Best
Monitors for Photo Editing and Design
Windows Central
2021
The best computer monitors for photo editing and design are specially designed for the task. High resolution, accurate color reproduction across color gamuts (such as AdobeRGB and DCI-P3), plenty of brightness, good connectivity, and an ergonomic stand are some of the factors that go into our overall picks here. If you’re a designer, videographer, or photographer who needs some new display hardware, we’ve collected the best right here.
Expensive But Worth It:
BenQ PD2720U
Staff Pick
This 27-inch 4K monitor brings 100% sRGB, 100% AdobeRGB, and 96% DCI-P3 color reproduction to the table, as well as HDR10 and up to 350 nits brightness. Plenty of color presets and intuitive controls make it easy to switch tasks between editing and design. The stand is ergonomic, the monitor is built well, and it has a generous port selection. Have a look at our BenQ PD2720U review to see if the relatively high price makes sense for your needs.
For Work And Play:
Razer Raptor 27
Editor’s choice
Razer’s Raptor 27 brings a 2K resolution, aggressive design with RGB lighting, excellent cable management, and outstanding color accuracy. It hits 100% sRGB, 96% AdobeRGB, and 96% DCI-P3 color reproduction and has HDR400, but it also tacks on a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time for gaming. If you think this multipurpose monitor might be right for you, our Razer Raptor 27 review has much more information.
Multiple Screens In One:
LG 38WN95C-W
Ultrawide monitors might be pricey, but they can take the place of a multi-monitor setup. LG’s 38-incher offers 100% sRGB, 88% AdobeRGB, and 95% DCI-P3 color reproduction, as well as DisplayHDR 600 and about 550 nits brightness. The 3840×1600 resolution is crisp, and the 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time means it can double for gaming when you’re not at work. Read our LG 38WN95C-W review for a deeper dive into this ultrawide.
For Photo Editing:
BenQ SW270C PhotoVue
Those who are primarily dealing with photo editing should consider the BenQ SW270C. Its 27-inch IPS panel has a 2K resolution with about 300 nits brightness, and it manages 100% sRGB, 99% AdobeRGB, and 97% DCI-P3 color reproduction. It also has a 10-bit display and 16-bit 3D LUT for easier working between color gamuts. Our BenQ SW270C review explains further why this would make a great professional monitor.
Value Pick:
ViewSonic VP2768-4K
ViewSonic’s VP2768-4K is a 27-inch monitor with a 4K resolution, best suited for anyone who needs accurate color reproduction for photography. It hits 99% sRGB, 99% EBU, 99% Rec. 709, and 100% SMPTE-C. It also has a 14-bit 3D LUT for a wide color palette. It has an ergonomic stand, and it’s priced very competitively. Check out our ViewSonic VP2768-4K review if you’re not quite convinced.
8K At 32 Inches:
Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
Does 4K not put enough pixels on a 32-inch screen for your liking? Have thousands of dollars to spend? Dell’s UP3218K brings an IPS panel with 7680×4320 resolution, 6ms response time, and outstanding PremierColor tuning. Expect 100% sRGB, 100% AdobeRGB, 100% Rec. 709, and 98% DCI-P3. It has an ergonomic stand, generous port selection, and the UltraSharp quality you expect.
If we’re making some suggestions
This collection of monitors should appeal to professionals who are primarily dealing with editing and design work, but we can offer further suggestions if you’re unsure where to start.
For anyone working across design and photo or video work, the BenQ PD2720U is an outstanding 4K option that does many things right. The stand is ergonomic, controls make it easy to navigate the menus, and color reproduction is spot on with 100% sRGB, 100% AdobeRGB, and 96% DCI-P3. HDR10 is baked in, and there are a ton of presets to choose from if you’re changing tasks and need a different setup. This is a rather pricey option, but it’s definitely one of the best out there for professionals.
If you plan on switching between professional work and casual play, the Razer Raptor 27 might be better suited for your needs. Not only is it beautifully designed with smart cable management and RGB lighting, but it can also hold its own in terms of picture. The 2K panel has a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and is compatible with NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. Color hits 100% sRGB, 90% AdobeRGB, and 96% DCI-P3, plus there’s HDR400 baked in. If you’re not looking to go all-in with a pro monitor, this is undoubtedly a better choice at a lower price than our top pick.
None of these options really what you’re looking for? Our roundup of the overall best computer monitors has more displays.
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