The 5 Best Monitors for Photo Editing and Video Editing - March 2019
Reviews

Whether you are a professional in the print and marketing industry or an amateur photographer, your project has to look its best. The first step is to have a good monitor with accurate colors. There is nothing worse than printing your project only to find the colors are off because your monitor couldn't display them properly.

We've tested 60 monitors so far, and below are our picks for the best monitors for photo editing, graphic design, or media creation available for purchase in 2019.

1. Best Monitor for Photo Editing and Video Editing: LG 27UK650-W

   

   LG 27UK650-W

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.0

   Test Benches:

   • 1.0: Fall 2017

   See changelog and how ratings work

   8.0

   Media Creation

   Score components:

   • 21% Resolution and Size
   • 8% Ergonomics
   • 7% Vertical Viewing Angle
   • 7% Input Lag
   • 6% Horizontal Viewing Angle
   • 6% Motion Blur
   • 6% Refresh Rate
   • 5% Reflections
   • 5% Gray Uniformity
   • 5% Black Uniformity
   • 3% Image Flicker
   • 3% Gradient
   • 3% SDR Color Gamut
   • 3% SDR Color Volume
   • 2% Contrast
   • 2% SDR Peak Brightness
   • 2% HDR Peak Brightness
   • 2% HDR Color Gamut
   • 2% HDR Color Volume
   • 1% Pre Calibration
   • 1% Local Dimming

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Size : 27 "
   Resolution : 3840x2160
   Refresh Rate : 60 Hz
   LCD Type

   What it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.

   : IPS
   Variable Refresh Rate

   What it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.

   When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.

   : FreeSync

   The LG 27UK650 is the best monitor for video editing, photo editing, and graphic design that we have tested so far. The 27" screen and 4k resolution allow you to see more of your project at once. It also has wide viewing angles, great for sharing your work with multiple people.

   It has great color reproduction. It displays gradients almost perfectly with almost no banding, and it has an excellent SDR color gamut.

   Unfortunately, although the 27UK650 supports HDR, it can't display a wide color gamut and it has no local dimming feature. It also has limited coverage of the Adobe RGB color space, which is less than ideal for professional photo and video editing. Overall, though, the 27UK650 is a great monitor that should please most people.

   See our review

2. Larger Alternative: LG 32UD99-W

   

   LG 32UD99-W

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   Amazon.com

   Size : 32 "

   Resolution : 3840x2160

   Refresh Rate : 60 Hz

   LCD Type

   What it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.

   : IPS

   Variable Refresh Rate

   What it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.

   When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.

   : FreeSync

   If you find the 27 inches of the LG 27UK650 limiting but still want a monitor with similar performance in photo and video editing, then get the LG 32UD99. It has almost identical performance to the 27UK650, but it is much larger and allows you to easily multitask without struggling to see the details. The 32UD99 is also equipped with some nice features, like a built-in USB hub, which allows you to connect more external devices, which can be very handy if your computer doesn't have many USB ports.

   See our review

3. Best Adobe RGB Monitor for Photo Editing and Video Editing: Acer Predator X27

   

   Acer Predator X27

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.0

   Test Benches:

   • 1.0: Fall 2017

   See changelog and how ratings work

   8.0

   Media Creation

   Score components:

   • 21% Resolution and Size
   • 8% Ergonomics
   • 7% Vertical Viewing Angle
   • 7% Input Lag
   • 6% Horizontal Viewing Angle
   • 6% Motion Blur
   • 6% Refresh Rate
   • 5% Reflections
   • 5% Gray Uniformity
   • 5% Black Uniformity
   • 3% Image Flicker
   • 3% Gradient
   • 3% SDR Color Gamut
   • 3% SDR Color Volume
   • 2% Contrast
   • 2% SDR Peak Brightness
   • 2% HDR Peak Brightness
   • 2% HDR Color Gamut
   • 2% HDR Color Volume
   • 1% Pre Calibration
   • 1% Local Dimming

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Size : 27 "
   Resolution : 3840x2160
   Refresh Rate : 120 Hz
   LCD Type

   What it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.

   : IPS
   Variable Refresh Rate

   What it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.

   When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.

   : G-Sync

   If you work mainly in the Adobe RGB color space, the Acer Predator X27 has the best Adobe RGB coverage that we have measured so far. It has a nearly perfect SDR color gamut and outstanding SDR color volume. In HDR, it has the best color gamut of any display that we have tested so far and very good HDR color volume.

