Enjoy high-resolution with the top 4K monitors
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This guide includes:
Editor’s note: August 2022
We are seeing a lot more 4K monitors with high refresh rates as we move into the second half year. These 4K monitors aren’t necessarily the most expensive, but you can still find great monitor deals for 4K displays, especially if youre okay with the 60Hz refresh rate.
John Loeffler, US Computing Editor
There are many options for the best 4K monitors, depending on your needs.
These monitors are in the middle of the best 5K, 8K, and 1080p monitors. They are becoming increasingly popular as the best midrange option for many people searching for a new monitor.
While the best 1440p Monitors are a great choice, it is clear that 4K is becoming the industry standard for the most monitors.
We have compiled our top picks for 4K monitors, so that you can choose the right monitor for you and your budget.
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Our experts have selected the best 4K monitors for 2022
Best affordable 4K monitor for productivity
Specifications
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
1.07 billion colors supported by color support
Weight: 16.2 lbs
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There are many reasons to buy
+Classy design+Great looking screen+Unique multitasking features like PiP
Avoidable reasons
-No USB C-Slow response rate
The 4K Dell monitor is beautiful inside and out. Its woven arctic-white design makes it stand out from the crowd of gray and black monitors. Its display is also excellent. It has a 4K resolution, a contrast ratio at 3,000:1, 1.07 billion colors, a 4ms response speed, and a viewing angle of 178/178. These features together produce vivid, sharp and vibrant visuals that can be used for media consumption and productivity.
Multitaskers will love the extra features such as Picture-in-Picture or Picture-by-Picture. You’re getting great value for the price. While you can find something similar to the BenQ EW3270U for a comparable price, you will miss the curved screen as well as the suite of multitasking capabilities offered by Dell.
Best 4K monitor for photographers
Specifications
Screen size: 32-inch
Aspect ratio 16:9
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Brightness: 250 cd/m2
Response time: 5 minutes
Viewing angle: 178/178
Contrast ratio: 1,000:1
Color support: 99% AdobeRGB, 95% P3, 100% sRGB
Weight: 25.6kg
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There are many reasons to buy
+Improved brightness and colour uniformity+USB-C connectivity+Hardware calibration with 16-bit LUT precision
Avoidable reasons
-The main connection bay is difficult to reach – ‘Paper Color Sync’ needs to be refined to be truly useful
Pro-level displays no longer seem like the expensive, difficult-to-reach purchase they were once. The BenQ SW321C PhotoVue has been a good example. This UHD display is specifically designed for photo editing. It has a perfect combination of 4K resolution with a 32-inch panel. This UHD display is also a step up in terms of performance, usability, and features.
It has a wide range of colors, with 99% of the Adobe RGB and 95% DCI-P3 color spaces. This is exactly what you need for your career in cinematography and photography. This is on top of the many other features such as Delta E =2 color accuracy in Adobe RGB, sRGB, HDR10 and HDLG support. The SW321C also has the essential elements to ensure that your prints are exactly like what you see on-screen. This monitor is one of the most powerful 4K photo editing tools you will find. The best part? It’s cheaper than any other.
3. Gigabyte M32UC curved gaming screen
This is the best 4K gaming monitor available for most people
Specifications
Screen size: 31.5-inch
Aspect ratio 16:9
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160p
Refresh rate: 144Hz (160Hz OC w/ DisplayPort 1.4)
Brightness: 350 cd/m2
Response time: 1ms
Viewing angle: 178/178
Contrast ratio: 3,000:1
HDR: VESA displayHDR400
Color support: 93% DCI-P3, 123% sRGB
Today’s Top Deals
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There are many reasons to buy
+Superb image quality and performance+Lots connectivity options+Great value
Avoidable reasons
-Speakers can be terrible. Base display settings need some tweaking
The M32UC from Gigabyte is a great choice for multiplatform gamers who are looking for a 32-inch gaming monitor that can handle 4K @ 144Hz gaming.
HDR400 support is okay, but not great. However, with a decent amount of ports and other useful functions, as well as a snappy pixel response and excellent color gamut coverage, this monitor is great looking and has a satisfying performance.
This curved gaming monitor is a great value when you consider the price. The built-in speakers are not very good. They barely do the job.
4. Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q
Best affordable 4K monitor for gaming
Specifications
Screen size: 28-inch
Aspect ratio 16:9
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Brightness: 350 cd/m^2
Response time: 5ms
Viewing angle: 178/178
Contrast ratio: 1,000:1
Color support: 90% color gamut, 1073.7M (10bit)
Weight: 7.6kg
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View at Conrad Electronic
There are many reasons to buy
+Incredibly affordable+Super flexible viewing positions+Stunning, exact colors
Avoidable reasons
-Some stuttering at higher settings-Not true HDR
The Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q is a great value, especially when you consider the low price. This 28-inch 4K monitor is one of the most affordable currently available. It can pivot, tilt, and swivel in almost any direction you require (within reason, naturally). This is one of the most ergonomic monitors that we have ever tested.
