MSI’s $380 QD-OLED Gaming Monitor: 2025’s Top Deal

For gamers seeking a serious visual upgrade without draining their wallets, MSI’s 27-inch 1440p QD-OLED gaming monitor presents an almost unbelievable value at just $380. This online-only Costco membership deal, available through December 1st, places premium display technology within reach for a remarkably low price. After spending more than a week with a review unit, the performance and image quality at this cost are genuinely impressive.

The monitor, model MAG271QPX E2, shares many core features with other screens in its class. It boasts a blazing-fast 240Hz refresh rate, wide viewing angles that outclass cheaper panel types, and vibrant, punchy colors. While its typical sale price of $599 might not turn heads, a discount of over two hundred dollars transforms it into an extraordinarily compelling purchase.

Replacing an older Acer 1440p IPS monitor on my desk, the MSI QD-OLED made an immediate and profound difference in gaming. Playing titles like Battlefield 6, the environments appeared more authentic and lived-in, a stark contrast to the limited, pale color gamut of the IPS panel. Chaotic firefights gained a new layer of intensity with more vivid-looking explosions, and every element of the game’s interface became easier to read thanks to the unbeatable contrast ratio inherent to OLED technology.

Another game, Ambrosia Sky, looked particularly breathtaking on this display. Its deep, inky black levels are a standout feature, creating fantastic contrast that would be perfect for horror games. For anyone upgrading to their first OLED gaming monitor from a more conventional panel, the visual improvement is a continuous delight.

Of course, a monitor is also a tool for work. OLED panels have a known reputation for less-than-perfect text rendering due to their unique subpixel layouts, which can introduce slight color fringing not found on IPS screens. This is a verifiable fact, as demonstrated in technical reviews. However, from a normal viewing distance, the text appeared perfectly acceptable for everyday use in applications like Google Docs.

The monitor’s specifications solidify its status as a tremendous deal. It supports a variable refresh rate from 48Hz to 240Hz. Although it officially lists support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, it performed flawlessly with an Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti graphics card. The semi-glossy anti-reflection coating does a decent job, though it can pick up glare in a brightly lit room. It includes a fully adjustable stand for height, tilt, and swivel, and it features a standard VESA mount for easy attachment to a monitor arm.

A significant benefit is the three-year warranty that explicitly covers panel burn-in, offering great peace of mind. The port selection is another highlight, featuring one DisplayPort 1.4a, two HDMI 2.1 ports capable of 240Hz on PC, and a USB-C port with DisplayPort video support that works wonderfully with a Steam Deck. This USB-C port also provides 15W power delivery, though this function is disabled by default and must be enabled in the settings.

If there is a minor drawback, it’s that the plastic chassis on the back feels a bit bulkier than on some competing models. MSI explains this design houses the monitor’s heatsink, which enables a completely fanless and silent operation. At a mere $380, this is a very easy compromise to accept, as you’ll likely forget all about the rear panel once you’re immersed in the stunning picture quality.

For those who are not Costco members, signing up could be worthwhile for this single purchase. Alternatively, this model may see similar discounts at other retailers in the future; it previously sold for $449.99 on Amazon. Competing models are also available, like the Alienware AW2725D for $499.99 at Best Buy or a similar LG 27-inch OLED for the same price on Amazon. While there are several excellent options on the market, the Costco deal for the MSI QD-OLED monitor currently stands as the price-to-performance champion.

(Source: The Verge)