Are you looking for a professional monitor for photography, graphic design, animation, CAD/CAM and similar purposes?
In this buying guide, you’ll find the best and most cost-efficient monitors for all of the professions mentioned above.
We’ve included only the best models with different resolutions, screen sizes and color gamuts, so you can effortlessly choose the perfect monitor for photo editing and video editing according to your needs.
Type | Monitor | Size | Panel | Resolution | Color Gamut | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Entry-Level Monitors For Photo And Video Editing | 24” | IPS | 1920x1200 | 100% sRGB | ||
27” | IPS | 3840x2160 | 100% sRGB | |||
Best Mid-Range Monitors For Photo And Video Editing | 24” | IPS | 1920x1200 | 99% Adobe RGB | ||
27” | IPS Black | 3840x2160 | 98% DCI-P3 | |||
27” | IPS | 3840x2160 | 99% Adobe RGB | |||
Best High-End Monitors For Photo And Video Editing | 27” | IPS | 3840x2160 | 99% Adobe RGB | ||
32” | OLED | 3840x2160 | 99% Adobe RGB | |||
27” | OLED | 3840x2160 | 99% Adobe RGB | |||
Best UltraWide Monitors For Photo And Video Editing | 29” | IPS | 2560x1080 | 99% sRGB | ||
34” | IPS | 3440x1440 | 99% sRGB | |||
34” | IPS Black | 3440x1440 120Hz | 98% DCI-P3 | |||
34” | IPS | 5120x2160 | 98% DCI-P3 | |||
38” | IPS Black | 3840x1600 | 98% DCI-P3 | |||
40” | IPS | 5120x2160 | 98% DCI-P3 | |||
40” | IPS Black | 5120x2160 120Hz | 99% DCI-P3 | |||
49” | IPS Black | 5120x1440 | 98% DCI-P3 |
All monitors in this list feature IPS or OLED panels for the best color accuracy and consistency as well as the widest viewing angles.
Furthermore, all monitors are flicker-free and have an integrated low blue light filter, so you can work for hours without straining your eyes.
You can also view our changelogs for this buying guide at the end of this article.
Best Entry-Level Monitors For Photo And Video Editing
Are you just starting out or just need a monitor with the standard sRGB color gamut? The following monitors will ensure that you get as precise and consistent colors as you can within this price range.
ASUS PA248QV
Best Budget Monitor For Photo Editing
Size: 24”
Resolution: 1920×1200
Color Gamut: 100% sRGB
The Pros:
- Factory-calibrated at Delta E < 2
- Plenty of features
- Fully ergonomic design with rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- Not true 8-bit color depth
About The Monitor
The ASUS PA248QV is the best 24″ IPS monitor for PhotoShop and similar entry-level color-critical tasks.
Image Quality
Unlike most 24″ IPS monitors with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 1920×1080 resolution, the ASUS ProArt PA248QV features a 1920×1200 resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio. This provides you with a bit of extra vertical screen space as the screen is taller than a regular 24″ 16:9 monitor, while the pixel density is the same.
If you prefer the standard 16:9 aspect ratio, check out the ASUS PA247CV model instead.
Additionally, the monitor covers the full sRGB color space and thanks to its IPS panel, the colors will remain accurate and consistent regardless of the angle you’re looking at the screen.
Want to know the best part? It’s factory-calibrated at Delta E < 2, so it’s ready for work straight out of the box!
Other panel-relation specifications are standard for an IPS panel display at this price range, including a 300-nit peak brightness and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1.
Keep in mind that, like all 1080p IPS displays, the ASUS PA248QV uses dithering (6-bit + 2-bit FRC) to achieve 8-bit color depth for 16.7 million colors.
Features
This monitor is also great if you want to do some gaming on the side.
It supports AMD FreeSync, which allows you to synchronize the monitor’s refresh rate with GPU’s frame rate for tear-free gameplay between 48 and 75FPS. The higher 75Hz refresh rate also provides you with a small but noticeable boost in motion clarity in video games as opposed to the standard 60Hz displays.
Further, it has a fast 5ms GtG pixel response time speed, so there won’t be any prominent trailing visible behind fast-moving objects in games.
Finally, the monitor offers advanced 6-axis color adjustments, as well as five gamma presets ranging from gamma 1.8 to gamma 2.6.
For more information, you can visit our full ASUS PA248QV review.
Design & Connectivity
The design is robust and sleek with thin bezels and versatile ergonomics including up to 130mm height adjustment, +/- 90° swivel, 90° pivot, -5°/35° tilt and 100 x 100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Moving on, connectivity options are rich as well and include HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, VGA, a headphone jack and a quad-USB 3.0 hub.
Alternatives
All in all, you can’t go wrong with the ASUS PA248QV; its color accuracy and premium features are worth much more than the asking price.
The newer model, the ASUS PA248CRV, also has a wider 97% DCI-P3 color gamut, DP output for daisy-chaining and a USB-C port with 96W PD.
