4K monitors are no longer considered a top end luxury, but rather a slightly higher priced upgrade from your standard 1080p monitor. Not only does this make them a lot more attractive to the standard buyer looking to upgrade their display, but it may be the next logical step as well.
After all, 4K monitors have a variety of use, with some specialising more so in one field than the other. This means that when it comes to choosing your specific 4K monitor, you might have a bit of a hard time, especially with the dozens of brands available, each with their own dozens of models.
So whether you’re a video editor looking for a colour accurate display, or a lightning-fast gamer that needs the lowest latency possible, we’ve selected the best 4K monitor for you to choose from.
Why It’s Our Top Pick
When it comes to the best of the best, it's really hard to beat out the Dell U2720Q. Feature packed with slim bezels and excellent image quality, there’s a whole lot to like about the device. From the USB-C input that can double as a device charger to the ergonomic stand that can easily convert the monitor into portrait mode; you won’t find much to complain about the monitor… unless you’re a gamer.
Overview
The Dell U2720Q can be best described as a jack-of-all-trades, excelling in just about every task you throw at it. Whether you’re watching Netflix or editing your photos in Photoshop, the monitor is more than equipped to handle it.
Image quality is excellent, not only because of the 4K resolution, but also the HDR10 support which makes colours vibrant and thrumming with life. It also helps that this 27 inch monitor sports one of the thinnest bezel we’ve ever seen, with less than a centimeter of border, making it a great option for a multi-monitor setup.
Performance
But that’s not where the feature ends. One of the more impressive things about the monitor is its vast port option. It has one DisplayPort, one HDMI port, and two USB-C inputs, one of which supports up to 90W of charging, meaning you don’t have to give up a separate port on your laptop if you’re planning on using your laptop’s USB-C as the video signal.
Still, this monitor isn’t without its shortcomings. When it comes to gaming capabilities, you’ll find the monitor a bit limiting, with the main cause being its 60hz display. Although 60hz is more than enough for your media consumption and web scrolling, you may find it lacking when playing esports titles, especially since it means you’re losing out on a competitive advantage.
Overview
Imagine immersing yourself in the vibrant and dynamic world of your favorite games, where every detail is crystal clear and the colors are richer than ever—that's the experience the ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q aims to offer!. This 28-inch monitor is designed to elevate your gaming sessions to a whole new level of enjoyment.
This monitor comes with a 4k (3840x2160) display and a dynamic range of colours for the best visuals for your gaming. It supports HDR technology and gives you a 90% colour gamut. Enjoy better-quality images when you’re playing games or watching movies with the ASUS VG289Q.
Specifications
- Display: 28 inches, 4K ( 3840x2160)
- Response Time: 5ms
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI(v2.0) x 2, 3.5 mm Audio Jack
- Contrast: 1,000:1
- Brightness: 350 nits
Who is it for?
If you're a gaming enthusiast seeking to upgrade your gaming setup with a monitor that delivers stunning visuals, the ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q is a fantastic choice. It's also great for movie buffs who appreciate high-quality images and vibrant colors.
If you’re looking at 4K monitors that can serve to help you with your productivity in terms of video and photo editing, then consider the Asus ProArt PA279CV. Colour accurate to a tee and tastefully designed, the Asus ProArt is designed for content creators looking for their first serious work monitor that won’t break their bank.
Overview
The Asus ProArt stands out among its own category of professional colour accurate displays. By adjusting its price point, it’s affordable for beginner but serious content creators who might not have enough money for a high-end expensive display.
But it not only ticks the box of being accurate and affordable. In fact, it also comes with exciting features like a 65W USB-C input which can both charge your laptop and receive its video signal at the same time. And there’s also the ergonomic stand, which offers a lot of freedom in adjusting your monitor to achieve the perfect view.
Performance
For a device that is obviously so creative centric, it is a bit of a shame that the design of the monitor itself is a bit dull to say the least. There isn’t really anything that makes the ArtPro stand out in terms of design, and although some might actually prefer that, it wouldn’t have hurt to add a bit of flair to the thing.
USB-C has really become the tech minimalist’s go to solution for everything, and it’s not hard to see why. Just through this one connection, you can charge your device, transfer data, and even transmit video and audio! So if you’re all about that minimalist lifestyle, you should consider the LG 27UP850.
Overview
From the get go, you can tell the monitor is a beautiful piece of work. The polished metal stand feels well built, and it's shaped so that it takes a minimal amount of space to prop up the monitor. Unfortunately, there’s very little mobility to adjust the monitor so you may get an undesirable viewing angle.
The ports are the main selling points of the monitor though. There are two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort and a a 3.5mm jack.
But the main star of the show is the USB-C input, which supports video and audio as well as charges your devices with up to 95W. This is more than enough for most laptops on the market, so now you don’t have to plug separate cables into your laptop whenever you use a monitor.
Performance
As for the monitor display itself, it's superb. Image quality is crisp and clean, with plenty of details to make out. The HDR makes colours vibrant and alive, not to mention it’s also respectably colour accurate.
There’s also a pair of speakers on the monitor, but they’re nothing special. Like almost every other monitor speaker, they’re on the softer-sounding side, but they’ll do if you don’t have any other options.
There’s a lot of reasons to choose a curved monitor. For instances, its curvature covers a wider area of your viewing angle so that the screen itself seems bigger and would be great for gaming as curved monitors are simply more immersive.
