Best Windows PC Monitors in 2026: Dell U2724DE Leads PCWorld’s 10 Picks

Why Dell's U2724DE is the overall pick​

PCWorld calls the U2724DE an incredibly versatile monitor that will satisfy most users. It rates it great for home office productivity, good for gaming, and capable of photo and video editing. The IPS Black panel roughly doubles contrast compared with other IPS monitors. It still can't beat a more expensive OLED or Mini-LED panel.

Connectivity is the real selling point. The U2724DE has Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, DisplayPort in and out, HDMI and 2.5G Ethernet. That makes it a one-cable dock for a laptop.

Dell's own product page lists the following:

• 2560 x 1440 at 120Hz
• IPS Black technology
• Height, pivot, swivel and tilt adjustment
• A response time of 5ms in Fast mode and 8ms in Normal mode

PCWorld's listed cons are:

• Most competitors offer 4K.
• There is no HDR support.
• Adaptive sync has some caveats.

PCWorld calls resolution the only notable downside, since many competitors in its price bracket offer 4K. The 5–8ms response times are also slower than some dedicated gaming panels. A 120Hz refresh rate does not guarantee fast pixel response, so treat this as a work-first monitor that also games well.

Price depends on the retailer. Dell's page showed $639.99 when the source packet captured it. A third-party listing in my search showed a different figure. Check current prices before buying.

The other nine picks​

Prices in the table are PCWorld's figures. They are time-sensitive and may have changed.

What the picks tell you about choosing a monitor​

Resolution, refresh rate and panel type pull against each other. The guide's picks show the trade-off clearly. Dell's U2724DE reaches 120Hz at 1440p, and PCWorld says that trade-off is common. The ProArt 5K and 6K models are sharp but stay at 60Hz. The MSI OLEDs combine speed and contrast but cost more and, in the ultrawide's case, give up pixel density.

HDR labels are unreliable. PCWorld warns that many 4K monitors technically support HDR but deliver lackluster results. It says to look for at least VESA DisplayHDR 1000 or DisplayHDR True Black certification. That is PCWorld's rule of thumb, not a guarantee. It does explain why the guide's IPS-based picks mostly get lukewarm HDR notes while the OLED entries fare better.

USB-C is not one standard. The guide's picks deliver anywhere from 90W to 140W of power. A thin-and-light laptop will be fine on most. A power-hungry workstation laptop may not charge fully on a 90W port.

Input choice matters. PCWorld ranks USB-C as the best input for most people because it carries DisplayPort signals and can charge a laptop. It ranks DisplayPort second for higher resolutions and refresh rates than HDMI, and HDMI third. Match the monitor's ports to your PC's outputs before you buy.

How much to trust the guide​

PCWorld says the picks come from hundreds of hours of testing. It says each monitor is measured with a Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra for brightness, contrast, gamut, accuracy, uniformity and gamma. It also says all recommendations were personally tested by its reviewers. That is a credible process, but it is a curated list, not a head-to-head benchmark table. "Best" here means best in PCWorld's judgment for each use case.

Independent coverage of the U2724DE broadly agrees. TechRadar calls it a phenomenal 27-inch monitor with a built-in USB-C hub. IT Pro's review says Dell's quoted specs for the panel promise a 2,000:1 contrast ratio and 98% DCI-P3 coverage. It also says the monitor delivers on most of its promises.

Quick buying guidance​

1. Start with your PC's outputs. Check for USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt, HDMI version, and DisplayPort version.
2. Decide what matters most: sharpness, speed or contrast. You rarely get all three at a low price.
3. Ignore the bare "HDR" badge. Look for DisplayHDR 1000 or True Black.
4. Check laptop charging wattage against your laptop's charger rating.
5. Compare prices on the day you buy. The prices in this guide will drift.

The Dell U2724DE is a safe default for mixed work and play. If you game seriously, the MSI QD-OLED models fit better. If you write code or edit photos all day, the BenQ and ProArt panels suit that work.