LG 27UK850-W Review: 4K for Professionals and Gamers

LG 27UK850-W

In the realm of 4K monitors, the LG 27UK850-W stands as a beacon of versatility and performance. This sleek, modern display is more than just a pretty face—it's a powerhouse of features, from its stunning UHD resolution and HDR10 support to its USB-C connectivity and gaming capabilities. Whether you're a professional creative, a casual gamer, or simply someone who appreciates a high-quality display, the LG 27UK850-W is a monitor that demands your attention.

Product Brand: LG

Editor's Rating:
4.5

Pros

• 4K UHD Resolution: The monitor's 4K resolution delivers stunning image clarity, making it perfect for graphic designers, photographers, and anyone who values image quality.
• HDR10 Support: HDR10 compatibility allows for a wider range of colors and contrast, resulting in a more lifelike image.
• USB-C Connectivity: The inclusion of a USB-C port allows for data transfer, charging, and display output over a single cable, making for a clean and clutter-free setup.
• Versatility: With its excellent color accuracy, gaming capabilities, and ergonomic design, the LG 27UK850-W is a versatile monitor that can cater to a wide range of users.
• IPS Panel: The use of an IPS panel ensures accurate and vibrant colors, along with wide viewing angles.

Cons

• Brightness: While the monitor's brightness is sufficient for most environments, it may not be enough for very bright rooms.
• Price: The LG 27UK850-W is not the cheapest 4K monitor on the market, which might be a deterrent for budget-conscious buyers.
• Gaming Features: While the monitor supports AMD's FreeSync technology and has a decent response time, hardcore gamers who prioritize high refresh rates and ultra-fast response times may want to look elsewhere.

The LG 27UK850-W monitor, with its sleek design and robust feature set, has carved out a niche for itself as a versatile and high-performing display. Its 4K UHD resolution delivers stunning image clarity, while its HDR10 support enhances color and contrast for a more lifelike viewing experience. Add to that a USB-C port for seamless connectivity, and you have a monitor that’s as versatile as it is powerful.

But the LG 27UK850-W is more than just a collection of impressive specs. It’s a testament to LG’s commitment to quality and innovation. The monitor’s IPS panel ensures accurate and vibrant colors, making it a great choice for professionals who demand color accuracy. Meanwhile, gamers will appreciate the monitor’s support for AMD’s FreeSync technology, which ensures smooth and tear-free gameplay. Whether you’re editing a video, playing a game, or simply watching a movie, the LG 27UK850-W delivers a viewing experience that’s nothing short of exceptional.

If you would like to see more monitor choices, check out our Top 10 Monitors Buying Guide.

Video Review

Specifications

• Resolution: 3840×2160 (UHD) – The Ultra High Definition resolution provides a crystal-clear image, making it perfect for graphic designers, photographers, and anyone who values image quality.
• Screen Size: 27-inch – The 27-inch screen size is a sweet spot for many users, providing ample screen real estate without overwhelming your desk space.
• Ports: DisplayPort 1.2, 2x HDMI 2.0, USB-C – A variety of ports means you can connect multiple devices, increasing the monitor’s versatility.
• Brightness (HDR): 450 cd/m2 – With a high brightness level, this monitor can display vibrant and vivid colors, enhancing your viewing experience.

Design and Build

The LG 27UK850-W has a sleek, modern aesthetic that is immediately eye-catching, with its slim bezels and white back panel giving it a clean, minimalist look. This is a monitor that doesn’t just perform well—it looks good doing it. Whether it’s sitting on your desk at work or in your home office, the LG 27UK850-W is sure to add a touch of elegance to your setup.

The monitor’s build quality is equally impressive. The LG 27UK850-W feels sturdy and well-made, with no noticeable wobble or flex. The stand, which is made of metal, provides excellent support for the monitor and adds to its overall stability. The monitor also features a circular cut-out in the stand for cable management, helping to keep your desk clean and clutter-free.

But the LG 27UK850-W’s design isn’t just about looks—it’s also about ergonomics. The monitor offers a range of adjustments, including height, tilt, and pivot, allowing you to find the perfect viewing angle. The ability to pivot the monitor to portrait mode is a particularly useful feature, especially for those who often work with long documents or web pages. The monitor’s controls are also well-designed, with a joystick located under the bottom bezel for easy access.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the LG 27UK850-W is well-equipped. It features two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, and a USB-C port. This variety of ports allows you to connect multiple devices to the monitor, from your laptop and desktop to gaming consoles.

The inclusion of a USB-C port is a significant advantage. It allows for data transfer, charging, and display output over a single cable. This is particularly useful for those using laptops with USB-C, like the MacBook Pro, as it allows for a clean and clutter-free setup.