27″ 1440p Models
There’s also the ASUS PA278QV model with a 27″ 1440p panel. However, it uses PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) to regulate brightness – it’s at a high frequency of over 1000Hz, but particularly sensitive users still might be bothered by it.
So, if you want a 27″ monitor for photo/video editing, we recommend the following 4K model instead. It’s more affordable than most 1440p models yet it offers excellent image quality, performance and features.
Acer CB272K
Budget 4K Monitor For Photo Editing
Size: 27”
Resolution: 3840×2160
Color Gamut: 100% sRGB
The Pros:
- Factory-calibrated at Delta E < 1
- Fully ergonomic design and rich connectivity options; USB-C with 90W PD
- High pixel density
The Cons:
- None
About The Monitor
Looking for the best 4K monitor for photo editing? The Acer CB272K is the most affordable yet and one of the most popular and reliable 4K monitors for color-critical work.
Image Quality
The good news? The Acer CB272K monitor covers 100% of the sRGB color space and it’s factory-calibrated at Delta E < 1, ensuring accurate colors out of the box. Other panel-related specs include a 350-nit peak brightness, a 1,000:1 static contrast ratio and dithered 10-bit color depth.
As if that’s not enough, the 4K UHD resolution provides an incredibly rich pixel density on 27″ sized screens meaning that you will have to scale the image for optimal use.
Note that some applications don’t scale well, leaving you with too tiny or too big user interface, so make sure to double-check how your editing software handles scaling.
Luckily, most applications scale perfectly fine nowadays, so there’s nothing to worry about unless you’re using legacy software.
The Acer CB272K also supports AMD FreeSync.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor offers height adjustment up to 165cm, -5°/35° tilt, +/- 180° swivel, +/- 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity includes two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2 and USB-C with DP 1.2 Alt Mode and 90W PD.
Alternatives
While there are wider color gamut displays around this price range, if your work mainly involves using the sRGB color space, it’s best to just get an sRGB display and avoid dealing with calibrations, ICC profiles, sRGB color space emulation and general color management issues in Windows.
32″ 4K sRGB Monitors
In case you want a 32″ 4K IPS monitor with basic sRGB color space, we recommend the ViewSonic VP3256-4K, though keep in mind that you’re paying a big premium here – as for the price of a 32″ 4K IPS sRGB monitor, you can get a 27″ 4K IPS monitor with a much wider color gamut, both with professional-grade factory calibration. However, if all you need is accurate sRGB color space and really want a 32″ 4K monitor, the VP3256-4K is the best value option available.
Best Mid-Range Monitors For Photo And Video Editing
In this category, you will find the best monitors with Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color gamut.
The Pros:
- Factory-calibrated at Delta E ≤ 2
- Wide Adobe RGB color gamut
- 14-bit 3D LUT, hardware calibration
- Fully ergonomic stand with rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- None
About The Monitor
In case your work requires a wide color coverage of the Adobe RGB color space, the BenQ SW240 is the best budget monitor for photo editing you can possibly obtain.
Image Quality
The BenQ SW240 features a 1920×1200 screen resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio which will, as opposed to the standard 1080p displays, provide you with extra vertical screen space.
And the good news? It’s factory-calibrated at Delta E ≤ 2 and covers 100% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB and 95% DCI-P3 color spaces. Other panel-related specs include a 250-nit peak brightness, a 1,000:1 static contrast ratio and 10-bit color depth via dithering as well as 14-bit 3D LUT.
You can also read our full review of the BenQ SW240.
Features
In addition to advanced picture and color settings, the monitor offers its exclusive Palette Master Element software for calibration.
Here’s the deal: you can save custom calibrations or use the pre-calibrated presets for sRGB, Adobe RGB, Rec.709 and DCI-P3 color spaces as well as the Black & White mode. Using the hotkey on the monitor, you can quickly swap between up to three of the selected presets/color modes.
Design & Connectivity
The BenQ SW240 Adobe RGB monitor offers versatile ergonomics including up to 140mm height adjustment, -5°/20° tilt, +/- 45° swivel, 90° pivot and VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity includes DVI, HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort, an SD card reader, a headphone jack and a dual-USB 3.0 hub. You can also purchase a shading hood for this monitor on Amazon.
Philips 27E2F7901
Affordable IPS Black Monitor
Size: 27”
Resolution: 3840×2160
Color Gamut: 98% DCI-P3
The Pros:
- Factory-calibrated at Delta E < 2
- Wide DCI-P3 color gamut
- High contrast ratio
- Fully ergonomic stand with rich connectivity options, including USB-C with 96W PD
The Cons:
- None
About The Monitor
The Philips 27E2F7901 is the most affordable 4K monitor with an IPS Black panel yet it offers everything you need for photo and video editing, including Delta E < 2 factory calibration!
Image Quality
IPS Black panels offer a static contrast ratio of 2,000:1, which results in noticeably deeper blacks than that of regular IPS panels.
Additionally, the Philips 27E2F7901 has a wide 98% DCI-P3 color space coverage, as well as a dedicated sRGB mode, making it ideal for both Windows and MacOS users.
