The Lenovo G27q-30 is a sub-$300 1440p gaming monitor that includes the essentials for great gameplay. It is not as sophisticated as some models out there, but it will get the job done when it comes to visuals and responsiveness. Let’s take a closer look to know what we can expect if we save some money by going with a budget model like this.
Lenovo G27q-30 Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms (MPRT)
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Speakers: Yes (2 x 3 Watts)
- Stand: Height -Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.0 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.2” x 20.4” x 9.4”
- Weight: 12.8 lbs
Design and Features
The Lenovo G27q-30 doesn’t look like most gaming monitors since it’s more straightforward, but that isn’t a bad thing. The monitor has a sleeker chassis with a matte black finish, so it looks more like an office display rather than a gaming variant. The monitor has thinner bezels, so it looks cleaner, and there are fewer distractions while using it.
The packaging for this model was simple and easy to open up, but it’s also because it has very few contents to begin with. The base and arm are separated, but at least the assembly is tool-free. You get DisplayPort and power cables, four VESA screws, the monitor itself, and nothing more.
However, its lack of freebies is understandable since its price, as low as Lenovo could drop. It could at least include an HDMI cable, but what some may find different is the assembly of the stand into the chassis. You need to screw in the VESA bolts to secure the monitor so that it will take more effort than the usual QD designs found in some of its competitors.
The Lenovo G27q-30 isn’t too heavy at 12.8 pounds, so we can still consider it as a portable option for LAN parties or events. It’s slightly deeper than some budget models, but it is still within the acceptable range for shallower desks. It will be bigger than your standard display at school or work, but most should be able to accommodate it even if they have other desktop peripherals.
It’s a budget model, but it feels comparable to the brand’s premium options since Lenovo did not treat it differently. The panels used are thick and sturdy, and there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The stand is very firm and stable, so it barely wobbles, even if we intentionally nudged it.
The Lenovo G27q-30 has OSD buttons instead of a joystick since it’s a budget model. The good news is that they are on the bottom bezel with labels so that you can see them directly. However, that doesn’t work in the dark, and it takes more time and effort to get things done with it. We’re okay with it if you are saving money in the process, but premium models should include something more tactile.
The stand included with the Lenovo G27q-30 doesn’t pivot or swivel, but at least you can adjust its height aside from tilting the screen. That’s sufficient for single monitor setups, so it’s fine for most setups. You can use VESA mounts if you need more flexibility, but that’s added spending, so it is only recommended for special builds or instances.
Another thing that took a hit with this model to lower its price is its connectivity layout. It only has DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 slots, along with a 3.5mm jack for headphones. Some USB slots could be useful, but we’d rather not have them if adding them means paying more.
The Lenovo G27q-30 is rounded up by speakers with 3 watts of power per channel. It is nice to have a functional set as a backup, but they aren’t good enough for gaming. The sound distorts when it gets hit with rumbling bass or if volume levels are too high.
Display and Performance
The Lenovo G27q-30 sports a 27-inch VA panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 3000:1, like most VA models. It doesn’t have HDR certification, but it is listed as HDR10 compatible on Lenovo’s website.
27-inch 1440p monitors are the current sweet spot between high-end and competitive gaming, so we’re glad that they have become very affordable. You get upgraded clarity and details with it, but the graphics card requirement isn’t as high as it is on a 4K display. It is also easier on the eyes for reading and writing, so it can also be a good option for home or school use.
The Lenovo G27q-30 worked without hesitation when it was plugged in, and it switched right away to the proper port as soon as the computer fired up. The only downside with it is that it doesn’t have an HDMI cable, so you will need to buy one if you want to use this for a console.
The Lenovo G27q-30 rendered 99% of sRGB and 85% of P3, so it falls short of the company’s claimed color spec. However, it has an excellent default accuracy with a dE average of 1.18, so it is ready to go right away. We didn’t have to do anything to start playing games, so this model is highly suitable even for beginners.
Calibrating the monitor with the Calibrite Display Plus dropped that dE average to a more impressive 0.7, making it suitable for editing work and content creation. However, the colorimeter’s MSRP is around the same as what the monitor costs. It is only going to be worth it if you are into color-critical work.
Its backlight only managed to reach 327 cd/m2 at 100%, so there is some room for adjustments. Its contrast reached an impressive 5718:1 at 22% brightness, enabling it to produce very deep and convincing black backgrounds like dark scenes. Only OLEDs are better in this regard, but those are triple the price.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some minor issues in the lower right corner of the screen. It has a noticeable variance in brightness, but there was no actual clouding while the monitor was in use. Note that this can vary between every monitor made due to manufacturing tolerances, so there are better units out there.
The biggest weakness of the Lenovo G27q-30 is its slower pixel response time due to its panel type. Some blurring and ghosting were observed when the refresh rate dropped below 120Hz or in fast-paced and contrasting transitions. However, adding a bit of overdrive helped, so that shouldn’t be a deal breaker.
The Lenovo G27q-30 works with both FreeSync and G-Sync for tearing and stutter-free gaming. Dual compatibility extends its value per dollar since you can keep the monitor and VRR even if you switch GPU brands. Its input lag is at 4ms at 165Hz, so it can go toe to toe with its closest competitors.
Thoughts on the Lenovo G27q-30
The Lenovo G27q-30 is a fantastic pick if you want to upgrade your monitor but don’t want to spend too much. You get a decent and well-built gaming display under $300 that has excellent image qualities such as accurate color and naturally high contrast. There are higher-tiered models out now that go up to 360Hz, but you don’t have to chase them and spend a lot to get an enjoyable display.
However, there are some cut corners with this model, such as its limited connectivity features and button design for the OSD. None of them are deal-breakers, but it’s something to consider if you are upgrading. But overall, it’s an excellent buy due to its low price and the essential performance that comes with it.
Pros:
- Excellent Default and Calibrated Accuracy
- High Contrast
- Very Affordable
- FreeSync/G-Sync Compatible
Cons:
- Limited Features
- Prone to Blurring
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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