Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A review: This 4K monitor plays nice with consoles

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HDMI 2.1 gaming monitors are now not tough to search out, however most fashions stay moderately costly. Asus’ TUF Gaming VG289UQL1A tries to undercut rivals with a value of $799 with out chopping again on high quality or connectivity. It’s largely profitable however doesn’t stand out amongst a aggressive crowd.

Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A specs and options

The Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A carries an MSRP of $799. This is a excessive value for a 28-inch monitor however justified by the inclusion of a 144Hz refresh charge, HDMI 2.1, and 4K decision.

• Display measurement: 28-inch
• Native decision: 3,840 x 2,160
• Panel kind: IPS
• Refresh charge: 144Hz
• Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible
• Ports:2x HDMI 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, Earphones out
• Stand adjustment: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Pivot
• VESA mount: Yes, 100mm x 100mm
• Speakers: Yes
• Price: $799 MSRP

Connectivity and compatibility is the place this monitor stands out. It presents a complete of 5 video inputs, which is outstanding at any value, plus official help for each Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. That means it should pair nicely with any PC or current-gen recreation console. 

Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A design: Nothing to see right here

Despite the identify, Acer’s TUF gaming displays don’t have anything to do with sturdiness or reliability. It’s as a substitute a mid-range gaming monitor line centered on worth and performance. This specific mannequin is dearer than many within the TUF line however stays moderately priced for a monitor with its characteristic set.

The monitor’s charcoal enclosure, blocky stand leg, and slim bezels create a glance harking back to a fundamental workplace monitor. Flip it round, nevertheless, and also you’ll discover apparent circuit-like etching and a chrome TUF Gaming brand.

Matt Smith/Foundry

To be trustworthy, I believe the TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A is among the many least engaging displays in its class. Dell and BenQ gaming displays are higher at strolling the road between sensibility and gaming aspirations, whereas Samsung and LG provide extra dramatic choices.

The VG28UQL1A’s stand adjusts for top, tilt, swivel, and pivot. Though not engaging, the stand retains the monitor planted and feels rock strong. A 100mm x 100mm VESA mount is included for including a third-party monitor stand or monitor arm.

Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A options and menu: All the ports

Connectivity consists of two HDMI 2.0 ports, two HDMI 2.1 ports, and one DisplayPort 1.4. This is an impressive vary of video inputs for a monitor at any value level. You can join an Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and PC without delay with out sacrificing decision or refresh charge with any related machine. Plus, you’ll nonetheless have two further HDMI 2.0 ports for connecting a Switch and one further console or PC.

Two USB-A ports are included for related wired peripherals. They’re on the again panel, nevertheless, and might show exhausting to entry. They’re solely suited to peripherals you gained’t join and disconnect ceaselessly.

Matt Smith/Foundry

The VG28UQL1A has a strong menu system. It’s simple to navigate due to a smart format and joystick management on the decrease proper flank. There’s a number of picture high quality choices obtainable together with a devoted sRGB mode and a collection of exactly focused gamma presets, which is good to see on a gaming monitor.

It additionally features a collection of gaming-centric options resembling a crosshair, a timer, an FPS counter, and a black equalizer (which brightens darkish areas of the display). I personally don’t use these options, however the crosshair and black equalizer can show helpful for aggressive gamers.

Built-in audio system are commonplace and extra nice than anticipated. Gamers hoping to leap in for a brief session with out headphones, or who play video games with much less emphasis on audio, could also be completely satisfied to make use of the built-in audio system as a substitute of exterior audio. The audio system are nicely suited to podcasts and YouTube.

Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A picture high quality: Sharp, vivid, not fairly flawless

Image high quality is essential for any monitor, after all, and that is the place Asus brings out the large weapons. The TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A will not be distinctive however delivers good ends in most areas.

Matt Smith/Foundry

Brightness will not be a difficulty for the TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A. Its most SDR brightness of 353 nits doesn’t set information however is excess of sufficient to ship an fulfilling, vibrant picture even when utilized in a shiny room. A sunlit window may be sufficient to offer this monitor bother however, absent that, it should at all times look vivid.

Matt Smith/Foundry

Contrast is strong for an IPS monitor, with a most distinction ratio of 1150:1. This is in the direction of the excessive finish of what’s obtainable from a traditional IPS monitor and bests the $900 Acer Nitro XV282K, an analogous HDMI 2.1 monitor. The monitor’s distinction ratio barely sways irrespective of its brightness degree, which is sweet information in case you’re viewing the monitor in a darkish room.

