This 27-inch Asus smart monitor doubles as a Google TV for your office – and it impressed me

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Asus’ ZenScreen Smart Monitor is a 27-inch 4K TV/monitor/hub all in one, and it’s on sale at Amazon for $379.
• It uses Google TV, supports hundreds of apps, and can switch between different modes on the fly.
• Getting everything connected can take some trial and error, and there are usability quirks.

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Asus launched its first smart monitor, the 27-inch ZenScreen MS27UC, in late 2024, and it’s priced to compete. It’s a versatile, practical device that can act as a TV, computer monitor, or gaming system that works with Google TV for device integration at a relatively affordable price.

If you haven’t used a smart monitor before, they’re designed to be all-in-one displays that can swap between different purposes: use it for your laptop during the day, then use it as a TV after work. They’re great for small spaces like dorm rooms or apartments, especially since lots of people just use our monitors as TVs anyway. The Smart Monitor aims to improve on that use case. 

Also: This Asus monitor delivers 5K resolution rivaling Apple’s Studio Display (and it’s cheaper)

Asus’ ZenScreen Smart Monitor has specs that make sense for the everyday user. The picture is nice, with 4K resolution at 60Hz refresh rate, and support for Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz and Bluetooth 5.2. The front of the monitor features two five-watt speakers certified by Harman Kardon, and the back of the device has a handy notch where you can stash your accessories.

It has a good number of connector ports, with two USB-A ports, an HDMI, USB-C, DisplayPort, and a headphone jack. Depending on how you intend to use the device, there are several ways to connect to the ZenScreen. If you want to hook up a laptop, the easiest will definitely be USB-C. If your laptop supports DP Alt mode, you just need one USB-C cord, and you’re good to go. 

Also: Your TV’s USB port has superpowers: 4 useful benefits you’re not taking advantage of

The 4K display is fairly lightweight for a 27-inch frame and has a matte surface that reflects an average amount of glare. The bottom of the device (where the speakers are) is upholstered in a gray fabric that may or may not be your style, but it’s neutral enough. 

Speaking of, the speakers aren’t bad at all. They’re especially good with voices, and there’s a decent amount of sound separation, but not the kind of bass or depth you’d get with a dedicated sound system.

The picture quality is about what you’d expect for a 4K TV in this price range, with a crisp and clear picture that’s a little saturated out of the box, but easily adjusted for colors that represent 99% of the RGB spectrum. If you’re into streaming apps, you’ll find everything here, from Hulu and Netflix to smaller, niche, and language-specific apps. It also supports Chromecast and Miracast.

You can also download over 1,000 different apps to the device and use it as a sort of smart home hub or a device on its own, without a laptop connected. Google TV gives you access to all the fitness apps you’d expect, like Peloton, as well as radio and music streaming services, and access to all the major news apps.

Also: Samsung just unveiled a sleek new OLED smart monitor (and it’s not just for gamers)

The ZenScreen also worked better for productivity than I expected. The MultiView setting allows you to split the screen in half, each side representing a different device. So it’s possible to be working with your laptop on one side and take a call from your phone on the other.

Streamers in particular will appreciate this device for its Multi-Platform Stream Plus feature, which lets you stream across four platforms simultaneously. Just keep in mind the monitor doesn’t come with its own webcam, which ultimately is smart since a low-quality integrated camera would drive the cost of the monitor up and be ignored by creators who use their own high-end devices anyway.

All in all, there are tons of different ways to use this device, many of which aren’t particularly obvious to the average user. Not everything is 100% intuitive or easy to set up, but everything that I tested out worked. Still, there are some quirks. 

For example, when connected to my laptop, after a period of inactivity, the monitor switches over to a “NO HDMI INPUT” screen, instead of just going blank (or swapping to the monitor’s screensaver). This is a puzzling oversight that requires me to grab the remote and switch it off manually, or swap to TV mode. 

Additionally, the remote that comes with the monitor is fine; its design prominently features the Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube branded buttons, but the volume button is rather small and ill-placed, and there is no “Play/Pause” button at all (instead, you press the D-pad twice).

If you’re a YouTube enjoyer, the app is well-designed and easy to navigate, but it does seem like there are more ads. For watching movies or your favorite series, it’s a solid device with nice audio (but if you want more oomph, you can always connect a soundbar). 

Also: Asus’ 2025 laptop lineup features a sleek, understated design ethos (and OLEDs all around)

Lastly, I wouldn’t say this is a monitor for serious gamers, as although the 4K resolution looks good, the entry-level 60Hz refresh rate might not be enough for some titles. Ultimately, the smart screen concept is best for people who want or only have space for a single display, whether it’s a small apartment or dorm, or the display is in a room in the house that allows it to serve multiple purposes, like an office or den. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

Smart monitors are a relatively new product category, and if you’re a big fan of streaming services and like a brand-forward content delivery system, you should check out Asus’ ZenScreen Smart Monitor. Especially if you’re a fan of Google TV and have other devices in that ecosystem. 

Regularly retailing for $400, I would say the ZenScreen Smart Monitor is fairly priced, as it’s not hard to spend the same amount for a 27-inch 4K monitor without any of the added features.