Excellent
“A fantastic 1440p gaming monitor with vibrant colors and buttery-smooth performance—at a price that finally makes sense.”
Disclosure: /SKILL is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
The LG 27GP850-B has been a staple recommendation in the 1440p gaming monitor space since 2021, and for good reason. It combines LG’s excellent Nano IPS panel technology with a fast 180Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for competitive gamers who also care about color accuracy.
TL;DR
- Still excellent for 1440p gaming — the Nano IPS panel delivers vibrant colors and 180Hz (overclocked) for smooth gameplay
- OLED alternatives now exist at similar prices — but this monitor still holds its own on color accuracy and reliability
- Best value at $300 or below — at full $380 MSRP it faces stiff competition, but on sale it’s a fantastic buy
Now priced $380, is it still worth buying in 2026? We put it through its paces to find out.
Looking for more options? Check out our complete guide to the best gaming monitors.
📋 In This Review
The LG 27GP850-B stands out for its Nano IPS panel, delivering a wide 98% DCI-P3 color gamut that makes games look stunning without sacrificing competitive performance.
Specifications
| Screen Size | 27 inches |
| Resolution | 2560 × 1440 (QHD) |
| Panel Type | Nano IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz (180Hz overclocked) |
| Response Time | 1ms GtG |
| Color Gamut | 98% DCI-P3 (~135% sRGB) |
| HDR | DisplayHDR 400 |
| Adaptive Sync | G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium |
| Ports | 1× DisplayPort 1.4, 2× HDMI 2.0, 2× USB 3.0, Headphone Jack |
| Stand Adjustments | Height (110mm), Tilt, Pivot |
| VESA Mount | 100 × 100mm |
| Price | $380 |
Design & Build Quality
The LG 27GP850-B features LG’s signature UltraGear aesthetic—a slim profile with a matte black finish and subtle red accents on the stand. It’s understated compared to flashier gaming monitors, which we appreciate.
The stand is sturdy and offers excellent adjustability: height (110mm range), tilt (-5°/15°), and 90° pivot for portrait mode. The notable omission is swivel adjustment—you’ll need to physically move the entire monitor to adjust horizontal angle. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting if desk placement matters.
Build quality is solid throughout. The bezels are thin on three sides (about 8mm), with a slightly thicker bottom bezel. The matte anti-glare coating effectively eliminates reflections without making the image grainy.
Connectivity is generous: DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a dual-port USB 3.0 hub (convenient for peripherals), and a headphone jack. The USB hub is a nice inclusion that many competitors at this price skip.
Display & Performance
Color & Image Quality
The star of the show is LG’s Nano IPS panel with its 98% DCI-P3 color gamut. Colors pop with a vibrancy that standard IPS panels can’t match. Reds and greens are particularly saturated, making games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Horizon Forbidden West look stunning.
For content that targets sRGB (most games and web content), the 27GP850-B includes an sRGB emulation mode that clamps the gamut for more accurate colors when needed. You can even adjust brightness while in sRGB mode—a feature often missing on wide-gamut monitors.
Peak brightness hits around 400 nits, plenty for normal lighting conditions. The contrast ratio is typical for IPS at 700:1-1000:1, meaning blacks appear more gray than true black. Some IPS glow is present in dark scenes, varying by unit—this is the tradeoff for IPS’s superior color accuracy and viewing angles.
At 27 inches with 1440p resolution, you get a pixel density of 108 PPI—sharp enough that you won’t need scaling, yet demanding enough GPU power to be playable on mid-range hardware.
Gaming Performance
Response times are excellent. The 1ms GtG spec holds up in practice—we saw minimal ghosting or trailing in fast-paced shooters. The monitor offers four overdrive modes (Off, Normal, Fast, Faster). Stick with “Fast” for the best balance; “Faster” introduces overshoot artifacts.
When using variable refresh rate (VRR), drop to “Normal” if your framerate consistently stays below 100 FPS to avoid inverse ghosting.
Input lag is imperceptible at ~4ms—competitive players won’t find anything to complain about here.
The 165Hz base refresh rate with optional 180Hz overclock means silky-smooth gameplay. The VRR range is excellent: 48-180Hz over DisplayPort (AMD and NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible) and 48-144Hz over HDMI for AMD cards.
HDR Performance
Let’s be real: DisplayHDR 400 is entry-level HDR, and it shows. Without local dimming and with modest peak brightness, HDR content doesn’t deliver the wow factor you’d get from a true HDR display. The wide color gamut helps somewhat, but you’ll likely leave HDR disabled most of the time.
Think of HDR support as a bonus feature rather than a selling point.
How It Compares
See how the LG 27GP850-B stacks up against popular alternatives:
| Feature | LG 27GP850-B | ASUS VG27AQ1A | Dell S2722DGM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panel Type | Nano IPS | IPS | VA |
| Refresh Rate | 180Hz | 170Hz | 165Hz |
| Response Time | 1ms GtG | 1ms MPRT | 1ms MPRT |
| Color Gamut | 98% DCI-P3 | 99% sRGB | 99% sRGB |
| Contrast Ratio | ~1000:1 | ~1000:1 | ~3000:1 |
| USB Hub | Yes (2 ports) | No | No |
| Price | $380 | $230 | $250 |
vs ASUS VG27AQ1A: The ASUS is cheaper but lacks the wide color gamut and USB hub. If you prioritize color vibrancy for single-player games, the LG wins.
vs Dell S2722DGM: The Dell’s VA panel offers superior contrast (3000:1 vs 1000:1) for deeper blacks, but its curved design and slower pixel response make it less ideal for competitive play. Choose Dell for immersion, LG for speed.
For a complete breakdown of all your options, check out our best gaming monitors buyer’s guide.
Pair It With
Get the most out of your LG 27GP850-B with these accessories:
VIVO Single Monitor Desk Mount
Free up desk space, perfect positioning
Cable Matters DP 1.4
VESA certified, supports full 180Hz
WHOOSH! Screen Cleaner Kit
Safe for all coatings
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Stunning 98% DCI-P3 color gamut
- Fast 1ms response time with minimal ghosting
- 180Hz overclock for buttery-smooth gaming
- USB hub included (rare at this price)
- Excellent stand adjustability
- G-SYNC Compatible and FreeSync Premium
❌ Cons
- No swivel adjustment on stand
- Typical IPS contrast (blacks look gray)
- HDR 400 is underwhelming
- Some IPS glow in dark scenes
Who Should Buy This?
Buy the LG 27GP850-B if:
- You want vibrant colors AND competitive gaming performance
- You play a mix of single-player and competitive games
- You want a USB hub built into your monitor
- You value color accuracy for creative work alongside gaming
Skip this if:
- You need deep blacks for dark room gaming — consider a VA panel like the Dell S2722DGM instead
- You want 4K resolution — look at the LG 27GP95R-B
- You’re on a tight budget under $250 — the ASUS VG27AQ1A is excellent
Final Verdict
The LG 27GP850-B remains one of the best all-around 1440p gaming monitors you can buy. Its Nano IPS panel delivers colors that make games look incredible, while the 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time satisfy competitive players.
At $380, it’s not the cheapest option, but the combination of wide color gamut, fast response times, and included USB hub makes it excellent value. This is the monitor to buy if you refuse to compromise between visual fidelity and gaming performance.
For more options, see our complete gaming monitor buyer’s guide.
8.5/10 — Excellent
The best 1440p monitor for gamers who want stunning colors without sacrificing competitive performance.
Price checked: February 1, 2026. Prices and availability may change.