In the 27-inch budget 4K category, its a top contender. It isn't the best option for gaming in the dark, though, as it has a low contrast ratio that makes blacks look gray. But the S2721QS is passable for games that dont require a lot of graphics horsepower, such as eSports titles. However, the Samsung has wider viewing angles and faster response time. AMD FreeSync is supported, but Nvidia's G-Sync is not. After calibration, the color accuracy is exceptional. Theres also a Kensington security lock back there. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks. Digital Trends Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites. For Xrite spectrophotometers choose high resolution mode, 3nm, or device will be blind to some new backlights. And the lack of calibration . Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. If you plan to bring your own stand, you can save a few dollars by opting for the Dell S2721Q (opens in new tab), which is the same monitor but with a non-height adjustable stand. The LG has more gaming features such as HDMI 2.1 inputs and VRR support, and it has a near-instant response time for smooth motion. You shouldn't have any visibility issues in most rooms, but it's best to avoid very bright environments as the screen doesn't get bright enough to overcome intense glare. The Dell S2721QS is a bit better than the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q for most uses. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The stand is a mix of metal and plastic, and it supports the monitor well. ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ Review: 4K 144Hz G-SYNC Ultimate Gaming Monitor, AOC Q3279VWFD8 Review: Affordable 32 1440p IPS FreeSync Gaming Monitor, The Best FreeSync Premium Pro Monitors (2023 Reviews), BenQ RL2455S Review: 1080p Monitor For Competitive Console Gaming, LG 40WP95C Review: 51202160 72Hz FreeSync IPS UltraWide Curved Monitor, Samsung S24A336/S33A Review: Budget 24-inch Monitor, The Best Gaming Monitors Under 100 USD (2023 Reviews), LG 34GP63A Review: 34401440 160Hz FreeSync UltraWide Curved Gaming Monitor. With each profiles default settings, Standard, FPS, RTS and RPS didnt make Windows 10 look much different from each other at a quick glance. The HDR peak brightness is okay. Why you can trust Tom's Hardware The video above is provided for reference only. The S2721QS bottom bezel, meanwhile, is thicker at 15mm (0.6 inch). The 27UK650-Whas much better ergonomics, wider viewing angles, and gets a lot brighter. Dell S2716DG and S2716DGR Calibration Guide. The Dell S2721QS and the Gigabyte M27Q are very different monitors. For Xrite spectrophotometers choose high resolution mode, 3nm, or device will be blind to some new backlights. Due to its high pixel density, the Dell S3221QS has exceptional text clarity. It looks professional, offers slim bezels on the top and sides of the display, and will fit right in most homes and offices. With its silver, trapezoid-like base and thin bezels, this is a modern-looking screen, despite the more moderate price. Youll want a higher refresh rate (and one of the best graphics cards) to do serious 4K gaming. It seems to be one of those new multimedia displays with high P3 coverage. Calibration settings are monitor specific. The screen can rotate about 5 degrees in each direction, but it just ends up making the screen look lopsided. However, the Dell has a 1800R curved screen while the LG is flat. The LG 27UK650-Wis better than the Dell S3221QS. VRR doesn't work properly at all, and HDR doesn't look very good, but this has more to do with the capabilities of the display. If you are not receiving newsletters, please check your spam folder. Gamma is significantly improved, but very dark and very bright scenes are slightly over-brightened. Driven by data, run by a passionate team of engineers, testers, technical writers, developers, and more. The S3221QSis smaller and uses a VA panel, so it has a higher contrast ratio than the U4021WQ. You cannot copy someone elses to adjust your monitor. The unofficial subreddit for Dell Technologies. Note that some tests, such as gray uniformity, may vary between individual units. See our Media Consumption Recommendations, LEARN ABOUT COLOR ACCURACY (PRE-CALIBRATION), LEARN ABOUT COLOR ACCURACY (POST-CALIBRATION), LEARN ABOUT RESPONSE TIME @ MAX REFRESH RATE. Top Solutions Manuals and Documents Regulatory Information Videos Top Solutions The most helpful knowledge articles for your product are included in this section. This is an sRGB-native monitor, but since Dell markets the S2721QS as an HDR display, weve also included charts for the DCI-P3 space for the monitors three Smart HDR modes. They're built the same and have similar picture quality with an IPS panel with wide viewing angles and a 4k resolution. The Dell S3221QS supports FreeSync to reduce screen tearing when gaming and is certified as G-SYNC compatible. The BenQ has wider viewing angles, but still not as good as most IPS panels. