ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ Gaming Monitor

ASUS is no stranger to crazy gaming monitors, and their latest release aims to take things to a whole new level. With the ROG Strix XG27VQ gaming monitor, ASUS has put together something that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie instead of your typical living room setup. In case you haven’t heard about the XG line from ASUS before, it essentially represents their top-of-the-line gaming monitors. They are marketed as screens for gamers who want the absolute best when it comes to hardware and visuals for games. The XG line is also designed with ergonomics in mind; after all, most people don’t sit at their PC for hours on end. That’s why these units have plenty of adjustments so that you can adjust everything from how much light gets into the display if you have it set up in a well-lit room, to how you view the content onscreen if you’re using it outside under bright sunlight or in a darkened room.

ASUS ROG Strix XG27VQ Specifications

Panel: 3440 x 1440 IPS, curvature 120Hz refresh rate, no dead-pixel guarantee - Size: 27 inches - Resolution: 3440 x 1440 - Response time: 4ms - Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, one DP 1.3, one USB Type-C - Connectivity: 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, FM radio - Speakers: built-in 2W - Ports: 1 x USB Type-C, 3 x USB 3.0, 1 x audio out, 1 x headphone out - Swivel: Yes - Height: Yes - Rotation: No - Weight: 5.9 pounds

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What We liked

- Brightness: This is what we like the most about the XG27VQ. With an advertised brightness of 350 nits, this unit should be able to cast a bright enough image even in a well-lit room. Asus claims that this unit also has a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, which should be able to make darker images stand out more. We aren’t experts on this kind of thing, but we think that if you look closely enough, you’ll be able to tell the difference between a dark image and one that has been well-balanced. There really is no other 27-inch panel that has these specifications and is even remotely affordable. There have been some 34-inch 3440 x 1440 panels released recently, but they’re not worth the price. If you can get over the price, though, you’ll be getting a panel that should provide a near-perfect gaming experience.

Asus Aura RGB lighting with Aura Sync

- RGB lighting is a popular trend in the gaming monitor market, and ASUS is one of the first to bring it to their XG line. The Aura RGB lighting on the XG27VQ can be configured to create over 16 million colors, and each color can be adjusted individually so that you can get the exact look you want. ASUS Aura Sync is also included on the XG27VQ, which lets you sync the RGB lighting on other ASUS devices with the screen lighting on the XG27VQ. This can create a truly immersive experience when gaming, or you can use it to create a cool rainbow effect as a background. Aura Sync is one of the best features on the XG27VQ, and it’s something that we’ve only seen on high-end monitors so far. We hope to see more mainstream brands bring this feature to the masses in the future.

Speakers built in and supports virtual surround sound

- You can’t really have an immersive gaming experience without good audio, and the XG27VQ delivers. The screen itself is able to show off its 3440 x 1440 resolution, but the real fun starts when you plug in some speakers. You’ll be happy to know that the XG27VQ has a built-in 2W audio system that supports both PCM and waveform audio. It also supports DTS VirtualX Surround Sound for a true-to-life sound experience. For those who want even more immersion, you can enable DTS Headphone for gaming or DTS Virtual Theater for a more immersive sound experience when watching videos.

Tilt and height adjustments for optimal viewing position

- The XG27VQ can be tilted backward and tilted forward so that it can be adjusted to various viewing positions. It also has height adjustments so that you can adjust it to different levels so that you can use it as a desktop monitor if you want. We like that the XG27VQ also comes with a pair of USB 3.0 ports, which can be used with various peripherals, ranging from speakers to hard drives. If you’re planning on purchasing the XG27VQ, we recommend getting those USB 3.0 ports as well.

One USB Type-C port, two DisplayPort and one HDMI 2.0 port

- The XG27VQ has a USB Type-C port on the back that can be used to charge your laptop or transfer data between devices. There are also two HDMI 2.0 ports on the back so that you have plenty of options for connecting up multiple devices. One thing that is a bit of a bummer is that there is no DisplayPort option available on the XG27VQ. While you can get a newer display with a faster and more advanced interface, many gamers prefer the quality that the older DisplayPort interface provides.

Too bad it doesn’t come with a stand, but you can get one separately for just $20 extra

- While the XG27VQ has a lot of great features, it would be even better with a stand. We’re guessing that ASUS didn’t include one on purpose because it would have increased the price, but there’s nothing wrong with getting one separately. If you want to add a little bit of style and functionality to your setup, you can grab a $20 stand from ASUS. This is a nice touch that’s reflected well in the final price. Keep in mind that you can also use the stand that came with your old monitor, but it’s a bit of a hassle to remove the screen from the old mount and reattach it to the new stand. If you don’t have an old monitor, we recommend getting a stand.

Final Words: Should You Buy the ASUS ROG Strix XG27VQ?

If you’re looking for the absolute best in gaming monitors, then the XG27VQ by ASUS might be worth checking out. It has plenty of special features and is backed by a great manufacturer, so you can be sure that you’re getting a top-of-the-line product when you buy it. The only issue with the XG27VQ is that it’s a bit expensive, and it doesn’t come with a stand. If you want to save a little bit of money while still getting a great monitor, you can always opt for the ROG Strix XG27VQ gaming monitor with a stand-alone option.