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Black Friday guide

Buying guide · 6 picks compared

Best monitor UK 2026

The Dell 27 Plus 4K Monitor is the best monitor for most people, because its 27-inch 4K screen runs at 120Hz, so scrolling and moving images look smooth and text stays sharp.

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For office or study on a budget, choose the Dell 24 Plus Monitor: a 23.8-inch Full HD screen at 144Hz with a stand that adjusts in height, tilts, swivels and pivots.

By , Editor✓ Updated

★ Our top pickDell 27 Plus 4K Monitor (S2725QS)Image: DellSee it on Amazon

Which one is for you?

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Which pick suits which need
Ifyou want one good all-round screen for a desktop or laptopDell 27 Plus 4K Monitor (S2725QS)See it on Amazon
Ifyou want a cheap, smooth 24-inch for office or studyDell 24 Plus Monitor (S2425HSM)See it on Amazon
Ifyou want a wide screen for multitasking with a built-in cameraSamsung 34-inch ViewFinity S65VC UWQHD Monitor (LS34C652VAUXXU)See it on Amazon
Ifyou want a 32-inch screen that streams apps without a PCSamsung 32-inch Smart Monitor M8 M80F UHD (LS32FM801UUXXU)See it on Amazon
Ifyou edit photos or video, or want one USB-C cable to charge your laptopASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV Professional MonitorSee it on Amazon
Ifyou want an OLED for films and games alongside workDell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor (S3225QC)See it on Amazon

The 6 picks compared

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  1. 1★ Top pick

    Dell

    Dell 27 Plus 4K Monitor (S2725QS)Best for most people, all-round 4K

    Sharp 4K picture and smooth 120Hz motion for everyday use

    See it on Amazon
  2. 2

    Dell

    Dell 24 Plus Monitor (S2425HSM)Best for budget office or study

    Smoother motion on a stand that adjusts every way

    See it on Amazon
  3. 3

    Samsung

    Samsung 34-inch ViewFinity S65VC UWQHD Monitor (LS34C652VAUXXU)Best for ultrawide multitasking

    Fit more windows on one wide, curved screen

    See it on Amazon
  4. 4

    Samsung

    Samsung 32-inch Smart Monitor M8 M80F UHD (LS32FM801UUXXU)Best for streaming apps without a PC

    Stream your favourite apps on a big screen, no computer needed

    See it on Amazon
  5. 5

    ASUS

    ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV Professional MonitorBest for photo and video editing

    Edit photos and video with colour that's accurate out of the box

    See it on Amazon
  6. 6

    Dell

    Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor (S3225QC)Best for premium OLED all-rounder

    Get sharp 4K OLED picture, speakers and USB ports in one

    See it on Amazon

Side by side

From the makers' and retailers' published factsAffiliate
The picks side by side
PickBest forPriceThe fact that sets it apartWhere to buy
Dell 27 Plus 4K Monitor (S2725QS)most people, all-round 4K£289Dell lists a 27-inch IPS panel at 3840 x 2160 and 120Hz, with 350 cd/m² brightness and 99% sRGB.See it on Amazon
Dell 24 Plus Monitor (S2425HSM)budget office or study£119Dell lists a 23.8-inch Full HD IPS panel at 144Hz with 300 cd/m² brightness, 99% sRGB and AMD FreeSync.See it on Amazon
Samsung 34-inch ViewFinity S65VC UWQHD Monitor (LS34C652VAUXXU)ultrawide multitasking£439It is a 34-inch Ultra-WQHD (21:9) screen with 1000R curvature and a 100Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync.See it on Amazon
Samsung 32-inch Smart Monitor M8 M80F UHD (LS32FM801UUXXU)streaming apps without a PC£449It streams apps and Samsung TV Plus directly from the monitor, using One UI Tizen with up to seven years of upgrades.See it on Amazon
ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV Professional Monitorphoto and video editing£364It is a 27-inch 4K IPS monitor with 99% DCI-P3 and 99% Adobe RGB coverage, factory pre-calibrated to Delta E < 2 and Calman Verified.See it on Amazon
Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor (S3225QC)premium OLED all-rounder£699Dell lists a 31.6-inch Quantum Dot OLED panel at 3840 x 2160 and 120Hz with 0.03 ms GTG response and 99% DCI-P3.See it on Amazon

Prices from the maker or retailer named on each pick below, checked 26 October 2026. A dash means the price changes too often to quote: tap through for today's.

