Best monitor for graphic artists in 2023: Glorious displays to show off your work

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Bes monitors for graphic artists header image artwork for Creative Bloq

(Image credit: Future/ASUS/BenQ/ViewSonic)

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1. Best overall: BenQ PD3220U
2. Budget: LG 32QN600-B
3. Premium: ASUS ProArt PA32DC
4. Best ultrawide: Dell U4021QW
5. Best Apple: Pro Display XDR
6. Portable: ViewSonic VP16-OLED
FAQs

The best monitors for graphic artists are the ones to choose if you're looking to take your work to the next level. Placing a priority on screen space, colour accuracy, image quality, supporting features, and resolution, there's a host of great monitors out there, from across the price spectrum, that will perform beautifully for graphic designers and artists. Getting the right one can make a huge difference to your work, not only from a quality perspective but also from a productivity point of view.

We've picked out a focused group of monitors for graphic designers which will hit a number of beats and niches, all the way from budget screens to premium performers, while also making sure that any of these will provide value and capability befitting of a busy artist or designer. 

Each of our picks below is stacked with buying advice, and has been picked comparing key features and specs, screen size, price, and more to give you a range of options. There's no such thing as a totally flawless monitor for graphic designers or artists (just as there is no flawless best laptop for graphic design), and each of the models has pros and cons to help you work out if their strengths and features match your needs, but we think these screens hit all the important marks. 

Quick list

This is our succinct overview of our picks for the best monitor for graphic artists that you can buy right now. You can use this snapshot to get a bite-size impression of each of our picks and then navigate to more information below, or to retailers right away.

The best monitors for graphic artists we recommend in 2023

Why you can trust Creative Bloq Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The best monitor for graphic artists overall

BenQ PD3220U

(Image credit: Michelle Rae Uy)
The best monitor for graphic artists overall

Specifications

Size: 31.5in
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Color space coverage: 100% sRGB,100% Rec.709, 95% DCI-P3
Connections: 2x HDMI v2.0, 1x DisplayPort v1.4, 1x Thunderbolt 3 (85W PD + DisplayPort Alt Mode)
Brightness (max): 250 nits

Reasons to buy

+
Exquisite color accuracy
+
Splendid design and IPS panel
+
Great connection options
+
Good value for money

Reasons to avoid

-
Only HDR10 support
-
Middling Adobe RGB coverage

The BenQ PD3220U offers close to the full package for creatives in one monitor - including value for money. This largely results from a monitor that has a rich feature set, superb image quality, and color representation and hits that sweet spot of combining a 4K resolution with a 32-inch screen.

Throw in some excellent connectivity options to ensure you can team it with whatever machine you run - including two Thunderbolt 3 ports - and wonderful preset color modes to match different work demands, and the reason why it's our top pick becomes clearer still.

It shines in real-world performance too, and proved that in our testing. The wide color gamut of 100% sRGB, 100% Rec.709, and 95% P3 is superb, and in our testing the screen actually surpassed one of those measures, reaching 98% DCI-P3 color coverage.

Given what you can spend on one of the best monitors for graphic artists, the BenQ PD3220U really shows how much you can get for its price point. A brilliant monitor for graphic designers and artists.

You can read our full breakdown and thoughts on the screen in our BenQ PD3220U review.

The best budget monitor for graphic artists

LG 32QN600-B on a white background

(Image credit: LG)

2. LG 32QN600-B

The best budget monitor for graphic artists

Specifications

Screen size: 31.5in
Resolution: 2560 x 1440
Color space coverage: 99% s RGB, 78.6% DCI-P3
Connections: 2x HDMI v1.4, 1x 3.5mm audio out
Brightness (max): 350 nits

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent value for money
+
Great out-of-the-box calibration
+
Great SDR color performance

Reasons to avoid

-
Middling HDR performance
-
Only average viewing angles

Given how specialist creative tech like the best monitors for graphic designers and artist can spiral in cost, it's always excellent when a budget model shows it can compete with the best. And the LG 32QN600-B does exactly that.

Cramming a bunch of features and qualities into an incredibly affordable monitor such as robust color gamut coverage, plenty of screen space, simple but solid connectivity options, and great out-the-box calibration and the 32QN600-B starts to show why it's our best budget pick. 

