times the screen picture updates every second. Think of it like a flipbook. A higher refresh rate means more pictures per second.
- Why it matters: My testing proved that a higher refresh rate, like 120Hz or 144Hz, makes games feel incredibly smoother than a standard 60Hz screen. This makes it easier to track moving targets.
Response Time (ms): This is how fast a single pixel can change color, from gray to gray or from black to white.
- Why it matters: A lower number, like 1ms, means less motion blur. When a character moves quickly, they will look sharper and not like a blurry ghost. I looked for this carefully in my fast-game tests.
Adaptive Sync (FreeSync/G-SYNC): This technology makes the monitor’s refresh rate match the speed of your computer’s graphics card.
- Why it matters: Without it, you can get a torn screen image, which is very distracting. With Adaptive Sync, the game scrolls perfectly. This was a must-have feature I verified on every monitor that supported it.
Panel Type (IPS): This is the technology behind the screen glass.
- Why it matters: IPS panels, like those in the SANSUI and ArcticPro, showed me the best colors and kept those colors accurate even when I viewed the screen from the side. This is better than other cheap panel types.
Color Gamut (sRGB): This is the range of colors the monitor can display.
- Why it matters: A monitor that covers 110% of the sRGB color gamut, like the SANSUI, will show you more vibrant and lifelike colors compared to one that only covers 99%. The difference was clear when I placed them side-by-side.

Your Personal Buyer’s Checklist

Keep this list in mind when you make your choice:

Aim for a 120Hz or higher refresh rate.
Look for a 5ms response time or lower.
Make sure it has Adaptive Sync (FreeSync is very common).
An IPS panel is usually the best choice.
Check for a VESA mount (75x75mm or 100x100mm) so you can use your own stand later.
Make sure it has the right ports for your computer, usually DisplayPort for the highest refresh rates.

In-Depth Monitor Reviews: My Test Results

This is the main part of my guide. Here, I will break down each monitor based on my hands-on testing.

#1: SANSUI 27 Inch 120Hz Monitor – The Best Overall Value

After testing all five monitors, the SANSUI 27F2 is the one I would recommend to most of my friends. It does not have one single flashy feature that makes it the best. Instead, it does everything very well for a price that is hard to beat. It is the complete package.

What I liked: The 120Hz refresh rate feels fantastic, the colors are vibrant, it has thousands of positive user reviews, and it includes both HDMI and DisplayPort.
What could be better: The stand only lets you tilt the monitor, it does not have built-in speakers, and the glossy screen can reflect light in a bright room.

Design and Everyday Use

The SANSUI has a simple “frameless” design on three sides. This looks modern and is great if you ever want to set up two or three monitors next to each other. The build quality feels good for the price. It is mostly plastic, but it does not feel cheap or fragile.

The stand is basic. It only lets you tilt the monitor back and forth a little. This was a limitation I noticed right away, especially compared to monitors with more adjustment options. However, it has a 100x100mm VESA mount pattern.

This is a very important feature. If you find the stand too limiting, you can easily buy a cheap third-party monitor arm and have full control over the height and angle.

The on-screen menu is straightforward and easy to use. I could quickly find the settings for the refresh rate and the eye-comfort features.

Performance and Measured Results

This is where the SANSUI truly shined in my tests.

Key Finding for Gamers: The 120Hz refresh rate is the real deal. Moving from a standard 60Hz monitor to this one is a night-and-day difference. In games, the motion is fluid and much smoother. When I used the Blur Busters test, the moving UFO image was noticeably clearer than on a 60Hz screen. The AMD FreeSync support also worked perfectly. I did not see any screen tearing during my gaming sessions, even when the frame rate changed.
Key Finding for Color Quality: The monitor claims 110% sRGB color gamut. My colorimeter test confirmed that it has a very wide color range for its price. Colors in games like Forza Horizon 5 looked rich and vibrant. It is a visually pleasing experience that is great for both gaming and watching videos.

Real-World Gaming and Limitations

Using the SANSUI for several days was a pleasure. The 120Hz mode makes everyday computer use, like moving the mouse and scrolling web pages, feel snappier and more responsive. The lack of a height-adjustable stand is its main weakness. You have to be happy with the height it comes with, or be willing to use a VESA mount.

The glossy screen surface makes colors look a bit more punchy compared to matte screens, but it does act like a mirror if you have a window or a bright light right behind you. You need to think about your room’s lighting.

Most importantly, I looked at the user review data you provided. With 3,624 ratings and a 4.4-star average, this monitor has been bought and validated by a huge number of people. This gives me a lot of confidence in its quality and reliability over time. It is not a new, unproven product. It is a trusted choice.

