High-grade 4K monitors display videos and photos at an outstanding clarity and in full, vivid colors. Some models also offer eye-saver modes, so the user stays comfortable even after prolonged use. Moreover, most 4K monitors are compatible with multiple working and gaming devices, making them perfect all-rounders. Read on to see our best picks now and see what will work best for you.
LG 27UK850-W
Best Overall
You’ll love the LG 27UK850-W 4K UHD Monitor as it’s hands-down the best midsize 4K monitor that delivers excellent, crisp image quality right out of the box. It has an underlying IPS panel that offers a whopping 3,840 x 2,160 ultrahigh-definition resolution and HDR10 compatibility. Moreover, it supports 99% of the sRGB color gamut, ensuring only the greatest detail and image quality.
This 4K monitor features a matte, non-glare screen. It’s equipped with AMD FreeSync technology that cuts down screen stuttering to give you a smoother gaming experience. Also, there’s plenty of on-screen controls that provide easy access to volume and brightness adjustments, split-screen features, gaming modes, and more.
Why we love it:
- It has three sides designed to seem borderless, offering a fuller and broader look
- With a base that can be adjusted and tilted as necessary
- Featuring multiple ports (USB-C, HDMI, among others) for versatile connectivity
Something to consider:
The USB-A ports may revert to 2.0 speeds when connecting this monitor to any device via the USB-C port. Having a USB port dock will most likely solve this issue.
SAMSUNG UE57
Best Value
Get more bang for your buck when you pick the reliable SAMSUNG UE57. It will do wonders for your home office and improve your productivity. Accomplish all tasks consecutively — simultaneously, even — with its split-screen function. With this 4K monitor’s 3,840 x 2,160 ultrahigh-definition resolution and a color range of about one billion, no detail will be missed.
Sized at 18 inches, this handy 4K monitor is universally compatible with multiple devices for professional, academic, and personal use. It features AMD FreeSync and has a one-millisecond response time, guaranteeing zero hitches as you do your tasks. Further, it lessens eye strain during long days of work through its eye saver mode.
Why we love it:
- It has two HDMI inputs, and one supports ultrahigh definition resolutions at a refresh rate of 60 gigahertz
- Features a metallic, sleek stand that you can tilt up to a 20-degree angle
- It can be set up quickly and without so much fuss
Something to consider:
The 4K monitor produces no audio. You’ll have to connect it to speakers to enjoy your games and videos better.
BenQ PD2700U
Best for Professionals
If you’re working in the graphics industry and are looking to level up your system, then the BenQ PD2700U is your best bet. Thanks to its incredible color accuracy and extra screen space, altering images and editing videos will be a breeze. Aside from a four-second response time, it also features multiple curated modes designed for professionals: the Darkroom, Animation, and CAD/CAM modes.
Not only that, but this 4K monitor also has a DualView mode that allows you to multitask. After a day’s worth of work, though, you’ll still be able to use it for your entertainment needs. With its full sRGB color gamut support, you’ll watch your favorite movies in all hues imaginable.
Why we love it:
- With its own unique, Pantone-validated, and CalMAN-verified calibration report
- It features a low blue light and eye care technology that reduces eye strain and fatigue during use
- It has a 178-degree viewing angle which grants visibility from every vantage point
Something to consider:
Unlike the other options, this 4K monitor doesn’t have a flat screen. Some users may find the chunky build space-consuming or not aesthetically appropriate to their current setup.
Dell S3221QS
Best with Curved Design
The Dell S3221QS effortlessly combines functionality and a contemporary, minimalist look in one high-grade 4K monitor. It has a curved design which ensures that every detail on the screen stays within your field of vision. Immersive viewing is in order thanks to its ultrahigh 3,840 by 2,160 definition resolution, and the HDR compatibility is just the icing on top.
This 4K monitor has two built-in speakers that complete the overall experience. At the same time, it has dual HDMI ports that allow quick switching between console gaming and streaming. For smooth playback, it’s integrated with AMD FreeSync technology.
Why we love it:
- The monitor’s height can be adjusted according to your needs
- Boosts eye comfort through ComfortView, which lessens blue light emissions
- It has a textured pattern at the back that’s guaranteed unique and stylish
Something to consider:
Having the Dell Display Manager app open may cause screen flickering issues. Closing it will most likely solve the problem.
Acer Predator XB3
Best for Gaming
You’ll love the Acer Predator XB3, especially if you’re an avid gamer who’s looking to up your gaming rig. This 27-inch model is impressive, sporting G-Sync, HDR, and a refresh rate that can reach 144 hertz with the proper setup (overclocked DisplayPort connection). Not only that, but it also performs amazingly well when it comes to HDR-enabled brightness and color accuracy.
It comes with a shielding hood to prevent overhead lighting from casting a glare on the screen and interrupting your game. Moreover, it has plenty of adjustment options for color, brightness, and positioning. It’s also not super wide, coming just at the perfect size.
Why we love it:
- Imbued with quantum dots that render lifelike-realism to the display
- With lights at the bottom that serve as ambient lights
- Boots as soon as the computer is turned on
Something to consider:
The biggest downside to the Acer Predator XB3 is the menu controls. These use a joystick and a collection of buttons, which are pretty challenging to reach and use without some practice.
Are 4K monitors good for gaming?
They can be, as 4K offers the pinnacle of gaming detail. These monitors can give you a whole new level of immersion in atmospheric games, especially on larger displays that can fully show the pixels in all their glory. These high-res displays excel in games where frame rates are not as important as visual clarity. That said, high refresh rate monitors can deliver a better experience (especially in fast-paced games like shooting ones), and unless you have the deep pockets to splash out on a powerful graphics card or two as well, you aren’t going to get those frame rates at
What kind of monitor is best for your eyes?
If you suffer from eye strain, look for monitors with built-in light filter software, especially filters designed explicitly for easing eye problems. These will block more blue light, which is the part of the spectrum that most affects our eyes and is responsible for most eye strain issues. However, you can also download eye filter software apps for any monitor you get.
Are 4K monitors with a five-millisecond response time good for gaming?
Typically, yes. Response time is, in a nutshell, how quickly a pixel will be displayed on your screen. Concurrently, it’s also how a monitor executes or responds to a command you give it while you’re playing. Ideally, lower response times mean better performance, as this means that the image and frame updates happen faster, so the overall display becomes smoother, and the refresh rate is higher. While there are 4K monitors with a one-millisecond response time, the five-millisecond ones are already enough to deliver an excellent gaming experience.
About the author:
Rusty Davis has been a tech lover for as long as he can remember. From the early days of gaming consoles to the introduction of the smartphone, portable computers, and more, he’s always wanted to get his hands on the latest and greatest. He has years upon years of experience reviewing and testing everything from phone cases to smartwatches, the latest phones and tablets to gaming computers, and even desks. If it’s a piece of tech or tech-adjacent, he’s interested in how it works and who it works best for. He’s now here sharing all of his knowledge with you to help you make the best decision for yourself.
Why should you trust us:
The Digital Trends team prides itself in offering expert product recommendations in ways that everyone can understand. Our team of experts is constantly using and reviewing the latest and greatest consumer tech, smart home gadgets, televisions, and so much more to offer insights to help guide your purchasing decision. We have vigorously tested thousands of different products across these categories, and we’ve distilled our lists to bring you the best of the best. If we feel a product does not live up to our expectations, it doesn’t make the list. We are humans though, and realize that not every recommended product will be perfect for everyone, so we do our best to call out important features that may impact your choices. Below our top picks we’ve included additional product information to ensure that you are making the right choice for your unique needs.
