You don’t need to do research to find a good OLED gaming monitor with an excellent warranty.
I’ve recommended many OLED gaming monitors to readers and finally decided to purchase one myself. Alienware’s new 27-inch 1440p QD-OLED offers everything I want, plus a low $350 price that I couldn’t resist.
The AW2726DM model stands out for its price due to its 1440p QD-OLED screen with vibrant contrast, a fast 240Hz refresh rate, a semi-glossy screen coating for enhanced detail, a low-profile design without flashy RGB LEDs, and a reliable three-year warranty that includes burn-in coverage.
After using Alienware’s new monitor for a couple of days and playing games like Marathon, I experienced Bungie’s new first-person extraction shooter in HDR — a worthwhile experience. Enabling HDR transformed the game’s visuals, although other OS elements appeared washed-out. This is a Windows issue, but toggling HDR with the Windows + Alt + B shortcut affects all connected displays. Adjusting HDR directly through system settings is best for the QD-OLED.
I landed on this QD-OLED after researching more expensive models. Experts noted that LG’s Tandem RGB WOLED panels are bright but have gray uniformity issues in dark scenes, whereas QD-OLED panels offer better contrast and consistent performance. However, blacks may appear dark purple in bright environments on QD-OLEDs, making them better suited for darker rooms.
Rather than continue my research endlessly, I opted for the affordable OLED I could find. Purchasing OLED gaming monitors can be challenging, yet it can be straightforward. AOC offers a comparable model for $339.99 at the time of writing.
The AW2726DM isn’t cutting-edge technology. While its QD-OLED panel is neither the fastest nor the brightest and doesn’t feature USB ports, these omissions are acceptable given its low price. In a more expensive monitor, these would be harder to overlook.
Primarily using my computer for text work at The Verge initially kept me from upgrading to an OLED. My 1440p IPS monitor is bright with clear text visibility and a decent refresh rate. While the Alienware QD-OLED isn’t as bright, and text clarity may be impacted due to its subpixel layout, I thoroughly enjoy PC gaming. That’s ultimately why I purchased this monitor, and I’m happy with my choice.
Photography by Cameron Faulkner / The Verge