Elite Five. Rating of the best Ultra HD monitors

Samsung U28D590D 28 " black

The prices offered on the market for 4K devices from many well-known manufacturers leave much to be desired. The first model on our list from Samsung can be considered a very low-cost monitor with a UHD display. It uses the popular 28-inch TN+film sensor manufactured by Innolux. The reason for its popularity is simple — a lot of functions and settings that significantly affect the quality of the picture. The monitor boasts a nominal brightness of 370 cd/m2 (the highest in this collection) and even 10-bit colour support, which is achieved by converting the 8-bit signal, as well as a response time within 1 ms — perfect for displaying video and games.

The resolution of the matrix is 3840x2160 pixels. If operating systems and most programs, as well as many top games are optimized for high dpi density, then there is not so much 4K video content, and regular Full HD stretched on such a screen is not impressive. But Samsung engineers managed to at least partially solve this problem — the monitor has a UHD Upscale function, which processes a signal lower than 4K resolution, improving its display on such a screen. Therefore, evenings watching movies will bring pleasure to the owner of the U28D590D.

As for image quality, the model provides a "picture" with a fairly accurate colour reproduction and a good level of contrast. However only after calibrating the display. In this case, the monitor is quite suitable for home photo processing. TN matrices are not known for having the best viewing angles. This is where another MagicAngle function comes to the rescue, which at the programme level significantly improves the display when deviating from the centre. In general, the monitor has only the most necessary set of settings, including brightness, contrast, sharpness, colour, PIP functions and game mode.

The model has a nice design and a fairly thin body with an elegant stand, which, unfortunately, , did not receive the ability to adjust the height and angle of inclination. The monitor is easy to set up and manage, and there are DisplayPort ports that support a 60Hz refresh rate and two HDMIs with a 30Hz refresh rate when transmitting a 4K signal. There is also a 3.5mm audio port for connecting headphones. So there is a kit that the average user needs.

The Samsung U28D590D is not very suitable for professional graphics work even after screen calibration, but thanks to the liberal price, it is a perfectly balanced solution for home and office use — working with lots of open windows, watching videos and, of course, modern games.

Acer B286HKymjdpprz 28 " gray

Acer is not far behind other manufacturers and is also noted in the 4K segment. Their product, a 28-inch UHD monitor, uses a relatively inexpensive TN+film matrix. However, thanks to improvements by the manufacturer, the monitor is not only not inferior to competitors, but can also compete with more expensive models.

The eye is pleased with a high-definition picture with a wide colour gamut that corresponds to 72% of the NTSC space. Therefore, the image is natural, with only a slight excess of green. Fortunately, the settings built into the monitor will help correct this error “by eye” without using a calibrator. This will help adjust the saturation and hue for better control over colours. Other than that, light colours and grayscales are also quite accurate, but dark colours could be darker. At the same time, the brightness reserve of 300 cd / m2 is more than enough to work even in bright lighting conditions. In this case, an anti-reflective coating will also come in handy.

The response time of the matrix is 2 ms, and the claimed dynamic contrast ratio is very high. This has the best effect on the quality of displaying dynamic content — modern blockbusters and games, of course. The manufacturer has equipped the monitor with 5 display modes for working with graphics, watching movies and other tasks. For connection, there are HDMI connectors with MHL, DVI support, two DisplayPort interfaces — a full-size and a mini version. Unlike the Samsung U28D590D, there is also a USB hub with 4 USB 3.0 ports.

The monitor looks clean and modern. The screen is mounted on a leg that allows you to change the height of the display, tilt it, and even rotate the panel to portrait mode. This compensates for not the best viewing angles. Note that the leg is not the most stable, so the monitor needs a solid table.

In conclusion, the Acer B286HK is a great solution for users who want to get a 4K monitor, but are not ready to pay extra for IPS and wide viewing angles. You'll love good colour reproduction, great customization options, plenty of ports, and an adjustable stand.

Iiyama ProLite B2888Uhsu 28 " black

The Japanese manufacturer's product is based on a 28-inch TN panel with LED backlight and 16:9 aspect ratio. It uses a high-quality display with modifications from the manufacturer. First of all, we note the support for 10-bit colour processing, which provides maximum smoothness of colour reproduction and a more natural picture. The manufacturer has supplemented the standard characteristics of the panel with its own technologies. The most important of these is flicker reduction and blue light reduction. This solution reduces the strain on the user's eyes, thereby reducing fatigue during prolonged work.

The static contrast ratio is within 1000:1, and the maximum brightness level is 300 cd/m2. At the same time, the monitor boasts a response time of 1 ms for games without blurring objects in motion, and the Overdrive function is responsible for improving sharpness. In addition, the setup menu is as simple as possible, so that even a beginner can adjust the monitor's colour settings.

