The 9 Best 4k Monitors
Updated by · How we research
4K monitors for office work, laptops, photo editing and tight budgets compared; the Dell S2725QC wins for its smooth 120Hz screen and one-cable laptop charging. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
At 27 inches, a 4K screen packs pixels so tightly that most people enlarge text in their computer's display settings, which trades some workspace for much crisper letters. Step up to 32 inches and text needs less help; at 43 inches it reads at a natural size. It's written for home offices, laptop desks, photo editing and tight budgets.
From the manual
- The only video cable in the box is USB-C; connecting by HDMI means buying an HDMI cable separately. pp. 6, 13
- The monitor's USB ports stay dead until the supplied USB-C cable links the monitor to the computer. p. 13
- Windows versions older than Windows 10 don't support the USB-C connection. p. 13
- A menu setting keeps USB-C laptop charging on while the monitor itself is switched off. p. 46
Why the Dell S2725QC is our top pick
Our pick wins on smoothness and value: it refreshes up to 120 times a second at 4K,1 while our runner-up, the Dell P3225QE, stops at 100,3 and Dell's own store lists ours for much less than the runner-up.2,4 The faster screen pays off outside games too; Wirecutter notes that 120 Hz makes motion look smoother whether you're opening and closing windows or playing casually.5
One USB-C cable handles the whole hookup. It carries the 4K picture at the full 120 Hz plus up to 65 watts of laptop charging, and a 100-watt USB-C cable comes in the box, though an HDMI cable is sold separately.1
The runner-up is the better dock. It supplies 90 watts and adds a wired network port that works while its USB cable runs to the computer,3 and Dell backs it for three years in the U.S. against one year for our pick.4,2 If your laptop's charger is rated above 65 watts, or you want wired internet and the longer warranty, choose the runner-up; for most other desks, the smoother, cheaper screen comes first.
| Dell S2725QC | Dell P3225QE | |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh rate at 4K | Up to 120 Hz | Up to 100 Hz |
| Screen size | 27 in | 31.5 in |
| USB-C laptop charging | 65 W | 90 W |
| Wired network port | No | Yes, gigabit |
| U.S. warranty | 1 year | 3 years |
Sources
- Dell S2725QC 1User's guide, English (ManualsLib copy), pp. 7, 13 2Dell U.S. store page
- Dell P3225QE 3User's guide, English (ManualsLib copy), pp. 7, 12–13 4Dell U.S. store page
- 5Wirecutter: The best 4K monitors
From the manual
- The wired network port works only while a USB-C or USB-C-to-A cable links the monitor to the computer. p. 12
- A laptop whose charger is rated above 90 watts may not charge over the monitor's USB-C cable. p. 63
- Waking a PC over the network from hibernate or shutdown works only with Dell computers that support Dell's power-button sync. p. 23
- The monitor defaults to DisplayPort 1.4, so an older DisplayPort 1.1 graphics card may not show a normal picture. p. 32
Compare the specs
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Product | Screen size (in) | Top refresh at 4K (Hz) | USB-C laptop charging (W) | Color range (maker's rating) | Stand adjusts | U.S. warranty (years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Dell S2725QC | 27 | 120 | 65 | 99% sRGB | Tilt, swivel, pivot, height | 1 |
| 2. Dell P3225QE | 31.5 | 100 | 90 | 99% sRGB | Tilt, swivel, pivot, height | 3 |
| 3. LG 27UP850K-W | 27 | 60 | 90 | 95% DCI-P3 | Tilt, height, pivot | 1 |
| 4. Sceptre U325W-UPT | 31.5 | 70 (DP), 60 (HDMI) | No USB-C | 100% sRGB | Tilt only | 1 |
| 5. ASUS ProArt PA329CRV | 31.5 | 60 | 96 | 98% DCI-P3 | Tilt, swivel, pivot, height | 3 (5 if registered) |
| 6. LG 32UP83AK-W | 31.5 | 60 | 60 | 95% DCI-P3 | Tilt, height, pivot | 1 |
| 7. LG 32UN880-B | 31.5 | 60 | 60 | 95% DCI-P3 | Clamp arm, extends, pivots | 1 |
| 8. Samsung ViewFinity S7 S71H | 27 | 60 | No USB-C | 99% sRGB | Tilt only | — |
| 9. Dell U4320Q | 42.5 | 60 | 90 | 96% sRGB | Tilt, swivel, height | — |
Figures come from each maker's manual, spec page or U.S. warranty listing. Screen sizes are the makers' diagonal figures. Color range is the maker's coverage figure for the color space named; sRGB suits office and web work, DCI-P3 is the wider film standard. A dash means the maker doesn't publish a U.S. term we could find.