You also get an excellent peak brightness of 400-nits with basic HDR10 support. Variable refresh rate is supported up to 60Hz as well.
Design & Connectivity
The monitor has a fully ergonomic stand with up to 130mm height adjustment, 90° pivot, +/- 45° swivel, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options are abundant and include DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, USB-C with DP Alt Mode and 96W PD, DP-out for daisy-chaining, a headphone jack, four downstream USB-A ports and an additional USB-C upstream port.
There’s also an integrated KVM functionality and PiP/PbP support.
Alternatives
Considering its excellent image quality thanks to the IPS Black panel and 98% DCI-P3 wide color gamut, as well as extensive connectivity options and features, the Philips 27E2F7901 offers exceptional value for the price at just ~$300. Similar models by LG and Dell, such as the LG 27UQ850 and the Dell U2723QE go for over $500.
In case you want a 32″ 4K IPS Black monitor, check out the Dell U3223QE and the LG 32UQ85R.
ASUS PA279CRV
Best Value 27″ Adobe RGB Monitor
Size: 27”
Resolution: 3840×2160
Color Gamut: 99% Adobe RGB
The Pros:
- Factory-calibrated at Delta E < 2
- Wide Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color gamut
- Full ergonomic support with rich connectivity options including USB-C with 96W PD
- High pixel density
The Cons:
- None
About The Monitor
The ASUS PA279CRV offers incredible value for the price! In fact, it’s even cheaper than many 1440p Adobe RGB displays, allowing you to enjoy the perks of both 4K resolution and a wide color gamut at a reasonable price.
Image Quality
Simply put, the combination of the wide 99% Adobe RGB color gamut (100% sRGB, 99% DCI-P3) and 4K UHD resolution makes the PA279CRV the dream monitor of many designers and colorists due to the stunning detail clarity, as well as color vibrancy and accuracy.
It even supports HDR (High Dynamic Range), but with the entry-level DisplayHDR 400 certification, so you shouldn’t expect a ‘true’ HDR viewing experience.
Regardless, the peak brightness is excellent at 450-nits, which along with the monitor’s gorgeous colors can make the HDR picture a bit better than SDR, depending on the content/scene.
Features
In the OSD menu, you can effortlessly swap between different color spaces, including sRGB, Rec.709, DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB with customizable settings such as RGB gain, allowing for color temperature fine-tuning.
Naturally, you’ll find plenty of image adjustment tools there as well, including gamma, sharpness and 6-axis hue/saturation. It also supports PiP/PbP and variable refresh rate with a 48-60Hz range.
Check out our detailed ASUS PA279CRV review for more information.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor offers a good range of ergonomics, including up to 130mm height adjustment, -5°/23° tilt, +/- 30° swivel, +/- 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, DisplayPort 1.4 output for daisy-chaining, USB-C with DP Alt Mode and 96W PD, three USB-A ports, USB-C with 15W PD, a headphone jack and dual 2W built-in speakers.
Alternatives
- ASUS PA329CRV – 32″ version of the monitor, though it doesn’t have as wide color gamut (98% DCI-P3, Adobe RGB not specified)
- BenQ SW272Q – 27″ 1440p IPS monitor with 99% Adobe RGB and 98% DCI-P3 color gamut, Uniformity Technology, hardware calibration and 16-bit 3D LUT. There’s also the 4K version, the SW272U though it’s a lot more expensive, in which case we recommend our premium pick – the Eizo CS2740 instead.
32″ 4K Adobe RGB Monitors
If you want a 32″ 4K monitor with Adobe RGB color space coverage, we recommend the MSI MPG321UR-QD. It’s actually a gaming monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate, but it’s by far the most affordable 32″ 4K Adobe RGB display even if you pair it with a dedicated colorimeter, such as the Datacolor SpyderX Pro or the Calibrite Display Pro. On top of that, it has a high 400-nit peak brightness (600-nits for HDR with 16 dimming zones), built-in KVM and 10 USB ports!
As every professional colorist should also have a colorimeter at hand anyway (given that occasional re-calibration is necessary as the backlight ages), we believe that a lot of users will be perfectly happy with the MPG321UR-QD and a colorimeter combination for ~$800, instead of getting a factory-calibrated 32″ 4K Adobe RGB display, such as the BenQ SW321C, which goes for $1,900.
Naturally, the SW321C has additional features (better image uniformity, USB-C, HLG support, 16-bit 3D LUT, shading hood, etc., but these features may not be necessary for all creators).
Alternatively, you can get a 27″ or 32″ 4K OLED display with full Adobe RGB color space for around $1,000 if you’re not worried about burn-in. We’ll get into these displays a bit further in the article.
Best High-End Monitors For Photo And Video Editing
Here, you’ll find the absolute best widescreen monitors for photo and video editing.
