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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize competitive gaming and want the best visual experience with deep blacks and vibrant colors, the Acer X27U with its OLED panel is an excellent choice, though it does come at a premium price. However, for day-to-day productivity and casual gaming, the Dell S2721DS offers good image clarity at a budget price. This Dell monitor isn't as suitable for high-end gaming or professional color work, but if costs are a major concern and your needs are more general, it's a practical option. The Acer X27U also has a higher refresh rate and better response times, which are significant for fast-paced gaming, but it won't be as good for productivity tasks compared to the Dell. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Acer X27U (W-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Good for media consumption
- Very good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell S2721DS (IPS)
- Good text clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
5.8
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
211 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
603 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
95.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
8.8
5.0
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
1.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
17.4 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 75 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
211 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
7.5
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
211 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
603 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is good for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$1,000
$309
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) has a price of $1,000 and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) costs $309.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Productivity
5.8
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Acer X27U (W-OLED) are both poor for productivity.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer X27U (W-OLED) | Dell S2721DS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $309 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | W-OLED | IPS | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 75Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 1015:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 211 nits | 334 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 603 nits | N/A | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 98.6 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.4 ms | 17.4 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 48 - 75 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.5/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
Shopping
Dell S2721DS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tech Radar
Ural Garrett | November 2021
"General users or casual PC gamers in need of a solid and affordable QHD monitor with a few extras may walk away satisfied with the Dell S2721D."
Give feedback
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Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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