The LG UltraGear 27GR93U Review: Is This the 4K Gaming Monitor You’ve Been Waiting For?

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Let’s be honest, finding the right gaming monitor can feel like a proper quest. You’re hunting for that perfect screen that makes your games look stunning, run smoother than a brand-new motor, and doesn’t cost a king’s ransom. It’s a crowded market, with every brand shouting about why their screen is the bee’s knees. In the middle of all this noise sits the LG UltraGear 27GR93U-B, a 27-inch 4K monitor that promises top-tier gaming without the eye-watering price tag.

But does it deliver? Is this the screen that will finally make you say “blimey, that’s brilliant!” every time you sit down to play? We’re going to find out.

Think of this as your complete guide. We’re not just going to skim the surface; we’re diving deep. We’ll pick apart everything from how sharp the picture is to how fast it feels in the middle of a frantic online match. We’ll look at the colours, the design, and all those little features that LG has packed in. We’ll even talk about what it’s like for everyday stuff, like watching Netflix or getting your homework done.

By the end of this, you’ll know the LG UltraGear 27GR93U inside and out. You’ll understand the good, the bad, and whether it’s the right screen to be the new centrepiece of your gaming setup. So, grab a brew, get comfy, and let’s get stuck in.

What’s a 4K Gaming Monitor Anyway, and Why Should You Care?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of this specific LG monitor, let’s quickly get our heads around the basics. What do all these numbers and letters actually mean for your gaming?

So, What’s 4K All About?

You’ve probably seen “4K” plastered on TVs and monitors everywhere. In simple terms, 4K means a super sharp picture. It’s all about pixels, which are the tiny little dots that make up the image on your screen.

• Old HD (1080p): An old high-definition screen has about 2 million pixels.
• 4K (or Ultra HD / UHD): A 4K screen has over 8 million pixels!

That’s four times the detail. Imagine looking at a photo. In 1080p, it’s a clear photo. In 4K, you can zoom right in and see the tiny threads on someone’s jumper. In games, this means everything looks incredibly crisp and lifelike. You’ll spot enemies hiding in the distance more easily, and the worlds you explore will feel so much more real. It’s like going from standard definition telly to HD for the first time – a proper “wow” moment.

Why Is Refresh Rate (Hz) So Important?

Next up is refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz). This is all about smoothness. The refresh rate tells you how many times the screen updates the picture every second.

• A standard office monitor: Usually 60Hz. It refreshes 60 times a second.
• The LG UltraGear 27GR93U: This bad boy is 144Hz. It refreshes 144 times a second.

Why does this matter? Well, in a fast-paced game, a lot happens in a single second. At 60Hz, you might miss some of the action between frames. At 144Hz, the movement is incredibly fluid. Everything from swinging a sword to driving a racing car looks and feels much smoother. Your aim can be more precise because you’re seeing a more up-to-date picture of where your opponent is. It makes the whole experience feel more responsive and connected.

And What’s This ‘Response Time’ Thing?

Response time is how quickly a pixel can change from one colour to another. It’s measured in milliseconds (ms). If the response time is slow, you get something called “ghosting” or motion blur. This looks like a faint trail behind fast-moving objects, which can be really distracting.

The LG 27GR93U has a 1ms (GtG) response time. That’s lightning fast. It means there’s virtually no blur. When you whip your character around in a first-person shooter, the image stays sharp and clear. This, combined with the high refresh rate, is the secret sauce for a top-class gaming experience.

Putting It All Together: The Holy Trinity of Gaming Displays

So, you’ve got:

1. 4K Resolution: For stunning, sharp details.
2. 144Hz Refresh Rate: For buttery-smooth motion.
3. 1ms Response Time: For a crystal-clear image with no blur.

Getting all three of these in one monitor used to be incredibly expensive. The LG UltraGear 27GR93U aims to bring this “holy trinity” to a price that more of us can actually afford. That’s why it’s turning heads.

Unboxing and First Impressions: What’s in the Box and How Does It Look?

Right, let’s get our hands dirty. The moment of truth for any new piece of tech is getting it out of the box. Does it feel well-made? Is it a faff to set up? And most importantly, does it look good on your desk?