Sources
- Dell S2725QC User's guide, English (ManualsLib copy) Dell U.S. store page
- Dell P3225QE User's guide, English (ManualsLib copy) Dell U.S. store page
- LG 27UP850K-W Owner's manual and warranty (LG U.S. support) Spec page (LG Taiwan)
- Sceptre U325W-UPT User manual (PDF) Product page
- ASUS ProArt PA329CRV User guide (PDF) Tech specs ProArt five-year warranty offer (U.S.)
- LG 32UP83AK-W Owner's manual and warranty (LG U.S. support) Spec page (LG Canada, French)
- LG 32UN880-B Owner's manual and warranty (LG U.S. support) Spec page (LG Hong Kong)
- Samsung ViewFinity S7 S71H User guide (Samsung Canada support) Spec page (Samsung Ireland)
- Dell U4320Q User's guide (PDF)
From the manual
- Over HDMI, 4K runs at 60 Hz only with HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color switched on; with it off, LG's timing table lists 30 Hz. pp. 22, 30
- A USB-C to USB-C cable limits the monitor's USB ports to USB 2.0; a USB-C to USB-A cable allows USB 3.0. p. 10
- HDR over DisplayPort needs the menu's DisplayPort Version set to 1.4. p. 21
- Turning the screen sideways doesn't rotate the picture by itself; set the rotation in the computer's display settings. p. 6
From the manual
- 4K at 70 Hz works only over DisplayPort; both HDMI ports stop at 60 Hz. p. 16
- The one-year parts-and-labor warranty drops to 90 days for commercial use and requires a purchase from an authorized reseller. p. 35
- For a warranty repair, you pay the shipping to Sceptre's service center. p. 35
- A few dead pixels aren't a defect: Sceptre's limit is three side by side, or five of mixed color and brightness. p. 36
From the manual
- Daisy-chaining another screen works at 4K and 60 Hz only with no USB-C device attached and Power Saving set to Normal Level. p. 1-5
- For HDR that meets its DisplayHDR rating, ASUS says to set Dynamic Dimming to Fast and HDR mode to PQ Clip. p. 3-2
- Picture-in-picture and side-by-side need an input below 60 Hz, with VRR, Dynamic Dimming and HDR switched off. p. 3-6
From the manual
- Over HDMI, 4K reaches 60 Hz only with HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color switched on; with it off, LG's timing table lists 30 Hz. p. 29
- A USB-C to USB-C cable limits the monitor's USB ports to USB 2.0; a USB-C to USB-A cable allows USB 3.0. p. 10
- The USB-C port charges a laptop but can't power the monitor, which always needs its own adapter. p. 9
From the manual
- The clamp fits a desk up to 90 mm (3.5 in) thick; glass tops can be damaged, and the clamp may mark the desk. p. 7
- LG warns against hanging bags or clothes on the arm. p. 7
- A USB-C to USB-C cable limits the monitor's USB ports to USB 2.0; a USB-C to USB-A cable allows USB 3.0. p. 18
- Over HDMI, 4K reaches 60 Hz only with HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color switched on; off, the timing table lists 30 Hz. p. 35
From the manual
- Game Mode switches itself off when the screen sleeps or changes input, unless you choose Always On. p. 24
- While Eye Saver Mode is on, Game Mode and several picture settings are locked out. pp. 22-24
- Side-by-side mode at 4K can exceed a computer's graphics output; Samsung says to lower the resolution or refresh rate. p. 35
From the manual
- The 3.5 mm audio jack is a line-out for speakers and doesn't support headphones. p. 9
- The stand raises only 60 mm and doesn't turn to portrait; it tilts and swivels. pp. 10-11
- A wall-mount bracket must be rated for at least 52.8 kg (116 lb). p. 27
- The USB-C Prioritization setting trades full resolution for faster USB data; on a PC without DisplayPort 1.4, choosing speed reduces screen performance. pp. 38, 47
Editor's Notes
November 5, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
This pass read the user's guides for all nine picks and added a spec table, a section on why the Dell S2725QC leads, and setup notes from the manuals under each pick. Claims about early failures that no source could confirm gave way to each maker's warranty terms, and the guide now reports PCWorld's HDR advice accurately. LG's regional sites list the 32UN880-B as discontinued and major retailers list the Dell U4320Q the same way, so both may get harder to find new.
October 23, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
The Dell S2725QC takes the lead here because it pairs a smooth 120Hz 4K panel with one-cable laptop charging at a mid-range price. Nine of the ten earlier picks had aged out. The Philips 328E1CA, LG UL500 and Dell U2720Q are gone, the BenQ EW3280U is unavailable, and the Asus PA329C gave way to the ASUS ProArt PA329CRV. We also dropped the gaming Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ and XG438Q, the LG 27MD5KL, which is a 5K screen built for Macs, and the BenQ SW321C, a studio monitor priced far above the rest. The Dell U4320Q stays as the big-screen pick.