Eizo CS2740
Best Adobe RGB Professional Monitor
Size: 27”
Resolution: 3840×2160
Color Gamut: 99% Adobe RGB
The Pros:
- Factory-calibrated
- 16-bit 3D LUT, hardware calibration
- Wide Adobe RGB color gamut
- Full ergonomic support, durable design and rich connectivity options, including USB-C with 60W PD
- Exceptional image uniformity
- 5-year warranty, superior quality control
The Cons:
- None
About The Monitor
Eizo monitors are well-known among high-end professionals and for a good reason!
Image Quality
Eizo’s ColorEdge CS series provides you with superior quality control that’s worth the extra price. So, unlike it’s the case with other manufacturers we’ve mentioned so far, you can expect excellent panel performance when it comes to backlight bleeding, IPS glow, dead or stuck pixels and image uniformity. You also get a 5-year warranty.
The Eizo CS2740 is a 26.9″ 4K IPS monitor with 164 PPI, a static contrast ratio of 1,000:1, a 350-nit peak brightness, 99% Adobe RGB color gamut coverage (90% DCI-P3), 10-bit color depth with 16-bit LUT and hardware calibration support.
You can get it with a colorimeter and take advantage of the included Color Navigator 7 software. The monitor also boasts DUE (Digital Uniformity Equalizer) technology for exceptional brightness and color uniformity, as well as Quick Color Match for easy color matching between the monitor, software and printers.
Other features include dedicated color modes (User, sRGB, Adobe RGB and Calibration for storing hardware calibrations), Gamut Clipping, advanced adjustment tools, such as gamma (from 1.6 to 2.7), hue/saturation, brightness level depicted in nits, etc.
Design & Connectivity
The design features thick bezels and an overall robust design, which helps minimize backlight bleeding, improve cooling and increase durability. The stand offers height adjustment up to 155mm, -5°/35° tilt, 344° swivel, 90° clockwise pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Further, the screen has a very light matte anti-glare coating that’s easy on the eyes and prevents reflections without adding much graininess to the image. It also has a carrying handle and a shading hood can be purchased separately.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0, USB-C with DP Alt Mode and 60W PD, two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, an upstream USB-B port,
Alternatives
- Eizo CS2731 – a bit cheaper model with 1440p resolution
The CG series features built-in calibration, an included shading hood and a wider 98% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage (in addition to 99% Adobe RGB), but they’re more expensive
- Eizo CG2730 – 27″ 1440p
- Eizo CG2420 – 24.1″ 1920×1200
Innocn 32Q1U
Best Value 32″ OLED Professional HDR Monitor
Size: 32”
Resolution: 3840×2160
Color Gamut: 99% Adobe RGB, 99% DCI-P3
The Pros:
- Exceptional HDR image quality thanks to the infinite contrast ratio
- Factory-calibrated, wide Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color gamut
- Ergonomic design, USB-C with 90W PD
The Cons:
- Risk of image burn-in
About The Monitor
The Innocn 32Q1U is the first OLED monitor available for professional use!
Image Quality
Thanks to its OLED panel, each pixel is self-emissive, meaning that you get true blacks and an infinite contrast ratio for breath-taking image quality. Moreover, there’s no IPS/VA glow, backlight bleeding, haloing/blooming, or any other visual artifacts that could take away from the viewing experience.
Color gamut and accuracy are also impressive with 99% coverage of both DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB color spaces with an available sRGB emulation mode. Viewing angles are also flawless as the image remains perfect regardless of the angle you’re looking at the screen.
Further, OLEDs also have instantaneous pixel response time speed for a blur-free fast-paced gaming experience, but the Innocn 32Q1U is sadly limited to 60Hz with no VRR support.
Unlike LG’s W-OLED and Samsung’s QD-OLED panels, the Innocn 32Q1U monitor is based on a JOLED panel, which uses a regular RGB subpixel layout, so text is crisp and sharp without any fringing artifacts.
The main downside is the lower peak brightness in comparison to displays with LED or mini LED backlighting. For SDR, it goes up to 250-nits whereas for HDR, it can reach up to 540-nits. This allows you to dabble in HDR grading a bit as well albeit not professionally due to the limited brightness.
In truth, for proper HDR grading, you’d need a ~$30,000 dual-layer LCD and if you’re a professional of that caliber, you don’t need this buyer’s guide.
There are professional mini LED displays that can easily achieve over 1,000-nits of brightness, such as the ASUS PA32UCG and the Dell UP3221Q, but they use aggressive local dimming algorithms to minimize blooming artifacts, leading to inaccurate HDR image.
They’re still good for SDR work and HDR content consumption, but in this case, you’ll be better off with something like the Innocn 32M2V and a dedicated colorimeter.
Another issue is the risk of permanent image burn-in and temporary image retention. However, the Innocn 32Q1U has many built-in features to prevent this and if you use the screen appropriately (avoid leaving images with static elements on the screen for too long), it shouldn’t be a problem.
Design & Connectivity
The monitor’s stand offers height adjustment up to 120mm, +/- 30° swivel, -5°/15° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include two USB-C ports (DP 1.4 Alt Mode, 90W PD) and an additional USB-C port for audio.
Alternatives
- ASUS PA32DC – ASUS’ model with built-in calibrator
If you want a high refresh rate model, check out the Dell AW3225QF and the ASUS PG32UCDM or the MSI MPG 321URX.
