High-end 4K displays have been steadily dropping in price, and the crisp resolution is no longer a luxury reserved for those with a huge budget. While the very best 4K monitors can still get into four figures, there are plenty of worthwhile and affordable 4K monitors that sit somewhere between $250 and $450. The difference in pixel density compared to 1080p and even 1440p is always impressive no matter the price, and you can find specialized features for gaming, photography, creativity, and more even in the budget range. We've collected here a bunch of our favorite affordable 4K monitors so that you can find the right screen without emptying your wallet.

Our favorite cheap 4K monitors in 2023

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LG UltraFine 32UN650W
Editor's Choice

Best for most people

LG's UltraFine 32UN650W is one of the best budget 4K monitors you can buy today. It offers excellent color reproduction, HDR10 support with up to 1,000 nits brightness, built-in speakers, and easy controls to go along with the brilliant 31.5-inch IPS panel. It's a fine 4K screen no matter the price, but it happens to be available for about $450.

Pros
  • 32-inch 4K display at 60Hz
  • Built-in 5W speakers
  • Slim stand and build, VESA compatibility
  • HDR10 support
Cons
  • No rotation ergonomics
  • No USB

Although the LG UltraFine 32UN650W was released in 2020, it remains one of the best budget 4K monitors you can buy today. It has a spacious 31.5-inch IPS panel with a 3840x2160 (UHD) resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio, with surprisingly good color.

In our LG UltraFine 32UN650W review, computing maestro Arif Bacchus discovered 98% sRGB, 82% AdobeRGB, 86% DCI-P3, and 77% NTSC gamut coverage using a colorimeter, noting that the monitor "is great for entry-level photography and video editing" especially since it has HDR10 support. The refresh rate does top out at 60Hz, so you'll likely want to look elsewhere if you're focusing primarily on a high-end 4K gaming experience. As a counterpoint, the monitor has AMD FreeSync support baked in.

LG UltraFine 32UN650W showing a seaturtle

The slim stand offers a bit of tilt and height wiggle room, but it cannot rotate vertically and you can only use the screen horizontally unless you get creative with a VESA mount. Built into the chassis are two 5W speakers, dual HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and 3.5mm audio. There's unfortunately no USB-A or USB-C, but at this price you're still getting a killer 4K monitor on the cheap. This is also one of our top picks when it comes to the broader 4K market, and it should be a great pickup for casual users who want to handle some media.

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Samsung UR55 Series 28 UHD monitor
Best Value

Very reasonable pricing

Samsung's 28-inch UR55 UHD monitor is now regularly available at about $280, making it the best value out of all the budget 4K monitors. It has a modern design with slim bezel, and the picture quality is top-notch. It'll be a great choice if you don't need anything larger than 28 inches.

Pros
  • Excellent color reproduction
  • VESA compatibility
  • HDR10 support
  • Modern design
Cons
  • No USB
  • Lacking some ergonomics

If you want a high-quality, affordable 4K monitor, the 28-inch Samsung UR55 Series is a no-brainer. At about $250 it's one of the most affordable 4K monitors right now, but that doesn't mean corners have been cut. The Samsung UR55 is a very simple-looking monitor with a sleek design and slim bezels. Unlike Samsung's Odyssey monitors, it doesn't have any flashy lights or other striking design elements, so it works in the office and at home.

This monitor covers up to 100% of the sRGB color space and up to 88% of the DCI-P3 space, which are all pretty decent for a budget monitor. While the Samsung UR55 doesn't have the brightest panel out there, 400 nits of HDR brightness is still good enough for indoors. This monitor also supports up to 60Hz refresh rate and 4ms response time with AMD FreeSync technology. The Samsung UR55 isn't necessarily a gaming monitor, but it should be good enough for casual PC gaming and console players.

This monitor also has a decent selection of ports. We're looking at two DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 ports. Additionally, you get a 3.5mm headphone jack, but keep in mind that it doesn't have built-in speakers. Overall, for what you're paying, it's hard to really find anything to complain about.

Pro Art
ASUS ProArt PA279CV 27-inch 4K UHD Monitor
Best for creators

Affordable 4K for professionals

The Asus ProArt PA279CV provides full coverage of the sRGB and Rec. 709 color gamuts, with HDR10 support and up to 350 nits brightness. Creators and developers who don't mind spending a bit more will love this display.

