AOC GAMING 27G4XE review: this gaming monitor is a quality budget bargain

It is truly remarkable how many monitors AOC make. With options ranging from budget to high-end, ultra-wide, and curved, they appear to be dominating almost every segment of the display market. The display in front of me as I type is the AOC GAMING 27-inch 27G4XE and I've really loved my last few weeks with it.

The 27-inch display size fits perfectly on my desk without dominating like many larger monitors do. This isn't a super-immersive gaming monitor like the ultrawide 44.5-inch AGON PRO AG456UCZD, but if you're after a budget-friendly option, then there isn't anything better.

The IPS display is almost edge-to-edge, except for a thick bar at the bottom. The 1080p resolution performs well, although it comes up short when we start talking about 4K gaming. We've reviewed all the best 4K monitors, if you're into that.

After a simple unboxing and setting up, I proceeded to run a range of games and programs to see how it stacked up against other monitors I've tested as well as how it compared to other budget-friendly alternatives.

AOC GAMING 27G4XE: Key specifications

Design and build

The AOC GAMING 27-inch 27G4XE doesn't stand out for any particular design feature or build element but I'm still left very impressed and satisfied with what AOC has managed to create. Its build quality is strong and sturdy, leaving no concerns regarding its longevity.

One of the best elements of the design is that the display is pushed right to the edge on the top, left, and right sides. A thin strip on these three sides and slim-line curved corners provide a very attractive aesthetic. 

The bottom strip with the AOC logo interrupts the edge-to-edge display but it's thin enough to provide a balanced look. This bar also includes a small power LED and graphics indicating where the underneath buttons are placed. These are so small that you have to squint or get super close to see what they are. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it does mean they blend in without distracting you. 

The stand is solid and easily installed, although it does absorb quite a lot of wobble when typing on a keyboard that's located in front of it. The rear of the monitor expands from relatively thin edges to protruding out around an inch in the middle. This helps to ensure a thin-looking monitor when viewed from the front and sides.

Ports are limited to two HDMI 2.0 and one DisplayPort 1.4. This is adequate for most PCs and gaming consoles but I would have liked to have seen the inclusion of at least one USB-C port for connecting a laptop. The lack of additional ports sits in line with its budget price but it does mean this monitor can't act as a hub or docking station.

Features and performance

The AOC GAMING 27-inch 27G4XE is billed as a gaming monitor. It will tick a lot of boxes for creatives including photographers and videographers but it lacks the colour accuracy required by many high-end professionals.

The 27-inch display is perfect for sitting comfortably on any reasonably-sized desk but it didn't get anywhere close to immersing me in the game itself. AOC and other monitor brands offer a number of larger monitors with similar specs so if size is an issue for you, then this will fail to impress.

The display has a -5 to +18 tilt range, which is fine for providing a certain level of customisation, but the lack of height adjustment is rather disappointing. Obviously, this can be overcome by placing books or a stand underneath but having a built-in solution is much more satisfying. Speaking of movement, the monitor can't be rotated into portrait orientation, which is not surprising for this amount of money.

The FHD 1920 x 1080p resolution display provides adequate picture quality for the price but the advertised wide colour gamut isn't enough to deliver the required resolution when requiring accurate colours for design work. Gamers won't have any problem with that, though, and the HDR 10 addition helps to push the vibrancy of colours.

The monitor really begins to sing when we start considering the refresh rate and response times. The former is 180Hz and the latter is 0.5 ms. It's worth noting that the refresh rate drops to 120Hz when connected to a gaming console rather than a PC.

Lag-free gaming is guaranteed at 180Hz, and even though some monitors offer up to 240Hz, there won't be any discernible difference between the two. Having gaming footage displayed at such high frame rates guarantees that you'll never be left behind, especially at critical points in the game. I experienced great frame rates with super smooth motion. 

There were also no problems with motion blur thanks to the Fast IPS display and quick response time. This came into its own during high-speed gaming, where images must be updated rapidly. The display also has pretty impressive viewing angles and will be fine when playing a game with 2 or 3 friends in the same room. Whether you would want to do that in front of a 27-inch monitor, though, is another matter.

This monitor from AOC performs incredibly well in almost all regards. It isn't the highest-spec monitor but the features it offers are implemented incredibly well. If you know what you're buying, then there's little not to love about it.

Price

The AOC AGON 27-inch 27G4XE is available for £148.97, which, when you consider the specs and build quality, is very impressive indeed. This price makes it a perfect option for entry-level gamers or parents wanting to buy a relatively affordable gaming monitor for their child.

The monitor lacks a lot of high-end features, including 4K resolution and 240Hz refresh rates but customers will need to pay a lot more for the privilege of having these. A similar-sized gaming monitor, albeit with a lower refresh rate and 4K resolution, is the ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q.

Should I buy the AOC AGON 27-inch 27G4XE?

The AOC AGON 27-inch 27G4XE is a budget gaming monitor so if you want an affordable entry-level option, then there's nothing better. The 180Hz refresh rate will deliver all the smooth gaming you desire. As most gaming monitors perform well for creatives such as photographers and video editors, this would also be a good budget choice for them.

If you're looking for 4K resolution, a monitor that rotates, or something more sizeable than 27 inches, then you'll need one of our best gaming monitors.