If you're on a budget and mainly interested in competitive gaming, the Dell S2522HG might suit you with its high refresh rate and robust gaming performance. However, if you're willing to spend more for a sharper image quality, better color coverage for tasks like digital photo editing, and a larger screen which enhances both productivity and media consumption, the Dell S2721DGF would be a superior choice. Keep in mind that the S2721DGF also offers a higher resolution, which means more screen real estate for multitasking, but the S2522HG will give you less motion blur in fast-paced games. 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 S2522HG (IPS)
Good for competitive gaming
Very good refresh rate
Good brightness
Advantages of the Dell S2721DGF (IPS)
Good text clarity
Good image clarity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
7.0/10
5.8/10
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
6.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.3 ms
48 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
400 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
The Dell S2522HG (IPS) is good for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
4.6/10
6.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
89 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Dell S2522HG (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.3/10
5.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
882:1
400 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
485 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S2522HG (IPS) are both poor for media consumption, though the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2522HG (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.8/10
5.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
882:1
400 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
485 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
97.2 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S2522HG (IPS) are both poor for casual gaming.
Cost
$302
$300
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Dell S2522HG (IPS) has a price of $302 and the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) costs $300.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2522HG (IPS) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2522HG (IPS) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2522HG (IPS) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2522HG (IPS) and the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) compare to other monitors
"The Dell S2522HG changes the game. This 24.5-inch 1080p gaming monitor has a 240Hz refresh rate, yet it’s commonly sold for $249.99. That’s just tens of dollars more than an average 1080p 144Hz gaming monitor. The S2522HG cuts a few corners in its pursuit of pricing, but it’s a great choice for competitive gamers on a budget."
"The Dell S2721DGF checks all the boxes for an upper-mid priced display that can take on the best gaming monitors, and you might even be able to find it for under $500 (it's $450-$500 as of writing). The monitor's 1440p, runs at 165 Hz without overclock, has AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatibility, covers a large portion of the DCI-P3 color gamut and includes a lighting effect on the back."
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.
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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
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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.