The backlight, which defaults to maximum, generates an impressive 347 lux according to our meter. Like most consumer monitors, the Acer K272HUL is calibrated out-of-the-box for flash rather than precision. Most smartphones are louder, and by a substantial margin! YouР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћd have to be desperate to rely on this monitorР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs built-in speakers for your audio. The speakers in the K272HUL serve little purpose other than to add another checkmark to the features list. AcerР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs claim that PiP can replace multi-monitor situations seems dubious. However, the PiP content area is of course rather small, which limits its use. You can set the window up in one of four quadrants, or you can split-screen your display down the middle. The only bonus feature worth noting is the displayР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs picture-in-picture feature, which lets the user display content from a second input in a small on-screen window. We eventually became proficient at navigating the monitor, but it took longer than it does with most. AcerР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs menu uses many icons, yet the purpose of each icon isnР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћt always obvious, which means thereР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs some trial-and-error required to understand what each button does. Navigating these settings can be a chore. With that said, itР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs rare for a budget monitor to offer advanced controls, and the Acer delivers no less than weР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћd expect. There are no controls available to adjust sharpness, black levels, response times or precise color temperature. ThereР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs not much to change though, as the controls only let users alter brightness, contrast and color temperature (which offers warm, cool and sRGB presets). Physical buttons found on the lower right portion of the display can be used to make adjustments to the image. All ports face downwards, however, which can make connecting cables a chore. ThereР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs two HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI alongside an audio jack for the monitorР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs built-in speakers. A VESA mount is included, however, so you can mount the K272HUL to an aftermarket stand.Р вЂќР’В¬onnectivity, on the other hand, is robust. ThereР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs no way to change height, swivel or orientation. The stand holds the monitor firmly in place and provides a wide, stable base, but tilt is the only adjustment permitted here. The Acer K272HUL is one of the best budget monitors weР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћve reviewed.Р вЂќР’В«uyers looking for a highly adjustable stand will need to look elsewhere. The monitor is several inches thick at most, yet the glossy black bezel flexes significantly when touched, as if the monitorР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs held together with nothing but a few dots of super-glue. Plastic is the material of choice throughout most of the display, and while it serves its purpose, no one will mistake this for a luxurious, super-premium screen. The Acer K272HUL is built to fit a budget, not to make a design statement, and thatР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs evident in the monitorР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs construction. So does this make the K272HUL a value leader, or has cutting the price resulted in a big compromise in quality? ThatР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs a monitor, alright ThatР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs not much for a display with over 3.6 million pixels in fact, this is the least expensive WQHD monitor on Newegg thatР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs sold by a major name brand (some off-brand monitors are less).

Acer, meanwhile, has entered the fray with its K272HUL, which sells for a mere $450. Dell now sells its entry-level 27 inch Ultrasharp for as little as $650, while Asus and Samsung offer WQHD 27-inchers for $550.

This has resulted in lower prices for some formerly expensive monitors. Two years ago, 2560Р вЂњРІР‚вЂќ1440 (or 2560Р вЂњРІР‚вЂќ1600) was the ultimate in desktop monitor resolution, but now, itР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs merely good. Going 4K also forces panels that were once the king of the hill down-market. Fitbit Versa 3Р вЂќР’В¤K is the big buzzword in the monitor business these days, but its debut means more than the addition of yet another resolution for buyers to think about when weighing their options.

Acer k272hul monitor super sharpness