The Best 4K Monitors in 2020

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/ By Andrej

When it comes to picking a new gaming monitor, 1080p isn’t really the standard nowadays. A lot of people are moving towards higher resolutions, and if your PC can handle them, choosing one of the best 4K monitors is a great way to follow the trend.

Now, you don’t want to follow a trend just to follow a trend. Instead, you want to get the best monitor possible that fits both your needs and your budget. You want to get the features that you need, and you want to get the right type of monitor. Gaming monitors aren’t the same as creative work monitors, for example.

That being said, let’s take a look at some of the best 4K monitors out there. And to make the decision even easier for you, we’ll also take a look at what you should be careful with when buying your next monitor. Of course, if you want to get a more detailed look, our guide is here to help. Let’s get into it.

Top 3

ASUS ROG Swift 27" 4K Gaming Monitor (PG27UQ) -...

Sale

Dell U-Series 32-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor...

LG 32UD99-W 32-Inch 4K UHD IPS Monitor with HDR 10...

Things to be careful about with the best 4K monitors

When you’re shopping, there are a couple of factors that will impact your experience with a 4K monitor. If you aren’t well versed with monitors, read on to see what you should be careful about.

The most important one is the panel type. The panel type will impact the overall image quality, and this is pretty important for a few things. Most notably, it’s important if you’re doing color accurate work because you can’t do that on a bad panel. Without getting into too many details, here’s the short and sweet:

IPS panels – great color reproduction and viewing angles, sometimes slower than others and expensive
VA panels – good color reproduction, excellent contrast, a good budget alternative to IPS
TN panels – washed-out colors and terrible viewing angles, but fastest panels out there and most wallet-friendly

Moving on, you should note what you’ll be using it for, and you want to make sure the feature set fits that requirement. For example, if you’re going to use it for gaming, you should get a panel with a higher refresh rate and adaptive sync. If, on the other hand, you need it for creative work, a high-quality panel and accurate colors are most important.

Last but not least, always consider the price. Even the best 4K monitors are cheaper than they were a few years ago. However, you should still make sure the one you’re getting fits your budget. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the best 4K monitors.

ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ

Best high-end gaming monitor

ASUS ROG Swift 27" 4K Gaming Monitor (PG27UQ) - UHD (3840 x 2160), IPS,...

27 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) 144 Hertz HDR gaming monitor with integrated aura Sync and ambient light sensor embraces ROG standards and design
Nvidia G SYNC HDR for lifelike contrast and color, display HDR 1000 and UHD premium Certified with peak 1000 nits brightness and 384 local dimming...
Quantum dot IPS display with 97% DCI P3 (99% Adobe RGB) color gamut for realistic colors and smoother gradation. Brightness: 600 cd/㎡ (Typical)/1000...

The Republic of Gamers series by ASUS has some excellent monitors, but the PG27UQ is something else. This 27” gaming monitor checks all the boxes for a great 4K experience in every possible way.

It’s an IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, which also comes with Nvidia’s G Sync adaptive sync. It also has G Sync HDR 1000, so you’ll be able to enjoy HDR gaming if your PC can handle it.

Last but not least, the ROG Swift PG27UQ comes with plenty of adjustments on the stand, as well as a backlit ROG logo on the back to add a bit of extra flare. Yes, it’s expensive, but it is not one of the best 4K monitors out there – it is THE best.

Acer Predator XB271HK bmiprz

Best midrange gaming monitor

Acer Predator XB271HK bmiprz 27-inch IPS UHD (3840 x 2160) NVIDIA G-Sync...

27 Inch IPS UHD Widescreen with 3840 x 2160 resolution
Refresh Rate: 60 Hz, Response Time: 4ms; Dimensions (H x W x D) 15.80 Inches 21.70 Inches x 24.20 Inches x 10.60 Inches w/ stand ; 14.50 Inches x...
Pixel Pitch: 0.155mm. Flicker less Technology Reduces annoying screen flickering that can cause eye strain when viewing the monitor for long periods

If you don’t want to drop thousands of dollars, Acer’s Predator XB271HK bmiprz could be a good alternative for users on a budget. It comes with a 27” IPS panel and a 60Hz refresh rate, and with so many PCs not being able to hit higher than 60 frames per second at this resolution, it’s still a great pick.

The panel itself is excellent, it has G-Sync so you’ll get no screen tearing or other issues, and the viewing angles are excellent – this is an IPS panel after all. The XB271HK also comes with a Flicker-less technology that reduces screen flickering and eye strain, which is a nice addition.

You do get a lot of adjustments from the stand, too, even the ability to rotate the monitor 90 degrees. And overall, this is a great monitor if you don’t mind a 60Hz refresh rate.

