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Acer Predator X27 X1 27-inch 240 Hz OLED gaming monitor review: Blending performance and value - Tom's Hardware

Reported by Tomshardware
Apr 9, 2026· 3 min read
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Key Takeaways
  • • Acer's Predator X27 X1 achieves HDR400 certification with peak brightness of 445 nits (25% window pattern) and 273 nits in full-field patterns, positioning it at category average for high-end gaming monitors.
  • • The monitor delivers exceptional HDR color accuracy across DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces with tight hue tracking and slightly oversaturated points—a performance characteristic common among HDR displays in this segment.
  • • Manual HDR mode switching is required for HDR10 signal detection, though the device uniquely offers HDR emulation for SDR content, a feature rarely found in competitive monitors at this price tier.
  • • Grayscale performance shows slight warmth with delta-E errors around 5dE above 50% brightness, while EOTF tracking remains dark below 30% luminance before hitting reference levels across remaining brightness steps.
  • • The 27-inch QD-OLED panel at 240 Hz targets the performance-value intersection, leveraging Quantum Dot OLED technology in a market segment increasingly dominated by OLED display migration.
Summary
Acer's Predator X27 X1 represents a measured entry in the premium gaming monitor category, combining 27-inch Quantum Dot OLED technology with 240 Hz refresh rates. According to Tom's Hardware's comprehensive HDR testing using Portrait Displays' Calman software, the monitor meets HDR400 specification requirements with measured peak brightness of 445 nits in 25% window patterns and approximately 273 nits under full-field conditions. This performance places the X27 X1 at the category average for HDR peak brightness levels, indicating variable brightness implementation consistent with HDR display standards.

The display demonstrates strong performance in HDR color fidelity across professional color spaces. Testing across DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color charts reveals accurate hue targeting across all color points, with slight oversaturation typical of HDR monitors in this class. Grayscale measurements indicate slight warmth characteristics with delta-E errors averaging around 5dE at brightness steps exceeding 50%, while EOTF (Electro-Optical Transfer Function) tracking traces slightly dark below 30% luminance before achieving reference-level accuracy across remaining brightness intervals. The tone map transition at 60% aligns correctly with measured white and black thresholds, representing what Tom's Hardware characterized as "excellent performance."

A distinguishing feature is the X27 X1's inclusion of HDR emulation for SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) content—a capability described as rare within the competitive segment. However, the monitor requires manual mode switching to activate HDR when HDR10 signals are present, a workflow consideration for users transitioning between content types. The OLED panel technology provides inherent advantages in contrast performance, with the display delivering "perfect blacks and infinite contrast" according to test measurements, though the review notes this peak HDR performance level remains approximately average for the category.

The Predator X27 X1 addresses institutional and professional users seeking gaming-grade performance with cinema-class color accuracy, positioning Acer within the OLED monitor transition underway across the premium display market. The combination of 240 Hz refresh rates with OLED response characteristics and HDR certification creates competitive differentiation in a segment where both traditional LCD and emerging OLED technologies coexist.

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Tomshardware Acer Predator X27 X1 27-inch 240 Hz OLED gaming monitor review: Blending performance and value - Tom's Hardware