ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz Review: The Budget Champion with a Few Surprises

There’s a specific kind of frustration that every PC gamer and power user knows well. It’s that moment when you’ve invested in a decent graphics card and a capable rig, only to be let down by the very window through which you experience your digital worlds: your monitor. For years, I was stuck on a standard 60Hz display. In everyday tasks, it was fine. But the moment I launched a fast-paced game like Apex Legends or even scrolled quickly through a complex spreadsheet, the world would dissolve into a blurry, stuttering mess. Screen tearing became an unwelcome companion, and motion blur was the ghost in my machine, making it impossible to track targets effectively. It felt like I was driving a sports car on a gravel road—all the power was there, but the connection to the experience was rough and unsatisfying. This is the precise problem that high-refresh-rate monitors aim to solve, but they often come with a premium price tag. The search for a display that offers fluid motion, vibrant colours, and user-centric features at an accessible price point is a modern-day quest for many of us, and it’s exactly where the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz enters the conversation.

What to Consider Before Buying a Gaming Monitor

A monitor is more than just a screen; it’s a key solution for unlocking the full potential of your computer. For gamers, it’s about translating GPU horsepower into fluid, tear-free visuals that can provide a competitive edge. For content creators, it’s about accurate colour representation and sufficient screen real estate for complex timelines and toolbars. For the everyday user, it’s about providing a comfortable, clear, and strain-free viewing experience for hours of work or entertainment. The main benefit of a monitor like this one is the dramatic improvement in motion clarity and responsiveness, which elevates everything from high-octane gaming to simple web browsing.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone taking their first serious step into the world of high-refresh-rate gaming or a home office user who wants a smoother experience and values eye-care technologies. This includes students, aspiring content creators, and casual gamers who want a significant upgrade from a basic 60Hz panel without spending a fortune. However, this monitor might not be suitable for professional esports athletes who demand 240Hz or higher refresh rates for split-second reactions, or for graphic design professionals who require 4K resolution and near-perfect colour gamut coverage (like 100% Adobe RGB). For those users, higher-end, specialised monitors would be a more appropriate, albeit more expensive, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz is a 27-inch monitor. This is a popular size that offers an immersive experience without being overwhelmingly large for most desks. However, it’s essential to measure your available desk space (width, depth, and height) to ensure it fits comfortably and leaves room for your other peripherals. Also, consider the viewing distance; for a 27-inch 1080p screen, sitting too close might make individual pixels more noticeable.
• Performance & Panel Technology: This is the heart of the matter. Key specs to look for are refresh rate (measured in Hz), response time (in ms), resolution, and panel type. The VY279HGR boasts a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother motion, a 1ms MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time) to reduce ghosting, and a Full HD (1920×1080) resolution. Crucially, it uses an IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel, which is renowned for superior colour accuracy and wider viewing angles compared to older TN or VA panels.
• Connectivity: How will you connect the monitor to your PC or console? The specifications for the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz list HDMI and VGA ports. It’s vital to check that your graphics card or device has a compatible output. The absence of a DisplayPort on some versions can be a limiting factor for certain PC builds, so confirming the port selection is critical before purchasing.
• Ergonomics & Extra Features: A great monitor should also be comfortable to use. Look for stands with tilt, swivel, or height adjustment. While this model has basic tilt, it is VESA compatible, meaning you can mount it to a more flexible monitor arm. Furthermore, consider value-added features like ASUS’s Eye Care Plus technology and the unique antibacterial treatment, which can significantly enhance the user experience over the long term.

Keeping these factors in mind, the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz presents a compelling package, especially in its performance and feature set for the price. You can explore its detailed specifications and current offers here.

While the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz 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:

Unboxing and First Impressions

Pulling the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz from its packaging, the first thing we noticed was its straightforward and practical design. The assembly process was refreshingly simple, a sentiment echoed by users who noted it was “easy to mount” and even came with the necessary tool. The three-part stand—a base, a neck, and the monitor itself—clicked together securely in under two minutes. Once assembled, the monitor feels stable on the desk, with a relatively small footprint for a 27-inch display.

The aesthetic is clean and modern, with thin bezels on three sides that make it a great candidate for a multi-monitor setup. The matte black plastic construction is standard for this price point, but the textured finish on the back adds a touch of sophistication. What truly stands out is the matte anti-glare screen finish, which performed admirably in our brightly lit office, diffusing reflections effectively. Firing it up for the first time, we were immediately greeted by the vibrant and punchy colours characteristic of an IPS panel. The initial out-of-the-box calibration was impressive, with colours looking vivid without being oversaturated. It feels like a significant step up from budget monitors of just a few years ago.

A Deep Dive into the ASUS VY279HGR’s Performance

A monitor’s spec sheet only tells half the story. To truly understand its capabilities, we put the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz through its paces in a variety of scenarios, from competitive gaming to content creation and marathon work sessions. This is where the monitor both shines and reveals its compromises.

