Upon first unboxing the ViewSonic XG2705 gaming monitor, it quickly manages to impress as a simple, well put together piece of hardware. Assembly takes moments but remains secure, even with the occasional bumping or jostling of the monitor. From there, it's everything a PC or console player could want.

As expected from modern designs, the monitor can tilt to avoid glare, pivot from widescreen to vertical, or swivel depending on the need of the gamer, but its height adjustment options go a long way too. Based on the simple assembly, it didn't seem like its height adjustments would be ideal, but they were. The ViewSonic monitor can be lifted as high as the gamer needs, and it can be impressively lowered when not in use. Overall, it may be an overlooked feature, but it's one that came in use a lot.

Of course, just because something can deliver on the basics doesn't mean it's flawless. For the most part, though, the ViewSonic XG2705 manages to earn high-to-mid marks on everything performance-wise, but it really depends on what the gamer is looking for. One simple fact some may want to be aware of from the get-go is its basic layout of ports: it only has 2 HDMI 1.4 ports, a 3.5mm audio out port, and 1 display port, essentially enough to get the job done.

viewsonic display

As a 27" IPS-panel monitor with 1ms response times, 144Hz refresh rate, and AMD FreeSync technology, it seems the ViewSonic has everything required to get the most out of a 1080p display. Whether it was playing an intense first-person shooter or a more laidback top-down like Wasteland 3, the ViewSonic delivered on its promises of control, speed, and color most of the time. Indeed, the screen manages to bring out the most, displaying bright and vivid colors and giving players a higher quality display than perhaps some others in its particular niche. The ViewSonic XG2705 complete specs follow:

  • Display Size (in.): 27
  • Viewable Area (in.): 27
  • Panel Type: IPS Technology
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080
  • Resolution Type: FHD
  • Static Contrast Ratio: 1,000:1 (typ)
  • Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 80M:1
  • Light Source: LED
  • Brightness: 250 cd/m2 (typ)
  • Colors: 16.7M
  • Color Space Support: 8 bit (6 bit + Hi-FRC)
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Response Time (Typical GTG): 1ms
  • Viewing Angles: 178º horizontal, 178º vertical
  • Backlight Life (Hours): 30000 Hrs (Min)
  • Curvature: Flat
  • Refresh Rate (Hz): 144
  • Adaptive Sync: FreeSync
  • Blue Light Filter: Yes
  • Flicker-Free: Yes
  • Color Gamut: NTSC: 72% size (Typ)
  • sRGB: 104% size (Typ)
  • Pixel Size: 0.311 mm (H) x 0.311 mm (V)
  • Surface Treatment: Anti-Glare, Hard Coating (3H)

However, it's not always going to be picture perfect. While gameplay was relatively issue free without screen tearing or artifacing (thanks to the AMD FreeSync technology), the pixels of the 27" display would be somewhat obvious, particularly while web browsing. Issues like motion blur and ghosting appeared more than the advertising of the monitor would suggest, although never to the point that it was particularly harmful to the experience. Interestingly enough, it seems the ViewSonic XG2705 is ultimately geared toward gaming where its features can shine, but for someone looking for one high-quality screen to do it all, it may not always deliver.

viewsonic display back

Its speakers are also sufficient, but not impressive. Those who want a high-quality level are best to use any solid pair of gaming headphones over the natural audio of the monitor or hook up some external speakers to override them. If it earns high-to-middle marks on everything else, the speakers are indubitably its lowest score. They work, but often feel like a tertiary option at best.

On the other hand, what the monitor does deliver is a mostly-crisp visual experience that any gamer will enjoy. The question with the ViewSonic XG2705 quickly becomes if the high visual experience is really worth its rather basic set of bells and whistles and if its price point is justifiable. After all, no matter how good it looks, gamers need to be willing to pay for it.

While it's not the most costly monitor, the XG2705 does retail for $219.99, putting it close to more premium monitors that feature a few extra bells and whistles. The XG2705 falls somewhere in the middle and could easily be seen as too much for casual gamers looking for a budget gaming monitor and not enough for hardcore gamers looking to step it up. That being said, ViewSonic hits all the notes that it needs to with the monitor, and any who target this specific feature-set will be happy with their investment.

The ViewSonic XG2705 monitor is available for $219.99. Game Rant was provided a review unit for this evaluation.