ASUS TUF Gaming ASUS TUF Gaming 27" 1440P Gaming Monitor Review
The ASUS TUF VG27AQML1A pushes a 1440p panel to a blistering 260Hz. It's built for one thing: winning. But that speed comes at a cost.
The 30-Second Version
This is a speed demon for competitive gamers. The 260Hz refresh rate and ELMB Sync make motion incredibly smooth. It's expensive, but worth it if you need every frame to count.
Overview
The ASUS TUF VG27AQML1A is a monitor that knows its job: go fast and look good doing it. With a 27-inch QHD IPS panel that can overclock to a blistering 260Hz, it's built for competitive gamers who want every frame to count. It also throws in solid ergonomics and decent HDR400 support, making it more than just a one-trick pony.
Performance
This thing is fast. The 260Hz refresh rate lands in the 97th percentile in our database, and the 1ms response time keeps up. Motion clarity is excellent thanks to ASUS's ELMB Sync tech, which combats ghosting even when variable refresh rate is on. The 400-nit brightness and 100% sRGB coverage are solid for an IPS panel, though the HDR400 certification is more of a nice-to-have than a true HDR experience.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Insanely smooth 260Hz refresh rate for competitive gaming. 97th
- Excellent motion clarity with ELMB Sync. 97th
- Great ergonomic stand with full adjustability. 95th
- Strong color accuracy right out of the box. 94th
Cons
- HDR400 is underwhelming for true HDR content. 27th
- The price is steep for a 1440p monitor.
- Built-in speakers are a token feature at best.
- Social proof score is low, meaning fewer user reviews to go on.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 27" |
| Resolution | 2560 (QHD) |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Performance
| Refresh Rate | 260 Hz |
| Response Time | 1 |
| Adaptive Sync | G-Sync Compatible |
Color & HDR
| Brightness | 400 nits |
| Color Gamut | 100% sRGB |
| HDR | HDR400 |
| HDR Support | HDR400 |
Connectivity
| DisplayPort | 1 |
| Thunderbolt | No |
| Speakers | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes |
Ergonomics
| Height Adjustable | Yes |
| Tilt | Yes |
| Swivel | Yes |
| Pivot | Yes |
| VESA Mount | 100x100 |
Features
| Power | 26 |
| Weight | 6.4 kg / 14.1 lbs |
Value & Pricing
At around $863, this is a premium ask for a 1440p monitor. You're paying for that top-tier 260Hz refresh rate and the excellent motion handling tech. If your main game is a competitive shooter and your PC can push frames that high, the price might be justified. For everyone else, there are cheaper high-refresh-rate options that get you 95% of the way there.
vs Competition
It sits in a weird spot. It's faster than most 1440p 240Hz monitors, like many from Gigabyte or MSI, but it's not as visually stunning as the newer QD-OLED panels from ASUS's own ROG line or Samsung. Compared to the 4K 240Hz MSI MPG, you're trading resolution for slightly higher refresh rates. And next to the massive, immersive LG UltraGear 45", you're getting a much more standard, but arguably more practical, 27-inch size. It's for the gamer who prioritizes raw speed over all else.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming ASUS TUF Gaming 27" 1440P Gaming Monitor | Samsung Odyssey Samsung - 57" Odyssey Neo G9 Dual 4K UHD Quantum | LG UltraGear LG UltraGear 45" WUHD DUAL MODE 4K 165Hz FHD 330Hz | ASUS ROG Swift ASUS ROG Swift 32" 4K OLED Gaming Monitor PG32UCDP | MSI MAG MSI 32" UHD 4K 165Hz Nvidia G-Sync Compatible | BenQ MOBIUZ BenQ MOBIUZ EX271U 27" 4K HDR 165 Hz Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 27 | 57 | 45 | 32 | 32 | 27 |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 7680 x 2160 | 5120 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Panel Type | IPS | VA | OLED | OLED | OLED | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 260 | 240 | 165 | 240 | 165 | 165 |
| Response Time Ms | 1 | 1 | - | - | 0 | 1 |
| Adaptive Sync | G-Sync Compatible | FreeSync Premium Pro | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | FreeSync Premium |
| Hdr | HDR400 | HDR10+ | HDR10 | HDR10 | HDR400 | HDR10 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
Common Questions
Q: What's the refresh rate without overclocking?
The native refresh rate is 240Hz. You have to enable overclocking in the monitor's menu to hit 260Hz.
Q: How heavy is this monitor?
It's not light. With the stand, it weighs about 14.1 pounds (6.4 kg), and without the stand, it's just over 9 pounds.
Q: Is the HDR any good?
The HDR400 support is basic. It makes bright scenes a bit punchier, but don't expect the vivid contrast of a true HDR monitor with higher brightness.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you're a content creator who needs wide color gamuts (DCI-P3/Adobe RGB), or if you mostly play cinematic single-player games where visual fidelity and contrast are king. Also, if you're on a tight budget, there are more affordable 1440p high-refresh monitors that will serve you just fine.
Verdict
Buy this if you're a serious competitive gamer with a PC powerful enough to consistently hit high frame rates at 1440p, and you want the absolute smoothest motion possible without jumping to OLED. The excellent stand and good colors are nice bonuses.