Alienware has held the crown for the best gaming monitor for nearly two years with the Alienware 34 QD-OLED, dominating a fiercely competitive market. The new Alienware 27 QD-OLED arrives with a bold proposition: how do you improve on perfection? The answer, it turns out, is packed into a stunning 27-inch display. Leveraging third-generation QD-OLED technology, this monitor delivers a significant boost in out-of-the-box color accuracy while maintaining the incredible brightness QD-OLED is renowned for. Factor in a higher refresh rate and a lower price, and the 27 QD-OLED presents an almost irresistible package.
Sleek Design and Smart Cable Management
The back of the Alienware 27 QD-OLED monitor.Image: The minimalist design of the Alienware 27 QD-OLED.
Alienware has achieved a remarkable feat: a monitor that’s both understated and visually striking. Unlike the original 34 QD-OLED, the 27-inch model embraces a sleek, all-black aesthetic (officially “Dark Side of the Moon”). Minimal branding on the front, combined with slim bezels around the display, creates a premium feel typically reserved for high-end OLED monitors.
The stand is a standout feature, boasting a hexagonal base that minimizes desk footprint while providing exceptional stability. Cleverly integrated cable routing channels within the stand allow for a clean and organized setup, a stark contrast to the often cumbersome cable management solutions found on monitors like the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8.
Cables routed through the stand of the Alienware 27 QD-OLED monitor.Image: The integrated cable management system keeps your desk tidy.
Cables are routed through the stand and connect discreetly beneath the back of the monitor, further enhancing the clean aesthetic. A removable plastic cover conceals the connections, making it effortless to maintain a tidy workspace.
The stand itself offers extensive adjustability, including 110mm of height adjustment, 26 degrees of tilt, 40 degrees of swivel, and 180 degrees of pivot, allowing for vertical orientation. A 100 x 100 VESA mount is also available for those who prefer using a monitor arm or wall mount. While the overall design is impressive, the bezels are slightly thicker than those on competing 27-inch OLEDs like the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM.
Ports on the Alienware 27 QD-OLED monitor.Image: The port selection on the Alienware 27 QD-OLED.
Comprehensive Connectivity
The Alienware 27 QD-OLED offers a comprehensive selection of ports. Two DisplayPort 1.4 connections support the monitor’s full 360Hz refresh rate, while a single HDMI 2.1 port (limited to 144Hz) caters to console gamers (Xbox Series X and PS5 at 1440p).
A USB-B upstream port enables the integrated USB hub, which includes two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports on the back and two conveniently located ports (one USB-A and one USB-C, both 3.2 Gen 1) on the front for easy access. Note that the USB-C port does not support DisplayPort Alt mode.
Next-Level Visuals with Third-Gen QD-OLED
An HDR demo running on the Alienware 27 QD-OLED.Image: Experience vibrant colors and deep blacks with QD-OLED technology.
OLED monitors are known for their stunning visuals, and the 27 QD-OLED continues this tradition. The third-generation QD-OLED technology takes image quality a step further with exceptional color accuracy. Measurements using a Spyder X2 colorimeter yielded an average Delta-E of 0.46 in the default picture profile, a remarkable result. While the 34 QD-OLED struggled with green and blue primaries at higher brightness levels, the 27 QD-OLED demonstrates improved color linearity across the brightness spectrum. The monitor also provides extensive calibration options within the on-screen display (OSD).
The Alienware 27 QD-OLED running an HDR demo.Image: Immersive HDR gaming on the Alienware 27 QD-OLED.
Brightness is equally impressive, peaking at 928 nits in HDR for a 1% window. Brightness levels naturally decrease with larger window sizes, measuring 837 nits at 4% and 474 nits at 10%. Combined with perfect black levels inherent to OLED technology, the contrast ratio is effectively infinite. This exceptional brightness was achieved using the HDR Peak 1000 mode. The monitor offers various Smart HDR presets and a custom mode for fine-tuning. While the default Desktop mode provides a balanced image, the custom mode allows for further optimization.
Smart HDR settings on the Alienware 27 QD-OLED.Image: Customize your HDR experience with various presets.
It’s crucial to keep Smart HDR enabled for proper HDR content display. Disabling it results in overblown highlights, excessive saturation, and other visual artifacts. While geared towards media consumption, the 27 QD-OLED’s color accuracy makes it a viable option for content creators who prioritize image quality. However, professional colorists may still prefer highly accurate IPS panels.
Unrivaled Gaming Performance
Alan Wake 2 on the Alienware 27 QD-OLED monitor.Image: Experience smooth and responsive gameplay.
The 27 QD-OLED’s gaming performance is just as impressive as its image quality. OLED’s near-instantaneous response times, combined with the 360Hz refresh rate, deliver an incredibly smooth gaming experience. Modern upscaling technologies and AI-generated frames allow gamers to fully utilize this high refresh rate, even in demanding titles. Testing Returnal on an RTX 4080 system with DLSS 3 enabled achieved frame rates between 280 and 290 fps at Ultra settings. This responsiveness, coupled with OLED’s clarity, makes even Alienware’s own 500Hz gaming monitor seem less compelling.
The Last of Us Part One running on the Alienware 27 QD-OLED.Image: Immerse yourself in stunning game worlds.
The cinematic experience offered by QD-OLED technology shines through in games like Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077. The 27 QD-OLED’s high refresh rate and exceptional image quality make it a versatile choice for both competitive esports and immersive single-player experiences.
Dragon Quest 11 running on the Alienware 27 QD-OLED.Image: Enjoy vibrant visuals in any game genre.
Leading the Pack in Value and Warranty
The Alienware 27 QD-OLED turned vertically.Image: The versatile stand allows for vertical orientation.
Priced at $900, the Alienware 27 QD-OLED undercuts last year’s 27-inch OLED competitors while offering superior performance. This value proposition is further strengthened by Alienware’s market-leading three-year warranty, which includes coverage for OLED burn-in. This comprehensive warranty offers peace of mind, especially considering the potential risks associated with OLED technology.
The Definitive QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
Hot Wheels Unleashed running on the Alienware 27 QD-OLED.Image: Experience fast-paced racing action with clarity and smoothness.
The Alienware 27 QD-OLED offers a near-perfect package for gamers. With improved QD-OLED technology, a higher refresh rate, a lower price, and a comprehensive warranty, it’s hard to find fault with this display. While the bezels are slightly thicker than some competitors, and last year’s OLED models might be available at a discount, these are minor drawbacks in the grand scheme of things. Alienware has taken the already excellent 34 QD-OLED and addressed its weaknesses, resulting in a monitor that sets a new standard for gaming displays.
