Dell vs HP Monitor: Which Brand is Better for You?

Dell edges out HP for the best all-around monitor due to superior color accuracy, adaptive sync, response times and adjustability. HP counters with solid budget entertainment options. Choosing comes down to visual performance needs versus cheaper prices.

Nowadays, Dell and HP are two of the top contenders when it comes to monitors. With so many options to choose from, it can get overwhelming deciding between the two brands. That’s why we created this straightforward comparison. We carefully assess everything from visual specs to pricing to extra features.

So whether you’re buying a monitor for gaming, creative projects, office work or casual browsing, our detailed guide has insight you won’t find in the standard product reviews.

By the end, you’ll know which brand is right for your needs and budget. And if you still have questions, we’ve got answers.

Head to Head Brand Comparison

When looking at Dell versus HP monitors, there are some key factors that set them apart:

Pricing

Both brands offer monitors at various price points. HP tends to be more affordable on the low end for basic 1080p monitors under $150. Dell has better sales on higher-end monitors over $300 with features like 2K or 4K resolution, fast refresh rates and richer color production.

Overall, HP monitors can be cheaper if you want something simple and reliable. But Dell takes the lead on budget-friendly options for gaming, creative work and power users needing top visual performance.

Screen Size Options

Dell has an advantage here, selling monitors as small as 19 inches for tight spaces up to 49 inches ultra-wide models. HP’s range spans 21.5 to 34 inches for the most part. So Dell is better for both compact setups and extra immersive multi-screen workstations.

Adaptive Sync

Nearly all gaming monitors these days support adaptive sync which matches the monitor’s refresh rate to your graphics card for smoother, tear-free visuals. Both HP and Dell offer AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync compatible models across their lineups. It’s a tie here.

Panel Types

Dell and HP sell various monitor panels including:

• IPS – Best color accuracy and viewing angles
• VA – High contrast for deep blacks
• TN – Fastest response time for gaming

Dell’s strengths lie with their premium IPS and OLED panels for creative professionals needing color precision. HP leans towards more affordable VA and TN options better suited for fast-paced gaming and media playback.

When it comes to panel lottery, both brands source from third parties so there can be variance in quality control. Select high-rated, top-selling models from either brand to get the best panel. Dell tends to have better brand recognition among discerning shoppers.

Resolution and Aspect Ratios

The most common resolutions you’ll find are:

• 1080p Full HD
• 1440p 2K QHD
• 4K UHD

Ultra-wides with 21:9 instead of 16:9 aspect ratios are also available from both companies spanning 2560×1080 up to 3440×1440.

Refresh Rates

If you want a monitor for gaming or video editing, higher refresh rates make a big difference in producing smooth, fluid visuals.

Most everyday monitors have a 60Hz refresh rate, meaning they redraw the image on-screen 60 times per second. Dell and HP offer a range from 60Hz up to 240Hz across their lineups.

For fast-paced FPS games, a 144Hz or 240Hz model would be ideal. Dell’s Alienware models specialize in high refresh rates to keep up with graphics cards when gaming. Some budget HP models only reach 75Hz but have FreeSync support.

For non-gaming usage like office work, lower cost 60Hz options are fine from either brand. But creative editors doing intensive production would still benefit from 100Hz+ for previewing content smoothly.

Connectivity

You’ll want to ensure your monitor has the right ports for your computer setup and accessory needs whether it’s HDMI, DisplayPort, USB and so on.

In this category, Dell generally offers more connectivity options even on lower-priced models within a given screen size tier. HP monitors sometimes have fewer ports to cut costs which can limit your configuration flexibility. So Dell pulls ahead for connectivity.

Design and Build Quality

Dell and HP monitors run the gamut from basic plastic stands and case materials to premium metal finishes with fully adjustable stands.

In terms of high-end, professional grade fit and finish, Dell edges out HP a bit. For example, the popular Dell UltraSharp series aimed at creatives feature excellent color accuracy out of the box paired with durable metal stands and thin bezels.

That said, HP makes some fantastic looking entertainment monitors with unique design flairs not found in Dell models. And for standard office usage, HP gets the job done with a range of affordable essentials.

One advantage with HP is most of their monitors use VESA mounting holes on the back so you can swap out the stand easily with third party monitor arms. Dell varies more model to model.

