A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're into competitive gaming and want smooth gameplay, the Dell Alienware AW2723DF, with its higher refresh rate and responsive performance, would be a better fit despite its higher price. However, for casual gaming, everyday productivity, and media watching on a budget, the Dell S2721DS should suffice and saves money. Neither are ideal for high-end HDR gaming or professional color work. The Alienware offers better overall gaming performance and has more USB ports, but if those features aren't critical for you, the savings with the S2721DS might be more appealing. 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 Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Good response time
Advantages of the Dell S2721DS (IPS)
- The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS).
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.4
5.8
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
280Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
1020:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
384 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
672 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
99.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
8.6
5.0
280Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
7.6 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
17.4 ms
20 - 280 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 75 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
384 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$429
$309
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) has a price of $429 and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) costs $309.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Productivity
6.4
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) to be only fair for productivity, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.0
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1020:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
384 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
672 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) to be only fair for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) | Dell S2721DS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $309 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 16 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1020:1 | 1015:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 384 nits | 334 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 672 nits | N/A | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 103.1 % | 98.6 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.6 ms | 17.4 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 280 Hz | 48 - 75 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.7/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 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 Alienware AW2723DF (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Jeremy Laird | March 2023
"Put all the pieces together, the high quality IPS image quality, the punchy backlight, the good response and the buttery smooth 280Hz refresh and you have a pretty outstanding gaming panel that's also decent for general computing duties thanks to the 1440p resolution."
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
We're constantly perfecting our model
More comparisons for you
Compare Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) vs. Innocn 27M2U (IPS MiniLED)
VS
Compare Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) vs. MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) vs. Gigabyte M32Q (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell S2721DS (IPS) vs. Dell S2522HG (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell S2721DS (IPS) vs. Dell S2721DGF (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell S2721DS (IPS) vs. Dell S2722DGM (VA)
VS
FAQs
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec monitors team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest monitor information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
210
Monitors evaluated
10,500
Monitors stats compiled
15
Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
117,800
Recommendations made
17,670
Consumer hours saved
About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Monitors Editor
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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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.
Featured in