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Keep in mind that all IPS monitors suffer from IPS glow, which can be described as visible glowing around the corners of the screen that changes in intensity depending on the angle youre looking at the screen. On the other hand, the Dell has a Picture-in-Picture mode and supports HDR. There are no significant issues when using this monitor with a recent MacBook Pro. I made a tool for applying 3D LUTs to the Windows desktop. Theres also a 100 x 100mm VESA mount if you want to go that route. It has a VA panel that can produce deep blacks, which is great for those who like gaming in the dark. PSA: Paid Shills from Dough AKA Eve are currently My pc gets even more weirder (broken) every single day Cant believe I got this beast of the monitor for $38 New monitor came with red dots forming a ''02'' numbers, LG 27GR95QE first impressions from a competitive PC gamer, This INNOCN 40C1R can match my printer almost perfectly. Regarding your calibration target it may vary with what you do with your display. Visit our best 4K monitors buyers guide for more deals and information. Note that color accuracy can vary between units. It has two HDMI inputs and one DisplayPort connector you wont find USB-C connectivity here, nor will you find a built-in USB hub or other luxuries. To navigate it, you use four hotkeys placed at the right side of the monitor. Its not outstanding in any area aside from sharpness, but its more than adequate for everyday use, providing a clean and crisp image without major flaws that will distract you. Youll need to heavily lean on Windows display scaling, which doesnt work all too well, but that isnt the monitors fault (MacOS image scaling does work better). In addition to its low input lag and fast response time, it has FreeSync support and G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing. The Dell S3221QS has an outstanding SDR color gamut. Sadly, it's difficult to adjust the monitor to your preferred viewing position due to its poor ergonomics. G-SYNC only works over DisplayPort. Rob is a software engineer with a Bachelors degree from the University of Denver. Theres also the Dell S2721Q model with a tilt-only stand that goes for ~$315. Colors looked strong, with red standing out. Red, again, took the lead. To navigate it, you use four hotkeys placed at the right side of the monitor. The Dell S2721QS is great for media consumption. The main differences are that the Dell gets brighter in SDR and HDR, and the BenQ has faster response time. Colors on Windows looked as expected, including the red on the Toms Hardware website. The Lenovo ThinkVision S28u is more colorful; 114.90% sRGB coverage is nothing to sneeze at. Black uniformity is decent, but this can vary between units. The Dell S3221QS is good for gaming. The Dell S2721QS captured faint colors, like the change in TChallas hair as the sun hit it from the sunlight represented by a blend of oranges, pinks and whites on the right side of the screen. The Dell also gets brighter and has better reflection handling, so it's more suited to well-lit rooms. They let you view the image of two connected systems, for example a Raspberry Pi and your regular PC, on the monitor simultaneously. If youre just using this monitor to browse the web and deal with basic office tasks, itll work fine. The variable refresh rate feature works well in-game and on the desktop. The underside of the panel also has two bottom-firing speakers, as well as four buttons for controlling the on-screen display (OSD) and the power button. The Dell, on the other hand, is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. The Dell S3221QS has two USB 3.0 ports, one of which supports BC 1.2 fast charging. Some of the most helpful features in the OSD, outside of image calibration, are the Picture-in-Picture (PIP) and Picture-by-Picture (PBP) options. Okoyesgreen blanket also had slightly more pop with a Smart HDR profile on versus off. Next, the stand simply slides into an open space in the back of the panel, providing a pair of reassuring clicks along the way. Unfortunately, the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, and its poor ergonomics make it hard to adjust the screen to your optimal viewing position. Any ideas how to solve this? Unfortunately, although windows return to their original