Extra Features

Small touches that improve convenience and customization also set monitors apart. Think USB hubs to connect peripherals directly to the display, built-in webcams and creative calibration tools.

While both manufacturers offer a range of nice value-adds, Dell is generally better about including these extra features consistently across model lines. Even their budget options surprise with versatile stand adjustments and ports that are absent on cheaper HP alternatives.

Table Comparing Top Model Specs

To see how the two brands stack up spec for spec, we’ll compare one of Dell’s most popular monitors against a comparable HP model.

Specs	Dell S2721DGF	HP X27q
Panel Type	Nano IPS	IPS
Screen Size	27″	27″
Aspect Ratio	16:9	16:9
Resolution	2560 x 1440 QHD	2560 x 1440 QHD
Refresh Rate	165Hz	165Hz
Response Time	1ms	5ms
Adaptive Sync	AMD FreeSync + Nvidia G-Sync	AMD FreeSync
HDR	HDR400	No HDR
Ports	2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 4 x USB 3.0 hub	2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x USB-C
Stand Adjustment	Height, Swivel, Tilt, Pivot	Height, Swivel, Tilt
Price	$599	$379

Analysis: At first glance, both monitors have similar 2K gaming specs like 165Hz refresh rates. But the Dell model brings a faster “1ms” response time through overdrive compared to 5ms typically found in IPS panels.

The S2721DGF also supports both major adaptive sync standards for broader compatibility. And you get richer contrast from Dell’s nano IPS technology plus better overall adjustability. The HP costs quite a bit less but makes some tradeoffs.

Which Brand is Best for Gaming?

When choosing a gaming monitor, you’ll want to consider:

• Refresh Rate – The higher the refresh rate, the smoother games and motion will look. Aim for at least 144Hz for proper high FPS gameplay.
• Response Time – This determines smearing and motion clarity. 1ms is ideal but prices go up. 4-5ms is fine for casual gaming.
• Adaptive Sync – Match refresh rate to your GPU’s frame rate to prevent screen tearing. AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync help.
• Screen Size – Bigger 27″ to 32″ models immerse you more compared to 24″ monitors. Curved screens also increase immersion on large displays.

Based on these factors, Dell tends to provide better specifications per dollar when shopping for a high performance gaming monitor.

For example, their Alienware models are renowned for achieving true 1ms response times not found on cheaper displays. Paired with buttery smooth frames enabled by G-Sync or FreeSync support at higher refresh rates compared to HP’s entertainment-leaning lineup.

That said, HP makes some excellent budget gaming picks like the 25″ OMEN 25f with 165Hz refresh rate and FreeSync starting under $200. So they take the cake for affordable esports-ready options.

Which Brand is Best for Creative Work?

For creative professionals, color accuracy and panel quality trump fast response times or high refresh rates. When editing photos, video or digital art, you’ll want a monitor that can display consistent, true-to-life colors.

Key factors for creative displays include:

• Color Gamut – Wider color gamuts like DCI-P3 show more accurate shades needed for production work. Look for 95%+ coverage.
• Factory Calibration – Monitors pre-calibrated from the factory save you time tuning screens manually. Dell’s PremierColor promises excellent out-of-box color.
• Panel Types – IPS panels offer the best viewing angles and color reproduction thanks to advanced liquid crystal alignments.
• Resolution – Higher resolutions provide more on-screen real estate for editing timelines, assets and toolbars at a glance.

Considering these criteria, Dell wins out as the superior brand for creative professionals. Their UltraSharp series in particular offers outstanding factory color calibration with PremierColor coverage across various monitor sizes.

You’ll also find more consistent color, contrast and brightness uniformity compared to HP. This prevents tone and hue shifting in different parts of the screen which is unacceptable for color-sensitive workloads.

Summary

When weighing everything we covered in this comprehensive comparison, Dell emerges as the superior brand for shoppers wanting a premium, performance-driven monitor.

Dell simply provides better execution on color accuracy, adaptive sync technology, pixel response times and adjustability for both gaming and creative workflows. And their high-end selections have some of the best factory calibration available.

That said, HP makes excellent monitors for more casual users who care most about sizeable screens for entertainment at an affordable price point. Their focus stays on the fundamentals rather than specialized features.

So while Dell takes the win for discerning shoppers, HP has solid bang-for-buck options. We suggest keeping an eye out for the latest deals and pricing fluctuations on both brands. Quality can meet different needs across budgets.