Lab reviews of the current Dell, LG and Samsung office models were scarce, so the ranking rests on makers' spec sheets, DisplayNinja's and PCWorld's advice on size, refresh rate and USB-C, and patterns in owner reports about early failures and laptop charging.
Earlier notes
July 23, 2021, by Christopher Thomas:
The industry is taking its time with the new crop of HDMI 2.1 monitors, but in the meantime, there are plenty of great models from the last two years that are still at the front of the pack. That said, there was little movement this round and we're confident in most of our previous picks. One important change was the addition of the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ, one of the finest gaming monitors on the planet. We were also forced to remove an Asus ProArt model partly because its local dimming function turned out to be more of a gimmick than a useful feature. Instead, we recommend photo and video editors consider the tried-and-true Asus PA329C. [2026 update: the PA329C has since given way to the ASUS ProArt PA329CRV, which is on the current list.]
July 21, 2020, by Christopher Thomas:
Home computers, and especially those meant for gaming, are finally reaching a point where 4K displays are a reasonable choice for many consumers. If you're looking for an all-around good-looking display, the Dell U2720Q is a great choice, and in some intangible ways, it looks better than almost any others. For considerably more space, consider the Dell U4320Q, which measures a whopping 43 inches diagonally. It's certainly no secret that Dell makes good displays with above-average production quality.
One of the benefits of the increased selection is much better deals on higher-quality monitors than were available in previous years. For everyday usage, it's hard to beat the LG UL500 in terms of price-to-performance ratio, while gamers on a moderate budget will appreciate the Acer CB282K. Our top pick, the Philips 328E1CA, is an especially capable choice that won't hurt your wallet too badly, either.
Moving up somewhat in price, there are some good mid-range options that various enthusiasts will be interested in. The Asus ROG Strix XG438Q is practically in a league of its own as far as gaming monitors go, as it measures 43 inches and offers a variable refresh rate up to 120 hertz. It's worth noting that this particular model generally gets better reviews than two similar options that succeeded it, and it also costs considerably less, making it an excellent choice for large-format gaming. Keep in mind, though, you will need a considerably powerful PC to take full advantage of it. The BenQ is another mid-level option that doesn't disappoint, just like most options from this popular enthusiast brand.
If you're willing to make a significant investment on something in the 32-inch size, It's hard to argue with the technologically advanced Asus PA32UC, one of the extremely rare PC displays with local dimming, a practically essentially feature for effective HDR viewing. Professional photo and video editors will also like the BenQ SW321C, which is one of the most accurate and advanced monitors available right now.
April 26, 2019, by Christopher Thomas:
We're impressed with the wide range of features and excellent build quality of some of the latest monitors. Models like the Philip E Series, Acer ET322QK, and low-end LG UL27 offer incredible bang for the buck in small sizes, while the ViewSonic and the Philips Momentum mid-range are excellent 43-inch units that don't cost an arm and a leg. Speaking of Philips, their Momentum display offers some of the best HDR performance around, and since it's as large as a TV, is a great complement to a mid-size home theater setup. If you're willing to spend a little more, the high-end LG 27UL and the Dell UltraSharp both offer an incredibly refined image.
For those who are okay with making a somewhat large investment, there are great options with a few different focuses. If you're a photo or video editor, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option than the BenQ. Its exceptional color accuracy and high-quality panel make it among the best professional options available. The Asus PG27UQ is a simply amazing piece of hardware, compete with some of the most cutting-edge technology around, but it's also one of the most expensive monitors on the market. The Acer Predator is a bit more affordable, and boasts hardware almost exactly as advanced, though some users report inconsistent quality control. But if you're looking for the all-around best, the LG UltraFine is incredibly hard to top. It boasts a useful and attractive 21:9 aspect ratio and one of the best pictures around, and while it's pretty costly, many users find it worth the price.
Special Honors
Dell UltraSharp U2725QE Dell's UltraSharp U2725QE is the office upgrade from the S2725QC: a 27-inch 4K screen with a panel built for deeper blacks than standard IPS, a built-in hub with a wired network port, and higher laptop charging. Wirecutter names it its top 4K pick for office work. Dell sells it directly, at well over twice the price of the S2725QC. dell.com
Screen Size And Text Scaling
A 31.5- or 32-inch model drops to about 140 pixels per inch, so text needs less enlarging and you keep more room for side-by-side windows.