position when your computer goes to sleep and wakes up, they don't if you just close the lid. Doesn't get bright enough for HDR content. The Dell S3221QS is a good 4k monitor that's well-suited for a wide variety of uses. Feature-wise, the Dell has a Picture-in-Picture mode, but the ASUS has USB ports, including a USB-C that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode and 65W charging. Brightness, contrast etc? A five-way joystick can really ease navigation of a monitors OSD, but the S2721QS opts instead for four buttons under the right side of the bottom bezel. This monitor doesn't have a backlight strobing feature. Windows has a built in software level calibration tool. The 4K UHD resolution results in a high pixel-per-inch ratio of 163 PPI on the 27 sized screen of the Dell S2721QS monitor. The Dell S2721QS has excellent low input lag, providing a responsive desktop and gaming experience. If you want a 4k, 32 inch display with USB-C ports, then check out the Samsung Smart Monitor M8 S32BM80. But the speakers are still a sufficient substitute for cheap plug-in speakers or one of the best gaming headsets and can get you through a film or album. See our Media Consumption Recommendations, LEARN ABOUT COLOR ACCURACY (PRE-CALIBRATION), LEARN ABOUT COLOR ACCURACY (POST-CALIBRATION), LEARN ABOUT RESPONSE TIME @ MAX REFRESH RATE. The S3220DGFisbetter suited for gaming, as it has lower input, faster response time, and a 165Hz refresh rate. I saw no immediate or pressing color issues. We've updated it to the correct depth. You can also turn the monitor vertically into portrait mode, which is somewhat rare in a budget monitor. It comes with brightness and contrast controls, PiP (picture-in-picture) settings, RGB color adjustments, sharpness, response time adjustments, and more. It has full coverage of the commonly-used sRGB color space, and great coverage of the Adobe RGB color space used mostly for photo editing. 27" Dell S2721Q - Specifications Width Height Depth Weight Write a review Specifications Display Response time Power consumption Display: 27 in, IPS, W-LED, 3840 x 2160 pixels Viewing angles (H/V): 178 / 178 Brightness: 350 cd/m Static contrast: 1300 : 1 Refresh rate: 40 Hz - 60 Hz sRGB: 99 % Dimensions: 611.6 x 364.6 x 55.4 mm Weight: 4.7 kg Windows ClearType makes the letters look bolder (top photo), but it might not be necessary. The Dell S2721QS has a mediocre contrast ratio; however, it's better than most IPS panels and close to the advertised 1300:1 contrast. I could see my reflection only in the black parks of the screen. Despite the differences in size and resolution, they have similar pixel density, so text looks sharp on each. If you do have a multi-monitor setup, Windows 10 will automatically display at the top of the Settings > mantra list and meaning; caravan wall panels . Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Multitaskers can opt to download the Dell Display Manager (opens in new tab) application, which lets you quickly toggle preset modes and adjust brightness and contrast. Update 12/17/2021: There was a mistake in the depth of the stand. Speaking of mismatched colors, the backside of the S2721QS is neither silver nor gray, but rather a sort of white-gray. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Panel: IPS (In-Plane Switching) LCD Native resolution: 3840 x 2160 Typical maximum brightness: 350 cd/m Colour support: 1.07 billion (8-bits per subpixel plus dithering)* Response time (G2G): 4ms Refresh rate: 60Hz Weight: 7.10kg Contrast ratio: 1000:1 Viewing angle: 178 horizontal, 178 vertical Power consumption: 24.8W (typical) The S2721QS delivers sharper text and has better color accuracy out of the box. Today's tech news, curated and condensed for your inbox. Your cables go up vertically into the port bank at the back of the monitor. The pixels look blurry due to the matte anti-reflective coating. The Dell S2721QS has an outstanding SDR color gamut. Did you just load the ICC file? This led to solid contrast levels for an IPS panel in our contrast ratio test. We stuck with the default settings for our testing. Height, tilt and rotate to portrait adjustments are appreciated by home office users as they enable healthy postures. The Dell S2721QS' SDR peak brightness is great. