LG UltraGear 27GS95QE 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor Review: The New Benchmark for Speed and Beauty

For years, as competitive and immersive gamers, we’ve been caught in a frustrating cycle of compromise. We crave the lightning-fast response times of TN panels for that competitive edge in shooters, but we lament their washed-out colours. We admire the vibrant, accurate hues of IPS displays for exploring lush open worlds, yet we’re often left with that distracting “IPS glow” in dark scenes. Then there are VA panels, offering deep blacks but frequently plagued by ghosting and slower pixel transitions. The search for a single monitor that delivers elite speed, breathtaking colour, and perfect contrast has felt like an impossible quest. This compromise means our gaming experience is never quite whole; we’re either sacrificing visual fidelity for performance or vice versa. It’s a trade-off that has defined high-end gaming for a decade, but the arrival of new display technology promises to finally end it.

What to Consider Before Buying a Gaming Monitor

A gaming monitor is more than just a screen; it’s your window into digital worlds and a critical component that can make or break your performance and immersion. It’s a key solution for translating your PC’s or console’s power into a tangible, fluid, and visually stunning experience. The main benefits are clear: high refresh rates reduce motion blur and provide a smoother picture, low response times ensure your inputs are reflected instantly, and superior panel technology like OLED brings games to life with unparalleled contrast and colour. Without the right monitor, even the most powerful gaming rig is bottlenecked, unable to display the frames it’s working so hard to produce.

The ideal customer for a high-performance monitor like this is a serious gamer, whether competitive or single-player focused, who refuses to compromise on visual quality and responsiveness. It’s for the enthusiast who has invested in a powerful GPU and wants to see every last drop of its performance. This type of product might not be suitable for those who only perform basic office tasks or casual web browsing, as the advanced features would be overkill. Similarly, budget-conscious buyers might find better value in more conventional IPS or VA monitors that offer a solid experience at a lower price point. For creative professionals, a colour-accurate 4K monitor might be a more logical alternative, prioritizing resolution and colour space coverage over raw speed.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Panel Technology & Size: The heart of any monitor is its panel. OLED, like in the LG model, offers per-pixel lighting for perfect blacks and infinite contrast, but IPS, VA, and TN panels have their own cost-to-performance benefits. The 27-inch size is widely considered the sweet spot for 1440p resolution, offering high pixel density without requiring GPU-intensive 4K.
• Resolution & Refresh Rate: These two specs define your experience. 1440p (QHD) is the current gold standard for high-end PC gaming, offering a sharp image without the massive performance hit of 4K. A 240Hz refresh rate is at the peak of competitive gaming, providing incredibly smooth motion that gives you a tangible advantage in fast-paced games.
• Response Time & Sync Technology: Response time measures how quickly a pixel can change colour. OLED’s near-instantaneous 0.03ms response time eliminates ghosting and motion blur. Adaptive Sync technologies like NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro are essential for eliminating screen tearing by synchronizing the monitor’s refresh rate with your GPU’s frame output.
• Connectivity & Ergonomics: Ensure the monitor has the right ports for your hardware, like HDMI 2.1 for modern consoles and DisplayPort 1.4 for high-refresh-rate PC gaming. A good stand with height, tilt, and pivot adjustments is crucial for comfort during long gaming sessions, reducing neck and eye strain.

Keeping these factors in mind, the LG UltraGear 27GS95QE 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the LG UltraGear 27GS95QE 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Sleek, Fast, and Unmistakably Premium

Unboxing the LG UltraGear 27GS95QE 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor is an experience in itself. The first thing that struck us was the impossibly thin profile of the OLED panel. Freed from the need for a backlight, the screen is blade-thin around the edges, giving it a futuristic and premium feel. Assembly was straightforward, with the stand clicking securely into place without any tools. The stand itself is solid, with a V-shaped base that provides excellent stability without consuming excessive desk space. The purple-grey finish and subtle “UltraGear” branding are stylish without being overly aggressive.

