Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC evaluation: Good TV options in a small show

Greatest Costs At this time: Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC

Good screens (screens that run a wise TV OS, like Google TV or Tizen) quietly grew to become a development in 2024 because of new releases from Samsung and LG, amongst others. Most of those screens are bigger, nevertheless, and goal greater worth factors. The Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC is a smaller, extra inexpensive different that may attraction to individuals who care extra a couple of sensible monitor’s options than its picture high quality.  

Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC specs & options

At its core, the Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC is a run-of-the-mill 27-inch 4K monitor. It has a 27-inch IPS show with a local decision of 3840×2160. Whereas the show panel helps HDR, its specs are in any other case mundane. It has a 60Hz refresh fee, lacks VESA DisplayHDR certification, and lacks adapative sync.

• Show dimension: 27-inch 16:9 widescreen
• Native decision: 3840×2160
• Panel kind: In-Aircraft Switching
• Refresh fee: 60Hz
• Adaptive sync: None
• HDR: Sure, HDR 10
• Ports: 1x USB-C with DisplayPort and as much as 90 watts of USB Energy Supply, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0, 2x USB-A 2.0 downstream, 1x 3.5mm audio out
• VESA mount: 100x100mm
• Audio system: 2x 5-watt audio system
• Wi-fi connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
• Working system: Google TV
• Distant management: Included, with two AAA batteries
• Value: $399.99 MSRP

Whereas the show panel is fundamental, Asus packs the monitor with many helpful options. It ships with a distant and batteries used to manage the Google TV working system. It additionally has Wi-Fi (a should for the sensible TV OS to work), USB-C with 90 watts of Energy Supply, and a pair of 5-watt audio system.

Asus lists an MSRP of $399.99, however it seems to steadily go on sale for $369.99.

Additional studying: See our roundup of one of the best screens to study competing merchandise.

Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC design

The Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC is among the many extra inexpensive sensible screens obtainable proper now, however you wouldn’t know that by taking a look at it. Quite the opposite, it gives a clear, premium aesthetic that ought to look wonderful in any workplace or front room.

From the entrance, the MS27UC has slim bezels on the highest and sides, whereas the underside is roofed by a horny grayish-white cloth that blends effectively with most rooms and lends the monitor an approachable, pleasant really feel. The material protecting sweeps across the again of the monitor, the place it joins silver plastics that look (however don’t really feel) like metallic.

The rear of the monitor additionally boasts a small shelf for rear storage, and Asus gives a number of peripherals (together with the distant bundled with the TV) designed to perch there. Whereas I not often remembered to make use of it, this function could possibly be helpful should you like a tidy setup.

The monitor has a compact however efficient L-shaped stand with a flat base. It takes up little or no area on a desk and its compact kind issue means the monitor can perch on even smaller surfaces, like a nightstand or cupboard (necessary should you plan to make use of it like a small tv). The stand’s ergonomic adjustment is restricted, nevertheless. It solely adjusts for tilt and peak and its vary of peak adjustment is a tad extra restricted than typical at 100mm of whole journey.

A typical 100x100mm VESA mount is on the market for attaching the monitor to a third-party stand or mount. The ports are rear-facing as an alternative of downward-facing. Whereas I typically favor this, because it makes connecting gadgets a breeze, it might show difficult if you wish to wall-mount the monitor.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC connectivity

The Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC has a great vary of connectivity. Video inputs embody USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode, DisplayPort, and HDMI, for a complete of three video inputs. Whereas I might’ve most well-liked to see a second HDMI, this association might be nice for many house owners.

The USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode may provide as much as 90 watts of Energy Supply, which makes it helpful for connecting and charging a laptop computer, pill, or perhaps a smartphone. Whereas that is most helpful in a house workplace, it may be helpful if you would like play video games on a related laptop computer, smartphone, or handheld gaming machine.

Two USB-A 2.0 downstream ports and a 3.5mm audio-out jack spherical out the choices. A USB-C downstream port would’ve been good, however the MS27UC’s general connectivity is sweet worth for cash.

Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC Good TV options

Asus ships the ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC with Google TV, an Android-based working system customers may already be aware of, because it’s generally utilized by TVs from Sony, TCL, and Hisense, amongst others.

As a result of it’s a wise monitor with an working system, the MS27UC requires a little bit of setup earlier than it’s prepared to make use of. You’ll want to hook up with Wi-Fi, log in to a Google account, and full just a few non-obligatory personalization steps. I discovered this course of a bit slower than on competing sensible screens attributable to a number of setup load screens that took a minute or two to finish. Nonetheless, I had the monitor prepared to make use of in below 10 minutes.

As soon as arrange, I discovered the Google TV working system acquainted and straightforward to navigate. It truly is Google TV, so apps you’d anticipate to work with a bigger tv operating Google TV will work right here. This contains streaming apps like YouTube (in fact), Netflix, Amazon Prime, and so forth.

Should you’d like, you should use the MS27UC like a 27-inch sensible tv with out a machine related to a video enter. The monitor additionally helps wi-fi video connections by way of requirements like Miracast and Chromecast, which means it’s doable to wirelessly stream video from choose telephones, tablets, and computer systems.

Observe, nevertheless, that the MS27UC lacks a TV tuner and gained’t be capable of connect with a coaxial cable supply. That is additionally true of aggressive sensible screens, nevertheless.

The distant management is massive, comfy, and gives good entry to video connections and show choices. I discovered the menu system simpler to navigate than these on the Samsung and LG sensible screens I examined the final 12 months. And I had no hassle connecting a PC over HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C. The menu system is ever-so-slightly sluggish at occasions, however it’s minor and I anticipate many customers gained’t discover.

Nevertheless, the menu choices are a bit complicated when utilizing the show as a monitor. By default, the monitor switches to PC Mode (and this was used for many of our testing). This mode locks out some changes, similar to shade temperature. HDR additionally didn’t perform in PC Mode. I additionally tried utilizing Asus DisplayWidget, a Home windows app that may management the settings of most Asus screens and located it didn’t work with the MS27UC.

A pair of 5-watt audio system wrap up the monitor’s sensible TV options. They’re okay, however 5 watts isn’t a ton of energy, and the monitor lacks a subwoofer to ship low-end kick. In consequence, the monitor’s sound comes throughout as tinny and skinny. The audio system are satisfactory for informal viewing, however house owners planning a Netflix binge will need a greater sound system.   

Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC SDR picture high quality

The Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC has many options however, in the case of picture high quality, there’s not loads to speak about. Except for a local decision of 3840×2160, the monitor’s show is a relatively fundamental IPS panel with a 60Hz refresh fee. That exhibits by way of in testing.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

First up, nevertheless, is a bit of fine information. The MS27UC hits a most SDR brightness of 467 nits, which is extraordinarily excessive for any monitor.

An SDR brightness this excessive isn’t mandatory to be used in a typical house workplace, however it is smart in a wise monitor that may substitute a tv. I anticipate the MS27UC shall be utilized in brightly lit rooms, together with dwelling rooms and kitchens, the place it’s a substitute for a funds sensible tv. The show’s brightness ought to maintain it comfy to view in most conditions.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

On the flip facet, nevertheless, the MS27UC achieved a modest measured distinction ratio of 850:1. That’s not nice for a monitor in 2025, and it lands the MS27UC in the direction of the low finish of what’s typical.

To be honest, most equally priced screens with an IPS panel ship an analogous distinction ratio. However these with a VA panel, just like the AOC 27G15, obtain a a lot better distinction ratio that results in a richer, extra immersive picture.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

I used to be a bit disillusioned by the MS27UC’s shade gamut, because it achieved simply 99 p.c of sRGB and 81 p.c of DCI-P3. Because the graph exhibits, that’s behind different screens which can be equally priced, although it ought to be famous that LG’s sensible monitor is listed at $600.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Colour accuracy is a win for the MS27UC. Though it doesn’t beat the sphere, all of the screens listed right here carry out effectively for the value and finally ship shade accuracy able to a practical and convincing picture. Even customers with a discerning eye for shade are unlikely to see flaws.

