Best 4K monitors 2020: the top Ultra HD monitors and displays
The best 4K monitors are in high demand these days. That’s partly because it’s becoming increasingly necessary, considering the power most desktop PCs are coming with and internals like the Nvidia Geforce RTX 3080 making 4K content more accessible to most people. And, if you really want something that can truly keep up, not just any old monitor will do.
Quite simply, the best 4K monitors will deliver crisp, detailed visuals for a more immersive, true-to-life viewing experience. But, these best monitors also bring in another benefit to the table – thanks to their higher resolution, they offer more screen real estate that could help with multitasking and streamlining creative workflows (or really, if you just want to stream Netflix while you’re getting some work done).
Thankfully, these monitors have been dropping in price – some even cheaper than a 4K TV – so they’re accessible to just about any budget. If you want to join the 4K revolution, something on our best 4K monitors below will make for an ideal match to your needs. Whether it’s one of the best USB-C monitors you want or the best curved monitor for your gaming, you’re guaranteed to find something here.
- We found the best ultrawide monitors on the market in 2020
- These are our top picks for the best gaming monitors of 2020
The best 4K monitors at a glance
- BenQ SW321C PhotoVue
- Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q
- Philips Brilliance 328P
- LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL
- BenQ PD2700U
- Monoprice 27" 4K UHD
- Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
- ViewSonic XG2700-4K
- AOC U2879VF
- Acer Predator X27
1. BenQ SW321C PhotoVue
Best 4K monitor for photographers
Screen size: 32-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 250 cd/m2 | Response time: 5ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: 99% AdobeRGB, 95% P3, 100% sRGB | Weight: 25.6kg
Pro-level displays are no longer the premium priced, inaccessible purchase they started out to be. At least as far as the BenQ SW321C PhotoVue is concerned. This 32-inch 4K photo monitor is up a step or two in terms of both performance and usability, featuring an incredibly wide color gamut of 99% of the Adobe RGB color space and 95% of DCI-P3. If you’re in the cinematography or photography sphere, that’s exactly what you need. And, that’s on top of all the other features this monitor boasts. This is among the best 4K monitors for photo editing you’ll find, and the best part is you’re getting it for cheaper than all others.
Read the full review: BenQ SW321C PhotoVue
2. Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q
4K meets affordability
Screen size: 28-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 350 cd/㎡ | Response time: 5ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: 90% color gamut, 1073.7M (10bit) | Weight: 7.6 kg
With the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q, you’re getting a lot of value for your money – especially considering the small price of entry. One of the most affordable 4K gaming monitors right now, this 28-incher can swivel, pivot and tilt practically however which way you need it (within reason, naturally) to serve your purpose. It also has deliciously thin bezels and a nifty cable management solution, as well as a few display settings to boost your viewing experience. Thanks to its rich vibrant colors, super sharp image quality and a design that is only subtly gaming-centric, this is among the best 4K monitors not only for gamers but for regular users who consume a lot of visual media as well.
Read the full review: Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q
3. Philips Brilliance 328P
Just brilliant
Screen size: 31.5-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 300 cd/m² | Response time: 4ms | Contrast ratio: 3,000:1 | Color support: 1.07 billion
As both 4K panels and HDR technology become more ubiquitous, we’re starting to see more affordable monitors take on the market, and the Philips Brilliance 328P does just that. This 4K monitor combines a 4K VA panel with decent HDR performance at a price point that won’t force you to break open the piggy bank. Its brightness doesn’t quite reach its lofty HDR 600 rating, but at this price, it’s hard to complain. The Philips Brilliance 328P really is one of the best 4K monitors out there.
Read the full review: Philips Brilliance 328P
4. LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL
More than fine
Screen size: 24 inches | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Brightness: 540 cd/m² | Response time: 14ms | Contrast ratio: 1,200:1 | Color support: 1.07 billion
4K fans will find a lot to love in the LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL, especially if they’re photographers or videographers who need all that prime real estate and high resolution. From its 4K resolution and color accuracy, to its plethora of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports and buttonless design, this 4K display is the perfect match for your Mac or ultrabook. And, despite those bizarrely thick bezels and high price tag, this display might be hard to resist.
