Best overall: Dell UltraSharp U2720QBest for work: Dell S2722DZBest 4K: Dell U4320QBest for gaming: Dell G3223QBest for photo editing: Dell UltraSharp PremierColorUP2720Q
How we picked the best Dell monitors
I have been writing about and reviewing consumer electronics for nearly two decades. That includes years spent evaluating monitors for Popular Photography and other industry publications. During that time, I have also worked as a professional photographer and photo editor, both of which demand precision monitors. For this list, we started by evaluating Dell’s full monitor lineup and then narrowing it down based on personal experience, editorial reviews, user feedback, and spec comparisons. We focused on choosing models well-suited for specific uses but that would appeal to a wide range of people.
Best Dell monitors: Reviews & Recommendations
With the jargon and features out of the way, it’s time to dive into our favorite Dell monitors. While we’ve broken up this list into specific categories, there’s absolutely some overlap, so consider all of them before committing to one.
Best overall: Dell UltraSharp U2720Q
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: With a 4K IPS display, the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q is a great all-around monitor suitable for just about any use. Specs
Size: 27 inchesResolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K)Refresh rate: 60HzConnectivity: USB-C, DisplayPort, HDMI
Pros
4K resolutionIPS display provides excellent colorVersatile stand easily flips for vertical useCovers 99 percent of the sRGB colorspace
Cons
60Hz refresh rate
Unless you’re a very serious gamer, the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q offers up just about everything you need in a display. Dell offers both a 1440p and 4K version of this display, but we prefer the versatility of the high-resolution model. The U2720Q relies on in-plane shifting (IPS) tech, which provides punchier and more accurate colors all the way across the screen, including the edges where some of its competition start to show inconsistency. That makes this a solid option for people who do regular photo editing, video creation, or design work. Built-in HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C ports make it versatile when it comes to connectivity. It offers a pair of USB-A ports for connecting accessories and it lacks speakers but includes a headphone jack for sound. All of that considered, this display performs above its mid-level price point and should feel at home on just about any desk that’s not emblazoned with tons of RGB lighting.
Best for work: Dell S2722DZ
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: A built-in webcam and microphone array make this a solid stand-alone option for business users. Specs
Size: 27 inchesResolution: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)Refresh rate: 60HzConnectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C
Pros
Built-in webcam and mics are great for video conferencingSolid connectivity and specs for its priceBuilt-in speakersVery affordable considering the feature set
Cons
Built-in camera quality is just OK
Laptops make video conferencing simple thanks to their built-in microphones, cameras, and speakers. Setting up a desktop for on-screen interaction, however, often requires connecting a whole gaggle of accessories like webcams and microphones. Dell’s 27-inch 1440p S2722DZ monitor includes a pop-up, five-megapixel webcam that tucks away when not in use. That means you won’t have to worry about covering it with a piece of tape or a camera cover if you’re worried about privacy. In addition to the camera, this display has a built-in microphone and even integrated speakers, so it’s ready for Zoom, Teams, or whatever other video conferencing tech you want to throw at it with just one simple cable connection. Outside of its video conferencing features, this IPS panel offers some impressive features for its price. It tops out at 2560 x 1440, which is more than respectable in a 27-inch monitor. It offers USB-C, DisplayPort, or HDMI connectivity. And if you don’t need the USB-C port for connecting to a computer, it can fast-charge compatible devices at up to 65W with the right charging cable. If you’re looking for a monitor to sit on a desk at work, this is our favorite monitor with a built-in webcam.
Best 4K: Dell U4320Q
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: If you’re going to spring for tons of pixels, you might as well get a huge 43-inch screen to go with them. Specs
Size: 42.5 inchesResolution: 2Refresh rate: 3840 x 2160 (4K)Connectivity: HDMI (x2), DisplayPort (x2), and USB-C
Pros
4K resolutionEnormous screenExcellent connectivity optionsTwo USB-A ports
Cons
You’re going to need a bigger desk
Right now, 32-inch monitors still feel like a flex. The Dell U4320Q delivers a whopping 42.5 diagonal inches of screen real estate for those who want to enable maximum multitasking on a single display. It displays a 4K on-screen image, received via HDMI or DisplayPort. The USB-C port outputs 95W of power, the most we’ve seen from a monitor. It’s enough to charge power-hungry devices like a MacBook Pro. Despite its massive size, it still manages a 103ppi pixel density, which means it can display up to four unique programs at the same time while remaining crisp, clear, and readable. It’s a solid alternative to running multiple monitors. But, because you can daisy chain these massive displays, you could also hook up several of them and make a totally immersive workstation assuming your computer can handle pushing all those pixels. Is this overkill for most typical users? Yes. Will that make it even more appealing to other users? Of course.
