Table of Contents
Shopping around for a good gaming monitor with the power to support the resource-hungriest games has traditionally meant accepting the inevitable high price. This counts double with big-name monitors from known brands and those of a larger size, which back in the day were often prohibitively expensive.
Today, there is a much better and more extensive market for gaming display panels for those who would prefer to save money than spend over the odds. Particularly if happy to stick with the 27-inch category and able to cope with 1080p resolution, you can pick up something close to perfection right now at a great price - see our reviews of best monitors under $300, too.
Whether planning to use your monitor primarily for gaming or for Windows-based productivity purposes, even a mere $200 or less will stretch to something of a solid standard. A prime example of this is the Sceptre E275W 1920 27, which for next to no money gives you a good all-purpose screen with surprisingly good gaming performance. We also bring you more monitors from the same brand here.
Of course, screens like the E275W 1920 27 (which are technically within the entry-level bracket) fall short of perfection in some areas. But when it comes to what matters most - refresh rate, contrast ratio, aspect ratio, low power consumption, security features, and so on, there aren’t many monitors out there right now that offer more for the same low cost.
The Sceptre E275W 1920 27: Main Features and Functionalities
You could technically call the Sceptre E275W a relatively simple 27-inch monitor, as it lacks many of the (frankly unnecessary) bells and whistles you would expect from the best gaming screens in the business.
Nevertheless, the list of features and functionalities this thing brings to the table is likely to please anyone who prioritizes value for money over cutting-edge hardware at an eye-watering price.
According to the manufacturer, the standout features of the Sceptre E275W 1920 are as follows:
Quality 27 Inch LED Screen with a Fast Response Time
Said to be capable of delivering much sharper contrasts between darks and lights, this advanced LED panel produces consistently pleasing visuals with a response time (5ms) and refresh rate (75hz) that is more than fast enough to significantly reduce blurring and ghosting. A major priority for gamers - also important for watching movies and TV shows.
Edgeless Exterior Design
A claim that is somewhat debatable, as to state that the Sceptre E275W 1920 27 is genuinely 100% edgeless would be to stretch the truth a little bit. Of course, it has slim bezels around the screen, and you would not expect anything different from an entry-level monitor. The E275W 1920 sports an elegant and sophisticated black exterior design, combining just the right amount of weight with a pair of built-in speakers as an added bonus (see also 'Best Monitor With Speakers' post).
VESA Wall Mountable
This is always a welcome feature with productivity screens and gaming monitors alike, enabling it to be quickly and easily mounted to the wall to save space on your desk. You will need an appropriate bracket to mount it on your wall, but they are not exactly expensive and are usually pretty easy to work with.
Built-in Speakers
The manufacturer also repeatedly emphasizes the fact that the Sceptre E275W 1920 ships with built-in speakers, which with most monitors for this kind of price usually means relatively rudimentary output at best. Nevertheless, even the most basic of speakers built into a screen (especially one that is so cheap) is better than no speakers at all.
With built-in speakers, the monitor delivers office-level audio for conference calls and internet workshops. Similarly, enjoy engaging audio while listening to your favorite tunes.
Ports and Connectivity Options
Two HDMI ports and one VGA port provide plenty of flexibility where connectivity is concerned, which in both instances deliver up to 75Hz to ensure a smooth gaming experience at all times. The kit also comes complete with an HDMI cable, in order to get your E275W up and running right out of the box.
Customer Service & Security
The fact that the company has been around for more than three decades means you gain access to the quality customer support and after-sales service of a true veteran. They have a flawless reputation for providing excellent customer support and every E275W 1920 ships with an extensive warranty for total peace of mind.
The security lock feature built into the panel is also highlighted by the manufacturer and has important selling points.
The Sceptre E275W 1920: Put to the Test
All of the above sounds pretty good on paper, but how does the E275W perform when put to the test?
At the risk of jumping straight to the conclusion, this thing is likely to please even the most skeptical punters from the word go. Paying this price for a 1080p gaming monitor usually means taking home a dud. Quite pleasantly surprising in every way, the E275W genuinely does not disappoint.
1920 x 1080 pixels is just about right for a 27-inch screen, resulting in perfect pixel density for games, movies, and TV shows, and general productivity applications. The maximum refresh rate of 75hz results in the kind of silky-smooth performance you would expect from a far more expensive panel, while the sleek and lightweight design of the E275W is genuinely impressive.
Push this product to its limits and it genuinely never falters. Of course, you could argue that the visuals aren’t quite up there with the best monitors for gamers in the business. Some will also find the 27-inch screen a little too small and the 2-watt speakers leave a lot to be desired.
But when you consider just how much hardware you are getting for your money, it is hard to name another monitor that delivers more for such a low price.
Sceptre 27" 1920x1080 VGA HDMI 75hz 5ms HD LCD Monitor
Full Specifications and Hardware Overview
Display Type | LED-backlit LCD monitor / TFT active matrix |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Native Resolution | Full HD (1080p) 1920 x 1080 at 60 Hz |
Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 / 5000000:1 (dynamic) |
Color Support | 16.7 million colors |
Dimensions (WxDxH) | 25.6 in x 8.6 in x 17.7 in - with stand |
Horizontal Viewing Angle | 170 |
Vertical Viewing Angle | 160 |
Viewable Size | 27" |
Brightness | 250 cd/m² |
Horizontal Refresh Rate | 30 - 80 kHz |
Backlight Technology | LED backlight |
Vertical Refresh Rate | 60 - 75 Hz |
Interfaces |
|
Image Brightness | 250 cd/m2 |
Image Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Image Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
Video Format | 1080p (Full HD) |
Type |
|
Color | black |
Security Slot Type | Kensington security slot |
Flat Panel Mount Interface | 100 x 100 mm |
Backlight Life | 25,000 hours |
Audio Type | Speakers - stereo - integrated |
Output Power / Channel | 2 Watt |
Power Supply | internal |
ENERGY STAR Certified | Yes |
OS Required | Microsoft Windows XP / 7 / 8 |
Tilt Angle | -5/+15 |
Image Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
