The Best 4K PC Screen

The Best 4K PC Screen

Ultra High Definition on a PC screen? It’s possible! After several hours of research, we have determined that the LG 32UD99-W is the best compromise in this area, in particular, thanks to its large-format display that allows you to take full advantage of the 4K while benefiting from the HDR in addition! It is intended for multimedia or gaming-oriented use.

If you are not interested in this new technology but are looking for colourimetric accuracy without using a probe, think of the Benq PD3200U.

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 How did we make a choice?

In order to compose our selection, we had to determine what were the important elements in the search for the best screen. We found that the main challenge is the variety of factors that influence the choice. Whether it is the intended use, the environment in which the product will be placed or the available connectors, all of them may have importance according to your particular needs.

In order to clarify the situation, we have defined the following criteria:

The slab: it is the central element of your display. Available in different sizes, there are 3 types: the TN which targets reactivity, the IPS which relies on image quality and finally the VA which aims the balance between the two. In addition, the physical capabilities of the slab affect the final rendering: maximum brightness, contrast and colour ranges covered are data that must be taken into account.
Calibration: this is the setting defined by the manufacturer or the user. It affects colourimetry (delta E maximum: 3), gammas (a reference to 2.2) and colour temperature (a reference to 6500K). The majority of users are satisfied with factory settings. It is therefore important that this configuration be as efficient as possible. Of course, professionals can use a probe to optimize the final rendering.

The HDR: concretely, unlike the SDR, the maximum brightness is tripled. This is achieved by displaying many levels of light intensity on the same image. This technology helps to bring more depth to the screen while creating a more realistic rendering. So whites are brighter, blacks are deeper.
Response time: it affects the time between a signal and its display on the screen. The best TN screens announce a reactivity of 1 millisecond, rarely reached in reality, which is why it is better to rely on tests published online. Above 5 milliseconds, the difference can start to show itself in play. A value of less than 5 is really important for shooter-type games where players cannot afford the slightest latency.
Refresh rate and persistence: refresh indicates the number of images per second that the slab is capable of displaying. The higher the number, the smoother the animations. The persistence time, on the other hand, refers to the time that an image whose display is finished actually disappears. A high value can result in "ghosting": the image remains visible for an instant too long and creates a blur effect.
Ergonomics: it is very important to ensure your comfort. The foot, in particular, should have as many settings as possible to avoid any stiffness, glare and other inconvenience. Height, tilt, rotation and pivot are adjustable on the best screens. Access to the parameters also deserves your attention: some buttons may be misplaced or not very reactive. For us, the best option is to use a clickable joystick.
Connectivity: it must be as complete as possible. Currently, it is essential to have HDMI, DisplayPort and USB. In the case of 4K screens, the latest standards are strict as the amount of data transported is important, especially with high refresh frequencies.
On the basis of these elements, we were able to reduce our initial selection, composed of about 50 references, to about 15 products.

Reading various tests and user reviews then allowed us to choose the 5 products presented below as the best 4K PC screens at the moment.

Best 4K PC screens cheap

Since the high resolution is linked to high-end models among PC screens, the entry price is quite high. However, the products offered below are a good start and our reference has even the coveted HDR.

 Benq EW3270U: the best cheap

Benq has long been a reference in the field of a PC display. With the EW3270U, it offers a quality display equipped with a 32” VA slab, ideal for maximizing the 4K’s contribution. It can be adapted to users from all walks of life.

Basically, the set is well-calibrated even if the colour temperature is slightly too low. However, this problem is adjustable via the OSD. Delta E is our pivotal value, which means that only seasoned users will notice a lack of fidelity. The gamma curve is very close to the target (2.18) and therefore allows good management of shades of grey.

The EW3270U is the first step towards HDR, still rare in this price range. Combined with high contrast (3000:1), it improves display depth and management of different light situations.

However, in order to make the most of it, the maximum brightness must be at least 1000 nits whereas here it is only 300 nits.

The range of colours covered is 2: 99% of the sRGB spectrum and 95% of the DCI-P3 (used in cinema).

From a reactivity point of view, we are facing a good student. Its 60Hz refresh rate is more than enough at the moment and the 4 ms response time will suffice for the majority of users.

Unfortunately, this beautiful painting is tarnished by a disappointing ergonomics. Indeed, only the inclination is adjustable, with minimal variation. We advise you to opt for a wall mount of type VESA (100 100) to be able to adapt it to your physiognomy. Vogel’s Wall 3125 is a good example.