To be a great monitor, you need more than just great ergonomics. The monitor also features a slim bezel and a clever cable management system. There are also a few settings that can enhance your viewing experience, and adaptive-synchronization for smoother gaming. This monitor is a great choice for both gamers and regular users who use a lot of visual media. It has vivid colors, sharp images, and a design that is not overtly gaming-centric.
5. LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL
Excellent 4K monitor for content creation
Specifications
Screen size: 24 inches
Aspect ratio 16:9
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Brightness: 540 cd/m2
Response time: 14ms
Contrast ratio: 1,200:1
Support for color: 1.07 billion
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There are many reasons to buy
+Incredible color accuracy+Bright, vivid+USB C and Thunderbolt 3 compatibility
Avoidable reasons
-Expensive, thick bezels
The LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL–B is a great choice for 4K enthusiasts, particularly if you’re a videographer or photographer who needs all that extra real estate and high resolution. The Ultrafine 24MD4KL-B boasts a 98% DCI P3 color gamut, typical brightness of 540 nits, and an adjustable height-and tilt stand that allows you to create a relaxed workflow that allows you to focus on your creative process. This is in addition to the Thunderbolt 3 port, which supports 4K Daisy Chain, so you can have multiple monitors. Its color accuracy is amazing, too.
This 4K display will go well with your Mac, MacBook, or Ultrabook, thanks to its 4K resolution and a multitude of ports. This display is a great choice, even though it comes with hefty bezels and a mid-range price tag. This display is a good choice for novice photo and video editors.
The best 4K monitor for graphic designers and photographers
Specifications
Screen size: 27-inch
Aspect ratio 16:9
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Brightness: 350 cd/m2
Response time: 5 minutes
Contrast ratio: 1,300:1
Support for color: 1.07 billion
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View at Conrad Electronic
There are many reasons to buy
+Color-accurate display +Ample desktop real estate
Avoidable reasons
No USB Type-C
The BenQ PD2700U is the perfect 4K monitor for you if you are looking for something simple and affordable. It’s still a stunning 27-inch 4K monitor. Its IPS panel was color accurate and high quality. It is 100% Rec.709 and sRGB compatible, making it a great choice for graphic designers and photographers. There are three modes: Darkroom, CAD/CAM, and Animation Mode. These modes can be used for different tasks. DualView and KVM Switch allow for multitasking. It also features BenQ’s AQCOLOR technology which allows each unit to be pre-calibrated right out of the box.
The BenQ PD2700U is a great monitor. It has a lot of pixels which is what you really need. Although it isn’t the most expensive 4K monitor, it’s well worth the investment for graphic designers and professional photographers.
Excellent 144Hz 4K monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 27-inch
Aspect ratio 16:9
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Brightness: 1,000 cd/m2 (peak)
Response time: 4ms
Contrast ratio: 1,000:1, 5,000:1 (HDR)
Adobe RGB color support: 99%
Today’s Top Deals
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There are many reasons to buy
+Otherworldly image quality+GSync HDR technology+Low reaction time
Avoidable reasons
-Ludicrous cost-Needs to have a powerful computer
Although 4K monitors are becoming more common, even with less powerful hardware, there is still one monitor that can make all the difference. One of these monitors is the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ. Asus has created a 4K gaming display with HDR, 1000 nits brightness and professional-level color support – 97% DCI P3 and 130% sRGB. It renders all of this at 144Hz, with G-Sync.
Only a handful of monitors can boast as many features as this Asus monitor. That’s why it is one of the most popular 4K monitors. This advanced monitor will cost you a lot. This monitor is a great gaming monitor and well worth the price.
Read the complete Asus ROG SWITCH PG27UQ Review
8. LG 32UN880 UltraFine Display Ergo
Most ergonomic 4K monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 32-inch
Aspect ratio 16:9
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Brightness: 350 cd/m2
Response time: 4ms
Viewing angle: 178/178
Contrast ratio: 1,000:1
Color support: sRGB 100%
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There are many reasons to buy
+Versatile monitor stand+Beautiful picture quality
Avoidable reasons
-Not bright enough to achieve true HDR
The LG 32UN880 UltraFine LCD Ergo has done something very cool. It has chosen a C-Clamp One-Click Mount instead of the standard mount and stand that all monitors use. This allows it to pivot, tilt, extend and retract like no other. It clamps on to the edge of your desk and reduces the monitor’s footprint. This monitor’s versatility has been increased to 11. This monitor is by far the most ergonomic we have ever tested.
There’s more. You will also be amazed at the color accuracy and stunning picture quality. It’s also extremely affordable, so you don’t have to burn a lot of cash. The HDR10 compatibility and 350 nits brightness are both a bit disappointing. This is still a great recommendation for gamers and creatives.
