A monitor is something you look at for hours every day, so small shortcomings add up. The MSI PRO MP273QW E2 is pitched as a budget-friendly 27-inch WQHD panel with gaming chops. But does it actually deliver, or is it another case of marketing over substance?
Display Specifications and Panel Quality
IPS means you get proper colour accuracy from almost any viewing angle, which matters more than you'd think for productivity. The trade-off? Contrast isn't as punchy as VA panels, and you'll notice some IPS glow in dark scenes when viewed off-angle.
The MSI PRO MP273QW E2 uses a 27-inch IPS panel running at 2560 x 1440 resolution. That's 109 pixels per inch, which gives you noticeably sharper text than 1080p at this screen size. For spreadsheets, code editors and web browsing, the difference from 1080p is immediately obvious. Text is crisp without needing ClearType fiddling.
The IPS panel delivers what you'd expect: consistent colours across the screen and viewing angles that don't shift colours when you lean back in your chair. MSI claims coverage of 118% of sRGB and 93% of DCI-P3, so the gamut reaches well beyond what sRGB content needs.
The 1300:1 contrast is slightly above typical IPS (usually 1000:1), which helps dark scenes look less washed out. Peak brightness of 400 nits is plenty for office environments.
Refresh Rate and Response Time Performance
MSI lists Adaptive-Sync support, which smooths out tearing when your frame rate drops below 100fps. One independent spec database lists a 48-100Hz range (MSI doesn't publish one), which is fine for this class of monitor.
The 100Hz refresh rate is where this monitor shows its value proposition. It's not the 144Hz or 165Hz you'll find on proper gaming monitors, but it's a meaningful upgrade from 60Hz for both desktop use and gaming. Scrolling web pages feels smoother, and casual gaming benefits noticeably.
Colour Accuracy and HDR Capability
The panel supports 10-bit colour (8-bit plus FRC, really), which gives smoother gradients than 6-bit panels. The 118% sRGB coverage claim translates to oversaturated colours if you don't use the sRGB mode, which some people prefer for vibrant media consumption but isn't accurate for photo editing.
MSI includes an sRGB mode for productivity and content creation. For gaming and films, the default mode's extra saturation can look more engaging, even if it's not technically accurate.
It's DisplayHDR 400 certified, with a 400-nit HDR peak. Don't expect much from it: entry-level HDR at 400 nits is often no better than good SDR.
Gaming Performance and Real-World Use
Both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X support 1440p output at up to 120Hz, though most games target 60fps at this resolution. If you're primarily a console gamer who wants a sharper image than 1080p, this is a solid choice.
Build Quality, Ergonomics, and Connectivity
- Height Adjust: No
- Tilt: -5° to 20°
- Swivel: No
- Pivot: No
- VESA Mount: 75x75mm
Here's where the budget positioning becomes obvious. The stand is basic: tilt only, no height adjustment, no swivel, no pivot. For some users, this won't matter. For others, it's a deal-breaker.
The lack of adjustability means you're stuck with whatever height and angle the stand provides. The good news? There's a 75x75mm VESA mount, so you can use a third-party monitor arm. I'd budget for a basic arm like the Amazon Basics one if ergonomics matter to you.
The bezels are slim on three sides, which looks modern and works well for multi-monitor setups. The bottom bezel is thicker and houses the MSI logo.
Connectivity is minimal but adequate. You get one DisplayPort 1.2a and two HDMI 2.0b ports. That's enough for a PC, a console and a laptop at once. All three ports support the full 100Hz at 1440p, so no limitations there. There's no USB-C, which isn't surprising in the budget bracket but would've been nice for laptop users.
The built-in 3W speakers are there for system sounds and video calls rather than music, so use proper speakers or headphones for anything more. The 3.5mm headphone jack is there for convenience.
MSI includes an HDMI cable in the box but no DisplayPort cable, so you'll need to buy one if you want to connect over DisplayPort.
Value Analysis and Market Position
The MSI PRO MP273QW E2 brings 1440p resolution and 100Hz refresh to budget pricing. The main trade-off is basic ergonomics, but for productivity and casual gaming, that's a sensible deal.
