Buying Guide
The Best 4K Gaming Monitors Under $600
From the S2725QS to the M70B 43: three monitors ranked on refresh rate and screen size, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A 4K monitor at 60 to 120Hz is easier to drive and costs less than 144Hz models. Every pick is 4K at 60 to 120Hz and cost $600 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: refresh rate, resolution and size come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing panel is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Dell S2725QS
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Also Consider
Dell 27 S2725QC 4K USB-C
USB-C with up to 65W power delivery.
Best for: Buyers who want USB-C with up to 65W power delivery.
Our take Check price for Dell 27 S2725QC 4K USB-C (opens in a new tab)
Largest Screen Size
Samsung M70B 43-inch Smart Monitor
The largest screen size here (43 inches).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size first.
Our take Check price for Samsung M70B 43-inch Smart Monitor (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Dell S2725QS (opens in a new tab) |
| USB-C with up to 65W power delivery. | Buyers who want USB-C with up to 65W power delivery. | Check price for Dell 27 S2725QC 4K USB-C (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest screen size here (43 inches). | Buyers who put screen size first. | Check price for Samsung M70B 43-inch Smart Monitor (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Dell S2725QS on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The S2725QS runs 4K at 120Hz on a 27-inch IPS panel with FreeSync Premium.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: screen size of 27 inches, behind the M70B 43 (43 inches).
Why we like it
That refresh rate makes it the best all-rounder among cheap 4K screens. On refresh rate it ties with the S2725QC at 120Hz. It matches the S2725QC on screen size (27 inches).
At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. Another plus is 4K resolution for sharp text and detail. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the S2725QC the next step up. What it gives up: screen size of 27 inches, behind the M70B 43 (43 inches); by contrast, the M70B 43 comes in at 43 inches.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Screen size of 27 inches, behind the M70B 43 (43 inches)
Also Consider2 of 3
Dell 27 S2725QC 4K USB-C on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the S2725QC brings to the table is USB-C with up to 65W power delivery, plus 4K at 120Hz.
Best for
- Buyers who want USB-C with up to 65W power delivery.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size matters most to you; the M70B 43 offers 43 inches.
Why we like it
It also offers a 120Hz refresh rate and offers a 27 inches screen size. It also comes with 1500:1 contrast. At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy.
Another plus is 4K resolution for sharp text and detail. Worth noting too: an IPS panel with wide viewing angles. It also brings 99% sRGB colour coverage.
Another plus is FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing. When we checked, only the S2725QS cost less, and the M70B 43 cost more. Screen size is its weakest area, and the M70B 43 covers it better at 43 inches.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 4ms
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Screen size trails the M70B 43 (43 inches)
- Costs more than the S2725QS at the time of writing
Largest Screen Size3 of 3
Samsung M70B 43-inch Smart Monitor on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Samsung's M70B is a 43-inch 4K smart monitor with built-in TV apps, wireless display and USB-C.
Best for
- Buyers who put screen size first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: a 60Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games.
Why we like it
It runs at 60Hz, so it suits streaming and casual play. Its 60Hz refresh rate is the lowest in this group; the S2725QS leads at 120Hz. On screen size it leads this guide at 43 inches, ahead of the S2725QS (27 inches).
It also comes with wireless display from phones and laptops and SmartThings IoT hub. At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the S2725QC and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 43 inches
- Response: 4ms
- HDR: HDR10
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a USB-C input for laptops
- Built-in streaming TV apps
- Wireless display from phones and laptops
Cons
- a 60Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- Refresh rate trails the S2725QS (120Hz)
How We Chose These 4K Gaming Monitors Under $600
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared three monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the S2725QS to the M70B 43, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The M70B 43 gives no panel; the S2725QS gives no response.
- Price range
- From the S2725QS to the M70B 43, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a 4K Gaming Monitor Under $600
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much refresh rate you need
Here refresh rate runs from 60Hz on the M70B 43 to 120Hz on the S2725QS. The S2725QS is the pick for refresh rate.
Screen size across these picks
Here screen size runs from 27 inches on the S2725QC to 43 inches on the M70B 43. Start with the M70B 43 if screen size decides it.
Features beyond the spec table
The S2725QS: a 120Hz refresh rate at 4K. The S2725QC: 4K at 120Hz. The M70B 43: wireless display from phones and laptops.
Where your budget lands
All 3 sat in one tier when we checked, from the S2725QS at the low end to the M70B 43 at the top, so decide on features first.
Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the budget tight: the S2725QS. Buyers who put screen size first: the M70B 43.
How to Choose a 4K Gaming Monitor Under $600
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | S2725QS | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want USB-C with up to 65W power delivery | S2725QC | USB-C with up to 65W power delivery |
| Buyers who put screen size first | M70B 43 | The largest screen size here (43 inches) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The S2725QS leads on refresh rate at 120Hz, ahead of the S2725QC at 120Hz. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2725QS | 120Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| S2725QC | 120Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| M70B 43 | 60Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 43 inches | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest screen size: the M70B 43 or the S2725QS?
The M70B 43 leads at 43 inches, with the S2725QS at 27 inches.
Is the M70B 43 worth paying more than the S2725QS?
On paper it adds screen size (43 inches against 27 inches). It does not win everywhere: the S2725QS still leads on refresh rate (120Hz). The S2725QS was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the M70B 43 the Largest Screen Size?
It earns the label for the largest screen size here (43 inches). It suits anyone who put screen size first.
Which of these monitors have USB-C?
The S2725QC and the M70B 43 have it. The maker of the S2725QS doesn't say.
Beyond the specs, what sets the S2725QS and the S2725QC apart?
The S2725QS: a 120Hz refresh rate at 4K. The S2725QC: USB-C with up to 65W power delivery. The M70B 43: built-in streaming TV apps.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the S2725QS, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the S2725QC for USB-C with up to 65W power delivery and the M70B 43 for the largest screen size here (43 inches) if those matter more to you.
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