4K hdr 600 monitor: Computer parts, laptops, electronics, and more

The 4 Best 4k HDR Monitors — Fall 2022: Reviews

  1. Table of Contents
  2. Intro
  3. Best Monitor

    1. Best Upper Mid-Range

      1. Best Mid-Range

        1. Best Budget

          1. Notable Mentions
          2. Recent Updates
          3. All Reviews
          4. Discussions

          Updated Oct 20, 2022 at 04:35 pm

          By Nicholas Di Giovanni

          Although most modern monitors support HDR, they still lag behind TVs for HDR performance. Supporting HDR is one thing, but you also need the monitor to display a wide color gamut, get bright, and have a good local dimming feature so that HDR looks vivid with highlights that pop. If you’re looking for a new monitor, though, and HDR is important to you, then there are still a few choices out there. Although most of them lack good local dimming and can’t get as bright as TVs, they’re still decent enough and are better than simple SDR monitors.

          We’ve bought and tested more than 250 monitors, and below you’ll find our recommendations for the best HDR monitors with a 4k resolution that are available to buy. Check out our recommendations for the best 4k monitors, the best 4k gaming monitors, and the best multimedia monitors.

          1. Best 4k HDR Monitor

            Gigabyte AORUS FO48U

            SEE PRICE

            Amazon.de

            Unavailable

            Missing store

            HDR

            8.9

            Size

            48″

            Pixel Type

            OLED

            Max Refresh Rate

            120 Hz

            Variable Refresh Rate

            Yes

            Native Resolution

            3840 x 2160

            HDR10

            Yes

            See all our test results

            The best 4k HDR monitor we’ve tested is the Gigabyte AORUS FO48U. It’s a great overall monitor that’s unique because it uses an OLED panel that’s incredible to use in dark rooms. It’s because it can turn individual pixels off, resulting in a near-infinite contrast ratio for perfect black levels, and there isn’t any blooming around bright objects. It makes it amazing for HDR because you want to see those bright highlights with deep blacks next to them, and while the overall HDR peak brightness is just acceptable, small highlights still stand out. It also displays a wide range of colors in HDR with good tone mapping, and it gets bright enough to make colors look vivid.

            While its 48-inch screen may seem big to you, this is the size you need to get if you want the best HDR experience possible, as smaller 4k monitors aren’t as good and usually don’t come with an OLED panel like this one. If you want to use it for 4k HDR gaming, it also supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth that lets you hit a max refresh rate of 120Hz in HDR, and it fully works with the PS5 and Xbox Series X, but it doesn’t support Dolby Vision.

            See our review

          2. Best Upper Mid-Range 4k HDR Monitor

            Gigabyte AORUS FV43U

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            Amazon.de

            Unavailable

            Missing store

            HDR

            8.3

            Size

            43″

            Pixel Type

            VA

            Max Refresh Rate

            144 Hz

            Variable Refresh Rate

            Yes

            Native Resolution

            3840 x 2160

            HDR10

            Yes

            See all our test results

            If you find the Gigabyte AORUS FO48U OLED too expensive and prefer something in the upper mid-range price category, check out the Gigabyte AORUS FV43U. It’s a step down for the FO48U in terms of overall performance, which you have to expect by getting something cheaper, but it’s still great for HDR. It has a smaller 43-inch screen with an LED-backlit panel instead of OLED, meaning it doesn’t display the same perfect black levels, but it has a high native contrast ratio that makes blacks look deep next to bright highlights. It has a full-array local dimming feature to try to improve the picture quality in dark scenes, but with only eight dimming zones, it’s terrible and isn’t effective.

            In terms of HDR, it gets much brighter than the FO48U because it has impressive HDR peak brightness, enough to make small highlights stand out and pop against a dark background. Its HDR color gamut is also incredible, and the tone mapping is fantastic both with the commonly-used DCI-P3 color space and the wider Rec. 2020 color space. It means the monitor preserves fine details, and images look life-like.

