Top 10 Best Budget 4K Ultra HD Monitors: for more pixels per dollar
4K has come a long way since the last decade, and we are not just talking about its price. Features, availability, and even the display technologies themselves played a role in improving its market share through the years. Nowadays, it’s not that much of a stretch to consider buying a 4K monitor, even for your smaller HTPC setup.
In today’s market, there are a lot at of 4K Ultra HD monitors to choose from. But, to get the best bang for your buck, we have chosen these relatively affordable ones, some of the best models as your first entry into the 4K resolution space.
What to Look For in a 4K Monitor?
Before we begin with the list, we need to determine first exactly what we are looking for in a 4K Ultra HD monitor. Generally, you want the specific model to meet these basic criteria:
Screen Size –While 24-inch certainly is adequate enough, you’d usually want somewhere in the 27-inch to 30-inch range, to truly get a feel of that “Ultra HD” resolution.
Monitor Type/Screen Technology – this is the method by which the screen provides image. Currently, three main types are notable for 4K monitors:
- TN (Twisted Nematic) – cheapest of the three, with fast screen response times to boot. Color accuracy, however, is a bit compromised.
- IPS (In-Plane Switching) – sharpness and color reproduction is the name of the game for this type of screen. Response time is ultimately limited compared to TN panels though
- VA (Vertical Alignment) – it was panned for its bad performance when first introduced. Nowadays, this display can offer a balance between both TN and IPS panels’ best features.
Curved, or Straight? – if you specifically want a centralized viewing angle (such as when gaming), go for curved. Otherwise, any configuration will do.
Refresh Rate –The norm is 60Hz (frames per second), with 75Hz being the minimum upgrade and 144Hz providing a super buttery-smooth viewing experience, if the graphics hardware has the hardware power or software optimization to do so.
Response Time – the time taken by a pixel to switch color when needed. The baseline is 5ms (milliseconds), going all the way down to 1ms.
Aspect Ratio – Much wider 21:9 might be more suitable to gaming, while the vertical space offered by 16:10 could be more convenient for professional work
Screen Sync Technology – adaptive sync technologies like G-Sync or FreeSync match up the screen refresh rate of monitors to the plugged hardware to prevent screen tearing.
VESA Mounting – if you want the screen to be vertically mounted on specialized stands or the wall.
And with that out of the way, let’s get on with our selections.
Budget 4K Ultra HD Monitors Overview
In no particular order, and only those currently in stock at the time of this article’s publication.
- Philips 278E1A
- Samsung U28E590D
- ASUS VP28UQG
- Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q
- BenQ EL2870U
- LG UltraGear 27UL500-W
- Acer CB282K smiiprx
- AOC U2790VQ
- LG 32UL500-W
- Dell S2721Q
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1. Philips 278E1A 27-inch 4K UHD monitor
| Panel Type | IPS LED |
| Screen Size | 27-inch |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Response Time | 4ms |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| VESA Mounting | Not recommended |
| Notable Feature(s) | SmartImage, Low Blue |
PROS: All of the best features of 4K at a very affordable price, Versatile USB connectivity
CONS: Technically NOT Vesa mountable
Very affordable entry-level price for a 4K monitor, with the basic (almost frugal) design and performance spec level matching its price simplicity. Not much really to say other than the colors being crisp and contrast levels looking excellent. Do note that the VESA mounting holes at the back are very tricky to set up. It is more recommended to use it with the stand that it comes with or with a screen riser. Colour gamut of 109% sRGB is recorded.
2. Samsung U28E590D 28-inch 4K Monitor
| Panel Type | TN LED |
| Screen Size | 28-inch |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| VESA Mounting | Yes |
| Notable Feature(s) | FreeSync, MagicUpscale, Eco Saving Plus |
PROS: Very sturdy build, Reliable screen performance
CONS: Weird to set up for the first time (not plug n’ use)
Originally almost double its retail price, but nowadays the cost of this 4K monitor has gone down, making it one of the most competitive if not budget monitor. Also, the screen provides really nice and crisp colors with a combination of useful display features. The caveat though, is that a few screen setting tweaks is a must to get it just right. Oh yes, its more popular cousin, the SAMSUNG LU28E570DS (below) is somewhat more expensive at the moment, hence this entry’s existence.
3. ASUS VP28UQG 28-inch 4K Monitor
| Panel Type | TN LED |
| Screen Size | 28-inch |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Refresh Rate | 30Hz, 60Hz |
| VESA Mounting | Yes |
| Notable Feature(s) | FreeSync, Low Blue, Trace Free |
PROS: Competitive budget gaming monitor, Evenly lit panel
CONS: Confusing port setup
Marketed as a gaming monitor, and delivers its performance as such without breaking your bank. In fact, it is designed with long-time, extended use in mind. All image and light adjustment options are laid out to the user’s tweaking pleasure via a 5 way OSD navigation joystick found on the rear. Just be sure to remember that the first HDMI port outputs 4K at 30Hz only!
4. Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q 28-inch 4K Monitor
| Panel Type | IPS LED |
| Screen Size | 28-inch |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Response Time | 5ms |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| VESA Mounting | Yes |
| Notable Feature(s) | FreeSync, HDR, GameFast Input, Low Blue |
PROS: High-end IPS performance at mid-tier price, Easy to configure out-of-the-box
CONS: HDR can be somewhat lacking
But, if you are thirst for something a little bit more premium from Asus, you can bump up the game and jump to the “elite” TUF Gaming 4K model. It switches up from 1ms TN to the slightly “slower” 5ms IPS panel to give viewers the edge in color reproduction for your gameplay. The bump in price is also supported by a sturdier stand, more convenient ports/buttons layout, and the removal of that confusing 30Hz HDMI port. A much bigger 35-inch curved monitor with a shorter 1ms response rate and higher 100Hz refresh rate is also available. Check out the Asus TUF Gaming VG35VQ 35-inch Curved HDR monitor. It will cost you more, no doubt.
5. BenQ EL2870U 28-inch 4K Monitor
| Panel Type | TN LED |
| Screen Size | 28-inch |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| VESA Mounting | Yes |
| Notable Feature(s) | FreeSync, HDR, Smart Focus |
PROS: Very wide brightness adjustment, “Automatic” cable adjustment
CONS: Setting adjustment may be cumbersome
This is yet another good alternative option that offers pretty much the same features as the two previous TN panel 4K monitors. Because this particular model is often categorized within the same family of high refresh rate models, there might be confusion about its pricing. Also, be sure to double-check it is the TN panel version.
6. LG UltraGear 27UL650-W
| Panel Type | IPS LED |
| Screen Size | 27-inch |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Response Time | 5ms |
| Refresh Rate | 30Hz, 60Hz |
| VESA Mounting | Yes |
| Notable Feature(s) | FreeSync, HDR, Black Stabilizer |
PROS: Better viewing angles than most IPS, HDR integrates nicely with other light control features
CONS: Port optimization issues
An oddly balanced entry from LG that tries to meet the best of both worlds with its features and spec layout. Which it does admirably, by the way. The panel is capable of 99% sRGB colour gamut while the VESA DisplayHDR 400 high dynamic range will offer both colour and contrast content creators need with 400 nits brightness to boot. Not that this is the higher and therefore more expensive model to LG’s entry level LG 27UL500-W below, also with a 27-inch panel but without HDR support.
7. Acer CB282K 28-inch 4K Monitor
| Panel Type | IPS LED |
| Screen Size | 28-inch |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Response Time | 4ms |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| VESA Mounting | Yes |
| Notable Feature(s) | FreeSync, HDR, VisionCare |
PROS: “Zero Frame” design, Easy (enough) to configure out-of-the-box
CONS: Counterintuitive power controls
What else can we say about Acer’s entry in our 4K monitor list? It’s a no muss, no fuss model that does all the basic things an IPS panel can do: display bright colors, decent blacks, and provide amazing shadow detail with HDR. A few more points are added to the display area itself, since it’s an almost bezel-less (“Zero Frame”) model.
8. AOC U2790VQ
| Panel Type | IPS LED |
| Screen Size | 27-inch |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Response Time | 5ms |
| Refresh Rate | 30Hz, 60Hz |
| VESA Mounting | Yes |
| Notable Feature(s) | FlickerFree, Low Blue |
PROS: Minimal bezel area, Zero (noticeable) backlight bleeding
CONS: Weird inclusion of a 30Hz HDMI port (at its price range)
It’s an IPS panel, so colors would as usual be bright and crisp, and digital text can be read with superb clarity. Screen scaling is also a non-issue, with color uniformity basically indistinguishable by the naked eye. The only strange point is the inclusion of an HDMI 1.4 30Hz port, an oddity for such a 4K monitor within its competitive price range (the other HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2 as expected, output at 60Hz).
9. LG 32UL500-W 32-inch 4K Monitor
| Panel Type | VA LED |
| Screen Size | 32-inch |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Response Time | 4ms |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| VESA Mounting | Yes |
| Notable Feature(s) | Freesync, HDR, Black Stabilizer |
PROS: Very excellent use of color correction features, 4ms response time
CONS: Included cables DO NOT support 60Hz output
Possibly, the biggest model in our budget 4K monitor lineup so far, this LG display truly makes use of its wide color gamut and color enhancement features to offset the latency issues that its VA configuration might have. Also, it actually has a slightly faster response times than even traditional IPS panels. Don’t count on using it right out of the box, however. We suggest getting a separate 60Hz compatible HDMI or DisplayPort cable when you decide to purchase this monitor. Reasons for getting this 4K display are AMD FreeSync support, DCI-P3 95% colour gamut and HDR 10 compatibility.
10. Dell S2721Q 27-inch 4K Monitor
| Panel Type | IPS LED |
| Screen Size | 27-inch |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Response Time | 8ms, 5ms, 4ms |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| VESA Mounting | Yes |
| Notable Feature(s) | FreeSync, FlickerFree, HDR, ComfortView |
PROS: Well-rounded image enhancement package
CONS: Height and tilt adjustment features are so-so
Pretty much all the best features that other IPS panel entries have, this Dell 4K monitor can provide. This is probably why it doesn’t seem that “impressive” from a unique selling point perspective. But… it does what it does best, and that is to show the best picture quality while optimizing its exclusive image enhancement features. With HDR and AMD FreeSync support, it is a great monitor for entertainment and gaming. It also looks great with a height adjustable stand that can also pivot, tilt and swivel, but it costs a bit more than the rest here.