Every 4K monitor has the same 3840 by 2160 pixels, so the screen size decides how sharp and how small everything looks. On a 27-inch screen that works out to about 163 pixels per inch, and DisplayNinja notes you'll need to scale up the interface for text to be readable. Many people set Windows or macOS to 125 to 150 percent, which gives roughly the workspace of a 1440p screen with much crisper letters.
A 31.5- or 32-inch model drops to about 140 pixels per inch, so text needs less enlarging and you keep more room for side-by-side windows. Around 43 inches, density falls near 103 pixels per inch, and DisplayNinja says screens from about 37 inches up need no scaling at all. The trade is desk space: a 43-inch panel like the Dell U4320Q is deep and heavy, and you sit back from it as you would from a small TV. For a typical desk with the screen an arm's length away, 27 or 32 inches is the sweet spot.
Refresh Rate, Ports And Cables
Most 4K monitors refresh 60 times a second, which is fine for documents, spreadsheets and video. A 100Hz or 120Hz screen makes scrolling and mouse movement look smoother, and that upgrade has become cheap on 27-inch office models. Playing games at 4K and 120 frames a second still takes a strong graphics card.
The cable matters as much as the screen. HDMI 2.0 tops out at 4K and 60Hz, so a 120Hz monitor needs DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1 to reach full speed. PCWorld calls USB-C the best input for most people because one cable carries video, data and laptop charging. Check the watts: a monitor that supplies 60 or 65 watts suits thin laptops, while larger laptops may want 90 watts or more. Look at the wattage printed on your laptop's own charger and pick a monitor that matches or beats it.
HDR Labels And Color
HDR on a budget 4K monitor is mostly a label. PCWorld notes that many 4K monitors support HDR but often deliver lackluster results, and it advises at least DisplayHDR 1000 or a DisplayHDR True Black rating for HDR worth having. The VESA DisplayHDR program grades screens by tier; DisplayHDR 400, the level on two picks here, is the entry tier, and plain HDR10 only means the screen accepts an HDR signal.
Color range is a more useful number. Coverage of 99 to 100 percent of sRGB is enough for office work, web browsing and most video. Photo and video editors should look for wide DCI-P3 coverage plus a factory calibration report, such as the ProArt PA329CRV's factory rating of under 2 Delta E, a measure of color error that most eyes can't spot. Don't overlook contrast: Dave Gershgorn, who covers monitors for Wirecutter and is a display calibrator certified by the Imaging Science Foundation, writes in Wirecutter's 2026 guide to 4K monitors that good contrast "is a little more important than having accurate color," since color errors can often be fixed by calibrating while weak contrast is harder to address. Panel type also matters: IPS screens keep color steady from the side, while VA panels have deeper blacks but can smear in dark scenes.
How we researched this
We compared 13 current 4K monitors and read the user's guides for all nine picks: Dell's for the S2725QC, P3225QE and U4320Q, LG's owner's manuals for the 27UP850, 32UP83A and 32UN880 series, the ASUS PA329CRV guide, Sceptre's U32 manual and Samsung's S27H71 guide, plus the makers' spec and U.S. warranty pages. DisplayNinja and PCWorld shaped the advice on size, refresh rate, USB-C and HDR, and Wirecutter the advice on contrast. Searches of CPSC and Health Canada recall notices found no recall of any of the nine models; the only Dell monitor recall CPSC lists dates from 1994. LG's regional sites list the 32UN880-B as discontinued, and major retailers list the Dell U4320Q the same way.
Sources (9)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best 4K monitor for general use?
For most home and office desks, the Dell S2725QC. It has a 27-inch IPS screen, refreshes up to 120Hz and can charge a laptop over one USB-C cable.
Is 4K worth it on a 27-inch monitor?
Yes, if you want sharp text. You'll usually scale the display to 125 to 150 percent, which keeps text readable and makes letters and photos look much crisper than on a 1440p screen.
What size 4K monitor is best for office work?
27 inches suits most desks. A 32-inch screen needs less text scaling and fits more windows, and a 43-inch screen can replace two or more monitors if your desk is deep enough.
Do I need a 120Hz 4K monitor?
Not for documents and video, where 60Hz is fine. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling and mouse movement smoother, and it's worth having if the price gap is small.
Do I need USB-C on a monitor?
Only if you use a laptop. USB-C carries video, data and charging in one cable. Match the monitor's charging watts to your laptop's charger.
Is HDR on a cheap 4K monitor worth paying for?
Rarely. DisplayHDR 400 is VESA's entry tier, and HDR10 only means the screen accepts an HDR signal. PCWorld advises DisplayHDR 1000 or True Black for HDR worth having.
