The best monitors for photo editing
Get the colour coverage and accuracy you need with the best monitors for photo editing on PC and Mac.
Buying one of the best monitors for photo editing is crucial for achieving accurate colours, sharp details, and an overall high-quality image. So whether you're a professional photographer, graphic designer or hobbyist, investing in a monitor designed specifically for photo editing can make all the difference in your workflow.
A good photo editing monitor should offer excellent colour accuracy, high resolution, and wide viewing angles to ensure what you see on screen matches what will be printed or displayed. Features like HDR support, colour calibration tools, and a wide colour gamut are also essential.
We’ve drawn on our vast experience of reviewing, testing and using monitors to bring together the very best monitors for photo editing in one place, considering factors like performance, price, and ease of use. For additional options, check out our guides on the best monitors for graphic artists and video editing.
Quick list
We think the balance between price and quality makes this 4K monitor the best choice for most people. It boasts solid colour coverage, 350 nits of brightness and a USB-C port that supports charging.
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It's not cheap, but the BenQ SW321C offers excellent quality. It boasts near-faultless colour coverage, you can quickly switch between colour spaces, and the screen comes expertly calibrated.
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While our first pick is fairly affordable for a pro screen, if you're working on a tighter budget this Iiyama model offers very respectable colour coverage, especially if you only edit images for general digital displays such as for web or social media.
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This is objectively the best monitor for photo editing that we've tested if we ignore the $4K price. It boasts a 24-bit look-up table, great coverage and built-in calibration hardware to ensure colours stay accurate.
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8K monitors aren't mainstream yet, but with more cameras producing 8K video, they're a growing niche. We found that this monitor provides outstanding colour coverage, with 100% AdobeRGB, 100% Rec. 709 and 98% DCI-P3.
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If you're an Apple user and want to stick to the brand, we think the Studio Display is the perfect match for a Mac mini. We liked the 5K screens clarity, and consistent colour and brightness.
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Best monitor for photo editing overall
The best monitors for photo editing in full
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.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want professional-grade colour accuracy: Factory calibration and excellent colour space coverage make this ideal for photo editing.
✅ You value ergonomics: The C-clamp design offers unmatched flexibility and desk organisation.
❌ You need ultra-high brightness: While adequate for most uses, the 350 nits brightness might not be sufficient for HDR work.
❌ You're looking for a gaming monitor: The 60Hz refresh rate isn't ideal for serious gaming.
🔎 BenQ PD2706UA is an exceptional monitor for photo editing, offering professional-grade colour accuracy, innovative ergonomics, and solid build quality. ★★★★½
What you need to know: Many of BenQ's monitors are good options for all kinds of visual work, but we think this premium 4K monitor is the best option for photo editing for most people's needs. Costly professional photo editing monitors like the BenQ SW321C and Eizo displays below have better specs, but they represent an unncesssary expense for most people. In our review, we found it offers impressive colour accuracy, a versatile C-clamp design, and excellent Mac compatibility, making it an ideal choice for creative professionals.
Design and build: We loved the ergonomic design of this display with its C-clamp and ergo arm, which saves space on a desk and allows it to be positioned as desired. We also found connectivity needs well catered for with HMDI 2.0, a DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB-C port that can charge a laptop. There's also a USB hub with three USB-A and one USB-C. Cable management is integrated into the C-clamp design, contributing to a cleaner desktop setup.
Display: With 4K resolution and 350 nits of brightness, the 27-inch 4K display is sharp and crisp and bright enough for most people needs in photo editing. Colour coverage is solid, with 95% P3, 99% sRGB and 99% Rec.709, and our test results showed a Dеltа Е score of less than 3, reflecting accurate соlоur rерrоduсtіоn. We particularly appreciated the 11 built-in colour modes and the DualView feature, which allows comparison of work in different colour spaces simultaneously. Mac users will benefit from active colour syncing without additional calibration. The monitor includes BenQ's eye-care technology with ultra-low blue light and flicker-free feature.
Pricing: At £549/$629.99, the BenQ PD2706UA represents excellent value for its feature set and build quality. While not the cheapest 27-inch monitor available, the combination of premium display quality, ergonomic design, and professional features justifies the investment for serious photographers.
Read more: BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design and build | Superior ergonomics | ★★★★★ |
| Display | Excellent colour accuracy | ★★★★ |
| Pricing | Competitive pricing | ★★★★★ |
Best premium monitor for photo editing
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want pro features at a lower price: Offers professional features at a more accessible price point than many competitors.
✅ You work across different colour spaces: The GamutDuo Mode and multiple colour presets make it ideal for varied workflows.
❌ You need high brightness: The 250 nits maximum brightness may not be sufficient for HDR work.
❌ You have limited space: The 32-inch screen size requires substantial desk space.
