Head-to-head · Best USB-C Monitors

Dell UltraSharp U2725QE vs MSI Modern MD272UPSW

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Dell UltraSharp U2725QE comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 3.8). The gap is mostly about office professionals prioritizing photo/video editing — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best USB-C Monitors

Dell UltraSharp U2725QE

4.5

5 sources$637.5as of Aug 1

The Dell UltraSharp U2725QE is a productivity-first 27-inch 4K monitor built around an IPS Black panel, a 120Hz refresh rate and Thunderbolt 4 docking. IT Pro called it a worthy evolution for office use while judging its gaming ability still short of the mark, and flagged backlight and panel uniformity as poor. MonitorNerds was warmer about the display but criticised the very short bundled cables and Dell's software. It suits professionals doing photo and video work who want one cable to the laptop, not gamers.

Strengths

— Excellent image quality in both SDR and HDR with DisplayHDR 600 certification
— Improved 120Hz refresh rate for better productivity and light gaming
— 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 connectivity supporting 120Hz 4K, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and 2.5Gbe Ethernet via single cable

Watch-outs

— Backlight and panel uniformity issues reported by some users
— Still not suitable for serious gaming despite 120Hz refresh rate

$637.5 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best USB-C Monitors

MSI Modern MD272UPSW

3.8

2 sources$349as of May 19

The MSI Modern MD27UPHW is a 27-inch 4K smart monitor that straddles TV and PC duty. PCWorld called it a 'solid smart monitor powered by Google TV OS' and liked the attractive design and included remote control. PCMag praised the bright image and streaming capabilities but found the color performance just so-so. It undercuts many alternatives on price, with the caveats that the color gamut isn't advanced and Ethernet connectivity doesn't extend to the connected PC.

Strengths

— Attractive and functional design with sleek white colorway
— Google TV OS is great for streaming and smart features
— Includes a TV-style remote control for easy navigation

Watch-outs

— Mediocre color gamut and performance
— Ethernet port doesn't extend connectivity to connected PC

Full review →

How they stack up

Dell UltraSharp U2725QE

The Dell UltraSharp U2725QE is the productivity-focused pick — IPS Black contrast and Thunderbolt 4 give it the cleanest desk-docking story in the lineup. It trades the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM's gaming features for a much lower price, while beating the older U2723QE on contrast and the larger U3225QE on cost-per-inch.

MSI Modern MD272UPSW

The MSI Modern MD27UPHW is the smart-monitor wildcard — its Google TV OS and included remote let it double as a streaming display, which none of the Dell UltraSharps or the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM offer. It trades color accuracy and panel quality for that flexibility; pick it only if the smart-TV features matter.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Dell UltraSharp U2725QE	MSI Modern MD272UPSW
Size	27 inches	27-inch
Resolution	3840x2160	3840×2160
Panel Type	IPS Black	IPS LCD
Refresh Rate	120Hz	60Hz
Connectivity	Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4	1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x USB-C (65W PD), 2x USB-A 2.0, 1x Ethernet, 3.5mm audio out
HDR	VESA DisplayHDR 600	HDR10
Weight	15.6 lb	—
Smart	—	Google TV OS, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5, remote control
Audio	—	2x 3W speakers

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