One of our favorite brands recently unveiled six Acer 2021 gaming monitors to refresh their line up and offer more performance for the money. These new models come in different sizes and variating features such as HDR certification, but they all emphasize on speed and vibrant colors. These monitors will slot between $280 to as much as $1100, so there is a suitable model for all sorts of builds and budgets.
IPS panels are the current top choice if you want eye-popping colors even if they have lower contrast ratios than VA panels and slightly slower than TN panels. these new monitors are banking on that thought, but the brand is also pushing a new feature called Agile Splendor IPS technology. Acer aims to produce response times as low as 0.1ms while having 90% or more DCI-P3 coverage.
We’re of course, skeptical about the real-world benefits and performance numbers of Agile Splendor, but vibrant and practically blur-free IPS monitors always earn top spots in our books. However, only four of the six will have Agile Splendor technology in them which indicates their premium nature.
Not all of the models will include RGB and the usual extras found in Predator variants since some of them fall into the Nitro line which caters to the budget-conscious. But one thing we can safely speculate is that none of these monitors will be locked to one brand’s Adaptive-Sync feature, so both AMD and Nvidia GPU users can enjoy them.
Acer 2021 Gaming Monitors – Tale of the Tape
| Model Name | Acer Nitro XV272 LV | Acer Nitro XV272U KV | Acer Predator XB253Q GW | Acer Predator XB273U NV | Acer Predator XB323U GX | Acer Predator X34 GS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 27 Inches | 27 Inches | 25 Inches | 27 Inches | 32 Inches | 34 Inches |
| Resolution and Refresh Rate | 1920 x 1080 144Hz - 165Hz OC | 2560 x 1440 144Hz - 170Hz OC | 1920 x 1080 240Hz - 290Hz OC | 2560 x 1440 144Hz - 170Hz OC | 2560 x 1440 240Hz - 270Hz OC | 3440 x 1440 144Hz - 180Hz OC |
| Response Time | ||||||
| Color Coverage | 90% DCI-P3 | 95% DCI-P3 | 99% sRGB | 90% DCI-P3 | 99% Adobe RGB | 98% DCI-P3 |
| HDR Certification | VESA DisplayHDR 400 | VESA DisplayHDR 400 | VESA DisplayHDR 400 | VESA DisplayHDR 400 | VESA DisplayHDR 600 | VESA DisplayHDR 400 |
| Price and Release Date | $280 December 2020 | $280 December 2020 | $280 December 2020 | $280 December 2020 | January 2021 | $280 December 2020 |
Acer Nitro XV272 LV – Affordable 1080p Competitive Gaming Monitor with Wide Gamut and HDR
The new Acer 2021 gaming monitors line up starts with the $280 Acer Nitro XV272 LV which is aimed at competitive gaming. The 1080p monitor can be overclocked to 165Hz and it has a 0.5ms response time via overdrive. It’s a very familiar format at this price range, but this model carries a few add-ons in its spec sheet as well.
This model is supposedly able to produce 90% DCI-P3 and its certified for DisplayHDR 400 unlike most of its competitors. It doesn’t have the Agile Splendor feature, but a color-rich screen for E-Sports titles is always a welcome upgrade for most, if not all of us.
Acer Nitro XV272U KV – 170Hz QHD Gaming Monitor with 95% DCI-P3
The Acer Nitro XV272U KV kicks it up a notch by using a 2560 x 1440 resolution and up to 95% DCI-P3 coverage. This model overclocks to 170Hz which extends its value at $400 when compared to its 240Hz variant. You get a bit more speed, but you spend way less money in contrast with the venerable XB271HU which at one point commanded more than $700.
QHD monitors are quite popular since they offer the best middle ground between gorgeous graphics and competitive titles. We’re particularly excited about this monitor in the Acer 2021 gaming monitors line up to see how it competes and if it can dislodge the Asus VG27AQL1A and the LG 27GL850 from top spots while being more affordable.
Acer Predator XB253Q GW – 290Hz Premium E-Sports Monitor at Wallet-Friendly Pricing.
The Acer Predator XB253GW is in a unique position to dominate the E-Sports market since it is considerably less expensive than the new 360Hz options with only a minor disadvantage in refresh rates. The monitor can be overclocked to 290Hz, but it only costs $430 according to Acer. That ratio will steal a big chunk out of the 360Hz monitor’s market since they cost almost twice as much.
This model doesn’t specify if it has the Agile Splendor feature, but we can speculate that it doesn’t since it only covers up to 99% sRGB. The monitor, however, is certified for HDR 400 performance, so it should still be able to provide a nice visual experience compared to ordinary variants.
Acer XB273U NV – 170Hz 1440p Gaming Monitor with EyeCare Features
The list of specifications above for each monitor looks enticing, but the brand particularly focused on the Acer Predator XB273U NV. Its $550 price tag can be considered as a sweet spot for high-end gaming monitors, plus it also has a combination of compelling features that enhance its salability. One of those features is the Eyesafe certifications which are achieved with the XB273U NV’s ability to manage wavelengths and filter out blue light without affecting the color.
Some of these models also have the ability to adjust brightness and color according to your environment. The upper-tier variants like the Acer XB273U NV have the same feature, but it bases its tweaks on the events on-screen. This ability should make explosions pop and make those dark corners look more sinister to raise the anticipation.
Acer Predator XB323U GX – 270Hz Enthusiast Monitor with HDR 600
The Acer Predator XB323U GX pushes the boundaries of 1440p gaming by combining substantial gamut coverage and HDR 600 capabilities with its massive 32-inch screen. The panel has a 240Hz native refresh rate, but it can be boosted further up to 270Hz. Its claimed color coverage is also boosted to 99% Adobe RGB, meaning it can be used for color-critical work if it is accurate.
It’s a Predator monitor, so it means it has a G-Sync module built into the chassis. However, we think that it will work with AMD’s cards and FreeSync like recent releases since exclusivity isn’t a thing anymore and is considered anti-consumer by today’s gamers. The Acer Predator XB323U GX will start at $900 which is expensive, but we think price drops aren’t too far ahead after release or when stocks become normal.
Acer Predator X34 GS – 180Hz UW-QHD Ultrawide Monitor with 98% DCI-P3
The Acer X34 slots into the blackhole left by the older 100Hz X34 and the very expensive Acer X35. This monitor offers a 3440 x 1440 IPS panel with up to 98% DCI-P3 coverage and HDR400 capabilities. It also uses a 144Hz IPS panel, but it can be overclocked to 180Hz which is only a few steps below the $2000 X35.
The Acer Predator X34 GS slots into the old X34’s price point of $1,100 which we could see going down to around 900-ish like most premium 34-inch ultrawides in the market. It’s going to be an attractive option in the Acer 2021 gaming monitors portfolio, but we’re curious to see how it competes against sub $500 options like the Gigabyte G34WQC.
Editor’s Note: The Acer 2021 gaming monitors will start arriving next month all the way up to January of next year. Prices, specifications, and release dates are not yet final as of this time, so stay tuned if you are interested in one of these amazing new products. We will update this article or publish specific reviews when they become available.
About the Author:
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since his junior high years. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.