            See our review

          3. Best Mid-Range 4k HDR Monitor

            Gigabyte M32UC

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            Amazon. de

            Unavailable

            Missing store

            HDR

            6.8

            Size

            32″

            Pixel Type

            VA

            Max Refresh Rate

            160 Hz

            Variable Refresh Rate

            Yes

            Native Resolution

            3840 x 2160

            HDR10

            Yes

            See all our test results

            If you want to save money or think the Gigabyte AORUS FO48U OLED and the Gigabyte AORUS FV43U are too big, look into a mid-range monitor like the Gigabyte M32UC. As you go down in price, you don’t get the same great HDR experience, but as monitors aren’t as good as TVs for HDR, this is what you have to expect. The M32UC is still okay for HDR as it has a VA panel with a high native contrast ratio, meaning it displays deep blacks in dark rooms, but it doesn’t have a local dimming feature to improve it. The black uniformity is still decent, and there isn’t too much blooming around bright objects. It also displays a wide color gamut for HDR content and has decent HDR peak brightness, enough to make some highlights pop.

            Like the higher-end Gigabyte monitors, it’s a great choice for console gaming in HDR because it has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and can take full advantage of both the Xbox Series X and PS5. You can play HDR games up to 120 fps, and it has low input lag for a responsive feel. It also has a quick response time for smooth motion, but there’s black smearing behind fast-moving objects.

            See our review

          4. Best Budget 4k HDR Monitor

            Dell S3221QS

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            Amazon. de

            Unavailable

            Missing store

            HDR

            6.9

            Size

            32″

            Pixel Type

            VA

            Max Refresh Rate

            60 Hz

            Variable Refresh Rate

            Yes

            Native Resolution

            3840 x 2160

            HDR10

            Yes

            See all our test results

            If you want something for 4k HDR use and you’re on a budget, you’re limiting yourself to the performance you’re going to get, but there are a few alright options available, like the Dell S3221QS. It’s an office-oriented monitor with a 32-inch, 4k screen like the Gigabyte M32UC. Like the Gigabyte, dark scenes look great thanks to the monitor’s high contrast ratio, meaning blacks actually look black. It lacks a local dimming feature, and its HDR peak brightness is worse than the Gigabyte, so bright highlights don’t stand out very well, but that’s what you can expect from a budget-friendly display.

            On the other hand, it has a wide color gamut, with great coverage of the DCI-P3 used by most current HDR content, and it has superb gradient handling, with almost no noticeable banding in areas of similar color. It also has good out-of-the-box accuracy, so you won’t have to calibrate it to get an accurate and life-like image. Even at a 32-inch size, the pixel density is still very high, which results in exceptional text and image clarity, meaning it delivers an immersive viewing experience while watching 4k HDR content.

            See our review

          Notable Mentions

          • Dell Alienware AW3423DW:
            The Dell Alienware AW3423DW is a premium display that has exceptional HDR performance because it has an OLED panel similar to the Gigabyte AORUS FO48U OLED and gets even brighter. However, it’s a 1440p monitor and doesn’t support 4k signals.
            See our review
          • Samsung LS32BG852NNXGO:
            The Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 is great for HDR as it has a decent Mini LED local dimming feature, better than most monitors, but it’s also costly, and for less money, you can get the Gigabyte AORUS FO48U OLED.
            See our review
          • Sony INZONE M9:
            The Sony INZONE M9 is a good 27-inch monitor for HDR because it gets bright and has an okay local dimming feature, but it costs more than the Gigabyte AORUS FV43U, and for less, you can get a bigger screen and better overall performance.
            See our review
          • Samsung Smart Monitor M8 S32BM80:
            The Samsung Smart Monitor M8 is a unique 32-inch monitor that’s in the same price range as the Gigabyte AORUS FV43U. It has a built-in smart system, which is great for streaming content, but if you care about HDR performance, the Gigabyte gets brighter.
            See our review

          Recent Updates

          1. Oct 20, 2022:
            Replaced the Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 with the Gigabyte AORUS FO48U because it’s much better for HDR; added the Gigabyte AORUS FV43U as the ‘Best Upper Mid-Range’ and renamed the Gigabyte as the ‘Best Mid-Range’. Removed the Dell U2723QE and the Samsung Smart Monitor M8 because they aren’t among the best for HDR; updated Notable Mentions based on changes.