Gaming monitor in 4K at the most affordable price
Specifications
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
Support for color: 1.07 billion
Today’s Top Deals
View at Amazon
There are many reasons to buy
+Very low price for a 28-inch monitor+FreeSync technology+Impressive colour accuracy
Avoidable reasons
-No VESA mount -No speakers
Although 4K monitors won’t be as affordable as TVs, some do offer them at a fraction of the cost. AOC’s 28-inch TN panel has some great extras that make it even more affordable. The AOC U2879VF was a powerful product that delivered excellent color accuracy.
There are compromises. It does not have speakers or a VESA mounting. It makes up for this by offering a few additional features, such as FreeSync technology and a Picture in Picture feature. It is a great choice for those who enjoy playing with different types of software, such as photo editing and gaming. It also makes a great business monitor, and it’s a great deal if you need to purchase a few.
Premium 4K gaming monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 27-inch
Aspect ratio 16:9
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Brightness: 1,000 cd/m2 (peak)
Response time: 4ms
Contrast ratio: 1,000:1
Support for color 16.7 million
Today’s Top Deals
Check Amazon
There are many reasons to buy
+Great HDR+High refresh rates+144Hz and 4K are a dream come true
Avoidable reasons
Very expensive – Requires serious hardware in order to play the game
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A monitor that is capable of keeping up with your gaming computer’s performance is essential. Although there are many options, we recommend the Acer Predator X27. It is a 27-inch 4K display with HDR and a refresh rate at 144Hz. This makes it perfect for esports or fast-paced games. You can compete in 4K with the same horsepower as someone playing 1080p.
As you might expect from a spec sheet such as this, it is very expensive. You get a lot more. Gamers will love the Nvidia G-Sync and pre-set modes. Video game designers will also appreciate the 99% Adobe RGB. The stand is also great and ergonomic. The Acer Predator X27 has everything you need to power your gaming PC.
View the Acer PredatorX27 review
How to select the right 4K monitor
It is crucial to know what you should look for in a 4K monitor before making a decision. It is important to determine the ideal panel size for your setup.
If you intend to use yours for creative workflows, make sure it has excellent color accuracy, the right colors spaces for your work and higher contrast ratios. You should also consider the refresh rate if you intend to use it for gaming. Some 4K monitors offer 120Hz or 144Hz refresh rates, a faster response time, G-Sync and FreeSync support.
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You should also consider the aspect ratio, viewing angles, and HDR capabilities.
Let’s not forget about the price. While 4K displays can still be quite expensive, there are many options that are more affordable than others. The more expensive models with a lot of extras are worth it if you have the budget.
How to test 4K monitors
A 4K monitor is tested just like any other monitor. It is set up, and we use it for a few days as our main monitor. It’s used for daily tasks, streaming movies and shows, as well as playing AAA games, particularly if it’s a Gaming monitor. This is how we measure its real-world performance.
However, we do much more. We test specific features such as color reproduction, refresh rates, and response times. We ensure that visuals are clear, smooth, and free of artifacts. We also check the quality of its marquee features, such as HDR, adaptive sync technology and RGB lighting.
Then, we take note of its design, build, and other physical features such as ports, bezels and viewing angles.
We then compare all of that information to the price to determine if it is a good value for consumers.
Is it worth buying a 4K monitor?
You will get stunning visuals from the best 4K monitors. They are compatible with your gaming console, PS5, Xbox Series X and all recent UHD movies and shows. You should consider buying the best 4K monitor if you are a fan of high-definition media and play the latest games.
It might be worth upgrading to a 4K display if you aren’t a regular gamer but still want to buy a new monitor. High-definition seems to be the future of standard resolution, so it may be a good idea to upgrade to a 4K monitor. Even if you don’t watch much YouTube, a 4K display will make a big difference.
Are 4K benefits for office work?
The biggest advantage of 4K resolution is the increased screen real estate. This means that you will have more room to work with. Multitasking is possible with 4K resolution. The more screen real estate you have the better you can open tabs, windows, and applications that you can make available immediately.
For office work, 4K monitors may not be necessary. You might find it beneficial to have one, especially if your job requires you to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
What size monitor is best for 4K?
Many people say 4K looks great on panels that are 24-, 27- and 32 inches. Others love it on panels that are 43 inches. It all depends on how close you are to your display and how large your desk is.
Keep in mind that a 24-inch panel will have a 4K resolution, which makes text smaller and more difficult to read. While display scaling can improve your experience, not all apps are capable of being scaled to the perfect size.
A huge 43-inch screen is too big for most people, especially if your computer is used for productivity purposes. You will also need a lot of space on your desk.
Most people believe that a 32-inch panel will be the best size for 4K resolution. This size is ideal for enjoying the incredibly sharp, detailed Ultra HD goodness.
