For photo editors, retouchers, and hobbyist photographers that take their image processing seriously, the finest monitors for photo editing are essential tools. The screen you’re using to view a digital image can significantly impact how it appears. Suppose your monitor doesn’t have good color coverage and contrast, accurate colors, and a uniform brightness level. In that case, your work could suffer as a result, especially if you’re doing HSL adjustments and color grading.
An accurate monitor may significantly improve the quality of your picture editing output whether you use a PC or a Mac (and if you use a laptop, you might want to consider a second, larger screen to work more comfortably). Based on the opinions of our reviewers, we’ve selected the top monitors for picture editing below. We selected monitors with calibration settings and support for color schemes like Adobe RGB, so you may check and adjust their color management regularly. In each instance, we have either put them to the test personally using them for picture editing, or we have based our assessments on the monitors’ specifications and the photographers’ feedback within our list of connections.
We understand that not everyone can adjust or justify spending so much money on a professional screen, like the Eizo ColorEdge CG319X at number three on our list of the best monitors for photo editing, so we also took value for money into account and tried to find some more affordable options in addition to high-end screens. Because of its high price, many people will not be able to afford the Eizo ColorEdge, which is why it is ranked third rather than first.
If you need advice on what to consider when selecting the best monitor for photo editing, scroll down to the questions section at the bottom of this guide. Also, remember that if you choose a screen without a built-in calibrator, you should get one of the best monitor calibrator tools regularly to optimize your screen’s performance.
We’ve included several 4K displays in the list below, but if you’re looking for more choices, check out our ultimate guide, 4K monitors overall. Additionally, we have chosen the top touchscreen displays for those who like a tactile interface. We have also chosen the finest monitors for video editing.
The top displays for editing photos
1.BenQ SW321C
Overall, we consider the BenQ SW321C the finest display for picture editing. It’s not the cheapest screen by any measures, but it’s also not the most costly either, providing a fair compromise between cost and quality—and the quality is excellent. It provides 99 percent Adobe RGB, 100 percent sRGB, and 95 percent P3 gamut coverage. A separate control device allows you to swiftly convert between color formats. Additionally, the screen is professionally calibrated and features hardware calibration that is not reliant on your computer.
When paired with the resolution of the 4K display, we found the color accuracy and uniformity almost excellent, making this a screen that enables you to observe your work in exquisite detail. There are plenty of other helpful details. The M Book mode makes the screen resemble a MacBook Pro, facilitating smooth movement between displays. In contrast, the Paper Color Sync mode allows you to set a color space depending on your printer & paper type for more realistic previewing. You can connect a laptop and obtain power and data more than a single cable thanks to the monitor’s compatibility with USB-C with a power supply up to 60W.
02. LG 27UL500-W
This LG monitor should be appealing if a superbly equipped display like the BenQ screen above is far too expensive for where you are in your photography business (or pastime) at present. Although it is inexpensive, there is also a lot to admire about the specifications. Most people will find that it provides 98 percent coverage of an sRGB region more than sufficient, particularly if you’re not a skilled editor.
In addition, HDR 10 compatibility and AMD FreeSync are included for those who want to play some video games after finishing their picture processing. Making it the perfect display for picture editing, it even has a color calibration tool to ensure you’re seeing how much you should be on the screen.
03. Eizo ColorEdge CG319X
It is immediately clear why Eizo is regarded as the best professional photo-editing monitor brand when you first see the clarity, vibrancy, and brightness of an Eizo display. It is also clear why its photo-editing monitors are significantly more expensive than competitors and more expensive than the majority of PCs.
The Eizo ColorEdge CG319X, the newest iteration of Eizo’s premier 31-inch professional monitor, supports 99 percent AdobeRGB, 100 percent Rec.709, and 98 percent DCI-P3 color schemes and has an unparalleled 24-bit look-up table for 10-bit color depth. Additionally, it supports the superior DCI 4K standard, utilized by certain professional studios, with a slightly larger 4K resolution of 4096 x 2160.
Every time your monitor is powered down, a special built-in hardware color calibration tool that ensures the colors stay in sync without the assistance of a third-party colorimeter pops down with a click. Hybrid-log gamma and perceptual quantization for dealing with HDR video are also new to this iteration; these benifits will be of particular interest to studios & freelancers working with high-end photography.
When we tried the CG319X for ourselves, we discovered that it delivers fantastic color accuracy and outstanding features in a robust, strong, but not very exciting-looking construction. It is intended – and priced – for a specialized professional audience that demands the finest color. Most of us will pass this choice up after looking at the price; however, if money is no problem, this is the greatest picture editing monitor you can purchase, only ranking third due to price. For additional information, see our comprehensive Eizo ColorEdge CG319X review.
04. LG 32UN880 UltraFine Ergo
There are several positive aspects of this LG monitor. It has a large 32-inch 4K screen that is dense with pixels. Although the brightness is just 350 nits, it supports HDR and the P3 color gamut to a 95 percent extent, providing even, realistic pictures that seem true. Additionally, it has excellent connectivity, such as USB Type-C.