ASUS VP28UQG

Best budget 4K monitor

Asus VP28UQG 28" Monitor 4K/UHD 3840x2160 1ms DP HDMI Adaptive...

28 inches 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160) with 1ms response time and Adaptive Sync/AMD Free Sync for immersive, crisp visuals featuring Display Port and dual...
ASUS Eye Care technology lowers blue light and eliminates flickering to reduce eyestrain and ailments. Display colors is 1073.7 M 10 bit and maximum...
5 Way OSD joystick delivers intuitive monitor controls so you can access features such as ASUS Game Plus on the fly. Digital signal frequency for...

If you don’t care about RGB, high refresh rates, or highly adjustable stands, the ASUS VP28UQG should be right up your alley. It comes at a very affordable price, and with a decent image quality that you’ll actually enjoy.

The panel has a 28” diagonal and a 60Hz refresh rate, which is expected at this price. It also comes with a TN panel, which is why it’s so affordable, and a 1ms response time. You get AMD’s FreeSync to help eliminate screen tearing of any kind, which is neat.

Unfortunately, bar a slight tilt, the stand offers absolutely no other adjustments. Yes, you can VESA mount it, but if you’re on a budget, you don’t want to spend extra on that. If you don’t mind it, though, and just want a good budget monitor, the VP28UQG is one of the best 4K monitors.

ASUS ROG Swift PG43UQ

Best console 4K monitor

Asus ROG Strix XG438Q 43” Large Gaming Monitor with 4K 120Hz FreeSync 2...

43” 4K non-glare gaming monitor with 120Hz refresh rate for super-smooth gaming visual | Includes – (1) Display port, (3) HDMI, (1) Earphone jack,...
Product dimensions | Without stand – 38.3” L x 2.93” D x 22.46” H | With stand – 38.3” L x 9.53” D x 24.85” H | Weight – 31.3 lbs. |...
High dynamic Range (HDR) technology with displays 600 certification and 90% DCI-P3 Professional color gamut ensures exceptional contrast and color...

With both Sony and Microsoft’s new consoles supporting 4K at 120Hz, getting a large monitor that allows for couch gaming could be a good idea. And the ROG Swift PG43UQ is the best one out there.

With a 43 inch diagonal, this VA panel is probably the largest gaming monitor out there. You also get HDR600 certification and 90% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut. The colors are just stunning, and the viewing angles are pretty decent, too. You also have both G Sync and FreeSync, to eliminate tearing and artifacts.

Of course, the stand is made to be sturdy and doesn’t offer too many adjustments, but you don’t really need them. If you want a big panel, whether it’s for PC or console gaming, the PG43UQ is one of the best 4K monitors when money is no object.

Dell U3219Q

Best high-end creative monitor

Sale

Dell U-Series 32-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor (U3219Q), Black

Experience four times more detail than Full HD with 3840x2160 Ultra HD 4K resolution.
Your images shine the way they were meant to on the world’s first 31.5” 4K Ultra HD monitor with VESA certified DisplayHDR 400i featuring HDR...
Your UltraSharp monitor is factory calibrated at 99% sRGB coverage right out of the box. You can trust that your videos reflect lifelike color.

People who work on anything that requires color accuracy will love the Dell U3219Q. This 4K panel comes with an excellent panel, and at 32 inches, it’s just the right size for the resolution.

Not only is this an IPS panel with beautiful colors and excellent viewing angles, but Dell also calibrates these out of the factory. In the box, you’ll get a calibration report that shows this, and you can rest assured you’ve got at least 99% sRGB coverage. Yes, it’s only 60Hz, but do you need more for anything else but gaming? We don’t think so.

On the outside, the U3219Q has some incredibly slim bezels. You also get a stand that offers adjustment in pretty much any direction. This is one of the best 4K monitors when it comes to creative work, and Dell really did a great job with every aspect of it.

LG 27UK850-W

Best midrange creative monitor

Sale

LG 27UK850-W 27" 4K UHD IPS Monitor with HDR10 with USB Type-C Connectivity...

27 inch 4k UHD resolution (3840 X 2160) IPS display
HDR 10 Compatibility
Response time 5ms / Refresh rate 60Hz / Contrast ratio 1000:1

LG’s panels in the past couple of years have offered some really good middle ground between the budget and the premium, and that can be seen in the 27UK850-W. This 27” 4K monitor checks all the boxes for a great creative work monitor, while keeping the price reasonable.

The panel is an IPS panel with HDR10 compatibility, and it’s the 99% sRGB coverage that keeps things great for creative work. It’s very accurate, and doing anything that requires color accuracy is a pleasure. You also get AMD FreeSync on the 60Hz panel, which means you could even do some gaming, too.