A sharp, smooth screen makes every hour at your desk easier, at home, in the office or for study. This guide is for UK shoppers who want the right size, resolution and ports for a laptop or PC. Size and resolution come first: 4K at 27 inches is far sharper than Full HD. Then refresh rate, where 100–144Hz feels smoother than 60Hz, and USB-C if you work from a laptop.

Our picks in detail

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Dell 27 Plus 4K Monitor (S2725QS)
Image: Dell

1★ Top pickBest for most people, all-round 4K

Dell 27 Plus 4K Monitor (S2725QS)

Sharp 4K picture and smooth 120Hz motion for everyday use.

What it is
The Dell 27 Plus 4K is a 27-inch screen with 3840 x 2160 pixels, so text and photos look sharp. It runs at 120Hz, meaning the picture updates 120 times a second for smoother motion.
Perfect for
It suits most people who want one all-round 4K screen, rather than a model built for just one job.
Why we picked it
Colours look rich, with 99% sRGB and 350 cd/m² brightness for a vivid picture. You also get AMD FreeSync Premium, dual 5W speakers and a height-adjustable stand, so you can set it at the height you like.
Price
£289 (dell.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • Dell lists a 27-inch IPS panel at 3840 x 2160 and 120Hz, with 350 cd/m² brightness and 99% sRGB.
  • It has dual 5W speakers, AMD FreeSync Premium and a height-adjustable stand.
  • Ports are two HDMI 2.1 and one DisplayPort 1.4, all supporting up to 4K at 120Hz.

The catch: There is no USB-C input; ports are two HDMI 2.1 and one DisplayPort 1.4.

Check today's price on Amazon
Dell 24 Plus Monitor (S2425HSM)
Image: Dell

2Best for budget office or study

Dell 24 Plus Monitor (S2425HSM)

Smoother motion on a stand that adjusts every way.

What it is
The Dell 24 Plus is a 23.8-inch Full HD screen that refreshes 144 times a second, so motion looks smooth. You get a stand that raises, lowers, tilts, swivels and pivots, plus built-in speakers.
Perfect for
It suits the shopper setting up a home office or study desk who wants a smooth, adjustable screen with speakers already built in.
Why we picked it
Its IPS panel, the screen type that keeps colours steady from the side, covers 99% of the sRGB colour range. AMD FreeSync matches the screen to your graphics card for smoother play. The Amazon UK listing states a 3 year warranty, and the screen carries TÜV 4-star eye comfort certification.
Price
£119 (dell.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • Dell lists a 23.8-inch Full HD IPS panel at 144Hz with 300 cd/m² brightness, 99% sRGB and AMD FreeSync.
  • It has a height-adjustable stand that also tilts, swivels and pivots, and built-in speakers.
  • It carries TÜV 4-star eye comfort certification; the Amazon UK listing states a 3 year warranty.

The catch: It is Full HD on a 23.8-inch panel with 300 cd/m² brightness, so it is less sharp and bright than the 4K picks.

Check today's price on Amazon
Samsung 34-inch ViewFinity S65VC UWQHD Monitor (LS34C652VAUXXU)
Image: Samsung

3Best for ultrawide multitasking

Samsung 34-inch ViewFinity S65VC UWQHD Monitor (LS34C652VAUXXU)

Fit more windows on one wide, curved screen.