🔎 BenQ SW321C delivers professional-grade colour accuracy and features at a more accessible price point than many competitors. ★★★★½
What you need to know: We rate the BenQ SW321C as the best monitor for photo editing for those that have a bigger budget. It's quite a lot more expensive than the BenQ monitor above, but you get a little more colour coverage with 99% Adobe RGB and 100% sRGB (you'll probably know if you're a professional who needs that extra 1%), and you can quickly switch between colour spaces thanks to a separate control unit. The screen comes expertly calibrated and rocks calibration hardware of its own.
Design and build: The monitor features a practical rather than sleek design, with relatively thick bezels and a substantial stand. While the stand offers good adjustability - including 45-degree swivel to each side, -5/+20-degree tilt, and 90-degree pivot for portrait orientation - we noticed some wobble in testing. The included shading hood helps reduce glare, though the anti-glare coating makes this somewhat redundant.
Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C with 60W power delivery, an SD card reader, and a USB hub. The included Hotkey Puck controller significantly improves the user experience, offering intuitive control over the monitor's settings and quick access to different colour modes.
Display: We've found the colour precision and uniformity across the 4K display to be close to faultless. The 31.5-inch 4K panel delivers outstanding image quality with exceptional colour accuracy. Our tests confirmed BenQ's claimed 99% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB/Rec.709, and 95% DCI-P3 coverage, with impressive Delta E scores of 0.90 in Adobe RGB mode. The monitor comes pre-calibrated, making it ready for professional use straight out of the box.
We particularly appreciated the professional features, including GamutDuo Mode for side-by-side colour space comparison and multiple colour modes (Adobe RGB, sRGB, DCI-P3, Display P3). While the brightness peaks at 250 nits and contrast didn't quite reach the stated 1,000:1 ratio in our testing, the uniformity tech ensured consistent colour and brightness across the panel.
Pricing: At £1,599/$1,999, the SW321C represents strong value for a professional photography monitor. While not cheap, it offers features and performance that rival monitors costing significantly more, making it an accessible option for serious photographers and content creators.
Read more: BenQ SW321C review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design and build | Good connectivity but slightly wobbly stand | ★★★★ |
| Display | Exceptional colour accuracy | ★★★★★ |
| Pricing | Good value for the features | ★★★★ |
Best cheap monitor for photo editing
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You work across multiple devices: The integrated KVM switch makes it easy to move between desktop and laptop setups.
✅ You need a bright display: With brightness exceeding 400 nits, it's brighter than many competitors.
❌ You need maximum Adobe RGB coverage: 83% won't satisfy the most demanding print professionals.
❌ You have limited desk space: At 9.9kg with a substantial footprint, this is a hefty monitor.
🔎 Iiyama Prolite XUB3293UHSN-B5 offers an impressive blend of professional features and practical functionality at a competitive price point. ★★★★
What you need to know: The Iiyama Prolite may not sound like a brand name you've heard a lot about, as the market has been dominated by the likes of BenQ, ASUS, Dell and other giants. But this 32-inch, 4K IPS screen offers a more affordable pro alternative we can genuinely recommend. That's in part thanks to the integrated KVM switch that allows you to connect and swap between multiple computers (great for photographers on the go), along with a bright and sharp display that stood remarkably well up to our testing.
Design and build: The monitor is notably robust, though it's pretty heavy at 9.9kg. The sturdy stand offers impressive height adjustment, though, eliminating the need for makeshift monitor stands. There's also a 100mm VESA mount for those who prefer monitor arms. The thin bezel design is modern, though the OSD controls on the rear are somewhat fiddly to use. Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C with 65W power delivery, and USB 3.2 ports thanks to the integrated KVM switch.
Display: The 4K resolution on the 31.5-inch IPS panel provides excellent clarity for detailed photo editing work. In our testing, the monitor exceeded its stated brightness specifications, achieving 403 nits compared to the rated 350 nits – making it notably brighter than many competitors in its class. Colour coverage is solid, with 100% sRGB, 83% Adobe RGB, and 92% DCI-P3. It may not quite cut it in a high-demand photo studio, but if you're starting out or working on a limited budget, the sub-£400 or so this will set you back is more than worth the outlay.
Pricing: At £420-£550, the Iiyama represents good value for a professional 4K display, particularly given its feature set. It undercuts similar IPS panels from premium brands while offering comparable image quality and additional features like the KVM switch.
Read more: Iiyama Prolite XUB3293UHSN-B5 review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design and build | Great size and versatile designs and ports. | ★★★★★ |
| Display | Solid colour coverage and accuracy. | ★★★★★ |
| Pricing | Great value for the specs provided. | ★★★★ |
Best professional monitor for photo editing
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You need total colour accuracy: The built-in calibration and exceptional colour space coverage ensure consistent accuracy.