The stand is LG’s curved stand which offers quite a lot of adjustability. Add to this the excellent port selection at the back, and very slim bezels, and it’s easy to see why this is one of the best 4K monitors out there.

Monoprice CrystalPro 27”

Best budget creative monitor

Monoprice 27in CrystalPro Monitor - 4K UHD, 2560x1440p, 60Hz, DisplayHDR...

Designed to be the ultimate general purpose and productivity monitor, our new 27-inch crystalpro monitor hits the sweet spot for display size,...
The 4K UHD (3840x2160p) resolution offers stunning detail, while IPS panel technology ensures rich, accurate color reproduction and wide viewing...
This model will also be VESA Certified displays 400 upon release, satisfying the display industry's standard for true 8-bit image quality, peak...

If you’re trying to stick to a budget that’s as low as possible, but still need a good monitor for creative work, the CrystalPro by Monoprice is a great choice. It’s a 27” monitor with an IPS panel and a lot of great features.

To begin with, it comes with VESA400 certification which means it can run true 8-bit images with a great contrast ratio and a wide color gamut. The colors are pretty accurate, and it uses an LG panel which gives you a bit of guarantee with that.

What we love at this price is the amount of adjustability you get. You don’t expect height, tilt, swivel, and rotate at this price, but Monoprice includes it all. Yes, it might not be perfect, but if you’re on a budget, it’s definitely one of the best 4K monitors.

LG 32UD99-W

Best high-end day-to-day monitor

LG 32UD99-W 32-Inch 4K UHD IPS Monitor with HDR 10 (2017)

32 inches UHD 4K IPS Display (3840 x 2160)
HDR 10 For PC; Viewing angle: 178 (Top bottom) / 178 (Right left)
DCI P3 95 percent color standard

People who only need a monitor for all-around daily use should check out LG’s 32UD99-W. It comes at a high (but well-justified) price and checks all the boxes for a great monitor to do work on, or just browse the internet.

To begin with, the 32” IPS panel has excellent viewing angles, thanks to LG’s brilliant panel. It also has a 95% coverage of the DCI-P3 colorspace, too, so even some color accurate work isn’t out of the question.

On the outside, the bezels are pretty slim, which makes the experience pretty immersive. You also get LG’s highly adjustable stand, which allows you to set this up just how you like it. All things considered, if you don’t really have any specific requirements, LG’s 32UD99-W is a perfect choice. Great panel, great design, and a price that is well justified by the features.

AOC U2879VF

Best midrange day-to-day monitor

AOC U2879VF 28”Class LED 4K Monitor 3840x2160, 300cd/m2, 10Bit Color,...

28" Class (28" Viewable) TN panel, 3840 x 2160 resolution, 16: 9 aspect ratio
300 cd/M2 Brightness, 60Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, 20M: 1 DCR
Connectivity- VGA, DVI, HDMI, display Port

AOC has a lot of reasonably priced monitors, but the U2879VF is one of those that check some boxes, while completely neglecting others. And if you don’t want to have absolutely everything, it still might be a good choice for you.

To begin with, the panel is a TN panel. However, that being said, it actually has pretty good colors, and they don’t appear as washed out as with others. You do get the TN panels’ 1ms response time and a 60Hz refresh rate, which is a nice combination on a budget. Oh – and FreeSync, too, in case you’ll be gaming.

However, on the outside, things aren’t as impressive. The stand offers little to no adjustment, and the bezels aren’t as thin as most of the competition. At this price, it’s understandable, but if you want ergonomics and a monitor that looks nice, you might want to look elsewhere.

BenQ EL2870U

Best budget day-to-day monitor

BenQ EL2870U 28 inch 4K Monitor for Gaming 1ms Response Time, FreeSync,...

High resolution 4K monitor: 28-inch LCD TN 3840x2160 resolution
Eye Care comfort for extended sessions: Proprietary brightness Intelligence Adaptive technology adjusts brightness for comfortable viewing; low Blue...
Smooth game play: AMD Free Sync for smooth game play, eliminating tearing and broken frames; HDR technology offers greater brightness and contrast...

BenQ has been making monitors for a good while, and that’s one of the reasons why they can make a decent 4K panel, while still keeping the price reasonable. We’re talking about the EL2870U, which is a budget pick that costs less than some 1080p monitors and is still pretty good for day-to-day use.

The panel is a TN panel, and the colors are … well, what you’d expect from a TN panel. Nothing to write home about. It does have a 1ms response time, and a 60Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync, which is nice. You can do some casual gaming on this monitor if you want.

On the outside, you have a stand that offers only tilt adjustment and rather thick bezels, which not everyone will love. But at this price, it’s still one of the best 4K monitors for users on a budget.