- Overall
The LG 32UD59-B offers a large, 4K screen suitable for multitasking and PC or console gaming at a reasonable price. This VA monitor promises comprehensive gamut coverage for extra vibrancy which will make games and movies more enjoyable. The LG 32UD59-B is an excellent value product if you are looking for an all-in-one display for both work and play.
LG 32UD59-B Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 4K UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes (4.72 Inches)
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 28.7” x 22.75” x 9.3″
- Weight: 15.7lbs
Design and Features
The LG 32UD59-B adopts the brand’s familiar minimalist composition composed of a matte black chassis with slim borders and the ArcLine design stand. The bezels are within reasonable thicknesses, giving users an obstruction-free view of the massive screen. This monitor may look just like any other office display, but LG’s subdued approach to aesthetics is more likable for varying tastes.
Despite fitting in the budget-oriented category of 4K monitors, the LG 32UD59-B certainly does not disappoint when it comes to features. The OSD can be accessed via a multi-directional joystick, eliminating the eternal clicking dilemma monitor uses always face. The taps and clicks this part requires may take some getting used to, but the central placement at the bottom bezel is very convenient.
The LG 32UD59-B feels sturdy with a robust build-quality, but it is one of the lightest 32-inch monitors we have ever held. We didn’t notice any wobble from the ArcLine stand which does an excellent job of keeping the package together. Users only get tilt and height adjustments with this monitor which is fine for most uses and of course, its size.
If for some reason you’d like more flexibility for this large screen, you can choose to utilize a VESA compatible armature with a 100 x 100 bolt pattern. This is a good thing since the LG 32UD59-B is highly suitable for wall mounting since the cabinet is quite slim.
The LG 32UD59-B’s is one of its aspects that got hit from the cut corners so LG could fit it into a fantastic price point. For video inputs, you get DisplayPort 1.2 and dual HDMI 2.0, all of which are HDCP 2.2 compliant. There are no other connectors aside from the 3.5mm jack, but users will have sufficient slots for a PC plus a gaming console or two.
Finally, the LG 32UD59-B does include built-in speakers which are disappointing for a display of this size. We can’t complain because the monitor is affordable, but the sound output sounds muffled and unsuited for the monitor’s entertainment purpose.
Display and Performance
The LG 32UD59-B sports a 32-inch VA panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and 5ms response time. A contrast ratio of 3000:1 along with a 300cd/m2 LED backlight are also involved in helping the monitor display the extra depth we all expect from VA technology. Interestingly, the panel is also rated to have a DCI-P3 gamut coverage of 95%, although this model isn’t advertised as HDR-ready unlike the BenQ EW3270U.
A colorimeter would reveal that the LG 32UD59-B can only achieve 99% sRGB coverage which is still plenty for most uses, but indicative that it does not reach its DCI-P3 specifications. Out of the box, color accuracy is a bit off with a Delta E of 3.4 due to the screen’s slightly cooler hue. This can be corrected with calibration to a score of Delta E .9 which is excellent even for professional use.
For plug and play users, you can utilize any of the included gaming filters in the LG 32UD59-B’s OSD. Most, if not all, posted decent accuracy scores making choosing a matter of personal preference. We still recommend the custom setting and taking the time to calibrate, but the decency of the presets is a huge plus for consumers who want to enjoy their 4K content right away.
The contrast ratio can be considered superb as well, reaching a maximum 2560:1 which enables deep, oily blacks and solid color hues. This makes the LG 32UD59-B perfect for games like Vermintide 2 and Hunt: Showdown, where the extra visibility would come in handy. Just be sure to use this monitor in a shaded room, since a lot of natural light may make the screen look dim.
The LG 32UD59-B does reasonably well when it comes to avoiding ghosting or persistence, with most artifacts too faint to ruin your viewing experience. The included Overdrive tool in the OSD did little to change this, and it did induce overshoot which is a lot worse. The artifacts and trails will be present for the most part, but you have to look harder to actually notice them.
What’s brilliant about the LG 32UD59-B is it can be considered a gaming monitor thanks to its FreeSync compatibility and 10ms average input lag. Granted, the FreeSync range only plays between 40Hz to 60Hz, but in 4K gaming, that is where fluctuations will appear most likely.
Thoughts on the LG 32UD59-B
The LG 32UD59-B is an excellent 4K monitor for around half a grand which equates to excellent value. The monitor is a suitable solution if you need a large format display for multitasking or for both PC and console gaming. The size of the screen makes it a perfect match for the Xbox One X or the PS4 Pro, although you have to live without HDR compatibility which we think is fair for a cheap display like this model.
The LG 32UD59-B doesn’t live up to its promise of a 95% DCI-P3 gamut representation, but the color accuracy and excellent responsiveness are more than enough in our books. If you are looking for an easy to own, 4K display for a variety of uses, the LG 32UD59-B will not disappoint.
Asesm says
I’m looking to buy this Monitor vs invest little more with LG 32UD99-w vs HDR moderate solution like BenQ EW3270U vs wait for LG 32UK550 (HDR 10 support) to arrive in UK .. I’m really confused whether to wait or invest more now .. I want to use the monitor for normal office working like Microsoft office and do casual gaming (Ps4 and Xbox one S) .. Should I future proof my self or it’s still not worth it to invest more?
Thanks !
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Asesm! The LG 32UD99 is still the better option when it comes to premium pseudo HDR monitors, especially since it has come down in price considerably. If budget isn’t an issue, we recommend going with that model. Cheers!