Our Verdict
76%
Solid image quality and decent gaming performance, but it does miss out on a few features.
Acer’s Nitro VG271UP is a 2,560 x 1,440 IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility and a 1ms response time. The resolution is high enough to make games look crisp without taxing mid-range GPUs, and the IPS technology should deliver solid image quality.
Acer’s panel looks the part. The base uses slim, angular struts with blue accents and the stand is finished in the same metallic shade. It has slim bezels too, so this display can be easily used in a multi-monitor setup. Meanwhile, the on-screen display (OSD) menu system is easy to navigate, and the joystick and trio of buttons at the rear are sturdy and well signposted.
There are no USB ports, though, and you don’t get a headphone holder or any cable management. The panel has 25 degrees of tilt and VESA 100mm support, but that’s it for adjustment. Build quality is average too – the display wobbles too much on its stand and the plastic rear is weak.
Thankfully, the Acer has decent core image quality. Out of the box, its delta E of 1.9 is great and its colour temperature of 6,501K is tremendously accurate. The Acer’s display rendered 99.9 per cent of the sRGB gamut with 134.9 per cent volume, which is another top-notch result.
These results mean the Acer delivers accurate, nuanced colour. Its contrast level of 1,070:1 is decent too, and the default brightness level of 257cd/m² is fine for everyday use – if a little underwhelming compared with other screens.
Ramping the panel up to its maximum brightness of 354cd/m² saw those results maintained, and dropping down to 150cd/m² saw no major change. The Acer also has a decent sRGB mode – the delta E of 0.63 is fantastic, although its brightness of 137cd/m² is a bit dim.
Uniformity is average though – the brightness dipped by 18 per cent in the left-hand corners and there was backlight bleed at the top of the display. The Acer’s 84.7 per cent AdobeRGB coverage level isn’t quite good enough for serious work either, and the panel only supports 10-bit colour at 120Hz or below – head beyond that and you’re restricted to 8-bit colour.
The Acer also supports the DisplayHDR 400 standard, and its peak brightness of 475cd/m² exceeds its requirements, but there simply isn’t the contrast or depth of colour here to deliver a meaningful improvement in HDR media.
Gaming performance is solid though. While we did see some minor motion blur in testing, the Nitro performed reasonably well here. It’s certainly fast and smooth enough to handle fast-paced shooters to a good standard, and its active sync support ensures there’s no tearing. That said, the latest high-speed TN displays will provide a snappier feel if you’re serious about competition, and you could even get a 240Hz 1080p TN panel at this price.
Conclusion
The Acer Nitro VG271UP looks good, and it offers great colours, decent contrast and a fast refresh rate ability, alongside a decent resolution and active sync support. However, it suffers when it comes to features and adjustability, and the stand is a bit wobbly. If you don’t need a USB hub, and you’re not bothered about having a flexible stand, though, the Acer does offer a good balance of solid image quality and decent gaming performance for a reasonable price.
Price
£299
Scores
IMAGE QUALITY: 33/40 | FEATURES: 20/30 | VALUE: 23/30
Pros
- Decent core image quality
- Bold, attractive design
- Good sRGB mode
Cons
- Minimal adjustment
- Mediocre build quality
- Not great with HDR
Acer Nitro VG271UP specifications
- Screen size: 27in
- Resolution: 2,540 x 1,440
- Panel technology: IPS
- Maximum refresh rate: 144Hz
- Stated response time: 1ms
- Stated contrast: 1,000:1
- Active sync: FreeSync and G-Sync compatible
- Display inputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2
- Audio: 2 x 2W speakers, headphone out
- Stand adjustment: Tilt
- Extras: 100 x 100mm VESA mount