LG UltraGear LG 27" 165Hz VA FHD Gaming Monitor FreeSync Review

The LG UltraGear 27GQ50F-B delivers fantastic gaming smoothness with its 165Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium at a very competitive price. The catch is a dim, modest-color display and no speakers. Shop hard, as prices range from a steal at $166 to a rip-off at $350. Recommended for budget gamers who prioritize frame rate over picture perfection.

Let's talk about the LG UltraGear 27GQ50F-B. This is a 27-inch, 165Hz gaming monitor that's trying to hit that sweet spot between performance and price. It's not trying to be the fanciest screen on the block. Instead, it's a straightforward, no-frills option for someone who wants a smooth gaming experience without breaking the bank.

Who is this for? Honestly, it's a great first gaming monitor or a solid secondary screen. If you're moving up from a basic 60Hz office panel, the jump to 165Hz is going to feel incredible. The 1ms MBR (Motion Blur Reduction) and AMD FreeSync Premium are here to keep things smooth when the action gets fast. It's not for the pixel-perfect creative pro or the 4K enthusiast, but for a gamer on a budget, it's got a lot of appeal.

What makes it interesting is how it splits its personality. Our data shows it scores a 58.3 for gaming, which is decent, but it also holds its own for office work at 54.7. That means you can frag out after work and then use the same screen for spreadsheets without it feeling completely out of place. It's a jack-of-all-trades in the budget gaming space.

The performance story here is all about speed. That 165Hz refresh rate sits in the 93rd percentile, which is seriously fast for the price. In practical terms, games feel incredibly fluid, and tearing is a non-issue thanks to FreeSync Premium. The 1ms MBR mode helps with motion clarity, though you'll trade a bit of brightness for that benefit. It's a trade-off worth making for competitive titles.

Now, the display quality is where you see the compromises. The 250-nit brightness and 72% NTSC color gamut land in the 30th and 48th percentiles, respectively. Translation? It's not a bright screen, and colors won't pop like they do on an IPS panel. In a dimly lit room, it's fine. In a sunny room, you'll be squinting. For fast-paced gaming where smoothness matters more than color accuracy, it's a fair deal. For editing photos or watching HDR movies, look elsewhere.

Here's the kicker: this monitor's price swings wildly from $166 to $350 depending on the vendor. At the low end of that range, around $170, it's an absolute steal for 165Hz. At $350, you're getting ripped off, because you can find better IPS panels with similar specs for that money. Our advice? Shop around. The value is entirely in finding it on sale.

You're paying for the core gaming performance—the high refresh rate and adaptive sync—and not much else. Things like color accuracy, peak brightness, and extra features were clearly on the chopping block to hit this price. If your budget is tight and smooth gameplay is your top priority, the value proposition is strong, but only at the right price.

The obvious competitor is anything in the 27-inch, 1080p, high-refresh-rate space. Compared to a similar spec'd IPS monitor from brands like Acer or ASUS, this LG will often be cheaper, but you'll give up better viewing angles and more vibrant colors. The trade-off is clear: save money, get a slightly dimmer and less color-accurate picture.

Then you have the Samsung Odyssey G-series, which often uses curved VA panels. They might offer better contrast but can cost more. This LG is the straightforward, flat-panel budget option. It's also worth comparing it to a 24-inch 1080p monitor. At 27 inches, the pixels are more spread out, so image sharpness isn't as good. If you want a crisper picture for the same money, downsizing to a 24-inch panel with the same 165Hz spec might be a smarter move.

Creative professionals and anyone who needs accurate color work should steer clear. The color gamut coverage is limited, and the VA panel's viewing angles aren't consistent. If your work involves photo editing, video color grading, or graphic design, this monitor will hold you back. Look for a monitor with an IPS panel and higher color accuracy instead.

Also, if you're setting up a media center or want an all-in-one display for a console in a living room, the lack of speakers and relatively dim screen are big drawbacks. For that use case, a TV or a monitor with integrated audio and higher brightness is a much better fit. This is a tool built for a specific job: budget PC gaming.

Buy this monitor if you're a budget-focused gamer who values frame rate over all else. It's perfect for someone playing competitive shooters or fast-paced RPGs who wants the fluidity of 165Hz and FreeSync but doesn't have the cash for a premium display. It's also a great secondary monitor for a streaming setup where it will just display your chat or monitoring software.

Skip this monitor if you care about image quality, work in a bright room, or need built-in speakers. Creative professionals, movie buffs, and anyone who shares their screen with people sitting off to the side should look at IPS options instead. Also, if you find it priced above $250, walk away. At that point, the value evaporates, and better all-around monitors enter the conversation.