Samsung Smart Monitor M50D 32" Black 2024

The Samsung M50D is a 32-inch 1080p smart monitor that's more TV than monitor. It's not fast or color-accurate, but the built-in streaming apps and USB-C make it a killer secondary screen. At $279, it's a solid buy for casual use, not for gamers or creatives.

The M50D runs at 60Hz with a 4ms response time, which puts it in the bottom third of our database for performance. It's fine for office work, streaming, and casual console gaming, but fast-paced shooters will feel mushy. The VA panel gives you decent contrast, but 250 nits peak brightness means HDR10 is more of a checkbox than an experience. Color coverage at 72% NTSC lands in the mediocre range, so don't expect vibrant, accurate colors. The built-in speakers are a nice touch for a dorm room or kitchen setup, but they won't replace a soundbar.

Stacked against the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCDMG, MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2, or LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B, the M50D looks like it's from a different planet. Those are high-refresh OLED gaming panels with 1440p or 4K resolutions. The M50D is a 60Hz 1080p VA panel. But here's the thing: none of those monitors have a smart TV OS built in. The Gigabyte MO27U2 SA and Alienware AW2725D are better displays in every measurable way, but they're also more expensive and require a PC or console to do anything. The M50D wins on convenience, not performance.

At $279 USD, the M50D is priced like a budget monitor but acts like a small smart TV. That's the value proposition. You're not paying for high refresh rates or color accuracy, you're paying for the Tizen OS and the convenience of not needing a separate streaming box. If you want a secondary screen for a bedroom or kitchen, this is a solid deal. If you want a primary work monitor, the 1080p resolution on a 32-inch panel will start to bug you after a few hours.

The Samsung Smart Monitor M5 M50D is a 32-inch 1080p VA panel that doubles as a streaming TV. It runs Samsung's Tizen smart platform, so you get Netflix, Samsung TV Plus, and the Gaming Hub without plugging in a PC. That's the whole pitch: one screen for work and play.

At 60Hz with a 4ms response time, this is not a gaming monitor. It's a lifestyle display. The 250 nits brightness and 72% NTSC coverage are fine for casual use, but anyone doing color work should keep walking. The real draw is convenience, not raw specs.

Skip this if you need a serious work monitor. The 1080p resolution on a 32-inch panel means text looks soft, and the 250 nits brightness will struggle in a sunlit office. Gamers should also look elsewhere, the 60Hz refresh rate is a dealbreaker for anything competitive. And if you do any photo or video editing, the 72% NTSC color coverage will leave you guessing at what your work actually looks like.

Buy this if you want a bedroom TV that can also handle light productivity. It's perfect for a dorm room, a small apartment, or a kitchen counter where you want to watch Netflix and occasionally check email. The smart features are genuinely useful, and the USB-C port makes laptop docking painless. Just don't expect it to replace a proper gaming monitor or a color-accurate work display.