INNOCN 27M2V Mini LED 4K Monitor Review: A Bargain for Gamers and Content Creators

INNOCN was founded in 2014 in Shenzhen, China, and manufactures a wide range of monitor types, including curved, portable, desktop, 4k, OLED, gaming, and ultrawide monitors. In this review, we test the 27″ INNOCN 27M2V Mini LED 4K Monitor with Mini LED backlighting. The INNOCN 27M2V is an A+ IPS panel display that employs local dimming to improve picture quality with 1,152 local dimming zones.

If you are unfamiliar with these terms, please see the definitions below.

In-Plane Switching

IPS (in-plane switching) is a screen technology for liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). In IPS, a layer of liquid crystals is sandwiched between two glass surfaces. The liquid crystal molecules are aligned parallel to those surfaces in predetermined directions (in-plane). The molecules are reoriented by an applied electric field, while remaining essentially parallel to the surfaces to produce an image. It was designed to solve the strong viewing angle dependence and low-quality color reproduction of the twisted nematic field effect (TN) matrix LCDs prevalent in the late 1980s.

• • Wikipedia

Local Dimming

Local dimming is a technology used in displays, such as TVs and computer monitors, that allows for more precise control over brightness levels. It works by dividing the screen into zones and adjusting the backlight for each zone to match the average luminosity. This results in improved contrast, deeper blacks, and a clearer picture.

• • AI Summary

While designed to deliver unrivaled color accuracy, brightness, contrast, and viewing angles, the INNOCN 27M2V  is a gaming monitor with a maximum refresh rate of 160Hz, variable refresh rate (VRR) support, and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth for console gaming.

Variable Refresh Rate

Variable refresh rate (VRR) refers to a dynamic display that can continuously and seamlessly change its refresh rate without user input. A display supporting a variable refresh rate usually supports a specific range of refresh rates (e.g., 30 Hertz through 144 Hertz). This is called the VRR range. The refresh rate can continuously vary seamlessly anywhere within this range.

• • Wikipedia

Design

The INNOCN 27M2V Mini LED 4K Monitor features an attractive modern design with a thin bezel in a silver finish. At first glance, it may appear made of aluminum, but the entire case is made of plastic.

Some may wish that the case was made of aluminum instead of the passable build quality feel of the plastic, but in my opinion, it seems that INNOCN wanted to focus on the screen quality above all.

I find the silver color quite handsome. That said, having the monitor in a black finish would make it fit better next to most other gaming monitors.

The 2.5″ thick back of the monitor has a series of fins that release heat at the top and provide openings for the built-in speakers on the sides. The back also features RGB lighting, which is customizable via the onscreen menu.

The monitor’s ergonomics are excellent. The stand allows for easy manipulation of the horizontal and vertical viewing angles (as much as 15 degrees) and the ability to raise and lower the screen with one hand (as much as 120mm). The screen can also be oriented in portrait mode but requires tilting while rotating to achieve the 90-degree turn.

One potential downside of the stand is its footprint, which requires the front face of the screen to be 7″ in front of the rearmost part of the stand with the frontmost part of the stand protruding 8.5″. This may preclude it from being placed on shallow shelves.

However, the 27M2V can be wall-mounted using the clever VESA mount system on the back of the monitor.

The only controls on the monitor are found at the bottom right corner of the screen. They consist of five buttons: one that brings up the on-screen display, up and down arrows for making all selections, an input selector, and a power button. The controls are workable but feel outdated and leave you wanting a joystick or another more intuitive layout.

The top of the monitor has a sensor for auto-brightness, a handy feature if you work in an environment that changes light levels throughout the day.

What’s in the Box

• 27M2V Monitor
• Stand
• Base
• DisplayPort cable
• HDMI cable
• USB-B to USB-A cable
• USB-C cable
• Power cable
• Power supply
• User guides

Inputs

The INNOCN 27M2V Mini LED 4K Monitor’s inputs are all down-facing and partially obscured by the recessed panel on which they are found. Combined with the hole in the stand’s vertical support, this provides effective wire management in both landscape and portrait orientations.