The manufacturer did not stint on the interfaces. The monitor is equipped with connectors VGA, DVI, two DisplayPort version 1.2 and a pair of HDMI 1.4a. Thanks to improved PIP / PBP technologies, the model can display 4 video signals simultaneously from 4 different sources, since the diagonal and resolution allow. So the picture will be clear. At the same time, you can watch a movie, work with documents, etc. at the same time. In addition, there is a USB hub and a headphone output. The monitor also has 3W stereo speakers, so computer acoustics may not be necessary for undemanding users.

As for the design of the device, it is very strict and practical. Pleased with the presence of height and angle adjustment of the screen, however, without the ability to rotate the display. Of course, there is a place for neat cable attachment. And the wide stand provides maximum stability, the monitor does not wobble when you change the height or slightly shake the table. And the presence of VESA connectors will allow you to place the device on the wall using a bracket.

Even despite the disadvantage in the form of not the best angles that are inherent in most TN panels, the higher cost of iiyama ProLite B2888UHSU-B1, compared to competitors, justified by the many connectors for connection, 10-bit colour and low response time.

Asus PB287Q 28 " black

Like the previous monitors in our selection, the PB287Q model is universal and is intended for a wide range of users for a variety of tasks. It is based on a 28-inch TN-matrix from Chi Mei Optoelectronics — a solution that is quite affordable and of high quality. So the image quality of the monitor is at its best — the picture is contrasty, but at maximum brightness this figure falls slightly below the claimed value of 1000: 1. And the maximum brightness value of the backlight corresponds to 300 cd/m2. Thanks to the semi-matte finish, the crystalline effect (the visibility of pixels on a solid background) is weakly expressed, but the user is spared from the glare and reflections. I am glad that there is no flickering of the backlight — the eyes will get tired less. Not without a fly in the ointment, the standard disadvantages of TN technology — low viewing angles. However here they are a little better than in most similar solutions.

But that's not all. The monitor's colour depth is pure 8-bit, the matrix is capable of providing 1.07 billion shades, which is perfect for photographers and people working with all kinds of graphics programs. Many display modes and a convenient menu with numerous settings will help you choose the best settings for the highest quality image. 4K resolution is great for any workload and multiple windows open at the same time.

And with a 1ms response time and low input lag, ASUS's model is also great for gamers. By the way, in addition to a separate game display mode, there is an additional GamePlus function that can sometimes drastically change the course of a virtual battle. A crosshair appears on the monitor screen (useful in shooters) or a countdown timer (relevant for strategies and MOBAs). This feature was borrowed from the VG248QE gaming model.

The body of the monitor is scratch resistant. A wide and stable leg will help you change the height, tilt the screen, and rotate the display to portrait position. There are two HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2 ports for connection. There is no USB hub, but there are audio ports and even 4 W acoustics.

The high price of the Asus PB287Q, compared to more affordable monitors based on a TN matrix, is justified by the high-quality screen settings by the manufacturer. Therefore, the picture here is livelier, richer and more pleasant. In addition, the monitor is very versatile — it is suitable for both games and graphics.

Dell UP3214Q 32 " black

Dell's model is one of the first UHD monitors. And even after several years from the date of issue, it does not lose its relevance. Four out of five monitors in our selection are equipped with 28-inch TN + film matrices. The latter, the most expensive, is equipped with an IGZO matrix, the main feature of which is the ability to reduce the size of pixels, thus increasing their density. In addition, IGZO transistors do not require constant updating when displaying a static image, thereby reducing the power consumption of the panel.

The diagonal of the matrix is 31.5" with an aspect ratio of 16:9. The manufacturer positions the model as a professional solution for working with graphics. It has everything you need — 100% sRGB colour field coverage and 99% AdobeRGB colour field coverage, full control over grayscale and CMS, so you can self-calibrate your display to an incredibly high level of accuracy using a convenient on-screen menu with many settings or branded application. Although this is unlikely to be necessary, since the monitor is already quite accurately calibrated at the factory.

Professionals will also be pleased with the contrast ratio of 1000:1, regardless of the brightness level, which reaches a maximum value of 350 cd/ m2. Colour reproduction is accurate, natural with professional gamma levels. To work, you can choose one of the preset modes or create your own mode with sRGB and AdobeRGB colour ranges. The response time is not the highest — 8 ms, but there will be no problems with watching movies, and even more so with work.

The corporate design of the monitor combines practical grey and black matte plastic. The screen is mounted on a wide stable leg, which will allow you to change the height and angle of the screen. And the design of the base will allow you to rotate the screen to the right or left by 45 °. DVI, DisplayPort and HDMI connectors are available for connection. In addition, there is a USB hub with a card reader, so you do not have to reach for a computer to connect a flash drive or memory card. All in all, the ergonomics are top notch.

The Dell UP3214Q is the highest priced monitor in our selection, justified by a professional-quality matrix with near-perfect graphics performance. Also note excellent functionality, a convenient setup menu and the best ergonomics in its class. Ultimately, this is a premium graphics model.