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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a budget and mostly do general computing or casual gaming, the Dell S2721DS is a more affordable choice with decent image quality. However, if you're interested in sharper text, better image clarity, and more screen real estate for productivity tasks or 4K content, the slightly pricier Dell S2721QS with higher resolution will be more beneficial. The S2721QS also offers better color depth which can be important for photo editing, though neither monitor is best suited for professional color work or competitive gaming due to their limited refresh rates and response times. The S2721QS also has an adjustable stand, which can contribute significantly to your comfort if you spend long hours at the desk. 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 S2721DS (IPS)
- The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Dell S2721QS (IPS).
Advantages of the Dell S2721QS (IPS)
- Good for productivity
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Key differences
Productivity
5.9
7.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
164 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good for productivity, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.9
6.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$309
$280
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has a price of $309 and the Dell S2721QS (IPS) costs $280.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.8
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
85.2 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are both poor for casual gaming.
Competitive Gaming
5.0
4.9
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
17.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.5 ms
48 - 75 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and the Dell S2721QS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DS (IPS) | Dell S2721QS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$309 | $280 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 75Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1015:1 | 1221:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 334 nits | 373 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | 386 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 98.6 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 17.4 ms | 14.5 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 75 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 164 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 1 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
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 | 1 | 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."
Dell S2721QS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Scharon Harding | September 2021
"The Dell S2721QS 4K monitor brings IPS-level colors and some handy features, like a versatile stand with height adjustments and picture-in-picture for connecting dual systems. But don’t get it for HDR."
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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