Philips 27E1N8900
Best Value 27″ OLED Professional HDR Monitor
Size: 27”
Resolution: 3840×2160
Color Gamut: 99% Adobe RGB, 99% DCI-P3
The Pros:
- Exceptional HDR image quality thanks to the infinite contrast ratio
- Factory-calibrated, wide Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color gamut
- Ergonomic design and extensive connectivity options including USB-C with 90W PD, KVM
The Cons:
- Risk of image burn-in
About The Monitor
If you want a 27″ OLED monitor for color-critical work, check out the Philips 27E1N8900!
Image Quality
The Philips 27E1N8900 is basically the 27″ version of the Innocn 32Q1U but with more conventional connectivity options as well as integrated KVM functionality!
It also uses a JOLED panel with the standard RGB subpixel layout, so text clarity won’t be an issue. In fact, it will be even sharper due to the higher pixel density.
Further, it covers 99% of Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color spaces with true 10-bit color depth support and Delta E < 1 factory calibration.
The brightness performance is the same as well with 250-nits peak for a 100% white window and up to 540-nits for HDR highlights.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor offers height adjustment up to 130mm, 90° pivot, +/- 175° swivel, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.4, USB-C (DP Alt Mode, 90W PD), a quad-USB 3.0 hub (1 upstream + 4 downstream), a headphone jack and integrated KVM functionality.
Alternatives
The following models use the same or a similar JOLED panel, but with additional features, such as hardware calibration support. However, they’re also significantly more expensive.
- LG UltraFine 27EP950
- LG UltraFine 27EQ850
- LG UltraFine 27BP95E – built-in calibration sensor
- ViewSonic VX2722-4K-OLED
- ASUS PA27DCE
If you want a higher refresh rate model, check out the Dell AW2725DF.
Best UltraWide Monitors For Photo And Video Editing
While all monitors in this buyer’s guide would work just fine for video editing, the following ultrawide displays offer extra horizontal screen space, which is perfect for video and audio editing.
The Pros:
- Factory-calibrated
- Affordable
The Cons:
- Not true 8-bit color depth
- Tilt-only design
- No USB ports
About The Monitor
If you are looking for the cheapest ultrawide monitor that’s actually good for video editing, the LG 29WQ600 won’t disappoint you.
Image Quality
Due to its affordable price, the LG 29WQ600 is not just great for video editing, it’s also great for everyday multimedia use, including gaming.
Now, the monitor does not have as accurate and rich colors as the previously mentioned monitors, but for the price, the colors are more than fine.
In fact, the LG 29WQ600 is factory-calibrated and covers 99% of the sRGB color gamut though it supports 8-bit depth via dithering. Moreover, it supports HDR, but with a peak luminance of 300-nits, a contrast ratio of 1,000:1 and only the standard sRGB color gamut, HDR is just software-emulated.
Keep in mind that a 29″ 21:9 ultrawide monitor is as tall as a regular 23″ 16:9 monitor, just wider — which may take some time to get used to.
Additionally, the 2560×1080 resolution on a 29″ screen provides a pixel density of 95 PPI which is similar to 1080p on a 24″ screen (91 PPI).
Features
Moving on, the LG 29WQ600 offers numerous useful features including On-Screen Control which allows you to adjust the OSD (On-Screen Display) settings in a desktop application.
Next, Screen Split allows you to split the screen in different layouts for easier multitasking.
There are also plenty of gaming features available including Crosshair, FreeSync (40-75Hz range), Dynamic Action Sync and Black Stabilizer.
Design & Connectivity
The LG 29WQ600 computer monitor for video editing has a tilt-only design, but you can VESA mount it using the 100x100mm pattern.
Connectivity options include HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2, USB-C (DP 1.2 Alt Mode), a headphone jack and dual 7W built-in speakers.
Alternatives
- LG 29WQ500 – same model but without USB-C and built-in speakers
- LG 29WP60G, LG 29WN600 – older models with 75Hz
On Amazon, you will also be able to find the 34″ version of this monitor, but we don’t recommend it since it also features a 2560×1080 resolution which on its 34″ screen results in a low pixel density.
The Pros:
- Factory-calibrated
- Decent pixel density
- Height-adjustable stand
- Rich connectivity options, including KVM and USB-C with 90W PD
The Cons:
- Design lacks swivel option
About The Monitor
In case you want a 34″ ultrawide monitor, we highly recommend the LG 34WQ73A.
Image Quality
Thanks to the UWQHD resolution of 3440×1440 pixels, the LG 34WQ73A hits the pixel density sweet spot of 110 pixels per inch. This means that you get plenty of screen real estate with vivid details without any scaling necessary.
But it gets better: the monitor is factory-calibrated, covers ~99% of the sRGB color space and supports 10-bit color depth via dithering.
Features
The LG 34WQ73A also features advanced color and picture adjustment tools, including 6-axis hue/saturation, four gamma presets and manual color temperature fine-tuning.
