You probably know Dell computers best, but Dell monitors offer a wide range of options and settings to cover just about any use case you can imagine.From core productivity-oriented panels to gaming monitors designed to maximize frame rates and HDR color, Dell makes dozens of monitors across multiple product lines, making it challenging to choose the one that best suits your specific needs.If you’re looking for a new monitor and love the brand, we’ve compiled a list of the best Dell monitors for just about every type of user.
I have been writing and reviewing consumer electronics for nearly two decades.This includes spending years evaluating monitors for mass photography and other industry publications.During that time, I also worked as a professional photographer and photo editor, both of which required precision monitors.
For this list, we first evaluated Dell’s full monitor lineup, then narrowed it down based on personal experience, editorial reviews, user feedback, and spec comparisons.We focus on choosing models that are suitable for a specific purpose, but that will appeal to a wider range of people.
The monitor spec sheet is packed with buzzwords and numbers that are hard to navigate.Having a basic understanding of what to look for can be helpful when choosing your next monitor.Here are some basic variables to check when out shopping.
You’ll find that most modern PC models are between 24 and 32 inches.This includes a plethora of 27-inch options, and I think it’s a sweet spot for its combination of performance and value right now.Of course, there are also some outliers.Dell-supplied 43-inch displays appear on this list, and some ultrawide options feature aspect ratios as high as 21:9, which cause trouble in typical measurements.
As with TVs, buying the largest 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 really want.
Now, you’ll find that most Dell monitors have a maximum resolution of one of three resolutions: Full HD or 1080p, which represents the bare minimum in terms of resolution.Quad HD or 1440p makes up a large portion of the market.At the top of the stack, you have a good old 4K monitor, or 3840 x 2160p.Some companies do make high-end productivity monitors with 5K and 8K monitors, but Dell is sticking with more traditional resolutions.However, it does make some ultrawide displays with unique resolutions to match their unique shapes.For example, Dell’s 40-inch Ultrasharp Curved Gaming Monitor offers a 5120 x 2160 resolution and a 21:9 aspect ratio.
While 4K is the current pinnacle, you probably won’t actually need to pay for all those pixels unless you have a reason to do so.Playing PC games in 4K still requires a lot of computing power if you want to maintain a reasonable frame rate.And, depending on your eyesight, running native 4K on a 24- or even 27-inch monitor can make on-screen elements small enough to be difficult to read without scaling.In short, 4K is great, but before paying extra cash for all those pixels, you should make sure it’s practical for you.
In general, we recommend that you aim for the highest resolution that perfectly matches your monitor size and PC performance.On 24″ monitors and/or older PCs, you may want to stick with 1080p monitors.With a 27-inch monitor and a decent gaming PC, 1440p usually makes the most sense.For content creators with a top-of-the-line PC and a 32-inch monitor, you should buy a 4K monitor.These aren’t hard and fast rules, but they guide you in using the monitor to make your system look its best without paying too much for the visual fidelity you don’t need.
To entice the human eye to see seamless motion, monitors (and TVs and any other display) refresh the image on the screen many times per second.The faster the image refreshes, the smoother the action on the screen looks.This applies to everything from hectic gaming to simple scrolling.The refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), is the number of times per second your monitor draws what is happening on the screen.
In basic or productivity-oriented models, expect to find refresh rates of 60Hz-75Hz, which look good for basic computing (browsing the web, making spreadsheets, and other everyday tasks).However, step up to a gaming-specific monitor and you’ll find frequencies up to 120Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz, and in some cases even 360Hz.
If you’re just looking for a productivity monitor on your desk in the office, a normal 60Hz refresh rate might be fine.If you’re doing any serious gaming, or just want smoother action on screen, we recommend a 144Hz monitor.240Hz to 360Hz monitors benefit some esports players in certain games, but have diminishing returns for most.
The maximum refresh rate doesn’t tell the whole story, though.Dell offers several monitors that feature Nvidia’s G-Sync technology, which allows the screen to adjust the refresh rate in real time based on the PC’s graphics card output.Having the two work in harmony can avoid ugly side effects like screen tearing or shaking.
When it comes to connecting a monitor to your PC, you typically rely on DisplayPort or HDMI cables.The former may take the form of a traditional DisplayPort or USB-C connection.Each approach has its own advantages and can have a surprisingly profound impact on your overall usability.
HDMI is the easiest and most accessible option, although not all HDMI ports are created equal.For example, our current gaming pick, the Dell G3223Q, promises HDMI 2.1 compatibility, enabling it to display Ultra HD games at advanced frame rates.This is important if you want to connect it to devices like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.
DisplayPort provides a stronger connection, but it can be used by most product lines.Some offer typical DisplayPort connectors.It looks like a slightly complicated HDMI jack.Others rely on USB-C connectors, such as those used to charge Android phones and iPads.
Using DisplayPort has some simple advantages.It supports high resolution and high frame rate signals.It’s also very adaptable: if for some reason you want to use an older machine with a DVI or even VGA connection, you can do it with a cheap adapter.
A USB-C connection can often also enable extra features, such as a powered USB hub, which can come in handy if you need to plug in a lot of peripherals every time you connect your monitor to your laptop.It’s also the most convenient way to connect for Mac users, as it allows them to plug and play.
While you won’t find any touchscreen monitors on this list, Dell does offer some models that respond to your finger or stylus.That includes this sturdy 24-inch model, which tilts so it’s easy to draw.While it’s a very good monitor, adding touch means ignoring other features while increasing the price, so it’s really a good option if you need a touch screen.
Using terms and features, it’s time to take a deep dive into our favorite Dell monitors.While we’ve broken this list down into specific categories, there’s definitely some overlap, so consider all of that before submitting.
Why it’s here: With a 4K IPS display, the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q is a great all-rounder for just about anything.