The two HDMI 2.1 ports allow gamers to connect both their Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 at 48 Gbps while still connecting their gaming PC via the Display Port. The monitor also supports Display Port Alternate via USB-C, providing yet another way to connect your PC.

In addition to the USB C 90W port, the INNOCN 27M2V includes two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-B, effectively making it function as a hub, allowing users to connect peripherals as desired.

There is also a 3.5mm Audio Jack, which can be used for connecting headphones or external speakers. The 27M2V includes speakers, but as with most speakers built into monitors, they are not anything special.

This video shows real-time performance on a PC and an Xbox, as well as some of the monitor’s key physical characteristics.

Performance

Although primarily designed as a gaming monitor, the 27M2V has features and abilities that make it a good fit for video postproduction and office use. Regardless of the intended use, the screen delivers excellent performance as well as a few special features.

PC Gaming

The INNOCN 27M2V Mini LED 4K Monitor is a very solid choice for PC gamers, especially those with computers and graphic cards that deliver top-level performance. With a maximum refresh rate of 160Hz and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support, the 27M2V greatly reduces screen tearing and stuttering. It also includes some gaming-specific capabilities, such as in-monitor crosshairs.

Games with fast-moving action, such as shooters and racing games, benefit from the quick response time and low input lag, albeit the lag increases with 60Hz signals. Combined with local dimming, the results are deep blacks with minimal blooming.

Console Gaming

Console gamers will appreciate the INNOCN 27M2V’s 4K resolution and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, which make it an ideal display for the latest generation of gaming consoles, such as the Xbox Series X, Series S, and the Sony PlayStation 5.

Gameplay is smooth and sharp due to the fast response time. This is especially true at 120Hz. Input lag does increase with 60Hz signals. Image brightness is excellent in both HDR (High Dynamic Range) and SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) modes.

Office Use

Several of the 27M2V’s features also make it an excellent choice for office work. The screen is large enough to accommodate a wide variety of applications, and text legibility is especially good due to the pixel density of the Mini LED design and the 3840×2160 resolution.

The monitor’s brightness is suitable for every environment and can be automatically adjusted using the auto-brightness sensor. The INNOCN 27M2V also includes a blue light filter. The screen itself does a good job of reducing glare and has good viewing angles both from side to side and top to bottom.

The 27M2v also supports PIP (Picture in Picture) and PBP (Picture by Picture) modes, further increasing its flexibility. These features, combined with the excellent ergonomics, make the 27M2V an excellent all-around display.

Editing

I tried the INNOCN 27M2V with several Adobe Creative Suite applications on my 4K laptop and found that it works very well.

The native 4K resolution means that there is no resizing between screens, and the large 27″ size is excellent for having many menus and windows onscreen at the same time. The color accuracy is very good right out of the box and can be fine-tuned if required. The refresh rate, pixel density, and local dimming result in a smooth-flowing video that is both sharp and deep.

INNOCN 27M2V Specifications

The INNOCN 27M2V Mini LED 4K Monitor is an excellent all-around choice for gamers looking to up their experience with high refresh rates and low latency. It is equally well suited for video editors, content creators, and even general office use with its large 4K screen, excellent pixel density, and accurate color rendition.

With specs including a 27″ screen, 4K, backlit Mini LED, local dimming with 1152 zones, a 160Hz maximum refresh rate, 1ms response time, and an A+ IPS panel with 99% DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB color gamut, the 27M2V is a good deal at $729.99. However, at that price, it has some serious competition.

The 27M2V is currently available on INNOCN’s Amazon store for $474.98; at this price, it is a steal and heartily recommended.

You can learn about their entire product line on the INNOCN website and purchase them on the INNOCN Amazon store.

The INNOCN 27M2V Mini LED 4K Monitor retails for $729.99; it is available on Amazon for $474.98.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Impressive performance for under $500; Mini LED 4k screen is very sharp; 160Hz refresh rate; 1ms response time; Excellent color rendition

What Needs Improvement: An optional black finish would be a better fit with many gaming rigs; The on-screen display seems out of date