Additionally, the monitor supports AMD FreeSync over DisplayPort and HDMI with a 48-75Hz dynamic refresh rate range.
Design & Connectivity
The LG 34WQ73A has a subtle 1800R screen curvature, while the stand provides height and tilt adjustments as well as VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, USB-C (DP Alt Mode, 90W PD), a headphone jack and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.
Alternatives
- LG 34WQ75C – the same monitor, but with included 2x7W speakers and two extra USB 2.0 ports
Dell U3425WE
Best DCI-P3 Editing Monitor
Size: 34”
Resolution: 3440×1440, 120Hz
Color Gamut: 98% DCI-P3
The Pros:
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Factory-calibrated
- 98% DCI-P3 color gamut
- High contrast ratio
- Decent pixel density
- Ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options, including KVM and USB-C with 90W PD
The Cons:
- Expensive
- No VRR support
About The Monitor
Want a 34″ 3440×1440 IPS ultrawide monitor but with a DCI-P3 color gamut? The Dell U3425WE is the best model available – it even has a high 120Hz refresh rate!
Image Quality
The Dell U3425WE covers 98% DCI-P3 color gamut and offers optimized color modes for sRGB, Rec.709 and Display P3 color spaces, making it ideal for video editors and designers who need an accurate representation of all color gamuts involved.
It has a decent 300-nit peak brightness, Delta E < 2 factory calibration, a high 2,000:1 contrast ratio for deeper blacks thanks to its IPS Black panel, 10-bit color depth support via dithering and 178° wide viewing angles.
Additionally, it has a high 120Hz refresh rate for a smooth gaming experience. However, not only gaming will be more enjoyable as just moving your cursor around or scrolling will be smoother as well. Sadly, VRR is not supported.
The monitor also supports PiP/PbP.
Design & Connectivity
The Dell UltraSharp U3425WE has a robust design with up to 150mm height adjustment, -5°/21° tilt, +/- 30° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options are abundant and include DP 1.4, HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4 with DP Alt Mode and 90W PD, Thunderbolt 4 for daisy-chaining, RJ45 (2.5 Gbps), dual 5W built-in speakers, a headphone jack and a plethora of USB ports (one type C upstream, two type C downstream and five type A downstream).
The monitor also has a subtle 1900R screen curvature, an integrated ambient light sensor (can adjust both brightness and color temperature) and built-in KVM functionality.
Alternatives
- Dell U3423WE – USB-C (90W PD), Delta E < 2, 98% DCI-P3, KVM, 60Hz, IPS Black
- BenQ PD3420Q – USB-C (65W), Delta E < 2, 98% DCI-P3, KVM, 60Hz, Flat-screen
- ASUS PA348CGV – USB-C (90W), Delta E < 2, 98% DCI-P3, 120Hz, VRR, Flat-Screen
You might also want to consider a 34″ 3440×1440 QD-OLED gaming monitor in this price range if you’re not worried about burn-in, such as the Dell AW3423DWF.
The Pros:
- 98% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage
- Hardware calibration
- High pixel density
- Height-adjustable stand and rich connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 3
The Cons:
- None
About The Monitor
If you want to combine high resolution with the ultrawide format, the LG 34WK95U is for you!
Image Quality
With its 5120×2160 (often referred to as 5K2K or 2160p ultrawide) resolution, the 34″ LG 34WK95U provides you with a high pixel density of 163 PPI, which is equivalent to that of a 27″ 4K monitor!
So, you will have to use some scaling in order to make small text readable, but as a result, you’ll get even sharper text and higher detail clarity.
The monitor has a wide 98% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage and features an sRGB emulation mode. Further, it has a high 450-nit peak brightness for SDR content, and 600-nits for HDR.
There are 12 dimming zones, so you get a noticeable boost in HDR image quality in comparison to the HDR-400 monitors, but due to the low 1,200:1 native contrast ratio, only some HDR scenes will get a meaningful improvement.
Gamers will be disappointed that there’s no variable refresh rate support and that the maximum refresh rate is 60Hz, but considering how demanding the resolution is, most users won’t be using the LG 34WK95U for gaming anyway.
Design & Connectivity
The stand offers height adjustment up to 110m, tilt by -5°/20° and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, Thunderbolt 3 (DP 1.4 Alt Mode, 75W PD), two HDMI 2.0 ports (limited to 4K UHD), a dual-USB 3.0 hub, two 5W built-in speakers and a headphone jack.
Dell U3824DW
Best Value High-End Editing Monitor
Size: 38”
Resolution: 3840×1600
Color Gamut: 98% DCI-P3
The Pros:
- Wide color gamut, high contrast ratio
- Accurate and consistent colors
- High pixel density
- Ergonomic design and rich connectivity options, including KVM and USB-C with 90W PD
The Cons:
- None
About The Monitor
Want the best 38″ ultrawide monitor for video editing? Look no further than the Dell U3824DW.
Image Quality
The Dell U3824DW is the best 38″ ultrawide monitor for editing!
