Monday, August 30, 2021

Best 4K monitors 2021: the top Ultra HD monitors and displays

It might be time to upgrade to the best 4K monitor. Although arguments can be made for  1080p and 1440p displays, UHD is now having its moment in the sun. 4K content and internals that support them like some of the latest graphics cards (the Nvidia Geforce RTX 3080, to name one) are fast becoming the norm. And, having the right hardware – more specifically, the right computer monitor – is the only way to experience them the way they’re meant to be experienced.

UHD (ultra-high definition) technology has been rapidly improving and becoming more accessible over the last few years, providing a tempting upgrade opportunity. In fact, while there’s a lot of 4K displays that will break the bank, more and more affordable yet still excellent options cheaper than 4K TVs are becoming available as well. A handful of these budget options also come with that curved monitor goodness for good measure.

Beyond future-proofing your rig and getting a better viewing experience, such monitors also deliver extra screen real estate, making them ideal for multitasking and for creative workflows. If you're on the hunt for the best 4K monitor, there's never been a better time to buy. And, we’re here to help you choose with these picks below. Be sure to check out our included price comparison tool while you’re at it to see the best monitor deals.

BenQ SW321C PhotoVue at an angle on a white background

If you’re in the cinematography or photography business, you'll want the BenQ SW321C PhotoVue. (Image credit: BenQ)

1. BenQ SW321C PhotoVue

Best 4K monitor for photographers

Screen size: 32-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 250 cd/m2 | Response time: 5ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: 99% AdobeRGB, 95% P3, 100% sRGB | Weight: 25.6kg

Improved brightness and colour uniformity
USB-C connectivity
Hardware calibration with 16-bit LUT precision
Main connection bay is hard to reach
‘Paper Color Sync’ needs refining to be truly useful

Pro-level displays are no longer the premium priced, inaccessible purchase they started out to be. At least as far as the BenQ SW321C PhotoVue is concerned. This 32-inch 4K photo monitor is up a step or two in terms of both performance and usability, featuring an incredibly wide color gamut of 99% of the Adobe RGB color space and 95% of DCI-P3. If you’re in the cinematography or photography sphere, that’s exactly what you need. And, that’s on top of all the other features this monitor boasts. This is among the best 4K monitors for photo editing you’ll find, and the best part is you’re getting it for cheaper than all others.

Read the full review: BenQ SW321C PhotoVue

Dell 4K S3221QS Curved Monitor at an angle on a white background

Considering what you’re getting, you’ll be glad to spend just a little more on the Dell 4K S3221QS. (Image credit: Dell)

2. Dell 4K S3221QS Curved Monitor

Performance and design in an affordable package

Screen size: 31.5-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Response time: 4ms (gtg) | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 3,000:1 | Color support: 1.07 billion colors | Weight: 16.2 lbs

Classy design
Great looking screen
Unique multitasking features like PiP
No USB-C
Slow response rate

Dell’s 4K monitor is stunning inside and out. We love it’s woven arctic white design that lends to its unique elegant look, allowing it to stand out against the sea of black and gray monitors out there. Its display is impeccable as well. On top of that 4K resolution is a contrast ratio of 3,000:1, support for 1.07 billion colors, up to 4ms response time, and a 178/178 viewing angle that altogether produce stunning, crisp and vibrant visuals that are just as excellent for gaming as they are for media consumption and productivity. It isn’t the cheapest 4K option out there, but the price of entry isn’t bad either. And, considering what you’re getting, you’ll be glad to spend just a little more.

Read the full review: Dell 4K S3221QS Curved Monitor

Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q from the front on a white background

(Image credit: Asus)

3. Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q

4K meets affordability

Screen size: 28-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 350 cd/㎡ | Response time: 5ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: 90% color gamut, 1073.7M (10bit) | Weight: 7.6 kg

Incredibly affordable
Extremely flexible in viewing positions
Gorgeous, accurate colors
Some stuttering at higher settings
Not true HDR

With the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q, you’re getting a lot of value for your money – especially considering the small price of entry. One of the most affordable 4K gaming monitors right now, this 28-incher can swivel, pivot and tilt practically however which way you need it (within reason, naturally) to serve your purpose. It also has deliciously thin bezels and a nifty cable management solution, as well as a few display settings to boost your viewing experience. Thanks to its rich vibrant colors, super sharp image quality and a design that is only subtly gaming-centric, this is among the best 4K monitors not only for gamers but for regular users who consume a lot of visual media as well.

Read the full review: Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q

Philips Brilliance 328P from the front on a white background

The Philips Brilliance 328P really is one of the best 4K monitors out there. 

4. Philips Brilliance 328P

Just brilliant

Screen size: 31.5-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 300 cd/m² | Response time: 4ms | Contrast ratio: 3,000:1 | Color support: 1.07 billion

 Big, beautiful screen 
 Affordable 
 Middling HDR performance 

As both 4K panels and HDR technology become more ubiquitous, we’re starting to see more affordable monitors take on the market, and the Philips Brilliance 328P does just that. This 4K monitor combines a 4K VA panel with decent HDR performance at a price point that won’t force you to break open the piggy bank. Its brightness doesn’t quite reach its lofty HDR 600 rating, but at this price, it’s hard to complain. The Philips Brilliance 328P really is one of the best 4K monitors out there. 