Pros
  • Outstanding sRGB and Rec. 709 color accuracy
  • Tons of ports, including USB-C
  • Ergonomic stand with extensive adjustments
  • Built-in 2W speakers
Cons
  • Button controls aren't the best

The ProArt lineup from Asus has a host of great products for creative professionals, including a QHD version of the same monitor. We reviewed the lower-res Asus ProArt PA278CV, noting its suitability for "pro-am editors, designers, and developers who want a color-accurate picture and crisp resolution without overspending." It's so good that it currently sits at the top of our picks for overall best monitors.

The 4K version is just as good, but of course you get the higher pixel count to work with. True to its creative aspirations, the design is stunning. It has a textured back panel and a contrasting, adjustable stand that looks great. It also has little to no bezels on three sides of the display, except for the bottom panel. It features an IPS panel that delivers 10-bit color rendering and is capable of handling more than a billion different shades. It also has an anti-glare coating, which is almost essential for accurate creative work. We're looking at a 60Hz refresh rate for this panel along with a 5ms response time.

The ASUS ProArt PA279CV delivers excellent image quality out of the box. Peak brightness is around 500 nits, and it covers 100% of the sRGB and Rec. 709 color spaces, with a further 80% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut and 75% of the Adobe RGB space. The connectivity options include as many as four USB-A ports, a single USB-C port, two HDMI, and a single DisplayPort for connecting your PC.

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Samsung S80UA 4K Monitor
Best with USB-C

Easy connectivity

Want to combine a new 4K monitor with a USB-C hub? Want to keep it within the budget range of, say, around $350 or less when on sale? Samsung's 27-inch S80UA is a great choice for those who need an easy connection and extra ports.

Pros
  • Beautiful 27-inch 4K panel with HDR10 support
  • Lots of ports, including a USB-C hub
  • Stand can be fully adjusted for a proper view
  • The price keeps dropping
Cons
  • 250-300 nits brightness might not be enough for some
  • Best suited for general use

The Samsung S80UA is another great option, especially for those who want to mix a USB-C hub into their workflow without investing in a high-end docking station. As far as the specifications go, the Samsung S80UA sports a 27-inch IPS display with a W-LED backlight. It has a 16:9 aspect ratio with a maximum resolution of 3840x2160.

We're only getting a 60Hz refresh rate support with a 5ms response time, which seems to be the norm for this price range. The Samsung S80UA has a peak brightness of 300 nits and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and the overall image quality is quite good. Samsung knows how to make quality screens, and this one is no different.

The design of this particular monitor is also pretty simple. The back has a simple black texture with lots of space for all the cables and ports. The USB hub is right on top and is easily accessible. It also has an adjustable stand that allows you to adjust the height and the tilt — you can even put it in portrait mode. In addition to the USB Type-C hub the Samsung S80UA also comes with a single DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0 port. The monitor comes with a USB-C and an HDMI cable in the box for a quick setup.

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Lenovo L32p-30 Monitor
Best 32-inch multipurpose

Lenovo's big (and affordable) 4K screen

Lenovo's 32-inch L32p-30 blends gaming and creative tasks with its 4K resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 90% DCI-P3 reproduction, HDR10 support, and 10-bit color. It's especially affordable if you can get it on sale at Lenovo's official site.

Pros
  • Great color accuracy
  • Come with a quality webcam built right in
  • Simple design
  • 60Hz refresh rate and 4ms response time
Cons
  • Stand isn't fully adjustable
  • USB ports might be hard to reach

Lenovo has a Legion Y32p-30 monitor that's a real gaming killer, but its $750 cost puts it well out of the budget range. Thankfully, there is also a non-Legion L32p-30 variant that regularly costs about $500 but is often heavily discounted. It's so popular that Lenovo is currently out of stock, but you can still find models at Newegg. We're hoping that this monitor's availability improves in the future.

Lenovo L32P-30 Monitor showing an image of the Chicago skyline in the background

In his Lenovo L32p-30 review, XDA's Arif Bacchus said that "the monitor is not only great for casual gaming," and that its "color accuracy makes it a solid monitor for those who might be getting started with video editing." The IPS panel is sized at 31.5 inches, it has a maximum brightness of 350 nits, there's HDR10 support, and it enjoys a 60Hz refresh rate and a 4ms response time. 10-bit color depth and 90% DCI-P3 color reproduction help with tasks outside of gaming, and there are even four USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1) ports built in to help with productivity. Rounding out the ports are USB-C with 75W power delivery (ideal for laptops), HDMI, and DisplayPort.