The MS27US additionally did effectively in gamma, because it achieved the perfect gamma curve worth of two.2. That signifies the picture seems round as luminous because it ought to, which is essential to preserving element in shadows and highlights.

Colour temperature, alternatively, was unusually excessive with a price of 8000K. Which means the picture seems cool and sterile. This is usually a matter of non-public style, and the monitor gives choices to vary the colour temperature by way of each preset shade temperature modes and shade calibration options, so customers can change the colour temperature to a hotter look. Nonetheless, a default shade temperature this excessive (in PC Mode, which is flipped on by default when utilizing the monitor with a PC) is a bit odd.

Sharpness is a giant perk and power. A decision of 3840×2160 throughout a 27-inch panel works out to about 163 pixels per inch and leads to a tack-sharp look. The sharpness is equally wonderful when viewing YouTube as when navigating an Excel spreadsheet in 8-point font.

Look, I’ll be sincere: The Asus Zenscreen Good Monitor MS27UC’s picture high quality is simply okay. However that doesn’t imply customers ought to write it off. A show like that is usually constructed to be useful greater than it’s engaging, and that’s as true for the monitor’s picture high quality as its options. The picture gained’t blow your socks off, however it’s vivid, sharp, and straightforward to view in quite a lot of viewing situations and with a variety of content material.

Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC HDR picture high quality

The Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC helps HDR10, however I wouldn’t advocate shopping for it for HDR content material. The monitor’s most brightness is superb for SDR however inadequate to do HDR justice. It additionally lacks the colour gamut and distinction required to assist HDR content material stand out from SDR.

That’s to not say HDR seems to be unhealthy. Quite the opposite, a high-quality 4K HDR clip can look nice. This, nevertheless, is usually because of the monitor’s sharpness, and HDR’s benefit over high-quality 4K SDR content material is relatively slim.

I additionally discovered HDR didn’t work when utilizing the monitor with a PC. Home windows didn’t detect the monitor as HDR suitable, and HDR didn’t seem to interact mechanically with suitable content material. HDR solely flipped on after I seen streaming apps, like Netflix, by way of the Google TV interface.

Whereas none of that is constructive for the MS27UC, it’s necessary to recollect the value. Asus sells this monitor for lower than $400. It’s exhausting to discover a good HDR monitor for lower than $400, so these flaws are excusable. Customers ought to anticipate to pay extra for good HDR.

Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC movement efficiency

The Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC doesn’t embody options that may enhance its movement efficiency. It has a 60Hz refresh fee and lacks adaptive sync for easy body pacing.

That’s to not say it’s horrible. The IPS show panel’s pixel response occasions are cheap and its movement readability is typical for a 60Hz monitor. Ghosting and blur is noticeable on the MS27UC, however tolerable exterior of aggressive esports video games, and no worse than different mid-range screens. Shopper who aren’t choosy about movement readability will assume it seems to be nice.

Nonetheless, with 120Hz and 240Hz gaming screens broadly obtainable at decrease costs, it’s apparent the MS27UC just isn’t a sensible choice for customers who care about movement efficiency.

Must you purchase the Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC?

The Asus ZenScreen Good Monitor MS27UC is a superb decide for customers who need an inexpensive sensible monitor that’s straightforward to make use of, can deal with all kinds of streaming apps, and appears engaging. Although it’s not a foul selection for a house workplace, the MS27UC is greatest in a studio house, kitchen, visitor room, and another area the place a small, versatile show could be wanted. The MS27UC is much less interesting when used solely or principally as a PC monitor, as its picture high quality and movement efficiency can’t match equally priced PC gaming screens that lack sensible TV options.