Ultra HD monitors (UHD or 4K for short) are the next step in the evolution of media and PC gaming. Buying a PC monitor or TV for the living room in 2023 would likely be a display with a 4K resolution. Comprising 8,294,400 pixels, 4K screens allow considerably more content (and detail) to be shown. Whether you're smashing Covenant skulls in Halo or enjoying yet another run-through of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it'll look great on one of these 4K monitors.
Our top 4K monitor picks in 2023
LG 32UN650-W
Our favorite 4K monitor
- Brand
- LG
- Screen Size
- 32-inch
- Display Technology
- IPS
- HDR
- HDR10
- Resolution
- 3840 x 2160
For those who want the sharpest image quality possible, the LG UltraFine 32UN650-W is a great 4K monitor that nails the basics for work. It's a sharp 27-inch panel that covers 95% of DCI-P3, plus it supports HDR 10 so you can enjoy HDR content. This is an IPS panel so it offers great viewing angles, and AMD FreeSync support also ensures a smooth experience while gaming.
- Gorgeous screen
- Good gaming performance
- FreeSync support
- 60 Hz refresh rate
- Weak HDR
LG, as you probably already know, is one of the most popular monitor manufacturers. The company has many great monitors in its portfolio, including some of the best 4K gaming monitors you can buy on the market. The LG UltraFine 32UN650-W is one of those monitors, and we think it's great for office productivity, basic day-to-day tasks, casual gaming, and more. The LG UltraFine monitor that we've mentioned here has a 32-inch IPS panel with a max resolution of 3840x2160. This IPS display has a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz and a response time of 5ms. It's not meant to be used as a gaming monitor, but it can be used by casual gamers for occasional gaming sessions.
The IPS 4K panel used for this particular monitor covers 95% of the DCI-P3 color space and has HDR10 support, which means it's also a great panel for creative professionals. It's also said to be color-calibrated out of the box, which is great. The ergonomic stand also deserves special mention here as it lets you adjust the monitor in a variety of angles and offers good stability. All things considered, we think the LG UltraFine 32UN650-W is one of the best 4K monitors you can buy when it comes to day-to-day office or productivity workloads.
LG UltraGear 27GN950-B 4K monitor
The best 4K screen to frag on
- Screen Size
- 27-inch
- Resolution
- 3840 x 2160
- Max. Refresh Rate
- 144 Hz
- Connectivity
- 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DP 1.4, 3x USB 3.0
- Brand
- LG
Looking for the best 4K monitor for gaming? You've just found it with the impressive LG UltraGear 27GN950-B. It's very capable and bright and will make all your favorite PC games look stunning.
- Great gaming performance
- Good connectivity
- 144 Hz refresh rate
- Weaker HDR
There are a few options in LG's UltraGear family, but we've picked the UltraGear 27GN950-B 4K monitor for this collection. It's a bit on the expensive side, but it delivers a great gaming experience with a ton of high-end features. The LG UltraGear 27GN950-B sports a 27-inch 4K panel. We're looking at a 16:9 aspect ratio and a maximum resolution of 3840x2160. This particular monitor also supports up to 144Hz refresh rate, which means it's also great for online multiplayer titles. It's also among the fastest panels out there right now thanks to a superfast response rate of 1ms. The LG 27GN950-B also supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync for gaming, making it better than a lot of other options out there. The LG UltraGear 27GN950-B delivers a peak brightness of 600 nits (HDR) and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1. One of the best things about this monitor is that it also covers up to 95% of DCI-P3 color space and carries the VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification.
In terms of design, the LG UltraGear 27GN950-B looks modern. What we like the most about this monitor is that it's got a very simple design that'll fit into most setups without any issues. A lot of gaming monitors tend to have obnoxious designs with a ton of RGB lighting and sharp edges, but LG has decided to keep this one very simple. There's a ring of RGB LEDs at the back of the monitor but you can't really see it from the front and it makes the back of the monitor glow with subtle lighting. The LG UltraGear 27GN950-B also offers a great gaming experience with plenty of different modes to choose from. This one also features an HDR mode that works well with a lot of apps and games on Windows. As long as you have the hardware to push 4K gaming, then we think you'll have a great overall experience with this monitor. In terms of port selection, this LG UltraGear 4K monitor comes with two HDMI 2.0 ports and a single DisplayPort 1.4 along with three USB 3.0 ports.