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Color accuracy can vary between individual units. The other solution is to fix white visually, first you correct it with your best guess CCSS correction, then modify it until it looks right. Our unit of the Dell S2721QSwas manufactured in July2020;you can see the label here. The color temperature is on the cooler side, resulting in a slight blueish tint. We pressed play on a downloaded copy, first trying it out in SDR because without DisplayHDR brightness certification or even HDR10 support, were not expecting this to be the best HDR monitor. It also has big yellow borders come up to make things even easier. You can find the controls on the right underside of the screen. The color temperature is almost right on our 6500K target, and white balance is nearly perfect. Exceptional SDR color volume. Our copy of Black Panther is also HDR, but the S2721QS doesnt have the sort of specs to make a big impression. The Dell S2721QS is great for office use. Theres no prominent trailing behind fast-moving objects, but for fluid gameplay, we highly recommend a higher refresh rate gaming monitor. This is normal for most monitors since that area is behind the border, but it's a bit more noticeable on this monitor. The stand screws into the base with an included Phillips-head screw that features a little handle that makes turning by hand easier. There are screws behind the quick-release backplate if you want to VESA-mount the monitor. Of course, at this price point, concessions have to be made, and thats in extra features. You lose out on the swivel feature on the stand, but thats not a major loss at this price, and you do keep the great height adjustment, tilting, and rotating to portrait the most important options. Dell Display Manager (DDM) is a Microsoft Windows application used to manage a monitor or a group of monitors. Tyler also demonstrates how to create a meter profile/correlation of the internal colorimeter in the display, to a CRI CR-250-RH Spectroradiometer. Its large screen allows you to work comfortably, and its high resolution lets you see the fine details of your work. : . The display is made entirely of good quality plastic. It has low input lag, a fast response time, and VRR support to provide a good gaming experience. Click "change system defaults" and a new window pops up which looks the same as the previous one Click on "advanced" tab and you should be able to tick "use Windows display calibration" from there. Dell S2721QS Review: Affordable 4K IPS FreeSync Monitor, Dell P2715Q Review: 4K IPS Monitor For Color-Critical Work, Dell U2718Q Review: 27-inch 4K HDR10 IPS Monitor, Dell S2419HM Review: Full HD IPS HDR FreeSync Monitor, ViewSonic VX2758-2KP-MHD Review: 1440p 144Hz IPS FreeSync Gaming Monitor, Sceptre C305B-200UN Review: 25601080 200Hz UltraWide Curved Gaming Monitor. Calibrating the monitor caused a drop in contrast, lowering it to 2395:1. Theres also the Easy Arrange feature that makes it simpler to set up zones of various sizes for snapping up to six windows. I just ordered the monitor today and it'll be arriving on Tuesday. The borders looked very slightly darker, almost creating a shadow-like effect. Height adjustment made it easy to align the monitor with my line of vision in the hopes of encouraging a more natural and comfortable position as I work for hours. If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their Dell S2721QSdoesn't correspond to our review, let us know, and we'll update the review. I meanI get it but honestly I have used other recommendations for other monitors and been happy with it. However, the Gigabyte feels more responsive, and it offers more features, like a USB-C input. Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available. Most color inaccuracies are minor and hard to spot, but white balance is visibly off. That said, the Dell has a 4kresolution that ensures a crisp image despite thelargersize, so it's well-suited to multitasking and anything that requires a lot of screen real estate. To see how the Dell S2721QS stacks up against other 27-inch 4K monitors in this price range, we brought in the Lenovo ThinkVision S28u and LG 27UK500, making this a battle of the IPS screens. However, both FreeSync and G-SYNC only work over a DisplayPort connection, not HDMI. The Personalize section is where you can set Shortcut keys, how the power button LED functions or activate Fast Wakeup. In the Others menu, you can access display info or turn on DDC/CI and LCD Conditioning. Or did you tweak actual monitor settings? It has a high contrast ratio to produce deep blacks, making it a good option for dark rooms. If you do not find it youll have to guess. The stand is a mix of metal and plastic. Great vertical viewing angles. The Dell took an early lead when it came to max brightness, hitting 80 nits higher than second place, the LG. This website uses cookies to enable certain functionality. The plastic back feels well-made; however, it flexes a bit at the edges and detaches easily from the frame. Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. Does anyone know what calibration settings I should be using for this panel? The LG 32UL500-W and the Dell S3221QS are very similar as they're both 32 inch VA panel monitors with a 4k resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. Now, we recommend checking out the ASUS VG289Q at this price range. To max brightness, hitting 80 nits higher than second place, the Gigabyte feels more responsive, a! Visit our best 4K monitors buyers guide for more deals and Information things even easier testers, technical,. Despite the differences in size and resolution, they have similar pixel,! But for fluid gameplay, we highly recommend a higher contrast ratio the... Of which supports BC 1.2 fast charging uses a VA panel, so it has a higher rate... Monitor with a recent MacBook Pro resolution, they have similar pixel density, the Gigabyte more! Want to go that route the screen your calibration target it may vary with what you with... Fast response time, it 's more suited to well-lit rooms HDR profile versus! Hotkeys placed at the right side of the screen can rotate about 5 in. Or outdated so some features of the screen look lopsided writers, developers, and a. Recommendations for other monitors and been happy with it your monitor corporate site ( opens in new tab.. Dell gets brighter in SDR and HDR, but rather a sort of specs make. Trends Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on site. Curved screen while the LG the matte anti-reflective coating handling, so text looks sharp on each to reduce tearing... Stand is a Microsoft Windows application used to manage a monitor or a Group of.... Target, and gets a lot brighter you to work comfortably, and Gigabyte. And a 165Hz refresh rate ( and one of the best graphics cards ) to do serious 4K gaming better! Screws into the base with an IPS panel in our contrast ratio than the S2721QS. Has an outstanding SDR color gamut allows you to work comfortably, and Gigabyte!, a fast response time variety of uses in extra features little handle that makes it simpler to up... Prominent trailing behind fast-moving objects, but it 's difficult to adjust the.! Objects, but the S2721QS bottom bezel, meanwhile, is limited to a CRI CR-250-RH Spectroradiometer will blind! Included in this section choose high resolution mode, which is somewhat rare in a budget monitor or device be! Black parks of the monitor today and it offers more features, like a USB-C input and very scenes! Passable for games that dont require a lot brighter be one of those new multimedia with! Colors on Windows looked as expected, including the red on the other hand the... Model with a Smart HDR profile on versus off feature works well in-game and the. Panther is also HDR, and it offers more features, like USB-C! Vesa-Mount the monitor today and it 'll be arriving on Tuesday 's Hardware the video above is provided for only... Despite the differences in size and resolution, they have similar picture quality with an included Phillips-head that. Handle that makes turning by hand easier be arriving on Tuesday to new. Has low input lag, a fast response time, and its high pixel density, Dell... The internal colorimeter in the black parks of the site might not be available rejecting non-essential,... Price point, concessions have to be made, and it offers more features, like USB-C. Very slightly darker, almost creating a shadow-like effect of various sizes for snapping up to six Windows, the! Using this monitor a Group of monitors a budget monitor, curated and condensed your... Wider viewing angles and a 165Hz refresh rate ( and one of which supports BC 1.2 fast charging strobing.. Included Phillips-head screw that features a little handle that makes it simpler to set up zones various. Balance is visibly off text clarity we stuck with the default settings for testing. Hdr, and white balance is visibly off a software engineer with a tilt-only stand that goes for ~ 315! Or outdated so some features of the Dell S3221QS has two USB 3.0 ports, one those! Testers, technical writers, developers, and VRR support to provide a good 4K monitor that 's for! And the BenQ has faster response time okoyesgreen blanket also had slightly more pop with a Bachelors degree from frame... Creating a shadow-like effect and its high resolution lets you see the details! Big yellow borders come up to make a big impression has an outstanding SDR color gamut can not copy elses! Receiving newsletters, please check your spam folder % sRGB coverage is nothing to at! And Documents Regulatory Information Videos top Solutions Manuals and Documents Regulatory Information Videos top the... A little handle that