Pros
- 4K UHD 27-inch display
- HDR10 content support
- AMD FreeSync Technology
- USB-C connectivity with Power Delivery
- sRGB 99 color gamut
- Adjustable Display
- Embedded Speakers
Cons
- Discreet sound quality
- 60 Hz refresh rate (not the best for gaming)
- USB 3.2 turn to 2.0 when using the charging feature
Choosing a professional-grade monitor is far from an easy task these days. You've got several features to consider. Everything from the resolution to the available ports, the refresh rate and don't even get me started on the color gamut. Suffice to say, it's not an easy endeavor.
It's with that in mind that today we're looking to help relieve you of this burden by talking to you about one of our favorite monitors that's currently in the market; the LG 27UK850-W.
The 27UK850-W is a 4K monitor that was launched a couple of years ago but that has managed to garner a privileged position amongst professionals - accruing thousands of positive reviews - thanks to its incredible quality and affordable price point when compared to other models with similar features.
It's one of the most popular monitors in the world and today we're determined to uncover why in this in-depth review of everything you need to know.
Index
- Technical specifications
- Who's it for?
- Design
- Ports and Connectivity
- Work performance
- Gaming performance
- Bottom Line: Is it worth it?
LG 27UK850-W Specs
| Make model | LG 27UK850-W |
| Dimensions | 22 x 9.2 x 4.1 inches |
| Weight | 13.4 pounds |
| Panel | IPS | 27 inches |
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels) |
| Response time | 5 ms (GreyToGrey) |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz |
| Color depth | 10 bits (8 bits + A-FRC) |
| Aspect ratio | 16: 9 |
| Speakers | Yes (2 x 5W) |
| VESA support | Yes (100 x 100 mm) |
| Connectivity | USB-A 3.0 (x2) USB-C | Power Delivery HDMI 2.0 (x2) DisplayPort 1.4 Salida de auriculares |
Who's it for?
This striking 27-inch monitor is designed for those looking to enjoy a clear, colorful, and immersive screen when working on everyday computing tasks as well as professional-grade photo retouching and video editing - remember it features HDR10 support -, without having to spend a fortune on 5K displays that will hardly be appreciated from the distance at which one works with a monitor.
It's perfect for students as well as professionals who will appreciate having a big screen. It's also a great option for current MacBook owners as it features a USB-C port that allows you to seamlessly connect your MacBook without having to use an adapter.
Design
When it comes down to design, the LG 27UK850-W boasts that sturdy and stylish quality to which the South Korean firm has us accustomed. A stunning, minimalist design, that delivers an elegant matte black finish with ultrathin bezels on all but its lower side.
The built-in stand has a modern arc shape, and allows you to adjust the 27UK850W in height (up to 110 mm), inclination (-5 ~ + 20º), and even orientation , being able to be placed in the typical horizontal (landscape) or vertical position (portrait), depending on your needs.
The exact measurements of the set are 22 x 9.2 x 4.1 inches, whilst the weight is 13.4 pounds and, to facilitate mounting this monitor on the wall of your workspace, this model offers support for the VESA standard of 100 x 100 mm.
Ports and Connectivity
While the image quality is critical when it comes down to choosing a monitor, having a wide array of ports will also go a long way in helping you make said decision. With that in mind, we really appreciate the fact that LG has opted to include a USB-C input that has charging capabilities and is compatible with most laptops - including all macbooks -.
It also packs 2 USB-A 3.0 connectors, 2 HDMI video inputs, and a DisplayPort 1.4, for gaming consoles and laptops, as well as a 3.5 mm audio jack in case you want to improve the sound quality of the pair of integrated 5W speakers. These are decent but then again you're not buying this monitor for its sound quality.
One thing that might present an issue, though we don't really mind, is that all ports are located on the left side of the monitor. We would've liked to see them be a bit more spread out but for most people, this isn't really an issue.
Work performance of the LG 27UK850-W
To favor your daily computing sessions, the LG 27UK850-W bets on a 27-inch screen with a widescreen ratio ( 16: 9 ), whose 4K UHD resolution achieves a definition 4 times sharper in relation to the conventional Full HD standard.
