The Acer ED270R Sbiipx is a 27-inch VA gaming monitor with a modest feature set and a sensationally low price tag. The budget gaming monitor market is difficult to understand. This isn’t because of the complex technology they bring along, but the sheer wealth of options available.
You can find lots of monitors with a 27-inch, 1080p display for between $150 and $300. Acer’s ED270R Sbiipx is one such example, but its 1500R curve and image quality nudge ahead of the pack. The ED270R is a good fit for gamers with its 165Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync support. You won’t need to have an expensive PC with blazing graphics hardware to enjoy 60 frames per second (fps) or more.
Ultimately, the ED270R Sbiipx is a textbook example of getting more than you pay for. There are a few frills here but where it counts, this monitor delivers; the VA panel is surprisingly well-rounded and will suit office workers and gamers on a tight budget.
Acer ED270R Sbiipx Specs
- Display Size: 27-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Panel Technology: 1500R Curved Widescreen VA Display
- Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz – Using Display Port or 144Hz – Using HDMI Port
- Response Time: 5ms (G to G)
- Ports: 1 x Display Port & 2 x HDMI 1.4 Ports
- HDMI and Display Port Cables Included
Acer ED270R Sbiipx Review: Design
A minimalist design is not surprising in any budget monitor, and the Acer ED270R Sbiipx puts very little emphasis on looks as possible. The monitor has slim bezels on three sides and a chin on the bottom. This chin provides room for the silver Acer logo, while the back remains an expanse of matte-black plastic with few ridges and another Acer logo. It lacks the RGBs that are never missing on gaming monitors, but at this price, avoiding the lights is no offense, and the ED270R Sbiipx manages that.
The small stand with a rectangular base clip on the back of the monitor. Tilt is the only adjustment offered and the stand’s default height might be too low for users around 6 feet tall or taller. The lack of adjustment is disappointing but standard at this price point. A 75x75mm VESA mount is included, at least, so a third-party monitor stand like the HUANUO Single Monitor Mount can solve the monitor’s ergonomic issues for tall users. Or, you can just place the included stand on a platform.
Port selection is basic, but it’s what we expected at this price point. The monitor has one DisplayPort and two HDMI ports, as well as a headphone jack. It doesn’t include VGA or USB, but the available ports are still enough for most users. Also, you don’t get any built-in speakers, but we’re still fine with such omissions provided they don’t affect performance at all.
Acer ED270R Sbiipx Review: Image Quality
Nobody expects great image quality from a budget monitor, but I’d argue this makes image quality even more important. Any $500 gaming monitor can deliver a quality picture, and most of them in that price range even offer up to 4k or 1440p resolutions. The same can’t be said of below $200. Fortunately, the Acer ED270R Sbiipx is among the better-curved monitors in the budget arena.
Acer specs the ED270R Sbiipx at 250 nits brightness, but our sample only hit 24.5 nits when measured in its out-of-box Standard mode. That’s just enough light for any indoor space, but we’ve seen monitors offer a bit more output in the budget category. Tinkering with the available preset modes makes things brighter enough for most environments; however, we saw some flicker.
The ED270R Sbiipx’s black levels are higher than most budget VA panels we’ve seen, but not anything close to some recent IPS panels. We have reviewed premium IPS displays like the Asus ROG Swift PG279QM that deliver a much more dynamic range, but you’ll pay for that significant improvement. The ED270R delivers a good value/performance ratio.
- 27" AOC Gaming G2 series monitor with 1920x1080 Full HD (1080P) Resolution Curved VA...
- 240Hz refresh rate (via DP1.4) and rapid 0.5ms MPRT response time lets you target moving...
- 1500R curved monitor wraps around your vision for an immersive gaming experience
Its contrast ratio of 4000:1 is respectable for a budget monitor. While not amazing, this is much better than what you’d find in the least-capable budget monitors on the market and avoids a hazy, dour look. The lack of depth is fairly noticeable in movies and games, however, making this content less immersive. The Samsung CF390 series is a better choice for entertainment though, but it has its own issues in games.