   It has a decent stand that can be easily adjusted to an optimal position. The 27-inch 4k screen is great for multitasking, and the fast 120 Hz refresh rate is excellent for gaming. It has a dedicated blue light filter that, as the name implies, filters blue light from the display to reduce eye strain when working at night or in a dark room.

   Unfortunately, the X27 really doesn't come cheap and is outside of most people's budget. But if you need the best monitor for photo editing, you won't be disappointed with it.

   See our review

4. Best Widescreen Monitor for Photo Editing and Video Editing: Dell AW3418DW

   

   Dell AW3418DW

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.0

   Test Benches:

   • 1.0: Fall 2017

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.5

   Media Creation

   Score components:

   • 21% Resolution and Size
   • 8% Ergonomics
   • 7% Vertical Viewing Angle
   • 7% Input Lag
   • 6% Horizontal Viewing Angle
   • 6% Motion Blur
   • 6% Refresh Rate
   • 5% Reflections
   • 5% Gray Uniformity
   • 5% Black Uniformity
   • 3% Image Flicker
   • 3% Gradient
   • 3% SDR Color Gamut
   • 3% SDR Color Volume
   • 2% Contrast
   • 2% SDR Peak Brightness
   • 2% HDR Peak Brightness
   • 2% HDR Color Gamut
   • 2% HDR Color Volume
   • 1% Pre Calibration
   • 1% Local Dimming

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Size : 34 "
   Resolution : 3440x1440
   Refresh Rate : 100 Hz
   LCD Type

   What it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.

   : IPS
   Variable Refresh Rate

   What it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.

   When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.

   : G-Sync

   If you would prefer a widescreen monitor for easier multitasking when editing photos, check out the Dell Alienware AW3418DW. The 34" screen, with a 3440x1440 resolution and 21:9 aspect ratio, is perfect for multitasking or for editing a large workflow. It has nearly perfect coverage of the sRGB color space and excellent color volume, but unfortunately, it doesn't cover the wider Adobe RGB color space as well.

   There is some noticeable banding when working with gradients. Normally, this wouldn't be an issue, but if you frequently work with gradients it might be. It also doesn't perform very well in a dark room, due to the limited contrast ratio and poor black uniformity.

   The Dell AW3418DW has a great design, with a futuristic look and a unique stand. The stand itself isn't as good as most Dell monitors, but can still be easily adjusted to an optimal position. Overall, it is a very good monitor that should please most people.

   See our review

5. Best Budget Monitor for Photo Editing and Video Editing: Dell U2518D

   

   Dell U2518D

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.0

   Test Benches:

   • 1.0: Fall 2017

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.7

   Media Creation

   Score components:

   • 21% Resolution and Size
   • 8% Ergonomics
   • 7% Vertical Viewing Angle
   • 7% Input Lag
   • 6% Horizontal Viewing Angle
   • 6% Motion Blur
   • 6% Refresh Rate
   • 5% Reflections
   • 5% Gray Uniformity
   • 5% Black Uniformity
   • 3% Image Flicker
   • 3% Gradient
   • 3% SDR Color Gamut
   • 3% SDR Color Volume
   • 2% Contrast
   • 2% SDR Peak Brightness
   • 2% HDR Peak Brightness
   • 2% HDR Color Gamut
   • 2% HDR Color Volume
   • 1% Pre Calibration
   • 1% Local Dimming

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Size : 25 "
   Resolution : 2560x1440
   Refresh Rate : 60 Hz
   LCD Type

   What it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.

   : IPS
   Variable Refresh Rate

   What it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.

   When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.

   : No

   If you are looking for a budget, but good, monitor for photo editing, graphic design, or media creation, then check out the Dell U2518D. It is a good 25-inch IPS monitor that delivers good picture quality, wide viewing angles, excellent sRGB coverage, and can display nearly perfect colors, with minimal banding in gradients.

   Unfortunately, dark room performance is not good. Just like most IPS monitors, blacks look gray in a dark room and black uniformity is disappointing with a lot of noticeable backlight bleed. The Dell U2518D can display HDR content, but not with satisfactory results as it doesn't have a wide color gamut. Its HDR color volume is disappointing. It also has limited coverage of the Adobe RGB color space and might not be the best option if you are a professional in the print or media industry where the need for such color space coverage is more apparent.

   Overall, the Dell U2518D is a good monitor that delivers great value within its price range.

   See our review