IPS#3 in our IPS rankingsBest dual mode for work and esports
Alienware AW2725QF review
A 27-inch IPS that switches between 4K 180Hz and 1080p 360Hz at the press of a button, with sturdy build quality and a 3-year warranty.
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Quick verdict
The AW2725QF suits players who want sharp 4K for desk work and slower games, plus a genuinely fast 1080p 360Hz mode for shooters, without learning the quirks of Mini LED local dimming. Tom's Hardware gave it an Editor's Choice award, praising its bright image, excellent overdrive, low input lag in both modes, and the easy two-press switch between resolutions.
It is an edge-lit IPS, so contrast is ordinary and HDR is limited compared with Mini LED models such as the AOC U27G4XM. The 1080p mode looks a little softer than native 4K, as expected when a 4K panel shows a lower resolution.
27″ · 4K · 180Hz · dual mode 1080p at 360Hz · IPS (Fast IPS)
Buy it if
- You alternate between 4K desk work and 1080p competitive play.
- You want a sturdy stand and USB hub.
- You prefer predictable LCD behavior over Mini LED blooming.
Skip it if
- You want strong HDR; choose the AOC U27G4XM or an OLED.
- You need USB-C charging for a laptop.
- You play competitive shooters only; a 24-inch TN or a Pulsar monitor is more specialized.
Key specifications
| Exact model | AW2725QF |
|---|---|
| Size / aspect | 27″ / 16:9 |
| Resolution | 3840×2160 |
| Refresh rate | 180Hz |
| Dual mode | 1920×1080 at 360Hz |
| Panel family | IPS |
| Panel subtype | Fast IPS |
| Subpixel layout | RGB stripe (LCD) |
| Coating | Matte anti-glare |
| Curvature | Flat |
| Backlight | Edge-lit LED (no local dimming zones documented) |
| Motion technology | None |
| Adaptive sync / VRR | Adaptive-Sync; listed as G-SYNC Compatible |
| HDR | VESA DisplayHDR 600; Dolby Vision |
| DisplayPort | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| HDMI | 2x HDMI 2.1 |
| USB-C | Front USB-C port (data) |
| USB ports | USB 3.2 hub: 1 upstream, 3 downstream |
| KVM switch | No |
| Audio | Pop-out headphone hook; no speakers |
| Stand | Height (about 4.3 in), tilt, 20° swivel |
| VESA mount | Unknown |
| Warranty | 3 years (per Tom's Hardware) |
Specifications are manufacturer-stated unless marked as measured. “Unknown” means we could not verify the value, not that it is zero or absent.
Advantages and drawbacks
Advantages
- 4K 180Hz and 1080p 360Hz modes, switched in two button presses.
- Excellent overdrive and low input lag in both modes, per Tom's Hardware.
- Bright SDR and DisplayHDR 600 with Dolby Vision support.
- Solid build and a 3-year warranty.
Drawbacks
- Average SDR contrast for an IPS panel.
- No local dimming, so HDR lacks punch next to Mini LED and OLED.
- No speakers; USB-C port is not a charging input.
What independent testing reports
We did not find numeric measurements for this exact model that we could attribute with their test conditions. Statements below are either manufacturer specifications or reviewers' qualitative findings, and each one says which.
Motion, response, and latency
Tom's Hardware found the overdrive removed nearly all visible motion blur and reported minimal input lag in both the 4K and 1080p modes. The 360Hz mode cuts frame duration to about 2.8 ms (versus 5.6 ms at 180Hz) on a sample-and-hold display, which only helps when your game runs at those frame rates. We did not find attributable millisecond measurements to list here.
Image quality and HDR
The 4K mode gives about 163 pixels per inch at 27 inches, which keeps text crisp. Tom's Hardware called SDR and HDR very bright for the class and color accuracy excellent in the Creator sRGB mode, but noted average SDR contrast. Without local dimming, HDR cannot show deep blacks next to bright highlights the way Mini LED or OLED can.
Connectivity, PC, and console notes
One DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.1 ports, and a USB 3.2 hub with a front USB-C port. HDMI 2.1 covers 4K 120Hz consoles.
Warranty and ownership
As an LCD it has no burn-in concern. Tom's Hardware lists a 3-year warranty.
Warranty: Tom's Hardware lists a 3-year warranty. Source: Tom's Hardware, September 12, 2024, checked September 30, 2026.
Alternatives worth comparing
AOC U27G4XM
27″ · 4K · 160Hz · dual mode 1080p at 320Hz · IPS (Fast IPS)
Adds a 1,152-zone Mini LED backlight for far stronger HDR, with a 320Hz rather than 360Hz 1080p mode.
GIGABYTE M27UP
27″ · 4K · 160Hz · dual mode 1080p at 320Hz · IPS (SuperSpeed IPS)
Cheaper 4K 160Hz and 1080p 320Hz dual mode with USB-C and KVM.
Questions buyers ask
Does the 1080p mode look blurry?
Tom's Hardware found it a little softer than 4K but with very clear motion. That softness is normal when a 4K panel displays 1080p.
Is this a Mini LED monitor?
No. It is an edge-lit IPS panel without local dimming zones.
Final recommendation
Pick the AW2725QF if you want a dependable dual-mode 4K IPS with fast 1080p esports speed and no local dimming quirks. If HDR matters more than the last bit of speed, the Mini LED AOC U27G4XM is the better buy.
Sources
- Alienware AW2725QF 4K dual-mode gaming monitor review — Tom's Hardware, September 12, 2024 (independent testing)
- Amazon listing for this exact model (ASIN B0C1SDSYV6), matched on September 30, 2026 by its listing title. We do not show Amazon prices or ratings.
First published . Last substantive update .