Unless you’re a very serious gamer, the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q has just about everything you need in a monitor.Dell offers 1440p and 4K versions of this monitor, but we prefer the versatility of the high-resolution model.
The U2720Q relies on In-Plane Shift (IPS) technology, which delivers stronger, more accurate colors across the screen, including edges where some competitors are starting to show inconsistent edges.It’s a great option for people who do a lot of 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 things considered, this monitor performs well above its mid-range price point, and should feel right at home on just about any desk that doesn’t have a lot of RGB lighting printed on it.
Why it’s good: The built-in webcam and microphone array make it a solid standalone choice for business users.
The laptop’s built-in microphone, camera and speakers make video conferencing easy.However, setting up a desktop for screen interaction often requires hooking up a whole host of accessories, such as a webcam and microphone.Dell’s 27-inch 1440p S2722DZ monitor includes a pop-up 5-megapixel webcam that stows away when not in use.That means you don’t have to worry about covering it with tape or a camera cover if you’re concerned about privacy.
In addition to the camera, the monitor has a built-in microphone and even integrated speakers, so with a simple cable connection, you can use Zoom, Teams or any other video conferencing technology.
Aside from video conferencing capabilities, this IPS panel offers some impressive features for its price.It tops out at 2560 x 1440, which is respectable for a 27-inch monitor.It offers USB-C, DisplayPort or HDMI connectivity.If you don’t need a USB-C port to connect to your computer, it can quickly charge compatible devices at up to 65W using a suitable charging cable.If you’re looking for a monitor that you can put on your desk to work, here are our favorite monitors with a built-in webcam.
Why it’s on the list: If you want to get a lot of pixels, you might as well have a massive 43-inch screen to go with them.
Now, the 32-inch monitor still feels flexible.The Dell U4320Q offers up to 42.5 inches of diagonal screen real estate for users looking for maximum multitasking on a single monitor.
It displays 4K screen images received via HDMI or DisplayPort.The USB-C port puts out 95W of power, which is the maximum we’ve seen from the monitor.Enough to charge power-hungry devices like a MacBook Pro.
Despite its size, it still manages a pixel density of 103ppi, meaning it can display up to four unique programs simultaneously while remaining crisp, clear and readable.This is a solid alternative to running multiple monitors.But because you can daisy-chain these large monitors, you can also connect several of them and make a fully immersive workstation assuming your computer can handle all those pixel pushes.
Is this overkill for most typical users?yes.Will this make it more attractive to other users?certainly.
Why it’s featured: While some gamers prefer curved ultrawide monitors, we’re going with a standard panel with impeccable specs.
As hardware is converging, so are PC and console gamers.Fortunately, the Dell 3223Q is equally good at both.This 32-inch display offers true 4K resolution and a refresh rate of up to 144Hz.It relies on AMD Free-Sync Premium Pro to keep the computer’s graphics card in sync with the monitor to prevent judder and image tearing.
The monitor offers DisplayPort connectivity as well as USB-C 3.2 Gen1 connectivity.More importantly, however, it also comes with a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing it to keep up with the highest resolutions and frame rates you’ll find on current-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
The G3223Q is VESA HDR 600 compliant, ensuring ample contrast and ultra-rich color reproduction.This color performance also benefits from the monitor’s wide color space support.It covers 95% of the wide DCI-P3 color gamut, making it a powerful monitor for creators and gamers.
Why it’s on this list: The built-in colorimeter allows this monitor to be perfectly calibrated for ultra-accurate colors.
If you’re doing serious creative work, color really matters.It’s not about getting the most vibrant hues, it’s about creating the most accurate hues needed for advertising, publishing, and fine art printing.
The Dell UltraSharp 27-inch PremierColorUP2720Q monitor has a colorimeter that extends to the bottom of its beautiful 4K panel to measure its output in real time.This allows you to adjust your monitor’s performance and get the most accurate color and lighting possible.For most people, this is definitely overkill, but for many professionals who need to calibrate their screens on a regular basis, it’s a game-changer.
The monitor covers all Adobe RGB color spaces and 98% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.If you’re a creative professional, you’ll know this is a pretty impressive showcase.If those terms mean nothing to you, then you probably don’t need something at this level.
The screen is naturally resistant to glare thanks to the exterior coating, but it also comes with a magnetic cover that snaps around the screen itself to prevent ambient light from creating annoying reflections or reducing the contrast of the screen’s image.
Some Dell monitors have built-in speakers, but the list isn’t particularly long.Some productivity-oriented models have both a webcam and speakers so they can be used as standalone workstations.If the monitor doesn’t have built-in speakers, it probably has an integrated headphone jack.
Most monitors, Dell or others, support the VESA mounting standard to ensure they are compatible with the various brackets and mounting arms included in the box.When looking at their specs, you’ll find “VESA” followed by a number indicating the distance between the mounting holes on the back of the monitor.If you already have a monitor arm or stand, be sure to check your preference to make sure the panel will fit your chosen stand.
Dell monitors will work with Macs, but you may need to make some adjustments depending on the model of computer you have.If your Mac has an HDMI port, connecting is easy.If you have a newer Mac, you may want to use DisplayPort over USB-C for the best screen performance.Check out our list of the best monitors for the Macbook Pro to learn more.
Peruse the Dell monitor lineup and you’ll find something for just about every conceivable use.Our best overall pick is the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q, which offers the perfect combination of resolution, refresh rate, and overall image quality to suit just about any user.But beyond that, you’ll find great options for gaming, productivity, and creative work.
Stan Horaczek is the senior gear editor for Popular Science magazine.He manages a team of gear-obsessed writers and editors dedicated to finding and presenting the latest, greatest and most innovative gadgets on the market and beyond.
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