Top 5 Monitors
on Amazon
Our #1 pick is the Dell UltraSharp U2724D. A better monitor is the biggest desk upgrade you can make. We compared the 5 best 27-inch monitors on Amazon, from a budget 4K screen to a Thunderbolt hub monitor and a 240Hz OLED.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 10, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
For most desks, the Dell UltraSharp U2724D is the monitor to buy. It is a 27-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, so scrolling and window dragging look smooth, not jerky. The stand tilts, swivels, pivots and adjusts in height, and a built-in ambient light sensor tunes brightness and color to your room. It is the kind of monitor you set up once and stop thinking about for years.
If you work from a laptop, step up to the Dell UltraSharp U2725QE: a sharper 4K panel and a Thunderbolt 4 port that charges your laptop at up to 140W, runs the screen and connects your accessories through one cable. Gamers should get the LG UltraGear 27GX704A-B, a 240Hz OLED with deep blacks and a near-instant response. For photo editing on a budget, the ASUS ProArt PA278QV comes factory-calibrated, and the LG 27US500-W is the cheapest way to get a sharp 4K screen.
Skip the U2724D if you mostly watch movies or play fast games. Its IPS panel can’t match the contrast of an OLED in a dark room, and 120Hz is smooth for work but well short of the 240Hz on the LG. It also costs more than basic 4K monitors, and you are paying for the stand, the light sensor and the build rather than raw pixels. If text sharpness on a Mac matters most to you, a 4K screen like the U2725QE or LG 27US500-W is the better fit.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 5.
| Product | Best Overall Dell UltraSharp U2724D 27-inch QHD 120Hz monitor |  Best for Laptops Dell UltraSharp U2725QE 27-inch 4K Thunderbolt monitor |  Best for Gaming LG UltraGear 27GX704A-B 27-inch QHD 240Hz OLED |  Best for Photo Editing ASUS ProArt PA278QV 27-inch QHD color-accurate monitor |  Best Budget 4K LG 27US500-W 27-inch 4K monitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 92 / 100 | 91 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 86 / 100 | 84 / 100 |
| Best for | Everyday work, spreadsheets and coding | MacBook and Windows laptop desks | PC and console gaming, movies | Photo and video editing on a budget | Sharp text and video on a small budget |
| Typical price (checked October 10, 2026) | $340–$380 | $600–$680 | $330–$380 | $180–$200 | $160–$190 |
| Resolution | QHD 2560 x 1440 | 4K 3840 x 2160 | QHD 2560 x 1440 | QHD 2560 x 1440 | 4K 3840 x 2160 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | 240Hz | See listing | See listing |
| Panel | IPS | IPS Black | Glossy OLED | IPS | IPS |
| Laptop connection | See listing | Thunderbolt 4, 140W charging | HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort | DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI-D, Mini DP | HDMI, DisplayPort |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Overall
Dell UltraSharp U2724D
BeastScore 92 / 100Typically $340–$380 on Amazon (checked October 10, 2026)The U2724D is the all-rounder: sharp enough, smooth enough, and built to sit on a desk for years. The listing gives a QHD 1440p resolution on a 27-inch panel, which is the sweet spot for text size without scaling. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and moving windows look smoother than the 60Hz screens most offices still use. An ambient light sensor adjusts brightness and color temperature to the room, and the stand tilts, swivels, pivots and adjusts in height. Owners praise the even, accurate colors. The catch: it is not 4K, and the listing doesn’t spell out its USB-C support, so check if you need one-cable laptop charging.
Pros- 120Hz makes everyday scrolling smooth
- Fully adjustable stand, including portrait mode
- Ambient light sensor for easier long sessions
Cons- QHD, not 4K: text is less crisp than the U2725QE
- IPS contrast falls well short of OLED in a dark room
- Costs about twice a basic 4K monitor
- 2. Best for Laptops
Dell UltraSharp U2725QE
BeastScore 91 / 100Typically $600–$680 on Amazon (checked October 10, 2026)The U2725QE turns a laptop into a full desktop with one cable. Its Thunderbolt 4 port carries video, data and up to 140W of charging, and the monitor adds Ethernet, USB-C and USB-A ports, so your keyboard, webcam and wired internet all plug into the screen. The listing says the 4K IPS Black panel covers 99% of DCI-P3 and is factory-calibrated to Delta E under 1.5, which is pro-level color. It runs at 120Hz, adjusts in every direction and has an ambient light sensor. It is the most expensive pick here, and for gaming it is no match for the LG OLED.
Pros- Thunderbolt 4 with 140W charging: one cable for everything
- Sharp 4K with factory-calibrated, wide-gamut color
- Built-in Ethernet and USB hub
Cons- The priciest monitor here
- Overkill if you use a desktop PC with no laptop
- 120Hz IPS, not a gaming panel
- 3. Best for Gaming
LG UltraGear 27GX704A-B
BeastScore 90 / 100Typically $330–$380 on Amazon (checked October 10, 2026)OLED is the biggest jump in picture quality you can buy, and this LG puts it at a mid-range price. Each pixel lights itself, so blacks are truly black and the listing quotes a 1.5M:1 contrast ratio. A 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time make fast shooters look clean, with almost no blur. The glossy finish makes colors pop, and the listing says it peaks at 1300 nits for HDR highlights with 98.5% DCI-P3 color. It supports G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium Pro. The trade-offs: glossy screens reflect lamps and windows, and OLED can suffer burn-in from static taskbars over years of office use.
