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If you’re looking for a new 4K resolution monitor to pair up with a great laptop, PC, or Mac, your search will get complicated quickly. All the features and options can be overwhelming, from HDR support to refresh rates and speakers.
One monitor that makes that all easy is the LG UltraFine 32UN650W. It packs in a ton of great features for under $500, like excellent color accuracy, built-in speakers, HDR support, a sleek design, and joystick controls that make the menus easy to navigate. It’s also great for light PC gaming thanks to AMD FreeSync, although it has a low 60Hz refresh rate that might be too limiting for more serious gamers.
LG UltraFine 32UN650W is one of the best affordable 4K monitors you can buy. It has a really sleek design that features joystick buttons for menu controls, great color accuracy, and even HDR support. The only weakness is that despite supporting AMD FreeSync for basic PC gaming, it maxes out at a 60Hz refresh rate.
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Screen Size: 31.5 inches
Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 3.5mm headphone out
Display Technology: IPS
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Screen Brightness: 370 nits (standard) 1,000 nits HDR
Display Size: 28.1 x 20.6 x 8.9 inches
Display Weight: 18.1 pounds
Mounting Options: VESA compatible
Sound: 2x 5 Watt speakers
Tilt: -5~20°
HDR: HDR10
Variable Refresh: No
Pros
- HDR10 support
- Joystick controls
- Integrated speakers
- Slim stand and design
Cons
- Doesn’t have USB ports
- Maxes out at 60Hz resolution
- No ability to rotate vertically
- White finish can get dirty over time
The 32-inch LG UltraFine 32UN650W was originally released in 2020 and is still available today. The suggested retail price is $450, which will vary depending on the retailer. At the time of this writing, Amazon has it for $350, and Best Buy has it for $360. The monitor is also available at B&H and Walmart
Many monitors I’ve reviewed, like competing Dell 4K monitors or Lenovo displays, tend to have large, bulky stands. Some examples include the Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q and even the budget-friendly Legion Y25-30. However, LG is thinking differently with the UltraFine 32UN650W, one of the slimmest, sleekest monitors you’ll see for sale, all the way down to the stand. It sports an open design shaped like a semi-circle, giving the monitor a slim look and providing more physical room on your desk to place items under it. The supporting arm on the rear even has an integrated cable clip, so you can route your cables more efficiently.
The monitor itself is all white on the back, with a touch of black on the bottom bezel in the front where the joystick is. I do like that white color choice, as it’s something that Dell has been using on the UltraSharp lineup for a while. It helped the monitor blend in with my setup, but that white finish does tend to get dirty over time, especially during my prolonged period of use.
Another thing that’s cool about the back of the monitor? The ports aren’t tucked away under the back where they’re harder to reach. Rather, the ports are in the middle in the back of the monitor, making it easy to plug and unplug the cables! There are two HDMI 2.0 ports (supporting HDCP 2.2), DisplayPort 1.4, and an audio jack for connection to soundbars and external speakers.
LG UltraFine 32UN650W: Should you buy?
You should buy the LG UltraFine 32UN650W if:
- You’re on a budget and need a 4K HDR 60 Hz monitor.
- You need a monitor to connect to multiple devices.
- You want a monitor that has integrated speakers.
You shouldn’t buy the LG UltraFine 32UN650W if:
- You’re a serious PC gamer or need a higher refresh rate.
- You need USB ports.
Having it in my home for over a few months, I must say that the LG UltraFine 32UN650W is a great monitor for anyone on a budget. Coming in at under $500, it packs a lot of features that you’d usually only find on more expensive monitors. You get HDR 10, joystick controls on the monitor and many extra menu options that can boost image quality for gaming and beyond. Color accuracy is even in line with that of a more premium monitor, which means this monitor certainly will make whatever you’re working on or looking at more life-like and vibrant.