If you want better local dimming performance
Choose ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM. It scores 5.0 vs 1.0 for local dimming performance, with a 4.4 overall score.
Dell U2725QE Monitor Review
Bottom Line
An excellent 4K/120Hz office hub with Thunderbolt 4, powerful laptop charging and easy device sharing, but slow pixel response, weak HDR dimming and occasional uniformity problems make it less convincing for gaming and exacting creative work.
Laptop-centered office desks, MacBook productivity, programmers and people managing two computers benefit from the crisp 4K screen, 120Hz scrolling, Thunderbolt charging and shared peripherals.
Competitive gamers, buyers seeking impressive HDR, color professionals demanding uniform brightness, and shoppers who do not need a high-end USB hub are better served by more focused or less expensive monitors.
Verdict
The Dell U2725QE is most persuasive as a complete workstation hub rather than simply a 27-inch 4K panel. Sharp text, rich IPS Black contrast and notably smoother 120Hz scrolling make office work satisfying, while Thunderbolt 4, high-power laptop charging, abundant USB ports and a KVM can replace several desk accessories. Its compact, adjustable stand also suits two-screen desks. The compromise is display performance outside that comfort zone: pixel transitions leave visible blur in fast games, and crude HDR local dimming causes blooming. Some tests also found darker screen edges or inconsistent color across the panel, a concern for demanding visual work. At its premium price, the docking convenience needs to be something you will actually use. If gaming, precise edge-to-edge grading or cinematic HDR matters most, a more specialized display makes better sense.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
69 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.036 (52%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.413 (19%)
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Neutral 2.5-3.411 (16%)
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Negative 1.5-2.47 (10%)
-
Very negative below 1.52 (3%)
Pros highlights
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An unusually expansive collection of USB, Thunderbolt, HDMI, DisplayPort and Ethernet connectors makes the screen a desk hub in its own right.
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The unusually large hub can replace separate USB expansion hardware and provide quick-access front ports. Simultaneous peripheral use is generally excellent, subject to bandwidth limits.
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Enhanced IPS Black contrast produces a welcome improvement over traditional IPS, especially for text and shadows. It still cannot provide the near-perfect blacks of OLED.
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The jump to 120Hz makes everyday scrolling, cursor motion and window movement meaningfully more fluid than 60Hz. It does not fix the panel’s slower pixel response.
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Most evaluations are enthusiastic about the balance of image quality and connectivity. The strongest reservations concern its premium price and middling gaming and HDR performance.
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Sharp 4K images, rich IPS Black contrast and broad color coverage are impressive for office work. Uneven backlighting, motion blur and restricted HDR keep it from being an all-purpose picture-quality leader.
Cons highlights
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This is not a good choice for serious competitive play: pixel response is slow despite the 120Hz refresh, and aggressive overdrive can cause distracting halos.
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120Hz makes desktop movement look smoother, but slow pixel transitions leave pronounced blur in games and faster-moving video.
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HDR brightness and color improve on older models, but crude edge-lit local dimming creates blooming and visible brightness bands. SDR is frequently preferable.
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Several tests and user experiences found darker edges and warmer patches, while some samples looked more consistent. Uniformity is a significant caveat for solid backgrounds and precise color work.
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The adjustable stand is generally solid, but multiple owners and testers noticed wobble when extended or when plugging cables into the screen.
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Motion trails are a persistent weak spot, and the faster overdrive mode can trade blur for inverse ghosting or dark halos.
Use Cases
Best for
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Text detail, 120Hz scrolling, generous ergonomics and a full docking hub combine into an exceptionally capable everyday work monitor.
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A Thunderbolt cable can handle display, data and substantial laptop power together, replacing a separate charger and desk dock for many users.
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MacBooks and compatible Windows laptops benefit from high-power USB-C docking and shared peripherals, making daily laptop handoffs much simpler.
Not ideal for
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HDR gamingHighlights and colors can look lively in suitable scenes, but coarse dimming and slow pixel transitions make HDR gaming less convincing than the certification suggests.
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Budget-conscious buyersThe added hub and charging features come at a steep premium, making this a questionable buy if a basic 4K screen would suffice. Cheaper predecessors and alternatives may fit a tighter budget better.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Monitors, this product is above average in KVM switch performance, USB-C power delivery, USB hub functionality, near average in refresh rate, overall satisfaction, below average in local dimming performance, response time, overdrive tuning.
