LG 32U631A Review: 1440p 100Hz FreeSync IPS Monitor

If you’re looking for an affordable 32″ monitor with a decent resolution for its screen size, the LG 32U631A-B might be just for you.

Image Quality

When displayed on the monitor’s 32″ viewable screen, the 2560×1440 Quad HD resolution results in a respectable pixel density of 91.79 PPI (pixels per inch).

This means you’ll get a decent amount of screen real estate and fairly sharp details and text. A 24″ 1080p monitor has a similar pixel density, so you get basically the same viewing experience, just on a larger screen.

In comparison, the 1920×1080 Full HD resolution on 32″ sized screens has a pixel density of 68.84 pixels, which results in a pixelated picture with smudgy details and very little screen space.

So, if you want a budget 32″ monitor, we highly recommend going with the 1440p version as 1080p looks rather awful at this screen size; the price difference is also not that big.

However, if you plan on gaming, make sure your CPU/GPU will be able to handle the QHD resolution, as it’s notably more demanding than Full HD. For office and everyday use, you don’t need an expensive PC rig.

In case you’ll be mostly using the LG 32U631A monitor for gaming, we recommend getting a display with a higher refresh rate instead – we’ll include a few models below.

Moving on, the monitor has an IPS panel with full sRGB gamut coverage for vivid and consistent colors. Further, thanks to the 178° wide viewing angles, the image won’t shift in color, brightness or contrast when viewed at skewed angles.

If you want a display with more saturated colors, there are monitors with wider gamuts at this price range – though not in the 32″ 1440p IPS form factor.

Next, the monitor has a peak brightness of 250-nits, so it can get more than bright enough under normal lighting conditions, while its contrast ratio amounts to 1,000:1, which is standard for IPS monitors. Some IPS glow is also present, but its intensity varies across different units.

Performance

The LG 32U631A has a low input lag of around 9ms, meaning that you won’t be able to feel or notice any delays between your actions and the result on the screen.

There are four response time overdrive modes: Off, Normal, Fast and Faster.

We recommend using the Fast mode for the least amount of visible trailing behind fast-moving objects without any overshoot.

The monitor has a maximum refresh rate of 100Hz, which offers a small but noticeable boost in motion clarity in comparison to 60Hz-75Hz.

Variable refresh rate (VRR) is supported with a 48-100Hz range via AMD FreeSync over USB-C (DP Alt Mode) and HDMI. You can also use VRR with compatible NVIDIA GPUs (10-series or newer) over USB-C.

As long as your frame rate (FPS) is within the supported VRR range, there’ll be no tearing and stuttering.

The monitor’s backlight is flicker-free and there’s an integrated low-blue light filter (the ‘Reader’ mode).

Features

On the rear of the monitor, there’s a directional joystick for quick and easy navigation through the OSD (On-Screen Display) menu. Alternatively, you can use LG’s On-Screen Control desktop application for most adjustments.

Noteworthy features include Black Stabilizer (improves visibility in dark scenes), various picture presets and Dual Controller (allows you to connect two PCs on the same network to the monitor and control them via one set of keyboard and mouse).

Besides the standard image adjustment tools (brightness, contrast, aspect ratio, input source, etc.), the LG 32U631A offers some advanced settings too, including 6-axis hue/saturation, four gamma modes, sharpness and manual color temperature fine-tuning in increments of 500K.

For optimal image quality, we recommend disabling DFC and Smart Energy Saving.

The monitor also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range), however, since it lacks the display hardware required for proper HDR image quality, you should disable it.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor is tilt-only, but the screen is VESA mount compatible via the 100x100mm pattern. Further, the screen has a matte anti-glare coating that prevents reflections without adding too much graininess to the image.

Connectivity options include USB-C (DP Alt Mode, 15W Power Delivery), HDMI 2.0 and a headphone jack. Both inputs support 100Hz at 2560×1440.

Price & Similar Monitors

The LG 32U631A price ranges from $187 to $250.

For ~$250, you can get the Gigabyte GS32Q. It’s a 32″ 1440p IPS display with a higher 170Hz refresh rate.

Be sure to check out our best monitors under $300 and best monitors under $250 buyer’s guide to find more information and better options in this price range.

Conclusion

The LG 32U631A is an overall decent monitor for everyday use, but there are a lot better options in this price range.

Specifications

Screen Size	32-inch
Resolution	2560×1440 (QHD)
Panel Type	IPS
Aspect Ratio	16:9 (Widescreen)
Refresh Rate	100Hz
Response Time	5ms (GtG)
Adaptive-Sync	48-100Hz
Ports	HDMI 2.0, USB-C (DP Alt Mode, 15W PD)
Other Ports	Headphone Jack
Brightness	250 cd/m²
Contrast Ratio	1000:1 (static)
Colors	1.07 billion (8-bit + FRC) 99% sRGB
HDR	HDR10
VESA	Yes (100x100mm)