Powering it on for the first time is the real moment of truth. The screen bursts to life with a vibrancy and depth that immediately sets it apart from any LCD monitor we’ve used. The Windows desktop, with its simple icons against a dark background, showcases the perfect, inky blacks that only OLED can produce. There’s zero backlight bleed or IPS glow because there is no backlight. The rear Hexagon RGB lighting adds a touch of customisable flair, creating a pleasant ambient glow behind the monitor. Our initial impression is that this isn’t just an iterative upgrade; it feels like a generational leap forward in display technology.

Deep Dive: A Masterclass in Gaming Performance

After spending countless hours testing the LG UltraGear 27GS95QE 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor across a spectrum of games, from the frantic firefights of Valorant to the breathtaking landscapes of Baldur’s Gate 3, we can confidently say this monitor redefines what’s possible for a gaming display. It’s not just one feature that makes it special, but the flawless synergy of its core technologies.

The OLED Visual Experience: Contrast is King

The single most transformative feature of this monitor is its WOLED panel. Unlike traditional LCDs that use a backlight shining through a liquid crystal layer, each of the 3.7 million pixels on this screen produces its own light. This means a pixel can turn completely off to create a perfect, absolute black. The resulting 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio isn’t just a number on a spec sheet; it’s something you feel in every scene. We revisited the dark, rainy streets of Cyberpunk 2077‘s Night City, and the experience was revelatory. Neon signs popped with incredible intensity against the pitch-black sky, without any of the blooming or halo effects that plague even the best Mini-LED monitors. This was echoed by one user who noted, “True blacks, vibrant colours, and contrast that makes everything look alive. Night racing especially looks unreal.”

This pixel-level control dramatically enhances detail in dark areas. In horror games like Alan Wake 2, shadows are no longer murky grey blobs; they are deep, terrifying voids where you can still discern subtle textures and shapes. The DisplayHDR 400 TRUE BLACK certification ensures that HDR content is presented with this same incredible contrast, making highlights sparkle next to those perfect blacks. While its peak brightness isn’t as searing as some top-tier Mini-LEDs, the infinite contrast creates a perceived richness and depth that, in our opinion, is far more immersive. Colours are vibrant and rich, covering 98.5% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, making every game world feel more lifelike and engaging.

Competitive Edge: The Unbeatable Fusion of Speed and Clarity

For competitive players, visual fidelity is secondary to speed and clarity. This is where the LG UltraGear 27GS95QE 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor truly decimates the competition. The combination of a 240Hz refresh rate and an astonishing 0.03ms Gray-to-Gray (GtG) response time creates a level of motion clarity that is simply sublime. In fast-paced shooters, this is a game-changer. While tracking fast-moving targets, there is virtually zero ghosting, inverse ghosting, or blurring. The image remains crisp and defined, allowing for more precise aim and faster reaction times.

We spent hours in Valorant and Counter-Strike 2, and the difference coming from even a high-end 144Hz IPS panel was immediately noticeable. As one user upgrading from a 144Hz VA panel stated, “the difference is huge… the main difference I saw was the smoothness from the 240hz panel and again the motion clarity!” This isn’t a placebo effect. The near-instantaneous pixel response time of OLED means that each of the 240 frames displayed per second is perfectly distinct, with no lingering artifacts from the previous frame. Paired with G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro support, gameplay is flawlessly smooth, with no stuttering or screen tearing, regardless of your GPU brand. This monitor provides a tangible competitive advantage that can’t be overstated. If you demand the absolute pinnacle of motion performance, the unique properties of this OLED panel deliver an experience that LCD technology cannot replicate.

Design, Ergonomics, and Thoughtful Features

LG didn’t just focus on the panel; the physical design of the monitor is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The stand offers a full range of ergonomic adjustments, including a generous height adjustment range, tilt, and a 90-degree pivot into portrait mode—a feature often missing on gaming monitors. This flexibility ensures you can position the screen perfectly for your posture and setup, which is vital for long gaming sessions.

The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 provides comprehensive connectivity for both PC and consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X, allowing them to run at 1440p and 120Hz with VRR and HDR enabled. The 4-pole headphone jack with DTS Headphone:X support is another thoughtful touch, providing immersive virtual surround sound directly from the monitor. LG also includes a suite of OLED Care features to mitigate the risk of burn-in. Functions like Pixel Cleaning, which runs automatically to refresh the pixels, and Screen Move, which subtly shifts the image to prevent static elements from “sticking,” provide peace of mind. We found these features to be completely unobtrusive during gameplay, as confirmed by a user who said, “The OLED protection features are quite generous… and its barely noticeable.” These additions show a commitment to the long-term health of the display, addressing the primary concern many have with OLED technology.

