Dell U2518D vs UltraSharp U2520D

Which Monitor Is Better?

Products

Dell U2518D
Dell UltraSharp U2520D

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jun 07, 2024 08:54 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated May 29, 2024 01:46 PM

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Amazon.com

Our Verdict

Dell U2518D

Dell UltraSharp U2520D

The Dell UltraSharp U2520D is a bit better than its predecessor, the Dell U2518D. The U2520D has a better SDR color gamut, quicker response time, and much lower input lag. However, the U2518D has much better out-of-the-box color accuracy and it handles reflections a bit better too.

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Variants

  • U2518D (25")
  • U2520D (25")

Check Price

25"
U2518D
B&H
25"
U2520D
B&H
25"
U2518D
Dell
25"
U2520D
Dell

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 
 

7.6
7.7
No major differences between these monitors for mixed usage. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Design Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Design Picture

Size  

25"
25"

Curved  

No
No

Curve Radius  

Not Curved
Not Curved

Weight (without stand) 
 

7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)
9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)

Weight (with stand) 
 

12.8 lbs (5.8 kg)
13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
Show Text 

Stand  

Stand Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Stand Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Stand Picture

Width 
 

11.5" (29.2 cm)
9.6" (24.4 cm)

Depth 
 

7.9" (20.1 cm)
7.3" (18.5 cm)
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

8.5
8.4

Ergonomics Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Ergonomics Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Ergonomics Picture

Height Adjustment 
 

5.1" (13.0 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)

Switch Portrait/Landscape  

Yes, Both Ways
Yes, Both Ways

Swivel Range  

-30° to 30°
-45° to 45°

Tilt Range  

-22.5° to 2.5°
-20° to 2.5°
Show Text 

Back  

Back Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Back Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Back Picture

Wall Mount  

VESA 100x100
VESA 100x100
Show Text 

Borders  

Borders Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Borders Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Borders Picture

Borders 
 

0.3" (0.8 cm)
0.3" (0.7 cm)
Show Text 

Thickness  

Thickness Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Thickness Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Thickness Picture

Thickness (with stand) 
 

5.4" (13.7 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)

Thickness (without stand) 
 

2.0" (5.1 cm)
2.0" (5.0 cm)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

7.5
7.5

Build Quality Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Build Quality Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Build Quality Picture
Show Text 
Picture Quality

Contrast 
 

6.3
6.0

Checkerboard Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Checkerboard Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Checkerboard Picture

Native Contrast 
 

1,187 : 1
1,010 : 1

Contrast With Local Dimming 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Local Dimming 
 

0.0
0.0

Local Dimming Video  

Local Dimming 
 

No
No

Backlight 
 

Direct
Edge
Show Text 

SDR Peak Brightness 
 

8.2
7.9

SDR Real Scene 
 

406 cd/m²
332 cd/m²

SDR Peak 2% Window 
 

423 cd/m²
350 cd/m²

SDR Peak 10% Window 
 

426 cd/m²
350 cd/m²

SDR Peak 25% Window 
 

426 cd/m²
351 cd/m²

SDR Peak 50% Window 
 

426 cd/m²
351 cd/m²

SDR Peak 100% Window 
 

426 cd/m²
351 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

421 cd/m²
349 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

424 cd/m²
350 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

425 cd/m²
350 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

425 cd/m²
351 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

425 cd/m²
351 cd/m²

SDR ABL 
 

0.000
0.000
Show Text 

HDR Peak Brightness 
 

7.2
6.7

HDR Real Scene 
 

498 cd/m²
385 cd/m²

HDR Peak 2% Window 
 

476 cd/m²
388 cd/m²

HDR Peak 10% Window 
 

520 cd/m²
436 cd/m²

HDR Peak 25% Window 
 

545 cd/m²
439 cd/m²

HDR Peak 50% Window 
 

562 cd/m²
442 cd/m²

HDR Peak 100% Window 
 

584 cd/m²
444 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

279 cd/m²
388 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

304 cd/m²
436 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

317 cd/m²
439 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

328 cd/m²
441 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

340 cd/m²
443 cd/m²

HDR ABL 
 

0.012
0.008
Show Text 

Horizontal Viewing Angle 
 

8.2
8.2

Horizontal Viewing Angle Video  

Horizontal Chroma Graph 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Horizontal Chroma Graph
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Horizontal Chroma Graph

Color Washout From Left 
 

44°
43°

Color Washout From Right 
 

47°
43°

Horizontal Hue Graph 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Horizontal Hue Graph
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Horizontal Hue Graph

Color Shift From Left 
 

50°
49°

Color Shift From Right 
 

55°
52°

Horizontal Lightness Graph 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Horizontal Lightness Graph
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Horizontal Lightness Graph

Brightness Loss From Left 
 

46°
46°

Brightness Loss From Right 
 

49°
46°

Black Level Raise From Left 
 

70°
70°

Black Level Raise From Right 
 

70°
70°

Gamma Shift From Left 
 

45°
55°

Gamma Shift From Right 
 

53°
57°
Show Text 

Vertical Viewing Angle 
 

6.6
6.6

Vertical Viewing Angle Video  

Vertical Chroma Graph 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Vertical Chroma Graph
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Vertical Chroma Graph

