Different screens display different amounts of color, and if your monitor has a limited color gamut, it will not be able to display all of the nuanced colors in the image. Brightness and contrast also affect the way a work looks. Brightness and contrast also affect the way an artwork looks. As a result, images may appear under- or overexposed or colors may appear unnatural or garish when viewed on different screens or supports. Below we list our selection of the best Monitors for Photo Editing, based on the experience of our reviewers and recommendations from our contributors. We’ve selected displays that support a wide color space, such as Adobe RGB, and offer good brightness, color accuracy and useful features in different price ranges, from relatively affordable options to expensive screens designed for professionals.
Here is the list of Best Monitors for Photo Editing
Dell UltraSharp U2419H Monitor
If you want a useful step up in specifications from the reassurance of our older monitors and well-known brands, you’ve found it. The Dell UltraSharp U2419H is not the cheapest 24-inch monitor you can buy, but there is such a thing as false economy There is, and this Dell offers photographers a good combination of performance and value. The Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution is about as low as we’d want to go with a 24-inch monitor if you can accept a little visible pixilation if you look hard enough. Otherwise, this Dell’s IPS image quality is great for the money, color space coverage (99% sRGB, 99% Rec709 and 85% DCI-P3), and factory color calibration ensures a Delta-E accuracy of less than 2. Currently, this is one of the best Monitors for Photo Editing that you can buy right now.
BenQ SW321C PhotoVue Monitor
Professional-level displays are no longer a hard-to-reach purchase at a premium price. At least as far as the BenQ SW321C PhotoVue is concerned. This 32-inch 4K photo monitor features a wide color gamut of 99% Adobe RGB color space and 95% DCI-P3, which is a notch or two above in both performance and usability. In addition, a newly developed anti-reflective coating provides superior color accuracy and contrast. In the fields of cinematography and photography, this is exactly what you need. And that’s on top of all the other features this monitor boasts: the BenQ SW321C PhotoVue is, without a doubt, the perfect monitor for photo editing. We put this monitor through its paces and found that it “qualifies as a pro-level reference monitor on all levels except one, from physical build quality to display performance, and is still affordable.”
ASUS ProArt PA278QV Monitor
While the terms “budget monitor” and “color accuracy” are generally incompatible, ASUS’ ProArt PA278QV does a decent job at a very affordable price. Factory-calibrated and Cullman-certified, this monitor may not deliver amazing AdobeRGB or DCI-P3 numbers (neither are mentioned), but it compares favorably to its main competitor, the BenQ PD2700Q. USB-C connectivity, 4 K resolution, or frame rate control (FRC), which many companies use to bring affordable 8-bit panels up to 10-bit simulations, are some of the pleasant features missing. However, the price is right, the advertised DeltaE is less than 2, and 100% coverage of sRGB can get you where you need to be, especially if you produce content for online consumption. Display technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, so expect to see competition in this price range soon. For now, if you’re looking for a budget monitor for photo editing, the ASUS PA278QV is a great choice. Thus, this product is one of the best Monitors for Photo Editing available right now.
Dell UltraSharp U2518D Monitor
The Ultrasharp U2518D is available at an affordable price. The large 25″ screen with Infinity Edge technology, with a virtually borderless display from all sides, gives you an impressive view of your work. With a contrast ratio of 1000:1, the monitor is one of the best available today. The monitor is capable of full sRGB coverage, which is a bright spot considering some of the other specs don’t compare well with the other options on our list. This results in realistic visuals with support for HDR content playback that delivers greater color depth. It also delivers remarkable image clarity and allows you to create high-contrast and amazingly realistic images.
ViewSonic VP2785-4K Monitor
Easily one of the best Monitors for Photo Editing available on the market, The ViewSonic VP2785-4K features native 4K resolution on a 27-inch screen. This professional-grade monitor is aimed at photographers, video editors, and other creative professionals who need accurate reproduction of images, supports a wide range of color palettes, and is factory calibrated for a host of popular color spaces. It displays photos and videos beautifully, supports the display of HDR content, and can also be used for low-load gaming. Very similar to the ViewSonic VP2780-4K, which won an Editors’ Choice in 2015, the VP2785-4K offers several distinct improvements A USB Type-C port has been added to charge a connected laptop, and the unusual KVM switch feature is now available. With this feature, multiple input sources, e.g., two computers, can be connected to the monitor and easily switched with a single keyboard and mouse.
NEC MultiSync EA271U Monitor
NEC has traditionally been known for making monitors that are commonly found in corporate and office environments, and the EA271U features standard and photo display modes, but does not include presets for Adobe’s RGB color space. The monitor has a DVI port, DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB 3.0 hub, it has all the connections you need. And the best part? In default mode, this monitor produces incredibly accurate colors.
Apple Studio Display
If you are a content creator using a Mac, the best Monitors for Photo Editing is the Apple Studio Display. So while you need a Mac computer to take full advantage of the monitor’s capabilities, the Dell is still more versatile for use with other computers: it has an even higher 5k resolution than the Dell, delivers extremely clear text, and is accessible only on macOS devices. It also has a surprisingly accurate sRGB mode. sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces are fully covered, and Adobe RGB coverage is excellent, but some reds and greens appear off. Peak brightness in sRGB mode is low, but that is another use of sRGB mode. If you get it calibrated or use a picture mode other than sRGB, the peak brightness is excellent and the reflections are handled wonderfully, so visibility is not a problem. Although very well made, the type that comes with the stand has limited ergonomics, making it difficult to place it in the ideal position, but if you get the type that comes with the VESA adapter instead, you can easily adjust it and place it on an arm.
Dell U2720Q UltraSharp IPS Monitor
For those who need accurate color for photo and video editing, the Dell U2720Q is a 27-inch monitor with UHD 4K resolution and 10-bit color. When it comes to color, the Dell U2720Q offers wider color coverage, covering 99% of the sRGB and Rec. 709 space and 95% of the DCI-P3 color space; DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB make setup a breeze. Additionally, the USB-C port can provide up to 90W of power to connected devices, giving users the option to charge USB-C enabled devices while working on the monitor.
Final Words
Our recommendations are based on what we consider to be the best Monitors for Photo Editing, photo editing, and media creation available today. They are adapted to be effective for most people in each price range. Ratings are based on our reviews and take into account pricing and feedback from our visitors. If you prefer to make your own decision, here is a list of all our monitored reviews. Be careful not to get too hung up on the details. Most monitors are good enough to satisfy most people, and what we fault a monitor for is often not noticeable unless you really look for them.
