LG 27UD59 Review – Affordable 4K IPS Panel for Work and Play5 min read

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The LG 27UD59 is an affordable mixed-use monitor that offers a vibrant IPS panel and tremendous value for both entertainment and work. Competitors are only offering TN based or lower resolution at this price, making the device an attractive upgrade for the budget conscious. The LG 27UD59 succeeds models the venerable 27UD68 which is one of our favorites, but can it match the value per dollar quality of the latter without sacrificing too much?

LG 27UD59 Specifications

• Screen Size: 27 Inches
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 4K
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
• Refresh Rate: 60Hz
• Response Time:5ms
• Contrast Ratio:1000:1
• Brightness:250 cd/m² Built-in Speakers: No
• Stand: Height – No
• Stand: Tilt – Yes
• Stand: Swivel – No
• Stand: Pivot– No
• VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
• Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Audio Jack
• Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD):92″ x 18.27″ x 7.95″
• Weight: 11.02lbs

Design and Features

The LG 27UD59 sports an indifferent design which you can see on most office monitors save for the ArcLine signature stand. This gadget comes in both white and black as denoted with a “W” and a “B” at the end of the model code. The monitor isn’t bezel-free, but the glossy borders are thicker than the usual which we know many will dislike.

However, what we love about the LG 27UD59 are its subtle proportions which come part and parcel with the brand’s offerings. The whole device weighs in at only 11lbs and takes up eight inches of depth on a desk. You can also mount the device with ease via the VESA bolt pattern at the rear since it sits almost flush to a wall.

Using an armature or mount s ideal for the LG 27UD59 since it’s stand can only tilt, unlike the fully-adjustable variant on the 27UD68. The upside is that the metallic stand is quite attractive, plus we’ve always liked the flavor the ArcLine design adds to an organized desk. The mechanism is completely removable, but we think most users would be okay with the default setup.

The LG 27UD59 sports a limited I/O layout just like the other offerings from the Korean firm. The front-facing panel includes two HDMI 2.0 slots and a DisplayPort, along with a 3.5mm jack for headphones. You don’t get a lot of functionality in this aspect, but the ports are sufficient for a PC and three 4K devices like the Xbox One X and a Bluray player.

All in all, the LG 27UD59’s build quality is superb since there are no creaks or uneven seams. The materials used seem to be of good quality, and it should last you a few years before feeling the need to upgrade.

Display and Performance

The LG 27UD59 sports a 27-inch AH-IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 4K resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and 5ms response time. A typical contrast ratio of 1000:1 is specified, but this variant has a slightly weaker 250cd/m2 backlight. To compare, the newer LG 27UK650 relies on a 350cd/m2 unit that can pulse up to 450cd/m2.

The latter presents a disadvantage when it comes to calibrating or adjusting the screen for night and day use. Tests show that the LG 27UD59 is only capable of 236cd/m2, falling short by a few units.

The LG 27UD59’s color quality is impressive for a budget display, sitting almost equal to the 27UD68’s performance. The sRGB gamut coverage falls slightly short at on 97%, but accuracy is spot-on at DeltaE 2.25. There is little need to calibrate this model for home use, but you can tighten the score to DeltaE 1.15 with a colorimeter.

One downside is that the LG 27UD59 looks a bit cooler than most sRGB monitors which have slight blush. The color temp sits around 6100K instead of the ideal 6500K, but this is a minor issue most wouldn’t notice. Buying a gadget like the Spyder Elite V we use would be impractical just to correct this flaw.

One aspect that we’re not excited about is the panel uniformity of the LG 27UD59. DThe worst deviations in the corner amount to around 17% which create a noticeable difference when viewing black or dark images. This flaw is barely noticeable in typical use and will vary between unit to unit.

Gaming is something we foresee most would do with the LG 27UD59 since it is suitable for both PC and consoles. The IPS panel is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time, but it handles motion quite nicely. The blurs we noticed are caused more by the refresh than pixel response time, so only a 120Hz or 144Hz display will be better.

The LG 27UD59 also doesn’t suffer from massive input lag which is detrimental to any kind of gaming. The monitor scored a healthy 10ms average, making it a faster alternative to a 4K TV for console gaming. Games like Black Ops 4 are still enjoyable with this display on all platforms unless you want to break into professional gaming.

Finally, the LG 27UD59 is a FreeSync monitor making it a perfect pair for rigs armed with AMD hardware or the Xbox One X. You only get a 40Hz to 60Hz range, but in our experience, this is where it counts the most. We recommend using a VEGA 56 and VEGA 64 if you want to enjoy smooth visuals with this device.

Thoughts on the LG 27UD59

The LG 27UD59 isn’t perfect, but its excellence in key aspects make it an absolute steal at the $300 price range. The in-house IPS panel offers excellent vibrancy and accuracy out of the box making the product suitable for plug and play users. The LG 27UD68 is, of course, still better, but the added hundred bucks or so that nets a tighter imaging performance isn’t practical for the thrifty gamer.

The only real downside to the LG 27UD59 is its limitation in functionality such as the tilt-only stand. Buying an armature would break the value of this monitor since you can already buy a higher model if you factor in the additional cost. But if you are looking for a 4K monitor with great image quality and long-lasting reliability, the LG 27UD59 is one of the top choices.

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