Yes, you will be making some compromises, such as dropping from 4K resolution to 1440p (so work won't look quite as sharp) and slightly weaker DCI-P3 coverage, but it still punches well above it's weight and price tag, and offers excellent value for money. Perfect for a cheap addition to the setup, or as a second monitor for work too.

The best premium monitor for graphic artists

ASUS ProArt OLED PA32DC on a white background

(Image credit: ASUS)

03. ASUS ProArt OLED PA32DC

The best premium monitor for graphic artists

Specifications

Screen size: 31.5in
Resolution: 3840x2160
Color space coverage: 100% sRGB, 80% rec. 2020, 99% DCI-P3
Connections: 3x HDMI (v2.0), 1x DisplayPort (v1.4), 1s USB-C (DP Alt mode, 65W power delivery), 4x USB-A
Brightness (max): 500 nits

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible image quality
+
Staggeringly accurate presets for all color formats
+
Class-leading color and contrast
+
Auto-calibration feature

Reasons to avoid

-
Only a 60Hz refresh rate
-
Costs the same as several of the others on the list combined

Our premium pick is absolutely breathtaking as a monitor for graphic artists and designers. If you imagine pretty much every box that would need to be ticked to get a perfect monitor for graphic design work, the ASUS ProArt OLED PA32DC basically ticks them all and offers the only monitor you'd ever need.

For starters, it's got more ports than you can shake a stick at and will serve even the busiest of setups, and it offers the beautiful 4K-plus-32-inch screen sweet spot. However, where it really shines is in sheer performance and accuracy. the ASUS ProArt OLED PA32DC has multiple HDR modes, an included auto-calibration feature, a monitor hood, incredible image quality, and class-leading color gamut coverage. 

Technical and capability grumbles are very minor, such as the screen's mediocre 60Hz refresh rate. The price will make some wince - you could buy several of the others on our list for the price of one PA32DC - but if it's in your budget, or it ever comes crashing down in price, this is the gold standard monitor to jump on.

The best ultrawide monitor for graphic artists

Product shot of Dell UltraSharp U4021QW, one of the best monitors for MacBook Pro

(Image credit: Dell)

04. Dell UltraSharp U4021QW

The best ultrawide monitor for graphic artists

Specifications

Size: 39.7in
Resolution: ‎5120 x 2160 (5K2K)
Color space coverage: 100% sRGB, 100% Rec. 709, 98% DCI-P3
Connections: 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x Thunderbolt 3 PD 90W, 1x USB Type-B Upstream, 1x USB-C Downstream, 1x 4x USB-A ports, 1x USB-A with 2A charging
Brightness (max): 300 nits

Reasons to buy

+
Terrific picture quality
+
So much screen space to work with
+
A host of ports
+
Tons of features for multi-taskers

Reasons to avoid

-
Curve might make work or images look skewed

If screen real estate is your top priority then the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW is for you. This ultrawide, 40-inch behemoth will provide you with so much space to work, that you can effectively ditch the second screen. It even offers that in glorious 4K too meaning your work and tasks will look spectacular.

Boasting 100% sRGB, 100% Rec. 709, and 98% DCI-P3 color coverage, the monitor has your professional back with the quality you can rely on, and throws in impeccable image quality by default to boot. These paramount features on top of that large screen make this a perfect match for multitaskers in particular. 

Many who change to a curved ultrawide monitor can never make the return to smaller flat screens, but something to just keep in mind is how the curve might change the appearance of your work on screen, slightly 'bending' it by appearance. If you can look past this, and want a beautifully crisp and accurate ultrawide monitor, then the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW is it.

The best monitor for graphic artists for Apple users

Product shot of Apple Pro Display XDR on white background, showing image of bird.CB endorsed

(Image credit: Apple)
The best monitor for graphic artists for Apple users

Specifications

Screen size: 32in
Resolution: 6016 x 3384
Color space coverage: 94.3% sRGB, 98.7 DCI-P3
Connections: 1 x Thunderbolt 3, 3 x USB Type-C
Brightness: 1000 nits

Reasons to buy

+
1,600-nit peak brightness 
+
Glorious 6K resolution
+
Thunderbolt & USB-C connectivity

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive…
-
…and the stand will cost you extra

Those looking to keep everything within the Apple family for their monitor should look at the Apple Pro Display XDR screen. It's an investment, but boy is it one of the best monitors for graphic designers that Apple users can get for creative work.

