Dell UltraSharp 27-Inch 4K Monitor (U2723QE)
Screen size: 27-inches | Screen type: LED-backlit LCD | Resolution:4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Response time: 5ms (GTG fast, 8ms (GTG normal) | Ports: 3x USB Type-C, 4x USB Type-A, 1x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort, 4x USB
Best for: Viewing content with excellent color and black performance.
One of the industry’s first to offer IPS Black technology, the Dell UltraSharp 27-inch 4K monitor generates brilliant color and contrast with a contrast ratio of 2,000:1. The monitor has a 1.07 billion color palette with a wide color gamut that includes 100% sRBG, 100% Rec. 709, 98% DCI-P3 and VESA Certified DisplayHDR 400 support. You also get an ultra-thin bezel with the ability to twist, tilt and pivot the display between landscape and portrait modes. Adjust the height up to 5.9 inches or take advantage of the 178-degree viewing angle.
Whether you’re editing photos or video, multitasking or viewing video content (with HDR support), you can adjust this monitor to meet your needs, which also includes a picture-in-picture feature. Using the Dell Display Manager application, you can fully customize the monitor based on which operating system and applications you use. We’re also fans of the screen’s anti-glare coating.
Pros:
- 27-inch display offering 4K resolution
- Adjustability height and viewing angle
- Modern looking silver finish with very thin bezel
Cons:
- No built-in speakers or webcam
Best Budget Monitor For Photo Editing
Offers Factory Calibrated Color
BenQ PD2700U 4K Designer
Screen size: 27-inches | Screen type: IPS | Resolution: 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Response time: 5ms | Ports: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 1x Mini DisplayPort, 4x USB Type-A
Best for: Viewing content with Pantone-validated color accuracy.
The BenQ 27-inch monitor offers superior color accuracy at a more affordable price point. For the price, it has a 4K resolution display, 100% sRGB and 100% Rec. 709 color accuracy and relies on a color palette of 1.1 billion colors. You get a 16:9 aspect ratio, anti-glare screen coating and a 178-degree viewing angle.
The monitor comes factory calibrated for color accuracy that’s Pantone and Calman verified. In addition to the HDR10 support, you can use the split-screen and picture-in-picture features to become a multi-tasking powerhouse. It also offers a variety of different display modes, including Darkroom mode, Animation mode, CAD/CAM mode and DualView mode—all designed specifically for creators.
Pros:
- 4K 27-inch display
- Affordable
- Pantone and Calman verified for color accuracy
Cons:
- No adaptive sync
- No USB Type-C ports
Honorable Mention: Pantone Validated Color Accuracy For Less Than $250
ViewSonic VP2456 24-Inch 1080p Premium IPS
Screen size: 24-inches | Screen type: LED IPS | Resolution: 1080p (1,920 x 1,080 pixels | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Response time: 5ms | Ports: 3x USB Type-A, 1x USB Type-B, 1x USB Type-C, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
Best for: Working with graphic content without the hefty price tag.
The ViewSonic VP2456 offers 1080p resolution and a 24-inch screen, and unlike many monitors at this price point, it comes with 100% sRGB, EBU, SMPTE, Rec. 709 and DICOM-SIM color spaces and Delta E<2 accuracy. In fact, it’s one of the few monitors with Pantone-verified colors at this price point to also offer Pantone Matching System certification. Gamers will enjoy its Adaptive Sync support, but if you’re working with graphics, digital images or video, you’ll appreciate the color accuracy combined with the flicker-free technology and blue light filter.
The monitor’s ergonomic design allows you to tilt, swivel and pivot the screen and adjust its height your ideal viewing angle. The color pallet supports 16.7 million colors, but the maximum brightness is just 250 nits. The screen comes with an anti-glare hard coating. And while you get two internal stereo speakers, they’re just 2-watts each, so they offer just basic audio quality and performance.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Adaptive Sync support
- Pantone validated color accuracy
Cons:
- Low quality speakers
- 1080p resolution might not be enough for some
Best 32-Inch Monitor For Photo Editing
Great Size For A Home Studio Or Office
BenQ EW3280U 32-Inch 4K
Screen size: 32-inches | Screen type: IPS LCD | Resolution: 4K (3,841 x 2,160 pixels) | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Response time: 5ms | Ports: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 1x USB Type-C
Best for: Work spaces where the brightness changes throughout the day.