Color Washout From Below 
 

34°
31°

Color Washout From Above 
 

34°
31°

Vertical Hue Graph 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Vertical Hue Graph
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Vertical Hue Graph

Color Shift From Below 
 

34°
33°

Color Shift From Above 
 

37°
32°

Vertical Lightness Graph 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Vertical Lightness Graph
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Vertical Lightness Graph

Brightness Loss From Below 
 

39°
35°

Brightness Loss From Above 
 

39°
34°

Black Level Raise From Below 
 

23°
52°

Black Level Raise From Above 
 

52°
54°

Gamma Shift From Below 
 

33°
31°

Gamma Shift From Above 
 

34°
32°
Show Text 

Gray Uniformity 
 

8.6
8.7

50% Uniformity Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D 50% Uniformity Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D 50% Uniformity Picture

50% Std. Dev. 
 

3.180%
3.014%

50% DSE 
 

0.109%
0.110%

5% Uniformity Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D 5% Uniformity Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D 5% Uniformity Picture

5% Std. Dev. 
 

0.340%
0.394%

5% DSE 
 

0.046%
0.055%
Show Text 

Black Uniformity 
 

5.9
6.1

Native Black Uniformity Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Native Black Uniformity Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Native Black Uniformity Picture

Native Std. Dev. 
 

2.053%
1.965%

Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming

Std. Dev. w/ L.D. 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Pre Calibration 
 

9.2
8.0

Pre Calibration Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Pre Calibration Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Pre Calibration Picture

Pre Gamma Curve Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Pre Gamma Curve Picture

Pre Color Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Pre Color Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Pre Color Picture

Picture Mode 
 

Standard
Color Space (sRGB)

Luminance 
 

275 cd/m²
75 cd/m²

Luminance Settings 
 

75
21

Contrast Setting 
 

75
75

RGB Controls 
 

100-100-100
100-100-100

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature 
 

6,720 K
6,606 K

White Balance dE 
 

1.28
3.01

Color dE 
 

1.15
1.99

Gamma 
 

2.19
2.25
Show Text 

Post Calibration 
 

9.7
9.7

Post Calibration Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Post Calibration Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Post Calibration Picture

Post Gamma Curve Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Post Gamma Curve Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Post Gamma Curve Picture

Post Color Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Post Color Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Post Color Picture

Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Custom Color

Luminance 
 

99 cd/m²
98 cd/m²

Luminance Settings 
 

17
21

Contrast Setting 
 

75
75

RGB Controls 
 

99-98-100
96-98-100

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature 
 

6,513 K
6,470 K

White Balance dE 
 

0.45
0.49

Color dE 
 

0.48
0.40

Gamma 
 

2.18
2.17
Show Text 

SDR Color Gamut 
 

8.7
9.1

Color Gamut sRGB Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Color Gamut sRGB Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Color Gamut sRGB Picture

sRGB xy 
 

98.1%
99.6%

Color Gamut ARGB Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Color Gamut ARGB Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Color Gamut ARGB Picture

Adobe RGB xy 
 

76.1%
82.4%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Custom Color

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Custom Color
Show Text 

SDR Color Volume 
 

8.9
9.3

sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture

sRGB In ICtCp 
 

95.9%
97.8%

Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture

Adobe RGB In ICtCp 
 

80.8%
87.5%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Custom Color

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Custom Color
Show Text 

HDR Color Gamut 
 

6.5
7.0

Wide Color Gamut 
 

No
Yes

Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture

DCI P3 xy 
 

72.6%
71.9%

Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture

Rec. 2020 xy 
 

56.9%
68.2%

DCI P3 Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Display HDR

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Display HDR
Show Text 

HDR Color Volume 
 

5.9
6.5

P3 Color Volume ITP Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D P3 Color Volume ITP Picture

DCI-P3 In ICtCp 
 

66.6%
63.7%

2020 Color Volume ITP Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture

Rec. 2020 In ICtCp 
 

49.6%
66.2%

DCI P3 Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Display HDR

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Display HDR
Show Text 

Image Retention 
 

10
10

Image Retention Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Image Retention Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Image Retention Picture

IR After 0 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 2 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 4 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 6 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 8 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 10 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%
Show Text 

Gradient 
 

9.4
8.4

Gradient Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Gradient Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Gradient Picture

Color Depth 
 

10 Bit
8 Bit
Show Text 

Color Bleed 
 

10
10

Color Bleed Horizontal 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Color Bleed Horizontal
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Color Bleed Horizontal

Pixel Row Error 
 

0.000%
0.001%

Color Bleed Vertical 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Color Bleed Vertical
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Color Bleed Vertical

Pixel Column Error 
 

0.001%
0.009%
Show Text 

Reflections 
 

6.9
6.4

Average Room 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Average Room
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Average Room

Average Room Off Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Average Room Off Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Average Room Off Picture

Bright Room Off Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Bright Room Off Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Bright Room Off Picture