You might be thinking now; what about a 5K display? That's all well and good if you're planning to sit far away from the monitor. However, in all honesty, when working with computer monitors you notice the leap from Full HD to 4K but you won't really notice the leap from 4K to 5K both because of the size of the monitor in and of itself - you would need a really big screen to notice that upgrade- as well as the distance at which you'll be from the display. Getting a 5K display is therefore pointless for most users.
The panel, in and of itself is absolutely brilliant with a 99% coverage of the sRGB spectrum and a 10-bit interpolated color depth and brightness of up to 350 nits. Of course, you can make adjustments to the display in terms of contrast, brightness, and all that but the default values are very spot on.
Couple that with an IPS display that offers a 180º viewing angle - a deal-breaker for most professional users - and the Split Screen Feature that allows you to divide the screen onto several sections to enhance productivity and you can clearly see why this monitor has garnered such a massive following.
What Are People Saying?
What are customers saying about the LG 27UK850-W? Well, overall, people seem to be pretty happy with their purchase. Let's focus on the positive feedback first.
Customers appreciate the excellent picture quality of the monitor, finding it sharp and vibrant. The colors and contrast are impressive, making it great for tasks like photo editing and graphic design. The assembly process is also a breeze, with users mentioning that it's easy to put together and requires minimal effort.
Another feature that customers love is the USB-C connectivity. It allows for a single cable connection to their MacBook Pro, providing power delivery and eliminating the need for additional adapters. The convenience of having all peripherals and charging through one cable is a major plus point.
The monitor's build quality receives high marks as well. Customers appreciate its solid construction and sleek design. The stand is adjustable, allowing for both height and angle changes. Additionally, the matte coating reduces glare, enhancing the viewing experience.
Now, let's touch upon some of the negative feedback, although it's worth noting that the positive feedback outweighs the negative.
One common concern mentioned by customers is the limitation of the USB-A ports to USB 2.0 speeds when connected via USB-C. This can be frustrating for those who rely on high-speed data transfers or use USB peripherals extensively. However, it's important to mention that this limitation doesn't impact everyone's usage.
Some users have reported a minor issue with light bleed around the bezel. However, several customers mentioned that the light bleed disappeared after a couple of days of use.
A few customers noted that the monitor's menu options for customization are limited, making it difficult to fine-tune certain settings. However, the majority found the default settings satisfactory for their needs.
While the built-in speakers are functional, they are not considered high-quality by most customers. They suggest using external speakers or headphones for a better audio experience.
Despite these minor drawbacks, customers still find the LG 27UK850-W to be a great all-around monitor. The combination of excellent picture quality, convenient USB-C connectivity, and solid build quality makes it a worthwhile purchase, especially considering its price point.
Although this monitor is not specifically designed to play at a professional level, the truth is that its performance under casual gaming scenarios is still, to say the least, remarkable.
Specifically, AMD's FreeSync technology gives you a smooth and immersive gaming experience that alleviates motion blur, without sacrificing image quality and eliminating those annoying tearing and ghosting effects that are commonplace amongst cheaper monitors.
And to add points to the gaming experience, it incorporates a refresh rate of 60 Hz, a response time of 5 ms (Grey To Grey), and Black Stabilizer technology, in charge of optimizing the visualization of scenarios where dark scenes predominate. Overall, an excellent display for the casual gamer.
That said, if you're looking to do some hardcore gaming you'll definitely want to consider a monitor with a higher refresh rate so that you don't miss out on any details. These days it's not that hard to find 144 Hz monitors so you need to weigh out the pros and cons.
Conclusion: Is the LG 27UK850-W worth buying?
Yes. In short, if you are looking for a monitor that allows you to work at a professional level on anything from programming to editing videos, as well as enjoy your favorite streaming platforms and games with superb definition and color, the 27UK850-W is one of the best options available within this price range, despite being well over two years old by now.
Add to that a suite of integrated connections that brings together everything you will need to connect your laptop, game console, mobile devices, and even external sound solutions and you've got yourself a killer deal that's bound to fulfill all your needs and then some.