The Asus VG27AQL3A costs a third of the original VG27AQ when it was released, but it still promises top-shelf performance. It still uses a 1440p IPS panel, but it now goes up to 180Hz for smoother and blur-free gaming. Let’s take a closer look to see if it’s at least as good as the older model, if not better.
Asus VG27AQL3A Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 180Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- 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: HDMI 2.0 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, USB 3.2 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.2” x 21” x 8.5”
- Weight: 15.2 lbs
Design and Features
The Asus VG27AQL3A still resembles most TUF Gaming monitors, but it has a more straightforward aesthetic. The monitor’s matte black chassis looks clean and sophisticated, unlike so many gaming variants. The screen has a bezel-free design but still has a thicker strip and inner borders.
This variant has more modest dimensions than its predecessors, so placement shouldn’t be an issue. The base is still wide because of its shape, but it only needs 8.5 inches of depth from your desk. At 15.2 pounds, it’s not too heavy, so it’s manageable if you need to move it around often.
It’s now a budget model, but its build quality is still what we’ve come to expect from the TUF line-up. The plastics used are tough and sturdy, and there were no cosmetic defects or signs of weakness. The included stand is firm and stable, so the screen won’t wobble or sag while you’re in an intense gaming session.
The Asus VG27AQL3A has an OSD joystick, but it also has the standard hotkeys at the side for easy access to its extra features. It’s located at the right side of the display, so its very easy to access even if you don’t have direct line of sight. Other monitors have software implementations or remotes, but those are unnecessary if a responsive joystick exists.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for comfort and convenience. It is very easy to get a comfortable viewing angle to avoid neck and eye strain during extended periods of use. You can still use VESA mounts, but it’s unnecessary for most users unless you have multiple screens or limited desk space.
Its connectivity layout includes DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and a USB hub with two type A slots. You also get a 3.5mm jack for headphones, but that’s about it for this variant. However, that’s more than enough for a typical gaming setup, although we’d like to see USB-C at some point for budget models.
It also has built-in speakers to complete its spec sheet, but they only have 2 watts of power per channel. They are usable for basic tasks, but they lack any bass semblance for movies or games. That’s fine, however, since gaming monitors deserve gaming headsets for better immersion.
Display and Performance
The Asus VG27AQL3A sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1, like most IPS monitors. This model is HDR 400 certified, but we all know how limited it is to producing HDR effects.
1440p gaming displays have been around for some time, but they are still very popular, so manufacturers still offer many models. They’re easy on the eyes for office work, and they’re also manageable for most GPU brands, so high framerates are doable for the masses. 4K is more desirable nowadays, but 1440p monitors are practical upgrades if you ask us.
The Asus VG27AQL3A covers 99% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3 for solid color performance in games and movies. Its default accuracy only had a deltaE average of 1.46, making it more accurate than some models that are marketed for professional use. Most users won’t need to do anything to it apart from adjusting the monitor’s brightness.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.97, which is fantastic for a monitor in this category and price range. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve the same results. The gadget itself typically costs almost as much as the monitor, if not more, so it’s impractical if you only purchased the monitor for gaming.
The Asus VG27AQL3A’s backlight reached 347 cd/m2 in SDR, but it peaked at 429 cd/m2 when its HDR was active. Its contrast reached 1104:1, meaning it is not capable of producing deeper blacks. As expected, its HDR mode is quite limited, so we recommend leaving that off for the most part.
Panel uniformity for the test model had some backlight bleeding on the top edge of the screen. This affected the screen’s output in dark scenes, but lighter backgrounds were not as affected. Note that this varies between every monitor made due to tolerances, so better units are out there.
The Asus VG27AQL3A has an excellent pixel response time thanks to IPS advancements and the high refresh rate. You only need moderate overdrive to optimize this monitor for fast-paced games. Some persistence may still happen, but it wasn’t immediately noticeable during the test.
The Asus VG27AQL3A is a FreeSync Premium monitor, but it’s also compatible with Nvidia’s G-Sync. VRR is necessary for tearing and stutter-free gaming, while dual compatibility means you can use most GPUs without having to worry about those issues. Its input lag is 4ms at 180Hz, so it’s as fast as most of its premium alternatives.
Thoughts on the Asus VG27AQL3A
The Asus VG27AQL3A is a fantastic budget monitor in terms of functionality and performance. Its color quality is comparable to many premium options, so most users won’t even need to calibrate it. It also has the essentials, like a fully adjustable stand, so you won’t compromise anything just to save money.
It’s not perfect, but we didn’t see any deal-breaking flaws that could make gamers ignore it. It doesn’t have top-end specs, and its HDR performance is dismal, but that’s not the point of low-cost monitors. Overall, it’s a fantastic buy for those who are looking to spend as little as possible on their upgrade or build.
Pros:
- Fantastic Color Quality
- Fully Adjustable Stand
- Fast and Responsive
- Very Affordable
Cons:
- Dismal HDR
- Limited Contrast
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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