The LG 27QN880-B offers a premium QHD IPS screen that’s built into a space-saving ergonomic frame that aims to streamline your workstation and its flow. This monitor competes with the Samsung Space monitors, but the design is a bit different since its closer to an actual aftermarket VESA stand that also clamps to your desk. The LG 27QN880-B is an expensive monitor if you look at its specs, but can its unique functionality and performance justify the extra cost?
LG 27QN880-B Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 75Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Speakers: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 1.4 x 2, USB-C PD60W x 1, USB 3.0 x 3, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 24.15” 19.02” x 15.93”
- Weight 19.18 lbs
Design and Features
The LG 27QN880-B offers a unique physical system that makes it a suitable solution for cramped workstations or those who want 99% of the desk to themselves. The monitor has a matte black finish which gives it a timeless and functional look. The display is bezel-free on three sides, so it is an ideal choice for landscape multimonitor setups.
The LG 27QN880-B is slightly heavier than typical 27-inch monitors due to its stand, but what’s more striking is the 15 inches of depth it requires when fully extended on the horizontal axis. Thankfully, you can offset its stand to the side so the cabinet will position itself closer to the rear of your desk if it’s centered. It’s a bit complex, but at least you don’t have to deal with a massive stand like most of the LG monitors that include the ArcLine stand.
Build quality for the LG 27QN880-B is excellent since there are no defects or any sign of weaknesses from the device. The screen doesn’t wobble, and the mechanism can hold the view angle you’ve set almost permanently so it won’t sag. Material engineering for the monitor did a good job, so its durability and fit and finish are superb.
We like how LG makes it easier for its users to access the OSD with two options, starting with a clickable joystick at the bottom bezel. You can also use LG’s OnScreen control feature which lets you manipulate the settings directly on your desktop. We honestly prefer the former, but having software access to adjust something as simple as brightness can be handy when you are crunching the numbers.
The stand included with the LG 27QN880-B is its most unique asset which is composed of a table clamp, a tubular upright, and an articulated arm. The mechanism gives you a lot of freedom since you can adjust the height, pivot, swivel, and tilt the screen, including pushing it further or pulling it closer to you. It basically achieves what a VESA stand can do for you in terms of ergonomics, but you can still swap it out with an aftermarket option if necessary.
Connectivity options on the LG 27QN880-B aren’t the most plentiful, but you do get the essentials such as DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 1.4 slots for your PC and gaming consoles. There is also a USB-C slot with 60 watts of charging power for laptops like the MacBook Pro which makes the product an external display and a dock for it at the same time. You will also find two usable USB slots for peripherals, along with a 3.5mm jack for audio output.
The LG 27QN880-B already includes a pair of 5-watt speakers with decent sound quality so users won’t need to buy a separate set for simple listening. The pair sounds decent enough for music while working or watching videos, and it’s also suitable for conference calls in work from home use. it cannot offer thumping bass, but it is decent enough to substitute for your headphones if your ears get hot after hours of use.
Display and Performance
The LG 27QN880-B utilizes a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, 75Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight for the screen goes up to 350 cd/m2, but its contrast ratio is listed at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. These aren’t gaming specs, but it’s still suitable for casual enjoyment which makes the device a reasonable all-arounder.
1440p at 27 inches is great for productivity since you get an increase of more than 60% of space on the screen with a noticeable upgrade in sharpness. The extra pixel density means images are crisper, but WQHD doesn’t make small objects like text microscopic. It’s not as sharp as a 4K display, but its more comfortable to use for common tasks such as document processing and browsing.
The LG 27QN880-B provides excellent color quality starting with more than 100% sRGB coverage which is great for daily use. Out of the box accuracy has a deltaE average of only 1.51, so the monitor is readily usable without the need to calibrate it right away. This model is HDR10 compatible without any special backlighting, so it can only translate HDR signals but the improvements and details will be limited at best.
Calibrating the LG 27QN880-B with a colorimeter can improve the accuracy average to a very low 0.67 which is already ideal for photo editing. However, the cost of the gadget isn’t worth it for most users since the monitor is already good out of the box. Colorimeters aren’t cheap, so we only urge you to buy it if you are using this monitor for photo editing.
The backlight on the LG 27QN880-B gets reasonably bright at 336 cd/m2 at 100% for SDR and around 361 cd/m2 when it receives an HDR signal. However, that isn’t enough for true HDR performance, and the low 865:1 contrast at 60% backlight doesn’t help as well. The screen looks vibrant, but it cannot produce deep blacks especially when it’s used in the dark.
Panel uniformity for the LG 27QN880-B is great since there are no backlight leaks on the edges. You also won’t see any clouding issues, so there is no loss of contrast or saturation on any of the quadrants. However, you need to take note that this model is based on IPS tech, so some units might have bleeding due to manufacturing tolerances.
Responsiveness isn’t the best on the LG 27QN880-B since it is limited to 75Hz and it isn’t tuned for gaming like the LG 27GL850. It is not well-suited for games like Warzone, but casual titles such as RPGs are still enjoyable. You will see a bit of persistence or smudging in contrasting or fast transitions, but it isn’t an issue for relaxed gaming.
The LG 27QN880-B is a FreeSync monitor, but it’s not certified by Nvidia for its G-Sync Compatible Mode. You can force it via Nvidia Control Panel, but we cannot guarantee that there will be no issues such as flickering when you are running your games. Input lag sits at 9ms, so there are still no noticeable delays even if this model isn’t the fastest in the market.
Thoughts on the LG 27QN880-B
The LG 27QN880-B is a fantastic option if you want to free up more of your desk space without sacrificing your peripherals. It features a crisp and clear IPS panel with great color quality out of the box, so most users won’t need to go through the trouble of full calibration. The functional design along with the USB-C connector makes the product suitable for productivity setups or for users who want a flexible multi-role display for daily use.
However, the LG 27QN880-B isn’t free from limitations, starting with its low contrast ratio and limited HDR performance. The design of the stand looks and works great, but the external brick that dangles from the monitor can get in the way if you don’t set it up neatly and properly. The LG 27QN880-B is a unique monitor for your work from home or business setup, but some may find it a bit too expensive if the VESA mount-like stand doesn’t appeal or satisfy their needs.
Pros:
- Great Gamut Coverage
- Excellent Default and Post-Calibration Results
- Attractive Design
- Functional Stand
- USB-C with 60watts of charging
Cons:
- Low Contrast
- Pricey
- Limited to 75Hz
-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 his junior high years. 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.
Jackobup says
Hello,
I would like to know if the monitor is suited for creative professionals?
Color accuracy and such…
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Jackobup! The LG 27QN880 is a great pick for editing use. It needs a bit of calibration, but its an excellent prosumer monitor all around.
shimon golan says
Regarding the dimensions specification –
The depth with stand of 15.93” means this is basically the distance from the edge of the table to the furthest extension distance of the screen ?
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Shimon! Yes, that is the total depth of the device when its extended towards the user. Cheers!