You have come to the right place if you are looking for the best monitor for photo editing. The monitor arena keeps expanding with new models, vendors, and features and it can be a little confusing to choose the right one for your needs.
There are monitors with stunning refresh rates, high resolutions, screen-smoothing technologies, great color accuracy, etc. This is why I have prepared for you this Best Monitor for Photo Editing review and guide so you can make a wise purchasing decision. You should also check out my reviews of monitors for photo editing under 300 USD.
If you are also doing video editing, I got you covered as well: check out my best monitors to edit videos reviews.
Below is a list of top monitors for your editing work based on my own testing.
3 Top Monitors for Photo Editing
1. [Best Monitor Overall]
5/5
If you are thinking of printing your photos, choose BenQ photo Editing Monitor by BenQ.
It gives more color accuracy than other monitors that I have tested out there. This is the feature that I really loved about this product.
2. [Best For The Money] LG 27UL500 IPS Monitor
4.9/5
Enjoy breathtaking clarity with LG 27UL500 IPS Monitor by LG Brand.
This is achieved by its high resolution of 3840 x 2160 which provides extraordinary image sharpness when working on your photos.
It is calibrated to offer color accuracy. Also, it comes with a game mode making it suitable for professional gamers.
3. [Best For The High Resolution] ViewSonic VP3881 UltraWide Curved Monitor
4.8/5
ViewSonic VP3881 UltraWide Curved Monitor by ViewSonic has 6-Axis Color Enhancement, professional color processing capability, ultimate color accuracy, and DICOM-SIM color spaces. I reviewed more ultra wide monitors for more screen space.
These are features that make it one of the best photo editing monitors.
Top Monitor for Photo Editing: Reliable Screens for Photographers - How to Pick the Best For You?
Photographers and video editors require a photo screen that can give color accuracy and images that look more vivid. In other words, they need a reliable screen that can deliver what they are looking for.
This is a screen that can offer smooth performance, provide much space for working, and give extraordinary clarity with its high resolution. I would also recommend calibrating the monitor for photography because it will ensure that the contrast, colors, vibrancy, and brightness are true to life.
Best Monitor for Photo Editing Reviews
[Best Monitor Overall]
5/5
Main Features:
- Has a high resolution of 4K UHD 2160P to see more in detail when editing your photos
- Has advanced black and white mode to view your pictures in these colors
- Comes with hot puck key to easily see your work in different color spaces
- Offers the most advanced features for color accuracy such as AQCOLOUR technology, and 95% P3, 99% Adobe RGB and 100% sRGB
- The stand is heavy and well-constructed to support your monitor
- Has a detachable shading hood to reduce screen glare
- It is a 32-inch monitor to provide much more space when viewing your photography
Color Accuracy
If you are thinking of printing your photos, choose BenQ photo Editing Monitor by BenQ.
It gives more color accuracy than other monitors that I have tested out there. This is the feature that I really loved about this product.
Ultimate photographers monitor
This is one of the few monitors that you can be more creative with. Use it for photo editing, printing, and video editing. It has the most vibrant colors.
BenQ IPS photo and Video Editing Monitor Specifications
Resolution | 4K UHD 2160P |
Panel | LCD |
Brand | BenQ |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Screen size | 32 inches |
Modes | Has advanced black and white mode |
Video Format | Supports 24P/25P with 4:4:4, 4:2:2, and 4:2:0 video formats |
IPS LED
It uses an in-Plane switching (IPS) display panel. This means that it has a much wider viewing angle, faster response time, and better contrast and color. Its advanced technology ensures that colors and tones are smoothly presented on the screen.
It comes with a menu with 5 small buttons to access its various modes and functions.
Pros
Cons
[Best For The Money]
4.9/5
Main Features:
- It is a 27-inch screen to offer more space when editing your photos
- It is one of the best photography editing monitors because of its high resolution of 3840 x 2160 that provides clarity
- It features an IPS panel that is known to have faster response time, wider viewing angles, and better color and contrast
- Has Radeon FreeSync for smooth performance
- It is HDR10 Compatible and has controls to adjust the brightness
- Has RGB 98 percent color gamut to deliver consistent and gorgeous imagery
Delivers Great Image Quality
Enjoy breathtaking clarity with LG 27UL500 IPS Monitor by LG Brand. This is achieved by its high resolution of 3840 x 2160 which provides extraordinary image sharpness when working on your photos.
