Review | Lenovo G27q-30 monitor: the best at this price?

Monitor review

Lenovo G27q-30 key specs:

• 27″ QHD (2560×1440) VA panel with LED backlight
• 1000:1 contrast ratio and 350cd/m² brightness
• 123% Adobe sRGB colour gamut (90% DCI-P3)
• 165Hz, HDR10, 1ms MPRT response Time
• 2x HDMI, 1xDP cable, FreeSync Premium
• Metal stand with vertical tilt and height adjust
• Anti-glare screen
• Mini-jack for sound output
• Launch date: November 2022

Full specifications: Lenovo G27q-30 product page

Note: A version of this monitor is also available with an IPS panel with the model number G27q-20 – not to be confused with the focus of this review – the Lenovo G27q-30 with a VA panel. (Gigabyte also offer a screen with the model number G27Q – so make sure you buy the right one!)

G27q-30 monitor review:

Case and stand

It’s a good looking screen, finished in matt black. And it also doesn’t feel cheap and feels like a much more expensive monitor. It has narrow borders on three sides and a larger bezel at the bottom featuring a row of buttons (real ones, not touch sensitive) to give you quick access to an impressive menu of settings. Admittedly they aren’t the slimmest of borders, but then at this price point you aren’t going to get that.

The stand matches the quality of the screen. It is sturdy, and doesn’t take up too much room on your desktop. It’s finished in the same matt black finish as the screen and offers height and vertical tilt adjustment. Lenovo included thumb screws to attach the monitor to the stand and this makes assembly easier – especially if you are trying to attach it to a Vesa desk stand single-handedly.

In the box

• Monitor
• Stand
• Thumb-screws
• Quick start guide
• Power cable
• Displayport cable

Performance of the G27q-30

Impressive. I am really, really impressed with this new monitor from Lenovo. I bought it to use in portrait mode alongside my main screen – a Dell U3219Q (4k 32″). It replaces an older dell 24″ 1080p monitor that was filling this role. My main use for the new G27q-30 is for graphic design and code and so the 123% sRGB colour gamut, 350cd/m² and 1000:1 contrast ratio really made this monitor stand out against any other screen at this price point.

When buying screens at this price point in the past it’s usually involved compromising somewhere – but I haven’t found one area that is a compromise with the G27q-30.

Following the usual online calibration tools, the G27q-30 is easy to set up for best performance (I didn’t have to change much and seems to be fairly well calibrated out of the box). In contrast, my dell U3219Q (several times the price of the Lenovo), whilst being an excellent monitor, has never quite given me the level of colour accuracy that I wanted.

The high refresh rate and contrast make for smooth scrolling and great video performance too. I’m not a gamer – so would be interested in your thoughts on this monitor if you are, although you would probably be more interested in the G27q-20, which come with an IPS panel. Having said that, there are plenty of gaming specific settings in the menus to help you get the best use out of it.

Connectivity

Ok – so in my case the Lenovo G27q-30 isn’t my main monitor. If you are using it as your main monitor then you might be disappointed that the G27q-30 doesn’t come with USB-C, or a USB hub – so you might want to consider a docking station or look at a higher price point. If you are on a budget, then I think this is one of the best monitors for video and media work that you are going to get for your money.

What it does come with are two HDMI inputs and one display port input and one mini jack output for sound. It’s certainly no frills, but what were you expecting for a £180 27″ QHD monitor?

Summary

Overall I’m really impressed with this screen at this price point. If you are working with media, office files or video then you won’t be disappointed. Yes, connectivity is limited – to get a screen this good and a full suit of inputs and a USB hub then you are going to have to spend quite a bit more.

I was almost tempted by some of the 32″ screens that are available for not much more money than I paid for the Lenovo G27q-30, but the contrast, colour accuracy and brightness of this new screen by Lenovo is far superior than any of the alternatives, and it really shines through during use.