At a look

Expert’s Rating

Pros

• Good distinction ratio for the value
• Strong colour efficiency
• 120Hz refresh charge
• Functional, ergonomic design

Cons

• Limited video connectivity
• USB-C upstream port doesn’t embrace Power Delivery

Our Verdict

Dell’s Ultrasharp U2724D is a wonderful total monitor with robust picture high quality, nice ergonomics, and options that enable for versatile use instances—workplace productiveness, content material creation, and even gaming. It’s a mid-range monitor that simply handles any activity you throw at it.

Price When Reviewed

$384.99

Best Prices Today: Dell Ultrasharp U2724D

$359.99

Dell’s Ultrasharp screens have lengthy ranked amongst my go-to suggestions (and I’ve purchased a pair myself over the previous decade), however excessive pricing and a slim deal with productiveness can restrict their enchantment. Dell’s U2724D resolves these points with an IPS Black panel that boasts a refresh charge of 120Hz. It’s responsive, fluid, enticing, and fairly priced.

Further studying: See our roundup of the best home office monitors to find out about competing merchandise.

What are the Dell Ultrasharp U2724D’s specs and options?

The Dell Ultrasharp U2724D’s primary specs are typical for a mid-range 27-inch monitor. It has a local decision of 2560×1440 and a most refresh charge of 120Hz. The one distinction—and it’s a key distinction—is its use of an IPS Black panel, which supplies Dell an edge in picture high quality over its competitors.

• Display measurement: 27-inch widescreen
• Native decision: 2560×1440
• Panel sort: In-Plane Switching (IPS) Black
• Refresh charge: 120Hz
• Adaptive sync: VRR
• HDR: None
• Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1 with VRR, 1x DisplayPort 1.4-in, 1x DisplayPort 1.4-out, 1x USB-C upstream (information solely), 1x USB-C downstream, 2x USB-A downstream
• VESA mount: 100x100mm
• Speakers: None
• Price: $384.99 MSRP

Dell sells another model of this monitor, the U2724DE, which helps a a lot wider vary of connectivity together with Thunderbolt 4 and a pair of.5G Ethernet. That sadly means the inexpensive U2724D lacks some connectivity I would anticipate, like a USB-C port with DisplayPort and USB Power Delivery, although it does retain DisplayPort-out. Sacrificing connectivity lowers the MSRP from $649.99 (for the U2724DE) to $384.99 (for the U2724D).

How is the Dell Ultrasharp U2724D’s design?

Matt Smith

The Dell Ultrasharp U2724D adheres to the model’s aesthetic with a slim design and slim bezels on all sides of the show. They’re so skinny, actually, that there’s no room for the Dell emblem on the chin, which leads to a generic (however super-sleek) look.

View it from the rear and also you’ll discover a swath of vibrant silver plastic that successfully imitates a brushed aluminum end. Plastic is the fabric of alternative for the monitor’s exterior, however you’d be hard-pressed to note with out touching the monitor. The monitor feels sturdy when dealt with, too. Panels enable little flex and don’t emit disconcerting creaks or groans.

Dell’s compact, flat stand comes normal, and it’s nonetheless among the many finest out there. Its design minimizes the monitor’s footprint in your desk and, as a result of the stand is flat, you possibly can nonetheless use many of the area it occupies to stack books, devices, or different gadgets. Cable routing is constructed into the stand and offers sufficient area to handle the facility twine, show cords, and several other USB cords.

The stand additionally offers ergonomic adjustment together with 150mm of peak adjustment, 90 levels of swivel (45 levels to the left or proper), 26 levels of tilt, and 90 levels of rotation (which suggests it will possibly rotate into portrait orientation). Many residence workplace screens present an identical vary of adjustment, however it’s good to see Dell nail the basics. A typical 100mm VESA mount is included, as properly, for attaching a third-party monitor stand or arm.

How is the Dell Ultrasharp U2724D’s connectivity and menu?

Matt Smith

Connectivity is the Dell Ultrasharp U2724D’s sole disappointment. The monitor has one HDMI port, one DisplayPort-in, one DisplayPort-out, and an upstream USB-C information port. However, the USB-C port lacks DisplayPort or USB Power Delivery assist. An audio line-out rounds out the choices (the monitor doesn’t embrace audio system).

That leaves the U2724D with simply two video inputs, which is uncommon for a show in its worth vary. Most equally priced screens present a minimum of three, typically 4, video inputs.

