Best picture/color quality 4k and 1440p monitor on the market today.

[Rhaegyn]

Hello TH community,

I currently have two new and very power PC's on the way and wanted to get some help from the expert TH community on purchasing a new monitor for each of the systems. At the present moment, I'm unsure if I want to go with a 4k or 1440p monitor so I wanted to bring my questions to the most knowledgeable community I know to ensure that I get the best deal.

The budget for each monitor is flexible, but I want to do my very best to spend anywhere between $300-$500 with a sweet spot around $400 or less if possible.

- I am looking for the very best picture/color quality monitor possible (apple cinema display level, but not with the cheaper asian brands that don't have all the inputs or features), and above all, the picture and color quality is the most important factor to consider in my purchase.

- monitor size 23"-25", but can do 27" if absolutely necessary

- G sync would be nice, but not necessary (as I know this would limit the options available greatly.

In short, vibrant and highly saturated color and picture quality is a must. Thank you so much in advanced for your time and assistance.

 

[XMorsX]

This is the best multi-input 1440p monitor you can find within your budget.
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-monitor-27mb85rb

The good 4k monitors are more expensive.

 

[Rhaegyn]

This is the best multi-input 1440p monitor you can find within your budget.
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-monitor-27mb85rb

The good 4k monitors are more expensive.

Disregard the budget; what are the best 4k monitors you know of at 24"-27 or 28"

 

[XMorsX]

This is the best multi-input 1440p monitor you can find within your budget.
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-monitor-27mb85rb

The good 4k monitors are more expensive.

Disregard the budget; what are the best 4k monitors you know of at 24"-27 or 28"

No 24", I find it too small for 4K and I doubt that there is any good choice at this dimension. I present 27" and 32". All of them are flicker-free and all-round good monitors.

Acer XB280HK: The best TN 4K with G-Sync. It has good color presets, low input lag and nice stand. Of course it is not on par with the IPS/PLS/AHVA on image quality.
http://www.digitalversus.com/lcd-monitor/acer-xb280hk-p21767/test.html

IPS/PLS/AHVA monitors

Acer S277HK and Asus PB279Q: The Asus has a height adjustable stand and nice matte grey bezel which vastly increases the perceived black depth. The Acer does not have a height adjustable stand, is not VESA compliant and has frame-less casing which has an inner black bezel which ruins the perceived black depth, but it is cheaper.
http://www.digitalversus.com/lcd-monitor/acer-s277hk-p21707/test.html
http://www.prad.de/new/monitore/test/2015/test-asus-pb279q.html

BenQ BL3201PH (or PT) and Qnix UHD325: The BenQ is currently the best in terms of preset colour accuracy, contrast, pixel response times, input lag and build quality, but the Qnix UHD 325 is extremely similar and cheaper. The Qnix lacks a quality height adjustable stand, can't easily be returned and exchanged, lacks a proper warranty and must be purchased from Korean sellers on eBay.
http://www.digitalversus.com/lcd-monitor/benq-bl3201pt-p22555/test.html
http://www.playwares.com/xe/index.php?mid=display_review&document_srl=46757646

 

[Rhaegyn]

This is the best multi-input 1440p monitor you can find within your budget.
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-monitor-27mb85rb

The good 4k monitors are more expensive.

Disregard the budget; what are the best 4k monitors you know of at 24"-27 or 28"

No 24", I find it too small for 4K and I doubt that there is any good choice at this dimension. I present 27" and 32". All of them are flicker-free and all-round good monitors.

Acer XB280HK: The best TN 4K with G-Sync. It has good color presets, low input lag and nice stand. Of course it is not on par with the IPS/PLS/AHVA on image quality.
http://www.digitalversus.com/lcd-monitor/acer-xb280hk-p21767/test.html

IPS/PLS/AHVA monitors

Acer S277HK and Asus PB279Q: The Asus has a height adjustable stand and nice matte grey bezel which vastly increases the perceived black depth. The Acer does not have a height adjustable stand, is not VESA compliant and has frame-less casing which has an inner black bezel which ruins the perceived black depth, but it is cheaper.
http://www.digitalversus.com/lcd-monitor/acer-s277hk-p21707/test.html
http://www.prad.de/new/monitore/test/2015/test-asus-pb279q.html

BenQ BL3201PH (or PT) and Qnix UHD325: The BenQ is currently the best in terms of preset colour accuracy, contrast, pixel response times, input lag and build quality, but the Qnix UHD 325 is extremely similar and cheaper. The Qnix lacks a quality height adjustable stand, can't easily be returned and exchanged, lacks a proper warranty and must be purchased from Korean sellers on eBay.
http://www.digitalversus.com/lcd-monitor/benq-bl3201pt-p22555/test.html
http://www.playwares.com/xe/index.php?mid=display_review&document_srl=46757646

I wanted to open up the options/suggestions to ultrawide monitors as well all panels in a 27-30"ish size range; that way I could start looking at ultrawide options.

Because image/color vibrancy is the most important to me, IPS panels are a must, and it seems like 1440p is a better option than 4k at the moment.

 

[XMorsX]

What is the use of your monitor? Gaming or image editing is going to be your main concern? Or maybe neither, but more casual use like browsing, movies etc.?

Because as far as gaming is concerned, 1440p is definitely the best res to look for right now, with Acer XB270HU and Asus MG279Q being the cream of the top right now.

As far as ultra-wide monitors are concerned, I am not too fond of them right now. Smaller ones are just too small IMO, and the bigger ones are too expensive compared to the 16:9 4K options.