Enjoying high-quality streams and crystal-clear clarity doesn't have to break the bank. Thanks to the increasing availability and affordability of HDMI 2.1 monitors, 4K displays are now within reach for budget-conscious buyers.
While you might not always get the highest refresh rates, budget 4K monitors still offer impressive visuals. With some thorough research though, you can find options that provide decent refresh rates and low response times if the goal is the game with your new display.
To help out your search, we've handpicked the best budget 4K monitors by analyzing reviews, specs, and features to highlight displays that deliver exceptional 4K visuals without a hefty price tag.
Best budget 4K monitors
- Dell S2721QS - a well-rounded option for most people
- LG 27UL500-W - best choice with HDR
- Samsung UJ59 - a great, larger display
- Sceptre U275W-UPT - best if brightness is key for you
- ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q - a top choice for gaming
1. Dell S2721QS
Best budget 4K monitor overall
If you want one of the best budget 4K monitors, then this one from Dell has you covered. It's got a good mix of stats, all while costing less than $500 in most places you look.
The brightness of this one stands out at 350cd/m2, which means you'll have no problems enjoying the colors it offers, even in high-lighting situations. It's a good size and has a decent refresh rate too, and the inclusion of AMD FreeSync is always appreciated.
It's also incredibly thin, which means it looks pretty stylish, and that helps it take up less space so you can get the most out of that impressive 27" screen.
It's got a little bit of everything and does a good job all around. Overall, this monitor is well worth considering, and let's face it, it's also one of the best-looking monitors in this price range!
Reasons to buy:
- Great brightness
- Thin, which looks both good and saves space
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2. LG 27UL500-W
Best budget 4K monitor with HDR
LG is another massive brand that creates some of the best monitors (and TVs) in the world, but with this one, they've managed to pack in some impressive specs and still keep it cost-effective. We'd go as far as to say also this is one of the best monitors for working from home, too.
This display is actually an IPS screen, which allows for a wider viewing angle and typically better color and brightness too. In this case, that means 300 cd/m2 and 98% sRGB colour coverage - not too shabby if you ask us. You can read more about IPS panels right here.
Interestingly, it even has HDR 10, which can be a real plus if you're consuming content or playing HDR games. This should mean that blacks will look more 'inky' than on a non-HDR monitor, and that can make all the difference in making your content look a whole lot more realistic - and that goes for gaming especially.
As far as response times go, this isn't the fastest as it comes in at 5ms, but it does have FreeSync, which should mean for non-competitive gaming you should be all good. If you want lightning-fast response times, you'd be better off with any one of the best 360hz monitors or any monitor that isn't 4K anyway!
Overall, it's a minimal, great all-rounder monitor that we think packs a punch for the price.
Reasons to buy:
- Plenty of features to make its picture stand out from the crowd
- It has an excellent range of colours
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3. Samsung UJ59
Best large budget 4K monitor
Samsung has created some of the best monitors around, but it's not just the premium displays that deliver the goods - case in point, the UJ59.
This larger-screen 4K monitor is probably one of the best on the list when it comes to color. It has 100% sRGB and 95% DCI P3 color coverage, which makes it a worthy consideration for graphic designers out there.
Not only that, but it's pretty big too, giving you a ton of desktop real estate without completely dominating your desk space.
Interestingly, this isn't an IPS panel, and you can see the peak brightness is a little less than you'd expect, however, its contrast ratio is much higher than many of the other monitors on the list, coming in at 3000:1.
For design work, watching films, and gaming, this is a great all-rounder worth looking into. And, from what we've seen over the years, it often goes into the sales too...
Reasons to buy:
- It's larger than most monitors out there
- It's got all the necessary specs for design work
Read More: Best 75hz monitors
4. Sceptre U275W-UPT
Best budget 4K monitor for brightness
The Sceptre U275W-UPT stands out as one of the best budget 4K monitors on the market, delivering a superior viewing experience that rivals more expensive models.
With 4K resolution at 3840 x 2160, this monitor offers an extraordinary landscape of color variation, contrast, and clarity that mirrors the real world. The IPS panel brings that color performance to the next level and keeps the visibility sharp from multiple viewing angles, making it perfect for a variety of uses from gaming to professional work. The viewing angle of 178° both horizontally and vertically guarantees that you get the best view no matter where you sit.
One of the key features that sets the Sceptre U275W-UPT apart is its impressive brightness of 350 cd/m², allowing for subtle and robust color variations that enhance the overall visual experience. The refresh rate of up to 75Hz, accelerated by the DisplayPort, ensures that images change faster and smoother than the standard, reducing screen tearing during intense gaming sessions.
It has multiple HDMI ports as well, offering flexibility and convenience. Plus, the inclusion of Audio Out allows for easy connection to your favorite audio devices, making this monitor a comprehensive solution for both visual and auditory immersion.
Reasons to buy:
- The IPS panel makes the screen viewable from multiple angles
- It can deliver 350 cd/m² in brightness
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5. ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q
Best budget 4K monitor for gaming
ASUS is a brand that is a little more 'gamer-orientated', and their TUF line (vs their ROG line) is more about budget-friendly options, without losing out on performance.
This is a budget 4K gaming monitor through and through, but it also has features that make it great for everyday work too.
Take its 90% DCI-P3 coverage, HDR 10, and 350 cd/m2 brightness for instance, which all stack up to make for accurate, high contrast, and bright visuals.
Having high DCI-P3 coverage also means you could potentially use this monitor for a spot of video editing too, given the color space is specifically designed with cinematic video in mind.
It's also got an impressive stand, with a small base which essentially eliminates the need to go out and buy one. Add that to a smaller base, and it's another winning combo.
For gaming, it ticks all the right boxes for everything but competitive play (which again you should be looking at QHD/ FHD anyway). For 'general' gaming, thanks to it having HDR 10, this should add a nice finishing touch to the graphics, and with FreeSync movement should look pretty smooth too.
Overall, it's another winner from ASUS that despite the marketing, actually works well as a work-from-home monitor too.
Reasons to buy:
- Great for working from home
- Amazing ergonomics
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We're here to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about 4K budget monitors, so you can make your choice with confidence. Let's take a look at some of the questions that pop up over and over again, and with good reason.
How much should I spend on a 4K monitor?
Good question, and one that's ultimately up to your circumstances and needs, but here's what we think.
You can get a quality 4K monitor for way less than $500 from our experience, with anything higher typically being more for design professionals or higher-end gaming.
What you tend to find more in $500+ 4K monitors are much higher brightness and contrast. Sure, more is better, but it's not always needed. 300 cd/m2 - 350cd/m2 is actually pretty bright, and while it may not give colors as much of a 'pop' as the more premium models, to most people it won't make too much of a difference.
Is 4K the same as UHD?
It's quite confusing, but yes, essentially. Technically, they're not 'the same', but they are used as such when talking about monitors and TVs. Our friends at Gfinity Tech have all the details on the differences between 4K and UHD right here.
Is a 4K monitor worth it?
Yes, if you want something that will 'do it all'. They are more expensive than FHD and QHD monitors, but as you can see from this list they can still be very affordable.
We'd say if you're looking for an all-in-one solution, you can't go wrong with a 4K monitor, but if you want something for PS5 or Xbox Series X, we'd highly recommend that you get an HDMI 2.1 display for the best experience.
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