Screen Finish 
 

Matte
Matte

Total Reflections 
 

6.3%
7.3%

Indirect Reflections 
 

3.3%
3.9%

Calculated Direct Reflections 
 

3.0%
3.4%
Show Text 

Text Clarity 
 

8.0
7.5

ClearType On 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D ClearType On
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D ClearType On

Pixel Type 
 

IPS
IPS

ClearType Off 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D ClearType Off
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D ClearType Off

Pixels 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Pixels
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Pixels

Sub-Pixel Layout 
 

RGB
RGB
Show Text 
Motion

Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate 
 

7.7
8.3

Motion Blur Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Motion Blur Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Motion Blur Picture

Response Time Table 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Response Time Table
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Response Time Table

Best Overdrive Setting 
 

Normal
Normal

Rise / Fall Time 
 

8.0 ms
6.3 ms

Total Response Time 
 

15.5 ms
12.5 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

1.7%
5.2%

Dark Rise / Fall Time 
 

8.5 ms
7.0 ms

Dark Total Response Time 
 

16.7 ms
13.3 ms

Dark Overshoot Error 
 

3.2%
7.3%
Show Text 

Response Time @ 60Hz 
 

7.7
8.3

Motion Blur Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Motion Blur Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Motion Blur Picture

Response Time Table 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Response Time Table
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Response Time Table

Best Overdrive Setting 
 

Normal
Normal

Rise / Fall Time 
 

8.0 ms
6.3 ms

Total Response Time 
 

15.5 ms
12.5 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

1.7%
5.2%

Dark Rise / Fall Time 
 

8.5 ms
7.0 ms

Dark Total Response Time 
 

16.7 ms
13.3 ms

Dark Overshoot Error 
 

3.2%
7.3%
Show Text 

Image Flicker 
 

10
10

Backlight Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Backlight Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Backlight Picture

Flicker-Free  

No
Yes

PWM Dimming Frequency 
 

940 Hz
0 Hz
Show Text 

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

0.0
0.0

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

No
No BFI

BFI Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D BFI Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D BFI Picture

BFI Frequency Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D BFI Frequency Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D BFI Frequency Picture

BFI Maximum Frequency 
 

N/A
N/A

BFI Minimum Frequency 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Refresh Rate 
 

5.9
5.9

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

No VRR
No VRR

Native 
 

60 Hz
60 Hz

Max Refresh Rate 
 

60 Hz
60 Hz

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

No
No

FreeSync 
 

No
No

G-SYNC 
 

No
No

VRR Maximum 
 

N/A
N/A

VRR Minimum 
 

No VRR
No VRR

VRR Supported Connectors  

No VRR
No VRR
Show Text 
Inputs

Input Lag 
 

8.0
9.0

Native Resolution 
 

15.8 ms
8.7 ms

Native Resolution @ 60Hz 
 

15.8 ms
8.7 ms

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

N/A
N/A

Variable Refresh Rate @ 60Hz 
 

N/A
N/A

10 Bit HDR 
 

19.8 ms
N/A

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Resolution And Size 
 

8.3
8.3

Native Resolution  

2560 x 1440
2560 x 1440

Aspect Ratio  

16:9
16:9

Megapixels  

3.7 MP
3.7 MP

Pixel Density 
 

118 PPI
117 PPI

Screen Diagonal  

25.0"
25.0"

Screen Area  

266 in²
268 in²
Show Text 

Inputs  

Inputs 1 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Inputs 1
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Inputs 1

Inputs 2 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Inputs 2
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Inputs 2

Total Inputs  

DisplayPort  

1 (DP 1.2)
1 (DP 1.4)

Mini DisplayPort  

1 (DP 1.2)
No

HDMI  

1 (HDMI 2.0)
1 (HDMI 2.0)

DVI  

No
No

VGA  

No
No

DisplayPort Out  

1 (DP 1.2)
1 (DP 1.4)

USB  

4 (USB 3.0)
3 (USB 3.0)

USB C  

No
2 (1x USB, USB PD, DP Alt Mode, 1x USB 3 Amp))

Analog Audio Out 3.5mm  

1
1

Microphone In 3.5mm  

No
No

Digital Optical Audio Out  

No
No

Analog Audio Out RCA  

No
No

Power Supply  

Internal
Internal
Show Text 
Features

Additional Features 
 

RGB Illumination 
 

No
No

Speakers 
 

No
No

HDR10  

Yes
Yes

Multiple Input Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

On-Screen Display (OSD)  

OSD Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D OSD Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D OSD Picture

Controls  

Controls Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D Controls Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Controls Picture
Show Text 

In The Box  

In The Box Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dell U2518D In The Box Picture
Compare High-Res
Dell UltraSharp U2520D In The Box Picture
Show Text 

Check Price

25"
U2518D
B&H
25"
U2520D
B&H
25"
U2518D
Dell
25"
U2520D
Dell

Dell U2518D

Dell UltraSharp U2520D

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  1. Comparison

Dell U2518D vs Dell UltraSharp U2520D: Main Discussion

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