Dell S2721D 27" silver 2020

The Dell S2721D is a 27-inch 1440p IPS monitor with a 75Hz refresh rate and 99% sRGB coverage. It delivers sharp, vibrant visuals at a reasonable price, making it a solid pick for productivity and casual gaming. Just don't expect much from the built-in speakers or the non-adjustable stand.

The S2721D runs at 2560 x 1440 with a 75Hz refresh rate. That's not going to blow anyone away on paper, but in practice it's a noticeable step up from 60Hz. Owners describe the motion as "buttery smooth" for everyday use and casual gaming. The IPS panel covers 99% of sRGB, which means colors look vibrant and accurate out of the box. For photo editing and design work, that's a real plus.

Our database puts the display quality at the 72nd percentile, which is solid but not exceptional. The performance score lands at the 44th percentile, dragged down by the modest refresh rate and lack of gaming-focused features. One quirk worth knowing: HDMI is limited to 60Hz at native resolution. If you want the full 75Hz, you'll need to use DisplayPort. That's a small annoyance, but it catches people off guard.

The S2721D isn't really competing with the heavy hitters in our database. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCDMG and MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 are 4K OLED gaming monitors that cost significantly more and offer dramatically better performance. The LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B and Samsung Odyssey G60SD are high-refresh gaming panels aimed at competitive players. If you're comparing the Dell to any of those, the Dell loses on speed and features every time.

But that's not the point. The S2721D is for people who want a good-looking 1440p display for work, casual gaming, and photo editing without spending OLED money. Against other budget 1440p IPS monitors, it holds up well on display quality and color accuracy. The trade-offs are the stand, the speakers, and the 75Hz ceiling. If you can live with those, it's a genuinely pleasant monitor to use every day.

At $299 USD, the S2721D is a solid deal for a 27-inch 1440p IPS monitor. You're getting good color accuracy, a decent refresh rate bump, and a clean design without paying a premium. The catch is that you're also getting a cheap stand and speakers that are basically decorative. If you plan to mount it on a VESA arm and use your own audio setup, the value proposition gets a lot better. Compared to the competition, this sits in a comfortable middle ground: cheaper than OLED and high-refresh gaming monitors, but pricier than basic 1080p office panels.

The Dell S2721D is a 27-inch 1440p IPS monitor that sits in that sweet spot between budget 1080p panels and pricey 4K displays. At around $299 USD, it's aimed at people who want sharper text and more screen real estate without dropping a grand on a high-refresh gaming monitor. The spec sheet is modest but sensible: 2560 x 1440 resolution, 75Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync, and 99% sRGB coverage.

Is the Dell S2721D good for gaming? Sort of. The 75Hz refresh rate and FreeSync support make it smoother than a standard 60Hz office monitor, and owners say response time is fine for casual first-person shooters. But if you're chasing 144Hz or higher for competitive play, this isn't the panel for you. For photo editing, design work, and general productivity, the 1440p resolution on a 27-inch IPS screen is a genuinely nice upgrade from 1080p.

One thing to know upfront: the built-in speakers are bad. Like, really bad. Multiple owners describe them as tinny and too quiet. The stand is also non-adjustable and a bit wobbly. But the panel itself? Most people love it. The display quality and value for money are the two things buyers consistently praise.

Skip the S2721D if you're a competitive gamer who needs 144Hz or higher refresh rates. The 75Hz ceiling and HDMI limitation will frustrate you. Also skip it if you rely on built-in monitor speakers for audio, because these are genuinely bad. And if you need height adjustment or a rock-solid stand without buying a separate VESA mount, this isn't the monitor for you. For competitive gaming, look at something like the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B or Samsung Odyssey G60SD. For a better out-of-box ergonomic experience, consider monitors with fully adjustable stands in the same price range.

Should you buy the Dell S2721D? If you want a 27-inch 1440p IPS monitor for productivity, photo editing, or casual gaming, and you don't care about built-in speakers or an adjustable stand, then yes. The panel quality is good, colors are accurate, and the 75Hz refresh rate is a nice bonus over standard office monitors. Most owners are happy with it, and the 4.3-star average across 286 reviews backs that up.

But if you're a competitive gamer who needs 144Hz or higher, or if you want a monitor with a sturdy, adjustable stand out of the box, look elsewhere. The S2721D is a great panel wrapped in a mediocre package. Mount it on a VESA arm, plug in some real speakers, and you'll forget the compromises exist.