What it is
The Samsung ViewFinity is a 34-inch Ultra-WQHD screen in a super-wide 21:9 shape, with 1000R curvature that wraps around your view. You get room for many windows side by side, plus a built-in KVM switch that lets one keyboard and mouse switch between computers.
Perfect for
It suits you if ultrawide multitasking is how you work, with several windows open across one desk.
Why we picked it
One USB-C cable charges your device and carries data, and a LAN port gives Ethernet, a wired internet connection, to laptops without one. The pop-down camera works with Windows Hello, and the stand adjusts in height. Built-in speakers and AMD FreeSync round out the package.
Price
£439 (samsung.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • It is a 34-inch Ultra-WQHD (21:9) screen with 1000R curvature and a 100Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync.
  • A USB-C port charges a device and carries data on one cable, and a LAN port gives Ethernet to laptops without one.
  • It has a built-in KVM switch, built-in speakers and a pop-down camera that works with Windows Hello, on a height-adjustable stand.

The catch: Refresh rate is 100Hz, below the 120Hz of the Dell S2725QS.

Check today's price on Amazon
Samsung 32-inch Smart Monitor M8 M80F UHD (LS32FM801UUXXU)
Image: Samsung

4Best for streaming apps without a PC

Samsung 32-inch Smart Monitor M8 M80F UHD (LS32FM801UUXXU)

Stream your favourite apps on a big screen, no computer needed.

What it is
The Samsung M8 is a 32-inch screen that streams apps and Samsung TV Plus directly, so you can watch without a computer. Its 4K AI upscaling, which uses artificial intelligence to improve the picture, raises lower-resolution streamed content to nearly 4K.
Perfect for
It suits you best if your main need is streaming apps without a PC.
Why we picked it
Its One UI Tizen software gets up to seven years of upgrades. The USB-C, HDMI and USB-A ports let you plug in your other kit, and the stand tilts, pivots and changes height so you can set the screen just right.
Price
£449 (samsung.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • It streams apps and Samsung TV Plus directly from the monitor, using One UI Tizen with up to seven years of upgrades.
  • Samsung's 4K AI upscaling raises lower-resolution streamed content to nearly 4K.
  • USB-C, HDMI and USB-A ports, and an adjustable stand that tilts, pivots and changes height.

The catch: Samsung says this Smart Monitor has no TV tuner, and the full smart features need a Samsung Account sign-in.

Check today's price on Amazon
ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV Professional Monitor
Image: ASUS

5Best for photo and video editing

ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV Professional Monitor

Edit photos and video with colour that's accurate out of the box.

What it is
The ProArt is a 27-inch 4K IPS monitor that covers 99% of the DCI-P3 and 99% of the Adobe RGB colour ranges, the spread of colours a screen can show. It arrives factory pre-calibrated to Delta E under 2 and is Calman Verified, so you start editing with colour you can rely on.
Perfect for
This pick suits photo and video editors who need accurate colour for their work.
Why we picked it
The stand tilts, swivels, pivots and adjusts in height, so you can set the screen exactly how you like it. The USB-C port has DisplayPort and 96W power delivery, so one cable can link your laptop and charge it. DisplayPort, HDMI and a USB hub give you more ways to plug in.
Price
£364 (asus.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • It is a 27-inch 4K IPS monitor with 99% DCI-P3 and 99% Adobe RGB coverage, factory pre-calibrated to Delta E < 2 and Calman Verified.
  • USB-C with DisplayPort and 96W power delivery sits alongside DisplayPort, HDMI and a USB hub.
  • The stand tilts, swivels, pivots and adjusts in height, and the monitor is VESA DisplayHDR 400.

The catch: HDR support is only VESA DisplayHDR 400, the entry level of that standard.

Check today's price on Amazon
Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor (S3225QC)
Image: Dell

6Best for premium OLED all-rounder

Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor (S3225QC)

Get sharp 4K OLED picture, speakers and USB ports in one.