On the other hand, it is well equipped in connection: it carries 1 Displayport, 2 HDMI 2.0, 1 USB-C. Moreover, the screen is compatible with AMD Freesync which synchronizes the refresh rate with the images per second displayed by your game to avoid any mishap.

At the software level, Benq works to protect your eyesight by integrating Eye Care technology, anti-bending and Brightness Intelligence Plus. It ensures that display brightness and temperature are adapted to your environment.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a 4K display for your PC but don’t have a large budget, the Benq EW3270U is the best solution. Make sure you have enough room because it is quite large.

Acer Predator XB281HK: the cheap alternative

The previous screen did not seem to you enough gaming-oriented? This one should interest you in this case. Between its reactive slab, its correct display quality and its developed ergonomics, it is ready for your long game sessions.

First of all, it carries a 28” TN plate, the technology par excellence to minimize latency. However, this is done at the expense of display quality: gammas are slightly too high (2.4) and delta E too (3.9). The contrast is also lower with a value of only 800:1.
In short, the calibration is not bad overall but it could have been better.

However, in terms of response time, the result is more than favourable: only 1 ms! Let’s just say that demanding players and FPS fans will be thrilled.
The refresh rate is always 60 Hz, which acts as an average in 4K.

Another point on which the Predator XB281HK stands out is its ergonomics. Thus, the position is adjustable both in height and tilt. The screen can also be rotated 90° on its stand to move to the portrait position and 30° on each side on its foot.

The connection, if it is less advanced than on its competitor, remains efficient: a Display Port 1.2, an HDMI port 1.4, 4 USB ports 3.0 and access to G-Sync, the Freesync counterpart at Nvidia.
The design is not discreet and its belonging to the entertainment world is clearly visible with its red inserts and sharp angles.

In conclusion, more gaming-oriented than our reference, the Acer Predator XB281HK is a very good alternative. It sacrifices the HDR but will be much more cooperative for your FPS games.

The best 4K PC displays mid-range

The two models in this section are separated by an important element: the first is intended for the general public where the second is more professional. However, they will delight all their users thanks to their undeniable qualities.

LG 32UD99-W: the best midrange

We know that this product is regularly offered with a relatively long delivery time. That is why we propose this site as an alternative on which the product should be more quickly in stock, but at a higher price.

With this 32-inch diagonal LG IPS screen, you truly fit into a higher range. Although it is not the best calibrated on the market, it offers the most possibilities thanks to the colour ranges it can process, its correct reactivity and, above all, it's HDR rendering.

Here, we find a technology, more adapted to a quality display. The default colours, pre-calibrated by the manufacturer, are already at a good level but are not perfectly accurate. The measured delta E is 2.34 and is below our target value and the gamma values are 2 which can be improved. The colour temperature is good.
This can be easily improved in a few settings (using a clickable joystick). Once this is done, we are clearly approaching perfection.

The screen has HDR technology, well used for games and movies, despite some compatibility problems with Windows 10, which can sometimes turn out to be capricious. The “WOW” effect of this enhanced rendering is ensured even if the maximum brightness too low (360 nits) poses a physical limit to this quality.

The strong point of this model is that there are 3 colour ranges: 100% of sRGB, 87% of Adobe RGB and 95% of DCI-P3. In addition, Rec.709 is also covered.

At the reactivity level, the response time is 5 ms and the refresh rate is still 60 Hz.

The visual performances of this slab are therefore of a very good level and will suit most users.

Ergonomically, the result is also very interesting. The foot is adjustable in all directions, and the connection is complete: 1 Displayport, 2 HDMI 2.0, 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB-C and a 3.5 jack. The screen is also compatible with the Vesa wall frames and features the Freesync.

We haven’t talked much about design on other screens, relatively classic, but this one deserves our attention since it tries to make forget the presence of the frame: ultra-fine edges and foot thinner than average, to focus as much as possible on the image and forget all that surrounds it.

With this product, we have a very good versatile and efficient solution, in all circumstances even if we advise professionals to use a probe.

Benq PD3200U: the mid-range alternative

Want the most accurate colours possible? Benq has thought of you with its PD3200U. Calibrated specifically at the factory exit, its display is extremely accurate and will delight even professionals.