What you're sacrificing for this value is ergonomics (a tilt-only stand). But if that compromise doesn't affect your use case, the sharp 1440p panel and 100Hz refresh make a lot of sense. For office workers, students, and casual gamers, that's a compelling proposition.
Technical Specifications
The combination of 1440p resolution, 100Hz refresh, and an IPS panel at this price point is genuinely impressive. Yes, you're making compromises on ergonomics and gaming performance, but for the target audience, those compromises won't matter.
If you're an office worker spending eight hours a day looking at spreadsheets and documents, the sharp 1440p resolution will reduce eye strain and increase productivity. If you're a student juggling multiple browser tabs and documents, the extra screen real estate is invaluable. And if you're a casual gamer who plays single-player RPGs and strategy games, the 100Hz smoothness and vibrant IPS colours will enhance your experience.
The monitor isn't perfect. Anyone who cares about ergonomics will need to budget for a monitor arm. But for its intended use case, the MSI PRO MP273QW E2 is a compelling option.
What works. What doesn’t.
3 + 2What we liked3 reasons
- Excellent value: 1440p resolution at budget pricing delivers noticeably sharper text and images than 1080p alternatives
- 100Hz refresh provides meaningful smoothness upgrade over 60Hz for both productivity and gaming
- IPS panel delivers wide viewing angles and 118% sRGB coverage
Where it falls2 reasons
- Tilt-only stand with no height, swivel, or pivot adjustment limits ergonomic flexibility
- Built-in speakers are only suited to system sounds and calls
Full specifications
12 attributes| Refresh rate | 100 |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 27 |
| Panel type | IPS |
| Adaptive sync | Both |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Curvature | flat |
| HDR | none |
| Launch year | 2025 |
| Ports | 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x DisplayPort 1.2a |
| Refresh rate HZ | 100 |
| Resolution | 2560x1440 |
| Response time | 4ms |
If this isn’t right for you
2 options
Frequently asked
5 questions01Is the MSI PRO MP273QW E2 Monitor good for gaming?+
The MSI PRO MP273QW E2 is suitable for casual gaming but not competitive esports. The 100Hz refresh rate provides noticeable smoothness over 60Hz, and the 1440p resolution looks sharp in games. It suits single-player RPGs, strategy games, and console gaming. Competitive gamers should look at faster monitors with 144Hz+ refresh and sub-2ms response times.
02Does the MSI PRO MP273QW E2 Monitor have good HDR?+
It's DisplayHDR 400 certified, with a 400-nit HDR peak, so it will accept and display HDR content. Don't expect much impact: entry-level HDR at 400 nits typically delivers little over good SDR.
03Is the MSI PRO MP273QW E2 Monitor good for content creation?+
The MSI PRO MP273QW E2 is fine for casual content creation but not professional colour work. MSI quotes 118% sRGB and 93% DCI-P3 coverage and 10-bit colour (8-bit plus FRC), and that wide gamut means oversaturated colours on sRGB content unless you use an sRGB mode. For professional print or video work, invest in a properly calibrated professional monitor.
04What graphics card do I need for the MSI PRO MP273QW E2 Monitor?+
For 1440p at 100Hz, you'll want at least an Nvidia RTX 4060, AMD RX 7600, or equivalent to maintain smooth frame rates in modern games. For esports titles and older games, a GTX 1660 Super or RX 6600 will suffice. If you're primarily using this for office work and light gaming, even integrated graphics like Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon 680M can drive the display at 1440p, though you'll need to lower settings in demanding games. Both HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort 1.2a support the full 1440p 100Hz capability.
05What warranty and returns apply to the MSI PRO MP273QW E2 Monitor?+
Amazon offers 30-day returns on most items, which is particularly helpful for checking for dead pixels or backlight bleed issues. MSI typically provides a 3-year warranty on monitors, covering manufacturing defects. You're also covered by Amazon's A-to-Z guarantee for purchase protection. Check the specific warranty terms with your purchase, as they can vary by region and seller.
