ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV Monitor Review

Brand: ASUS
Released: January 4, 2023
Updated: 16 hours ago
4.3
Overall review score
309
Review insights
66
Scored features
18
Expert reviews

Bottom Line

Excellent factory color, crisp 4K detail, and 96W USB-C docking make this a standout affordable editing monitor. Weak contrast, modest HDR, and 60Hz refresh are the tradeoffs.

Photographers, SDR video editors, and color-focused creators get accurate 4K images and convenient laptop docking at a relatively accessible price. Coding and portrait-oriented secondary workspaces can benefit as well.

Anyone seeking strong HDR entertainment or fast competitive gaming should look elsewhere. People working in strong side lighting or dependent on flawless Mac scaling and multi-computer KVM workflows should check alternatives.

Verdict

The ASUS ProArt PA279CRV earns its place as a smart mid-priced screen for photography, SDR video editing, and creative desktop work. Excellent factory color, wide P3 and Adobe RGB coverage, and sharply rendered 4K detail give it a more professional feel than its price suggests. An adjustable stand, useful USB hub, DisplayPort output, and 96W USB-C charging also simplify laptop desks. The compromises are equally consistent: conventional IPS blacks and unimpressive HDR do not suit cinematic viewing, and 60Hz is unappealing for serious gaming. Brightness, matte-screen haze, and exact Adobe RGB measurements generate mixed experiences across testers. Mac users should also check scaling expectations and film-rate requirements before buying. For color-first SDR work on a reasonable budget, the strengths normally outweigh those limitations.

Feature Scorecards

Summary

66 reviewed features
  • Very positive 4.5-5.0
    36 (55%)
  • Positive 3.5-4.4
    13 (20%)
  • Neutral 2.5-3.4
    7 (11%)
  • Negative 1.5-2.4
    9 (14%)
  • Very negative below 1.5
    1 (2%)

Pros highlights

  • 4.9
    16 reviews strong consensus
    USB-C power delivery: 4.9, 16 reviews, strong consensus
    Up to 96W laptop charging is a standout advantage over many older professional monitors. It is ample for numerous laptops but cannot meet every high-power workstation's maximum draw.
  • 4.7
    15 reviews strong consensus
    port selection: 4.7, 15 reviews, strong consensus
    USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort in/out, and USB accessory ports make the connection suite unusually useful for the price. Lack of Ethernet and KVM keeps it short of full docking-station capability.
  • 4.5
    15 reviews moderate consensus
    stand adjustability: 4.5, 15 reviews, moderate consensus
    Height, tilt, swivel, and portrait pivot are major ergonomic strengths. A few mechanical squeaks and one inconsistent description of height adjustment temper the otherwise strong praise.
  • 4.8
    14 reviews strong consensus
    color accuracy: 4.8, 14 reviews, strong consensus
    Out-of-box sRGB accuracy and results after calibration are consistently very good. Some testers flag color-space preset or white-point differences that matter to exacting professionals.
  • 4.7
    14 reviews moderate consensus
    color gamut: 4.7, 14 reviews, moderate consensus
    P3 and Adobe RGB coverage are strong for the price, benefiting both digital and print creators. A minority measured less Adobe RGB coverage than advertised, so the precise gamut remains a caveat.
  • 4.9
    11 reviews strong consensus
    Color calibration controls: 4.9, 11 reviews, strong consensus
    Creative presets and detailed RGB, gamma, hue, and color-space controls make fine tuning straightforward. Factory accuracy is already strong, although the deepest color work can still benefit from a separate meter.

Cons highlights

  • 1.9
    9 reviews strong consensus
    HDR performance: 1.9, 9 reviews, strong consensus
    HDR signal support does not translate into convincing HDR contrast or highlights. Limited brightness, shallow black levels, and weak or absent effective dimming make HDR the clearest display weakness.
  • 3.0
    8 reviews moderate consensus
    refresh rate: 3.0, 8 reviews, moderate consensus
    The standard 60Hz ceiling is generally sufficient for office, photography, and traditional video editing. It is a clear limitation for high-refresh gaming and unusually fluid scrolling.
  • 2.0
    7 reviews low consensus
    built-in speakers: 2.0, 7 reviews, low consensus
    The small speakers provide basic system audio but sound thin, weak, or harsh to most listeners. External speakers or headphones are preferable for serious work.
  • 2.6
    7 reviews strong consensus
    contrast: 2.6, 7 reviews, strong consensus
    Conventional IPS contrast is a repeating weakness, with blacks that can look gray or washed out. This matters more in a dark room or during HDR viewing than routine SDR editing.
  • 3.0
    6 reviews low consensus
    reflection handling: 3.0, 6 reviews, low consensus
    The matte treatment keeps many reflections manageable, but strong side lighting can spread into a hazy patch and obscure contrast. Lighting position makes a major difference.
  • 2.6
    5 reviews moderate consensus
    Screen coating clarity: 2.6, 5 reviews, moderate consensus
    The matte surface cuts direct reflections but can introduce a subtle grain or diffuse glare into a white haze. Opinions range from barely noticeable texture to a significant loss of clarity beside a light source.

