The ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K is part of a series of monitors that offer impressive performance at a jaw-dropping price point. it also uses an IPS panel, unlike so many budget models that rely on VA to keep the cost low. Let’s see how this one compares to the other competitive picks in this segment.
ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K 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: 0.5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 250 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 2, DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.2” x 18.1” x 6.8”
- Weight: 10.4 lbs
Design and features
The ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K takes a simpler approach when it comes to aesthetics, but it still manages to look neat and sophisticated. The monitor has a matte black finish, so it won’t clash with any kind of setup. The display has a bezel-free design, so it looks clean and modern even if it still has an inner border.
It is not a large monitor, but this model actually has smaller dimensions than similar-sized options. It only needs 6.8 inches of depth due to its sleeker stand, so it’s quite ideal for those with smaller desks or limited spaces. It also only weighs 10.4 pounds, making it one of the most portable 27-inch monitors out there.
Its build quality is decent, even if it feels plasticky compared to its premium counterparts. There are no defects or signs of fragility, so it still stands for ViewSonic’s known quality, even if it sits at a substantially lower price point. The stand has some wobble, but it is firm and stable enough to keep the display upright.
The ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K uses buttons for its OSD instead of a more convenient joystick. The keys are located at the right of the bottom bezel, so they are easy to reach or access. They are clearly labeled, but that won’t matter when you are gaming at night.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your convenience. It’s easy to get a comfortable viewing angle for those long hours of gaming. You can also use VESA mounts, but that’s an added cost, and the stock setup is more than enough anyway.
The biggest limitation of the ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K’s physical features is its connectivity layout. It has two HDMI 2.0 slots and a single DisplayPort 1.4, along with a 3.5mm jack for headphones. That’s more than enough for a standard gaming setup, but others often offer USB ports to sweeten the deal.
It still has speakers but only has 2 watts of power per channel. It’s not right to complain about that because of the price, but the output rating means that it’s not going to be great for gaming. However, it is nice to have secondaries for when it is too hot to wear headsets.
Display and Performance
The ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 0.5ms response time. The backlight has a 250 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model doesn’t mention HDR certification, but that’s understandable since it’s a budget offering.
27-inch 1440p monitors are universally accepted as the sweet spot for gaming monitors. They are sharper than the 1080p screens out there, but they are not as demanding as a 4K display on your gaming PC. They’ve dropped to a fourth of what they used to cost five years ago, so it makes sense to pick them instead of a 1080p option now.
The ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K covers 100% sRGB and an impressive 94% of DCI-P3, so it is not just a cheap IPS panel. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 2.09, so it’s decently accurate out of the box. Gamers will be satisfied with it, although some basic tweaks like brightness adjustment might be necessary.
Calibrating it reduced the deltaE average to 0.86, making it usable for editing work. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter for it, and those can sometimes be more expensive than the monitor itself. It might be worth it for those who do editing work, but it might be more practical to go with a prosumer display first.
The ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K’s backlight reached 287 cd/m2 at 100%, so there is some room for adjustment. Its contrast peaked at 1106:1 at 40% brightness, so it’s a bit better than some budget IPS gaming monitors out there. However, it is not capable of deep blacks or substantial HDR performance, but that’s obvious from the start.
Panel uniformity for the test sample did not have any major issues, although there were some patches of light leaks at the top edge. They showed up as clouding in dark scenes, but they are otherwise unnoticeable. Note that this can vary between every unit made due to tolerances, so there are worse units out there.
The ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K has an excellent pixel response time thanks to its higher refresh rate and the characteristics of modern IPS tech. It barely shows any blurring, so you will be good with modest levels of overdrive. It is one of the reasons why this model and its price make VA somewhat irrelevant for fast-paced gaming since the latter is notorious for blurring.
The ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K is also compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync, so you don’t have to worry about tearing and stuttering. Dual compatibility is necessary since it allows you to keep the monitor and VRR even if you switch to the other GPU brand. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 180Hz, so it’s very fast and responsive enough for competitive play.
Thoughts on the ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K
The ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K is a fantastic choice not only because it’s cheap but also because of its excellent performance. Its IPS panel offers impressive color and pixel response times, making it suitable for any type of gaming. It lacks a few creature comforts, but it is well-designed and priced to beat the competition.
However, it has one glaring flaw, which defeats one of its main premises. Running it at 180Hz will lock out Adaptive Sync, so the overclock mode is basically pointless for most gamers. But overall, it is an incredible steal for a 1440p gaming display.
Pros:
- Fantastic Vibrancy
- Great Colors
- Very Affordable
- Ergonomic Stand
Cons:
- 180Hz Mode Locks out VRR
- Limited Features
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.
Leave a Reply