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What Are The 5 Top 4K Monitors?

Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard

(ISF Certified)

True Score Methodology

v1.5

320,550

Reviews Analyzed

Updated May 5, 2024 12:21 PM
best 4k monitor guide that shows the top best gaming monitor model

When you’re looking for the best 4K monitors, image quality is crucial. A top-tier 4K monitor should offer a brightness of around 400 nits, a color gamut hitting 100% or more, and a contrast ratio of at least 1000:1. Features like low response time and minimal input lag ensure smooth gameplay and precise image transitions, making these monitors ideal for both work and gaming.

In our analysis, five monitors stood out from a pool of 196 evaluated models. We delved into 320550 reviews and found that 71% of experts weren’t trustworthy. Our approach filters fake and low quality reviews and certifies products as tested using our True Score. The winning monitors excelled in verified testing, delivering superior performance and image quality.

Additionally, for gamers, the top 1080p gaming monitors provide a budget-friendly alternative for gamers who prioritize high refresh rates over resolution, while the best 4K gaming monitors combine the high refresh rate with the sharpness and clarity of 4K resolution, delivering an unparalleled gaming experience. Our guide also includes some of the best computer monitors across various price ranges and uses to cater to every need.

How Did We Rank the Best 4K Monitors?

Our buying guide for the best 4K monitors stands on the shoulders of an exhaustive review process, encompassing insights from more than 200 sites. We dove deep into testing methods and customer feedback, coupled with expert reviews, to extract the most important criteria. By focusing on 2 crucial test outcomes, 1 beneficial features, and 1 indispensable specifications, we crafted a guide that simplifies your decision-making process and highlights the top performers in the market.

Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must have a resolution of 4k (3840 x 2160).

? Test Criteria

  • Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 or higher (infinite), offering deep blacks and bright whites for an exceptional viewing experience.
  • Color Accuracy: At least 90% of the DCI P3 color gamut, providing rich and vibrant colors.

? “Nice To Haves”

  • Fast Response Time: 13 ms or less, ensuring smooth transitions without motion blur.

Latest Updates

  • 05/05/2024: Republished the list to include the best 4k monitors based on our True Score system.
Top 4K Monitors For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    LG 27GP950-B
    • Best For 4K

    The LG 27GP950-B offers vibrant 4K clarity, high refresh rates, and accurate colors, ideal for competitive gamers and creatives in bright settings.

    LG 27GP950-B Review →

    True Score

    82
    82
    4

    Experts

    87
    894

    Customers

    SAVE $498
    $899.99
    $401.97

    Snapshot

    Reasons to Buy

    • 4K resolution delivers great picture quality
    • High peak brightness level
    • Great color accuracy
    • HDMI 2.1 ports for connectivity to modern consoles
    • Support for HDR content

    Reasons to Avoid

    • Low contrast
    • Poor reflection handling
    • So-so ergonomics

    Specifications

    Available InputsAvailable Inputs3.5mm, DisplayPort, HDMI, USB
    Bluelight FilterBluelight Filtern/a
    Built-In SpeakersBuilt-In SpeakersNo
    Built-In WebcamBuilt-In WebcamNo
    Curved ScreenCurved ScreenNo
    Display TypeIPS
    Flicker FreeFlicker FreeYes
    HDMI Inputs2
    HDR FormatHDR10, HDR600
    High Dynamic Range (HDR)Yes
    Max Resolution3840 x 2160 (4k)
    Panel TypePanel TypeIPS
    Refresh Rate144 Hz
    Response TimeResponse Time1 ms
    Rotating ScreenRotating ScreenYes
    Screen size27"
    Sync TechnologySync TechnologyAMD FreeSync, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync

    All Specs

    Test Results

    Brightness (nits)410
    Contrast Ratio (as ratio x:1)1,194
    Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 xy)97
    Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 uv)0
    Color Gamut % (sRGB Coverage xy)100
    Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB Coverage xy)88

    All Retailers

    • $401.97
      $900
      Save $498

      Availability

      In Stock

      Free Shipping

      Yes
    • $696.99
      $897
      Save $200

      Availability

      In Stock

      Free Shipping

    • $699.99
      $900
      Save $200

      Availability

      In Stock

      Free Shipping

      Yes
    • $896.99
      $937
      Save $40

      Availability

      In Stock

      Free Shipping

      No

    Our Verdict

    The LG 27GP950-B offers crisp and detailed visual quality, which 4K gaming enthusiasts and creative professionals will appreciate. This monitor excels in brightly lit environments, offering a stunning 4K resolution at a 144 Hz refresh rate. It has an impressive 96.8% DCI P3 color gamut and HDR600 support, ensuring vibrant and accurate colors, making it a great choice for tasks that require precision in color, such as graphic design, video editing, and content creation. It has a similar color coverage to the Gigabyte Aorus FO48U OLED, but the LG has a higher brightness versus the Gigabyte, so if you game or work in a bright room, opt for the LG.