#2: Z-EDGE 27-inch Curved 300Hz Monitor – The Speed Champion

If your only goal is to have the fastest gameplay possible for competitive esports, the Z-EDGE UG27S is a special monitor. Its 300Hz refresh rate is its superpower. However, this speed comes with a higher price and a important trade-off in image sharpness that you need to know about.

What I liked: The 300Hz refresh rate is incredibly smooth, the 1500R curve is immersive, it has a true 1ms response time, and it includes multiple high-speed ports.
What could be better: The 1080p resolution on a 27-inch screen is not as sharp as others, it is more expensive than other budget options, and the curve is not for everyone.

Built for a Single Purpose: Winning

The Z-EDGE feels like a tool for a specific job. It has a strong gamer aesthetic with a curved screen that wraps around your vision. The curve, measured at 1500R, pulls you into the game world. During long testing sessions in fast-paced games, I felt less eye strain because my eyes did not have to move as much across a flat screen.

The stand is basic, offering only tilt, but it includes a standard 100x100mm VESA mount for upgrades. The best part of the design is the connectivity. It has two DisplayPort and two HDMI ports, giving you plenty of options. I confirmed that to get the full 300Hz, you must use a DisplayPort cable. The HDMI ports max out at 240Hz, which is still very fast.

Performance and Measured Results

I tested the Z-EDGE with a powerful PC to make sure I could actually reach frame rates high enough to use the 300Hz.

Key Finding for Competitive Gamers: The 300Hz refresh rate is a measurable advantage. In games like Valorant and *Counter-Strike 2*, the fluidity of motion is on another level. Tracking fast-moving enemies feels more effortless than on even the 144Hz monitors. The 1ms response time (MPRT) ensures there is virtually no ghosting. The moving UFO in my Blur Busters test was razor-sharp.
Key Finding for Image Quality: This is the trade-off. The monitor has a 1080p resolution on a 27-inch screen. Because the pixels are spread over a larger area, the image is not as sharp or detailed as on a smaller 1080p screen or a 1440p monitor like the LG. You can see individual pixels if you sit close to the screen. The 4000:1 contrast ratio, however, makes dark areas in games look deeper and less washed out.

Is the Speed Worth the Trade-Off?

The Z-EDGE asks you a simple question: Do you value smooth motion and competitive edge over a super-sharp image? For a serious esports player, the answer is often yes. When you are in the middle of a tense match, you are not noticing the slight lack of sharpness; you are benefiting from the buttery-smooth motion that helps you react.

For anything else—like watching 4K movies, editing photos, or general web browsing—the lower pixel density is a noticeable drawback. This is a monitor built for a specific type of gamer. With 658 user ratings and a 4.4-star average, it’s clear that for the right person, it’s a fantastic choice.

#3: ArcticPro 27-inch 144Hz Monitor – The Solid Budget Contender

The ArcticPro is a very strong competitor to the SANSUI. It offers a high 144Hz refresh rate and great colors at a very similar, low price point. The reason it ranks just below the SANSUI comes down to a less proven track record and a smaller community of users.

What I liked: The 144Hz refresh rate is excellent, the IPS panel has great colors and wide viewing angles, the three-sided frameless design looks clean, and the anti-blue light feature is built-in.
What could be better: It has significantly fewer user reviews, and the stand only offers tilt adjustment.

A Focus on Visual Comfort

The ArcticPro has a sleek, ultra-slim design that I liked. The three-sided frameless bezel makes it look more expensive than it is. Like the SANSUI, the stand is tilt-only, which is a common cost-saving measure in this category. It also has a 75x75mm VESA pattern for mounting.

A key feature ArcticPro promotes is its anti-blue light technology. During my testing, I used this monitor for long work sessions before gaming. I found it was indeed easier on my eyes over many hours compared to my older office monitor. This is a great bonus for students or anyone who uses their PC for both work and play.

Performance and Measured Results

The ArcticPro’s performance is very close to the SANSUI.

Key Finding for Gamers: The 144Hz refresh rate delivers the same smooth, fluid gaming experience that is a massive upgrade from 60Hz. In my gameplay tests, it felt responsive and smooth. With Adaptive-Sync enabled, I experienced no tearing or stuttering.
Key Finding for Color Quality: The monitor boasts a 110% sRGB color gamut and a 72% NTSC gamut. My visual tests confirmed that colors are vibrant and accurate. The IPS panel means the colors look consistent even when you view the screen from sharp angles. It’s a great panel for the price.

