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When you use a desktop computer or laptop every day, you will know how important it is to have a crystal-clear display. Many monitors today come with fantastic resolutions, but you will have to pay a premium price if you want the best of the best. Luckily, there have been many budget-friendly monitors from different brands that offer 4K resolution. These monitors still guarantee outstanding performance despite their more affordable price. Aside from how clear your monitor is, you should also ensure that it displays accurate colors and has superb motion handling. You should also take into consideration whether or not it has enough ports for you. It would be better if you pick a monitor with an ergonomic design, so you can easily tilt, rotate, or swivel it. If you care about the aesthetic of your workspace, you might also want a monitor with a modern design and slim bezels. We’re sure you might’ve been confused with all the monitors available on the market, but today is your lucky day because we’re here to share with you the best 4K monitors in 2022 that cost less than $500.
You can’t go wrong with the LG 27UN850-W because, for about $480, you get a 27-inch monitor with excellent specs. The monitor has a 4K Ultrafine UHD IPS display that features VESA DisplayHDR 400, so everything will look high-quality, bright, and detailed. Its ultra-thin bezels give users a virtually borderless screen so that you can maximize your display without any distractions. The monitor will please graphic designers and photographers alike because it displays accurate colors thanks to its 99% sRGB Spectrum coverage. The 27UN850-W comes with a convenient USB-C port you can use for data transfers or charging other devices. If you connect your computer or laptop using the DisplayPort or HDMI port, you can expect less stuttering and tear from the display because of its Radeon FreeSync. The 60 Hz refresh rate of the monitor might not be appealing to many, but it has a Dynamic Action Sync feature that will reduce input lag and give you a smooth gaming experience. The monitor also has a black stabilizer that will help brighten any dark scenes or content without overexposure. Users can pivot the monitor to look at it with a Portrait orientation, and you can also tilt and adjust its height.
4K UHD display with incredible details and accurate colorsVESA DisplayHDR 400Radeon FreeSync and Dynamic Action SyncUSB-C port with power deliveryErgonomic design
60 Hz refresh rateGreens can look slightly skewed
The Dell S2722QC is among the best, budget 4K monitors you will find on the market, and its specs, matched with its affordable price tag, make it a fantastic deal. The monitor measures 27 inches, and you can’t tell that it’s budget-friendly since its platinum silver finish makes it look much more expensive than it really is. The monitor features a 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution, and it has a 60 Hz refresh rate and 8 ms response time. You can expect to get the most out of your display since it has three-sided ultra-thin bezels for a more modern and minimalist look. Users can pivot, swivel, and tilt the monitor, and the height of its stand is adjustable. If you don’t have a speaker system for your computer yet, the monitor’s 3W dual speakers are more than enough for you to have a decent audio experience. The S2722QC comes with a 65 W USB-C port that you can use to charge your devices, and it can serve as a DisplayPort 1.4. It also has two HDMI 2.0 ports, an audio line-out port, and two SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) ports. You will not have any clutter behind the monitor since it has a single-cable solution. The areas where this monitor can improve are in its Adobe RGB coverage, color accuracy, and refresh rate.
Fantastic 4K UHD displayUSB-C port with 65 W power deliveryWide viewing anglesThree-sided ultra-thin bezelsErgonomic design
Doesn't have the most accurate colorsAdobe RGB coverage is limited60 Hz refresh rate is pretty low
If you’re a creative professional who needs a reliable monitor for working, the BenQ PD2700U will suit you. It’s a 4K IPS HDR monitor that measures 27 inches, has wide viewing angles, and boasts an anti-glare display. The monitor features HDR10, so your video content will always be displayed in the best quality possible. The PD2700U refresh rate is 60 Hz, while its response time is 5 ms. Users are guaranteed the most accurate colors when using the monitor because of its AQCOLOR technology and 100% sRGB coverage. The monitor is even Pantone validated, and Calman verified. It comes with a Darkroom Mode wherein your contrast and brightness are automatically adjusted to what would be best in a dark environment. Its Animation Mode enhances dark areas without overexposure, and it has a CAD/CAM Mode that enhances the contrast of lines and shapes when illustrating. The monitor also allows you to put two modes side-by-side on the screen using its DualView feature. If you deal with heavy tasks regularly, the monitor has Display Pilot proprietary software for convenient simplification of your workflow. We know some jobs can get people to stare at their computers for hours, but the PD2700U features Low Blue Light and Flicker-free technology.
Fantastic 4K qualityAnti-glare display with Low Blue Light and Flicker-free technologyErgonomic designAccurate colors
Not the best contrast and HDR
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q1A is the ideal choice for people who need a 4K monitor for gaming. It features a 28-inch 4K IPS display that promises crisp visual and detailed environments. It comes with HDR10 support that enhances the contrast of your content, and its DCI-P3 90% color gamut ensures all colors you see are accurate. The monitor comes with different HDR modes, so you have the freedom to choose which is suited best for the game you’re playing or the movie you’re watching. The VG289Q1A has Shadow Boost Technology that makes all the dark areas of your content clearer without affecting the brighter areas. You won’t have to worry about annoying eyestrain when you use this monitor because of its Flicker-Free technology and Ultra-Low Blue Light technology. The monitor comes with two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.2, and an earphone jack. Users can tilt and swivel their display, but it lacks a pivot and height adjustment function. Along with the monitor, customers will also receive a free DisplayPort cable, a power cord, a warranty card, and a quick start guide.
DCI-P3 90% color gamutSturdy designSeveral HDR modes
Contrast isn't jaw-droppingHDR capabilities aren't the bestNo pivot or height adjustment
If you find a 27-inch monitor too small, you can choose a larger option like the LG 32UN550-W. It’s a budget-friendly monitor measuring 32 inches. The monitor has a 4K UHD display, and it promises the most accurate colors possible because it has a DCI-P3 90% Color Gamut with HDR10. The monitor’s design is modern and trendy, and it features thin bezels on three sides of the screen. It features a fantastic curved stand that adds to the entire futuristic vibe of the monitor, and the best part is that you can adjust its height. You can also tilt the display, but it lacks the swivel and pivot function its competitors have. The monitor significantly decreases tearing and stuttering using AMD FreeSync. It doesn’t need to rely on a speaker for you to enjoy the audio of your content because the monitor has two built-in 5 W speakers. Upon purchase, you also get a free DisplayPort and HDMI cable.
Decent contrastModern designDCI-P3 90% Color Gamut with HDR10Two built-in 5W speakers
HDR isn't the bestCan't rotate the monitor to portrait mode
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