Buying Guide
The Best Budget 4K Monitors
Three monitors ranked on screen size and resolution, where the CRUA 32 4K has the largest screen size; the 27US500 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
4K needs a strong GPU for games, but it gives the sharpest desktop at this size. Every monitor here is 4K and cost $300 or less when we checked, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these monitors on resolution, size and HDR using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out HDR, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
LG UltraFine 27US500-W
Undercutting the ViewFinity S70H on price when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for LG UltraFine 27US500-W (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Samsung ViewFinity S7 (S70H) 27-inch
A built-in KVM switch for two computers.
Best for: Buyers who want built-in KVM switch for two computers.
Our take Check price for Samsung ViewFinity S7 (S70H) 27-inch (opens in a new tab)
Largest Screen Size
CRUA 32-inch 4K 160Hz Curved
The largest screen size here (32 inches).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size first.
Our take Check price for CRUA 32-inch 4K 160Hz Curved (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the ViewFinity S70H on price when we checked. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for LG UltraFine 27US500-W (opens in a new tab) |
| A built-in KVM switch for two computers. | Buyers who want built-in KVM switch for two computers. | Check price for Samsung ViewFinity S7 (S70H) 27-inch (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest screen size here (32 inches). | Buyers who put screen size first. | Check price for CRUA 32-inch 4K 160Hz Curved (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
LG UltraFine 27US500-W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 27US500 offers 90% DCI-P3 coverage and HDR10 input on an IPS panel in a white finish.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certificatio is a problem.
Why we like it
It suits creative work more than gaming. On screen size it ties with the ViewFinity S70H at 27 inches. It also offers a white borderless design and a Reader Mode.
At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. It also brings 4K resolution for sharp text and detail. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the ViewFinity S70H was the next step up. The main gap: screen size of 27 inches, behind the CRUA 32 4K (32 inches). If that matters, the CRUA 32 4K comes in at 32 inches.
Key dimensions & specs
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- HDR: HDR10
- Color gamut: 90% DCI-P3
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 90% DCI-P3 colour coverage
- White borderless design
Cons
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- Screen size of 27 inches, behind the CRUA 32 4K (32 inches)
Also Consider2 of 3
Samsung ViewFinity S7 (S70H) 27-inch on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ViewFinity S70H adds a KVM switch, so one keyboard and mouse can control two computers.
Best for
- Buyers who want built-in KVM switch for two computers.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certificatio is a problem.
Why we like it
TÜV-certified Eye Saver mode cuts blue light and flicker, and 178-degree viewing angles keep brightness even. The 27-inch 4K panel gives a high pixel density for sharp text. It supports HDR10 for deeper contrast in video.
It matches the 27US500 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. It was priced above the 27US500 and below the CRUA 32 4K at the time of writing. It gives ground on screen size, where the CRUA 32 4K comes in at 32 inches.
Key dimensions & specs
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- HDR: HDR10
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- Built-in KVM switch for two computers
- HDR10 support
Cons
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- Screen size trails the CRUA 32 4K (32 inches)
- Costs more than the 27US500 at the time of writing
Largest Screen Size3 of 3
CRUA 32-inch 4K 160Hz Curved on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
CRUA's 32-inch 4K screen curves at 1500R and runs at 160Hz with built-in speakers.
Best for
- Buyers who put screen size first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the 27US500 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The maker specifies an HDMI 2.1 input. Its 32 inches screen size is the largest here; the 27US500 comes next at 27 inches. Reaching 160Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K.
Another plus is 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen. Worth noting too: 4K resolution for sharp text and detail. Worth noting too: 120% sRGB colour coverage. Only the ViewFinity S70H came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 32 inches
- Color gamut: 120% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- 120% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Costs more than the 27US500 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Budget 4K Monitors
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side three monitors on resolution, screen size, HDR and color gamut, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the 27US500 to the CRUA 32 4K, state resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The CRUA 32 4K gives no HDR; the ViewFinity S70H gives no color gamut.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the 27US500 ($150 to $250) to the CRUA 32 4K ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Budget 4K Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Screen size across these picks
Here screen size runs from 27 inches on the ViewFinity S70H to 32 inches on the CRUA 32 4K. Start with the CRUA 32 4K if screen size decides it.
Extras that separate them
The 27US500: a Reader Mode. The ViewFinity S70H: HDR10 support. The CRUA 32 4K: built-in speakers.
How much to spend
$150 to $250 buys the 27US500 and the ViewFinity S70H; $250 to $500 buys the CRUA 32 4K at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Keeping the budget tight: the 27US500. Buyers who put screen size first: the CRUA 32 4K.
Match resolution to your graphics card
1080p suits entry and mid-range cards and high refresh rates. 1440p is the balance for most gaming PCs. 4K needs a high-end card to hold high frame rates.
Pick the resolution your card can drive before looking at refresh rate.
How to Choose a Budget 4K Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | 27US500 | Undercutting the ViewFinity S70H on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want built-in KVM switch for two computers | ViewFinity S70H | A built-in KVM switch for two computers |
| Buyers who put screen size first | CRUA 32 4K | The largest screen size here (32 inches) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The CRUA 32 4K leads on screen size at 32 inches, ahead of the 27US500 at 27 inches. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Monitor | Resolution | Size | HDR | Color gamut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27US500 | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | HDR10 | 90% DCI-P3 |
| ViewFinity S70H | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | HDR10 | Not listed |
| CRUA 32 4K | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | Not listed | 120% sRGB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The 27US500 was the lowest-priced pick and the CRUA 32 4K the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | 27US500, ViewFinity S70H |
| About $250 to $500 | CRUA 32 4K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest screen size: the CRUA 32 4K or the 27US500?
The CRUA 32 4K leads at 32 inches, with the 27US500 at 27 inches.
What does the CRUA 32 4K add over the 27US500?
On paper it adds screen size (32 inches against 27 inches). The 27US500 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the CRUA 32 4K our Largest Screen Size pick?
It earns the label for the largest screen size here (32 inches). It suits anyone who put screen size first.
Do the 27US500 and the CRUA 32 4K differ on color gamut?
The 27US500 uses 90% DCI-P3; the CRUA 32 4K uses 120% sRGB. The maker of the ViewFinity S70H doesn't say.
What extras do the 27US500 and the ViewFinity S70H include?
The 27US500: a white borderless design. The ViewFinity S70H: a built-in KVM switch for two computers. The CRUA 32 4K: a 1500R curve.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the 27US500, chosen for undercutting the ViewFinity S70H on price when we checked. Look at the ViewFinity S70H for a built-in KVM switch for two computers and the CRUA 32 4K for the largest screen size here (32 inches) if those matter more to you.
Use the cable in the box; older cables can cap the refresh rate.