Bottom Line
The Dell G2722HS is a 1080p high refresh rate IPS gaming monitor with certified G-SYNC compatibility, a height-adjustable stand and a rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time speed.
If you’re looking for a cheap 1080p high refresh rate IPS gaming monitor, you’ve probably noticed that there is a lot to choose from, which can be quite overwhelming.
The Dell G2722HS is one of the most inexpensive models (if you can find it on sale for $150), so let’s see how it stacks up!
Image Quality
For most users, the deciding factor regarding whether they should get this monitor will come down to pixel density.
The 1920×1080 Full HD resolution on the 27″ sized screen of the Dell G2722HS monitor results in a pixel density of 81.59 PPI (pixels per inch).
As a result, you get somewhat pixelated picture quality and limited screen real estate since text, icons and application windows take up a lot of your screen space.
While watching movies or playing games, this isn’t as obvious, though you will have to use anti-aliasing to mask some low-resolution artifacts in games, such as jagged lines (also known as the staircase effect).
Overall, if you have a decent mid-range GPU, we recommend going with a 27″ 1440p gaming monitor instead for sharper details and more screen space. In case you can’t afford it or don’t have the PC specs to run games at 1440p, then a smaller 24″ 1080p monitor will provide you with a higher pixel density.
Of course, a larger 27″ screen can make the overall viewing experience more immersive even if you don’t get as crisp details, so it’s still worth considering for those who don’t mind the low pixel density and would rather have a bigger display.
Moving on, the Dell G2722HS uses an IPS panel with 178° wide viewing angles and ~99% sRGB color gamut coverage, which results in accurate and consistent colors without strong over-saturation. What’s more, the image remains flawless regardless of the angle you’re looking at it.
The monitor also has a strong peak brightness of 350-nits, meaning that it can get more than bright enough even in well-lit rooms.
As expected from an IPS panel, the static contrast ratio amounts to 1,000:1, so you won’t get as deep blacks as that of VA panels, which usually have a contrast ratio of around 3,000:1. However, VA monitors have other disadvantages, especially at this price range, including slower response time and narrower viewing angles.
You should also keep in mind that all IPS monitors suffer from IPS glow, but its intensity varies from unit to unit and it’s completely manageable in most cases.
Performance
The Dell G2722HS has three response time overdrive modes: Fast, Super Fast and Extreme. We recommend just leaving it at ‘Fast’ for the best performance without any visible trailing behind fast-moving objects.
The Super Fast and Extreme modes are too aggressive as they add noticeable inverse ghosting (pixel overshoot).
Input lag performance is also excellent with only ~4ms of delay, which is imperceptible.
Next, the Dell G2722HS supports variable refresh rate (VRR) with both AMD’s FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA’s G-SYNC Compatible certifications for tear-free gameplay up to 165FPS.
G-SYNC Compatible works over DisplayPort for supported GeForce GPUs, while FreeSync is available over both DP and HDMI for Radeon graphics cards, and over HDMI for compatible Xbox consoles.
Finally, the monitor has a flicker-free backlight and a hardware solution (ComfortView Plus) that filters out harmful low-blue light without affecting color accuracy.
Features
At the rear of the monitor, there’s a directional joystick for quick and easy navigation through the menu, as well as four additional hotkeys for shortcuts, while the power button is located beneath the bottom bezel on the right side.
Useful gaming features include Dark Stabilizer (improves visibility in dark scenes), on-screen timers, a refresh rate tracker and various picture presets, including three customizable Game profiles.
Besides the standard image settings (brightness, contrast, color temperature, etc.), the Dell G2722HS offers aspect ratio control (16:9, 4:3 and 5:4), sharpness, hue/saturation (for some picture modes) and auto input detection.
Design & Connectivity
The monitor’s stand is sturdy and offers a good range of ergonomics, including up to 100mm height adjustment, -5°/21° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
The screen has a light matte anti-glare coating that prevents reflections without adding too much graininess to the picture.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2 and a headphone jack.
The monitor also supports the 1080p 120Hz mode on the PS5 and the Xbox Series/One S/X consoles.
Price & Similar Monitors
The Dell G2722HS can be found for as low as $150 and at that price, it’s one of our top-recommended 27″ 1080p 144Hz+ IPS gaming monitors thanks to its certified G-SYNC compatibility, rapid response time speed and height-adjustable stand.
However, keep in mind that the Gigabyte G27F-2 sometimes goes on sale for $150. It’s also a 27″ 1080p 165Hz IPS gaming monitor, but with a wider color gamut, a USB hub and MBR (Motion Blur Reduction).
If you’d rather have a 24″ model, there’s the Dell G2422HS variant, but it doesn’t offer as good value for money since the BenQ EX240 can be found for ~$150.
The prices of these budget gaming monitors often fluctuate, so feel free to leave us a comment below if you need help picking the model that’s most suited for you and we’ll gladly help you out.
To learn more about monitors and ensure you’re getting the model most suited for your personal preference, visit our comprehensive and always up-to-date best gaming monitor buyer’s guide.
Conclusion
Overall, the Dell G2722HS offers excellent value for money when it’s on sale, smooth performance and decent image quality, so if you don’t mind the low pixel density, it’s one of the best budget gaming monitors available.
Specifications
Screen Size | 27-inch |
Resolution | 1920×1080 (Full HD) |
Panel Type | IPS |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 (Widescreen) |
Refresh Rate | 165Hz |
Response Time | 1ms (GtG) |
Adaptive-Sync | FreeSync Premium (48-165Hz) G-SYNC Compatible (48-165Hz) |
Ports | DisplayPort 1.2, 2x HDMI 2.0 |
Other Ports | Headphone Jack |
Brightness | 350 cd/m² |
Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 (static) |
Colors | 16.7 million (8-bit) 99% sRGB |
VESA | Yes (100x100mm) |
The Pros:
- Accurate and consistent colors
- Quick response time, low input lag
- Plenty of features, including VRR up to 165Hz
- Height-adjustable stand
The Cons:
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
- Low pixel density
- Design lacks swivel/pivot option