LG UltraGear 27GX790A review: setting new gaming standards

If you're shopping around for one of the best monitors you can buy, then you're most probably going to come across LG's range sooner or later. The LG UltraGear GX7 is brings a feature set that's particularly aimed at gamers – if you prize speedy refresh over ultimate resolution.

The model I'm reviewing here is the LG 27GX790A, featuring a 26.5-inch screen and 480Hz refresh. I've spent a couple of weeks testing it out in all the key areas that matter. As well as running games to tackle that refresh rate, I've also gone in on more menial tasks, such as day-to-day work and watching movies.

So how does it stack up? The LG 27GX7 is a 5-star stunner for the right user, as I'll explain in this review. If it's not the monitor for you, however, and you're seeking the best monitors for a MacBook Pro, perhaps the best monitors for home working or, indeed, one of the best 4K monitors then check out our other guides.

Price & Availability

There's no need to wait for the LG UltraGear 27GX790A: it's out and available to buy right now.

As for pricing, the widget embedded above on this page will tell you what the best deals are online right now, but at the time of writing, you can expect to pay around £900 / $900 for the monitor.

If you're shopping in the UK, it's available at retailers including Amazon and Very, as well as direct from LG.

Design & Setup

I'm always pleased when a monitor comes along that doesn't need any tools to assemble, and that's the case with the LG UltraGear 27GX790A. You just slot the stand into the back of the monitor, then the base into the bottom of the stand. From the moment you start unpacking the box, you can have this up and running in about 10 minutes.

From there, the setup and configuration is very straightforward. The familiar LG UltraGear on-screen display is here, controlled by a joystick just underneath the chin of the monitor, and I was able to tour through the options in no time. As soon as you've got a source connected, it'll show up on the display.

When it comes to the design, it's more function over flair. There are a few touches of style, in the hexagonal box around the back (complete with some basic RGB lighting) and the LG UltraGear logo, but mostly this is a plain, no-nonsense monitor design that keeps the focus firmly on the OLED panel.

This 26.5-inch monitor measures 605.2 x 579 x 249.1mm set to its highest level, and there's a good amount of adjustment in terms of height, tilt, and swivel – and it'll even rotate 90-degrees if you need. There are two HDMI 2.1 ports and a DisplayPort 2.1 port here, plus a USB-B port and two USB-A slots for peripherals – so no USB-C, sadly.

Picture & Features

The key specs for gamers are the 480Hz maximum refresh rate and the 0.03 ms response time, which immediately put this 2,560 x 1,440 pixel OLED panel in the top bracket of the best gaming monitors. Brightness tops out at 250 nits, and there's 98.5% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut.

It all translates into a powerful gaming display that really allows your chosen titles to shine: I didn't see anything in the way of artefacts or blurring during my testing, with the darkest and brightest spots of each frame beautifully handled by the screen. Reassuringly, there's support for both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro here.

With games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2, colours are punchy and solid, and the matte finish helps to reduce reflections. While the screen might struggle in the brightest of environments – and some gamers might prefer larger, wider displays – the LG UltraGear 27GX790A brings with it top-notch performance.

This is very much a monitor that concentrates on gaming, so the other aspects of its performance don't hit the same heights – but they're still very good. I had no complaints with using the monitor for everyday computing tasks, though screens that are built for office and creative work are going to be slightly sharper and crisp.

It's a screen that scores highly for watching movies and other videos too, and of course the OLED technology helps here, offering super-deep blacks and superb levels of contrast. HDR is handled well too, with support for DisplayHDR True Black 400 included and details perfectly visible right across the brightness range.

The LG UltraGear 27GX790A doesn't come with any built-in speakers, but it does have a headphone jack. This isn't uncommon for high-end gaming monitors, but I always like to see speakers included in a monitor, even if they're just basic ones – it means you can hear audio from videos and games without another accessory attached.

LG UltraGear 27GX790A review: Verdict

You are of course spoilt for choice when it comes to gaming monitors, and the LG UltraGear 27GX790A doesn't offer an ultra-wide view, or a particularly large screen, or a 4K resolution, or USB-C connectivity – in other words, it's not going to suit everyone, depending on your tastes and your budget.

However, if you're shopping around for an OLED with a headline 480Hz refresh panel then this 27-inch monitor is the absolute business. That headline spec really makes this monitor stand out in a crowded field – and I've been super-impressed during gaming sessions.

Far as gaming monitors go, this LG is one of the best: the GX7 makes moving images look nearly as clear as static ones. Add in the usual high-level build quality and configuration options from LG, and it really appeals.

Also consider

In terms of 4K options, the Alienware AW2725Q definitely stands out: it offers an excellent level of build quality, a superior style, and superb visuals from its OLED screen. If you shop around online, it's available for more or less the same price as the LG UltraGear 27GX790A, so there's not much to choose between them.

If you really want something that's more of an all-rounder but can do gaming at a push, then consider the Dell UltraSharp U4323QE. It's a little more expensive than the LG UltraGear 27GX790A I've reviewed here, but you get a massive 43 inches, making it a great option for standard computing work.