Best for gaming: Dell G3223Q
Why it made the cut: While some gamers prefer curved ultrawide displays, we’ll take a standard panel with impeccable specs. Specs
Size: 32 inchesResolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K)Refresh rate: 144HzConnectivity: HDMI 2.1 (x2), DisplayPort, USB-C
Pros
Two HDMI 2.1 ports for next-gen console gamingVESA certified HDR 600 for intense colors and contrastAMD Free-Sync for smooth gameplayFast IPS tech for accurate, consistent colorBurly top vents to keep the screen cool during long sessions
Cons
Expensive
As hardware converges, so do PC and console gamers. Luckily, the Dell 3223Q serves both equally well. This 32-inch display promises true 4K resolution with a maximum 144Hz refresh rate. It relies on AMD Free-Sync Premium Pro to keep the computer’s graphics card in lockstep with the display to prevent jitters and image tearing. This display offers DisplayPort connectivity, as well as a USB-C 3.2 Gen1 connection. More importantly, however, it also comes sporting a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, making it capable of keeping up with the top resolution and frame rates you can find on current-gen gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The G3223Q meets the VESA HDR 600 standard, which promises ample contrast and super-rich color reproduction. That color performance also gets a goose from the monitor’s wide color space support. It covers 95 percent of the wide DCI-P3 color gamut, which makes it a capable monitor for creators as well as gamers.
Best for photo editing: Dell UltraSharp PremierColorUP2720Q
Why it made the cut: A built-in colorimeter keeps this monitor perfectly calibrated for super-accurate colors. Specs
Size: 27 inchesResolution: 3840 x 2160Refresh rate: 60HzConnectivity: HDMI (x2), DisplayPort, USB-C
Pros
Built-in colorimeter keeps super-accurate colorFour USB-A ports and two USB-C connectorsThunderbolt 3 can chain two monitors togetherCovers wide color spaces, including 100 percent of Adobe RGB
Cons
ExpensiveRequires semi-regular calibrations to keep colors perfect
If you’re doing serious creative work, then color really matters. And it’s not about getting the most vibrant tones, but rather creating the most accurate hues required for advertising, publishing, and fine art printing. The Dell UltraSharp 27-inch PremierColorUP2720Q monitor has a colorimeter that extends out over the bottom of its beautiful 4K panel to take real-time measurements of its output. That allows you to tweak the monitor’s performance and get the most accurate possible colors and illumination. This is definitely overkill for most people, but a game-changer for many professionals who need to calibrate their screens regularly. This monitor covers all of the Adobe RGB color space and 98 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut. If you’re a creative pro, you know that’s a fairly impressive showing. If those terms mean nothing to you, then you may not need something at this level. The screen naturally prevents glare thanks to an external coating, but it also comes with a magnetic hood that snaps around the screen itself to prevent ambient light from creating annoying reflections or sapping contrast from the on-screen picture.
Things to consider when shopping for the best Dell monitors
Monitor spec sheets come loaded with all kinds of buzzwords and numbers that can be difficult to navigate. When picking your next monitor, it helps to have a foundational knowledge of what to look for. Here are some essential variables to examine when going out to make a purchase.
Screen size
You can expect to find most modern PC models fall somewhere between 24 and 32 inches. That includes a glut of 27-inch options, which I consider a sweet spot at the moment for its mix of performance and value. There are some outliers, of course. Dell offers a 43-inch display which appears on this list and some of the ultrawide options employ up to a 21:9 aspect ratio, which throws a wrench in the typical measurements. As with a TV, grabbing the biggest model you can afford isn’t always the best plan of action. You want to balance screen size with image quality, extra features, and resolution to get the performance you actually want.
