I just tested this $349 Alienware gaming monitor — and it's so good that I'm buying 2 for myself

The Alienware AW2726DM ($349) is something that’s becoming rarer these days: a premium device that won’t break your bank account. Sure, there are similarly-priced or even cheaper gaming monitors out there, but few have all the features you’ll find here.

So what do you get for $349? For starters, a 240Hz refresh rate that helps your games run buttery-smooth, along with a super low 0.03ms response time that offers virtually no lag. The 1440p resolution ensures a clear and sharp image on the 27-inch display, and the OLED panel delivers excellent contrast levels and vivid colors.

Aside from the relatively dim HDR and lack of RGB lighting, you’re not dealing with many trade-offs. The AW2726DM is so good, I’m half tempted to tell you to stop reading here and go out and buy one now. Of course, if you want to know more, then keep reading. Suffice it to say that the AW2726DM is one of the best gaming monitors you can buy — and good enough to find a home in my personal setup.

Alienware AW2726DM review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The Alienware AW2726DM is a 27-inch OLED gaming monitor featuring a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and a 1440p resolution.
• Who is it for? For anyone who wants a decent-sized and feature-rich gaming monitor that’s extremely affordable.
• What does it cost? The Alienware AW2726DM costs $349 and is available now on Dell’s website.
• What do we like? We like the affordable price, vibrant image quality, small footprint, and its host of gamer-friendly features.
• What don’t we like? We don’t like the relatively dim HDR and lack of RGB.

Alienware AW2726DM review: Specs

Alienware AW2726DM review: The ups

The Alienware AW2726DM is a spectacular gaming monitor thanks to its rich feature set and jaw-dropping low price.

Vibrant OLED panel

The OLED panel is the star of the show, especially at this price. At 27 inches, you get just enough space to see everything clearly, even small text. The sharp 2560 x 1440 resolution also helps everything appear nice and sharp, even if it’s half the pixels of a 4K monitor. Thanks to the screen size, you also have enough space to place several open windows or apps.

When I tested Cyberpunk 2077 on the AW2726DM, I was impressed by the richness of the colors and the overall sharp image quality. The holographic fish floating above Night City’s busy financial district, along with the towering buildings and bustling streets, made you feel like you were in the middle of this cyberpunk dystopia.

As you can see in the table above, the AW2726DM delivers oversaturated hues on its standard setting. Color representation (sRGB and DCI-P3) is well above the target 100%, which makes the colors very rich. Color accuracy (0.24) is also quite strong. The numbers don’t lie, this monitor delivers some truly vivid colors.

The Alienware AW2726DM has 11 display modes. This includes modes dedicated to game genres like FPS, RPG, and Sports. The modes are only slightly different from one another, depending on their function. If you’re not happy with any of the preset modes, the “custom color” option allows you to create one from scratch.

Understated design

The Alienware AW2726DM has an understated all-black design that makes it look more like a standard monitor than a gaming device. While it won’t draw attention when you’re using it around others, I personally love its simple, elegant chassis.

The 27-inch monitor rests on a sturdy 8.80-inch stand that doesn’t take up much space on your desk. Since the stand is flat, you’re able to place items like a game controller or phone to keep your desk even tidier. The bearing ring on the base of the stand lets you turn the entire thing 360 degrees.

It’s easy to move the monitor up or down 5.2 inches along the shaft’s stand with minimal force. You can also rotate the display a full 90 degrees if you need it to be vertical. The display tilts 5 degrees forward and 21 degrees backward. All of this lets you achieve your desired viewing angle.

Lastly, there's the port selection, which includes a pair of HDMI ports, a lone DisplayPort, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Reaching the ports is easy since you can turn the monitor 360 degrees on its base. While the port selection isn't extensive, you get the bare basics.

Excellent performance

The AW2726DM delivers phenomenal performance thanks to its buttery-smooth 240Hz refresh rate and fast 0.03ms response time. Keep in mind, those are features you usually get with more expensive gaming monitors. Compatibility with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync also helps deliver smooth gaming performance.

For my testing, I had the AW2726DM connected to the new Razer Blade 16 gaming laptop packing an Intel Core Ultra 9 “Panther Lake” CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 mobile GPU, and 32GB of RAM. You don’t need such a powerful gaming laptop or gaming PC for Alienware’s monitor, but that type of rig can help you utilize it to its full potential.

Cyberpunk 2077 ran like a dream thanks to the 240Hz refresh rate. I also didn’t notice input lag since the response time is a low 0.03ms. Professional gamers who are used to playing on something like the Alienware AW2524H with its insane 500Hz refresh rate might notice a difference, but average gamers like myself won’t. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed by the AW2726DM’s performance.

Clean interface

The Alienware AW2726DM has the same basic interface as other Alienware gaming monitors I’ve reviewed, such as the Alienware AW3425DW.

The user interface maintains its familiar look, featuring a black-and-gray background contrasted with blue-and-white text. Despite the extensive array of options, including display modes and various lighting adjustments, the clean layout ensures that navigating the settings is straightforward.

The OSD joystick used for sorting through menus is very responsive and easy to reach. Its flat, concave top allows you to have a firm hold as you’re clicking through the menus.

Alienware AW2726DM review: The downs

You’re getting fantastic value with the Alienware AW2726DM, but some compromises were made to keep its price affordable.

Not the brightest OLED

This is an issue with virtually all OLED gaming monitors I’ve ever reviewed, but the AW2726DM doesn’t deliver overly bright HDR. In fact, SDR brightness is overall dim across its various display modes.

As you can see above, the HDR brightness is about 340 nits at 10% of the display, so you do get good contrast between dark and light elements. Still, don’t expect eye-scorching levels of brightness even in the dedicated HDR modes. SDR brightness is also lower than the competition.

While I wish the display got brighter, you won’t exactly be squinting when using the monitor. Our office is pretty well lit, but the monitor’s lighting was suitable for the environment. I imagine it would look just right in my comparatively darker apartment.

No RGB

Alienware and RGB lighting are pretty synonymous, so it’s interesting that the AW2726DM has no RGB lighting of any kind. Even the Alienware logo on the back remains dark.

The lack of RGB isn’t a big deal for me since I’m neither for nor against it. And even if there were some RGB lighting on the back, it’s not like I’d be able to see it when I’m in front of the display. However, if you do like RGB, you might be disappointed.

Alienware AW2726DM review: Verdict

On its own, the Alienware AW2726DM is a brilliant gaming monitor that ticks all the right boxes for picture quality and performance. The fact that it only costs $349 just makes it all the better, especially during a time when gaming devices are becoming so expensive.

While you’re not getting bright HDR or RGB lighting, the AW2726DM’s faults are easy to overlook given its generous asking price. If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming den with a new or extra monitor, don’t pass up on this one. Right now, it’s the best value gaming monitor out there. As I said in the headline, it's so good that I'm buying two for myself!