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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're a competitive gamer looking for smoother gameplay, the Dell S2721DGF's higher refresh rate and faster response time make it a better option, despite the higher price. It also offers a better range for variable refresh rate, reducing screen tearing. However, for casual use, productivity, and media consumption, the Dell S2721DS is more budget-friendly and still offers good image clarity and text quality despite its lower refresh rate and brightness, which might be less important for non-gaming activities. Neither monitor is the best for HDR gaming or video editing due to limited peak brightness and color gamut coverage. 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 S2721DGF (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
- Very good response time
Advantages of the Dell S2721DS (IPS)
- The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Dell S2721DGF (IPS).
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.8
5.0
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
6.3 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
17.4 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 75 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
5.8
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are both poor for casual gaming.
Productivity
6.2
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell S2721DGF (IPS) to be only fair for productivity, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.9
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are both poor for media consumption.
Cost
$300
$309
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) costs $309.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (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 S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DGF (IPS) | Dell S2721DS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $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 | 8 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 882:1 | 1015:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 368 nits | 334 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 485 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 | 137.7 % | 98.6 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 6.3 ms | 17.4 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 48 - 75 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | 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 S2721DGF (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | January 2021
"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."
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
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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
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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
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.
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