However, the word “Ergo” is what distinguishes it, in our opinion. The monitor may be positioned anywhere you want it to be in terms of strength, rotation, tilt, and just how far forward you want it to be, thanks to the adjustable arm. You have extra room on your desk since the pillar support attaches to its rear. While we acknowledge that not everyone will take advantage of this flexibility, we find it a joy to work with.
05. Dell UltraSharp U2719D
Even though 4K resolution is quickly becoming the standard and 4K displays have been discussed so far, you may not need one if you simply work with still photos but don’t need to edit videos. Even if the monitors’ designs do not even exactly stand out from the crowd, Dell’s UltraSharp series always produces excellent images, and this particular display is easy on the eyes thanks to its small bezels.
Dell produces high-quality screens with vibrant colors that are perfect for picture editing. The Dell UltraSharp U2719D is a wonderful all-around QHD display that is more customizable than others despite not being expressly made with color accuracy. You can pivot, tilt, swivel, and change the height of your monitor. The pivot is very helpful, and the USB hubs are a convenient connection add-on.
06. HP M24fw
When picking the finest monitor for picture editing, we normally advise looking for a screen between 27 and 34 inches in size, but this might be difficult if you may not have enough desk space or an office big enough for a bigger workstation. However, the HP M24FW is fairly special in that it has a rather tiny screen with excellent color space coverage and is also an unbeatable deal at $150–200 / £120–150.
It boasts the color and contrast stability that come with IPS LCD panel technology and 99 percent sRGB color space coverage. Even with its streamlined upright stand and thin bezels, it seems rather sophisticated. Although the Full HD (1920 x 1080) screen resolution is nothing spectacular, it is sufficient to maintain clarity on a large panel. Only one HDMI connector and one antiquated VGA port are available for connectivity, but compatibility with older systems should be straightforward.
07. Viewsonic VP3881
It’s great to see ViewSonic providing graphic designers a sizable 37.5-inch 21:9 display with VP3881, as ultra-wide monitors are often designed for gaming or general computer usage. With no bezel to divide the desktop area, ultra-wide screens like this one are like getting two smaller monitors next to each other on the tabletop. Being able to browse websites, file explorers, and various editing programs can increase productivity. It allows your room to have numerous windows open at once.
Although it delivers 100% sRGB coverage and a somewhat narrower AdobeRGB conformance, the picture quality isn’t nearly as good as the other displays on our list. The 10-bit color depth is also made up for by frame reference counting. The VP3881 stands out from other ultra-wide displays because of the entire collection of visual customization options available in the on-screen menus.
08. Apple Studio Display
We were quite let down when we examined the new Apple Studio Display. No HDR, just 60hz, and additional money is required for height adjustment. A built-in camera of any type on display is also rather uncommon, although the one on the Apple Studio Display is only passably good.
Leaving that aside, this monitor is a decent alternative for editing images, particularly if you’re an Apple lover looking for a way to increase the screen for your MacBook Pro or link it with a Mac mini. Regarding picture editing, it provides consistent color, brightness, and respectable multimedia capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to choose the best monitor for photo editing
When selecting a monitor for picture editing, there are several factors to consider and watch out for. Choosing the right display size is among the most crucial. You should also check for some minimal clarity and color fidelity standards. Below, we’ll talk about a few such queries.
What size monitor should I use for photo editing?
The size of the screen you wish to work on is the most crucial factor to consider when purchasing a monitor for picture editing. Many monitors use the common 16:9 widescreen aperture. Though they may not always be the greatest for concentrated work, ultra-wide monitors will offer you a lot more screen area to work on so that you may have many windows or panels open. They occupy a lot of room as well. Most photographers, on average, prefer editing on monitors ranging in size from 27 to 32 inches.
What monitor resolution do I need for photo editing?
Simply said, the greater the visual quality, the higher the resolution; nevertheless, higher-resolution displays are often more costly. If you can afford it, choose a monitor with a 4K (3,840 x 2,160) resolution when choosing the finest one for picture editing.
Although the majority of the screens on our list of the best monitors for photo editing are 4K displays (double-check that your PC or Mac supports 4K negotiated settlement if it’s an older device), we’ve also included QHD and FHD screens, both of which are significantly less expensive while still providing the high-quality color reproduction you need for photo editing.
What else should I consider in a monitor for photo editing?
Color is important when purchasing a monitor for picture editing. Therefore it’s a good idea to seek a display that supports color spaces like Adobe sRGB. Additionally, you want the screen’s brightness to be constant.
Another important problem is connectivity. While most monitors offer HDMI, some also enable Thunderbolt or USB-C, allowing you to connect only one wire to your PC or Mac to power it and provide the display data. Regardless of your monitor, you should be sure to calibrate it often using one of the finest monitor calibrators. Additionally, you may want to consider using an anti-reflective coating if the lighting in your workstation is severe.
