LG UltraGear 27GS85Q Review

Quick Summary

The LG UltraGear 27GS85Q is a 27-inch QHD gaming monitor that gets the basics very right. Its Nano IPS panel covers a wide range of colours, runs at 180 Hz (200 Hz when overclocked) with a 1 ms response time, and works with both FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible graphics cards. QHD is easier on a graphics card than 4K, so more players can actually use all that speed. It has no speakers or USB Type-C, and its HDR is entry-level. At around ₹26,000 it is one of the more sensible gaming monitors for a mid-to-high-end PC.

Design & Build Quality

The design is simple, black and slim-bezelled, with none of the heavy gaming styling that makes some monitors hard to place in a normal room. At 6.2 kg with its stand it feels well put together, and it sits comfortably on a standard desk.

The stand allows tilt, height adjustment and pivot, so you can lift the screen to eye level or turn it upright. There is no swivel, but the 100 × 100 mm VESA mount is there if you want to fit an arm, and without the stand the monitor weighs only 4.3 kg. Like other LG monitors in this range, it is made in India, at the company's plant near Pune.

Display Quality

The Nano IPS panel is the most attractive part of this monitor. Colour coverage reaches about 98% of DCI-P3, which is wider than the 95% of many gaming IPS screens, so games, films and photos look rich and natural. Viewing angles are wide, and each unit is factory-calibrated.

At 27 inches and 2560 × 1440, the picture is sharp enough for gaming and everyday work without making text too small, and it is easier to run than 4K. Brightness of 400 nits typical suits a normal room, and the DisplayHDR 400 rating gives a modest lift to highlights in compatible games. Contrast of 1,000:1 is the usual IPS level, so a dark room will show grey blacks.

Gaming Performance

Speed is the strength here. A 180 Hz refresh rate (200 Hz with overclocking) and 1 ms GtG response make fast action look clean and responsive, and QHD means a good mid-range or better graphics card can reach those frame rates in many titles. G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync keep the picture free from tearing when the frame rate varies.

The usual gamer tools are on board: a crosshair, an FPS counter, Black Stabilizer for dark corners and Dynamic Action Sync. The DisplayHDR 400 certification is entry-level, so do not buy this monitor for dramatic HDR.

Connectivity & Audio

Two HDMI inputs and one DisplayPort 1.4 input cover a PC and a console together. DisplayPort is the better choice for the full refresh rate on a PC. A USB hub with two downstream ports and one upstream port is handy for peripherals.

The headphone jack is 3-pole, so it carries sound only and does not take a headset microphone. There are no built-in speakers listed, and there is no USB Type-C input, so plan for headphones and a separate laptop charger.

Features Assessment

The feature set does what a gamer needs. The crosshair, FPS counter and user-defined key are used often, and the overclocking option offers a little more speed for those who want it. Flicker Safe and Reader Mode make longer sessions easier on the eyes, and Auto Input Switch changes inputs as you plug devices in.

Ease of Use

Setup is simple: attach the stand, connect a DisplayPort cable and pick the input. OnScreen Control, LG's desktop software, helps with changing settings and arranging windows using the mouse, which is easier than working through buttons on the bezel.

Value for Money

The lowest qualifying selling price we found is about ₹25,999, on a listing sold by the main seller on Amazon.in, against an MRP of ₹35,000. LG's own store lists it at ₹27,000. For that money you get a fast, colourful Nano IPS panel with both adaptive-sync modes and a three-year warranty listed on the shop page, which is strong value in the QHD gaming class.

Who Should Buy It?

Gamers with a mid-range or better graphics card who want high refresh rates and sharp, colourful pictures, and people who split their time between gaming and photo or video work. It is a sensible first upgrade from a 1080p screen.

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

Buyers who want 4K detail should consider a 4K gaming monitor, provided their graphics card can drive it. Laptop users who want one-cable charging, or people who need speakers or a headset microphone through the monitor, will do better with another model. Those who want deep blacks should look at OLED.