First, it is equipped with a 32” VA slab. The calibration is specific to each product that comes out of the factory (it takes into account the production tolerance) so that customers receive a screen that is directly functional and as accurate as possible.

The final result is, therefore: a delta E of barely 1.11, gammas at 2.17 and a colourimetry close to perfection. The contrast is very good with a value of 1000:1 and the absence of HDR allows the brightness of 350 nits to be amply sufficient. Competition clearly cannot hold the comparison.

The colour ranges covered are reduced and only sRGB (105%) and Rec.709 are taken into account.

In terms of reactivity, nothing transcendent with a frequency of 60 Hz and a response time of 4 ms.

As you can see, Benq doesn’t laugh when she talks to pros.

On the other hand, from the point of view of ergonomics, an effort is still to be made. The screen is adjustable in angulation, can rotate in portrait mode and on its base. No height adjustment is foreseen, a failure when we know that this model is intended for people spending long hours working.

The connector consists of a Displayport, 2 HDMI 2.0, 1 mini Displayport, 2 USB 3.0, 1 3.5 jack and 1 SD port. The brand has also equipped its display with a KVM Switch allowing to change the display source while using the same keyboard, mouse and screen.

From an OSD point of view, in addition to the traditional blue and non-slip filters (which can be supplemented by the use of blue anti-light glasses if necessary), the brand has thought of integrating a CAD/CAM mode for technical drawings. It increases the contrast between the different lines for easy reading. A darkroom mode has also been integrated to optimize the display for dark spaces and an animation mode makes sure to illuminate dark areas without overexposing other areas of the image.

In conclusion, this screen is really designed for productivity. Of course, other users will be delighted by its undeniable qualities.

The best 4K PC screens

Our high-end section is made up of Ufos straight out of the future. They are bringing in technologies that are not being fully exploited now but are looking to the future. This guarantees you long years of use, in short.

Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ: the best upscale

This gamer screen is a summary of what it does best. Looking to the future, it acts as a UFO effectively mixing HDR, high refresh rate and 4K resolution. It is simple, it is impossible at present to push it into its recesses.

The installed slab is a 27” Full LED IPS. Without taking full advantage of the high resolution, it still allows a very nice display. This is reinforced by careful calibration where each factor is extremely close to the benchmarks. We still note a small disappointment in contrast (990:1), limited by the IPS.

The lighting technology has 384 independent areas. This allows better management of the light peaks and a much higher maximum brightness (1119 nits) in order to make the most of the HDR. This system is not flawless and blooming effects may appear on a dark background (leakage of lights). What’s more, all these beautiful people need good cooling, here ensured by a low-speed fan integrated into the chassis. Note that it can be noisy to use.

Less important for gamers, the ranges covered are not very numerous and are limited to 99% of sRGB and 97% of DCI-P3.

The response time, if not record, remains very good for IPS (4 ms).

However, if you want a high refresh rate, you will not be disappointed because the PG27UQ can reach a value of 144 Hz, that is 144 i/s! Let’s just say it’s ready for the future, unlike the current graphics processors that can’t reach those values.

Just like the display, the ergonomics is also neat with fully adjustable support and an OSD accessible via a joystick.

The design is anything but discreet: a chassis marked by the brand’s logo (in LED), whether on its back or via the integrated projector, and a massive design are its trademarks.

The connection is provided by 1 Displayport, 1 HDMI 2.0, 2 USB 3.0, a 3.5 jack. G-Sync is also part of the synchronization with your GPU.

At the software level, Game+ mode allows you to display either a timer, images per second or a viewfinder on the screen.

We hope the builders will prepare their weapons so that they can take full advantage of this “small” piece of jewellery with buried potential.

Honourable mentions

LG 27UD58-B: the most affordable 4K display currently, it offers accurate calibration, an average response time (5 ms) and a 60 Hz refresh rate. Its ergonomics are basic, its connectivity is limited and its brightness is limited but it is still interesting for very small budgets.

In conclusion, which 4K PC screen to choose?

Finally, the LG 32UD99-W is, in our eyes, the best compromise among 4K PC screens. Versatile, design and precise, it ensures a striking and faithful rendering.

If you are tempted to take a first step in the world of Ultra High Definition on PC, the Benq EW3270U is still a very good start.

Finally, if you want to feel ahead of your time, then the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ will be the perfect UFO. Of course, a high flight configuration is mandatory!