Color accuracy is fairly good with an average color error of 1.82. this beats most monitors in the under $200 category, except those targeted for creatives and professional artists. Still, the monitor’s image out of the box feels a little warm and musty, but with a few calibration adjustments, it gets better.
This is a 27-inch, 1080p monitor with a 1500R curve and a 16:9 aspect ratio. That’s standard for a monitor in this category but a little low for monitors overall. Despite this, the monitor looks reasonably sharp and provides decent text quality. Having a 1440p monitor would be better, but you won’t have problems using this monitor to write in Word or edit spreadsheets.
Overall, the Acer ED270R Sbiipx delivers solid image quality for its price. The monitor’s decent brightness, good color gamut, and superb color accuracy make for a realistic and lifelike image. It lacks the bells and whistles of more expensive monitors but is enjoyable enough for day-to-day use.
Acer ED270R Sbiipx Review: Gaming Performance
The Acer ED270R Sbiipx is solid as a gaming monitor, so it has some features that should excite gamers. First, it’s compatible with AMD FreeSync and has an impressive 165Hz refresh rate. At 27 inches, FHD resolution is stretched to its limit, and though small types and objects remain reasonably clear, but you do see the screen door effect at typical viewing distances.
Granted we’re spoiled by the recent crop of QHD and UHD monitors, it’s safe to say that 1080p’s days are numbered. Though the Acer ED270R is still a solid value choice, it would be hard to downgrade to 1080p if you’ve already had a feel of what higher resolutions offer.
With a 5ms response time, the gameplay is a decent experience on this monitor, thanks to framerates that stay above and over 83 fps and FreeSync. While 165Hz is better than 144Hz, it will need a powerful graphics driver to hit those high frame rates at 1080p resolutions and high settings on most modern AAA titles. Image quality on game is also first-rate, thanks to the ED270R Sbiipx’s accurate color.
Overall, the Acer ED270R Sbiipx delivers good performance for the price. It won’t with premium gaming monitors like the Alienware XW3CK or the LG 27GN800-B, but it costs far less than many other 27-inch screens and it offers an immersive 1500R curve.
Should you buy the Acer ED270R Sbiipx?
A few budget gaming monitors we’ve reviewed of late have impressed with good performance for well under $300. But the Acer ED270R Sbiipx competes favorably with those monitors by offering a larger 27-inch curved screen with VA, rather than TN, technology. With better off-axis image quality, it’s better equipped than most budget monitors to deliver a solid image with accurate, saturated colors.
Any refresh rate above 60Hz is good for gamers, and the Acer ED270R’s 165Hz seems like a huge leap, it makes a significant difference in both screen response and input lag. And, with AMD FreeSync support, occasional motion blur during intense action is eliminated for the most part, and the color accuracy makes for immersive gaming and productivity experience.
The Acer ED270R Sbiipx is a winner in our book, as an affordable large-screen gaming monitor. Its flaws are easily outpaced by its strengths, and if you’re on a budget, it deserves a top spot on your shortlist.
The Review
Acer ED270R Sbiipx
The Acer ED270R Sbiipx is a winner in our book, as an affordable large-screen gaming monitor. Its flaws are easily outpaced by its strengths, and if you’re on a budget, it deserves a top spot on your shortlist.
Recommended Configuration
Acer ED270R Sbiipx 27" 1500R Curved Zero-Frame Full HD (1920 x 1080) Gaming Monitor with AMD FreeSync Technology | 165Hz | 5ms (G to G) | Display Port & 2 x HDMI 1.4 Ports
PROS
- AMD FreeSync with 165Hz
- Acceptable sharpness for a 1080p display
- Avoids motion clarity pitfalls
CONS
- Barebones design
- No height adjustment on stand
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
Last update on 2024-10-30 at 11:58 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