We would point out that it doesn't have any built-in speakers, so you'll have to rely on either a headset or an external speaker system for your audio. While there are plenty of Samsung Odyssey monitors to choose from, we're adding the Samsung Odyssey G7 28-inch variant to this particular collection. The Samsung Odyssey G7 S28AG70 comes with an IPS panel, just like a lot of other monitors mentioned in this particular list. We're looking at a 28-inch UHD display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a maximum resolution of 3840x2160. The Odyssey G7 S28AG70 also comes with support for up to 144Hz refresh rate and a superfast response rate of 1ms. The panel used in this monitor is rated to have a peak brightness of 400 nits and a contrast ratio of 1000:1.
Samsung Odyssey G70A
A very close second for our favorite gaming experiences
The Samsung Odyssey G70A is an impressive gaming monitor for the price, rocking a 4K panel in a 28-inch or 32-inch frame. There are plenty of connection points, a high refresh rate, and lightning-fast reflexes for gaming.
- G-Sync and FreeSync
- High refresh rate
- Great visuals
- Weak HDR
Samsung makes some excellent gaming monitors that the Odyssey G70A is one of them. The model we're recommending here is the 28-inch version with full VESA mounting support for aftermarket monitor arms and brackets. Certification for HDR400 is great but falls short of what's available in more expensive gaming monitors. This screen doesn't get bright enough, but that doesn't mean it's not good for enjoying movies and games. The 144Hz refresh rate is right up there with the very best gaming screens, and so too is the 1ms response time, which makes this a contender for even more powerful gaming setups.
Whether an Nvidia or AMD GPU is present won't be an issue with the Odyssey G70A as full support for both G-Sync and FreeSync are available for butter-smooth gameplay. Samsung also managed to include its CoreSync technology, which essentially creates a light show behind the monitor, matching what's currently being displayed. We've seen similar tech make its way to TVs. And to get the very best ergonomics, Samsung allows the display to alter swivel, tilt, pivot, and height positions. In order to connect everything to the display, there's a single DisplayPort 1.4 DSC for 4K 144Hz with PCs and two HDMI 2.1 for 4K 120Hz with the new consoles. You also get three USB 3.0 ports and a 3.5mm jack.
This is one of the better gaming monitors in this collection and one we'd even recommend for those who frequently enjoy watching movies and videos on their PC.
ASUS ProArt Display PA329CV
An excellent choice for getting more work done
- Screen Size
- 32 inches
- Resolution
- 6K
- Aspect Ratio
- 16:9
- Ports
- HDMI, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4
The Asus ProArt PA329CV is a 4K display designed for video editors with an expansive 32-inch IPS panel, 100% sRGB and 100% Rec. 709 wide color gamut scores for high color accuracy, and is factory calibrated so it's good to go once unboxed.
- Stunning picture quality
- Calibrated at the factory
- Great connectivity
- 60 Hz refresh rate
- Weaker HDR
The Asus ProArt PA329CV is a serious piece of kit. This 32-inch IPS monitor has a resolution of 3840x2160 and the content displayed will look good from almost every angle. What sets this monitor apart from the competition is the Calman certification for factory calibration, which manages to score 100% of the sRGB and Rec. 709 color spaces for color accuracy. Whether working with video, photos, or other creative use, the PA329CV will ensure it's displayed as intended. And being designed for creative use, Asus made sure the PA329CV can be adjusted in just about any way you could imagine.
Response time clocks in at 5ms, which isn't terrible and is what we'd expect from an IPS monitor at this price point. Various ports are available on the rear of this monitor, consisting of USB-C, DisplayPort 1.2, and two HDMI 2.0, as well as an internal USB hub with four USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports. Integrated speakers are present, though we'd recommend picking up the best headphones you can afford when working with audio.
Supporting VESA HDR400 is a nice touch, but those who have used more expensive HDR monitors with a brightness of 1,000 nits or above will find the PA329CV's HDR support lacking. The 60Hz refresh rate could also prove to be a problem if you're accustomed to enjoying smoother 75Hz or 120Hz screens. But these are minor complaints when taking into account how much the Asus ProArt PA329CV gets right and it's all the most important stuff. Should you be a creative professional, especially a photographer, then we can't recommend the Asus ProArt PA329CV enough.
BenQ PhotoVue SW321C
This is the screen to buy if you work with media
- Brand
- BenQ
- Screen Size
- 31.5-inch
- Display Technology
- IPS
- HDR
- HDR10
- Resolution
- 3840 x 2160
The BenQ PhotoVue SW321C is the 4K display for photographers, thanks to its perfect calibration for color accuracy, USB-C connectivity, and other useful features for the budding creator.
