The Pixio PX277 Pro offers tremendous value with its essential gaming-grade specs and its USB-C connectivity. The latter makes it a double-purpose product since you dock USB-C laptops like the MacBook Pro. Let’s see if the Pixio PX277 Pro can stretch its value per dollar further with a performance that rivals its esteemed competition.
Pixio PX277 Pro Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 450 cd/m²
- Speakers: Yes(2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height -Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.0 x 1, DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, USB 3.0 x 3, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.25” x 20.65” x 11.65”
- Weight: 12.59 lbs
Design and Features
The Pixio PX277 Pro looks simple and minimalist compared to something like the BenQ EX2710Q. It has an all-black chassis which makes it look like a business monitor, although the aggressive-looking base and of course the panel qualities say differently. The display is bezel-free on three sides, although it still has thin inner borders on the top and side edges.
27-inch monitors aren’t massive by today’s standards, but this model still surprisingly needs almost a foot of depth. Those with narrow desks or a plethora of peripherals might have an issue with that when it comes to placement. It is not very heavy at 12.59 pounds, so it’s relatively easy to move around in case you want to rearrange your room or setup.
Its build quality is great and has drastically improved over the old PX277 we checked out a few years ago. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, plus there were no cosmetic defects when it was unpacked. The stand is firm and stable so the screen won’t shake or sag on you while working or gaming.
You will also find an RGB LED Strip at the back that’s placed at an offset towards the side of the chassis. However, it is not positioned properly, and it’s not bright enough so it can’t be used as a bias or ambient light. Its only use is if you can see the monitor from the back, but that’s unusual since most would place their desks against a wall.
The Pixio PX277 Pro belongs to the brand’s mid to upper range, so it has a joystick for its OSD. Most Pixio variants still have buttons, so this is a welcome upgrade for the sake of convenience. It is easy to reach even if it’s at the back, plus it’s snappy and responsive so you won’t have trouble or irritation while navigating the submenus.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. This is another massive improvement over the old PX277 which only had a short, tilt-limited stand that was very wobbly. You can use VESA mounts, but it is only necessary if you have limited space or multiple displays on your desk.
The Pixio PX277 Pro’s highlight is its connectivity layout which includes the usual DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0 slot, along with a USB-C port. The latter supports DP Alt Mode while providing up to 65 watts of charging which allows USB-C laptops to dock. This monitor supports KVM so you can utilize these inputs with multiple inputs.
The monitor even has a pair of built-in speakers unlike other offerings from premium brands at more or less the same price range. They sound tinny and are incapable of bass, but they can be used for secondary purposes. We’re always glad to have extra features since they extend the value per dollar aspect of a monitor.
Display and Performance
The Pixio PX277 Pro sports a 27-inch Fast IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 450 cd/m2 maximum while the contrast ratio is listed at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. This model is compatible with HDR signals, but it is not certified even if its backlight is bright enough.
27-inch 1440p monitors are hot sellers now since they are considered as the sweet spot between sharpness and visibility. They are noticeably crisper than 1080p screens but they are not as demanding as 4K. Games will look a lot better but small objects won’t be too hard to see so it’s great for both purposes.
The Pixio PX277 Pro renders more than 100% sRGB and around 96% DCI-P3 for rich colors in games and movies. its deltaE average of 3.34 is a bit high, showing us that the monitor isn’t factory-calibrated like its premium counterparts. Some colors will look oversaturated, but it’s acceptable and pleasant most of the time.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 2.45 which is slightly better, but not the kind of result we expect after this process. Getting a colorimeter for minor improvements isn’t practical, especially since this is a lower-priced model. You are better off applying a few tweaks of your own to set the screen to the way you like it.
Its backlight peaked at 435 cd/m2, so it is bright enough to fight off glare and help the colors pop even if it didn’t reach the quoted maximum. Its contrast ratio is also quite good for an IPS panel since it reached 1268:1 at 50% brightness. However, the screen is still unable to produce deep blacks like VA or OLED panels.
Panel uniformity for the sample unit was great since there were no considerable light leaks on the edges of the screen. There is some variance in the backlight’s spread so the upper edge looks dimmer, but it’s only noticeable in extreme circumstances. Note that this can change between every unit made since there are tolerances in the panel manufacturing process, so you might get different results.
The Pixio PX277 Pro has an excellent pixel response time so blurring and ghosting are quite rare. However, you might need to set its overdrive to its low setting if your framerate drops too far from the maximum. Anything higher will induce overshoot, but as always, feel free to choose the level that works best for you.
The Pixio PX277 Pro is also compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync so you don’t have to lose VRR if you have one GPU brand or the other. Video card scarcity makes this a necessity since getting an AMD or Nvidia GPU at a good price isn’t guaranteed right now. Input lag sits at 4ms at 165Hz so it is fast enough for competitive play.
Thoughts on the Pixio PX277 Pro
The Pixio PX277 Pro is a great choice for gamers who want a full feature set at a more affordable price point. It has a fully adjustable stand, USB-C, and even RGB lighting even if it’s at least $50 cheaper than the closest alternative. Its fast IPS panel performs as advertised since it’s responsive and extra vibrant like the premium models it competes against.
However, the Pixio PX277 Pro still isn’t perfect, so there are some things that you have to live with. Its most glaring limitation is its factory and calibrated color results which failed to reach a level that makes it suitable for editing. However, that’s forgivable since the monitor is mainly for gaming, so you are still getting a very good product for a wallet-friendly price.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Wide Gamut and High Contrast
- Fully Adjustable Stand and USB-C Connectivity
- Excellent Build Quality
Cons:
- Dismal Color Accuracy
- Limited to 65 Watts
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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