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Conclusion

If you’re in the market for a monitor with a compelling price/performance ratio, the Pixio PX278 is worth a look. Inevitably, there are sacrifices to be made, but missing features don’t always mean a poor gaming experience. It’s now possible to get a fast refresh, Adaptive-Sync panel with a bright backlight, plus HDR support for a very attractive cost.

The Pixio PX278 checks all the right boxes. And it delivers video processing quality equal to that of more expensive QHD 27-inch monitors, like the Razer Raptor 27 or Aorus FI27Q. The PX278’s contrast is also on par with your typical TN and IPS displays. QHD resolution hits a performance sweet spot where you can see max framerates in most games without investing four figures in a graphics card.

Some may be weary of TN panels, but we have no problem gaming on one if it’s no bigger than 27 inches. Sitting 2 or 3 feet away reveals no difference in image quality from the average IPS screen. The PX278’s out-of-box color accuracy is below average but with our recommended settings it delivered excellent color, grayscale and gamma performance.

HDR quality is much like that of most edge-backlight monitors. Without a dynamic contrast option, the picture looks nearly the same as its SDR counterpart. To get real impact from HDR games, you’ll have to spend a good deal more cash on a FALD backlight display or at least VA.

Still, the PX278 delivers everything needed for acceptably satisfying gameplay. If you want to move to 1440p without breaking the bank, this one’s well worth considering.

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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.

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