Best 4K Monitor 2026 – options for gamers & creatives
Reviewed By: Charlie Noon
Table of Contents
If you’re looking for the best 4K monitor for your needs, whether your focus is on gaming, creative workflows, general productivity, or somewhere in between, you should find what you’re looking for in the options we’ve selected below, which represent the very cream of the current crop.
As of 2025, 4K monitors are more affordable than ever, as is the hardware needed to play games at 4K resolution and generate a respectable FPS (though it still requires a pretty high-end rig to play the latest AAA titles on the higher graphics settings). Our selections encompass a range of different budgets: from high-end premium picks to more budget-friendly displays.
As good as these displays are, it’s rare to find a completely perfect product: there’s usually always a trade-off. For each of the selections below we’ve listed their main pros and cons and discussed who they’re best suited for, to help you find the right one to meet your needs. So, without further ado, let’s get stuck in!
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Prices correct as of September 21st, 2026.
Products at a glance
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MSI MPG 32″ QD-OLED 4K Gaming Monitor (321URX)
- Panel type: QD-OLED
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Response time: 0.03ms
- Panel size: 32″
- I/O ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C (DP & 90W Power Delivery), 2x USB-A 2.0, 1x USB-B 2.0 upstream, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
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MSI MPG 272URX 4K QD-OLED
- Panel type: QD-OLED
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Response time: 0.03ms
- Panel size: 27″
- I/O ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 2.1, 1x USB-C (DP & 98W Power Delivery), 2x USB-A, 1x USB-B, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
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Acer Nitro XV275K P5
- Panel type: Mini-LED (IPS)
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Refresh rate: 160Hz / 320Hz (FHD mode)
- Response time: 1ms (claimed G to G)
- Panel size: 27-inch
- I/O ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x Type-C (PD 90W),2x USB 3.0, 1x Audio out
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ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV
- Panel type: IPS
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Panel size: 27-inch
- Response time: 5ms (claimed GTG)
- I/O ports: USB-C x 1 (DP Alt Mode), DisplayPort 1.4 x 2 (Daisy Chain), HDMI(v2.0) x 2, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (96W PD), Earphone Jack
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Dell S2725QS
- Panel type: IPS
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Panel size: 27-inch
- Response time: 4/5/8ms (claimed GTG)
- I/O ports: 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x DisplayPort 1.4
How we pick the best 4K monitors
Every monitor we review is assessed in terms of what core specifications you get for the money, its build-quality, ergonomics, connection options, and subjective viewing experience along with a technical test of the color replication and accuracy. Any additional performance-enhancing features or quality of life inclusions are also factored in.
For every gaming monitor we test, we make sure to see how it performs in real-world gaming scenarios, with particular focus on the maximum refresh rate and response time (seeing if any ghosting or motion blur is visible, also using the Alien UFO test for this), as well as how the Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology in the monitor (e.g. G-Sync or FreeSync) handles screen tearing.
- Panel type: QD-OLED
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Response time: 0.03ms
- Panel size: 32″
- I/O ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C (DP & 90W Power Delivery), 2x USB-A 2.0, 1x USB-B 2.0 upstream, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
- OLED panel has fantastic contrast ratio
- Excellent response time & motion clarity
- 100% sRGB coverage & high color accuracy
- HDMI 2.1
- 90W USB-C Power Delivery & KVM switch
- A good array of ports
- Peak SDR brightness low as with other OLEDs
- Limited to DisplayPort 1.4
- Only comes with basic G-Sync support (no native integration)
The MSI MPG 321URX (or MSI MPG 321URXW if you want the white version) has a couple of limitations, in particular the low peak brightness (around 225 nits) which is typical of pretty much all OLED screens, but in many ways it’s the perfect 4K gaming monitor.
With a 240Hz maximum refresh rate, and the unbeatable response time of the OLED panel, fast-paced gaming is great on this device. It has terrific contrast ratio and deep blacks, meaning dark scenes have fantastic detail, and the color replication is also great – it’s got the gamut coverage and accuracy to allow you to do color-accurate work in the sRGB space. Port coverage is also good, and includes 90W power delivery via the USB-C port as well as a KVM switch – both great for productivity.
Although the MSI MPG 322URX is the later model of this screen, as we found in our review the differences between the two monitors is very limited, with the only real differences being the upgrade to DisplayPort 2.1, faster USB connections, and somewhat improved G-Sync support (plus an additional 8W to the USB-C power delivery – hardly an increase worth writing home about). Whilst these upgrades are welcome, the additional $250-$300 you pay for them just isn’t worth it in our opinion unless you really need that DisplayPort 2.1, you’d be better going for the 321URX.