It is awesome for many things
Due to its many useful features such as FreeSync, wide viewing angles, high resolution, and RGB 98 percent color gamut, you can use it for video and photo editing, gaming, and everything in between.
It is calibrated to offer color accuracy. Also, it comes with a game mode making it suitable for professional gamers.
LG 27UL500 IPS Monitor Specifications
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 |
Panel | IPS |
Brand | HP |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Screen size | 27 inches |
Ports/Connectivity | HDMI and DisplayPort |
Viewing Angle | 178º(R/L), 178º(U/D) |
The best monitor for photography with FreeSync Technology
If you are looking for a monitor with FreeSync technology, choose this one. This will facilitate smooth performance by preventing things like screen tearing and stuttering.
Affordable
It comes with an affordable price tag. No need to break a bank in order to afford this one. It is a bigger monitor with many useful features for a low price.
Pros
Cons
[Best For High Resolution]
4.8/5
Main Features:
- It is an ultrawide curved monitor with a screen size of 38 inches which makes it ideal for photo, video editing, and viewing
- Comes factory calibrated Delta E<2 hence you will enjoy enhanced color accuracy
- Has a high resolution of 3840x1600p to provide clarity
- Delivers lifelike colors that are ideal for a photographer, video editors, and many more
- Uses IPS panel that has a much wider viewing angle, faster response time, and better contrast and color
- Has high refresh rates of 60Hz to make your content feel smoother and snappier
- Comes with a palette of 4. 39 trillion colors to deliver the most immersive panoramic viewing experience
- Has various ports for connectivity such as USB 3.1. HDMI and DisplayPort
- Extras provided with the monitor include audio cable, power cable, USB 3.1 type C cable, AC/DC adapter, and HDMI cable
Best photo editing monitor
ViewSonic VP3881 UltraWide Curved Monitor by ViewSonic has 6-Axis Color Enhancement, professional color processing capability, ultimate color accuracy, and DICOM-SIM color spaces. These are features that make it one of the best photo editing monitors.
It delivers lifelike colors and its calibration ensures that the color displayed matches those of the original fil
Immersive Curved Screen Design
A concave screen like this one delivers a great viewing experience. Its 38-inch screen provides a large space to work on.
Loaded with connectivity
If you wish to connect to your laptop, mac devices, or PC, use its various ports such as HDMI 2.0, USB 3.1, and DisplayPort inputs.
Pros
Cons
Main Features:
- It is ultra-wide with a screen size of 37.5 to offer more space when editing or viewing your photography
- Has a high resolution-3840 x 1600 to provide clarity when working on your imagery
- It comes with various connectivity ports such as DisplayPort, USB Type C, and HDMI to connect to your laptop, PC, camera, and even your other devices
- Has a wide viewing angle of 178°
- It has eye care technology; blue light filter and flicker-free backlighting
- It comes with a wireless Qi charging pad
- Features Stereo 10W Harman Kardon speakers so you can listen to your favorite music while working on your photos
- Has a great design that will complement your décor. Its transparent sundial base further enhances its beauty
- Has a status-monitoring lighting
Great for Multi-tasking
ASUS Designo Curve MX38VC Monitor by ASUS is a product that you will love for your work. It is engineered for multitasking. Use it for the photo, video editing, and even gaming. It has a high refresh rate of 75Hz for a smooth performance.
Ultra-Wide
It features an ultra-wide monitor with a screen size of 37.5 inches to offer a large space for your work. Its resolution of 3840x1600 is one thing I like about it. This means that you will have a great visual experience.
ASUS Designo Curve MX38VC Monitor Specifications
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 |
Viewing angle | 178° |
Brand | ASUS |
Aspect ratio | 21:9 |
Screen size | 37.5 inches |
Ports/Connectivity | HDMI, Display Port, and USB |
Refresh Rate | 75Hz |
Other useful features
It comes with stereo 10W speakers so you can enjoy music while working and a wireless Qi charging pad to charge your devices. It also features a great design that will complement your desk space. Its base is attractive with hidden inputs and a 5-way navigation key.
