For gaming geeks, movie buffs, and creative professionals, 4K monitors with HDR are a logical next step towards a lifelike display. These monitors give you more colors, more details, brighter highlights, and deeper shadows. However, HDR is still new in 4K monitors. Few support it, and fewer still can display the HDR content the way that it is meant to be shown.
Fortunately, there are a few options out there for you if you are looking for that HDR brightness on your monitor screen. For this article, we have gone through the painstaking process of market research to bring you the five best 4K monitors with HDR. Although they cannot give you the same low native contrast as you see will on HDR TVs, these models still offer a different experience from simple SDR monitors.
1. BenQ SW271 PhotoVue
The BenQ SW271 PhotoVue has two primary characteristics that have allowed it to climb to our top spot: affordability and performance. This 27-inch professional photo video monitor has 4K HDR resolution and an IPS display with LED backlighting, offering a flexible set of inputs for an efficient workflow.
In terms of the design, this model is very similar to its predecessor, the SW240. The body is styled with super slim bezels, a curved back case, and a highly adjustable stand. The case and stand couple with the help of a beefy tri-claw bayonet mount. You can simply mount it into place and secure it with a thumbscrew.
In addition, the display has a matte finish to reduce glare. The package comes with a modular hood for shading and eliminating reflections. When the screen is being used vertically, the hood’s modular design can easily be reconfigured.
Moreover, this model has a 14-bit 3D LUT to help calibrate the screen independently. The default calibration results are also good, but this monitor offers even better calibration potential. The color accuracy of this model is uniform. Brightness is always a challenge with LED backlighting, so the brightness feature is not great in this model. Overall, a response rate of 5 ms and a refresh rate of 60 Hz is fast enough for videos. Yet, this model comes short of its competitors.
Considering the value for the money, BenQ SW271 competes successfully with pricier models.
Buy Here: Amazon
2. Acer Predator X27 bmiphzx
Back in 2018, the Acer Predator X27 was one of the first monitors to support 4K resolution along with an ultra-fast frame rate. The Predator X27 has HDR, Nvidia’s G-Sync, and an overclocked 144 Hz frame refresh rate to keep the visuals as smooth as possible. That is why it is still one of the best 4K monitors with HDR.
While gaming, the Acer Predator X27 delivers some of the most satisfying visuals. The colors pop, the textures are crisp, the animations run smoothly, and the HDR comes in handy. In terms of design, the Predator X27 is not simple-looking. It comes with a dynamic lighting mechanism, a height adjustment stand, an optional window hood, and five USB 3.0 ports.
By default, ACER has both HDR and refresh rate disabled. To enable HDR, go to the Windows Settings and find and select the option “HDR and WCG.” Similarly, you will have to overclock the panel to 144 Hz then select it from the Nvidia Control Panel before you can enjoy this feature.
However, purchasing the Predator X27 will drain your savings because it is an expensive piece of hardware. The Predator X27 also consumes more power than the other competitors mentioned here. Still, if you are looking for flawless HDR image quality, go ahead and splurge!
Buy Here: Amazon
3. Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
Going toe to toe with the Acer Predator X27 is the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ. This 27-inch gaming monitor combines Nvidia G-Sync’s refresh rates with 4K ultra-resolution and HDR for fantastic visuals. Besides, the screen uses IPS, giving you excellent viewing angles. However, the ASUS hardware comes at an equally ludicrous cost.
To get more specific about the technology, the screen offers you HDR10 support, along with DCI-P3 color gamut, 144Hz refresh rate, and an ultra-high 3,840 x 2,160 resolution. This is combination is one that only a few monitors can boast. Particularly, the DCI-P3 offers 25 percent more color range than sRGB.
The design of this model is just as eye-catching as its features, as you would expect from ASUS’s ROG lineup. A mid-sized bezel runs around the hardware, with a logo at the bottom. On the back is the glowing ROG logo, which can be controlled with the Asus Aura Sync software. The stand has a blade-like design with an LED pointing downwards. You can configure the lighting the first time you turn the device on.
Although this model is intended for hardcore gamers, a wider color gamut makes this model an excellent option for video and photo editors. And, as expected, you will need a powerful machine to run this screen. Anything below Nvidia’s 1080 Ti will struggle to give you that coveted 144 fps display.