First of all, the monitor is factory-calibrated at Delta E < 2 and covers 98% of the DCI-P3 color space with dedicated sRGB and Rec. 709 presets.
Moreover, it has an IPS Black panel with a high 2,000:1 contrast ratio for deep blacks.
But to top it all off, the gigantic 38″ screen features a resolution of 3840×1600 pixels, which will provide you with the perfect pixel density of 110 PPI. So, you get plenty of workspace for editing as well as sharp and clear details.
It also supports PiP/PbP and has an integrated KVM switch.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is robust and versatile with up to 120mm height adjustment, -5°/21° tilt, +/- 30° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility; the screen has a subtle 2300R curvature.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C (DP 1.4 Alt Mode, 90W PD), an additional downstream USB-C port with 15W PD, two downstream USB-C ports, five downstream USB-A 10 Gbps ports, a headphone jack, RJ45 and dual 9W speakers.
The Pros:
- Factory-calibrated at Delta E < 2
- Adjustable design with extensive connectivity options
- High pixel density
- 98% DCI-P3 color gamut
The Cons:
- Expensive
About The Monitor
If you want an even larger ultrawide monitor, the Dell U4021QW is the best you can find in the 21:9 form factor.
Image Quality
Just like the LG 34WK95U, the Dell U4021QW has a 5120×2160 screen resolution, but since it has a larger screen, you get a bit lower pixel density of 140 PPI. It’s basically identical to a 32″ 4K monitor that’s ~33% wider.
It has a wide 98% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, an sRGB emulation mode is available and you get excellent Delta E < 2 factory calibration.
Other panel-related specifications include a 300-nit peak brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 178° wide viewing angles and 10-bit color depth support.
Design & Connectivity
The screen has a subtle 2500R curvature and it’s VESA mount compatible via the 100x100mm pattern, while the stand offers height adjustment up to 120mm, +/- 35° swivel and -5°/20° tilt.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports (limited to 30Hz at 5120×2160 or 60Hz at 4K UHD), a quad-USB 3.0 hub, two USB-C ports (one with Thunderbolt 3 and 90W PD), a headphone jack, an Ethernet port and a built-in KVM switch.
Alternatives
LG, Lenovo and HP offer their models based on the same panel with a bit different features and connectivity options. So, you can pick the one based on your personal preference and availability/pricing. Check out our LG 40WP95C review for more information.
LG 40WP95C | Lenovo P40W-20 | Dell U4021QW | HP Z40C | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Refresh Rate | 72Hz | 75Hz | 60Hz | 60Hz |
FreeSync | Yes (48-72Hz) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Thunderbolt 4 | 1x Input 96W PD 1x Output (daisy-chain) | 1x Input 96W PD 1x Output (daisy-chain) | N/A | N/A |
Thunderbolt 3 | N/A | N/A | 1x Input 90W PD | 2x Input up to 100W (165W PD total max) |
Display Inputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 2x HDMI 2.0 | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 1x HDMI 2.0 | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 2x HDMI 2.0 | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 1x HDMI 2.0 |
USB Ports | 2x USB-A | 4x USB-A 1x USB-B 1x USB-C (27W PD) | 4x USB-A 1x USB-B 1x USB-C (15W PD) | 4x USB-A |
Other | 1x Headphone Jack 2x 10W Speakers | 1x Headphone Jack 1x RJ45 | 1x Headphone Jack 1x RJ45 2x 9W Speakers | 1x RJ45 2x 5W Speakers 1x Built-in Webcam |
KVM | LG Dual Controller | KVM Switch, Lenovo eKVM7 | KVM Switch | HP Device Bridge |
Price | LG 40WP95C | Lenovo P40W-20 | Dell U4021QW | HP Z40C |
Dell U4025QW
Best 40″ UltraWide Editing Monitor
Size: 40”
Resolution: 5120×2160
Color Gamut: 98% DCI-P3
The Pros:
- Factory-calibrated at Delta E < 2
- High pixel density
- 98% DCI-P3 color gamut
- High contrast ratio
- Ergonomic design with extensive connectivity options, including KVM and USB-C with 140W PD
The Cons:
- Expensive
About The Monitor
The Dell U4025QW is the upgraded version of the U4021QW, featuring a higher refresh rate and an IPS Black panel!
Image Quality
The U4025QW has a 5120×2160 screen resolution, dithered 10-bit color depth support and exceptional 99% DCI-P3 color space coverage with an sRGB emulation mode and Delta E < 2 factory calibration.
Moreover, it has a high 450-nits peak brightness (up to 600-nits for HDR content) and a 2,000:1 static contrast ratio for noticeably deeper blacks than that of regular IPS panels.
Finally, the monitor has a 120Hz refresh rate, which provides you with a big boost in motion clarity in games but also when scrolling through web pages, moving your windows around, etc. VRR is supported as well for tear-free gameplay and judder-free media playback.
Check out our full U4025QW review for more information.
