You can never have enough screen real estate. The more pixels of desktop, inches of screen size and actual monitors you have, the more you can get done at once. So upgrading to a 4K monitor — or adding another one, two or even four 4K monitors to your PC setup — could bring a huge improvement in the quality of your tech life.
I'm old enough to remember a time when you couldn't find a 4K monitor of any kind for less than $500. Then, a couple of years ago, I was totally stoked when I was able to get a couple of 28-inch, 4K Lenovo monitors (an S28u-10 and L28-u30, which are the same) for myself and they were around $300. But the cost of productivity (aka non-gaming) 4K monitors keeps going down and, on Cyber Monday there are a number of really good 27, 28 and 32-inch 4K screens for less than $300 or even less than $200.
Samsung Smart Monitor M7 Cyber Monday 4K Monitor Deal
Right now, B&H Photo has the Samsung Smart Monitor M7, a 32-inch 4K screen for just $199 and it is loaded with features. First of all, as its "Smart" name implies, the screen has built in software that allows it to function as a smart TV, with built-in Netflix, YouTube and other apps. More importantly, it has a USB-C power delivery port that can charge your laptop.
We haven't tested the Smart Monitor M7 so we can't vouch for its image quality. However, the display is rated for a generous 3000:1 contrast ratio, which is typical for any monitor that uses the VA panel the M7 employs. It also boasts 250 nits of brightness, which should be more than enough for most people (we usually calibrate our test displays to 200 nits). The Smart Monitor M7 even has support for HDR10, though it probably won't be bright enough to take full advantage of HDR content.
Dell S2721QS Cyber Monday 4K Monitor Deal
The Dell S2721QS is on our list of the best budget 4K monitors, listed as our favorite 27-inch budget display. When we tested the S2721QS, we loved its sturdy, modern-looking stand which allows for both tilt and height adjustment, along with its support for picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture.
According to our light meter, the Dell S2721QS delivers 392 nits of brightness, a lot more than its nearest competitor.
It also reproduced 114 percent of the sRGB color gamut. That's plenty of vibrancy and brightness for the price.
LG 32UN500-W Cyber Monday 4K Monitor Deal
Our favorite, budget-oriented 32-inch monitor, the LG 32UN500-W is now on sale for just $249 at Amazon. We reviewed the LG 32UN500-W a while ago and praised its good contrast, solid build quality and support for Free Sync (albeit at unspecified, low refresh rates).
On our light meter, LG's monitor registered an impressive 375 nits of brightness. It also managed to reproduce a strong 126 percent of the sRGB color gamut.
HP U28 Cyber Monday 4K Monitor Deal
Designed for creative professionals, the HP 28U has different color modes for DCI-P3, sRGB and "standard." It also has support for HDR400 and a touted max brightness of 400 nits. When we reviewed the HP 28U, we praised its strong color accuracy, luminous display and inclusion of a USB-C power delivery port for laptop charging.
On our tests, the HP 28U delivered more than 460 nits of brightness in each of its three main picture modes. Clearly, it meets the HDR400 requirements.
Accuracy is important when you're editing photos. The monitor has a very low DeltaE error rate in Grayscale and its Gamma Value Range is also solid.
Samsung UR59C Cyber Monday Monitor Deal
The 32-inch Samsung UR59C sits atop our list of the best budget 4K monitors thanks to its gorgeous image quality, strong color accuracy and attractive 1500R curve. Right now, it's just $299 at B&H, reduced from $449.
When we reviewed the Samsung UR59C, we noted that its brightness far exceeded the spec sheet. On our light meter, it managed a full 332 nits as opposed to the 250 nits it is rated for.
Samsung's monitor delivered a solid 104 percent of the sRGB gamut on our colorimeter.
It also achieved a strong 2648:1 contrast ratio.
Contributing Editor Christian Eberle wrote of the UR59C, "it presented a clear, bright and sharp image full of rich natural colors and contrast for days. When lined up next to an IPS or TN monitor, there’s no comparison." You can now find it on sale.
