The 5 Best Monitors For Photo Editing And Video Editing - Spring 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's nothing worse than printing your project only to find the colors are off because your monitor couldn't display them properly.

We've tested 67 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. See also our recommendations for the best 4k monitors, the best ultrawide monitors, and the best monitors overall.

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-W is the best monitor for video editing that we've tested so far. The 27 inch, 4k screen allows you to see more fine details in your work without having to constantly scroll around or zoom the image. It has great accuracy out of the box, great for color-critical work, and it has an excellent SDR color gamut. Although it has good coverage of the wider Adobe RGB color space, it might be insufficient for some professional photo or video editing.

   This monitor also supports HDR, which is great, but it isn't ideal for HDR mastering, as it can't get very bright, and it can't display a wide color gamut. It looks great in a bright room, thanks to the great peak brightness and good reflections handling, but it doesn't look as good in a dark room.

   This is a very versatile monitor overall. It has a great response time, low input lag, and wide viewing angles, making it a great choice for gaming or office use.

   See our review

2. Larger Alternative: LG 32UD99-W

   

   LG 32UD99-W

   SEE PRICE

   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 want a larger monitor than the LG 27UK650-W, the best 32 inch monitor for designers is the LG 32UD99-W instead. The larger, 32" model delivers nearly identical performance, but makes it easier to see small details in your work. It has a slightly better SDR color gamut, great for professional photo or video editing, and it can display a wide color gamut in HDR, although it isn't quite as bright in HDR in some scenes. This model also adds a USB hub built in to the monitor, so you can quickly connect an external drive or graphics tablet without digging behind your computer.

   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 need the most accurate colors for professional photo and video editing, check out the Acer Predator X27. This is an impressive 27 inch monitor that delivers good overall picture quality, with wide viewing angles and excellent peak brightness in HDR. It also has two blinders on each side to help reduce glare.

   This monitor is the best choice if you work with the Adobe RGB color space, as it has nearly perfect coverage of the entire Adobe RGB gamut. If you also work with HDR content, this monitor won't disappoint, as it has the widest HDR color gamut of any 2018 display we've tested with nearly perfect gradient handling.

   Unfortunately, despite the local dimming feature, it doesn't look as good in a dark room, as it has bad black uniformity and a mediocre contrast ratio. Overall, though, this is one of the best monitors for video editing and graphic design.

   See our review

4. Best Widescreen Monitor For Photo Editing And Video Editing: Dell AW3418DW

   

   Dell AW3418DW

   SEE PRICE

   Newegg.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.

   This monitor 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's 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 less expensive option, the best monitor for photo editing, graphic design, or media creation in the budget category is 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. This monitor 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, this is a good monitor that delivers great value within its price range.

   See our review