But the U2724D does embrace DisplayPort-out, which makes it potential to daisy-chain a video connection (which means a second monitor may be linked on to the U2724). It’s handy for increasing the video connectivity of a tool with restricted ports or decreasing cable muddle behind a desk.

While the USB-C port doesn’t assist video or energy, it does join to a few USB downstream ports. Two of those are positioned on the monitor’s chin, enhancing accessibility. The U2724D is a helpful, although restricted, USB hub

Whether all this issues depends upon the way you’ll use the monitor. Desktop customers are unlikely to search out a lot fault, since desktops not often use USB-C for video and don’t profit from Power Delivery. If you intend to dock a laptop computer, nevertheless, you would possibly want the U2724DE, which has Thunderbolt, USB Power Delivery, Ethernet, and extra USB-C connectivity.

Matt Smith

The U2724D’s ports are managed via an easy-to-use on-screen menu accessible with a joystick positioned close to the lower-right bezel. While the menu is user-friendly, the vary of picture high quality settings is simply okay. Dell features a customized colour mode, enabling changes to RGB colours, and it offers varied colour temperature decisions, that are listed in exact increments (like 6500K) fairly than obscure generalizations (like “Warm”). The monitor lacks gamma adjustment, although, which looks like a minor oversight.

How is the Dell Ultrasharp U2724D’s SDR picture high quality?

Dell’s Ultrasharp U2724D is marketed primarily as a house workplace and productiveness monitor, however its 27-inch show panel, versatile 1440p decision, 120Hz refresh charge, and mid-range worth make it a potential match for practically anybody seeking to purchase a monitor. That additionally locations it towards stiff competitors, as there’s no scarcity of reasonably priced 27-inch, 1440p, 120-to-165Hz screens. But the U2724D has one thing most screens don’t: an IPS Black show panel.

Matt Smith

The U2724D’s brightness peaks at 328 nits, which is a tad behind the brightness sometimes seen in latest screens, however the U2724D’s brightness precisely matches the U2724DE. That is sensible, given their many similarities, however I used to be nonetheless stunned by simply how carefully they mirrored each other. It suggests good high quality management from Dell.

Though a bit dim in comparison with different trendy IPS screens, the U2724D’s brightness is okay for practically all conditions. It additionally has an efficient anti-glare coating which minimizes glare, particularly when the monitor faces a light-weight supply.

Matt Smith

The Dell U2724D presents a powerful distinction ratio of 2370:1. That’s barely higher than the U2724D, and the most effective distinction ratio results of any IPS Black monitor I’ve reviewed to date. Don’t learn an excessive amount of into that, although. I didn’t discover this slight distinction noticeable in real-world viewing.

Yet the U2724D’s efficiency is notable for one key purpose: the value. It carries an MSRP of simply $384.99 (and, if Dell’s historical past is any information, will likely be discounted under that earlier than lengthy), which makes it probably the most reasonably priced IPS Black monitor but.

Previous IPS Black Monitors have been priced excessive sufficient that funds Mini-LED and OLED screens is likely to be thought of another. That’s not the case with the extra reasonably priced U2724D, and it makes the monitor’s distinction efficiency much more interesting. Monitors with a VA panel, just like the Gigabyte GS32QC, can ship superior distinction at an equal (and sometimes decrease) worth—however most such screens goal gaming and lack quality-of-life options discovered within the U2724D.

Matt Smith

The U2724D’s colour gamut covers 96 p.c of DCI-P3 and 87 p.c of AdobeRGB, outcomes that precisely match the costlier U2724DE. That’s not the widest colour gamut out there, however it’s stable for the value and delivers a broad vary of colour that’s helpful for content material creators and provides some visible spice to video games.

There are just a few options, just like the Asus’ ProArt monitors like the PA279CRV, which outperform the U2724D’s colour. These are usually costlier, although, and lack the IPS Black panel. Most individuals received’t discover the development in colour gamut definitely worth the discount in distinction.

Matt Smith

The U2724D’s colour accuracy isn’t distinctive, however it’s greater than ample for a house workplace and productiveness monitor. It presents a vivid, lifelike picture that doesn’t fall out of line when displaying any specific colour. The identical is true of most opponents, nevertheless.

I measured a default colour temperature of 6500K, which is precisely according to my desire. The picture didn’t seem overly heat or cool out-of-the-box—and as talked about, the menu offers colour temperature adjustment that helps you tune the monitor to the desire.

