The Dell UltraSharp U4021QW is a great office monitor with an impressive 5k x 2k resolution and a large 40 inch screen, making it very well-suited to productivity and multitasking. It also has some nice extra features, like Picture-in-Picture/Picture-by-Picture and KVM switch capability, but lacks others like HDR support, Black Frame Insertion (BFI), and variable refresh rate (VRR). It has a low contrast ratio, typical of an IPS panel, but its viewing angles are great, so the image stays accurate when viewed from the sides. It also has an incredible color gamut. It gets decently bright, enough to overcome glare in moderate lighting conditions, but it may struggle in very bright rooms. Its response time is decent; fine for casual gaming, but probably not fast enough for more competitive gamers.
Our Verdict
The Dell U4021QW is a good all-around monitor. The large size is well-suited to productivity or immersing yourself in a movie or game, and its exceptionally high resolution delivers a crisp image. It also has an incredible color gamut for content creators working in the sRGB color space. While its response time is fine for casual gaming, it may be too slow for serious gamers, and unfortunately, there's no VRR support.
- 5k x 2k resolution delivers a super crisp image.
- Incredible color gamut.
- Wide viewing angles.
- Large screen is ideal for multitasking.
- Low contrast ratio.
- No HDR, VRR, or BFI.
- May struggle with glare in very bright rooms.
The Dell U4021QW is a great office monitor. Its uniquely large size and resolution let you juggle multiple windows, and it comes with extra features like PIP/PBP and KVM switch. Text clarity is exceptional, and it has great viewing angles, making it easier to share content. Unfortunately, its peak brightness is only decent, so glare may be an issue in very bright, sunny rooms.
- 5k x 2k resolution delivers a super crisp image.
- Text looks exceptionally clear.
- Wide viewing angles.
- Large screen is ideal for multitasking.
- Low contrast ratio.
- May struggle with glare in very bright rooms.
The Dell U4021QW is decent for gaming. It's limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, and while its response time is decent, it may be too slow for more serious gamers. On the upside, the input lag is low, and it has wide viewing angles. Also, its large size is perfect for immersing yourself in a game.
- 5k x 2k resolution delivers a super crisp image.
- Low input lag.
- Large screen size feels immersive.
- Low contrast ratio.
- Doesn't support VRR.
- Response time is only decent.
The Dell U4021QW is decent for multimedia. The size and resolution are incredible for watching movies or other content, delivering plenty of space and a super crisp image. Unfortunately, it has a sub-par contrast ratio, so black looks more like gray in the dark.
- 5k x 2k resolution delivers a super crisp image.
- Incredible color gamut.
- Wide viewing angles.
- Low contrast ratio.
- Doesn't support HDR.
- May struggle with glare in very bright rooms.
The Dell U4021QW is a good media creation monitor. It has an incredible color gamut, including great coverage of the Adobe RGB color space used in photo editing. The size is great for opening multiple windows, and its exceptional 5k x 2k resolution delivers a crisp image. Unfortunately, it has a low contrast ratio, so blacks look more grayish in the dark.
- 5k x 2k resolution delivers a super crisp image.
- Incredible color gamut.
- Large screen is ideal for multitasking.
- Low contrast ratio.
- May struggle with glare in very bright rooms.
The Dell U4021QW doesn't support HDR.
Changelog
- Updated May 03, 2024: Added that the Dell U4025QW has better Contrast.
- Updated Apr 14, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Apr 09, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Mar 31, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 40 inch Dell U4021QW, which is only available in that size. There are no variants, but it's part of Dell's UltraSharp lineup, which features other monitors with similar features aimed at office work and productivity. That said, none of them come in a comparable size or resolution.
If you come across a different type of panel or your Dell U4021QW doesn't correspond to our review, let us know, and we'll update it. Note that some tests, like gray uniformity, may vary between individual units.
Our unit was manufactured in December 2020. You can see the label here.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The Dell UltraSharp U4021QW is a great office monitor. It's similar to the Dell U3818DW in design and aspect ratio, but it has a bigger 40 inch screen and an exceptional 5k x 2k resolution that sets it apart. It's the first and only 5k monitor we've tested. For more options, see our recommendations for the best ultrawide monitors, the best curved monitors, and the best office monitors.
The Dell UltraSharp U4021QW and the Dell U4025QW are extremely similar 40-inch ultrawide productivity monitors. However, the U4025QW is a better monitor with far better image quality. With the U4025QW, deep blacks appear less gray in a dark room, colors on the display are richer and more vibrant, and it has a more responsive feel thanks to its 120Hz display. The U4021QW also doesn't allow you to subdivide the screen into multiple smaller virtual monitors for easier window management.
The LG 40WP95C-W is better than the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW. Both models target media creators, but the LG supports HDR, with amazing coverage of the DCI-P3 color space, and the Dell doesn't support HDR at all. The LG also has slightly better connectivity, with higher bandwidth Thunderbolt 4 ports.
The Dell U4919DW and the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW are both ultrawide monitors that are unique in their own ways. The U4919DW is a super ultrawide with a 32:9 aspect ratio that's like having two full monitors in one. It's great if you need a ton of screen real estate and don't want a dual monitor setup. The U4021QW, on the other hand, has a more manageable 21:9 aspect ratio, but it has a 5120x2160 resolution and greater pixel density that produces an exceptionally sharp image.
The LG 38WN95C-W and the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW are both ultrawide monitors with different advantages and disadvantages. The LG is better for gaming, as it has a much faster response time for clear motion, lower input lag, 144Hz refresh rate, and VRR support. The Dell, however, is a bit bigger, and its 5120x2160 resolution delivers an incredibly crisp image and exceptional text clarity that may appeal to some despite its lack of extra bells and whistles.
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.
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