Read the full review: LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL
5. BenQ PD2700U
No frills, many pixels
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 350 cd/m² | Response time: 5ms | Contrast ratio: 1,300:1 | Color support: 1.07 billion
If you’re on the market for one of the best 4K monitors for everyday computing and productivity, without all the fancy bells and whistles, you’ll want the BenQ PD2700U. This monitor doesn’t feature fancy Quantum Dot tech, or Adaptive Sync, it doesn’t even have USB-C input! But, when you get the BenQ PD2700U, you are getting a lot of pixels, which is all you really need. It’s not the cheapest 4K monitor on this list, but it’s color accurate, has plenty of desktop real estate, and will comfortably fit in any office environment.
Read the full review: BenQ PD2700U
6. Monoprice 27" 4K UHD
One of the most affordable 4K monitors
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Response time: 5 ms | Contrast ratio: 10,000,000:1 | Color support: 1.07 billion
You may not have heard of Monoprice, but this brand is behind some of the most affordable monitors out there right now. Its Ultra-Slim Aluminum monitor, for example, is hailed for its sleek, ultra-thin bezel design and ultra-wide viewing angles at 178°. This monitor isn’t particularly feature-rich – there are no built-in speakers, for example – but its IPS panel allows for extremely sharp image, FreeSync tech reduces screen tearing and Monoprice’s Pixel Perfect Guarantee gives it vibrant color performance. Plus, with two DisplayPorts and two HDMI ports, there’s plenty of connectivity on offer.
7. Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
The Cadillac of gaming monitors
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 1,000 cd/m2 (peak) | Response time: 4 ms | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1, 5,000:1 (HDR) | Color support: 99% Adobe RGB
While 4K monitors are becoming more and more common, even without particularly powerful hardware, we still run into the kind of monitor that changes everything. The Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ is one of these. Asus has managed to craft a 4K gaming monitor with HDR and the kind of color support you see in professional displays – and render that all at 144Hz with G-Sync no less. There are only a few monitors out there that packs as many features as this Asus screen, and that’s why it’s one of the best 4K monitors. But, keep in mind, you’re going to have to pay for something this advanced – and we mean pay.
Read the full review: Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
8. ViewSonic XG2700-4K
A true 4K gaming tool
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Response time: 5 ms | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: 1.07 billion
If you’re looking for a 4K monitor for gaming, ViewSonic’s XG2700-4K is the perfect fit. It is not without quirks: the screen brightness could be higher, the red on black trim is an acquired taste, and it has no built-in speakers. On the other hand, you get amazing picture quality, quick response time, accurate color performance, multiple ports, and a versatile stand for multiple viewing angle options. Its most notable feature is AMD FreeSync to prevent tearing and ensure that your games are running smoothly. Of course, the picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes are also helpful because who doesn’t multitask nowadays.
9. AOC U2879VF
The most affordable 4K monitor for gaming
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 | Color support: 1.07 billion
IPS displays may offer better viewing angles and color representation, but a good TN panel makes for a much better gaming monitor, thanks to much faster response times, higher refresh rates and affordability. This is why the AOC U2879VF has a 1ms response time and a refresh rate of 144Hz for a low price. If you can forgive the restricted viewing angles, the occasional flickering at 144Hz, the absence of a USB port, and the ho hum color performance, this AMD FreeSync enabled monitor is for you.
Read the full review: AOC U2879 VF
10. Acer Predator X27
4K, HDR and 144Hz? Oh my!
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 1,000 cd/m2 (peak) | Response time: 4 ms | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: 16.7 million
If you have an absolute beast of a gaming computer – think two Nvidia RTX 2080 Tis in SLI – and you need a monitor that can keep up, you might want to take a look at the Acer Predator X27. Not only is it a 27-inch 4K monitor with HDR, but it also has a refresh rate of a whopping 144 Hz. If you have the horsepower, you can play games in 4K competitively without losing an edge to the person playing in 1080p. But, as you may expect from a spec sheet like this, it’s very expensive – but if you need the tech, it’s definitely there.
Read the full review: Acer Predator X27
- Looking for a more great gaming monitor? Check out our top picks
- Or set up your living room with one of the best 4K TVs on the market
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