The Best 4K Monitors
As the relentless march of technological advancement accelerates ever faster, the ability to purchase high-end gadgets becomes that much easier. Powerful 4K monitors are quickly becoming industry the standard, and you need only look to understand why. Jaw-dropping contrast ratios, stunning color accuracy, and blistering-fast refresh rates make 4K monitors the preferred choice for the world's PCs. Whether you're a work-from-home professional, gaming fanatic, or somewhere in-between, we're certain our list of the best 4K monitors can help you find the perfect pick.
What to Look For
We wanted to recommend only the best of the best 4K monitors, so we used four main questions to guide our search: Is the picture quality crisp, colorful, and vivid? Does the 4K resolution come at the cost of lower refresh rates? Is the price fair considering the specs? Is the response time fast? Our favorite came from LG since their IPS option offered brilliant colors that do video games and movies justice. But the 60Hz framerate might not be enough for serious gamers, which is why we also recommend checking out Acer’s Predator XB273K. The 144Hz refresh rate combines with the 4K resolution to provide the ultimate gamer experience. For more of our in-depth reviews, read on.
LG 27UK850-W UHD IPS Monitor
If you’re looking for the all-around champion of 4K performance, look no further than the LG 27UK850-W. This high-def computer monitor utilizes IPS, or ‘in-plane switching’ technology, to deliver vivid colors and a crisp display. IPS liquid crystal displays are aligned in parallel sequences and can move horizontally, so they also allow for wider viewing angles and darker black colors. To put it simply, this display is beautiful. Plus, the 27UK850-W boasts several ports, including DP and USB-C, lightning-fast response times, and a sleek product design.
Pros:
- Perfect colors, sharp display, and no light bleed make this monitor a top contender. It’s on par with its competitors’ models for a fraction of the cost.
- Connection is easy and intuitive, especially for those that want to hook up their laptops via USB-C.
Cons:
- The power brick is external, so it can contribute to the clutter of wires behind your PC.
Dell S2721QS Ultra-Thin Bezel Monitor
Thinning out the competition
Another formidable display in the 4K space, Dell’s S2721QS Ultra-Thin Bezel Monitor is elegant, affordable, and packs a powerful punch. While you might not be winning any MLG matches with this anytime soon, the S2721QS has a respectable 60Hz refresh rate, 4ms response time, and AMD FreeSync technology. The latter feature is a free-to-use synchronization technology that helps smooth the difference between multimedia frame rate and your monitor’s refresh rate, making an immense difference in your gaming and viewing experiences.
Pros:
- Picture quality is great for such a low cost, and text appears crisp, clear, and easy on the eyes.
- The built-in speakers and multiple ports on the back of the device make this a great monitor for gaming and multitasking.
Cons:
- Even though it has plenty of ports, none of them are USB.
BenQ EW3270U 4K IPS Monitor
Ready to entertain
BenQ’s EW3270U IPS Monitor is a spectacular display with formidable specs and a near-edgeless design. Coming in at 32 inches, this 4K UHD monitor is a favorite of gamers and creators alike, with a litany of features guaranteed to rope you in at first glance. One of the preeminent design innovations baked into BenQ’s hardware is the Brightness Intelligence Plus and Eye-Care technologies. By limiting exposure to harmful blue light and adjusting brightness in line with content and ambient conditions, BenQ’s display gives you the right point of view without adding undue stress to your eyes.
Pros:
- This monitor can charge a Macbook Pro and has easy connectivity using USB-C. If you’re a MAC IOS user, this is as simple as it gets.
- Crisp, clear display in 4K makes this monitor a bargain for the price. Text is easy to read and the colors are pristine.
Cons:
- The monitor display menu isn’t the most user-friendly.
Acer Predator XB273K UHD Monitor
Power to the players
When you’re looking for a PC monitor that can actively improve your gaming with unmatched display technology, Acer sits at the top of the heap. While most UHD monitors have top-of-the-line contrast ratios or color temperature, few can simultaneously claim world-class gaming specs. The Acer Predator XB273K Monitor is VESA-certified to a luminance range of 400, can achieve a response time of 1ms, and can be overclocked to a 144 Hz refresh rate. Triple-A games require high-end computing hardware and display hardware; Acer’s Predator will set the bar for performance and presentation every time.
Pros:
- This monitor has plenty of brightness on tap, so there’s no need to run at 100% brightness. In addition, there’s little to no light bleeding.
- The colors are vibrant and accurate with good contrast, giving this monitor a stellar 4K picture.
Cons:
- Setup is a bit complicated and may take some time.
UPERFECT 4K Computer Monitor
A screen for the traveler
UPERFECT’s 4K Computer Monitor is the portable pc solution we’ve all been waiting for. At a stout 15.6 inches, UPERFECT has come up with an ideal on-the-go accessory that will make road trips, campouts, and vacations more entertaining than ever. With this monitor, you can connect seamlessly with Thunderbolt 3.0, USB-C, HDMI, and USB3.1. Most shocking of all, the UPERFECT 4K Computer Monitor sports a 100W capability, a max response time of 3 to 5ms, and unmatched portable convenience.
Pros:
- This monitor has a lightweight body and can run on just one USB-C cable. That makes this easy to transport and even easier to set up.
- Picture quality features HDR 10 for an extreme range of brightness and color. It also produces crisp text at any resolution.
Cons:
- The included power cord is delicate.
Out Tips and Tricks
Before going out to buy your new monitor, we recommend evaluating your needs and current computer setup. You probably want to find a monitor that suits your primary use, whether it’s gaming, streaming, coding, editing, or designing. You also want a monitor that’s compatible with your computer and operating system. Once you’ve figured that out, we recommend that in addition to doing your research on blogs or website threads, you should check out some Youtube reviews. There are plenty of great Youtubers who review different monitors and pieces of tech gear, complete with images, video, and commentary. Some channels you should look into are Monitor Nerds, Hardware Unboxed, PC Centric, and more. These can be a great resource for getting visual aids on your top choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What features are unique to 4K gaming monitors?
4K Gaming monitors possess the same high resolution of monitor best suited for image editing or movies in addition to high-end specifications aimed at improving your response time while gaming. If you’re gaming in any serious setting, you’ll need a refresh rate greater than or equal to 120Hz, a response rate of 3ms or faster, and a syncing technology capable of reducing screen tear.
What does 4K really mean?
4K is a shorthand expression of the total number of horizontal pixels in a video display. As far as modern televisions or computer monitors are concerned, ultra high definition resolution, or UHD, is 3840 horizontal pixels by 2160 vertical pixels.
About the Author
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.