Gaming Performance: The 120Hz SmoothMotion Advantage

The headline feature here is undoubtedly the 120Hz refresh rate, which ASUS brands as “SmoothMotion.” Moving from a standard 60Hz monitor to 120Hz is a night-and-day difference. In our tests with fast-paced shooters like Valorant and Overwatch 2, the on-screen action was incredibly fluid. Character models moved without the judder we were accustomed to on older screens, and aiming felt more direct and responsive as the cursor updated twice as often. This smoothness isn’t just a luxury; it provides a tangible competitive advantage by making it easier to track moving targets and react to sudden threats.

Complementing this is the 1ms MPRT response time. This technology uses backlight strobing to reduce perceived motion blur, and the effect is noticeable. As we whipped our view around quickly, the background remained clearer and less smeared than on monitors with slower response times. The inclusion of Adaptive Sync is another crucial feature. When paired with a compatible AMD or NVIDIA graphics card, it synchronises the monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate, eliminating ugly screen tearing and stuttering. This resulted in a consistently smooth and artifact-free visual experience across all our gaming tests. However, we must address a significant concern raised by some users who reported being stuck at 60Hz or 75Hz. While we were able to achieve the full 120Hz via HDMI after enabling it in Windows display settings, this feedback suggests that users must ensure they are using a capable HDMI cable (at least HDMI 1.4) and correctly configuring their system’s display properties. It’s a potential pitfall that less tech-savvy users might encounter.

Image Quality and the IPS Panel

While speed is essential for gaming, image quality is what makes the experience immersive. This is where the IPS panel of the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz truly excels for its price bracket. As one user aptly put it, the “image quality is brutal” and the “colours are spectacular.” Our testing confirmed this sentiment. The monitor displays an astounding 16.7 million colours, and the vibrancy is immediately apparent. We loaded up visually rich games like The Witcher 3 and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and the environments popped with rich, saturated colours and excellent contrast that brought the worlds to life. Viewing angles are also a classic IPS strength; colours remained consistent and true even when we viewed the screen from off-centre, which is great for when you have a friend watching you play.

The monitor is not just for games. We found it to be a capable display for light photo and video editing. The colours were accurate enough for enthusiast-level work, and the clarity was excellent for watching movies and streaming content. The one caveat here is the relationship between its size and resolution. At 27 inches, the Full HD (1920×1080) resolution results in a pixel density of around 81 pixels per inch (PPI). For users accustomed to sharper 1440p or 4K displays, or even 1080p on a smaller 24-inch screen, text can appear slightly less crisp, and individual pixels might be visible if you sit very close to the screen. This is a common trade-off in budget-friendly 27-inch monitors, prioritising smooth performance and screen size over pixel density. For most users, especially in gaming, it’s a compromise that is well worth making.

Health and Hygiene: The Eye Care Plus and Antibacterial Edge

Perhaps the most underrated and impressive aspect of the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz is its deep focus on user well-being. ASUS has integrated its comprehensive Eye Care Plus technology, which goes far beyond a simple “reading mode.” The TÜV Rheinland-certified Flicker-Free technology and adjustable Blue Light Filter are fantastic, and during our long 8-hour workdays, we noticed a significant reduction in eye fatigue and strain compared to other budget displays. These features are easily accessible through the intuitive ASUS DisplayWidget Center software, which allows for on-the-fly adjustments without fiddling with clunky physical buttons.

Two features, in particular, stand out. The Rest Reminder is a simple but brilliant tool that pops up a notification at user-set intervals (e.g., every 30 minutes) to remind you to take a break and look away from the screen, helping to prevent computer vision syndrome. The other is Colour Augmentation mode, an accessibility feature designed to assist users with colour-vision deficiency. It allows users to customise reds, greens, yellows, and blues to make them more distinguishable, a thoughtful and inclusive addition. Beyond eye health, ASUS has also considered physical hygiene. The monitor’s bezels and hotkeys are treated with a proprietary long-lasting antibacterial ionic silver treatment. This inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi by up to 99.9%, keeping key areas of the monitor cleaner. In an age of shared hot-desking environments or simply for the hygiene-conscious individual, this is a unique and highly practical feature that sets the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz apart from its competitors.

Build Quality and Connectivity Confusion

The overall build is solid for a monitor in this category. The stand provides adequate stability with a basic tilt function, and the inclusion of VESA mounting holes (100x100mm) is a huge plus, offering the flexibility to use a third-party monitor arm for better ergonomics. However, the biggest point of contention, and a significant source of user frustration, lies with the connectivity. Our review unit, and the core specifications, list one HDMI port and one VGA port. VGA is a legacy connection that is largely obsolete, but its inclusion might be useful for older systems. The problem is that many online product descriptions, as highlighted by multiple user reviews, have incorrectly listed DisplayPort and even four USB 2.0 ports.