What Other Users Are Saying

The sentiment surrounding the LG UltraGear 27GS95QE 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor is overwhelmingly positive, with users frequently describing the transition to OLED as a “game changer.” Many, particularly those coming from older LCD panel types, express awe at the picture quality. One happy customer noted, “Once you go oled (tvs and phones) you cant go back!” The combination of the 240Hz refresh rate and near-instant response time is consistently praised for delivering “buttery smooth” gameplay and “perfect” motion clarity, especially in competitive titles.

However, the experience hasn’t been perfect for everyone. A recurring and significant concern is quality control. A number of users have reported receiving defective units straight out of the box. Reports mention issues like “a red vertical line of pixels,” “horrendous thick grey bar down the centre of the screen,” and units arriving with “multiple burn in lines.” While many were able to get replacements that worked perfectly, the initial disappointment is a valid concern for potential buyers. It suggests that while a functioning unit is spectacular, there’s a non-trivial chance of dealing with a return, which is frustrating for such a premium product.

How Does the LG UltraGear 27GS95QE 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor Compare to the Alternatives?

While the LG OLED offers a top-tier experience, it exists in a crowded market. It’s crucial to understand how it stacks up against other options, especially those at different price points and with different target audiences.

1. Gawfolk 27″ 2K 120Hz Gaming Monitor

The Gawfolk monitor represents a compelling budget alternative for gamers who want to step up to 1440p resolution without the premium price tag of OLED. Its primary trade-off is in speed and panel technology. With a 120Hz refresh rate, it’s half as fast as the LG, and its IPS panel, while offering good colours, cannot compete with the infinite contrast and perfect blacks of OLED. This monitor is an excellent choice for gamers on a tight budget who play more single-player, story-driven games where 120Hz is perfectly adequate and the jump to QHD resolution from 1080p is the main priority.

2. CRUA 27-Inch 180Hz Curved Gaming Monitor

The CRUA monitor targets a different segment of the budget market, prioritizing refresh rate over resolution. At 180Hz, it offers a very fluid experience, but it’s limited to a 1080p (Full HD) resolution. For competitive players who value frames-per-second above all else and are running less powerful hardware, this could be a smart choice. However, compared to the LG UltraGear 27GS95QE 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor, the image will be significantly less sharp, and the visual “wow” factor of OLED’s contrast and colour is completely absent. It’s a pure performance play for the budget-conscious esports enthusiast.

3. BenQ PD2705U 27″ 4K UHD Designer Monitor

The BenQ PD2705U is not a direct competitor for gaming but serves as a fantastic comparison for a different use case: creative work. It boasts a 4K resolution for maximum detail in photo and video editing and is factory-calibrated for superior colour accuracy in sRGB and Rec. 709 colour spaces. Its refresh rate is only 60Hz, making it unsuitable for serious gaming. A user might choose the BenQ over the LG if their primary use is professional design, content creation, or anything where pixel-perfect detail and colour precision are more important than speed and contrast for media consumption.

Our Final Verdict: Is the LG UltraGear 27GS95QE Worth It?

After extensive testing, we can say with certainty that the LG UltraGear 27GS95QE 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor is a phenomenal piece of hardware that represents the pinnacle of modern gaming displays. It successfully banishes the compromises of the past, delivering the motion clarity of an esports-grade TN panel, colours that rival professional IPS displays, and a contrast ratio that no LCD technology can touch. For the enthusiast gamer who wants the best of all worlds—unparalleled immersion in single-player epics and a razor-sharp competitive edge in multiplayer—this monitor is a triumph.

The primary caveats are its premium price and the reported quality control lottery. However, if you receive a good unit, the experience is truly second to none. It’s a significant investment, but one that pays off every single time you boot up a game. It is, without a doubt, one of the best gaming monitors you can buy today.

If you’ve decided the LG UltraGear 27GS95QE 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor is the right fit for your ultimate gaming setup, you can find the best current price and purchase it here.