What it is
The Dell 32 Plus is a 31.6-inch Quantum Dot OLED screen at 3840 x 2160 and 120Hz. You get fast, colourful pictures, thanks to 0.03 ms response and 99% DCI-P3, a wide colour range.
Perfect for
It suits the shopper who wants a premium OLED all-rounder in one screen.
Why we picked it
It has an integrated USB hub, and the Amazon UK listing states 3 USB-C ports. The speakers offer AI-enhanced 3D Spatial Audio, so you get built-in sound too. The Amazon UK listing states a 3 year warranty.
Price
£699 (dell.com, checked 26 October 2026)
  • Dell lists a 31.6-inch Quantum Dot OLED panel at 3840 x 2160 and 120Hz with 0.03 ms GTG response and 99% DCI-P3.
  • Typical brightness is 250 cd/m² with 1000 cd/m² peak.
  • It has an integrated USB hub and speakers with AI-enhanced 3D Spatial Audio; the Amazon UK listing states 3 USB-C ports and a 3 year warranty.

The catch: Typical brightness is 250 cd/m², lower than the 350 cd/m² of the Dell S2725QS.

Check today's price on Amazon

What we left out, and why

  • Samsung Smart Monitor M5 (32-inch, LS32FM500EUXXU): It is a Full HD screen with a 60Hz maximum, less sharp than the 4K picks at this size.

How we chose

Our buying criteria

Sharp, smooth and comfortable to use all day: that is what a monitor needed to make this list. Resolution is the count of pixels, and 4K looks sharper than Full HD. Refresh rate is how many times a second the picture updates, measured in Hz. Rates of 100–144Hz feel smoother than 60Hz, even for scrolling and office work. Brightness is measured in cd/m² (candelas per square metre, also called nits). Laptop owners should look for USB-C with power delivery, such as the 96W on the ASUS ProArt, which lets one cable charge a laptop and carry video. Each screen's figures come from its maker's UK page and its live Amazon UK listing, and each pick shows its catch.

  • Size: 4K suits 27 inches; Full HD is fine at about 24 inches.
  • Colour: 99% sRGB suits general use; 99% DCI-P3 or Adobe RGB suits creative work.
  • Stand: height, tilt and swivel keep the screen comfortable on long days.

How we choose every pick

Your questions, answered

Is a 4K monitor worth it at 27 inches?
Yes, if you read text or edit photos all day. At 27 inches, 4K (3840 x 2160) has four times the pixels of Full HD, so text looks crisper. The Dell 27 Plus 4K adds 120Hz for smooth scrolling.
Do I need USB-C on a monitor?
Only if you want one cable to carry the picture and charge your laptop. The ASUS ProArt's USB-C delivers 96W, and the Samsung ViewFinity, the Samsung M8 and the Dell 32 Plus OLED also take USB-C. The Dell 27 Plus 4K has none, so laptop owners should look at those four.
What refresh rate do I need for office work?
Anything from 100Hz up feels smoother than 60Hz, even for scrolling spreadsheets. The Dell 24 Plus runs at 144Hz for office and study, and the Dell 27 Plus 4K at up to 120Hz.
Which monitors have built-in speakers or a camera?
Most of them have speakers: the Dell 27 Plus 4K (dual 5W), the Dell 24 Plus, the Dell 32 Plus OLED and the Samsung ViewFinity. Only the ViewFinity adds a camera, a pop-down one that works with Windows Hello.
What is a KVM switch in a monitor?
A KVM switch lets one keyboard and mouse control two connected computers, such as a work laptop and a home PC. The Samsung 34-inch ViewFinity has one built in.
Is an OLED monitor good for everyday desktop use?
The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED is the OLED pick. It runs at 120Hz with a 0.03 ms response time and 99% DCI-P3 colour. Its typical brightness is 250 cd/m², against 350 cd/m² on the Dell 27 Plus 4K Monitor, so choose the 27 Plus if you want a brighter screen.

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