Dell UltraSharp vs. LG UltraFine Monitors: Which One Is the Better Buy?

Dell Ultrasharp vs. LG UltraFine: which one is the real winner? Picking the right PC monitor can be a difficult task, especially with all the competition on the market. The Dell Ultrasharp line brings 4K excellence to the fore with great color reproduction.

The LG UltraFine line handles motion well and might be a better fit for gaming. As such, it is time to go to the ground and put these monitors head-to-head to see which one is actually worth a purchase.

Dell UltraSharp vs. LG UltraFine: Side-by-Side Comparison

While there is a bit of overlap in terms of capabilities, these 4K monitors do have some notable differences.

Dell UltraSharp vs. LG UltraFine: What’s the Difference?

Performance

The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is built with ease of use in mind. You’ve got a 27-inch screen display at 4K resolution. The overall refresh rate maxes out at 60Hz, so it isn’t the best fit for gaming if you’re looking for variable refresh rate support.

However, the Dell UltraSharp excels at colors, with stunning blacks and overall great color reproduction out of the box. You can further calibrate this for better accuracy, which can be quite a boon if you’re planning to use this with an Apple computer of some sort.

Our Pick

LG 27UN880-B Ultrafine Monitor

$512.99

• 27” UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS display
• 60 Hz refresh rate
• sRGB 99% color gamut
• Viewing angle: 178º (R/L), 178º (U/D)

Buy Now on Amazon

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

10/03/2023 10:54 am GMT

The LG UltraFine 27UN880-B is also a 27-inch monitor. You’ve got the same base level 4K resolution seen on the Dell monitor and an identical refresh rate of 60Hz. Where the UltraFine really sets itself apart is the variable refresh rate support. Yes, it doesn’t exceed 60Hz, but it does come with support for AMD’s FreeSync.

Overall color accuracy is decent, but the 27UN880-B doesn’t have great support for contrast control. As such, if you’re looking to use this as a graphic design monitor, you might want to look at other options.

Image Quality

What good is a monitor if the picture quality is subpar? The Dell UltraSharp is a fantastic monitor for mixed-media usage. Text is clear to read and colors really pop on the screen. The U2723QE isn’t an ideal fit for gaming, but will more than fit the bill for graphic design and data entry usage.

This is the monitor to pick if you’re looking for something purpose-built for business use. HDR support is provided, but the local dimming on offer only relates to the edges of the screen. As such, it might not be the best fit for watching films.

However, standard range content really shines on the Dell. The only real drawback to the image quality is the coating of the display itself. Depending on your viewing angle, you’re going to have a hard time dealing with glare and reflections.

The LG UltraFine has poorer contrast than the UltraSharp, despite the HDR support out of the box. One of the big drawbacks of this particular display is the lack of local dimming zones. As such, it isn’t a great fit for watching films.

However, the UltraFine really does excel with gaming. While the specs itself might seem lackluster, it does come out of the box with AMD FreeSync support. Response times are generally excellent, making for a solid gaming monitor or display.

Color reproduction can be solid on the UltraFine, but you’ll want to calibrate the monitor. Thankfully, it does seem to shine on an Apple computer. The color mapping provided by the monitor profiles on macOS really does benefit LG’s UltraFine for work-related purposes.

Connectivity

Both monitors come with support for DisplayPort and HDMI. These are fairly typical options for a monitor in this price range. The Dell UltraSharp does support newer protocols for DisplayPort and HDMI alike, but given the lack of native audio solutions, it isn’t a major selling point.

Both monitors also support USB Type-C connections, meaning you can use both natively with Mac computers. Power supplied through the Type-C connection is more than enough to handle charging your MacBook while also serving as a display.

Our Pick

Dell UltraSharp U2723QE

$509.00

• 27" 4K display resolution
• Brightness: 400 nits
• 75Hz refresh rate
• Response time: 5ms

Buy Now on Amazon

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

10/03/2023 10:59 am GMT

Aside from the typical inputs, you’ve also got a plethora of USB connections on the back of the device. Both the UltraSharp and UltraFine can serve as USB hubs in a pinch, making them a great choice for laptop usage. Curiously, the UltraSharp comes with an RJ-45 port for connecting an Ethernet cable, which is a great addition. When it comes to overall connectivity, the UltraSharp has a bit of an edge.

Input Latency

Input latency isn’t a consideration solely for gaming, but can also help with how responsive your system feels in other regards. The LG UltraFine has considerably lower latency than its Dell counterpart. The UltraFine monitor has a response time of 4.0ms, which is more than enough for serious gamers and workers alike.

Dell’s UltraSharp isn’t a slouch by any means. You’ll have around 9.1ms of latency, which is fantastic for most usages. However, the lack of variable refresh rate support really shows its head on the UltraSharp. It isn’t a great display for gaming. Yes, you can use it with a gaming PC or modern consoles, but it is a bit lacking.

The UltraFine is great for gaming if you’re using the DisplayPort connection. It still does just fine when using HDMI, but the input latency is more on par with the UltraSharp.

System Compatibility

Both of these displays come out of the box with Apple and Windows support. While you can use most monitors with a Mac mini or MacBook, you’ll suffer some issues when utilizing an HDMI or DisplayPort connection. The inclusion of the USB Type-C connector is a great addition here that gives you the full-color range of both displays.

You won’t have to rely solely on your operating system to calibrate the display, either. Both monitors have fully capable onscreen displays to help guide calibration choices. This allows you to tune the connectors in use, which is a must if you’re utilizing a USB connection as the primary means of connecting the display.

In terms of overall Apple support, the UltraFine seems to coax the true color palette and responsiveness out of a MacBook Air. Windows support is roughly equal, and you’ll be in for a great time regardless of the display chosen.

Dell UltraSharp vs. LG UltraFine: 6 Must-Know Facts

1. The Dell UltraSharp comes with VESA mounting capabilities.
2. The UltraSharp monitor has a great stand with superb ergonomics for making adjustments.
3. The UltraSharp is well-suited for business applications and standard computing usage.
4. The LG UltraFine is a fantastic choice for gamers thanks to its lower input latency.
5. The UltraFine monitor has poor color contrast, making it a subpar choice for graphic design work.
6. The UltraFine comes with support for AMD FreeSync.

Dell UltraSharp vs. LG UltraFine: Which One Wins? Which One Should You Choose?

Really, when it comes to choosing a monitor, you’ll have to consider your needs. Those looking to use a monitor for some serious work would do well with the Dell UltraSharp. It has great color contrast and superb color accuracy. The Dell is just a generally pleasant monitor to use for work.

The LG UltraFine is a fantastic pick for users looking to enjoy media and gaming on their high-end monitor. It has great input latency despite the lower refresh rate. That said, it isn’t a great fit for doing any sort of serious graphic design work. Yes, you can tune the colors to get them to high accuracy, but the poor contrast might hinder things considerably.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Chikena/Shutterstock.com.