Pros- 240Hz and 0.03ms for very smooth, clear motion
- OLED contrast with true blacks for games and movies
- HDMI 2.1 for current consoles
Cons- Glossy screen reflects bright rooms
- OLED burn-in risk with static work apps all day
- QHD, so text is less crisp than 4K
- 4. Best for Photo Editing
ASUS ProArt PA278QV
BeastScore 86 / 100Typically $180–$200 on Amazon (checked October 10, 2026)The ProArt PA278QV is the cheapest way to get colors you can trust. The listing says each unit is Calman Verified with a Delta E under 2, which means what you see on screen closely matches what prints or what other people see. It covers 100% of sRGB and Rec. 709, the standards most photos and online videos use. The 27-inch QHD IPS panel has wide viewing angles, and the ports include DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI-D and Mini DP plus a USB hub. ASUS adds a 5-year warranty if you register it. It is not a gaming screen, and it has no USB-C for laptops.
Pros- Factory-calibrated color with Delta E under 2
- Lots of video inputs plus a USB hub
- Long 5-year warranty with registration
Cons- No USB-C or laptop charging
- Not built for fast gaming
- Covers sRGB, not the wider DCI-P3 range of the Dell U2725QE
- 5. Best Budget 4K
LG 27US500-W
BeastScore 84 / 100Typically $160–$190 on Amazon (checked October 10, 2026)The 27US500-W is proof that 4K no longer has to be expensive. You get a 3840 x 2160 IPS panel, so text on a Mac or Windows laptop looks crisp, and photos show fine detail. The listing claims HDR10 support and 90% DCI-P3 color, which is wider than many budget screens. Reader Mode cuts blue light for long reading sessions, and a clean white design suits a home office. Owners like the sharpness for the price. Corners were cut where you would expect: the stand only tilts, there is no USB-C, and the listing doesn’t promise a high refresh rate, so plan on standard smoothness.
Pros- Sharp 4K for the price of most QHD screens
- Wide 90% DCI-P3 color for photos and video
- Reader Mode and flicker-free backlight
Cons- Tilt-only stand: no height adjustment
- No USB-C or USB hub
- Not a high-refresh gaming monitor
All 5 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with Dell UltraSharp U2724D. Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- SharpnessDell UltraSharp U2725QE · 9.6/10
- SmoothnessLG UltraGear 27GX704A-B · 9.8/10
- Color accuracyDell UltraSharp U2725QE · 9.6/10
- Ports & hubDell UltraSharp U2725QE · 9.8/10
- StandDell UltraSharp U2724D · 9.8/10
- ValueLG 27US500-W · 9.8/10
Dell UltraSharp U2724D
A smooth 120Hz QHD screen with a stand that adjusts every way.
- QHD 1440p
- 120Hz
- Full ergonomic stand
Quick tips before you buy
27 inches is the sweet spot. Pick QHD for good text at no scaling, or 4K for the sharpest text, especially on a Mac.
60Hz is fine for documents. 120Hz feels smoother for everyday work, and 144Hz to 240Hz is what gamers want.
If you use a laptop, look for USB-C or Thunderbolt with power delivery. It charges, shows video and runs your accessories.
Put the top of the screen at or just below eye level, about an arm’s length away. A height-adjustable stand helps a lot.
Quick answers
What is the best monitor size for a desk?+
27 inches suits most desks. It shows two windows side by side and sits about an arm’s length away. 32 inches works for 4K if you have a deep desk; 24 inches suits small spaces.
Is 4K worth it on a 27-inch monitor?+
Yes if you read a lot of text or use a Mac, because 4K looks much crisper. For gaming, QHD at a high refresh rate is often the better choice because it is easier for a graphics card to run.
Is 120Hz worth it for office work?+
For many people, yes. 120Hz makes scrolling, mouse movement and window dragging feel smoother. It is not essential, but once you use it, 60Hz feels choppy.
OLED or IPS monitor: which should I buy?+
OLED has true blacks, huge contrast and the fastest motion, so it is best for games and movies. IPS is safer for all-day office use with static windows, because OLED can burn in over time.
What monitor is best for a MacBook?+
A 4K monitor with USB-C or Thunderbolt, like the Dell UltraSharp U2725QE. macOS looks sharpest at 4K, and one cable charges the MacBook and connects everything.
Dell U2724D vs U2725QE: what’s the difference?+
The U2725QE is 4K instead of QHD, has wider factory-calibrated color and adds Thunderbolt 4 with 140W charging and Ethernet. The U2724D costs a lot less and is the better buy for a desktop PC.
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