In terms of sheer performance and specs, the Apple Pro Display XDR has some punchy, enviable numbers. There's its awesome 6K resolution (6016 x 3384) brilliant HDR peak brightness of a staggering 1,600 nits (typically this is 'only' 1,000) and it's near 600 dimming zones on the panel ensuring contrasts are superb. It also offers specific modes and settings for DCI P3, sRGB, NTSC, BT.709, to name but a few, and so makes for a perfect companion for something like a MacBook Pro with the screens ensuring that work will look the same if you have them side by side. 

Its Thunderbolt 3 port ensures it can be hooked up easily in a Thunderbolt chain, and there are a bunch of USB-C ports for accessories too. Its price tag bites hard, and the fact that the official stand will cost you a chunk extra does sting, but if there was one Apple screen for graphic artists and designers to go for then it's this one.

However, if you're keen to stay in the Apple ecosystem but can't stretch to the Apple Pro Display XDR then head over to our Apple Studio Display review for a full breakdown of its cheaper sibling.

The best portable monitor for graphic artists

ViewSonic ColorPro VP16-OLED marketing image showing a camp site on screen

(Image credit: ViewSonic)

06. ViewSonic ColorPro VP16-OLED

The best portable monitor for graphic artists

Specifications

Screen size: 16in
Resolution: 1920x1080
Color space coverage: 100% sRGB, 100% rec.709, 100% DCI-P3
Connections: 2x USBV-C (DisplayPort Alt mode, 40W power delivery), 1xMicro HDMI (v1.4)
Brightness: 400 nits

Reasons to buy

+
High-end laptop-matching display
+
Superb stand
+
Brilliant image quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Only HD resolution
-
More expensive than some static monitors

If you move between workspaces a lot and need something that can be thrown into a bag easily, but also ensure excellent performance spec-wise, and as a static monitor, then let us introduce you to the ViewSonic ColorPro VP16-OLED.

Cramming so much excellence into a portable screen, it's basically unfair the VP16-OLED offers the most fulsome experience a portable monitor can offer. It's got supreme image quality thanks to that punchy OLED panel, an excellent form factor and design (particularly in its stand), great connectivity options, superb color coverage with ViewSonic claiming 100% in sRGB, rec.709, and DCI-P3, and it's more than bright enough too at 400 nits.

The fact that you can take this monitor conveniently on the go, wherever you need to work, makes it an even more attractive proposition - heck, it'd even be one of the best monitors for graphic artists in a small static setup.

Squashing all that into a portable monitor does mean it'll cost more than most mobile screens, but it absolutely justifies it. To emphasize this further, the fine folks at our sister site, Digital Camera World, gave the monitor a five-star score in their review. It really is that good.

FAQs

What is the best monitor for graphic artists and designers?

We think the best monitor for graphic artists is the BenQ PD3220U. It takes our top gong for being an exceptional all-round package that will help most graphic artists and designers excel in their work. Its blend of color work and quality, overall image quality and screen resolution, screen space, and connectivity make it a compelling package and, for its price, it offers great value. However, all of our picks for monitor for graphic designers here have their merits and will perform very highly in a number of circumstances depending on what exactly you're looking for.

Do you need a 4K monitor for graphic art and design?

While the best monitor for graphic artists or designers doesn't have to be 4K – it's largely regarded as the best resolution for the job should your budget allow for it. a 4K resolution will ensure you can aim for pixel-perfect art and design work with no cutting corners or compromising on overall image quality. Having said that you can still get great performance and bang for your buck value with 1440p or even 1080p screens for graphic work.

Rob Dwiar
Deputy Editor, TechRadar Gaming; Tech, hardware and games writer

Rob is the Deputy Editor at TechRadar Gaming, and a writer on games, gaming hardware, and tech, and also gardens and landscapes. He has been in the gaming and tech media industry for more than six years with bylines at the likes of Eurogamer, PCGamer, RockPaperShotgun, GamesRadar+, and more. Previously to being at TechRadar Gaming, he had a short but successful stint as Games Editor at WePC, and prior to that spent more than four years at GamesRadar+, building its hardware team up from scratch to great success. Elsewhere, he is merging his passion and expertise in both gardens and landscapes and video games by crowdfunding a book on video game landscapes that you can back and pre-order now.