- Panel type: QD-OLED
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Response time: 0.03ms
- Panel size: 27″
- I/O ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 2.1, 1x USB-C (DP & 98W Power Delivery), 2x USB-A, 1x USB-B, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
- 240Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution
- High 166ppi means good text clarity
- OLED panel has fantastic contrast ratio
- Excellent response time & motion clarity
- 100% sRGB & 98% DCI-P3 coverage & very high color accuracy
- DisplayPort 2.1 & HDMI 2.1
- 98W USB-C Power Delivery & KVM switch
- A good array of ports
- Very expensive
- Peak SDR brightness low as with other OLEDs
- Full native G-Sync integration would have been nice
- Aesthetics are not quite premium
The MPG 272URX is another 4K OLED monitor from MSI with a 240Hz refresh rate, though this time it’s a 27-inch model. Besides this though it’s very similar to our top-pick, and more similar still to the later-gen MPG 322URX, coming with all the benefits of DisplayPort 2.1, USB-A 3.2 ports, and 98W USB-C power delivery.
Like the above you get the excellent response time an OLED panel brings, along with top-notch contrast ratio and performance in dark scenes. Color accuracy is great, and you get 100% sRGB coverage and 98% coverage in the DCI-P3 space for creatives. Port coverage is also solid and you once again get a KVM switch.
With an asking price of nearly $1,100 at the time of writing, this is a very expensive 27-inch monitor, but does benefit from a very high 166ppi pixel density given the fact it’s such a high resolution on a smaller screen. Like the other OLED displays on this list, the maximum SDR brightness is very limited (to around 244 nits in this case) and we would have liked to have seen a slightly more slick aesthetic from such a premium display, but still, this is an excellent monitor.
- Panel type: Mini-LED (IPS)
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Refresh rate: 160Hz / 320Hz (FHD mode)
- Response time: 1ms (claimed G to G)
- Panel size: 27-inch
- I/O ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x Type-C (PD 90W),2x USB 3.0, 1x Audio out
- 240Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution
- High 166ppi means good text clarity
- OLED panel has fantastic contrast ratio
- Excellent response time & motion clarity
- 100% sRGB & 98% DCI-P3 coverage & very high color accuracy
- DisplayPort 2.1 & HDMI 2.1
- 98W USB-C Power Delivery & KVM switch
- A good array of ports
- Very expensive
- Peak SDR brightness low as with other OLEDs
- Full native G-Sync integration would have been nice
- Aesthetics are not quite premium
The Acer Nitro XV275K P5 is an IPS panel display with Mini-LED backlighting. It’s a great pick if you want a 4K display that can handle both gaming and productivity work, even if it’s not necessarily the best in either category. With a 160Hz maximum refresh rate, it’s not probably the pick a hardcore competitive gamer would go for, and it can’t match the response time of an OLED display, but this is plenty fast for most people at this resolution (you’d be lucky to get higher than 160FPS in the latest AAA titles on max graphics settings, even with the most powerful PC).Â
In terms of productivity, compared to the OLED picks above, this monitor has a terrific peak brightness, maxing out at around 600 nits in SDR mode – bright enough to be used outside in the unlikely event you fancied doing so! When it comes to color-based workflows, it has 100% sRGB coverage and high color accuracy (around 1.15 DeltaE*00). DCI-P3 coverage is around 96%.
The Nitro XV275K P5 is the successor to the Acer Nitro XV275K P3 (we’re not sure what happened to the P4) and costs around $100 more at current pricing, but comes with double the number of dimming zones (1152 compared to 576) plus improved dimming tech to implement it. Given the blooming/haloing effect that you typically get in dark scenes on Mini-LED monitors is one of their major drawbacks, this is a welcome improvement. You still won’t get anywhere near the performance that you would on an OLED screen of course, and some blooming is still visible, but this is the trade-off you pay for that higher peak brightness.
- Panel type: IPS
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Panel size: 27-inch
- Response time: 5ms (claimed GTG)
- I/O ports: USB-C x 1 (DP Alt Mode), DisplayPort 1.4 x 2 (Daisy Chain), HDMI(v2.0) x 2, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (96W PD), Earphone Jack
- 100% sRGB coverage & high color accuracy
- Fantastic peak brightness
- Reduced blooming compared to a lot of Mini-LED monitors
- Still some blooming in dark scenes
If you’re not interested in gaming, but want a 4K monitor that’s a capable performer when it comes to both general productivity and color-accurate work, then the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV is a great choice.
Text clarity looks great on the IPS panel, and the peak brightness in SDR mode of around 370 nits is sufficient for working in brightly-lit environments indoors at least. The matte screen finish also helps with reflection handling in these scenarios. The ergonomics of the stand are great for productivity: you can pivot it 90° it to either landscape or portrait mode, and it comes with a -45° to 45° swivel range, -23° to 2.5° tilt range, and a height adjustment of 0~130mm.
The monitor covers 100% of the sRGB gamut and Adobe RGB gamuts and has some of the best color accuracy we’ve ever seen (around 1.20 DeltaE*00) getting even better with calibration (you might be able to achieve sub-0.50 DeltaE*00, depending on your calibration equipment). Annoyingly DCI-P3 coverage is not quite 100%, with the screen achieving 99% by our reckoning, but this is sufficient for most uses, even if it’s possibly not quite good enough for high-end professional work. Contrast ratio is however one of the weaker points of this display, being limited to around 920:1.
