Dell Dell - S3225QS 31.5" VA LED 4K UHD 120Hz FreeSync Review
The Dell S3225QS packs a 32-inch 4K screen and a 120Hz refresh rate into a sub-$400 package. It's the best monitor for a hybrid home office we've seen at this price.
The 30-Second Version
A shockingly good 4K 120Hz all-rounder for under $400. It's not a pro gaming monitor, but for work, media, and casual gaming, it's an incredible value.
Overview
The Dell S3225QS is a 32-inch 4K monitor that tries to be everything to everyone, and for the most part, it succeeds. The one thing to know? It's a fantastic all-rounder for a home office that also wants to game, and it does it all for a price that's hard to argue with. You get a huge, sharp 4K screen, a surprisingly smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and solid color coverage, all wrapped in a clean, white design. It's not the absolute best at any one thing, but it's remarkably good at a lot of things.
Performance
The biggest surprise here is how well the 120Hz refresh rate works on a VA panel at this price. In our testing, the motion clarity is a genuine step up from standard 60Hz office monitors, making everything from scrolling web pages to casual gaming feel noticeably smoother. The 95% DCI-P3 color coverage is solid for the money, though it's not a professional-grade color monitor. Where it stumbles a bit is in pure response time; that 8ms rating puts it in the 59th percentile, so competitive gamers will notice some ghosting in fast-paced titles.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stunning 4K sharpness on a massive 32-inch screen. 100th
- 120Hz refresh rate is a game-changer for general smoothness. 91th
- Excellent value for the feature set under $400. 87th
- Clean, minimalist white design with thin bezels. 84th
Cons
- VA panel's response time isn't ideal for serious competitive gaming. 28th
- No USB-C connectivity, which is a miss for modern laptops.
- HDR10 support is basic; don't expect true HDR performance.
- It's a big, heavy boy at over 17 pounds.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 31.5" |
| Resolution | 3840 (4K UHD) |
| Panel Type | VA |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Curved | No |
Performance
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium |
Color & HDR
| Color Gamut | 99 percent |
| HDR | HDR10 |
| HDR Support | HDR10 |
Connectivity
| HDMI Ports | 2 |
| DisplayPort | 1 |
| Headphone Jack | No |
Ergonomics
| VESA Mount | Yes |
Features
| Webcam | No |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Power | 32 |
| Weight | 8.8 kg / 19.3 lbs |
Value & Pricing
For around $350, this monitor is an absolute steal. You're getting a premium-size 4K panel with a high refresh rate, features that usually don't meet at this price point. It punches way above its weight class in value.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 or ASUS ROG Swift OLED, this Dell isn't a dedicated gaming beast. Those monitors offer higher refresh rates and superior pixel response for a lot more money. The more direct competitor is something like an LG UltraGear 32-inch 4K model. The Dell often wins on price and its more office-friendly design, while the LG might have a slight edge in gaming tuning. If you need USB-C, look at Dell's own UltraSharp line, but be ready to pay a premium.
| Spec | Dell Dell - S3225QS 31.5" VA LED 4K UHD 120Hz FreeSync | Samsung Odyssey Samsung 57" Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Computer | MSI MPG MSI 32" UHD 4K 240Hz with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro | ASUS ProArt ASUS ProArt Display OLED PA32UCDM 31.5" 4K HDR 240 | LG UltraGear LG UltraGear 45" WUHD DUAL MODE 4K 165Hz FHD 330Hz | Dell UltraSharp Dell UltraSharp 27" 4K HDR 120 Hz Monitor with |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 31.5 | 57 | 32 | 31.5 | 45 | 27 |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 7680 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 5120 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Panel Type | VA | VA | OLED | OLED | OLED | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 120 | 240 | 240 | 240 | 165 | 120 |
| Response Time Ms | — | 1 | — | 0.10000000149011612 | — | 5 |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium | FreeSync Premium Pro | G-Sync Compatible | Adaptive-Sync | G-Sync Compatible | — |
| Hdr | HDR10 | HDR10+ | HDR | Dolby Vision | HDR10 | HDR |
Common Questions
Q: Is this good for fast-paced gaming like Call of Duty?
It's okay, not great. The 120Hz is nice, but the VA panel's response time will show some blur in super-fast twitch shooters. For casual or story-driven games, it's perfect.
Q: Does it work well with a MacBook?
It'll display a picture just fine over HDMI, but you'll need a separate dongle for connectivity and charging since there's no USB-C. It's built with Windows PCs in mind.
Q: How's the blue light filter?
The ComfortView Plus feature is legit. It cuts blue light without making everything look like a sepia-toned nightmare, which is great for long coding or writing sessions.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a competitive esports player chasing every frame and the fastest response, this isn't it. Go get a dedicated 240Hz+ gaming monitor instead. Also, if you need a single-cable solution for a modern laptop, look elsewhere because the lack of USB-C is a real drawback.
Verdict
If you need a single, large monitor for a hybrid work-and-play setup and you're on a budget, buy this. It delivers a premium 4K experience with the bonus of high refresh rate smoothness for a price that feels like it's from a few years ago. It's a no-brainer for most home offices.