Buying Guide
The Best Monitors for Programming
We weighed five monitors on screen size and resolution, and the MSI PRO MP273U costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Code stays readable at smaller sizes on a sharper screen, and a 4K IPS panel gives plenty of room for an editor and a terminal side by side. Every monitor here is a 3840x2160 IPS model that cost $450 or less.
We ranked these monitors on resolution, size and panel using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these monitors ourselves, and where a maker leaves out HDR, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
MSI PRO MP273U
The lowest price among these monitors at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $250.
Our take Check price for MSI PRO MP273U (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Samsung ViewFinity S7 (S71H) 27-inch 4K
A TUV-certified Eye Saver Mode that cuts blue light and flicker.
Best for: Buyers who want TUV-certified Eye Saver Mode that cuts blue light and flicker.
Our take Check price for Samsung ViewFinity S7 (S71H) 27-inch 4K (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
LG UltraFine 27US500-W
A white borderless design.
Best for: Buyers who want white borderless design.
Our take Check price for LG UltraFine 27US500-W (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS ProArt PA279CRV
99% Adobe RGB coverage.
Best for: Buyers who want 99% Adobe RGB coverage.
Our take Check price for ASUS ProArt PA279CRV (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
BenQ PD2706U
Factory calibration with a Delta E of 3 or under at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the MSI PRO MP273U costs less.
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these monitors at the time of writing. | Keeping the cost under $250. | Check price for MSI PRO MP273U (opens in a new tab) |
| A TUV-certified Eye Saver Mode that cuts blue light and flicker. | Buyers who want TUV-certified Eye Saver Mode that cuts blue light and flicker. | Check price for Samsung ViewFinity S7 (S71H) 27-inch 4K (opens in a new tab) |
| A white borderless design. | Buyers who want white borderless design. | Check price for LG UltraFine 27US500-W (opens in a new tab) |
| 99% Adobe RGB coverage. | Buyers who want 99% Adobe RGB coverage. | Check price for ASUS ProArt PA279CRV (opens in a new tab) |
| Factory calibration with a Delta E of 3 or under at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the MSI PRO MP273U costs less. | Check price for BenQ PD2706U (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
MSI PRO MP273U on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the MSI PRO MP273U brings to the table is TUV Rheinland certified flicker-free and low blue light, plus Eye-Q Check, a built-in vision assessment tool.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $250.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when a 60Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games is a problem.
Why we like it
It also offers a 60Hz refresh rate and offers a 27 inches screen size. It is the only pick here with an HDR Ready; the Samsung ViewFinity S71H has an HDR10 instead. It is the only pick here with a 95% Adobe RGB and 99% DCI-P3 color gamut; the 27US500 has a 90% DCI-P3 color gamut instead.
It also offers HDMI and DisplayPort inputs. At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Samsung ViewFinity S71H was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 4ms
- HDR: HDR Ready
- Color gamut: 95% Adobe RGB and 99% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: Adaptive-Sync
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 95% Adobe RGB and 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage
- Adaptive-Sync to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- a 60Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games
Also Consider2 of 5
Samsung ViewFinity S7 (S71H) 27-inch 4K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ViewFinity S7 27-inch is a plain 4K IPS screen for sharp text.
Best for
- Buyers who want TUV-certified Eye Saver Mode that cuts blue light and flicker.
Skip if
- Pass on it if hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Samsung doesn't state a refresh rate. TÜV-certified Eye Saver mode cuts blue light and flicker, and HDMI and DisplayPort inputs keep setup simple. Samsung pitches the 3840x2160 panel on its high pixel density and the extra screen space it gives for designs, diagrams and several windows.
It shares an HDR10 with the 27US500; the BenQ PD2706U goes with a DisplayHDR 400. You also get a Game Mode that adjusts colour and contrast. At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. When we checked, only the MSI PRO MP273U cost less, and the 27US500 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- HDR: HDR10
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- TUV-certified Eye Saver Mode that cuts blue light and flicker
- HDMI and DisplayPort inputs
Cons
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- Costs more than the MSI PRO MP273U at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
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
- Buyers who want white borderless design.
Skip if
- Pass on it if hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits creative work more than gaming. Like the Samsung ViewFinity S71H, it has an HDR10, while the MSI PRO MP273U uses an HDR Ready. No other pick in this guide offers a 90% DCI-P3 color gamut; compare the BenQ PD2706U, which has a 99% sRGB and 95% P3 color gamut.
You also get 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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Samsung ViewFinity S71H and the pricier ProArt PA279CRV, at the time of writing.
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
- Costs more than the MSI PRO MP273U at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASUS ProArt PA279CRV on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ProArt PA279CRV stands out for 99% Adobe RGB coverage, and it adds factory calibration to Delta E under 2.
Best for
- Buyers who want 99% Adobe RGB coverage.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the MSI PRO MP273U cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 27 inches screen size. You get a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut here, which sets it apart from the BenQ PD2706U and its a 99% sRGB and 95% P3 color gamut. At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy.