The monitor also features a built-in USB hub, which is a nice touch. It means you can connect peripherals like your mouse and keyboard directly to the monitor, reducing cable clutter on your desk.

Screen Quality

The LG 27UK850-W boasts a 4K UHD resolution, which translates to stunning image clarity. Every pixel is utilized to its full potential, delivering a level of detail that is truly impressive. Whether you’re editing high-resolution photos, watching 4K movies, or simply browsing the web, the high resolution ensures that images and text are sharp and detailed. This level of clarity is a boon for professionals who require precision in their work, such as graphic designers and photographers.

The monitor uses an IPS panel, which is known for its excellent color reproduction and wide viewing angles. Colors are vibrant and accurate, making this monitor a great choice for graphic designers, photographers, and anyone who values color accuracy. The wide viewing angles ensure that the image quality remains consistent, even if you’re viewing the screen from the side. This is particularly useful in collaborative work environments, where multiple people may need to view the screen at the same time.

One of the key selling points of the LG 27UK850-W is its HDR10 compatibility. HDR, or High Dynamic Range, allows for a wider range of colors and contrast, resulting in a more lifelike image. HDR content looks particularly stunning on this monitor, with bright highlights and deep blacks that add depth to the image. While the HDR performance of this monitor may not match that of high-end TVs, it’s still a nice feature to have, especially for watching HDR content.

Despite its many strengths, the LG 27UK850-W is not without its shortcomings. The monitor’s brightness, while sufficient for most environments, may not be enough for very bright rooms. This could result in a washed-out image when viewing the monitor in direct sunlight or in a brightly lit room. Additionally, while the color accuracy is excellent out of the box, professional creatives may still want to calibrate the monitor for optimal performance. This is a minor inconvenience, but it’s worth noting for those who require the highest level of color accuracy.

Gaming Ability

The LG 27UK850-W is not just for work; it’s also a capable gaming monitor. It supports AMD’s FreeSync technology, which synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate. This results in smoother gameplay with minimal screen tearing and stuttering, providing a more immersive gaming experience.

The monitor’s 5ms response time is also a boon for gamers. While it may not be the fastest on the market, it’s more than adequate for most gaming scenarios, ensuring that fast-paced action is displayed smoothly.

However, it’s worth noting that the LG 27UK850-W is not a dedicated gaming monitor. While it performs admirably in gaming scenarios, hardcore gamers who prioritize high refresh rates and ultra-fast response times may want to look elsewhere. For casual gamers, though, the LG 27UK850-W offers a great balance of gaming performance and professional features.

Value

When assessing the value of the LG 27UK850-W, it’s crucial to consider the breadth of features it offers. This monitor is not just a display; it’s a hub of connectivity, a tool for creatives, and a gateway to immersive gaming experiences. Its 4K UHD resolution, IPS panel, and HDR10 support combine to deliver stunning image clarity and vibrant colors. These features alone make it a worthy investment for anyone who values high-quality visuals, whether for professional work or entertainment.

But the LG 27UK850-W doesn’t stop at delivering excellent visuals. Its inclusion of a USB-C port, which supports data transfer, charging, and display output over a single cable, is a significant advantage. This feature, coupled with the built-in USB hub, allows for a clean and clutter-free setup, enhancing the overall user experience.

While the LG 27UK850-W may not be the most affordable 4K monitor on the market, its price tag is justified by the quality and range of features it offers. It’s a testament to LG’s commitment to delivering value, combining top-tier performance with a user-friendly design. For those seeking a balance of quality, performance, and versatility, the LG 27UK850-W represents excellent value for money.

Conclusion

The LG 27UK850-W’s 4K UHD resolution, coupled with its HDR10 support, delivers stunning image clarity and vibrant colors. Whether you’re editing a photo, playing a game, or watching a movie, the visuals are nothing short of exceptional. The monitor’s IPS panel ensures accurate color reproduction and wide viewing angles, making it a great choice for professionals who demand color accuracy.

But the LG 27UK850-W doesn’t just excel in the visual department. Its diverse connectivity options, including the inclusion of a USB-C port, make it a versatile hub for your devices. Whether you’re looking to connect your laptop, gaming console, or other peripherals, the LG 27UK850-W has you covered.

The monitor’s design is another highlight. Its sleek, modern aesthetic, coupled with its excellent ergonomics, make it a joy to use. The ability to pivot to portrait mode is a particularly useful feature, especially for those who often work with long documents or web pages.

While the LG 27UK850-W may not be the cheapest 4K monitor on the market, its robust feature set and excellent performance offer great value. It’s a monitor that delivers on all fronts, providing a balance of quality, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a professional creative, a casual gamer, or simply someone who appreciates a high-quality display, the LG 27UK850-W is a monitor that’s well worth considering.

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