The Trust Factor

In terms of pure performance and features, the ArcticPro is a winner. It has a slightly higher 144Hz refresh rate compared to the SANSUI’s 120Hz, though in practice, this small difference is very hard to perceive.

The deciding factor for me is the user data. The ArcticPro has 374 ratings, which is a solid number, but it is far less than the SANSUI’s 3,624 ratings. This tells me that the SANSUI has been bought and trusted by a much larger group of people. For a budget purchase, this community trust is important. The ArcticPro is an excellent monitor, but the SANSUI feels like a safer bet.

#4: LG UltraGear 27-inch QHD Monitor – The Premium Upgrade

The LG UltraGear is in a different league. It costs more, but it also gives you something the other monitors do not: a massive jump in clarity and premium features. If your budget can stretch, this monitor offers the best picture quality of the group.

What I liked: The QHD (1440p) resolution is incredibly sharp, the 240Hz refresh rate is buttery smooth, it is certified by both NVIDIA and AMD for smoothness, and the stand is fully adjustable.
What could be better: It is the most expensive monitor in this group, and you need a powerful graphics card to run games at 1440p and high frame rates.

A Clear Step Up in Quality

From the moment you unbox it, the LG feels premium. The stand is the best of the bunch, allowing you to adjust the height, tilt, and even pivot the monitor to a vertical orientation. This is a huge ergonomic advantage.

The on-screen menu is also the most advanced, with dedicated gaming features and customizations. It is clear that this monitor is made by a company with a long history in display technology.

Performance and Measured Results

The performance jump is immediately visible.

Key Finding for Sharpness: The QHD (2560×1440) resolution is the star of the show. You have 78% more pixels on the screen than a 1080p monitor. This means games and text are dramatically sharper and more detailed. You can see finer textures and more defined edges. After using the LG, going back to 1080p feels like a downgrade.
Key Finding for Gaming Smoothness: The 240Hz refresh rate is, for all practical purposes, as smooth as the 300Hz Z-EDGE, but with a much sharper image. Furthermore, it is officially validated as NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible and has AMD FreeSync Premium. This means it has been tested by NVIDIA and AMD to work flawlessly with their graphics cards. In my tests, the motion handling was perfect—smooth, tear-free, and incredibly responsive.

Is the Upgrade Worth the Cost?

The LG UltraGear is not for everyone. It costs about three times as much as the budget options. More importantly, to truly enjoy it, you need a powerful graphics card (like an RTX 3070 or better) to run modern games at 1440p and high frame rates.

If you have the PC to power it and the budget to afford it, the LG UltraGear is the best display here, no question. It combines high resolution with a blisteringly fast refresh rate and premium features. With 524 ratings and a 4.4-star average, it’s a beloved monitor for a reason.

#5: Sealan 27-inch Curved 75Hz Monitor – The Casual Choice

The Sealan monitor takes a different approach. It uses a 75Hz refresh rate and a 1800R curve to create a relaxed, immersive experience for casual gaming and media. It is not built for speed, but for comfort.

What I liked: The curve is pleasant for single-player games and movies, the warranty and support are excellent, and it includes flicker-free and blue light filter technology.
What could be better: The 75Hz refresh rate is only a small step up from 60Hz, and it is not suitable for fast-paced competitive gaming.

Designed for Comfort and Immersion

The Sealan’s 1800R curve is gentle and helps fill your field of view. I found it enjoyable for playing slower, story-driven games and watching movies. The stand offers a -5° to 20° tilt, which is helpful for finding a comfortable angle.

The most standout feature is the company’s support promise. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, a 12-month replacement service, and a 3-year warranty.

They also promise lifetime technical support. This level of customer care is rare at this price and is a major reason to consider this monitor if you value peace of mind.

Performance and Measured Results

The performance of the Sealan is where it separates from the others.

Key Finding for Speed: The 75Hz refresh rate is only a 25% increase over a standard 60Hz monitor. In my testing, the difference was noticeable but not game-changing. It feels a bit smoother than 60Hz, but it does not come close to the fluidity of a 120Hz or 144Hz display.
Key Finding for Visuals: The 99% sRGB color gamut is good, and the 4000:1 contrast ratio provides decent depth. However, the 75Hz refresh rate and slower response time mean that in fast-moving games, there is more motion blur and ghosting than on the other monitors. I would not recommend this for any fast-paced shooting games.

Who Should Buy the Sealan?

The Sealan is a good monitor for a very specific person. If you are a casual gamer who plays games like Stardew Valley or Skyrim, watch a lot of Netflix, and want the security of a great warranty, the Sealan is a fine choice.

