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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If budget is a key concern and you're looking for a capable monitor for everyday productivity and casual content consumption, the Dell S2721QS could be a fitting choice while saving you money. However, if you value higher contrast for deeper blacks and more vivid colors for tasks like digital photo editing, the Dell U2723QE with its IPS Black panel would be a better option, despite the higher price. The U2723QE also has more USB ports, including USB-C with power delivery, enhancing connectivity and convenience for a premium workstation setup. Neither are ideal for HDR gaming due to limited peak brightness, but both offer clear text and good image clarity for general use. 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)
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Advantages of the Dell U2723QE (IPS Black)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
Key differences
Cost
$230
$545
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) has a price of $230 and the Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) costs $545.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.1
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1978:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
341 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
415 nits
85.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
97.3 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.9
4.9
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
14.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.7 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
341 nits
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Productivity
7.9
8.1
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
164 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
162 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) to be very good for productivity, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good.
Media Consumption
6.7
7.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1978:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
341 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
415 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) 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 U2723QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) 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 U2723QE (IPS Black) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721QS (IPS) | Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$230 | $545 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS Black | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 4 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1221:1 | 1978:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 373 nits | 341 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 386 nits | 415 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14.5 ms | 20.7 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | N/A | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 164 PPI | 162 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 8/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 1 | |
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 | 0 | |
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."
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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.
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About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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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