For years, my gaming setup was solid but unremarkable. I had a powerful PC, a responsive keyboard, and a mouse with surgical precision. Yet, in fast-paced shooters like Valorant and Apex Legends, I constantly felt a step behind. I’d swing around a corner, certain I had the drop on an opponent, only to be eliminated before my screen fully registered their presence. It was a frustrating plateau. The culprit, I slowly realized, wasn’t my skill or my PC—it was my trusty old 60Hz monitor. It was like trying to race a sports car on city streets; the raw power was there, but the environment was limiting its performance. Upgrading to a high-refresh-rate monitor felt like a daunting, expensive leap, a luxury reserved for professional esports athletes. The market is flooded with options, and finding that perfect balance of speed, size, and price without making a critical compromise seemed almost impossible.
- 27-inch Full HD (1920x1080) gaming monitor with ultrafast 165Hz refresh rate designed for professional gamers and immersive gameplay
- ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB ) technology enables a 1ms response time (MPRT) together with Adaptive-sync, eliminating ghosting and tearing for sharp gaming visuals with high frame rates
- FreeSync Premium technology to eliminate screen tearing and choppy frame rates
What to Consider Before Buying a Gaming Monitor
A gaming monitor is more than just a screen; it’s your window into digital worlds, and it’s a key solution for unlocking the true potential of your gaming hardware. A great monitor translates your PC’s or console’s power into a smooth, responsive, and immersive experience, reducing input lag, eliminating screen tearing, and providing a tangible competitive advantage. The main benefits are twofold: enhanced performance in competitive titles through superior clarity and speed, and heightened immersion in story-driven games through vibrant colors and crisp details. Without a capable monitor, you’re essentially bottlenecking your entire system, leaving precious frames and responsiveness on the table.
The ideal customer for a high-refresh-rate 1080p monitor is a gamer who prioritizes fluid gameplay and competitive performance over sheer pixel count. This includes aspiring esports players, dedicated hobbyists with mid-range graphics cards (like an RTX 3060 or RX 6600) that excel at 1080p, and anyone upgrading from a standard 60Hz display for the first time. It’s a transformative upgrade. However, this type of product might not be suitable for those who prioritize creative work like high-resolution photo or video editing, where color accuracy and a 4K resolution are paramount. Similarly, gamers with top-tier GPUs (like an RTX 4080 or better) might feel underwhelmed by the 1080p resolution and would be better served by a 1440p or 4K display to fully leverage their hardware’s capabilities.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Resolution & Screen Size: The relationship between these two factors determines pixel density (Pixels Per Inch or PPI). A 27-inch screen is a popular, immersive size, but at a 1080p (1920×1080) resolution, the PPI is lower than on a 24-inch model. This can make text and fine details appear slightly less sharp. For pure gaming, it’s often a worthy trade-off for the larger view, but for mixed-use (work and play), it’s a critical consideration.
- Refresh Rate & Response Time: Refresh rate (measured in Hz) is how many times per second the screen updates the image. A 165Hz rate provides incredibly smooth motion compared to the 60Hz standard. Response time (measured in ms) is how quickly a pixel can change color. A 1ms response time, like the one advertised here, is crucial for minimizing motion blur and ghosting in fast-action scenes.
- Panel Technology & Color: The ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A 27″ 1080P 165Hz Monitor uses a VA (Vertical Alignment) panel, known for its excellent contrast ratios and deep blacks. This makes for a vibrant, punchy image. The alternatives are IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels, which typically have better viewing angles and color accuracy but lower contrast, and TN (Twisted Nematic) panels, which are the fastest but have the poorest color and viewing angles.
- Adaptive Sync Technology: This feature synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate with your graphics card’s frame rate output, eliminating ugly screen tearing and stuttering. This model features FreeSync Premium, which works with both AMD and modern NVIDIA cards (G-SYNC Compatible). It’s a must-have feature for any serious gamer.
Keeping these factors in mind, the ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A 27″ 1080P 165Hz Monitor stands out as a compelling package for its target audience. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.
