LG UltraGear 25G523B Review

Quick Summary

The LG UltraGear 25G523B is an entry-level gaming monitor with a Full HD IPS panel, a 200 Hz refresh rate and a 1 ms (GtG) response time, and it is also sold in a 27-inch size as the 27G523B. For the price it gets the important gaming basics right: smooth motion, adaptive sync with both NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible and AMD FreeSync Premium, and wide sRGB coverage. The compromises are the usual budget ones: Full HD resolution, a tilt-only stand and no built-in speakers. At the time of writing, the 25-inch was in stock at about Rs 9,500 and the 27-inch at about Rs 12,600 on Flipkart.

Available Variants

There are two sizes with the same panel type and features: the 25-inch 25G523B and the 27-inch 27G523B. Both are Full HD IPS monitors with 200 Hz refresh and 1 ms response, so the choice is mostly about desk space and viewing distance. The 25-inch keeps Full HD looking sharper, while the 27-inch gives a bigger picture for a small extra cost. Both come in black with a three-year warranty.

Design & Build Quality

The design is clean and low-key: a three-side virtually borderless panel on a slim stand that does not take much desk space. The base is detachable and the monitor accepts a standard 100 × 100 mm wall mount, which is useful because the stand only tilts, from -5° to +15°. There is no height adjustment, swivel or pivot, so if your desk is low you may want a monitor arm. The 25-inch weighs 3.5 kg with the stand and the 27-inch weighs 4.2 kg, so both are easy to move and set up.

Display Quality

The IPS panel gives good colours and wide viewing angles, and the sRGB 99% coverage means game colours and everyday video look natural. Brightness of 300 nits is fine for a normal room, though it is not a bright HDR panel, and HDR10 support here is more of a label than a real HDR experience. The static contrast of 1,000:1 is typical for IPS, so dark scenes look a little grey in a dark room. The anti-glare coating keeps reflections down. At 25 inches, Full HD looks crisp; at 27 inches, it is acceptable for games but text is a little softer at a close desk distance.

Gaming Features

This is the reason to buy it. The 200 Hz refresh rate feels clearly smoother than a normal 60 Hz or 100 Hz monitor in shooters and racing games, as long as your PC or console can push high frame rates. The 1 ms (GtG) response time keeps ghosting down, and adaptive sync reduces tearing, with G-SYNC Compatible working over DisplayPort only. Black Stabilizer helps you see enemies in dark scenes, Dynamic Action Sync cuts input delay, and the on-screen Crosshair and FPS counter are handy extras. The LG Switch app adds quick settings and screen-split layouts. Console players should note that the monitor is Full HD, so it will not use a console at 4K.

Connectivity & Audio

You get two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort and a headphone jack, which covers a PC, a console and a laptop. There is no USB-C and no USB hub. There are no built-in speakers, so you need headphones or external speakers, which is common for gaming monitors at this price.

Features Assessment

For a budget gaming monitor the feature set is well chosen: adaptive sync, Black Stabilizer, a flicker-safe backlight, Reader Mode and a Colour Weakness mode. Missing items are a height-adjustable stand, USB-C and speakers, but none of them are a surprise at this price.

Ease of Use

The setup is plug-and-play: fit the base, connect power and a cable, and the monitor finds the input automatically. Menus offer 18 languages and are easy to move through, and the LG Switch app makes it simpler to change settings from the desktop. It is a simple, low-fuss monitor.

Value for Money

At about Rs 9,500 for the 25-inch and about Rs 12,600 for the 27-inch on Flipkart at the time of writing, the UltraGear G523B is priced very sharply for a 200 Hz IPS gaming monitor with both G-SYNC Compatible and FreeSync Premium. The LG India store listed both sizes at about Rs 12,989 the same day, so the shop you buy from matters. The three-year warranty adds confidence. For a 200 Hz IPS screen with adaptive sync, that is strong value.

Who Should Buy It?

It suits first-time gaming-monitor buyers, students and esports beginners who want a fast, smooth Full HD screen without spending much. It also fits a mixed gaming and study desk, thanks to the IPS colours and wide viewing angles.

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

Anyone who wants a height-adjustable stand, built-in speakers or a USB-C connection should look at a different model. Players who want a sharper QHD or 4K picture, or a richer HDR experience, should look at a higher-resolution gaming monitor.