AMD FreeSync tech is baked in to help reduce screen tearing, and the screen even has two speakers for times when you don't feel like wearing a headset. As an added bonus, A Lenovo LC50 webcam comes with the display to be mounted above the screen. It has a 1080p resolution and 90-degree FOV, with privacy shutter and built-in clip to attach it to the display. It's not perfect — gamers will likely want to invest in a quality webcam for streaming — but it's a nice addition that usually costs about $80.

Dell S2721QS
Dell S2721QS
Best 27-inch

The sweet spot for size

Dell's S2721QS is a great multipurpose monitor with accurate sRGB coverage, HDR support, and even AMD FreeSync if you'd like to have some fun. It's cheap, it looks great, and it's the perfect size for most people at 27 inches.

Pros
  • Solid sRGB coverage
  • Very reasonable price
  • 27 inches is right for most people
  • AMD FreeSync on board
Cons
  • Not ideal for specialized work
  • Stand lacks some adjustability

Dell's S2721QS makes the cut as our budget pick in the best overall 4K monitors on the market today thanks mainly to its versatility. It can be your everyday monitor thanks to a 27-inch UHD panel with HDR support and 99% sRGB color coverage, but it can also handle some gaming with its 60Hz refresh rate, 4ms response time, and AMD FreeSync compatibility.

Dell's ComfortView Plus branding is a fancy name for low blue light, which helps protect your eyes during long stints in front of the screen. The panel can hit up to 350 nits brightness and has a slim bezel for a modern look.

The stand can be adjusted for swivel and tilt, and you can also get it up off of your desk with VESA compatibility. The monitor lacks USB-C, but it does come with HDMI, DisplayPort, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It even has dual 3W speakers so that you aren't always using a headset. All in, this is a great multipurpose monitor that sits at the 27-inch sweet spot that provides plenty of screen real estate without taking up too much room in your office.

ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q
ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q 4K Gaming monitor
Best 28-inch gaming

Have fun in 4K

The Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q is a great choice if you're going to be focusing on having fun. It has a 60Hz refresh rate, 5ms response time, HDR support, and a more aggressive design with adjustable stand.

Pros
  • HDR support
  • Can get better specs, but not at this price
  • Stylized design with adjustable stand
  • This bezel
Cons
  • Only a 60Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time

4K gaming is still growing, but we're already at a point where you can get a budget monitor like the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q that can rival the overall best 4K gaming monitors. It features a 28-inch IPS/W-LED panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a maximum resolution of 3840x2160. The fact that it only supports up to 60Hz refresh rate may sound like a letdown, especially for a gaming monitor, but we're talking a budget display here and unless you have a very powerful GPU, you're not going to be much over 60Hz regularly at 4K yet anyway. We're also looking at a 5ms response time.

The overall image quality is, as expected, great. The TUF Gaming VG289Q has a peak brightness of 350 nits with a 1000:1 contrast ratio. This panel also supports HDR for a better viewing experience with compatible content. While the HDR quality may not be as good as it is on higher-end monitors, it's certainly better than not having it.

Just like a lot of other Asus TUF Gaming products, this one also has subtle design cues to represent its gaming DNA. Unlike a lot of other high-end gaming monitors, you won't find any RGB accents on this monitor. The monitor has a tall and sturdy stand that provides nearly six inches of height adjustment and up to a 62-degree swivel. The bezels around the display are also quite thin, and all-in this is a pretty great package.

Samsung UR59
Samsung UR59C 4K Gaming Monitor
Best curved

32-inch display with curved panel

The Samsung UR59 is the only curved monitor in this collection, and it's also one of the best curved 4K monitors you'll find in this $350 price range. This is the way to go if a flat screen is out of the question.

Pros
  • Very affordable for what you're getting
  • 32-inch curved panel with 4K resolution
  • Modern design with slim stand
  • 60Hz refresh rate and 4ms response time
Cons
  • Only 200-250 nits brightness
  • No USB

The Samsung UR59C isn't very expensive and is one of the few budget-class monitors with a curve and 4K resolution. In terms of specifications, the Samsung UR59C comes with a 32-inch VA panel with a W-LED backlight. It's a 16:9 aspect ratio panel with a 3840x2160 resolution, support for up to a 60Hz refresh rate, and a 4ms response time. The panel has a curve radius of 1500mm, which is fairly gentle and won't be as initially jarring if you're coming from a traditional flat monitor.

The Samsung UR59C has a fairly simple design beyond its width, with no sharp edges or particularly aggressive features. It's one of those monitors that'll easily fit into even the most sophisticated setups. The picture quality is also crystal clear, thanks to a combination of image processing and an anti-glare layer on top. The panel also has fairly thin bezels surrounding the main display, which widens the amount of screen real estate even further.