Comparison summary
64 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher32 (50%)
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Same as average within 0.3 pts15 (23%)
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Below average 0.4+ pts lower17 (27%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| local dimming performance | 1.0 | 3.6 | -2.6 |
| response time | 1.6 | 4.1 | -2.5 |
| overdrive tuning | 1.5 | 3.9 | -2.4 |
| motion clarity | 1.9 | 4.2 | -2.4 |
| ghosting control | 1.4 | 3.7 | -2.3 |
| Included accessories | 2.0 | 4.1 | -2.1 |
| KVM switch performance | 4.8 | 2.9 | +1.9 |
| competitive gaming suitability | 1.5 | 3.3 | -1.8 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better competitive gaming suitability
Choose LG 27GM950B-B. It scores 4.4 vs 1.5 for competitive gaming suitability, with a 4.0 overall score.
If you want better ghosting control
Choose ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM Gen3. It scores 5.0 vs 1.4 for ghosting control, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Included accessories
Choose AOC Q27G3XMN. It scores 5.0 vs 2.0 for Included accessories, with a 3.9 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Worse: hub, brightness, color gamut and accuracy The U2725QE has richer connectivity and brighter color; the S2725QS calibrates more easily.
Dell UltraSharp U2723QE
- Older model: 60Hz to 120Hz and USB hub The U2725QE retains 4K while moving beyond the predecessor’s 60Hz display.
- Older model: refresh rate and connectivity The U2725QE adds Thunderbolt connectivity and a higher refresh rate.
- Older model: connectivity and contrast The newer UltraSharp expands the older model’s hub and picture technology.
Dell UltraSharp U2724DE
- Older model: refresh and Thunderbolt pairing The new model combines 4K resolution with the older Thunderbolt hub variant’s strengths.
- Older model: Thunderbolt office features The new model brings the prior Thunderbolt design into a 4K screen.
- Older model: combining 120Hz Thunderbolt and 4K The U2725QE joins the earlier model’s refresh rate and Thunderbolt with full 4K.
FAQ
Is the Dell U2725QE good for office work?
Yes. Crisp 4K text, smoother 120Hz scrolling, adjustable ergonomics and a generous docking hub make it especially strong for daily productivity.
Can it charge a MacBook or laptop through one cable?
Yes, compatible Thunderbolt 4 laptops can receive up to 140W power along with display and data. It can often replace a separate dock and laptop charger.
Is it suitable for gaming?
It supports up to 4K at 120Hz, including modern console signals, and slower games can be enjoyable. Fast motion tends to blur and aggressive overdrive can create ghosting, so competitive gamers should look elsewhere.
How good is HDR on this monitor?
HDR can be bright and colorful, but the limited edge-lit dimming frequently produces blooming and visible brightness shifts. It is far below strong mini-LED or OLED HDR performance.
Does it have a built-in KVM switch?
Yes. Its KVM can switch connected keyboard, mouse and USB devices between two computers, with picture-by-picture support. The optional Dell software is less consistently polished.
Can you connect another display through it?
It offers downstream Thunderbolt and DisplayPort connections, but available bandwidth and the computer’s support determine which multi-screen configurations work. Full 4K/120Hz daisy chains are not guaranteed.
Is it accurate enough for professional color editing?
Its wide-gamut calibrated modes can be accurate, but several tests found dim edges or uneven color across the panel. Work requiring uniformity across the entire screen deserves caution.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Talking Tech
- Review score
- 4.8
YouTube - Created Tech
- Review score
- 4.2
Article Reviews
monitornerds.com
In-depth review of the Dell UltraSharp U2725QE. We benchmark its 2000:1 IPS Black contrast, 120Hz refresh rate, Thunderbolt 4 hub, and...
- Review score
- 5.0
tech.yahoo.com
It's the best-looking LCD I've ever seen, and the built-in TB4 hub is a game-changer.
- Review score
- 4.4
theaureview.com
Discover the best new music, travel, film, gaming, arts, food, culture and book content on Australia's premier independent online...
- Review score
- 4.6
expertreviews.co.uk
With an upgraded 4K 120Hz panel, Thunderbolt 4 and improved HDR, this is the most versatile 27in Dell UltraSharp yet
- Review score
- 3.7
itpro.com
Another fine addition to the UltraSharp family, but the U2725QE's gaming talents still fall short despite the upgrades
- Review score
- 3.4
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