- Stunning color accuracy
- Calibrated at the factory
- Great connectivity
- Expensive
- 60 HZ refresh rate
- Not the brightest
Should you be a creative professional, especially a photographer, then we can't recommend the BenQ PhotoVue SW321C enough. This particular monitor has plenty of great features on offer and we think it has a great panel for processing footage. It carries an expensive price tag, although that's true for almost all the high-end 4K monitors that are aimed at creative professionals. This particular BenQ 4K monitor is available in a couple of different panel size options, but we've picked the 32-inch variant for this collection. You can also choose to buy the 27-inch version if you think the 32-inch size is too big for your setup. They're both great and have the same features, so you're not missing out on anything.
The BenQ PhotoVue SW321C sports a 10-bit IPS panel that covers up to 99% of Adobe RGB, up to 100% of sRGB, and up to 95% of the DCI-P3 space. This makes it one of the most color-accurate panels in this collection, if not the most. The BenQ PhotoVue SW321C comes with factory calibration but you should be able to use any hardware calibration tools to get it up and running for your workload. For video creators, this monitor also has Calman support for LightSpace video calibration along with HDR10 and HLG video input.
There's also a lot to talk about the design of this monitor, so let's get to it. This particular 4K version of the monitor has sizable bezels around the panels, but the QHD version has slimmer ones. Another important thing to note about this particular monitor is that it comes with a Hotkey puck with which you can handle various controls of the monitor without having to reach for the buttons on the bezels. This circular puck is a handy tool to have as it lets you choose between modes, adjust the brightness, and more. In terms of port selection, the BenQ PhotoVue SW321C comes with two HDMI 2.0 ports, a USB Type-C and Type-B ports along with a DisplayPort. It's not the best gaming panel out there as it doesn't support high-refresh rates or super fast response times, but we think it should be enough for casual gamers.
Gigabyte M28U 4K
Enjoy all your favorite PC games at 4K without the high cost
- Screen Size
- 28-inch
- Resolution
- 3840 x 2160
- Max. Refresh Rate
- 144 Hz
- Connectivity
- 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DP 1.4, 1x USB-C
Gigabyte's M28U may not be the most affordable 4K monitor you will come across, but we feel it strikes the perfect balance between price and features. Even if you don't play games, this is still a worthy contender for your desk.
- Great gaming performance
- Good connectivity
- 144 Hz refresh rate
- Not the best visuals
- Weaker HDR
Gigabyte has a few solid panels out there for gaming, but the company also makes a few reliable budget monitors that we think are worth considering. If you are one of those users who are looking to buy a reliable budget 4K monitor for your setup, then we think the mighty Gigabyte M28U is worth considering. It's also featured in our best 4K gaming monitors collection. One of the best things about this particular 4K monitor is that it's priced under $600, making it one of the more affordable options in this round-up. That being said, it still packs a lot of great features and doesn't skimp on any essentials. The 28-inch IPS panel is wrapped by minimal bezels on all sides, with only a minor chin at the bottom.
Being an IPS screen, you can expect good image quality, but lighter blacks compared to VA monitors. It's capable of handling HDR content and is certified as supporting DisplayHDR 400, but the content won't "pop" like it would on vastly brighter (and more expensive) panels. It's accurate for color reproduction and will happily allow you to work through the day and enjoy some gaming downtime in the evening. For gaming, the display is extremely quick with a 1ms response time and 144Hz refresh rate. You'll be able to hook up all your devices thanks to the array of ports at hand. There are two USB-A 3.0 ports, two HDMI 2.1 ports, and a single DisplayPort 1.4 port for connecting just about anything.
Dell S2721QS
Our favorite 4K monitor on a budget
- Brand
- Dell
- Screen Size
- 27-inch
- Display Technology
- IPS
- Resolution
- 3840 x 2160
- Aspect Ratio
- 16:9
The Dell S2721QS is one of the best-looking budget 27-inch 4K monitors you'll find out there now. While this is technically a gaming monitor, it supports HDR and has 99% sRGB color coverage, so images will look spectacular.
- Affordable
- Good color accuracy
- AMD FreeSync support
- 60 Hz refresh rate
- Doesn't get bright
The Dell S2721QS is a 27-inch monitor and proof that you don't necessarily have to spend too much money to buy a reliable 4K monitor for your setup. If you are looking to buy a budget-friendly UHD monitor for general use, then we think the Dell S2721QS is worth checking out. For just around $250 (at the time of writing this article), the Dell S2721QS is a great UHD monitor to add to your setup. In terms of specification, this particular Dell S2721QS monitor features a 27-inch IPS panel with a maximum resolution of 3840x2160. It's a 16:9 aspect ratio panel with relatively slim bezels around the main panel. One thing that's worth pointing out about this monitor is that its panel only supports up to 60Hz refresh rate.