Samsung has spent a good amount of time paying attention to little details here. The input panel, for instance, is hidden under the circular snap-on cover at the back. The monitor also lets you route the cables down the hollow upright to keep them out of sight. You get a single DisplayPort 1.4 port, an HDMI 2.0 port, and a headphone jack. Gaming on the Samsung UR59C is also a great experience. The lack of a high-refresh-rate panel could be a turn-off for enthusiast gamers, but it's perfectly serviceable for casual gamers. Ultimately, it's just a great all-around package if you're looking for a curved, high-resolution monitor.

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HP U28 4K HDR Monitor
Best for professionals

28-inch display with lots of ports

HP's U28 4K monitor offers VESA DisplayHDR 400 support, full sRGB color, and an ergonomic stand. Its USB-C connectivity expands out into plenty of other ports, acting as a sort of docking station for your laptop.

Pros
  • Easy USB-C connectivity, plenty of downstream ports
  • Gorgeous 28-inch 4K picture
  • Ergonomic stand, thin bezels
Cons
  • DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB gamut reproduction aren't perfect

HP's U28 is a favorite among pros and creators who need a 4K monitor with excellent color reproduction, lots of ports, and easy USB-C connectivity. The 28-inch IPS panel has a 1000:1 contrast ratio, VESA DisplayHDR 400 support, full sRGB support, and decent DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB gamut support. It can hit up to 400 nits brightness, and it comes with an anti-glare finish. Top and side bezels are thin, with just a bit of a chin below.

The screen is built into a chassis that loads up on ports. The rear bank includes DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0, USB-C with 65W power delivery and DP alt mode (for easy laptop connectivity), three downstream USB-A, and even a 3.5mm audio jack. The stand is fully ergonomic, with tilt, height, swivel, and pivot adjustments, and you can also mount it with a 100mm x 100mm VESA bracket.

If you're setting up an office and want a 4K monitor that can easily expand your laptop's connectivity, this should be a great choice.

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Philips 276E8VJSB
Best for photo editing

27-inch display with great color

The Philips 276E8VJSB is a 27-inch 4K monitor with excellent sRGB color reproduction, PbP and PiP capabilities, and a space-saving stand. The panel is easy on the eyes and should make a great option for those who often edit photos.

Pros
  • Support PiP and PbP
  • Full sRGB coverage for photo editing
  • Easy on the eyes
Cons
  • Stand isn't very ergonomic
  • Not a lot of ports beyond video in

I like the curved stand that Philips uses for its productivity monitors; it takes up less space on the desk while giving the monitor plenty of support, and it just looks more modern than a square foot. Unfortunately, it only allows for tilt adjustments. Beyond that, the 27-inch 4K display has an anti-glare finish, up to 350 nits brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, and perfect sRGB color. This should come in handy if you often edit photos.

The display supports picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture for multiple inputs, boosting productivity. Ports aren't particularly plentiful, but you do get the usual dual HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2, and 3.5mm audio out. The display has thin top and side bezels, with just a small chin below. A low blue light mode and flicker-free technology make it easy on the eyes.

Getting the best budget 4K monitor for you

Any of the 4K monitors above will land you a high-res display on the cheap, and the best overall — that is the monitor that will suit the most people — is the LG UltraFine 32UN650W. It's larger than the 27-inch sweet spot that many people prefer, but the picture will blow you away and give you lots of room to work with, whether you're multitasking, editing, or even enjoying some gaming with the AMD FreeSync compatibility. Sure, the 60Hz refresh rate isn't that impressive, but monitors that push the rate higher also come at a higher price.

LG UltraFine 32UN650W with webpages open

The UltraFine 32UN650W offers HDR10 support, it comes with built-in 5W speakers, and slim stand can be traded out for a VESA mount if you'd like to save the most space on your desk. At about $450 this is at the high end of the budget realm, and the Samsung UR55 might be a better choice if you want to spend as little as possible. It's a 28-inch monitor with HDR10 support, excellent color reproduction, up to 400 nits brightness, and even AMD FreeSync tech if you'd like to enjoy some gaming. At only about $250 you can get a slightly smaller screen with specs that rival those of the LG UltraFine.

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LG UltraFine 32UN650W
Best overall

The right mix for most people

LG's UltraFIne 32UN650W is one of the best 4K monitors out there for anyone looking to spend less. It provides a 32-inch screen with a 60Hz refresh rate, excellent color, and HDR support.