          2. Aug 02, 2022:
            Removed the LG C1 and the Gigabyte AORUS FV43U because they’re larger displays and bigger than most monitors; added the Samsung Odyssey Neo G7, Dell U2723QE, Gigabyte M32UC, and the Samsung Smart Monitor M8 to reflect user needs. Renamed the Dell S3221QS as the ‘Best Budget’; removed the LG 27GP950-B and Dell S2722QC because they aren’t anything special for HDR.

          3. Mar 30, 2022:
            Completely restructured the article to better represent what people are looking for in an HDR monitor, and adjusted the Notable Mentions accordingly.

          4. Feb 03, 2022:
            Replaced the Dell S2721QS with the Dell S2722QC. Removed a few out-of-date Notable Mentions.

          5. Dec 07, 2021:
            Replaced the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ with the Gigabyte AORUS FV43U, and added the Gigabyte M32U as ‘Best 32 Inch’. Added the Gigabyte AORUS FO48U as an alternative to the LG C1. Removed a few out-of-date Notable Mentions.

          All Reviews

          Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best HDR monitors that support 4k. They’re adapted to be valid for most people. Rating is based on our review, factoring in price, and feedback from our visitors.

          If you would prefer the make your own decision, here is the list of all of our 4k monitors that have HDR10 support. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.

          Discussions

          Best HDR monitors in Nov 2022 (4K, OLED, mini-LED)

          Boost your visual experience with these stunning HDR monitors

          Updated: Nov 3, 2022 11:56 am

          Share this article…

          Best HDR monitor: our top picks

          ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQ

          LG C2 OLED Series

          Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 (S49AG95NC)

          What is HDR and why it’s worth the investment?

          What are the different HDR standards?

          Is HDR good for gaming?

          Do all 4K monitors have HDR?

          Is HDR400 ‘True’ HDR?

          How we choose the best HDR monitors

          Best HDR monitors in 2022

          ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQ

          LG C2 OLED Series

          Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 (S49AG95NC)

          Samsung Odyssey G7 (LC32G75TQSNXZA)

          Gigabyte FV43U

          Related monitor pages

          Final word

          Best Buy Early Black Friday deals now live: Check out some of the latest Best Buy top deals below.

          • Samsung – 27″ Odyssey G40B FHD IPS 240Hz – Was $399 now $249
          • Samsung – Odyssey G7 28″ IPS 1ms 4K UHD FreeSync & G-Sync Compatible Gaming Monitor – was $799 now $579
          • LG – 27” UltraGear UHD Nano IPS 1ms 144Hz Monitor – Was $899 now $699
          • GIGABYTE G34WQC A 34″ LED Curved WQHD FreeSync Premium Gaming Monitor – Was $449 now $369
          • GIGABYTE M28U 28″ LED 4K UHD FreeSync Premium Pro SS IPS Gaming Monitor – Was $649 now $529
          • ASUS ROG Strix XG49V ultrawide gaming monitor – Was $899 now $799

          With monitor technology advancing at a rapid rate, it’s no surprise to see a large influx of HDR monitors available in today’s market. HDR used to be a fairly uncommon feature in monitors, however, that no longer seems to be the case anymore. Even budget monitors now offer some form of HDR functionality, albeit with varying performance results and image quality.

          While the best HDR monitors are still some ways behind TVs, there’s no doubting the vast increase in HDR performance within the monitor sector. With many console gamers also choosing gaming monitors for next-gen PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles, we’re starting to see manufacturers prioritize HDR functionality more openly. Furthermore, with FALD (full-array local dimming), mini-LED backlight technology, and OLED panels all becoming much more common, the average HDR performance across all monitors is on the rise.

          All being said, we’ll be scouring the web to find only the best HDR monitors we can get our hands on. We’ve had the pleasure of testing and reviewing a tonne of monitors over the years, giving us the confidence to recommend the best options across a variety of price points.

          So, if you’re looking for a great HDR monitor, look no further, we have all the latest recommendations.