Read the full review: Philips Brilliance 328P 

LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL at an angle on a white background

LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL is the perfect match for your Mac or Ultrabook. (Image credit: LG)

5. LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL

More than fine

Screen size: 24 inches | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Brightness: 540 cd/m² | Response time: 14ms | Contrast ratio: 1,200:1 | Color support: 1.07 billion

Incredible color accuracy
Bright and vivid
USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 compatibility
Expensive
Thick bezels

4K fans will find a lot to love in the LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL, especially if they’re photographers or videographers who need all that prime real estate and high resolution. From its 4K resolution and color accuracy, to its plethora of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports and buttonless design, this 4K display is the perfect match for your Mac or ultrabook. And, despite those bizarrely thick bezels and high price tag, this display might be hard to resist. 

Read the full review: LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL

BenQ PD2700U at an angle on a white background

When you get the BenQ PD2700U, you are getting a lot of pixels. 

6. BenQ PD2700U

No frills, many pixels

Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 350 cd/m² | Response time: 5ms | Contrast ratio: 1,300:1 | Color support: 1.07 billion

Color accurate display 
Plenty of desktop real estate 
No USB Type-C 

If you’re on the market for one of the best 4K monitors for everyday computing and productivity, without all the fancy bells and whistles, you’ll want the BenQ PD2700U. This monitor doesn’t feature fancy Quantum Dot tech, or Adaptive Sync, it doesn’t even have USB-C input! But, when you get the BenQ PD2700U, you are getting a lot of pixels, which is all you really need. It’s not the cheapest 4K monitor on this list, but it’s color accurate, has plenty of desktop real estate, and will comfortably fit in any office environment. 

Read the full review: BenQ PD2700U 

Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ at an angle on a white background

Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ is a 4K gaming monitor with HDR and the kind of color support you see in professional displays.

7. Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ

The Cadillac of gaming monitors

Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 1,000 cd/m2 (peak) | Response time: 4 ms | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1, 5,000:1 (HDR) | Color support: 99% Adobe RGB

Otherworldly picture quality
G-sync
Ludicrous price

While 4K monitors are becoming more and more common, even without particularly powerful hardware, we still run into the kind of monitor that changes everything. The Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ is one of these. Asus has managed to craft a 4K gaming monitor with HDR and the kind of color support you see in professional displays – and render that all at 144Hz with G-Sync no less. There are only a few monitors out there that packs as many features as this Asus screen, and that’s why it’s one of the best 4K monitors. But, keep in mind, you’re going to have to pay for something this advanced – and we mean pay.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ

LG 32UN880 UltraFine Display Ergo at an angle on a white background

The LG 32UN880 UltraFine Display Ergo comes with a C-Clamp, One Click Mount. (Image credit: LG)

8. LG 32UN880 UltraFine Display Ergo

A beautiful display at any angle

Screen size: 32-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Response time: 4 ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: sRGB 100%

Versatile monitor stand
Beautiful picture quality
Not bright enough for true HDR

The LG 32UN880 UltraFine Display Ergo has done something cool. Instead of going for the same homogeneous mount and stand that all monitors have, it has opted for a C-Clamp, One Click Mount that allows it to extend, retract, go high, go low, tilt and pivot like no other. That’s versatility turned up to 11. It also boasts incredible color accuracy and beautiful picture quality. The best part is that you’re getting all that without burning a massive hole in your pocket. This is, without a doubt, among the best 4K monitors out there.

Read the full review: LG 32UN880 UltraFine Display Ergo

AOC U2879VF from the front on a white background

The AOC U2879VF has a 1ms response time and a refresh rate of 144Hz for a low price.

9. AOC U2879VF

The most affordable 4K monitor for gaming

Screen size: 28-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Response time: 1 ms | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: 1.07 billion

Very low price for a 28-inch monitor
FreeSync technology
No VESA mount

4K monitors aren't going to be as cheap as their TV counterparts, but some of them do try. Take a look at this offering from AOC whose 28-inch TN panel boasts some terrific extras that add even more value to its already affordable price. FreeSync technology, excellent color accuracy, and a Picture-in-Picture feature make it a great proposition for mainstream users who like to dabble in different things, from gaming to photo editing. Of course, it also makes for a great business monitor – and you can't beat that price if you have to buy a few for the office.

Read the full review: AOC U2879 VF 

Acer Predator X27 from the front on a white background

If you need the tech, it’s definitely there in the Acer Predator X27. 

10. Acer Predator X27

4K, HDR and 144Hz? Oh my!

Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 1,000 cd/m2 (peak) | Response time: 4 ms | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: 16.7 million

Great HDR
High refresh rate
Very expensive

If you have an absolute beast of a gaming computer – think two Nvidia RTX 2080 Tis in SLI – and you need a monitor that can keep up, you might want to take a look at the Acer Predator X27. Not only is it a 27-inch 4K monitor with HDR, but it also has a refresh rate of a whopping 144 Hz. If you have the horsepower, you can play games in 4K competitively without losing an edge to the person playing in 1080p. But, as you may expect from a spec sheet like this, it’s very expensive – but if you need the tech, it’s definitely there.

Read the full review: Acer Predator X27

  • Looking for a more great gaming monitor? Check out our top picks
  • Or set up your living room with one of the best 4K TVs on the market


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