Another plus: an IPS panel with wide viewing angles. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the MSI PRO MP273U at the time of writing. It was priced above the 27US500 and below the BenQ PD2706U at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage
- a USB-C input for laptops
Cons
- Costs more than the MSI PRO MP273U at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
BenQ PD2706U on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The BenQ PD2706U is built around factory calibration with a Delta E of 3 or under, with Pantone, Pantone SkinTone and Calman validation on top.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the MSI PRO MP273U costs less.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the MSI PRO MP273U, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 27 inches screen size. A DisplayHDR 400 is unique to it among these picks, while the Samsung ViewFinity S71H uses an HDR10. A 99% sRGB and 95% P3 color gamut is unique to it among these picks, while the ProArt PA279CRV uses a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut.
It also offers 90W USB-C with a built-in KVM switch and a hotkey puck and flicker-free, anti-glare and low blue light eye care. At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. At our last price check it topped the group, with the ProArt PA279CRV the nearest cheaper option. Screen size is its weakest area, and the MSI PRO MP273U covers it better at 27 inches.
Key dimensions & specs
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- HDR: DisplayHDR 400
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB and 95% P3
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB and 95% P3 colour coverage
- a USB-C input for laptops
Cons
- Costs more than the MSI PRO MP273U at the time of writing
How We Chose These Monitors for Programming
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared five monitors on resolution, screen size, panel and HDR as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out HDR.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the MSI PRO MP273U to the BenQ PD2706U, state resolution, screen size and panel and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution and IPS panel.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ProArt PA279CRV gives no HDR; the Samsung ViewFinity S71H gives no color gamut.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the MSI PRO MP273U ($150 to $250) to the BenQ PD2706U ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Monitor for Programming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Extras that separate them
The 27US500: a Reader Mode. The ProArt PA279CRV: factory calibration to Delta E under 2. The BenQ PD2706U: Pantone, Pantone SkinTone and Calman validation.
Where your budget lands
$150 to $250 buys the MSI PRO MP273U, the Samsung ViewFinity S71H and the 27US500; $250 to $500 buys the ProArt PA279CRV and the BenQ PD2706U at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Keeping the cost under $250: the MSI PRO MP273U. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the MSI PRO MP273U costs less: the BenQ PD2706U.
Consider the stand
A stand with height, tilt and swivel adjustment saves buying a monitor arm. Check VESA mounting if you plan to use one anyway.
Read HDR labels carefully
HDR10 means the monitor accepts an HDR signal, not that it displays it well. DisplayHDR 600 or True Black 400 certifications say more about real HDR performance.
How to Choose a Monitor for Programming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $250 | MSI PRO MP273U | The lowest price among these monitors at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want TUV-certified Eye Saver Mode that cuts blue light and flicker | Samsung ViewFinity S71H | A TUV-certified Eye Saver Mode that cuts blue light and flicker |
| Buyers who want white borderless design | 27US500 | A white borderless design |
| Buyers who want 99% Adobe RGB coverage | ProArt PA279CRV | 99% Adobe RGB coverage |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the MSI PRO MP273U costs less | BenQ PD2706U | Factory calibration with a Delta E of 3 or under at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MSI PRO MP273U, the Samsung ViewFinity S71H and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Monitor | Resolution | Size | Panel | HDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSI PRO MP273U | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS | HDR Ready |
| Samsung ViewFinity S71H | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS | HDR10 |
| 27US500 | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS | HDR10 |
| ProArt PA279CRV | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS | Not listed |
| BenQ PD2706U | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS | DisplayHDR 400 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The MSI PRO MP273U was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the BenQ PD2706U the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | MSI PRO MP273U, Samsung ViewFinity S71H, 27US500 |
| About $250 to $500 | ProArt PA279CRV, BenQ PD2706U |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the BenQ PD2706U our Premium Pick?
The label rests on factory calibration with a Delta E of 3 or under at the highest price in the group. The MSI PRO MP273U, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the MSI PRO MP273U costs less.
Do the MSI PRO MP273U and the Samsung ViewFinity S71H differ on HDR?
The MSI PRO MP273U uses HDR Ready; the Samsung ViewFinity S71H and the 27US500 use HDR10; the BenQ PD2706U uses DisplayHDR 400. The ProArt PA279CRV has no HDR listed, so 4 of 5 picks are covered here.
What extras do the MSI PRO MP273U and the Samsung ViewFinity S71H include?
The MSI PRO MP273U: TUV Rheinland certified flicker-free and low blue light. The Samsung ViewFinity S71H: a TUV-certified Eye Saver Mode that cuts blue light and flicker. The 27US500: a white borderless design.
Who should choose the MSI PRO MP273U?
The MSI PRO MP273U carries our Lowest Price Here label for the lowest price among these monitors at the time of writing. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits keeping the cost under $250.
Should I pick the MSI PRO MP273U or the BenQ PD2706U?
The MSI PRO MP273U suits keeping the cost under $250; the BenQ PD2706U suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the MSI PRO MP273U costs less.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MSI PRO MP273U, chosen for the lowest price among these monitors at the time of writing. Look at the Samsung ViewFinity S71H for a TUV-certified Eye Saver Mode that cuts blue light and flicker, the 27US500 for a white borderless design and the ProArt PA279CRV for 99% Adobe RGB coverage if those matter more to you.
Set operating system scaling to 125% or 150% rather than leaving text tiny, and check the stand for height and pivot.