The Acer Nitro XV272U RV is an affordable solution for gamers who want top-shelf speed and clarity. It offers Advanced Reflection Technology and factory-calibrated image quality, which further increases its value per dollar ratio. Let’s take a closer look to know if this eliminates the other $250 1440p gaming monitor options from contention.
Acer Nitro XV272U RV Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 170Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m²
- Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height -Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.0 x 2, DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.17” x 15.79” x 9.17”
- Weight: 12.12lbs
Design and Features
The Acer Nitro XV272U RV still uses the old Nitro aesthetic, but at least it’s frameless, so it looks spotless. The monitor has a matte black finish, so it will not clash with both themed and regular setups. The display doesn’t have bezels at the top and sides, so you only have to deal with the already thin inner panel borders.
Its not a large monitor, but the circular base makes it take up more depth than what’s necessary. However, we think that it is still compact compared to other 27-inch models with obnoxious gamer-centric designs. The monitor only weighs 12.12 pounds, so it is relatively portable compared to its competitors.
The design may be overused at this point, but at least the build quality did not change as well. The monitor feels solid and durable, and there were no cosmetic defects on its parts. The stand is firm and stable, so the screen won’t sag or shake while you’re in the middle of a hot game.
The Acer Nitro XV272U RV has an OSD joystick at the back for easy access to its settings and features. It’s located near the right side edge of the screen, so it is within reach even if you don’t lean in too much. Other monitors go as far as adding extras, but those will always raise pricing, so we’re fine with not having them.
The OSD layout was one aspect that took some penalties to help the price. This model only has DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 ports, along with a 3.5mm jack. It doesn’t have extras like USB ports, but that’s acceptable for budget models.
However, Acer still included a pair of 2-watt speakers to complete the monitor. The downside is that they only have 2 watts of power each, so they are not usable for gaming or entertainment. We think it’s still nice to have a backup, but it’s hard to imagine any gamer preferring it over a headset.
Display and Performance
The Acer Nitro XV272U RV sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 170Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 peak while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model is HDR 400 certified, but we all know how limited that is when it comes to true HDR performance.
27-inch 1440p monitors are still wildly popular, especially now that they have become cheaper and far from the $1000 price tags they had years ago. They work great for both gaming and productivity, thanks to the expansion afforded by the higher pixel count. It also doesn’t take a lot to run a 1440p monitor for gaming now, so it is still possible to build a reasonably-priced 1440p rig.
The Acer Nitro XV272U RV covers 1005 sRGB and 92% DCI-P3 for superb colors in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 2.09, so it’s a bit off compared to the company’s calibration claims. However, it still looks balanced and natural, so that disparity between the result and Acer’s claim may have been caused by different calibration devices.
Calibrating the monitor showed its true potential, revealing a deltaE average of 0.58, making it comparable with prosumer monitors. This is great and all, but you will need the help of a colorimeter to refine the screen to this level. It is not practical for gaming purposes since the gadget itself is more expensive than the monitor, so we’d only recommend it if you are into color-critical work.
The Acer Nitro XV272U RV’s backlight peaked at 405 cd/m2 at 100%, so it has plenty to fight off glare. Its contrast reached 986:1 at 30% brightness, indicating that it is incapable of deep blacks. Its HDR capabilities also suffered, rendering it ineffective at improving the image.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some minor issues on the top edge of the screen. They become noticeable against a black or dark background but are otherwise concealed unless you look closely. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are better and worse units out there.
The Acer Nitro XV272U RV is very responsive and free from artifacts or visual defects. Setting its overdrive to modest levels is your best bet since maxing it out will induce an overshoot. It also helps if you can keep your framerates close to 170Hz, but thankfully, that’s not impossible now.
The Acer Nitro XV272U RV is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync, so tear and stutter-free gaming is always guaranteed. Dual compatibility always extends a monitor’s value since you won’t need to ditch it if you switch to the other GPU brand. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 170Hz, so it is just as fast as the other prominent gaming monitors out there.
Thoughts on the Acer Nitro XV272U RV
The Acer Nitro XV272U RV is a fantastic monitor based on its price and performance. You get an effective 1440p gaming display with great color performance under $250, so there isn’t a whole lot to complain about. Its Nitro design may be passe nowadays, but it’s synonymous with reliability for those who know the brand so well.
However, there are a few imperfections with the monitor, although those are expected. The features available at your disposal will be limited, but that’s okay since the focus here is on the screen’s performance. So, it is an excellent buy overall, enabling more gamers to enjoy a higher resolution screen without the hefty price tags associated with them.
Pros:
- Old Yet Reliable Design
- Great Image Quality
- Clear and Reflection-Free
- Fast and Responsive
Cons:
- Low Contrast
- Poor HDR
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that 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.
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