construction and design
The 27MP400 doesn’t have much to say about the design. The monitor brings the visual identity of other more basic LG models, such as the 24MK430H and 20MK400H, with a matte plastic body and opening at the back with connections for products.
As it’s a little better in terms of specs, LG has added a few extras to the basics, like a “3-edge borderless” design – it’s just a nice name for the slim bezel and top bezel. .
With this, the look of the screen, at least on the front, ends up being more elegant compared to other competing models, which usually have thicker corners.
The 27MP400’s only button is in the lower area of the screen, in the center. The format is joystick-like, so system navigation is pleasant and the section feels robust.
The product’s base and stand also seem sturdier, but these parts don’t allow you to adjust the height and swivel of the monitor, only the tilt. At the very least, the base comes with a built-in spacer that keeps the screen from getting too misaligned with my eyes.
Unfortunately, the only downside to all this is that you still have to screw the bracket to the monitor to secure it. This is not a problem if we are talking about an old product, but since it is released in 2021, it can reduce the complicated assembly process.
At the very least, the monitor has traditional VESA-style holes in case you want to use it on a mobile stand or mount it to a wall.
ports and connections
Since we’re talking about a basic non-gaming monitor, you won’t find a DisplayPort input. Here we have only D-Sub connections, the old and little used nowadays, and HDMI. LG even includes an HDMI cable in the box, which is nice.
Unsurprisingly, the 27MP400 also lacks built-in speakers, which isn’t a problem, but doesn’t help to set it apart in the market either. It’s just another basic monitor with no differences.
Image quality
One of the main differentiators of the LG 27MP400 monitor is its 27-inch IPS LCD screen, Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) and standard 16:9 aspect ratio.
LG’s IPS LCD screens generally do well, and that tradition continues here, with a few caveats. For basic uses like multitasking and spreadsheets, the wider color gamut (72% NTSC, for comparison) shouldn’t be an issue.
Now, if you are using audiovisual editing, the LG monitor colors should be closer to the standard. Generally speaking, Dell monitors do this better, but they also tend to be more expensive.
In my contrast and black level tests using the default settings from the Lagom LCD website, I noticed that the LG 27MP400 dominated the darkest tones, which is what I would expect from an IPS panel – at least the interface offers Flat black tones it can. slightly improve the display.
In the most intense colors of the frame, the monitor also couldn’t distinguish correctly, probably because it didn’t offer a wide color gamut. Again, this restriction should only affect color workers such as image and video editors.
However, for those looking for a basic monitor like this, a large 27-inch screen might appeal. Combined with the thin edges, you get a great multimedia experience like movies and series, and multitasking is a pleasure.
For gamers, there’s not much to say about LG monitors. It features FreeSync technology, designed to resolve image issues that occur when the game’s graphics frame (FPS) is different from the monitor’s refresh rate. It’s interesting, but I don’t think it’s very useful in such a basic model.
Additionally, the monitor has a 75 Hz refresh rate, which is smoother than the standard 60 Hz found on many entry-level monitors. In action games like Fortnite, this speed won’t change the gameplay – ideally it will be more than 120 Hz – but in less demanding games you can enjoy it very well.
direct competitors
Direct competitors of the LG 27MP400 include the Samsung T350 and the Philips 272V8A/57. Both are 27 inches, Full HD resolution, IPS LCD panels, 75 Hz refresh rate and cost less than R$1,500.
The Philips monitor stands out from the other two models for having built-in speakers in addition to a DisplayPort input that its competitors don’t have. Samsung’s display, on the other hand, is just a more “modern” design, no doubt, but it’s no different.
Is it worth buying the LG 27MP400 monitor?
The LG 27MP400 is a monitor that doesn’t excel at anything, but it doesn’t disappoint either. The 27-inch screen is great for media consumption and multitasking, the slim bezels are nice, and the build isn’t flimsy, though it’s not premium.
It’s one of the cheapest 27-inch monitors on the market right now at around R$1,100, so I only recommend it if you’re looking for a big screen to do the basics. If you want to edit video and images, I recommend investing a little more in the Dell model.