First Look: The Unboxing Experience

The box itself is pretty standard for a monitor – big, but not ridiculously so. Inside, everything is packed snugly in polystyrene, so it should survive a bumpy ride from the delivery van.

Here’s what you get inside:

• The 27-inch monitor panel itself.
• The stand, which comes in two pieces (the base and the neck).
• A power brick and cable (the UK plug version, of course).
• A DisplayPort cable.
• An HDMI cable.
• A few bits of paperwork, like the warranty and a quick start guide.

It’s great that LG includes both a DisplayPort and an HDMI cable. You’ll want to use the DisplayPort cable with your PC to make sure you can get the full 144Hz at 4K resolution. The HDMI 2.1 port is perfect for plugging in a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.

Assembling the Stand: As Easy as Pie

Putting the monitor together is a doddle. You don’t even need a screwdriver.

1. The neck of the stand clicks securely into the back of the monitor panel.
2. The V-shaped base attaches to the bottom of the neck with a built-in thumbscrew.

Honestly, it takes less than two minutes. It feels sturdy and well-engineered. Once it’s all together, it sits firmly on the desk with no worrying wobbles.

Design and Build Quality: Sleek and Gamer-ish (But Not Too Much)

Now for the looks. The LG UltraGear 27GR93U has a classic “gamer” aesthetic, but it’s done with a bit of class. It’s mostly made of matte black plastic, which is good because it doesn’t pick up fingerprints.

The back of the monitor has some angular, futuristic-looking vents and a hexagonal design element. It looks cool, but it’s not covered in flashing RGB lights, which is a relief for many of us who prefer a more understated setup.

The bezels – the plastic borders around the screen – are super thin on the top and sides. LG calls it a “3-side virtually borderless design”. This makes the picture feel more immersive and is brilliant if you’re thinking of putting two of these monitors side-by-side. The bottom bezel is a bit thicker and has the LG logo in the centre.

The stand is a V-shape with two long feet. It’s stable, but it does take up a fair bit of desk space. If you’ve got a smaller desk, that’s something to bear in mind.

Getting the Perfect Position: Adjustability is Key

One of the best things about this monitor is its stand. It’s not just a pretty face; it’s incredibly flexible. You can adjust it in pretty much any way you want:

• Height Adjustment: You can move the screen up and down by 110mm, so you can get it perfectly at eye level. This is brilliant for your posture and avoiding neck ache during long gaming sessions.
• Tilt: You can tilt the screen forwards and backwards (-5° to 15°). This helps you get the best viewing angle and cut out any annoying reflections from lights or windows.
• Pivot: This is a neat trick. You can rotate the entire screen 90 degrees into a vertical, or “portrait,” orientation. This is super handy for reading long documents, coding, or scrolling through social media feeds. It’s a feature you don’t always get on gaming monitors, and it’s a massive plus.

Overall, the first impressions are very positive. It’s easy to set up, feels well-built, and the fully adjustable stand is a huge win. It looks the part without being too flashy, ready to get down to business.

The Main Event: Picture Quality and Gaming Performance

This is what it’s all about. A monitor can have the best design in the world, but if the picture isn’t up to scratch, it’s all for nothing. We need to know if the LG 27GR93U delivers that jaw-dropping visual experience it promises.

The Beauty of 4K on a 27-Inch Screen

Let’s start with the sharpness. Packing a full 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) into a 27-inch screen is a recipe for incredible detail. The pixel density is really high, which means you can’t see the individual pixels unless you press your nose right up against the screen (which we don’t recommend!).

• In Games: The level of detail is a game-changer. Playing something like Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2 is a treat for the eyes. The textures on buildings, the leaves on trees, the details on character models – everything is razor-sharp. It makes game worlds feel so much more believable and immersive.
• For Desktop Use: Text is incredibly crisp and easy to read. It’s like looking at a high-quality printed magazine. If you also use your PC for work or study, your eyes will thank you.

The IPS Panel: Colours That Pop

The monitor uses an IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel. In the world of monitors, this is generally seen as the best type for colour accuracy and viewing angles.

