ViewSonic XG2736-2K 27-inch QHD 240 Hz gaming monitor review: Getting faster all the time

The ViewSonic XG2736-2K is a 27-inch QHD IPS gaming monitor with 240 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR10 and wide gamut color.

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ViewSonic XG2736-2K
Editor's Choice
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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ViewSonic XG2736-2K
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

If you want the brightest monitor in this category, Xiaomi’s G Pro 27i delivers with its Mini LED backlight. The XG2736-2K is a little less bright than the competition but has more than enough light for indoor use. You’ll see a little more output in HDR mode where I measured over 406 nits peak with black levels that are reasonably good for the genre. Resulting contrast is an average-for-IPS 1,065.2:1. The top three screens make more of their potential and will look slightly more textured.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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ViewSonic XG2736-2K
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Calibration increases contrast to 1,114.3:1 which is a visible change. Coupled with better grayscale tracking, adjusting the XG2736-2K is worthwhile. If you’re looking for ultimate dynamic range in an LCD, the Xiaomi, ASRock, and Gigabyte are good choices.

The XG2736-2K maintains its hold in fifth place in the ANSI test with a consistent 1,048.1:1 result. When static and intra-image contrast are this close, it indicates good quality control and component selection of the screen’s polarizing layer.

Test Takeaway: The XG2736-2K isn’t life-changing in the contrast and brightness department but it delivers plenty of light output and a solid image that can be improved with calibration. Though it doesn’t take top honors in these tests, its superior speed will undoubtedly be a draw to potential buyers.

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Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.