Alienware AW-Series 27" LED Review

This is a specialist's monitor built for one job: winning esports matches. The 360Hz refresh rate is phenomenal, but the 1080p resolution on a 27-inch screen is a tough pill to swallow. Buy it for the speed, not the scenery.

Let's be real: this Alienware AW2724HF is a one-trick pony, but it does that trick better than almost anything else. If you're a competitive FPS gamer who lives for the tiniest edge in games like Valorant or Counter-Strike, this 360Hz, 0.5ms IPS panel is built for you. The one thing to know? It's a speed demon that sacrifices resolution and color depth for pure, unadulterated frame chasing. Everything else, from the design to the connectivity, is in service of that single goal.

The 360Hz refresh rate is the star, and our data shows it lands in the 89th percentile for performance. That's blisteringly fast. What surprised us, though, is how well the IPS panel handles motion at that speed. You'd expect some compromises, but the 0.5ms GtG response time is legit. The real-world feel is buttery smooth, with minimal ghosting. Just don't expect it to blow you away with visual detail; at 1080p on a 27-inch screen, the pixel density is low.

Prices swing wildly from $176 to $380. At the low end, it's a steal for the speed you get. At $380, you're paying a hefty Alienware tax for a 1080p panel when 1440p high-refresh options exist. Our verdict? If you can snag it for under $250, it's a compelling niche buy. Any higher, and you need to be absolutely sure you value raw Hz over everything else.

This monitor exists in a weird spot. The Samsung Odyssey G9 or ASUS ROG Swift QD-OLED will destroy it in visual immersion, HDR, and resolution. The MSI MPG 32" 4K 240Hz offers a much sharper image at a still-insanely-high refresh rate. The Alienware's only real direct competitor is other 360Hz 1080p monitors. It wins on brand prestige and build, but loses on pixel density. You're choosing between ultimate smoothness (this) and a sharper, more versatile image (almost anything else).

If you play sprawling single-player RPGs, do any content creation, or just want a sharp, beautiful image, this isn't it. The pixelated 1080p screen will disappoint you. Go get a 1440p 240Hz monitor like the MSI MAG274QRF-QD instead. You'll thank us.

We recommend the Alienware AW2724HF, but only to a very specific person: the hyper-competitive FPS gamer who prioritizes frame rate over graphical fidelity. For that person, it's a fantastic tool. For anyone who also cares about single-player games, content creation, or just a crisp picture, look at a 1440p 240Hz monitor instead. You'll get 95% of the smoothness with twice the detail.