Buy Here: Amazon
4. BenQ EL2870U
BenQ has been rolling out good monitors that do not break the bank. The BenQ EL2870U 28 inches falls under the same category. This model comes with a Twisted Nematic display and offers 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution, along with the ability to handle HDR. P.S.: this model also supports FreeSync.
The design of this monitor is very basic. It has matte black finishing with half-inch bezels. Now, this is not a criticism, but it is worth mentioning. If you are an RGB chaser or want that funky design, look elsewhere. The stand does tilt but offers no swivel, height, or pivot adjustments. On its back, there are four VESA-mount holes.
Moreover, this model supports the common HDR standard, HDR10. It is also great for Ultra HD Blu-ray and streamable content, making this monitor ideal for watching movies. The panel has a 10-bit native color depth, checking another box.
Overall, this model is a great value 4K HDR monitor. It exhibits a quick pixel response and negligible input lag, making fast-motion visuals a breeze. However, this model’s refresh rate of 60Hz, poor color reproduction, and lack of G-Sync may irk some users. For the price, though, this is an excellent monitor for home entertainment or gaming.
Buy Here: Amazon
5. Dell S3221QS
The Dell S3221QS is a decent 4K monitor with HDR. It is suitable for numerous applications because of its 32-inch curved screen, which allows you to work simultaneously with multiple windows.
The screen has a VA panel that can produce deep blacks. This ability comes in handy, especially for hardcore gamers or users who like working in the dark. This model has a decent response time and very low input lag. It also supports FreeSync to reduce screen tearing.
Furthermore, its HDR peak brightness is good, though not excellent. Although it is very consistent and there are no variations across different content types, this model is not as bright as other options listed above. So, you will not be able to get that wide color gamut that is expected from these high-end monitors. We also noticed that this model has mediocre viewing angles.
These minor quibbles aside, the Dell S3221QS is suitable for most users. A large screen and higher resolution make this model appropriate for RPG games, work, or just watching HD videos online.
Buy Here: Amazon
Buyer’s Guide
4K monitors with HDR are few and far between. Still, if you want to get the most bang out of your buck, keep in mind the following crucial factors.
HDR Types
HDR 400 is the baseline for these monitors. Then, there are HDR 600 and HDR 1000 for premium users. Some panels are listed as HDR 10, which refers to the color depth. For true HDR, try getting HDR 100, along with 10-bit color depth.
Size
Monitors come in multiple sizes, ranging from 20 inches to 49 inches. However, 27 inches is pretty much the ideal size, whether you are using the monitor for gaming, productivity, or professional work. This size is popular with power users.
Screen Panels
Screen panels determine response time, contrast, colors, and brightness. There are four different types of panels available in the market today. These include TN, IPS, VA, and OLED. Among them, TN (Twisted Nematic) and IPS (In-plane Switching) are the most common types.
TN models are cheaper and offer low response times, higher refresh rates, and minimal input lag. That is why these models are ideal for professional gamers. IPS models provide the best quality. They are more expensive and, generally speaking, have a higher input lag. Therefore, these panels are useful for designers and video and photo professionals.
VA panels offer a greater refresh rate, higher contrast, and better brightness. That is why many HDR monitors use this technology. Nonetheless, monitors with VA panels have relatively high response times and lose contrast when viewing from an off-angle.
Refresh Rate
A monitor’s refresh rate refers to how many times the monitor updates in a second. A higher refresh rate means that the screen transitions will look smoother. Most monitors come with 60 Hz, which is more than enough for everyday use. But if you are a gamer, higher rates like 120 Hz, 144 Hz, or even 240 Hz may be more suitable to your needs.
Adaptive Sync
At times, screen tearing can occur when a screen tries to display multiple frames at the same time during a game. Adaptive sync can help with this problem. It synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate to the number of frames produced by the graphic card, giving you the smoothest gaming experience possible. Most 4K HDR monitors use NVIDIA’s G-sync for this purpose.
Final Thoughts
The models selected for our top 5 are based on what we think are the best 4K monitors with HDR. Each of these models has proven its worth for its users. We have factored in price, performance, and design while rating these models. You can make your own decision by taking into account our Buyer’s Guide. That is all for now. Good luck!
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