• Colour Reproduction: The LG 27GR93U covers 95% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. What does that mean in plain English? It means it can display a huge range of colours, and those colours are vibrant and accurate. Games look rich and punchy, just as the developers intended. Reds are deep, blues are brilliant, and greens are lush.
• Viewing Angles: Another big plus of IPS panels is that the picture looks great even if you’re not sitting directly in front of it. The colours and brightness stay consistent, which is handy if you’ve got mates crowded around watching you play.

Let’s Talk HDR: What is VESA DisplayHDR 400?

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. It’s all about making the bright parts of the image brighter and the dark parts darker, creating a more realistic and dramatic picture. This monitor is certified for VESA DisplayHDR 400.

Now, we need to be realistic here. HDR 400 is the entry-level certification for HDR. It means the monitor can reach a peak brightness of 400 nits. While this does give you a taste of what HDR can do – bright explosions and sunlit skies will have more ‘pop’ – it’s not going to deliver the mind-blowing experience of a high-end HDR TV that can get much, much brighter.

Think of it as a nice bonus feature. It enhances the picture, especially in games that support it well, but it’s not the main reason to buy this monitor. The core 4K picture quality is where it truly shines.

Gaming Performance: Smooth, Fast, and Tear-Free

This is where the monitor earns its “UltraGear” name. The combination of the 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time is fantastic for gaming.

• Fluid Motion: Playing fast-paced shooters like Call of Duty or Apex Legends feels incredibly responsive. The high refresh rate gives you a competitive edge, allowing you to react faster and track targets more smoothly. There’s no sense of sluggishness or delay.
• No More Screen Tearing: The monitor supports both NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible and AMD FreeSync Premium. These are clever technologies that synchronise the monitor’s refresh rate with the frame rate of your graphics card. The result? It completely eliminates “screen tearing” – that ugly horizontal line that can appear when the action gets intense. This ensures the picture is always smooth and whole, no matter how much is happening on screen.

What About Console Gaming?

The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 is a massive deal for console players. This is the latest and greatest HDMI standard, and it allows you to get the best out of your PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. You can play games at 4K resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is the sweet spot for modern console gaming. Games that support a 120fps mode will feel incredibly smooth and responsive on this screen.

Any Downsides? The “IPS Glow”

No monitor is perfect, and IPS panels have one common characteristic: “IPS glow” or “backlight bleed.” In a completely dark room, when the screen is displaying a black image, you might notice some faint glowing in the corners. This is just a side effect of how the backlight technology works.

On the LG 27GR93U, the amount of glow is generally minimal and varies from unit to unit. In normal use – playing games or watching videos – you are very unlikely to ever notice it. It’s only really visible in those specific “pitch-black room, black screen” conditions. For most people, it’s a total non-issue.

In summary, the picture quality and gaming performance are absolutely top-notch for the price. The 4K image is stunningly sharp, the colours are vibrant, and the high refresh rate and adaptive sync technologies make for a superbly smooth and responsive gaming experience on both PC and consoles.

Features for Gamers: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference

Beyond the core specs, LG has packed the UltraGear 27GR93U with a bunch of extra features designed specifically to give gamers a better experience. Some are genuinely useful, while others are a bit more niche, but they all show that LG has been thinking about what players actually want.

The On-Screen Display (OSD) and Control Joystick

First off, how do you change the settings? Instead of a row of fiddly buttons, LG uses a single joystick tucked under the bottom bezel. This is a fantastic design choice. Pushing it in brings up the menu, and then you just wiggle it to navigate. It’s quick, intuitive, and so much better than trying to remember which of five identical buttons does what.

The OSD menu itself is well-laid-out and gamer-focused. You can easily switch between different picture modes (like Gamer 1, Gamer 2, FPS, RTS), tweak brightness and contrast, and turn on the gaming-specific features.

OnScreen Control Software

If you don’t fancy using the joystick, you can download LG’s OnScreen Control software. This lets you adjust all the monitor settings using your mouse and keyboard within Windows. It also has a cool “Screen Split” feature, which helps you easily arrange different windows on your big 4K desktop.

Gaming Aids: Your Secret Weapons

Now for the fun stuff. The monitor has several built-in tools to potentially help your gameplay.