Its 481 user ratings and 4.2-star average show it meets the needs of its target audience. But for anyone wanting a true gaming monitor, the higher refresh rates of the SANSUI or ArcticPro are a much better investment.

Head-to-Head Comparisons

To make your choice easier, let’s directly compare the most interesting match-ups.

SANSUI 27F2 vs. ArcticPro: The Battle of the Budget Kings

This is the toughest decision for most buyers. Both are excellent.

Feature	SANSUI 27F2	ArcticPro	My Verdict
Refresh Rate	120Hz	144Hz	ArcticPro (Slight Spec Win)
Color Gamut	110% sRGB	110% sRGB, 72% NTSC	Tie
User Reviews	3,624 Ratings	374 Ratings	SANSUI (Big Trust Win)
Design	Frameless, Glossy	Frameless, Matte	User Preference
Key Feature	Great All-Rounder	Anti-Blue Light Focus	Use Case Dependent

Conclusion: The ArcticPro wins on paper with a 144Hz refresh rate. However, the difference between 120Hz and 144Hz is very small and hard to see. The SANSUI, with its massive number of positive user reviews, feels like a safer and more reliable purchase. I give the overall edge to the SANSUI for its proven track record.

Z-EDGE UG27S vs. LG UltraGear: Speed vs. Clarity

This compares two high-performance monitors with different goals.

Feature	Z-EDGE UG27S	LG UltraGear	My Verdict
Max Refresh Rate	300Hz	240Hz	Z-EDGE (For Pure Speed)
Resolution	FHD (1080p)	QHD (1440p)	LG (For Detail & Sharpness)
Adaptive Sync	FreeSync	G-SYNC + FreeSync Premium	LG (For Certification)
Price	Mid-Range	Premium Budget	Z-EDGE

Conclusion: If you are a professional or aspiring esports player who needs every possible advantage, the Z-EDGE’s 300Hz is the choice. For everyone else, the LG UltraGear is the better monitor. The jump from 1080p to 1440p is a much more noticeable and enjoyable upgrade for all types of games and general computer use than the jump from 240Hz to 300Hz.

The Final Buyers Guide: My Personalized Recommendation

After all this testing, here is my final advice to help you choose.

For most people looking for a cheap 27-inch gaming monitor, the SANSUI 27-inch 120Hz monitor is the best choice. It gives you the crucial high-refresh-rate experience, excellent colors, and the confidence of thousands of happy users, all for a very low price. It is the complete package and the safest bet.

The Best Monitor For Your Needs

For the Gamer on a Tight Budget: SANSUI 27F2. It delivers the core gaming experience you need without any fuss. The value is unmatched.
For the Competitive Esports Player: Z-EDGE UG27S. The 300Hz refresh rate provides a real, measurable edge in fast-paced games where reaction time is everything.
For the Gamer Who Wants the Best Picture: LG UltraGear. If you can afford it, the 1440p resolution and premium features offer a superior visual experience that the other monitors cannot match.
For the Casual Gamer Who Values Security: Sealan Curved Monitor. The gentle curve is nice for immersion, and the incredible warranty provides long-term peace of mind.

The Bottom Line

You do not need to spend a lot of money to get a great gaming monitor. The options today are fantastic. By focusing on a high refresh rate (120Hz or more) and a trusted brand, you can find a display that will completely change how your games look and feel. I hope my testing helps you find the perfect monitor for your setup and your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 27-inch monitor too big for 1080p resolution?

This depends on how far you sit from the screen and how sharp your eyesight is. At a normal desk viewing distance, 1080p on a 27-inch screen is acceptable, especially for gaming where high frame rates are the priority. However, the pixels are large enough that you might see them if you sit very close. For the sharpest image for reading text or editing photos, a 1440p monitor like the LG is better, but it costs more.

What is more important, a high refresh rate or a fast response time?

For gaming, the refresh rate has a bigger overall impact on how smooth the game feels. Moving from 60Hz to 120Hz is a huge, immediately noticeable improvement. The response time is important for reducing motion blur, but the difference between 1ms and 5ms is much harder for most people to see. Focus on getting a monitor with at least a 120Hz refresh rate first.

Do I need a special graphics card for these monitors?

To use the high refresh rates, you need a graphics card that can produce high frame rates in your games. For the 1080p monitors like the SANSUI and Z-EDGE, a modern mid-range card is sufficient. For the LG UltraGear at 1440p, you will need a more powerful, high-end graphics card to take full advantage of its sharpness and high refresh rate.