Gamma was a bit off, nevertheless, with a gamma curve of two.0. That meant content material typically appeared overly vivid and luminous, which might over-boost element in darkish and shadowy scenes and result in a hazy look. The monitor lacks a gamma adjustment, so the issue isn’t as straightforward to appropriate because it might be, although it may be mounted via various picture high quality presets or software program calibration.

The U2724D has a local decision of 2560×1440 which, relying in your perspective, might sound disappointing. Dell presents extra reasonably priced 4K screens, just like the S2721QS—however these lack the U2724D’s most refresh charge of 120Hz. Pixel density is available in at 109 pixels per inch, which seems moderately sharp on a 27-inch show, although some pixelation is noticeable when viewing very small fonts. On the opposite hand, 1440p is a perfect decision for gaming on a 27-inch show, because it offers robust sharpness with out the extraordinary GPU necessities of 4K.

Overall, the U2724D has a vivid, lush, and enticing picture with nice colour efficiency and good distinction. Its efficiency is very glorious for a monitor with a sub-$400 MSRP. Most various screens will fall brief in both distinction or colour efficiency, and typically in each, which places the U2724D in an enviable place.

How is the Dell Ultrasharp U2724D’s HDR picture high quality?

The Dell Ultrasharp U2724D doesn’t provide HDR however, given the monitor’s worth vary, it’s not a shock. Monitors beneath $500 sometimes battle to deal with HDR, as they lack the brightness and distinction essential to ship good element in extraordinarily vivid, or darkish, scenes. Those searching for robust HDR efficiency should put money into costlier screens just like the Innocn 27M2V or Alienware AW3423DWF.

How is the Dell Ultrasharp U2724D’s movement efficiency?

Matt Smith

I’ve incessantly complained concerning the Dell Ultrasharp line-up’s restrained strategy to refresh charge. Most screens lack a refresh charge meaningfully enhanced over 60Hz (sorry, Dell, however 75Hz doesn’t depend). Fortunately, Dell has made the leap to 120Hz with a number of screens together with the U2724D (the U2724DE, U2424H, and U2424HE additionally hit 120Hz). It’s a key enchancment. Doubling the refresh charge from 60Hz to 120Hz improves movement smoothness and readability not solely in video games, but in addition on the Windows desktop.

Gamers ought to maintain expectations in verify. The monitor quotes pixel response occasions of 5 to eight milliseconds, which is slower than a typical gaming monitor (most quote a response time of 1 to three milliseconds). Because of this, the U2724D’s movement is just not as crisp as some price-competitive screens with an identical refresh charge. Even the KTC H24T09P, a $150 gaming monitor I lately reviewed, was a tad extra crisp in movement.

But it’s necessary to not miss the forest for the timber. The U2724D can’t stand as much as the movement readability of a gaming monitor, however it’s not too far behind, and it simply defeats a monitor caught at 60Hz. Remember, additionally, {that a} recreation should render at a body charge equal to a monitor’s most refresh charge to actually see the complete advantage of that enhanced refresh charge. That’s value thought when shopping for a mid-range monitor, as I’d guess most consumers trying on the U2724D don’t plan to pair it with an costly high-performance GPU.

The Dell U2724D helps adaptive sync for clean, tear-free gameplay, however the particulars are complicated. The monitor doesn’t have official AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync assist however does assist “VRR as per specified in HDMI 2.1.” Despite that, my AMD Radeon 7800 XT video card acknowledged the Dell U2724D as an Adaptive Sync Compatible show over each HDMI and DisplayPort, and adaptive sync was purposeful in my testing. I anticipate adaptive sync will work with most AMD and Nvidia graphics options—however, given the dearth of official assist, it’s not assured.

Is the Dell Ultrasharp U2724D value it?

The Dell Ultrasharp U2724D is a wonderful monitor that strikes the correct steadiness of options, picture high quality, and ergonomics. This makes the monitor a good selection for practically any shopper. It’s particularly glorious for individuals who want a show that’s equally robust in workplace productiveness, content material creation, and gaming. The monitor’s solely weak spot is its connectivity, which forces consumers on the lookout for Thunderbolt 4/USB-C with DisplayPort to improve to the costlier U2724DE. Not everybody wants that function, nevertheless, and the monitor has acceptable downstream USB connectivity. It’s a flexible, enticing show that delivers good worth for cash.