The Acer Nitro XV272U W2 offers a 240Hz 1440p IPS screen at a jaw-droppingly low price. It doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it was intended for high-end competitive gaming so its performance is what matters most. Let’s take a closer look if this product pushes the boundaries of what $300 can do for your upgrade.
Acer Nitro XV272U W2 Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 0.5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 24.2” x 17.99” x 9.2”
- Weight: 14.11 lbs
Design and Features
The Acer Nitro XV272U W2 uses the same aesthetic most of the Nitro models have, so it’s simple yet unappealing for some users. The monitor has a matte black finish with a red accent on the base, so it doesn’t look too overpowering compared to other offerings. The display is bezel-free on three sides, but it still has inner borders like your typical display.
It is not massive by today’s standards, but we think that it takes up more space than it should if it had a different base. It is not a disturbance that could turn into a deal breaker, but we think its time for a redesign or revamp for the Nitro line. The monitor only weighs 14.11 pounds, so it’s portable enough for LAN parties or gaming events.
The Acer Nitro XV272U W2’s build quality isn’t like what we saw on older Nitro monitors. There were some imperfections on its bits and pieces while the stand had some wobbling when its touched or nudged accidentally. It is understandable for budget models like this, but is disappointing since some older models were considerably better.
The Acer Nitro XV272U W2 has a joystick for easy access to its OSD and settings. It’s located at the back near the right side of the screen, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding and using it, even if you don’t see it directly. Other higher-tiered models can have remotes or even software implementations, but all that is unnecessary.
We’re glad that Acer was able to squeeze in a fully adjustable stand for one of its most affordable monitors in a specific category. You can tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust its height, so getting a comfortable viewing angle is always doable. You can also use VESA mounts, but the extra cost will offset the savings you targeted by going with this model in the first belt.
Another thing that took a hit is the Acer Nitro XV272U W2’s connectivity layout. It only includes DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI slots, and a 3.5mm jack for headphones. Its HDMI ports are listed as version 2.1, but they are actually just enhanced version 2.0 ports, which are limited to 144Hz and are incapable of VRR like HDMI 2.1.
You also get speakers with this model, but the set only has 2 watts of power per channel. They lack any semblance of depth and bass, so most will not enjoy using them for games and movies. However, having less essential add-ons on a budget model is always commendable, and we reckon thrifty gamers are always happy to get more for their money.
Display and Performance
The Acer Nitro XV272U W2 boasts a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 0.5ms pixel response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 limit while the contrast is listed at 1000:1 like most IPS variants. This model is HDR 400 capable, but we know how limited that is when it comes to HDR performance.
27-inch 1440p monitors are popular since they are the current sweet spot in the display business. They offer upgraded visuals compared to 1080p, but they are not as jarring and demanding as a 4K display. Games look more detailed, but small objects like text do not become microscopic to the point where users strain their eyes after extended use.
The Acer Nitro XV272U W2 covered 99% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3 for great saturation in games and movies. Its default accuracy isn’t great since it has a high deltaE average of 2.96 which can make some color errors noticeable. It doesn’t truly affect gaming visuals, but those who know will surely notice the variance.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to an amazing 0.6, putting it next to premium and prosumer variants. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve similar results since every panel was made differently. The gadget itself can be more expensive than the monitor, so we can only recommend it if it is completely necessary for your work.
The Acer Nitro XV272U W2’s backlight reached 391 cd/m2 at 100%, and it peaked at 421 cd/m2 when its HDR mode was active. There is plenty of room for adjustment, but unfortunately, that output falls short for true HDR performance. Its contrast reached 1149:1 at 30% brightness, so it is still incapable of deep blacks like a true HDR monitor could provide.
Its panel uniformity had some issues with backlight leaks at the top edge of the screen. It’s not immediately visible on light backgrounds, but dark scenes will reveal the flaws. Note that this can vary with every unit made due to tolerances, so there are better ones out there.
One of the best things about the Acer Nitro XV272U W2 is its fast pixel response time. You barely need to use overdrive, especially if your PC can keep up with the screen’s refresh rate. This makes it perfect for competitive play, although you might want to use a bit of overdrive in some special instances.
The Acer Nitro XV272U W2 is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for tear and stutter-free gaming. It is nice to have dual compatibility since that means that you won’t have to buy a new monitor if you upgrade your GPU using the other brand. Its input lag sits at 3ms at 240Hz, so it’s suitable for competitive gaming.
Thoughts on the Acer Nitro XV272U W2
The Acer Nitro XV272U W2 is an excellent buy if you want an E-Sports-grade 1440p monitor without spending a small fortune. It is not accurate, and it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but its gaming performance makes up for that. It also includes full ergonomics in the package, so you don’t lose out on the essential functionality.
Acer slightly dropped the ball with this model since the quality it offered with Nitro monitors has somehow dropped. There were some inconsistencies with the panel and the stand, unlike the older Nitro monitors which were built like tanks. However, we still think that it’s reasonable, provided that the monitor stays at its $300 price point at the time of review.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Fast and Responsive
- Extended Gamut Coverage
- FreeSync and G-Sync
Cons:
- Mediocre Build Quality
- Dismal Contrast and HDR
- Limited Features
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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