The LG UltraGear 27GR93U offers a refined 4K 144Hz package that aims to please like the 32GR93U. It has more competitors in its segment since it’s a 27-inch model, so it has a lot of ground to cover to be considered the best. Let’s take a closer look to know how this premium offering ranks against both budget and upper-class variants that have already succeeded in the market.
LG UltraGear 27GR93U Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 4K UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 400 cd/m2
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes
- Connectivity DisplayPort 1.4 DSC x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 2, USB 3.0 x 3, 3.5mm jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.2” x 22.7” x 10”
- Weight: 14.1 lbs
Design and Features
The LG UltraGear 27GR93U sports the newer and sleeker aesthetic found on most UltraGear monitors. It has a matte black finish with purple accents, along with RGB lighting at the back. The screen doesn’t have bezels on three sides, so you only have to deal with thin inner borders and the bottom strip.
It is not a large monitor, especially if you’ve seen that it has a 32-inch twin with almost the same specifications. The stand takes up more depth than it should, but that 10 inches should be manageable for most. It is also lighter than its closest predecessor at 14.1 pounds, so it is manageable if you want to bring it with you someplace.
The 27GR93U might seem plasticky, but its build quality is actually fantastic compared to other models. Its panels are very precise, so they are free from cosmetic defects or fitment issues. The included stand is very firm and stable, so the screen doesn’t sag or wobble unless you make it do so.
The LG UltraGear 27GR93U has an OSD joystick for convenient access to its settings and capabilities. It also has access to LG’s OnScreen display app, which adds another layer of convenience for the user. Some premium models have remotes, but those are usually unnecessary unless you want a couch setup.
The included stand offers tilt, pivot, and height adjustments, which will let you get a comfortable angle for those long gaming sessions. You can’t swivel the screen, but that’s okay unless you are building a multimonitor setup. A VESA mount could also be an ideal alternative, but the stock setup should be fine in most cases.
The monitor’s connectivity layout includes the usual DisplayPort 1.4, but it also has HDMI 2.1 slots for 4K 120Hz operation with the PS5 and Xbox Series X. You also get a USB 3.0 hub, along with a 3.5mm jack for headphones. We would have loved to see USB-C on this monitor, but LG usually keeps that for their prosumer and business products.
However, it also doesn’t have speakers like some of the brand’s more expensive offerings that include its MaxxAudio technology. But that’s fine for most users since monitors like this deserve a good gaming headset anyway. They are better at immersing you and letting you focus versus a pair of built-ins that would have limited range anyway.
Display and Performance
The LG UltraGear 27GR93U sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 144Hz resolution, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 400 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 that is when it comes to actual performance.
4K monitors are extra sharp at this size, so they are great for imaging applications and entertainment. You might need scaling for productivity tasks like processing documents, but that isn’t a true deal breaker for most users. The real limitation here is the need for a powerful GPU to keep framerates high at 4K since the GPUs for that are quite expensive as well.
The LG UltraGear 27GR93U covered 100% of the sRGB and 95% of DCI-P3 for stunning color in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 2.76, which is decent but a bit over the ideal point of fidelity. Most users won’t need to calibrate it, although we recommend trying to adjust the brightness to avoid eye strain.
Calibrating the monitor reduced the dE average to 0.91, making it usable for more sophisticated editing work. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve comparable results due to the variances in every panel’s output. They are expensive as well, so we can only recommend them if you use this monitor for work or business purposes as well.
The LG UltraGear 27GR93U’s backlight reached 389 cd/m2 at 100%, and it peaked at 414 cd/m2 when its HDR mode is active. That’s plenty for regular use, but it is insufficient for true HDR performance. Its contrast reached a decent 1145:1 at 30% brightness, but that doesn’t mean that it can produce deep blacks like VA or OLED variants.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was acceptable since there were no major flaws like backlight bleeding. There is some variance in the backlight’s spread, but it’s only visible in dark scenes if you look close enough. Note that this can vary with every unit made due to tolerances, so there are worse panels out there.
The LG UltraGear 27GR93U’s response time is great thanks to the advancements in IPS tech and its high refresh rate. There is still some persistence in contrasting transitions, but setting the overdrive to the Fast level takes care of that. Going higher isn’t recommended since the Faster level, which gets you closer to the 1ms spec, will add overshoot.
The LG UltraGear 27GR93U is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for tear and stutter-free gaming. It’s essential to have dual compatibility since it ensures that you always have VRR if you switch GPU brands or when using a gaming console that only uses FreeSync is in play. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 144Hz, so it is just as fast as most of the 144Hz E-Sports monitors out there.
Thoughts on the LG UltraGear 27GR93U
The LG UltraGear 27GR93U is an excellent monitor for 4K 144Hz gaming on both PC and gaming consoles. HDMI 2.1 is a must-have for a monitor like this, and we’re glad LG is making it more common on its newer models. Its IPS panel offers excellent color coverage and responsiveness, plus it is designed to be a centerpiece with that gorgeous and sleek aesthetic.
However, the higher MSRP might be a tough sell when the market has matured enough to produce 4K 144Hz monitors that cost below half a grand. We’d also like to see better OTB accuracy and USB-C if it’s a more premium variant. But overall, it’s a fantastic buy if you want a top-notch display for a few bucks more.
Pros:
- Vibrant IPS Display
- Fast and Responsive
- Sleek Design
- HDMI 2.1 Connectivity
Cons:
- No USB-C
- Limited Contrast and HDR Performance
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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