While the ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A 27″ 1080P 165Hz Monitor is an excellent choice in its category, it’s always wise to understand the broader market, especially if you’re considering a leap to higher resolutions. For a broader look at top-tier models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- CURVED FOR ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT: An immersive viewing experience with a curved monitor that wraps more closely around your field of vision; It creates a wider view, enhancing depth perception and...
- An improved viewing experience: Experience a high 100Hz refresh rate across your work with a TÜV Rheinland 3-star* certified viewing experience coupled with ComfortView Plus.
- REACT IN REAL TIME: 180Hz refresh rate eliminates lag for exhilarating gameplay with ultrasmooth action; 1ms response time (MPRT) provides frames with minimal blur, allowing you to jump on enemies...
Unboxing the TUF: First Impressions and Key Features
Pulling the ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A 27″ 1080P 165Hz Monitor from its packaging, the first thing we noticed was its straightforward, gamer-centric design. It’s unapologetically part of the “TUF Gaming” lineup, with angular lines and a sturdy, V-shaped stand that feels solid on the desk. Assembly was a breeze; the stand clicks into the back of the monitor and is secured with a single tool-free thumbscrew at the base. It took less than two minutes to go from box to desk, a detail confirmed by several users who praised its easy setup. The bezels are respectably thin on three sides, making it a good candidate for a multi-monitor setup. In the box, we were pleased to find both an HDMI and a DisplayPort cable, providing everything needed to hit the maximum 165Hz refresh rate right away. Firing it up for the first time, the VA panel came to life with vibrant colors that immediately felt like a significant step up from older TN or budget IPS displays. The initial impression is one of exceptional value—a large, fast screen that feels ready for battle.
Key Benefits
- Blazing fast 165Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth gameplay
- Excellent contrast and vibrant colors thanks to the VA panel
- FreeSync Premium eliminates screen tearing for a seamless experience
- Exceptional value for a 27-inch high-refresh-rate gaming monitor
Potential Drawbacks
- 1080p resolution on a 27″ screen results in lower pixel density
- Stand offers tilt-only adjustment, lacking height or swivel
Deep Dive: Putting the ASUS TUF VG277Q1A to the Test
A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a gaming monitor, you have to live with it, fight with it, and work with it. We spent weeks using the ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A 27″ 1080P 165Hz Monitor as our primary display for everything from frantic multiplayer matches and immersive single-player adventures to daily productivity tasks. Here’s our detailed breakdown of its real-world performance.
Gaming Performance: Fluidity is the Name of the Game
This is where the monitor truly shines. The jump from 60Hz to 165Hz is not an incremental improvement; it’s a fundamental change in how you perceive and interact with the game. In our testing with fast-paced titles, the difference was immediate and profound. On-screen motion is, as one user eloquently put it, “smoother than butter on a non stick pan.” Aiming in FPS games feels telepathic rather than reactive. Tracking fast-moving targets becomes significantly easier because the image remains clear and coherent, without the smearing or judder of a lower refresh rate display. This sentiment was echoed by another user who stated their “gaming in FPS has improved dramatically thanks to the 1ms response time.”
We enabled FreeSync Premium and tested it with both AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards, and the results were flawless. Tearing was completely eliminated, providing a clean, uninterrupted image even when frame rates fluctuated. The 1ms (MPRT) response time is achieved through ASUS’s Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) technology. When enabled, it uses backlight strobing to reduce perceived motion blur, making fast-moving objects appear sharper. It’s important to note that you typically cannot use ELMB and FreeSync simultaneously, so you have to choose. For competitive gaming where every ounce of clarity matters, ELMB is a powerful tool. For most other gaming, the smoothness of FreeSync Premium is the better choice. Ultimately, having the option to prioritize either tear-free gaming or maximum motion clarity gives this monitor a versatile edge.