Resolution
Right now, you’ll find most Dell displays max out at one of three resolutions: Full HD, or 1080p, represents the bare minimum when it comes to resolution. Quad HD, or 1440p, occupies a large chunk of the market. At the top of the heap, you have good old 4K monitors, or 3840 x 2160p. Some companies do make high-end productivity monitors with 5K and 8K displays, but Dell sticks to the more conventional resolutions. It does, however, make some ultrawide displays with unique resolutions to match their distinctive shapes. Dell’s 40-inch Ultrasharp curved gaming display, for instance, offers a 5120 x 2160 resolution to go with its 21:9 aspect ratio. While 4K is the pinnacle at the moment, you may not actually need to pay for all those pixels unless you have a reason to. Playing PC games in 4K still requires absurd amounts of computing power if you want to keep a reasonable framerate. And, depending on your eyesight, running native 4K on a 24- or even 27-inch monitor could make on-screen elements small enough that they’re tricky to read without scaling. In short, 4K is great but you should make sure it’s practical for you before paying extra cash for all those pixels. In general, we recommend aiming for a top resolution that pairs well with your monitor’s size and PC’s performance. On a 24-inch monitor and/or an older PC, you’ll probably want to stick with a 1080p display. With a 27-inch monitor and a decent gaming PC, 1440p usually makes the most sense. For content creators with top-of-the-line PCs and 32-inch monitors, you should splurge on a 4K display. These are not hard and fast rules, but they can guide you towards a monitor that will allow your system to look its best without overpaying for visual fidelity you don’t need.
Refresh rate
In order to trick the human eye into seeing seamless movement, monitors (and TVs and any other display) refresh the image on-screen multiple times every second. The faster that image refreshes, the smoother the on-screen action seems. That applies to everything from hectic gaming to simple scrolling. Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), refers to the number of times your display draws what’s happening on your screen each second. In basic or productivity-oriented models, expect to find 60Hz-75Hz refresh rates, which look good for basic computing—browsing the web, making spreadsheets, and other everyday tasks. Step up to a gaming-specific monitor, however, and you’ll find rates that go up to 120Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz, and in some cases, even 360Hz. If you’re just looking for a productivity monitor to keep on a desk in an office, the plain 60Hz refresh rate is probably fine. If you’re going to do any serious gaming or you just want smoother motion on your screen, we recommend a 144Hz monitor. A 240Hz to 360Hz monitor benefits some esports players in specific games but offers diminishing returns for most people. The maximum refresh rate doesn’t tell the whole story, though. Dell offers several monitors toting Nvidia’s G-Sync technology, which allows the screens to adjust their refresh rate in real-time based on a PC’s graphics card output. Keeping those two working together in harmony eschews ugly side effects like screen tearing or jittering.
Connectivity
When it’s time to attach a monitor to your PC, you’ll typically rely on either a DisplayPort or an HDMI cable. The former may take the form of a traditional DisplayPort or a USB-C connection. Each method has its own advantages and may have a surprisingly profound effect on your overall usability. HDMI is the simplest and most accessible option, though not all HDMI ports are created equal. Case in point, our current gaming pick, the Dell G3223Q, promises HDMI 2.1 compatibility, making it capable of showing ultra-high-definition gaming at advanced framerates. That’s important if you want to hook it up to something like a PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Series X. DisplayPort provides a more robust connection, but it’s available through most of the line. Some offer a typical DisplayPort connector. It looks like a slightly more complex HDMI jack. Others rely on a USB-C style connector like the one used to charge Android phones and iPads. There are a few simple advantages that come with using DisplayPort. It supports high resolution and high frame-rate signals. It’s also extremely adaptable: If you wanted to use an older machine with a DVI or even VGA connection for some reason, you could accomplish that with a cheap adapter. USB-C connections often also enable extra features like powered USB hubs that can come in handy if you have a lot of peripherals to plug in every time you attach the monitor to your laptop. This is also the handiest connection for Mac users since it will allow them to be plug-and-play.
Touch capabilities
While you won’t find any touchscreen monitors on this list, Dell does offer a few models that respond to a finger or stylus. That includes this solid 24-inch model, which reclines so it’s simple to draw on. While it’s a very good monitor, adding touch means skimping on other features while adding to the price, so it’s really only a good option if you need a touchscreen.
Final thoughts about the best Dell monitors
Peruse the Dell monitor lineup and you’ll find something for just about every possible use. Our best overall pick, the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q, offers a great mix of resolution, refresh rate, and overall image quality that makes it suitable for just about any user. Go beyond that, however, and you’ll find great options for gaming, productivity, and creative work.