• Crosshair: This feature places a permanent crosshair overlay in the centre of your screen. This can be handy in games that don’t have a crosshair for certain weapons (like when you’re hip-firing). Some might call it cheating, others call it a clever advantage! It comes in a few different styles and colours, so you can pick one that stands out.
• Black Stabilizer: In dark game scenes, it can be really hard to spot enemies lurking in the shadows. Black Stabilizer brightens up the darkest parts of the image without blowing out the brighter areas. This can give you a real competitive edge, making it much easier to see that camper hiding in a dark corner. You can adjust the intensity to find the right balance.
• Dynamic Action Sync (DAS): This is a clever bit of tech that reduces input lag. Input lag is the tiny delay between you pressing a button on your controller or keyboard and seeing the action happen on screen. DAS minimises this delay, making the game feel even more responsive. It’s on by default and works its magic in the background.
• FPS Counter: Curious to see how well your PC is running a game? You can turn on a built-in frames-per-second (FPS) counter. This displays the current frame rate in a corner of the screen, so you don’t need to run separate software like Fraps or MSI Afterburner.

Audio: The Headphone Jack

The monitor doesn’t have built-in speakers, which is common for high-performance gaming monitors. Most gamers use a headset or dedicated speakers anyway for better sound quality.

However, it does have a 4-pole headphone out jack. This is a nice touch. It means you can plug in a gaming headset that has a combined audio and microphone cable and it will work perfectly for both game sound and voice chat. The monitor also supports DTS Headphone:X, which creates a virtual 3D surround sound effect in your headphones, making it easier to pinpoint where sounds are coming from in-game.

These features all add up. They show that the LG 27GR93U isn’t just a screen with good specs; it’s a complete package designed from the ground up with the needs of gamers in mind.

Everyday Use: Is It More Than Just a Gaming Monitor?

A gaming monitor is a big investment, and for most of us, it needs to be a good all-rounder. You’re not just going to be gaming on it 24/7. You’ll be browsing the web, watching YouTube, maybe even doing some work or uni assignments. So, how does the LG UltraGear 27GR93U hold up when you’re not in game mode?

A Fantastic Monitor for Work and Productivity

The answer is: brilliantly. All the things that make it great for gaming also make it a superb monitor for everyday tasks.

• The 4K Resolution: The incredible sharpness is a huge benefit for productivity. You have so much screen real estate to work with. You can comfortably have two or even three windows open side-by-side without everything feeling cramped. For example, you could have a Word document open on one side, a web browser for research on the other, and your email open in a corner. It’s like having multiple monitors in one.
• Text Clarity: As we mentioned before, text is exceptionally sharp. This makes reading and writing for long periods much more comfortable and less strenuous on your eyes.
• The Pivot Function: Being able to rotate the screen into portrait mode is a secret weapon for productivity. It’s amazing for writing code, reading long articles, or working on spreadsheets with thousands of rows. It’s a feature that, once you’ve tried it, you’ll find hard to live without.

Kicking Back with Movies and TV Shows

When it’s time to relax, the LG 27GR93U is a great companion for watching media.

• Vibrant Colours: That excellent DCI-P3 colour coverage makes films and TV shows look fantastic. Colours are rich and lifelike, and the 4K detail means you’ll be seeing your favourite Netflix shows in their full glory.
• The HDR Effect: While it’s not a powerhouse HDR display, the HDR 400 capability does add a nice bit of extra punch to movies that support it. Highlights will look a bit brighter and more impactful.
• A Small Caveat: The only thing to be aware of is the monitor’s contrast ratio. Like most IPS panels, the black levels aren’t as deep and inky as you’d find on a VA panel monitor or an OLED TV. In a bright room, this isn’t noticeable at all. In a completely dark room, the darkest parts of a movie might look more like a very dark grey rather than true black. But for most viewing, it looks absolutely fine.

Smart Energy Saving

LG has also included a Smart Energy Saving feature. This is a simple but useful function that adjusts the brightness of the monitor based on the content on the screen to help reduce power consumption. It’s a nice little extra that can help save you a few quid on your electricity bill over the long run without you having to think about it.