- Panel type: IPS
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Panel size: 27-inch
- Response time: 4/5/8ms (claimed GTG)
- I/O ports: 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x DisplayPort 1.4
- 100% sRGB and Adobe RGB coverage & exceptional color accuracy
- Text looks sharp
- A good array of ports
- 96W USB-C Power Delivery
- Excellent ergonomics
- Contrast ratio could be better
- Not quite 100% DCI-P3 coverage (i.e. 99%)
- Capped at 60Hz refresh rate with poor response time if you want to game on it
If you’re looking for an affordable, general productivity monitor with 4K resolution, then the Dell S2725QS or, alternatively, the previous gen Dell S2721QS (if you can find it for significantly cheaper) are great options. Both of these monitors are 27-inch IPS displays, with much the same features, although the S2725QS has a 120Hz maximum refresh rate, rather than the 60Hz on the older model, so if there’s not much price difference between the two we’d go for the newer model, just to give you that extra bit of flexibility if you want to do some light gaming (although it should be noted that the response time is pretty poor on these monitors, so you’ll experience motion blur in fast-moving scenarios).
As with the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV you get around 370 nits max brightness in SDR mode – good enough for use in most brightly lit interiors when combined with the matte coated screen. You get 100% sRGB gamut coverage, although significantly less in the Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 spaces, with both being in the low 80% range, so if you need coverage in these areas we’d look elsewhere. Pre-calibration the color accuracy is above 3.00 DeltaE*00, which is not ideal, and so we’d discourage doing any color-accurate work on it until you calibrate it. Post-calibration however you can get DeltaE*00 scores of sub-0.60, which is very good indeed.
Although the ergonomics aren’t quite as good as the ProArt monitor above (due to a more limited swivel range of -30° to 30°) they’re definitely not far off, and include the useful 90° pivot to let you transition between landscape and portrait mode. One of the ways this monitor is available to buy so cheaply is that it completely lacks any USB ports whatsoever, never mind any power delivery, which won’t bother some people but it’s definitely something to be aware of.
Why you can trust us
At PC Guide, our team draws on extensive experience in testing and reviewing monitors. Every recommendation is the result of a thorough evaluation, covering all aspects of a device’s design, performance, and usability. Our reviews are carried out independently, free from brand influence or sponsorship obligations. We also place strong emphasis on value for money – assessing whether a product’s performance justifies its cost. If an older model delivers comparable results at a significantly better price, we’ll highlight it over the latest release.
Things to consider when buying a 4K monitor
Size of screen
Different size 4K screens are available, but in our opinion, the smallest you probably want to go with a desktop monitor (which is typically sat further away from your face than a laptop display) is 27-inch. Any smaller than this and it’s debatable whether you need such high DPI for gaming at least (some creative uses may still benefit from it though) – for most people 1440p/1600p will look very crisp on a 24-inch display or smaller. Probably the ideal size for most people looking to buy a 4K monitor is 32-inches.
Panel type
Different panel types of 4K monitors exist just as they do for other resolutions. OLED screens (whether they be QD-OLED or WOLED) offer unbeatable contrast ratio, deep rich blacks, and excellent response times, but are very limited in terms of maximum brightness and are often weaker in terms of text legibility. IPS displays are the classic panel type, which are often cheaper and can get brighter than OLED, but cannot compare in terms of contrast or response times. Mini-LED monitor backlights can be added to IPS panels which vastly improves their brightness, however they do suffer in darker scenes from a blooming/halo effect which can be visible around lighter objects.
Check your PC is powerful enough to run games at 4K resolution
Although 4K gaming is now more accessible than ever, particularly with the benefits of DLSS 4 on the latest Nvidia 50-series graphics cards, it still requires a very powerful PC to run if you’re trying to play the latest titles on the higher graphical presets. It’s wise to make sure that – if your interests lie in 4K gaming – that your PC is powerful enough to play your favorite games at this resolution (otherwise you’d be better opting for a 1440p monitor).
FAQs
Is HDMi 2.1 needed for 4K console gaming?
A HDMI 2.1 monitor is needed for console gaming if you want to play at 4K resolution above 60Hz. Consoles do not use DisplayPort so you cannot rely on this connection like you can with PC gaming. HDMI 2.0 ports are limited to 60Hz 4K, whereas HDMI 2.1 enables 120Hz 4K.
Do you need DisplayPort 2.1 for a 4K monitor?
You do not need DisplayPort 2.1 for a 4K monitor if your max refresh rate is 240Hz or less, but it does improve performance in some areas. Basically, DisplayPort 1.4 can handle 240Hz 4K output, but it relies upon Display Stream Compression (DSC) to do so, which can lead to bugs and performance issues in some cases. Specifically DSC can cause your screen to go black for short periods when Alt-Tabbing out of fullscreen programs (such as games), and can cause some other annoying bugs with some multi-monitor setups, it can also block DSR/DLDSR if you like to use these features. DisplayPort 2.1 does not suffer from any of these issues.
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