    With a brightness of 410 nits and a contrast ratio of 1194:1, images are bright and detailed, appealing to gaming enthusiasts and creative professionals. The monitor’s 4.4 ms response time and unmatched 4.2 ms input lag offer a responsive, lag-free gaming experience ideal for competitive gaming. Its superior 4K resolution enhances gaming and professional creative tasks by providing unmatched visual detail and clarity. The LG 27GP950-B’s support for FreeSync and G-Sync ensures a smooth, uninterrupted gameplay experience, eliminating screen tearing and making it highly compatible across different gaming setups.

    This monitor offers versatile performance for competitive gaming, professional content creation, streaming, and simulation. While it may not have the deepest blacks and whites, the LG 27GP950-B is a wise investment if you prioritize a versatile monitor that delivers a top-tier viewing and gaming experience.

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Gigabyte Aorus FV43U

    Ideal for bright rooms, the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U offers sharp 4K visuals, high refresh rates for smooth gaming, and precise colors for creatives.

    Gigabyte Aorus FV43U Review →

    True Score

    78
    78
    4

    Experts

    84
    637

    Customers

    $749.99

    Did you know 71% of computer monitor reviewers are untrustworthy?

    Our research found only 33 of 110+ computer monitor reviewers as of June 2024 can be trusted. This is why Gadget Review is committed to calculating the most accurate product scores on the web.

    To do this, we give every computer monitor review site a Trust Rating, which measures how trustworthy the site and their testing claims are. We then leverage AI & a machine learning model to combine and calculate the Trust Rating with data from experts and consumers to deliver the True Score, the web’s most accurate product quality rating.

    320,550

    Monitor Reviews Analyzed

    196

    Total Products Analyzed

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Gigabyte Aorus FO48U OLED

    The Gigabyte Aorus FO48U OLED excels in HDR content, with top contrast and color accuracy, making it perfect for indoor use and detailed creative work.

    Gigabyte Aorus FO48U OLED Review →

    True Score

    78
    78
    4

    Experts

    83
    203

    Customers

    $1,243.25

    DON’T SEE WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?

    The best photo editing monitor for photography and design professionals ensures high color accuracy. Learning techniques to reduce screen glare on the monitor helps improve visibility in bright settings, while the top HDR monitor reveals details in your images with exceptional contrast.

    For reliable performance, the best Dell monitor is versatile across different uses. Vertical monitors are ideal for coding and reading, while the best monitor for eye strain minimizes fatigue. Additionally, there are excellent monitors for watching movies and monitors with speakers to offer an immersive experience.

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Asus PG32UQX
    • Best For 4K Gaming

    The Asus PG32UQX excels for gamers and creatives who need vivid 4K and top color accuracy. Its smooth performance provides a rich, immersive experience.

    Asus PG32UQX Review →

    True Score

    76
    77
    6

    Experts

    81
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $406
    $2,299.00
    $1,893.22

    Category Snapshot

    Computer Monitors

    • Total Brands/Products Tested

      27 Brands, 196 Products

    • Top 2 Brands

      Dell, HP

    • Price Range (Budget-Premium)

      $100-$1,500

    • Average True Score

      74.46

    • Important Test Criteria

      Brightness (cd/m2)
      Contrast Ratio (1000:1)

    • Most Trusted Testers

    • Top Monitor Experts

      Samuel Breton, Chris Eberle

    • Typical Warranty

      2 years

    • Covered by Insurance

      Yes – AKKO

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Tempest GP27U

    The Tempest GP27U shines in bright rooms with superb brightness and color accuracy, ideal for creative work and casual gaming on a vivid 4K display.

    Tempest GP27U Review →

    True Score

    73
    73
    5

    Experts

    78
    61

    Customers

    $565.00

Which Criteria Matters for Testing 4K Monitors?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 1 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these computer monitors and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase the best 4K monitor!

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Contrast Ratio>1000:1YesThe difference in brightness between the whites (lit sections) and blacks (dim or unlit sections) of a monitor panel.
Color Gamut (DCI P3 xy)> 90%YesHow much of the DCI P3 xy color gamut is covered by the monitor, which helps indicate color accuracy for HDR content, which includes certain movies.
Response Time< 13 msNo (Nice to have)The time it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another.

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 110+ computer monitor reviewers and found that 33 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for computer monitors.

  1. Samuel Breton – Rtings, MuckRack
  2. Chris Eberle – Tom’s Hardware, LinkedIn
  3. Tony Hoffman – PC Mag, MuckRack

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every computer monitor review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Computer Monitor Test Data & Results

1. Contrast Ratio (as ratio, x:1) Test Results

Contrast ratio is responsible for making images appear “dynamic” and “dramatic.” By having a good contrast ratio, a monitor is able to recreate dramatic differences between light and dark spots in scenes, images and games accurately.

At a minimum, we recommend a contrast ratio of 1000:1, as this will do a good enough job at allow for detail in dark scenes and images. If contrast ratio gets too low, the picture quality suffers, and the monitor performs worse across the board, no matter the lighting condition. By getting a monitor with a sufficiently high contrast ratio, you can ensure the picture quality doesn’t suffer, and dramatic scenes with stark shifts in lighting, whether they be in games or videos, are created as accurately as possible.