          • Best 4K HDR monitors

          Best HDR monitor: our top picks

          01

          Best HDR Monitor

          02

          Best HDR Console Gaming Monitor

          03

          Best Ultrawide HDR Monitor

          What is HDR and why it’s worth the investment?

          HDR stands for high dynamic range, a feature found in modern TVs and monitors that allows the display to produce a wider range of color, contrast, and brightness.

          This relatively common feature is now seen across numerous displays within today’s market, offering up a more realistic color experience that is great for both gaming and content consumption. When enabled, HDR displays will utilize a wider color gamut which allows the panel to display a greater range of contrast and color. This not only produces a more authentic color experience but also adds a greater level of vibrance to the content you’re viewing.

          Additionally, ‘true’ HDR displays also offer a higher peak brightness which enables the panel to excel in both light and darkroom conditions.

          What are the different HDR standards?

          That said, not all HDR displays are built equal. VESA, the Video Electronics Standards Association, has spent years certifying HDR-enabled monitors with a performance tier system to determine the different levels of HDR performance a panel provides.

          The tier system is as follows:

          The VESA Certified DisplayHDR tier system starts at ‘DisplayHDR 400’ and goes up to ‘DisplayHDR 500 True Black’ – with each step up the theoretical HDR ladder offering a better, more realistic HDR experience. Of course, monitors that offer the highest levels of HDR reproduction (DisplayHDR 500 True Black/DisplayHDR 1400) will often come with a fairly large price premium to match. That being said, if you prioritize colors and image quality, a ‘True’ HDR experience is hard to beat.

          Is HDR good for gaming?

          On average, HDR is considered extremely good for gaming – especially if you’re a next-gen console gamer. As we eluded to earlier, using HDR when watching movies or gaming allows the display to enhance the richness of color, producing a much more realistic and immersive experience.

          Some of the best gaming monitors available today feature HDR and it’s easy to see why. Additionally, with more HDR-enabled content becoming available nowadays – especially within the gaming space – it’s no surprise to see a spike in True HDR monitor interest.

          Do all 4K monitors have HDR?

          With HDR becoming hugely popular, it’s safe to say that the wide majority of 4K monitors offer some form of HDR functionality – especially in the 4K gaming monitor space. That said, there are only a few HDR monitors that offer the best VESA certifications – most of which come equipped with a large price premium.

          That said, due to the ever-growing popularity of HDR in both games and general content, we’ll likely see the quality of HDR in monitors improve rapidly.

          Is HDR400 ‘True’ HDR?

          One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is; is HDR400 ‘True’ HDR? And sadly, the answer is no.

          As stated on the VESA DisplayHDR website, “If a monitor claims HDR support without a DisplayHDR performance specification, or refers to pseudo-specs like “HDR-400” instead of “DisplayHDR 400” it’s likely that the product does not meet the certification requirements.“

          For a ‘True’ HDR experience, a monitor (or display) mus be able to meet the following requirements:

          • True 8-bit image quality – on par with top 15% of PC displays today
          • Global dimming – improves dynamic contrast ratio
          • Peak luminance of 400 cd/m2 – up to 50% higher than typical SDR
          • Minimum requirements for color gamut and contrast exceed SDR

          Some sources also say that a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut is a minimum requirement of ‘True’ HDR – a feature that will allow a TV or monitor to showcase a much wider variety of colors when compared to the standard 99% sRGB.

          How we choose the best HDR monitors

          Choosing the best HDR monitor can often be a tricky task, especially when you consider just how many great monitors reside in today’s market. Luckily, our veteran team of display enthusiasts has a tonne of experience when it comes to gaming TVs and monitors, allowing us to handpick the best options out there.

          Like every component we recommend, every HDR monitor we choose also goes through a strict testing process that allows us to determine which is the best when it comes to console gaming, general content consumption, and everyday usage. We run numerous tests using purpose-built equipment that allows us to confidently recommend the best monitors across the web.

          How we test monitors

          Best HDR monitors in 2022

          Refresh Rate

          144Hz

          Response time

          1ms MPRT

          Screen size

          31.9″

          Resolution

          3840 x 2160

          4.5

          /5

          Editor’s Rating

          Pros