This is a great budget-friendly monitor choice for those who don't require the best visuals or connectivity. We're talking a 60Hz maximum refresh rate and a 4ms response time, so the S2721QS won't win any awards for performance. However, the overall image quality of the monitor is pretty good. It also has a peak brightness of just under 400 nits and a contrast ratio of 1000:1. This panel also supports HDR, though we wouldn't recommend buying this screen for the feature as it'll be underwhelming compared to other, more expensive 4K displays.
The lack of a high refresh rate may sound like a bummer, but it's not a big deal considering budget gamers may not have a powerful rig to push high frame rates at 4K, to begin with. The Dell S2721QS monitor also has a tall and sturdy stand that provides as much as 4 inches of height adjustment along with a 60-degree swivel. All things considered, the Dell S2721QS is a great budget UHD monitor that's worth considering. It's not ideal for those looking to get the absolute best experience but we think it offers plenty of great features that make it worth considering, especially for $250. There's no shortage of budget 4K monitors out there too, but they're either more expensive than this one or don't offer good features in this price range.
Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 4K UHD Curved Gaming Monitor
The best viewing angles possible
- Screen Size
- 32-inch
- Resolution
- 3840 x 2160
- Max. Refresh Rate
- 240 Hz
- Connectivity
- 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 3x USB
Samsung's 32-inch Odyssey Neo G8 4K UHD Curved Gaming Monitor offers pretty much everything you could want from a gaming monitor, featuring a 1ms response time and curved display.
- Gorgeous curved panel
- Seriously high refresh rate
- Excellent gaming performance
- Expensive
- Not the most color accurate
There aren't too many 4K curved monitors out there on the market, so it can be a little difficult to find a reliable option to consider. Out of a handful of reliable curved monitors that we could find online, we think the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 LS32BG852NNXGO is a great option to consider. Coming in at around $1,300, this particular monitor is a little on the expensive side, but it's a great monitor to consider as an alternative to a lot of other options that we've highlighted in this collection. One of the first things you'll notice about this particular monitor is its build quality. The stand and the base have the same dark finish which matches the overall aesthetic of the monitor as a sleek gaming powerhouse without flashy RGB and design accents.
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 LS32BG852NNXGO also comes with a decent selection of ports. We're looking at a DisplayPort and two HDMI ports at the back along with an audio line out and a USB hub with a couple of downstream ports. It doesn't have a USB Type-C port, so keep that in mind. You'll have to look at other options if that's a non-negotiable for you. Moving on to the display quality itself, we're looking at a 32-inch VA panel. According to Samsung, this particular panel covers up to 99% of the sRGB space and up to 90% of the DCI-P3 space. The display is said to have a contrast ratio of 100,000:1 and a 1000R curvature. We think it's got just the right amount of curvature for its size, unlike a lot of other options. The panel is also bright enough at 350 nits.
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 LS32BG852NNXGO fares well when it comes to gaming. It peaks at a 240Hz refresh rate and has a 1ms response time, which means it's one of the fastest displays in our collection. Overall, this is a good curved 4K monitor that's worth considering. It offers an excellent set of features for the asking price, making it an easy recommendation for us in this collection.
Choosing the best monitor
That brings us to the conclusion of the best 4K monitors list. There are plenty of great options to choose from, but we think most users will find a lot of value in the LG UltraFine 32UN650-W IPS UHD monitor. It offers a good set of features and a great panel for the price, making it an excellent monitor. If you're on a tighter budget, we'd recommend the Dell S2721QS which is a great way to enter the 4K market without spending a small fortune.
LG 32UN650-W
- Brand
- LG
- Screen Size
- 32-inch
- Display Technology
- IPS
- HDR
- HDR10
- Resolution
- 3840 x 2160
- Aspect Ratio
- 16:9
For those who want the sharpest image quality possible, the LG UltraFine 32UN650-W is a great 4K monitor that nails the basics for work. It's a sharp 27-inch panel that covers 95% of DCI-P3, plus it supports HDR 10 so you can enjoy HDR content. This is an IPS panel so it offers great viewing angles, and AMD FreeSync support also ensures a smooth experience while gaming.