Featuring a maximum brightness of 400 nits, the BenQ EW3280U supports HDR10, BenQ HDRi, VESA and DisplayHDR 400 with a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut. You get a color palette of almost 1.1 billion colors, displayed on a screen with an anti-glare coating and a native contrast ratio of 1,000:1.
The ambient light detector automatically adjusts the screen brightness to provide the best viewing experience thanks to intelligent display software. For video, the color, brightness and clarity offer a 24 fps frame rate which matches most movie theater screens. For gaming, the monitor supports AMD FreeSync to provide smooth and lag-free game play. In addition to showcasing beautiful graphics and video, the BenQ EW3280U has built in 2.1 channel stereo speakers.
Pros:
- 32-inch screen with 4K resolution
- Automatic brightness detection
- Offers flicker-free technology great for video content and animation
Cons:
- No height adjustment option
- Contrast could be better
Best Portable Monitor For Photo Editing
Get Work Done From Anywhere
ViewSonic VP16-OLED 15.6-Inch 1080p
Screen size: 15.6-inches | Screen type: OLED | Resolution: 1080p (1,920 x 1,080 pixels | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Response time: 1ms | Ports: 2x USB Type-C, Micro HDMI, 3.5mm Audio
Best for: Photo and video editing using a laptop while traveling.
The ViewSonic VP-16 OLED weighs less than two pounds and measures 14.1 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches, so it’s easy to tuck away into your carry-on luggage. The built-in base folds outwards, making the monitor both height and tilt adjustable for the perfect viewing angle. The monitor delivers rich and accurate colors thanks to its factory calibration alongside the Pantone validation. It uses a color palette of almost 1.1 billion colors and offers a 16:9 aspect ratio. You’ll also get a static contrast ratio of 100,000:1, while the dynamic aspect ratio is 20M:1.
Offers a nice collection of presets, you can use features like Video Edit, Animation, Photographer, CAD/CAM and Color mode. Because the display has a glossy finish (so it can better display accurate, vibrant and bright colors), it also picks up more glare from overhead lighting. For those that need that anti-glare feature, you can reshape the screen cover to serve as a monitor hood–a unique perk to this setup.
Pros:
- Portable, adjustable design for on-the-go photographers
- Beautiful OLED screen
Cons:
- No 4K resolution
Best Curved Monitor For Photo Editing
A Wide Perspective
Asus ProArt PA34VC 34-Inch QHD Ultra Wide Curved
Screen size: 34.1-inches | Screen type: LED IPS | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 pixels | Refresh rate: 100Hz | Response time: 5ms | Ports: 2x HDMI, 2x Thunderbolt 3, 1x DisplayPort, 3x USB Type-A, 1x USB Type C, 1x 3.5mm audio | Curvature: 1900R
Best for: Multitasking or working with multiple pieces of content at once.
The 34.1-inch, anti-glare curved display of the ASUS ProArt PA34VC features an impressive aspect ratio of 21:9 with a 100% sRGB color gamut. The brightness offers slightly more than others on this list— 300 nits—and you’ll get presets including Standard, sRGB, Rec. 709, Scenery, Reading and Darkroom. Four modes of color temperature selection, 6-axis color adjustments, and Asus’ ProArt hardware calibration also round out its extra features.
There’s an HDR10 mode for watching video content with brighter whites and darker blacks. The Adaptive-Sync and a super-high and variable refresh rate are ideal for gaming, and because it’s an ultrawide display, you get more space for multitasking in picture-by-picture mode. You can use the built-in 2-watt stereo speakers or opt to buy a separate computer speakers to complete your setup.
When you deem it necessary, it’s easy to divide the 34.1-inch display into multiple sections, using the picture-in-picture or picture-by-picture feature—both enable multiple content sources and color settings to be displayed simultaneously.
Pros:
- 34.1-inch, curved 3,440 x 1,440 pixel resolution display
- Multiple presets for specific applications
- Offers true-to-life color reproduction with Asus ProArt Calibration Technology
Cons:
- Lacks full coverage of the Adobe RGB color space
- Monitor base could be sturdier
How We Chose The Best Monitors For Photo Editing
During our free time, our tech experts at Forbes also work with photography, videography and content creation. We combined research with our own hands-on testing and experiences, and we spoke with product experts and industry leaders to help us determine the best photo editing monitors that made the cut. We carefully evaluated each monitor’s resolution, size, color accuracy, software and more. We also paid attention to what specs set each monitor apart from the competition.
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