ASUS ProArt ASUS ProArt Display 27“ 1440P Professional Monitor Review

The ASUS ProArt PA278CFRV is a 27-inch 1440p monitor built for color-accurate creative work. It comes factory-calibrated with a Delta E of less than 2 and features a smooth 100Hz refresh rate and USB-C with 96W charging. It's a great all-in-one solution for photographers, designers, and video editors who need a reliable, accurate display.

If you're a creative pro or a serious hobbyist looking for a 27-inch monitor that gets the colors right without breaking the bank, the ASUS ProArt PA278CFRV is a solid contender. It's a 1440p IPS panel that's factory-calibrated for a Delta E of less than 2, which is the kind of color accuracy photographers, video editors, and designers need. The kit we're looking at bundles the monitor with ASUS's own ProArt CaliContrO colorimeter, making it a one-stop shop for anyone who needs a calibrated screen out of the box. It's not a flashy gaming monitor, but with a 100Hz refresh rate and USB-C with 96W of power delivery, it's built for a smooth, modern workflow.

In our database, this monitor scores in the 91st percentile for color, which is its main selling point. That factory calibration means you can trust what you're seeing, whether you're editing photos or designing graphics. The 100Hz refresh rate is a nice step up from the standard 60Hz you find on many professional displays, landing it in the 55th percentile for performance. It won't compete with a 240Hz gaming beast, but for scrolling through timelines or moving windows around, it feels noticeably smoother. The 5ms response time is fine for creative work, but you might notice some ghosting if you try to play fast-paced competitive games.

Prices for this monitor swing from around $249 to $448 depending on the retailer and whether you're buying just the screen or the kit with the colorimeter. At the lower end of that range, it's a fantastic deal for the color accuracy and features you get. The bundle with the CaliContrO colorimeter adds value if you plan to recalibrate regularly. If you just want a good 1440p screen and don't care about color work, you can find cheaper options. But for the target creative audience, the pre-calibrated accuracy justifies the price.

This ProArt sits in an interesting spot. Compared to a gaming monitor like the ASUS ROG Swift 32" 4K QD-OLED, you're trading blistering speed and perfect blacks for much better color accuracy out of the box and a more affordable price. Against a pure productivity monitor like a Dell UltraSharp, the ASUS offers a higher refresh rate and that handy USB-C docking. The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 is in a completely different league in terms of size and immersion, but it's also far more expensive and not focused on color-critical work. For creators, the ProArt's main competition might be something like a BenQ PD series or an older Dell Ultrasharp, where the 100Hz refresh and modern USB-C give the ASUS a clear edge.

Hardcore gamers should skip this. The 5ms response time and basic HDR won't keep up with fast-paced titles. If you're just browsing the web and using Office apps, you can find a perfectly good 1440p monitor for less money. Also, if you work in a pitch-black room and crave the infinite contrast of OLED, this IPS panel won't deliver that 'wow' factor. For those users, a dedicated gaming monitor or an OLED display would be a better fit.

Should you buy the ASUS ProArt PA278CFRV? If your work depends on accurate color and you want a modern, smooth-feeling 27-inch display, yes. The factory calibration is the real deal, and the 100Hz refresh rate is a quality-of-life boost you'll appreciate every day. The bundled colorimeter kit is a smart buy for professionals who need to maintain that accuracy over time. Just don't buy it expecting a thrilling HDR experience or to be the ultimate gaming monitor. It's a tool for getting work done, and it does that job very well.