Eye Protection Technology
We tend to spend our time gazing at our monitors. However, if your monitor does not come with measures to protect your eyes, the light emitted causes eye fatigue.
Luckily for this good monitor for photo editing, it has been engineered with eye protection technologies such as flicker-free technology and blue light filter.
Pros
Cons
4.6/5
Main Features:
- It comes with eye protection technology such as flicker-free technology and a blue filter to protect your eyes from fatigue
- It is factory-pre-calibrated to give color accuracy
- It’s compatible with major hardware calibrators like data color Spyder 5 and X-Rite i1 Display Pro series
- It features a 32-inch display to offer a large area to work on
- Its resolution is 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) to deliver sharper images
- The stand can tilt and swing and has an adjustable height
- The IPS display technology gives you a wide viewing angle
- Comes with various connectivity options such as HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB
- It has 4 color temperature selection modes
Ideal for photographers
When it comes to photographers and video editors, the ASUS PA329Q eye care monitor by ASUS will benefit them a lot.
It has a 4K UHD resolution to offer sharper images.
The monitor comes factory pre-calibrated for color precision.
This ensures that you have a true-to-life representation.
ASUS PA329Q Eye Care Monitor Specifications
Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
Viewing angle | 178 °(H)/178 °(V) |
Brand | ASUS |
Display Colors | 1073.7M (10-bit) |
Screen size | 32 inches |
Ports/Connectivity | Mini-DisplayPort, DisplayPort, HDMI |
Panel Type | IPS |
Approved ASUS Eye Care Technology
The ASUS ProArt Eye Care Monitor has passed through strict performance tests and is approved by the TUV Rheinland laboratories, worldwide security, technical, and certification services.
ASUS Eye Care such as blue light filter and flicker-free technology will lessen eye exhaustion when you’re working on projects over time.
Thanks to the slender profile and the ergonomically-designed stand with swivel and height adjustment, you’ll always get a comfortable viewing position.
Complete Connectivity
The PA329Q offers a range of connectivity choices and backs up 4K UHD content at 60 Hz through the DisplayPort, its four HDMI ports, and a mini DisplayPort 1.2. Besides, you also get five 3.0 USB ports, and for your memory cards, there’s a nine-in-one card reader.
Pros
Cons
4.5/5
Main Features:
- It has a 25-inch screen to offer a large area to work on
- It supports HDR content-its goal is to maintain as much of the original image quality as possible
- It features attractive colors and amazing clarity on its display
- Has a high resolution of 2560 x 1440 to offer clear photos
- It comes with various connectivity options such as USB, HDMI, and DisplayPort to connect to your various devices
- It has superb color consistency and a wide viewing angle to allow you to work effortlessly
- It has a greater depth of colors making it ideal for photographers for their work
- The screen has eye protection technology such as a blue light filter and flicker-free technology to enhance eye comfort
Life-like Visuals
The Dell UltraSharp LED-Lit monitor by Dell supports HDR content. It also has excellent color depth, noticeable clarity, and a high contrast array of colors to produce strikingly lifelike images.
It has Standard Color Consistency
The Dell monitor has a factory calibration to improve its contrast, color, reproduction, and brightness. Therefore, you can be sure that your projects show the true intensity of the colors.
Dell UltraSharp LED-Lit Monitor Specifications
Resolution | 2560 X 1440 |
Panel Type | IPS |
Brand | DELL |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
Screen size | 25 inches |
Ports/Connectivity | HDMI, USB, and Display Port |
Aspect Ratio | 16: 9 |
It has a great Performance
This is a monitor that has the best features for your work. Use it for photo editing, video editing, and photo editing. I was impressed by its performance as it produced great-looking images.