Use Cases

Best for

  • 4.9
    13 reviews strong consensus
    Video editing: 4.9, 13 reviews, strong consensus
    Factory color accuracy, wide gamut, and native 4K detail make this especially useful for SDR editing and grading. Direct Mac playback at certain broadcast rates and credible HDR monitoring are its key workflow caveats.
  • 4.8
    16 reviews strong consensus
    Color-critical work: 4.8, 16 reviews, strong consensus
    Calibrated color and coverage of both P3 and Adobe RGB make this a persuasive screen for photo, print, and video work. Measured Adobe RGB coverage varies between testers, and very exacting workflows may require recalibration.
  • 5.0
    9 reviews strong consensus
    Single-cable laptop docking: 5.0, 9 reviews, strong consensus
    USB-C carries video, peripheral data, and up to 96W charging through one connection. It can greatly reduce cable clutter, though the monitor is not a complete Ethernet/KVM dock.

Not ideal for

  • Casual gaming
    2.2
    5 reviews low consensus
    Casual gaming: 2.2, 5 reviews, low consensus
    Occasional games are possible, but 60Hz and modest HDR keep the display well behind dedicated gaming monitors. Several sources explicitly advise choosing a different screen for games.
  • Movies and streaming
    2.5
    2 reviews limited evidence
    Movies and streaming: 2.5, 2 reviews, limited evidence
    High-resolution video looks finely detailed, but the narrow HDR range and weak blacks limit cinematic impact. This is better as a work monitor than a primary entertainment display.

Compared With Category Average

Compared with other Monitors, this product is above average in documentation quality, Monitor daisy-chaining, USB-C power delivery, near average in color gamut, stand adjustability, below average in console gaming compatibility, accessory compatibility, black levels.

Comparison summary

59 compared features
  • Above average 0.4+ pts higher
    30 (51%)
  • Same as average within 0.3 pts
    13 (22%)
  • Below average 0.4+ pts lower
    16 (27%)

Largest category differences

Attribute This product Category average Difference
console gaming compatibility 1.0 4.1 -3.1
documentation quality 5.0 2.3 +2.7
accessory compatibility 2.0 4.3 -2.3
Monitor daisy-chaining 4.7 2.5 +2.2
black levels 2.0 4.1 -2.1
local dimming performance 1.5 3.5 -2.0
contrast 2.6 4.3 -1.7
USB-C power delivery 4.9 3.4 +1.5

Consider This Instead

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Choose Dell U2725QE. It scores 5.0 vs 1.0 for console gaming compatibility, with a 4.2 overall score.

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Choose LG 27GM950B-B. It scores 4.3 vs 2.0 for black levels, with a 4.0 overall score.

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Compared in Reviews

Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.

ASUS ProArt Display PA279CV

  • Older model: Adobe RGB coverage The PA279CRV meaningfully expands the former model’s color gamut for photographers.
  • Older model: Adobe RGB and P3 gamut The PA279CRV extends beyond the predecessor’s sRGB-oriented color coverage.
  • Older model: successor positioning The PA279CRV is presented as the follow-up to the older PA279CV.

ASUS ProArt Display 5K PA27JCV

  • Better: 5K clarity and anti-glare The newer 5K model is a costlier but preferred Mac/coating option.
  • Better: macOS scaling and anti-glare The 5K model is recommended instead for Mac scaling and a better anti-glare finish.

Apple Studio Display (2022)

  • Worse: direct-connected video grading workflow The ASUS is favored for direct-connected film-rate monitoring without dedicated hardware.

FAQ

Is the PA279CRV good for photo editing and color-critical work?

Yes. Its factory accuracy, 4K detail, and broad P3 and Adobe RGB coverage make it well suited to SDR photo and video editing, although very demanding users may still want to calibrate it.

Can one USB-C cable charge a laptop and connect its accessories?

Yes. The monitor offers up to 96W power delivery plus display and hub data over USB-C. The available power and USB bandwidth still depend on the host and connected devices.

Does its DisplayHDR 400 support mean it has strong HDR picture quality?

No. Testers repeatedly criticize HDR brightness, weak blacks, and ineffective dimming. This is much stronger as an SDR creator display.

Is 60Hz fast enough for gaming?

It is serviceable for occasional games but not a strong choice for competitive or high-refresh gaming. The picture is tuned primarily for creative accuracy.

Does the monitor work well with MacBooks?

USB-C charging and display connection work well, but macOS scaling impressions differ between users. Specialized fractional film-frame-rate monitoring can also require a workaround.

Can the PA279CRV be used in a dual-monitor or portrait setup?

Yes. It pivots into portrait and includes DisplayPort-out for chaining another compatible screen. At least one reported daisy-chain configuration could not run the second 4K screen above 30Hz.

Are the built-in speakers good enough for music or editing?

Most listeners describe the speakers as thin and quiet. Use headphones or external speakers for quality audio; the 3.5mm audio output is handy for direct-connected editing.

Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed

These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.

Video Reviews

Article Reviews

rtings.com

The ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV is a 27-inch, 4k monitor. As a part of ASUS' ProArt lineup, it sits alongside the 32-inch ASUS ProArt...

Review score
3.7
techporn.ph

In for review is the ASUS ProArt PA279CRV monitor. This is a prosumer-grade display featuring a 4K resolution in a 27-inch WLED IPS panel. It...

Review score
4.1

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