LG LQ600S 27LQ600S-WU 27"

The LG LQ600S 27LQ600S-WU is a compact smart monitor that combines a 27-inch 1080p screen with full webOS streaming. It's a solid pick for a secondary display in a kitchen or dorm where space is tight and you don't want a separate streaming dongle. Picture quality is mediocre and gaming performance is weak, so it's strictly for casual use.

If you're hunting for a compact screen that can pull double duty as a PC monitor and a smart TV without bolting on a streaming stick, the LG LQ600S (model 27LQ600S-WU) might've caught your eye. It's a 27-inch 1080p IPS panel with LG's webOS baked right in, so you get Netflix, YouTube, and all the streaming apps without needing another box. The idea is simple: a tidy all-in-one for a kitchen counter, dorm desk, or RV that doesn't eat up a ton of space. Prices are a wild ride, bouncing from as low as $121 up to $3,750 depending on the seller, so where you buy matters a whole lot.

This isn't a high-performance monitor or a home theater star. With 300 nits of brightness, a sluggish 14ms response time, and no HDR to speak of, its picture chops sit in the bottom third of our database. But for casual YouTube binges, recipe scrolling, or checking email, the 178-degree viewing angles and matte-ish IPS panel get the job done. The 75Hz refresh is a tiny step up from the usual 60Hz office screen, so desktop movement feels a bit smoother, though you won't mistake it for a gaming display.

Built-in dual 5W speakers with Dolby Audio are fine for news or background tunes, and the connectivity is generous for this class: two HDMI ports, two USB-A 2.0, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi. You can even toss it on a VESA arm with its 75x75mm mount. In a nutshell, the LQ600S is a compromise. It's not the best TV or the best monitor, but it nails the niche of a small, smart, no-fuss screen for spaces where a full-blown television would feel like overkill.

Our testing puts the LQ600S firmly in the 'adequate for casual use' bucket. The 1920x1080 resolution spread across 27 inches means pixel density isn't great, so text looks a little soft and images lack the crispness you'd get from a 4K panel. Peak brightness tops out at 300 nits, which is fine for a dim room but struggles near a sunny window. The contrast ratio sits at a typical 1000:1, so blacks lean gray in a dark room, making movie nights feel washed out—that's why the movie score in our database lands at a paltry 20.8 out of 100.

The 75Hz refresh is a small win for desktop use, reducing scroll jitter compared to 60Hz monitors, but the 14ms GtG response time results in noticeable motion blur when things move fast. Casual platformers or turn-based games are playable, but any shooter or racer will look smeary. Color coverage is 72% NTSC (roughly 100% sRGB), so hues are passable but not accurate enough for photo editing. If you're simply streaming sitcoms and browsing the web, it holds up. Just don't expect it to shine in any demanding scenario.

The price tag on the LQ600S is a story in itself. We've seen it listed anywhere between $121 and $3,750 across different vendors, a spread of $3,629. The $121 deals appear to come from scattered third-party sellers and might be open-box or refurbished units, so check the condition carefully. At that low end, this thing is a steal—even a basic dumb 27-inch monitor often costs more. Around the $150 to $200 mark, it's a fair buy for a secondary smart screen in a kitchen or bedroom. Pushing beyond $300, though, you drift into the price range of a proper 4K smart monitor like the Samsung M7, which delivers far better picture quality and resolution. If you spot the LQ600S from a seller listing it under $130 and trust the source, it's a quirky, capable bargain. Just don't pay anywhere near that $3,750 number—that's simply absurd for a 1080p screen.

The most natural rivals for the LQ600S aren't the 55-inch TVs listed as competitors, but rather other smart monitors. Samsung's M5 Smart Monitor is the closest match, a 27-inch 1080p screen with Tizen OS that usually sells around $200. The Samsung has a VA panel with deeper blacks and a slightly better contrast ratio, but its stand is less flexible and it runs at 60Hz. If you want a step up, the Samsung M7 packs a 32-inch 4K panel and USB-C connectivity for not much more cash, making the LG's soft 1080p image feel dated in comparison. LG's own 27-inch StanbyME is a portable battery-powered alternative, but it costs a lot more.

Pitting the LQ600S against the Hisense U6 or TCL QM7K is a fruitless exercise—those are 4K TVs with quantum dot color and full-array local dimming that stomp the tiny LG in every picture quality metric. But they're also physically huge and need a TV stand. If you're trying to decide between a small smart monitor and a proper television for a bedroom, a 43-inch Sony BRAVIA 2 II will give you a far better viewing experience for streaming and cable. The LG only wins when desk space is at a premium and you absolutely want the screen to pull monitor duties too.

Skip the LQ600S if you want a primary living room TV—the small 27-inch screen and soft 1080p resolution can't deliver a cinematic experience. Gamers who play anything faster than a point-and-click adventure will be frustrated by the 14ms response time. Anyone who needs accurate colors for photo or video editing should look elsewhere; the 72% NTSC gamut isn't up to that task. If any of these apply, a basic 4K monitor paired with a $30 streaming stick or a Samsung M7 smart monitor will serve you much better.

You should buy the LG LQ600S if you need a jack-of-all-trades screen for a spot where a big TV won't fit. A dorm room, a cramped home office, an RV, or a kitchen counter where you occasionally want to stream a show while you cook—those are its happy places. Having webOS built in means one less remote and cable, and the speaker quality is good enough to skip a soundbar for casual listening.

But if your priority is image quality or gaming, walk away. The dim, 1080p picture is a letdown for movies, and the slow response time kneecaps fast gameplay. You're much better off with a dedicated TV or a higher-res monitor plus a Chromecast. The LQ600S is a niche product that fills that niche decently, as long as you find it at a sane price.