5

Dell S2721DGF Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar
Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:26 PM

True Score

86
85
4

Experts

92
2,648

Consumers

Product Awards

Top 5

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

Reviewers praised the Dell S2721DGF as a worthwhile pick for multiple uses. They were impressed with its 165Hz refresh rate, wide viewing angles, and excellent ergonomics. However, they didn’t like that it had a low contrast ratio and low brightness levels – issues it has in common with the Lenovo Legion Y27Q-20.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Dell S2721DGF is a 27-inch entry-level display that was announced in early 2021. It has a decent 165Hz refresh rate for smooth transitions and a rapid 6.3ms response time that is quite common with some of the best computer monitors around since keeps fast motion sequences blur-free. Its low input lag allows for responsive gaming, and its impressive build quality keeps it in good condition over long-term use like most top-tier gaming monitors. Unlike the Dell S2721D, it can render HDR content, and thanks to its wide viewing angles, it is an ideal pick for group viewing. The monitor is also easy to adjust and has excellent reflection handling for use in a brightly lit environment.

Consensus

our Verdict

Most reviewers agreed that the Dell S2721DGF is an excellent pick for a wide range of uses. Experts from Rtings hailed it as a great option for use at the office thanks to its wide viewing angles and outstanding ergonomics. They also liked its ability to display a wide range of colors and credited this to its wide color gamut. Testers from Tom’s Hardware were also impressed with its 165Hz refresh rate, as they noted that there were no occasions of screen tearing during their gaming tests. Also commended was the monitor’s reflection handling, as reviewers established that content remained well visible in a bright setting.
Still, critics were not too happy about the monitor’s low contrast ratio, as they found that it made blacks appear gray in a dark room. They also felt that its peak brightness was a little disappointing and that its color accuracy required a lot of calibration.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Excellent ergonomics
  • Wide viewing angles
  • High refresh rate
  • Rapid response time
  • Great reflection handling

Reason to Avoid

  • Low contrast ratio
  • Low brightness levels
  • Color accuracy requires calibration

Dell S2721DGF Specs

Display TypeLCD
HDMI Inputs2
HDR FormatYes
Max Resolution2560 x 1440
Panel TypePanel TypeIPS
Refresh Rate165 Hz
Response TimeResponse Time1 ms
Screen size27"
Sync TechnologySync TechnologyAMD FreeSync, G-Sync

All Specs

Test Results

Brightness (nits)365.02
Contrast Ratio (as ratio, x:1)960.95
Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 xy)97.79
Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 uv)0
Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB Coverage xy)0
Color Gamut % (sRGB Coverage xy)144.9
Color Gamut % (Rec. 2020 Coverage xy)0
Color Gamut % (Rec. 709 Coverage xy)0
Input Lag (ms)24
Response Time (ms)3.5
Reflections % (Total Reflections)0
Horizontal Viewing Angle (Washout Left)0
Horizontal Viewing Angle (Washout Right)0
Vertical Viewing Angle (Washout Above)0
Vertical Viewing Angle (Washout Below)0

All Tests

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Product Comparison

Dell S2721DGF Review

LG 27GL850 Review

LG 27GL850 Review

True Score

86
82
NR
NR

Ranking

#

5

/

196

#

56

/

196

#

/

196

#

/

Market Context

The Dell S2721DGF is a 27-inch entry-level display that was announced in early 2021. It has a decent 165Hz refresh rate for smooth transitions and…

The Dell S2721DGF is a 27-inch entry-level display that was announced in early 2021. It has a decent 165Hz refresh rate for smooth transitions and a rapid 6.3ms response time that is quite common with some of the best computer monitors around since keeps fast motion sequences blur-free. Its low input lag allows for responsive gaming, and its impressive build quality keeps it in good condition over long-term use like most top-tier gaming monitors. Unlike the Dell S2721D, it can render HDR content, and thanks to its wide viewing angles, it is an ideal pick for group viewing. The monitor is also easy to adjust and has excellent reflection handling for use in a brightly lit environment.

The Dell S2721DGF ranks pretty well against the Dell S2722DGM. It supports HDR content, has better reflection handling, offers better viewing angles, and is much…

The Dell S2721DGF ranks pretty well against the Dell S2722DGM. It supports HDR content, has better reflection handling, offers better viewing angles, and is much easier to adjust.

However, the S2272DGM remains the ideal pick for dark room viewing, thanks to its higher contrast levels.

The Dell S2721DGF features much better reflection handling, a higher 165Hz refresh rate, and better ergonomics than the LG 27GL850-B, while the LG monitor has…

The Dell S2721DGF features much better reflection handling, a higher 165Hz refresh rate, and better ergonomics than the LG 27GL850-B, while the LG monitor has much better color accuracy out of the box.

The Dell S2721DGF is similar to the Gigabyte M27Q in most aspects, with the one major difference being that the Dell monitor is way easier…

The Dell S2721DGF is similar to the Gigabyte M27Q in most aspects, with the one major difference being that the Dell monitor is way easier to adjust.

Display Type

LCD

LED

HDMI Inputs

2

2

HDR Format

Yes

n/a

Max Resolution

2560 x 1440

2560 x 1440

Panel Type

IPS

VA

Refresh Rate

165 Hz

165 Hz

Response Time

1 ms

2 ms

Screen size

27"

27"

Dig Deeper

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

85

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

92

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

86

Any product with a True Score above 80 is a Absolutely Fresh

Expert Scores

  • Tom’s Hardware
    89.25

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    If HDR is your thing, there are few better gaming monitors than the Dell S2721DGF…. Read More

    By:

    Rob Shafer
  • Laptop Mag
    64.95

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    The Dell S2721DGF is a stellar 1440p, 165Hz gaming monitor for under $500 with extensive… Read More

    By:

    Ford James
  • Gamesradar
    44.1

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    An unassuming gaming monitor that ticks all the right boxes and performs on nearly all… Read More

    By:

    Christian Eberle
  • Display Ninja
    17.45

    Category Trust Rating

    92
    The Dell S2721DGF is a 27″ 1440p 165Hz gaming monitor based on a Nano IPS… Read More

    By:

    Sean Riley

Customer Scores