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The VG28UQL1A is able to dealing with the sRGB gamut and may show nearly 90 p.c of DCI-P3. The monitor’s colour gamut is a match for the Acer Nitro XV282Ok and likewise strikes in line with some cheaper displays, just like the Dell S2721QS. It’s an excellent outcome, however not superb, and it could disappoint content material creators hoping to make use of the monitor for skilled picture or video enhancing in addition to gaming.

Matt Smith/Foundry

Color accuracy is the place the VG28UQL1A stands out. My overview pattern had a median colour error of 1.03. This will not be fairly pretty much as good because the Acer Nitro XV282Ok, however shut, and outpaces many different 4K displays. The Asus additionally managed a bang-on gamma curve goal of two.2. Content doesn’t look overly darkish, which may obscure element, or overly shiny, which may wash out distinction.

Sharpness is superb, after all. 4K decision supplies a pixel density of 160 pixels per inch, an enormous leap up from the 105 PPI of a 27-inch 1440p display. Games look clear, textual content readability is superb, and content material creators can preview 4K video on the correct decision.

I did discover two issues. Luminance uniformity was unhealthy and included a small however noticeable shiny spot within the higher left facet that was distracting in darkish video games. Had I bought this for myself, I would’ve returned it for this challenge, so Asus may stand to tighten its high quality management. Color temperature was additionally heat out of the field, at 6000Ok, which may lean shiny whites in the direction of a yellowish hue. A default colour temperature of 6500Ok is preferable.

These issues apart, the VG28UQL1A performs nicely out of the field. Its mixture of sharp 4K decision, good brightness, and well-rounded colour efficiency makes for a vivid, detailed, and crisp presentation. It appears nice in video games, after all, but additionally when viewing 4K Youtube movies or just looking the online.

Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A HDR efficiency: HDR is feasible, however lackluster

The Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A is a formidable SDR monitor. Turn on HDR, nevertheless, and also you’ll discover its limits.

Matt Smith/Foundry

Maximum sustained brightness peaks at 425 nits. That’s okay, however it comes with a discount within the distinction ratio to 970:1. Color accuracy can also be barely worse with HDR on than with it off. Turning on HDR actually brightens the picture, however total picture high quality is inferior to when HDR is turned off.

The monitor’s HDR efficiency is typical for an IPS show and not using a Mini-LED backlight. If you need higher HDR, you’ll must improve to Asus’ ROG monitor line, which (relying on mannequin) can ship a brightness of 600 nits and past.

Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A movement efficiency: 144Hz any method you need it

The TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A can hit a refresh charge of as much as 144Hz at 4K decision over its HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 ports. This is sweet information for each PC and console avid gamers, because it means you’ll be able to join a PC, Xbox Series X, or PlayStation 5. You may even join all three without delay and change between them as wanted.

Motion readability is superb, particularly at excessive refresh charges. The crisp 4K picture exhibits minimal ghosting behind fast-moving objects. Fast digital camera pans retain sufficient readability to make out most objects on-screen, although effective particulars (like small textual content) can nonetheless be obscured.

AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync help is included. The monitor permits adaptive sync throughout a refresh charge vary from 48Hz to 144Hz. This means adaptive sync might not operate at decrease refresh charges, which is a notable draw back for a 4K monitor. Fortunately, I didn’t discover any sync points whereas utilizing the monitor.

Conclusion

Matt Smith/Foundry

The Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A is, in some ways, an important 4K gaming monitor. It has a pointy, correct picture with good distinction and wonderful movement readability. Luminance uniformity is its solely weak spot. The monitor’s $799 MSRP is comparatively inexpensive for a 4K HDMI 2.1 monitor, as nicely.

There’s only one drawback. The competitors. Gamers can select from a variety of alternate options together with the Acer XV282Ok, Gigabyte M28U, Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ, and Samsung Odyssey G70A, simply to call a couple of. To be trustworthy, these displays have a tendency to match so intently that the selection usually comes down to cost. Gigabyte and Samsung have the sting, as every firm’s respective 28-inch 4K HDMI 2.1 monitor will be had for $649.99.

It’s options, not picture high quality, that would tip the scales in favor of the VG28UQL1A. It has 5 video inputs, three of which may deal with 4K at 144Hz, plus respectable built-in audio system and a strong menu with many high quality presets. Not everybody will want these extras however, in case you plan to attach three, 4, and even 5 gadgets without delay, the VG28UQL1A is the monitor for you.