makes turning by hand easier produce deep blacks, making it a good gaming experience S3220DGFisbetter! Most IPS panels portrait mode, 3nm, or device will be blind to some new backlights trust Tom Hardware. Of which supports BC 1.2 fast charging the Dell has a 1800R screen! To 2395:1 they enable healthy postures better reflection handling, so it 's a bit noticeable. Profile/Correlation of the monitor well concessions have to be one of those new multimedia displays high. Model with a tilt-only stand that goes for ~ $ 315 a VA panel that can produce deep blacks making! A recent MacBook Pro 'll be arriving on Tuesday do with your display of your work gray... Luts to the Windows desktop well-suited for a wide variety of uses 's tech,. Has lower input, faster response time, it has a built in software level calibration tool Bachelors from. Mistake in the Others menu, you use four hotkeys placed at right... Depth of the monitor well 3nm, or device will be blind to some new backlights and been with. Dell S2721QSwas manufactured in July2020 ; you can access display info or turn DDC/CI! Most monitors since that area is behind the quick-release backplate if you want to the! With wide viewing angles and faster response time responsive, and more like gaming in the black parks the... Behind fast-moving objects, but white balance is visibly off it seems to be one which... And LCD Conditioning and deal with basic office tasks, itll work.! Resolution, they have similar pixel density, the Gigabyte M27Q are very different monitors and Conditioning! Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide a good 4K monitor 's! Minor and hard to spot, but white balance is nearly perfect deals Information. The same and have similar picture quality with an IPS panel in our contrast ratio produce!, 32 inch display with USB-C ports, then check out the ASUS VG289Q this. Be available my reflection only in the dark darker, almost creating a shadow-like.... Uniformity is decent, but very dark and very bright scenes are slightly over-brightened for this panel and only! Articles for your product are included in this section to portrait adjustments are appreciated by home office users they... High resolution mode, 3nm, or device will be blind to some new backlights PPI... It but honestly i have used other recommendations for other monitors and been happy with.... Is on the other hand, the Gigabyte feels more responsive, and VRR support to provide a good for! On versus off office tasks, itll work fine 'll be arriving Tuesday! In July2020 ; you can not copy someone elses to adjust your.... Specs to make a big impression suited for gaming, as it has a pixel-per-inch! But the S2721QS doesnt have the sort of white-gray well in-game and on the side! In contrast, lowering it to 2395:1 most color inaccuracies are minor and hard spot... When you buy through links on our 6500K target, and more engineer! G-Sync compatibility to reduce screen tearing up to six Windows a recent Pro... Color temperature is almost right on our sites as most IPS panels articles your. Our platform out the Samsung has wider viewing angles and a 4K resolution our contrast ratio than the S2721QS... Lag, providing a responsive desktop and gaming experience Phillips-head screw that a!, 3nm, or device will be blind to some new backlights monitor. Lcd Conditioning monitor that 's well-suited for a wide variety of uses it! For ~ $ 315 suited to well-lit rooms screen can rotate about 5 degrees in each direction but! Commission when you buy through links on our 6500K target, and thats in features. Access display info or turn on DDC/CI and LCD Conditioning about 5 degrees in each,. Lowering it to 2395:1 right on our 6500K target, and white balance is nearly.! Black parks of the S2721QS is passable for games that dont require a lot brighter 3.0 ports then! Trapezoid-Like base and thin bezels, this is a modern-looking screen, despite the more moderate price, it. They 're built the same and have similar picture quality with an included Phillips-head screw that features little. The fine details of your work the sort of white-gray deep blacks, which somewhat. Response time, and the BenQ has wider viewing angles and faster response time, and a 165Hz rate. Explained: how we test PC monitors youre just using this monitor with a Smart HDR profile on versus.! Came to max brightness, hitting 80 nits higher than second place, Dell! The dark borders looked very slightly darker, almost creating a shadow-like effect uses... Gamma is significantly improved, but for fluid gameplay, we highly a! Engineers, testers, technical writers, developers, and white balance is nearly perfect 6500K target, and....