Design & Connectivity
The Dell U4025QW has a robust design with a good range of ergonomics, including up to 150mm height adjustment, -5°/21° tilt, +/- 30° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include DP 1.4, HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4 with 140W PD and DP Alt Mode, Thunderbolt 4 for daisy-chaining, a headphone jack, dual 9W integrated speakers, RJ45 (2.5 Gbps), five type A USB ports and three type C USB ports. The monitor also has integrated KVM functionality and an ambient light sensor.
The Pros:
- Factory-calibrated at Delta E < 2
- Adjustable design with rich connectivity options
- Decent pixel density
- 98% DCI-P3 color gamut
The Cons:
- None
About The Monitor
With the 32:9 ‘super’ ultra-wide aspect ratio, you get an even wider preview of your timelines and more screen space for productivity work.
Image Quality
The Dell U4924DW sports a 49″ screen with a 5120×1440 screen resolution.
Think about it: that’s equivalent to two 27″ 1440p monitors put side by side, but without the bezels in-between!
Moreover, you get accurate and consistent colors covering 98% of the DCI-P3 color space with Delta E < 2 factory calibration. Other specifications include a 350-nit peak brightness, a 2,000:1 static contrast ratio thanks to its IPS Black panel, 5ms response time, 178° viewing angles and 10-bit color depth support.
Features
Noteworthy features include Picture by Picture support, advanced picture adjustment tools and Uniformity Compensation, which can improve uniformity at the cost of image brightness and contrast.
Unfortunately, there’s no AMD FreeSync support, and the monitor is limited to 60Hz.
Design & Connectivity
The Dell UltraSharp U4924DW boasts premium build quality and decent ergonomics with up to 120mm height adjustment, -5°/21° tilt, +/- 170° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options are abundant and include two HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, a USB-C port (with DP 1.4 Alt Mode and 90W PD), a USB-C upstream port, two USB-C downstream ports, five USB-A downstream ports, a headphone jack, RJ45 and dual 9W built-in speakers. There’s also a built-in KVM switch.
Alternatives
If you’re looking for something similar but cheaper, check out the older Dell U4919DW model with the basic sRGB color gamut and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio.
Conclusion
Have you picked the best monitor for photo editing and video editing for your work? If not, leave us a comment and we’ll be glad to help.
Overall, if you are just starting out with editing, the ASUS PA248QV and the PA278QV models will provide you with everything you need at an affordable price.
Then, according to your budget and needs, you can get either a higher resolution or a wider color gamut display — or both, in which case we recommend the ASUS PA279CRV or the Eizo CS2740 if you want premium quality.
Finally, for video editing, an ultrawide display is a life-saver, so pick one according to your budget.
Updates +
- July 31, 2024:
– Added the Philips 27E2F7901.
– Replaced the ASUS PA348CGV with the Dell U3425WE.
– Added the Dell U4025QW. - December 23, 2023:
– Removed the ASUS PA278QV and the Lenovo P32u-10.
– Replaced the ViewSonic VP2768a-4K with the Acer CB272K and added the ViewSonic VP3256-4K as the 32″ alternative.
– Added the Philips 27E1N8900.
– Replaced the LG 34WN750 with the LG 34WQ73A, the BenQ PD3420Q with the ASUS PA348CGV, and the ViewSonic VP3881a with the Dell U3824DW. - November 7, 2023:
– Replaced the LG 32EP950 with the Innocn 32Q1U. - August 3, 2023:
– Replaced the Lenovo P27u-20 with the ASUS PA279CRV. - May 23, 2023:
– Replaced the Acer CM3271K with the Lenovo P27u-20, the Dell U4919DW with the U4924DW, the LG 34WL750 with 34WN750, the LG 29WP60G with 29WQ600 and the MSI PS341WU with the LG 34WK95U.
– Added the Eizo CS2740.
– Removed the Dell UP3221Q and the ASUS PA32UCG. - November 22, 2022:
– Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available. - May 8, 2022:
– Replaced the ASUS PA329C with the Lenovo P32u-10. - February 22, 2022:
– Replaced the ViewSonic VP3881 with VP3881a and the VP2768-4K with VP2768a-4K. - December 9, 2021:
– Added review summaries for the monitors that were missing them. - November 24, 2021:
– Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available. - August 5, 2021:
– Replaced the LG 34UM88C (no longer available) with the LG 34WL750.
– Added the ASUS PA32UCG, the BenQ PD3420Q, and the Dell U4021WQ to the table. Dedicated review sections will be added soon. - May 5, 2021:
– Made the guide easier to read for new visitors. - February 26, 2021:
– Replaced the BenQ PD2700Q with the ASUS PA278QV.
– Replaced the Dell U2718Q with the ViewSonic VP2768-4K PRO.
– Added the Acer CM3271K.
– Removed the BenQ PD3200U, the BenQ SW2700PT, and the BenQ SW271.
– Replaced the ASUS PA329Q with the ASUS PA329C.
– Replaced the ASUS PA32UC with the Dell UP3221Q.
– Added the BenQ PD3420Q as a wide gamut alternative to the LG 34UM88C.
– Added the Dell U4021QW as a wide gamut alternative to the ViewSonic VP3881.