Visual Quality and Image Fidelity: The VA Panel Experience
While speed is its primary selling point, the visual quality of the ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A 27″ 1080P 165Hz Monitor is surprisingly robust for its price point. The VA panel technology delivers a static contrast ratio that is typically 3-4 times higher than what you’d find on a comparable IPS monitor. In practice, this means blacks are deeper and less “gray,” and colors have a rich, saturated pop. Several users were “blown away by the screen quality,” with one first-time monitor buyer noting the “colors and quality is so much better than I expected.” We found this to be true; games like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 looked fantastic, with dark scenes retaining detail and bright areas appearing vibrant without being washed out.
ASUS includes its Shadow Boost feature, which we found genuinely useful. It selectively brightens dark areas of the screen without overexposing the rest of the image, making it easier to spot enemies lurking in shadowy corners. However, we must address the pixel density. At 27 inches, the 1920×1080 resolution results in approximately 82 PPI. For gaming, this is perfectly acceptable, and the immersive size is a huge plus. But for productivity tasks involving a lot of text, you can discern individual pixels if you sit close. It’s not a deal-breaker, but if your use case is 50% work and 50% play, you might find a 24-inch 1080p or a 27-inch 1440p monitor to be sharper. For the price, however, the trade-off for a large, fast, and vibrant gaming display is one many will be happy to make. For those who want to get the most out of their picture, we found that manually adjusting the color settings in the OSD yielded even better results, a tip also shared by a happy customer.
Build Quality, Ergonomics, and Everyday Use
The “TUF” branding isn’t just for show; the monitor feels well-built and durable. The plastics are solid, there’s no creaking, and the stand provides a stable base with minimal wobble. The On-Screen Display (OSD) is controlled by a set of physical buttons on the bottom right bezel. While not as intuitive as a joystick, we found them easy to navigate after a few minutes of use. As one owner mentioned, “The screen settings are easier to maneuver.” The menu offers a wealth of gaming-centric features, including multiple display presets (FPS, Racing, MOBA), a crosshair overlay, a timer, and an FPS counter.
The primary ergonomic limitation is the stand, which only offers tilt adjustment. You cannot raise, lower, or swivel the screen. While the tilt range is generous enough to find a comfortable viewing angle for most desk setups, the lack of height adjustment is a noticeable omission. Thankfully, the monitor supports a standard 100x100mm VESA mount, so you can easily attach it to a more versatile third-party monitor arm, which we would highly recommend for long-term comfort. Connectivity is straightforward, with one DisplayPort 1.2 and one HDMI 1.4 port, along with a headphone jack. This is sufficient for a PC and a console, but a second HDMI port would have been welcome. If you are looking for a monitor that can deliver this kind of gaming performance, the ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A offers a compelling feature set for its price.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, user feedback for the ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A 27″ 1080P 165Hz Monitor is overwhelmingly positive, especially regarding its value proposition. Many buyers, particularly those upgrading from laptops or older 60Hz screens, are astounded by the performance. One user noted, “I play games like Fortnite… and they all look AMAZING!! Gaming on this monitor is very satisfying.” Another simply stated, “This is the best monitor I have ever bought.” The vibrant colors and smooth motion are common points of praise.
However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques, which align with our expert findings. A few users reported that their unit did not come with the advertised DisplayPort cable, forcing them to purchase one separately to achieve the 165Hz refresh rate. While our review unit included one, this appears to be a potential packaging inconsistency. Another minor issue noted by a particularly sharp-eyed user was minimal backlight bleed in the corners on a completely black screen, though they clarified it was unnoticeable in normal use. Finally, the lack of USB ports was a downside for one user who relies on them for peripherals, which is a fair point for those who value hub functionality in their display.
How Does the ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A Compare to the Competition?
No product exists in a vacuum. To give you the full picture, we’ve compared the ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A 27″ 1080P 165Hz Monitor against three distinct alternatives that cater to different budgets and needs.
1. ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQM1A 27” 1440P 260Hz Gaming Monitor
- 27-inch QHD(2560x1440) gaming monitor with overclock to 260Hz refresh rate designed for professional gamers and immersive gameplay
- ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB Sync) technology enables ELMB and variable-refresh-rate technologies to work simultaneously to eliminate ghosting and tearing for sharp gaming visuals with high...
- FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatible delivers a seamless, tear-free gaming experience by enabling VRR (variable refresh rate) by default
This is the direct step-up within the TUF family. The VG27AQM1A keeps the 27-inch size but makes two significant upgrades: the resolution jumps to QHD (2560×1440) for a much sharper image, and the refresh rate is boosted to a blistering 260Hz. It also uses a Fast IPS panel, which offers slightly better motion handling and viewing angles than the VA panel on our reviewed model. This monitor is the ideal choice for gamers with a more powerful graphics card who want to push beyond 1080p and gain an even greater competitive edge without leaving the excellent TUF ecosystem.
2. Alienware AW3423DWF Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
- INFINITELY IMMERSIVE: Quantum Dot Display Technology enables a slim panel design and delivers a superior color performance with a higher peak luminance and greater color gamut range vs WOLED (White...
- STUTTER-FREE SPEED: Experience ultra-low latency gameplay, support for HDR and cinematic color, plus smooth, tear-free gaming thanks to AMD FreeSync Premium Pro Technology and VESA AdaptiveSync...
- IMPECCABLE DESIGN: The jaw-dropping new design features a sleek QD-OLED curved 1800R panel integrated into the iconic new Legend 2.0 ID, plus customizable RGB AlienFX lighting, 360° ventilation for...
The Alienware represents the pinnacle of current monitor technology. It’s a completely different class of display, featuring a 34-inch ultrawide curved QD-OLED panel. This technology provides perfect blacks, an essentially infinite contrast ratio, and near-instantaneous pixel response times for unparalleled HDR performance and motion clarity. While its 165Hz refresh rate matches the TUF, the image quality is on another level entirely. This is the monitor for the enthusiast with a high-end PC and a very generous budget who prioritizes ultimate visual immersion and picture fidelity above all else.
3. Sceptre 27-inch 100Hz Gaming Monitor
- speakers 【INTEGRATED SPEAKERS】Whether you're at work or in the midst of an intense gaming session, our built-in speakers provide rich and seamless audio, all while keeping your desk clutter-free.
- 1ms BR 100hz 【ENHANCED GAMING EXPERIENCE】 Elevate your gaming prowess with a lightning-fast 1ms BR (Blur Reduction) and a silky-smooth 100Hz refresh rate. Enjoy unparalleled responsiveness and...
- Edgeless design 【WIDEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE】Our sleek minimal bezel design ensures undivided attention. The nearly bezel-free display seamlessly connects in a dual monitor arrangement, delivering an...
Positioned as a more budget-focused alternative, the Sceptre monitor also offers a 27-inch screen but scales back the performance. Its 100Hz refresh rate is still a noticeable improvement over the 60Hz standard but falls short of the fluidity offered by the 165Hz ASUS TUF. This monitor is best suited for casual gamers or those on the tightest of budgets who want a large screen for general use and light gaming. It’s a solid entry-level choice, but the ASUS TUF offers a significantly better gaming experience for what is often a modest price increase.
Final Verdict: Is the ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A Worth It?
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A 27″ 1080P 165Hz Monitor is an absolute titan in the budget gaming monitor space. It delivers on its core promise: providing a large, fluid, and responsive gaming experience that gives players a tangible competitive advantage, all without an exorbitant price tag. The combination of a 165Hz refresh rate, a vibrant VA panel, and essential features like FreeSync Premium creates a package that punches well above its weight class. While the 1080p resolution on a 27-inch panel may not be the sharpest for productivity, it’s a smart trade-off that allows mid-range GPUs to consistently hit high frame rates.
We recommend this monitor without hesitation to any gamer looking to make the leap to high-refresh-rate gaming. It’s the perfect match for 1080p gaming rigs and console gamers looking to maximize performance. For its price, the performance and feature set are simply outstanding. If you’ve decided the ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A 27″ 1080P 165Hz Monitor is the right fit for your battle station, you can check its current price and availability here.
Last update on 2025-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API