Dell S2725DS 27" Review
The Dell S2725DS is a solid, no-frills QHD monitor that gets color and connectivity right. Just don't expect it to be a gaming champion.
The 30-Second Version
The Dell S2725DS is a dependable QHD workhorse with great color for the money. Just don't buy it for gaming.
Overview
The Dell S2725DS is a solid, no-frills 27-inch QHD monitor that gets the basics right. It's not going to win any awards for speed or features, but for around $215, you get a reliable screen with surprisingly good color and connectivity. The one thing to know? This is a workhorse, not a racehorse. It's built for productivity and general use, not for chasing high frame rates in competitive games.
Performance
The performance score lands in the 35th percentile, which tells you everything. The 100Hz refresh rate is a nice step up from 60Hz for smoother scrolling, but the 8ms response time is firmly in the 'fine for most things' category. Where it surprised us was in color and connectivity, scoring in the 87th and 91st percentiles respectively. The 99% sRGB coverage is legitimately good for the price, and having both HDMI and DisplayPort is a small but meaningful win.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent color accuracy for the price (99% sRGB). 89th
- Great connectivity options with both HDMI and DisplayPort. 84th
- Solid, adjustable stand with height, tilt, swivel, and pivot. 65th
- The 100Hz refresh rate is a nice, smooth upgrade over standard 60Hz.
Cons
- Response time (8ms) is too slow for serious competitive gaming. 28th
- Lacks any advanced features like HDR or USB-C. 30th
- Brightness is just okay at 350 nits.
- Design and bezels are functional but nothing special.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 27" |
| Resolution | 2560 (QHD) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Performance
| Refresh Rate | 100 Hz |
| Response Time | 8 |
Color & HDR
| Brightness | 350 nits |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 99% |
Connectivity
| HDMI Ports | 2 |
| DisplayPort | 1 |
Ergonomics
| VESA Mount | 100x100 |
Value & Pricing
For $210-$220, it's a good value if you want a dependable, color-accurate QHD monitor for work or casual use. You're paying for the core display and a decent stand, not for bells and whistles. It's worth it if your priorities are color and connectivity over raw speed.
vs Competition
Compared to something like the MSI MPG 32" 4K, you're giving up a ton of performance and resolution for about half the price. The MSI is for high-end gaming; this Dell is for everything else. Against the Dell UltraSharp 27" 4K, you're looking at a similar work-focused monitor but with a higher resolution and HDR. The S2725DS is the budget-friendly cousin—it does 80% of the job for a lot less money. If you're considering a Samsung Odyssey or an ASUS ProArt OLED, you're in a completely different (and much more expensive) league.
| Spec | Dell S2725DS 27" | LG UltraGear LG - UltraGear 27" IPS Dual Mode (4K UHD 180Hz, | Samsung Odyssey Samsung Odyssey G7 27" UHD 4K 144Hz IPS AMD | ASUS ROG Strix ASUS ROG Strix 27 inch UHD 4K 160Hz IPS AMD | MSI MAG MSI 27" UHD DUAL MODE 4K 160Hz FHD 320Hz FreeSync | BenQ Mobiuz BenQ MOBIUZ EX271U 27" 4K HDR 165 Hz Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Panel Type | - | IPS | IPS | IPS | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 100 | 180 | 144 | 160 | 160 | 165 |
| Response Time Ms | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 |
| Adaptive Sync | - | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | FreeSync Premium |
| Hdr | - | HDR400 | HDR10+ | HDR10 | HDR1000 | HDR10 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Color | Compact | Display | Feature | Ergonomic | Performance | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell S2725DS 27" | 83.7 | 28.2 | 65.2 | 30.1 | 63.1 | 37.4 | 89.4 |
| LG UltraGear 27" Dual Mode Compare | 89.8 | 80.4 | 90.5 | 82.4 | 96.5 | 94.1 | 99.9 |
| Samsung Odyssey G7 27" Compare | 95.1 | 78.7 | 90.5 | 82.4 | 96.5 | 90 | 98.9 |
| ASUS ROG Strix 27 inch Compare | 97.4 | 88.5 | 90.5 | 82.4 | 96.5 | 91.1 | 98.9 |
| MSI MAG 27" Compare | 97.1 | 80.4 | 90.5 | 82.4 | 96.5 | 97.6 | 96.7 |
| BenQ Mobiuz EX271U 27" Compare | 92 | 88.5 | 90.5 | 82.4 | 96.5 | 92.1 | 91.8 |
Common Questions
Q: Is this monitor good for gaming?
Not really. The 100Hz is nice, but the 8ms response time is too slow for competitive shooters. It's fine for casual or single-player games, but serious gamers should look elsewhere.
Q: Can I connect both a PC and a laptop?
Yes, easily. With two HDMI ports and a DisplayPort, you can hook up multiple devices. You'll just need to switch inputs on the monitor itself.
Q: Is the color good enough for photo editing?
For casual or hobbyist editing, the 99% sRGB coverage is excellent at this price. Professionals needing wider color gamuts (like Adobe RGB or DCI-P3) will need to spend more.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a competitive gamer who needs the fastest response times, this isn't it. Go get a dedicated gaming monitor like one of the MSI or ASUS options instead. Also, skip it if you really want modern features like USB-C connectivity or HDR.
Verdict
We recommend the Dell S2725DS if you need a reliable, color-accurate secondary monitor or a primary screen for office work, web browsing, and light media consumption. It's a straightforward buy for anyone who wants to step up to QHD without breaking the bank. Just don't expect it to keep up with fast-paced gaming.