The INNOCN 27C1U Review takes a jab at premium 4K monitors with its well-rounded specs and USB-C connectivity that usually costs more. It’s slightly cheaper than established options such as the Dell S2722QC, but we know many are skeptical of a new and obscure brand name in a very competitive market. Let’s see how the INNOCN 27C1U performs and stacks against its competition to know if it is worthy of consideration.
INNOCN 27C1U Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 4K UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 4ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1300:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m²
- Speakers: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (75 x 75)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB-C PD65W x 1, USB 3.0 x 3, 3.5mm Jack x1
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 24.15” x 21.39” x 7.65″
- Weight: 11.75 lbs
Design and Features
The has a simple minimalist aesthetic that won’t clash with most setups, whether if it’s for gaming or professional use. It has a matte black finish that doesn’t attract smudges or fingerprints, so its easy to maintain to keep that always new look. The display is bezel-free on three sides so there are less distractions while viewing the screen.
It’s slightly larger than your average monitor, but its dimensions are surprisingly leaner than its closest competitors. It only needs 7.65 inches of depth from your desk thanks to its small yet sufficient base that will not compete for space with your other peripherals. It weighs under twelve pounds so it is portable and easy enough to move around in case you want to rearrange your desk.
Its build quality is also quite impressive for a lesser-known brand so there is no question of quality in that regard. Its constructed like a premium monitor and the materials used are sturdy and reliable so they won’t flex or break easily. The included stand is stable and firm so the display won’t sag or shake while you are gaming or grinding on tasks.
One downside for the INNOCN 27C1U is its OSD buttons which take more time and effort to use properly. This class of monitor deserves a joystick which is far superior since it’s easier to use and less prone to input errors. However, this is forgivable for budget monitors since they often shave off creature comforts to lower costs.
The stand included with the INNOCN 27C1U offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your convenience. It is easy to set the monitor up to suit your needs, so there is no need to spend more on a VESA mount and modify it. It still is compatible with that, but buying one will raise your total spend to a level where you can get a higher-tiered option.
The monitor’s connectivity includes DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 slots, and a 65-watt USB-C slot with DP Alt mode. This trio essentially makes the monitor an all-in-one display which in turn expands its value per dollar spent further. It also has three USB 3.0 ports and a 3.5mm jack for peripherals which can help with cable management.
You also get a pair of 5-watt speakers with the 27C1U for basic audio applications such as background music. They can get loud enough for movies, but headsets and desktop speakers will always sound better. However, it’s always nice to have usable features, especially in a monitor that’s attempting to compete with a lower price.
Display and Performance
The INNOCN 27C1U sports a 27-inch 4K IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and unspecified response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 maximum while the contrast ratio is listed at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. This model is HDR 400 compliant, but we all know how limited that is when it comes to imaging improvements.
4K looks extra-sharp at 27 inches due to its tight pixel density, so it is great for games, movies, and editing or content creation. It can be difficult for some users to use it for reading and document processing, so scaling might be necessary. 4K is easier on the eyes on bigger monitors, but this is a good pick if you want crisp images without overcrowding your desk.
The INNOCN 27C1U renders 100% sRGB and 92% DCI_P3 for excellent vibrancy in any kind of situation or use. Its default accuracy is impressive as well since the deltaE average is only at 1.87, so it is ready to use out of the box. Most users will only need minor tweaks such as adjusting the brightness unless photo editing is part of the agenda.
Calibrating it reduced its DeltaE average to 1.12 which is decent and a bit more suited for professional tasks. You are going to need the gadget to get a score like this, and those don’t come cheap. We can only recommend spending the extra if you are into editing, but otherwise, the default setup plus a few adjustments will be good enough.
The monitor’s backlight reached 383 cd/m2 so it has plenty of brightness to fight off glare in daytime use. Its contrast reached 910:1 at 60% brightness so it can’t produce deep blacks and appreciable HDR performance. This is a known limitation of IPS panels, and only flagship models with special backlights have gotten around it.
Panel uniformity for the INNOCN 27C1U had minor backlight issues at the bottom edge. It’s not a massive issue, but it can show up as light clouding in dark scenes. Note that this can change with every unit due to tolerances and the nature of IPS, so there are some out there that are better or worse.
Its pixel response time is reasonably quick enough to prevent blurring and smudging, but it still is prone to such in some select instances. It doesn’t have an overdrive feature, so it is unsuited for fast-paced games. However, 4K 60Hz screens were not made for such, so it’s understandable that it will not perform like a gaming monitor.
The INNOCN 27C1U doesn’t support FreeSync or G-Sync, but that again is understandable since it wasn’t designed for gaming. VRR is quite necessary for 4K gaming, but 60Hz is doable for many systems, especially if you tweak the graphics settings. Input lag sits at 9ms at 60Hz so most users won’t feel delays while playing or during regular use.
Thoughts on the INNOCN 27C1U
The INNOCN 27C1U is a good first attempt at the 4K mixed-use monitor category thanks to its robust design and excellent performance. Its IPS panel showed excellent vibrancy and accuracy, plus it’s responsive enough for casual gaming. It’s not as flashy as its competitors, but it uses durable materials and it is structurally sound.
There are some downsides like the lack of refinements or creature comforts, but these are minor. Perhaps the biggest issue the monitor has is its unknown brand name, so not a lot will trust it enough to buy one. However, it performs great and is quite sturdy, so you can’t go wrong if you consider its lower price point.
Pros:
- Vibrant and Accurate
- Simple Design
- Excellent Build Quality
- USB-C with 65 Watts
Cons:
- No Overdrive
- Limited Contrast
- No VRR
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 junior high. 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.
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