Tested: the Dell 27 Plus 4K is a great all-round monitor for creative professionals and home workers

If you’re looking for a monitor that’s large enough to give you plenty of screen real estate without swamping your desk, then a 27-inch model is the perfect size. I tried out the Dell Plus 4K S2725QS for a couple of weeks to see how well it performed, and let me give you a little spoiler… it didn’t disappoint.

With a 4K resolution that delivers crips visuals, an IPS panel for perfect wide viewing angles and a 120Hz refresh rate there is very little to complain about. Aside from maybe the built-in speakers, but who uses monitor speakers in the year 2025 anyway?

This monitor will hit the sweet spot as one of the best monitors for graphic design or monitors for video editing, with colour reproduction being surprisingly sharp straight out of the box. But this is also a good choice for anyone working from home or doing a lot of document-heavy work.

Dell 27 Plus 4K monitor: Key specifications

Design & Build

• Thin bezels
• Can adjust height as well as tilt, swivel and pivot
• A bright and vibrant 27-inch screen

Dell have never been that exciting when it comes to design but the Dell 27 Plus 4K S2725QS actually looks pretty good. When you take it out of the box, you’ll see that it has an ash white finish (which is good for me as my desk is white and it blends in nicely) with ultra-thin bezels so you get to view the full screen.

Setting up is super straightforward too, the stand just locks into place without the need for any tools, and then you just hook it up to your computer or laptop via the HDMI or DisplayPort. A USB-C connection would have been ideal, especially for those of us with MacBooks, but it’s not too much effort to use a hub, so it’s not the end of the world. You’ll also find a security lock slot to stop it from being moved or stolen if you’re using it in a public space – although I’m not too sure how many people are carrying around their 27” monitor when they leave the house for work.

The back of the monitor also looks pretty stylish, not that many people will see it unless you have an open-space set up, but it has a rippled, textured design and the cables are hidden away by a snap-on case. There’s also an oval cut out that you can feed your cables through, to try to keep things a bit neater. Also to the rear is a directional joystick, which will help guide you through the menus.

You can adjust the height, which is done by simply pushing up or down on the edge of the monitor. This happens in a smooth motion and handy if you have a standing desk and need to quickly change your monitor's position as you stand or sit. Overall, the build quality is solid and it feels very well made. The metal stand also helps add some weight to it, so it doesn’t feel flimsy.

Design score: 4/5

Features

• 4K UHD screen
• 99% sRGB colour coverage

Of course, the biggest feature of this monitor is the display, which is perfect whether you’re using this monitor for work or entertainment. It's 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), which offers sharp and detailed visuals. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate, which results in smooth motion, ideal if you’re editing video content or gaming.

I tested out the 27-inch version, but this model also comes in sizes of 32 and 34 inches. But for me, the 27 was ideal as it gave plenty of screen space but didn’t take up too much room on my already cramped desk.

It uses IPS panel technology and has 99% sRGB colour coverage, so you get good viewing angles as well as vibrant, true-to-life colours, which makes this monitor a joy to use. There’s HDR support, which enhances the colour, giving off deep blacks and brighter whites.

The stand is fully adjustable, it can be adjusted for height, tilt, swivel and pivot so you can find your perfect viewing setup. This all works smoothly, but there is an issue when it comes to pivoting the screen; the height doesn’t go high enough to seamlessly move the screen around, so it gets stuck mid-pivot. Of course, the workaround is to tilt it out as far as it’ll go and then twist, but it just feels a clunky and awkward way to do it, and the bottom of the screen then practically touches the desk, which isn’t comfortable to look at.

Dell also claims that this monitor has ComfortView Plus Technology, which is supposed to reduce harmful blue light emissions without reducing colour accuracy. I can’t say for sure whether this works or is just a gimmick, but during testing, I used it for long periods of time without my eyes getting tired.

This model does come with dual 5W integrated speakers so if you are super-tight on space, you can technically forego any external speakers. But honestly, you won’t want to use them. The speakers are notably loud and blaring even at low settings. I could only get up to 50% volume before it became impossible to hear details of what was playing, and without it shaking the walls. There is an option to create sound profiles within the settings, but again, it doesn’t make much difference; the sound from these speakers lacks clarity and detail at almost every volume setting. My advice would be to invest in some of the best headphones instead.

Features and performance score: 4/5

Price

At £399/$329.99, this monitor is pretty reasonable for the quality you get. For a 27-inch screen with a 4K UHD display, 120Hz refresh rate and a sleek design, it’s certainly one of the cheaper 4K monitors on the market. If you’re looking to upgrade your work-from-home monitor or need something you can create content with or use as entertainment, then it’s the ideal balance between premium features and a premium price point.

Price score: 5/5

Whose it for?

• Home workers who want a high-quality montior that will handle work and entertainment

The Dell 27-inch Plus is a good all-round monitor that will suit professionals, creatives or everyday users. It’s also good for anyone who needs colour accuracy and sharp details, thanks to its 99% sRGB coverage and 4K resolution. And if you spend long hours in front of the computer with features like a fully adjustable stand, IPS display and ComfortView Plus ,it’s a smart choice.

Buy it if…

• You want a stunning 4K display
• You crave high refresh rates
• You want true HDR support

Don't buy it if...

• You want good internal speakers
• You have a small desk