Contrast Ratio (higher is better)

2. Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 xy) Test Results

Color gamut is responsible for making a monitor produce accurate colors when displaying a variety of content. The DCI P3 xy gamut is considered a “standard” gamut of sorts, and is used to help color grade films. Most HDR content will use this gamut at the very least (though other gamut exist) and it’s a commonly used gamut for films.

When it comes to a computer monitor, having a panel that covers at least 90% of the DCI P3 gamut means it’ll output accurate colors when watching HDR content and movies that use the gamut. If a monitor doesn’t cover enough of the gamut, it causes color inaccuracies and shifts the image quality. If you care about maintaining accuracy in the movies you watch so they look the way they were intended, this gamut needs to be properly covered.

Color Gamut P3 XY (in %; higher is better)

3. Response Time (ms) Test Results

Response time measures how long it takes pixels to change from one color to another, often gray to gray. Low response times means the monitor is able to keep up with constant shifts in colors, and helps prevent motion blur from being introduced whatever you’re watching.

We generally recommend a response time that is 13 ms or less, as this will keep motion blur to a minimum, but if you don’t watch a lot of very high intensity videos or play fast-paced games, response time isn’t going to matter much. It’s important to note that monitors will often advertise a 1ms or 2ms or 5ms response time, to name a few, but response time tests measure full color to color shifts, as well as overshoots, which produces different times than what the monitor often claims on the box. This is why response time is a listed spec, but also a testable criterion.

Response Time (in ms; lower is better)

Best 4K Monitors: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Choosing the wrong size: While a larger screen size can offer a more immersive viewing experience, it’s crucial to consider your workspace and viewing distance. Opting for a screen that’s too large for your setup can lead to discomfort or neck strain if you’re sitting too close. Conversely, a screen that’s too small, like a 24-inch monitor, may not fully utilize the benefits of 4K resolution. Consider your viewing distance and space constraints when choosing the size of your 4K monitor. For a truly immersive experience, the leading curved gaming monitors are typically 4K and provide panoramic views, which enhance gameplay and make the most of your setup.

  2. Ignoring panel type: Different panel types—such as IPS, TN, and VA—offer varying characteristics in terms of color accuracy, viewing angles, and response times. IPS panels generally provide the best color reproduction and wide viewing angles, making them suitable for tasks like content creation and photo editing, and graphic design. TN panels offer faster response times, which may be preferred for gaming. Consider your specific needs and preferences when selecting the panel type.

  3. Overlooking refresh rate and response time: While 4K monitors are known for their high resolution, not all of them offer high refresh rates or low response times. If you’re into gaming or fast-paced tasks, pay attention to the monitor’s refresh rate and response time. A higher refresh rate (e.g., 144Hz or 240Hz) and lower response time (e.g., 1 ms) can result in smoother motion and reduced motion blur. However, these features may come at a premium price. Additionally, for seamless graphics and reduced screen tearing, the best G-Sync monitors incorporate adaptive sync technology to keep your visuals smooth and responsive.

  4. Neglecting connectivity options: Ensure the monitor has the necessary ports to connect to your devices, such as HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB. Additionally, consider features like USB hubs, built-in speakers, or Thunderbolt connectivity if they’re important for your setup. For console gaming, the best monitor for PS4 typically includes HDMI ports and offers features like low input lag for smooth gameplay. Meanwhile, the top monitor for Mac Mini often provides Thunderbolt connectivity and high-resolution support to maximize compatibility and performance.

The Best 4K Monitors Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Brightness
Contrast Ratio
Color Gamut (DCI P3)
Color Gamut (sRGB)
Input Lag
Response Time (ms)
Reflections %

LG 27GP950-B

  • Best for 4K

82
  • 410 nits

  • 1,194:1

  • 96.75%

  • 100%

  • 4.2 ms

  • 4.4 ms

  • 8.4%

$401.97
$900
$498

Gigabyte Aorus FV43U

  • Best for HDR Content

78
  • 904.5 nits

  • 904.5:1

  • 99.43%

  • 99.1%

  • 21.7 ms

  • 3.93 ms

  • 5.4%

$749.99
78
  • 282.33 nits

  • 282.33:1

  • 94.82%

  • 99.6%

  • 19.4 ms

  • 3.17 ms

  • 1.3%

$1,243.25

Asus PG32UQX

  • Best for 4K Gaming

76
  • 451 nits

  • 451:1

  • 117%

  • 97.5%

  • 12.2 ms

  • 6.6 ms

  • 5.1%

$1,893.22
$2,299
$406

Tempest GP27U

  • Best for Coding

73
  • 570.22 nits

  • 570.22:1

  • 101.78%

  • 99.8%

  • 16.9 ms

  • 4.61 ms

  • 5.5%

$565.00

4K Monitor Questions (FAQ)

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