In short, the LG 27GR93U is far from a one-trick pony. It’s an excellent all-round display. The high resolution and versatile stand make it a productivity powerhouse, while the vibrant colours make it a joy for watching videos. If you’re looking for one monitor that can do it all – from intense gaming to serious work – this is a very strong contender.

The Verdict: Is the LG UltraGear 27GR93U Worth Your Money?

Right then, we’ve pulled it apart, looked at every feature, and put it through its paces. It’s time to bring it all together and answer the big question: should you buy the LG UltraGear 27GR93U?

Let’s break it down into a simple summary of the good and the not-so-good.

The Good Bits (And There Are a Lot of Them)

• The “Holy Trinity” of Specs: You’re getting that killer combination of 4K resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. This delivers a stunningly sharp, smooth, and responsive gaming experience that’s hard to beat at this price.
• Excellent Colour: The IPS panel with its 95% DCI-P3 coverage produces vibrant, accurate colours that make games and movies look fantastic.
• Superb for Consoles: The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 makes this a perfect partner for a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, allowing for 4K gaming at 120Hz.
• Tear-Free Gaming: With both G-Sync Compatibility and FreeSync Premium, you get a perfectly smooth image with no tearing, regardless of whether you have an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card.
• Brilliant Stand: The fully adjustable stand is a massive ergonomic win. Being able to easily change the height, tilt, and pivot is a premium feature that makes the monitor comfortable to use for hours on end.
• Useful Gamer Features: Things like the built-in crosshair, Black Stabilizer, and FPS counter are genuinely useful tools that can enhance your gaming.
• Great All-Rounder: It’s not just for games. The high resolution and versatile design make it a top-class monitor for work, study, and watching media.

The Not-So-Good Bits (But No Deal-Breakers)

• Entry-Level HDR: The DisplayHDR 400 performance is okay, but it’s not going to give you that truly spectacular HDR experience you might see on high-end TVs. It’s a nice bonus, but don’t buy it for the HDR alone.
• IPS Glow/Bleed: Like any IPS monitor, there’s a chance of some minor backlight bleed in the corners. It’s rarely noticeable in normal use, but it’s something to be aware of.
• Stand Footprint: The V-shaped stand is sturdy but does take up a decent amount of desk space.

Who is This Monitor For?

This monitor hits a real sweet spot. It’s perfect for:

• The Serious PC Gamer: If you have a powerful PC that can run games at 4K, this monitor will let you see the results in all their glory. The combination of sharpness and smoothness is fantastic.
• The Modern Console Owner: If you’ve got a PS5 or Xbox Series X, this monitor is one of the best ways to unlock their full potential, thanks to HDMI 2.1.
• The “Do-It-All” User: If you need one screen for gaming, working from home, and entertainment, this is an incredibly versatile option. It excels at everything.

Final Thoughts

The LG UltraGear 27GR93U is a truly fantastic piece of kit. It brings a premium 4K, high-refresh-rate gaming experience down to a much more accessible price point. A few years ago, a monitor with these specs would have cost well over a thousand pounds.

LG has been clever about where it’s focused. It has absolutely nailed the core essentials: the panel quality, the speed, and the adjustability. It has skimped a little on a “nice-to-have” like top-tier HDR, but that’s a smart compromise to keep the price sensible.

What you’re left with is a monitor that punches well above its weight. It delivers a genuinely brilliant experience for both PC and console gaming, and it’s a pleasure to use for everyday tasks too. If you’re looking to make the leap to 4K gaming and want a monitor that can do it all without completely emptying your wallet, the LG UltraGear 27GR93U should be right at the top of your list. It’s a cracking monitor and comes highly recommended.

Further Reading & Resources

For those who want to dive even deeper, here are some highly respected websites for monitor reviews and tech news:

• RTINGS.com: Known for their incredibly detailed and scientific monitor reviews.
• Hardware Unboxed: A YouTube channel that does extensive, data-driven monitor testing.
• TFTCentral: A UK-based site offering in-depth reviews and articles on monitor technology.
• PC Gamer: A great resource for gaming hardware reviews and news from a player’s perspective.