That, plus a 4K resolution, can give you a great experience, such as one with the Samsung LU32R590CWEXXM, or the Samsung 4K Curved Monitor.
Overview
There isn’t really a lot that can be said about the monitor itself. It’s got one DisplayPort 1.2 and a HDMI 2.0, which can be disappointing if you plan on using this monitor for multiple devices. For starters, there are no USB-C, no speakers, and the stand itself isn’t that adjustable.
Still, it does everything right where you need it for. Firstly, the 4K screen is absolutely gorgeous, with colours looking vibrant and the details unmatched. As for colour accuracy, although out of the box it isn’t the most accurate monitor, it's easy to look up the instructions online and change it through the setting.
Performance
As we’ve said, a curved monitor is perfect for gaming, although this monitor isn’t. Don’t get us wrong, the 4K panel itself is more than great, but the main problem lies in the measly 60hz refresh rate.
This makes the monitor harder to recommend for competitive games like CSGO and Call of Duty, but for some casual gaming the monitor is just about as perfect as it can get.
And since this monitor is priced super competitively around the curved 4K monitor market, we can’t help but forgive it for its flaws. Yes, there’s not a lot of bells and whistles features. But for what it does offer, it's certainly more than worth the price.
With a monitor, you’re almost always going to plug in something that’s capable of watching Netflix. But in fact, there’s a few good reasons to choose a smart monitor like Samsung’s 32 inch M7.
Overview
This 4K 32-inch monitor comes with something that you probably won’t find included with a lot of other monitors - a remote.
Although this may seem like a simple thing, you don’t realise how underrated having a remote for your monitor is. Being able to navigate through the menus with a dedicated remote instead of buttons hidden is such an improvement.
Still, that’s not all the monitor gives you. Wireless capability allows you to connect certain Samsung phones and use the DeX feature which turns your Android phone into a full blown desktop. There’s also apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus.
Performance
Now with all those fancy features, you might wonder if it's actually necessary, and the answer is not really. But isn’t that really the case with every fancy feature like this? Even so, some people like to separate their computer from their leisure time, and it helps that there’s even a dedicated Netflix button on the remote to make everything seamless.
As for the monitor itself, it's quite a decent one. Colours are nice and there’s a fair bit of detail visible on screen. Now, you might be thinking, what's actually the point of this fancy monitor if it costs twice as much as a standard one? The thing is, it isn’t.
While it costs a fair bit more than your usual 4K monitor but we’re sure many people would consider the slew of features it offers is more than what it’s worth.
Overview
While this is on the expensive side, the BenQ EX321OU comes with HDRi and true sound audio which will ensure that you can see and hear every detail of the content, be it games or videos. It also comes with an AI Noise-Cancelling Microphone which can adapt to your scenario. Plus, the microphone also has Private Mode which filters out the ambient sound, and Omnidirectional Mode which picks up the ambient sounds for that surround sound feel.
Specifications
- Display: 32 inches, 3840 x 2160
- Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
- Response Time: 2ms
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI(v2.1) x 2, USB 3.0 x 5
- Contrast: 1,000:1
- Brightness: 200 nits
Who is it for?
Console users will enjoy the BenQ EX321OU, especially since it has two HDMI inputs, and the fact that it supports HDR and FreeSync. You can also adjust the height, tilt, and swivel for optimal posture and comfort when you’re gaming or doing work.
For the students out there who want a 4K monitor but don’t want to spend a lot, then you might want the BenQ EL2870U.
Overview
The BenQ EL2780U is definitely one of the more popular monitors on the market, not just because of its price but for the quality it offers as well. Its 28 inch panel is great for all purposes, whether you’re using it for media consumption or even movies.
Colours are bright and moderately accurate, and it produces crisp detailed images that are an absolute delight to the eyes. While the 1ms response time is great for competitive gamers looking for that extra edge in gaming, but the 60hz refresh rate is admittedly limiting.
Performance
There’s a respectable amount of ports on the monitor, with 2 HDMI ports and 1 DisplayPort. You’d also get a pair of 2W speakers which, like every other monitor speaker on the market, aren’t the best but will do in a pinch.
This definitely isn’t the best 4K monitor available, and you can probably get a lot more by spending just a bit more, but if you’re just upgrading from a standard 1080p monitor, then you’re gonna love this.
FAQ:
- Is a 4K monitor worth it?
Because 4K monitors have become more widespread and just become generally more accessible, we thought it’d be a good idea to break down why you should probably consider getting one.
Future-proofed:
- Just like when 1080p overtook 720p, 4K is going to do the same to it.
- In fact, more and more services, whether it’s gaming, streaming, or even web browsing, have support for 4K resolutions.
Great upgrade from 1080p:
- Two, it looks noticeably better than 1080p. There is a world of difference between the two resolutions, and that’s a real advantage when you’re watching 4K media.
- Whether it’s the latest Netflix series or even a YouTube video, you can’t help but just be impressed at how sharp and detailed everything looks.
Productivity-boost:
- And finally, productivity reasons. This may not apply if your definition of productivity is typing out word documents day in and day out. But if you’re working in content creation, then you might actually need a 4K monitor.
- After all, editing in 4K can help your workflow better since it gives you a sharper resolution to work with.
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