Pros
Cons
4.5/5
Main Features:
- It comes with 4 color spaces and they are 100% RGB, 87% DCI-P3 coverage, 100% Rec709, and 99. 5% Adobe RGB making this monitor suitable for photographers
- Has a high resolution of 3840 x 2160 Ultra HD 4K. With a high resolution like this, more image data will fit on your monitor
- It also comes factory calibrated so you can have precise colors
- The 32 inches screen offers a lot of space to work on
- With a wide viewing angle of 178/178 degrees, you get a consistent and clear view of non-distorted images
- The monitor can tilt, swivel and gives you the option of adjusting its height for maximum comfort when working
- It is energy star qualified
- It comes with various connectivity options such as HDMI, DisplayPort, and media card reader
- The monitor has a Custom Color mode that you can use to fine-tune your colors. You can also carry out additional adjustments using a hardware look-up table
Unrivaled Reliability
Dell Ultrasharp UP3216Q Monitor by Dell is one of the best products that offer great color coverage, wide viewing angles, and great brightness levels making it suitable for professionals.
Remarkable Viewing Experience
Thanks to the 3840 by 2160 Ultra HD 4K resolution, you can relish each small detail.
This is four times Full HD resolution.
Dell UltraSharp LED-Lit Monitor Specifications
Resolution | 4k 3840 x 2160 |
Panel Type | IPS |
Brand | DELL |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
Screen size | 32 inches |
Ports/Connectivity | HDMI 2.0, 6 in 1 media card reader, and 2 DisplayPorts |
Aspect Ratio | 16: 9 |
Precise, Consistent Color
The monitor comes with four color spaces, consisting of 100% Rec709, 99.5% Adobe RGB, 87% DCI-P3 coverage, and 100% RGB – that suits each expert’s requirements.
High-Quality Materials
This screen is made of premium quality materials and it’s PVC/BFR –free. It has a mercury-free LED panel, arsenic-free glass, and a chassis manufactured with 25% and recycled plastics.
Pros
Cons
What Should You Look for in a Monitor as a Photographer or Photo Editor?
As a photo editor or a photographer, you should have a monitor suitable for photo editing. These are monitors that have been engineered to offer great color coverage and give wide viewing angles. For editing portraits these vertical monitors are of great help.
There are several things that you need to consider when buying a photography monitor. They include resolution, image quality, price, flexible connectivity, screen size, panel type, just to name a few.
Great Color coverage
When shopping for a screen for photography, color is the king. A good computer should have the highest possible color quality. Why spend a lot of time taking cute photos if your monitor cannot edit or display them the way they are?
It should also provide a wide range of colors to work with.
Price
Many of the monitors that I have reviewed above come with an affordable price tag. Until recently, many professional monitors for photo editing came with a high price tag. Fortunately, now they are affordable with all the features you would require for your work.
High resolution
Look for a monitor with high resolution. The higher the resolution, the more your photos will look clear plus beautiful. Screens with high resolution also deliver sharper images hence you will be able to see well what you are working on.
Screen size
The bigger the screen, the better it will be. You will have a lot of space to work on and you will be able to fully see your work. The popular screen size for photo editing is 19, 21.5. 24, 34, etc.
Panel Type
Screens use TN, IPS, or VA technologies. Choose a monitor that uses IPS panel because it delivers faster response time, a much wider viewing angle, and better contrast and color.
How Does Your Choice of Monitor Influence Your Work?
It goes without saying that a good monitor provides excellent quality and performance. Having a monitor that has color accuracy is important because it will produce the results that you want.
A screen that offers a wide range of colors also results in more beautiful on-screen images. A screen with fewer colors will limit you on what you can work with.
If you choose a large monitor, you will have enough space to work on your photos. The goal is to be able to fully see your work.
Accuracy of Color Reproduction
The best monitor for photoshop or photo editing is calibrated for color accuracy and brightness. Screens intended for photo editing should reproduce colors and shades as intended.
This results in high-quality images and is crucial for photo and video editors. If the color in the photograph is not matching what is on the monitor, this becomes a big problem. Inaccurate colors will ruin your work so have your monitor calibrated to maintain a consistent look in your images.
Dimensions of the Monitor
When purchasing a monitor for your work, another factor to consider is size. The minimal size of 24 inches is recommended to offer enough space and be able to fully see your work.
A 24-inch monitor should have a higher resolution for image clarity.