To be clear: based on our testing and corroborated by user feedback, this monitor does not have a DisplayPort or a built-in USB hub. One user explicitly stated, “I specifically purchased the version with Display Port… however the monitor does not actually have a display port, nor does it have the 4 USB ports.” This is a critical failure in product listing accuracy. The lack of DisplayPort can be a deal-breaker for PC users whose graphics cards may prioritise that connection, while the absence of USB ports removes the convenience of a built-in hub. Potential buyers must be aware of this discrepancy and purchase this monitor with the expectation that it is HDMI-only for modern connections. It’s a frustrating issue that mars an otherwise excellent value proposition.

What Other Users Are Saying

Synthesizing feedback from across the web, a clear picture emerges. The vast majority of positive comments centre on the incredible value for money. Users repeatedly praise the “very good quality” for a “very cheap” price, with one person noting, “For the price it has, it is very much worth it.” The visual experience is a frequent highlight, with descriptors like “brutal image quality” and “spectacular colours” reinforcing our own findings about the excellent IPS panel.

On the negative side, the feedback is almost unanimously focused on the misleading product descriptions. The primary complaints revolve around the advertised DisplayPort and USB ports that are simply not present on the device. This has led to understandable frustration, with one user calling it out directly. Another critical, though less common, issue was a report of the monitor failing to achieve its advertised 120Hz refresh rate. While this could be due to user error or a faulty unit, it’s a significant concern that potential buyers should keep in mind. In essence, those who receive the monitor and understand its actual HDMI-only connectivity are overwhelmingly happy, while those who bought it based on inaccurate specs are left disappointed.

How Does the ASUS VY279HGR Compare to the Alternatives?

The budget monitor space is fiercely competitive. While the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz holds its own, it’s important to see how it stacks up against other popular options that might better suit your specific needs.

1. Minifire MFG24C1 24 Inch 180Hz Gaming Monitor

The Minifire MFG24C1 is aimed squarely at the competitive gamer on a budget. Its main advantage over the ASUS is the blisteringly fast 180Hz refresh rate, which provides an even smoother experience in high-speed games. However, this comes with trade-offs. It’s a smaller 24-inch display, and it uses a curved VA panel, which typically offers deeper blacks but may have slower pixel response times and less accurate colours than the ASUS’s flat IPS panel. If your absolute top priority is maximizing refresh rate for competitive FPS games and you prefer a more compact, curved screen, the Minifire is a compelling alternative. If you value the larger screen size, superior colour vibrancy, and eye-care features of the ASUS for a more balanced gaming and productivity experience, the VY279HGR is the better all-rounder.

2. ARZOPA 16.1″ FHD Portable Monitor

The ARZOPA monitor represents a completely different use case. This isn’t a primary desktop monitor but a portable second screen designed for laptops, consoles, and mobile devices. Its strength lies in its portability, slim profile, and versatile USB-C connectivity. It’s the perfect choice for students, digital nomads, or anyone who needs to expand their screen real estate while on the go. It cannot compete with the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz in terms of size, refresh rate, or gaming performance. If you need a main monitor for your desk, the ASUS is the obvious choice. If you need a screen to take with you, the ARZOPA is what you’re looking for.

3. KOORUI 24N5CA 24 Inch 100Hz Curved Gaming Monitor

The KOORUI 24N5CA is another strong budget contender that competes very closely with the ASUS. Like the Minifire, it’s a smaller 24-inch curved monitor. Its 100Hz refresh rate is a step up from 60Hz but falls short of the 120Hz offered by the ASUS. The choice here comes down to preference. The KOORUI offers the immersive feel of a curved screen, which some gamers love, at a very aggressive price point. However, the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz provides a larger 27-inch flat IPS display, a higher refresh rate, and a far more robust set of features like the advanced Eye Care Plus and unique antibacterial treatment. For a slight premium, the ASUS delivers a more feature-rich and versatile package.

Our Final Verdict: Is the ASUS VY279HGR the Right Monitor for You?

After extensive testing, the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz proves to be a fantastic monitor that punches well above its weight, but it comes with a significant asterisk. The core experience is excellent: the 120Hz IPS panel is a joy to use, delivering fluid gameplay and beautiful, vibrant colours that make games and media look stunning. The addition of class-leading Eye Care Plus technology and the unique antibacterial treatment demonstrates a thoughtful design philosophy focused on the user’s long-term health and comfort.

It is an ideal monitor for budget-conscious gamers upgrading from 60Hz, students who need a versatile screen for both work and play, and home office users who will benefit immensely from the eye-saving features. However, the widespread confusion regarding its connectivity cannot be ignored. Buyers must go in expecting an HDMI-only monitor and verify their purchase carefully. If you can look past that marketing misstep and don’t require DisplayPort, you are getting an incredible amount of performance and features for your money. It’s a brilliant display hampered by poor communication.

If you’ve decided the ASUS VY279HGR Gaming Monitor 120Hz is the right fit for your setup and its features align with your needs, you can check its current price and purchase it here.