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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If sharp detail for productivity or photo editing is important to you, the Dell S2721QS with its higher resolution and better color accuracy fits the bill, yet it's not ideal for HDR gaming or media given its limited brightness and color volume. On the other hand, the Dell S2722DGM, being budget-friendly, offers better contrast and is good for casual and competitive gaming with its higher refresh rate and lower response time; however, it has a lower resolution which is less optimal for tasks that benefit from finer details like reading or detailed graphics work. Choose the S2721QS for a focus on clarity and color accuracy or the S2722DGM for enhanced gaming performance at a lower cost. 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 S2721QS (IPS)
- Good for productivity
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Advantages of the Dell S2722DGM (VA)
- Good for casual gaming
- Good for media consumption
- Good refresh rate
- Good contrast
- Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
7.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2948:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
389 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
85.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2722DGM (VA) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.9
5.8
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
14.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
13.2 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
389 nits
The Dell S2722DGM (VA) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2722DGM (VA) is somewhat better.
Productivity
7.9
6.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
164 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good for productivity, while the Dell S2722DGM (VA) is only fair.
Cost
$280
$300
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) has a price of $280 and the Dell S2722DGM (VA) costs $300.
Key similarities
Media Consumption
6.7
7.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2948:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
389 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell S2722DGM (VA) to be good for media consumption, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell S2722DGM (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell S2722DGM (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell S2722DGM (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell S2722DGM (VA) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and the Dell S2722DGM (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721QS (IPS) | Dell S2722DGM (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$280 | $300 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | VA | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1221:1 | 2948:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 373 nits | 389 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 386 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 | 100 % | 99.6 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14.5 ms | 13.2 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 164 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 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 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."
Dell S2722DGM (VA)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | February 2022
"Though it leaves out HDR and extended color, the Dell S2722DGM delivers superb gaming performance for less than $300. With Adaptive-Sync, 165 Hz, a solid overdrive and usable blur reduction, it rocks full-motion gaming without breaking the bank."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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.
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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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