✅ You work with HDR content: Support for multiple HDR standards makes it ideal for HDR video editing.
❌ You're on a limited budget: The premium price point puts it out of reach for many users.
❌ You need fast refresh rates: The 23-61Hz refresh rate isn't suitable for gaming or high-speed motion work.
🔎 Eizo ColorEdge CG319X is a professional powerhouse. Those who require absolute colour accuracy, built-in calibration, and comprehensive HDR support will find it hard to beat. ★★★★½
What you need to know: The Eizo ColorEdge CG319X is a professional-grade 31-inch 4K monitor designed – and priced – for a niche professional audience. When we tested it for ourselves, we found that it certainly delivers, offering phenomenal colour accuracy and excellent features in a solid, sturdy build. If money is no object, we think this is the best monitor for photo editing you can buy.
Design and build: While utilitarian in appearance with thick bezels, the build quality is exceptional. The circular base provides excellent stability, and the monitor offers generous height adjustment with 344-degree swivel capability and 35-degree tilt. A monitor hood comes included to prevent ambient light interference. Connectivity is comprehensive with dual HDMI and DisplayPort inputs. The only minor niggle is the button-based menu system, which feels dated.
Display: The DCI 4K resolution (4,096 x 2,160) IPS panel delivers exceptional image quality with a 1500:1 contrast ratio. In testing, colour coverage is outstanding at 99% Adobe RGB and 98% DCI-P3, making it suitable for the most demanding colour work. The integrated calibration sensor automatically maintains accuracy, with calibration taking 20-25 minutes. Brightness stabilisation technology and digital uniformity equaliser ensure consistent performance across the entire panel. The display supports HDR HLG and PQ curve standards, with helpful warnings when HDR content exceeds the monitor's brightness capability. At 350 cd/m², brightness is ample for professional work.
Pricing: With a price tag around £4,000, this is very expensive. However, for professionals who require absolute colour accuracy, built-in calibration, and comprehensive HDR support, the price reflects the professional-grade features.
Read more: Eizo ColorEdge CG319X review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design and build | Robust build, excellent stability | ★★★★★ |
| Display | Supreme colour accuracy | ★★★★★ |
| Pricing | Very expensive | ★★★★ |
Best 8K monitor for photo editing
05. Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You work in ultra-high-resolution: The 8K resolution reveals unprecedented detail in high-megapixel photos.
✅ You want future-proof technology: With 8K content becoming more common, this monitor is ahead of the curve.
❌ You lack powerful hardware: The monitor requires a high-end GPU with dual DisplayPort outputs.
❌ You're working with standard res content: Most users won't benefit from 8K resolution for typical tasks.
🔎 Dell UltraSharp UP3218K is an expensive glimpse into the future of display technology, and is a powerful tool for professional photographers and digital artists working with very high-resolution content. ★★★★
What you need to know: With more cameras now providing 8K video recording some people looking for a monitor for photography may want to stretch to an 8K monitor. One of the few available so far is the Dell UltraSharp UP3218K. It carries a high price tag, but when it comes to detail, it really does stand out. Just note that since it was made before HDMI 2.1 and its 8K support arrived, it requires two(!) DisplayPort connections to power all those pixels.
Design and build: The monitor exhibits Dell's premium build quality with brushed aluminium construction and tool-free assembly. The stand offers excellent versatility with 120mm height adjustment, 60-degree swivel, and 90-degree rotation for portrait orientation. Connectivity is necessarily limited to dual DisplayPort inputs (both required for 8K operation) plus USB hub functionality. The slim bezels help maintain a relatively compact footprint despite the 32-inch screen size, though the monitor does run notably warm during operation.
Display: The headline 8K resolution delivers astonishing clarity, but it's the colour accuracy that truly impresses. Factory calibrated with Dell PremierColor technology, it achieves 100% AdobeRGB, 100% sRGB, 100% Rec. 709, and 98% DCI-P3 coverage. In testing, the monitor revealed previously invisible details in high-resolution photos, such as fine cobwebs that were indiscernible on lower-resolution displays. The panel handles 1.07 billion colours and maintains excellent viewing angles. Operating at this resolution requires significant graphics power - you'll need a powerful GPU with dual DisplayPort outputs just to drive the display.
Pricing: With a price around £4,000 / $4,000, this is firmly in professional territory. While the cost is substantial, it reflects the monitor's cutting-edge technology and exceptional colour accuracy.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design and build | Premium construction, versatile stand | ★★★★★ |
| Display | Groundbreaking resolution | ★★★★★ |
| Pricing | Very expensive | ★★★ |
Best Apple monitor for photo editing
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You're invested in Apple's ecosystem: This works best with Apple devices and offers seamless integration.
✅ You want a 5K display: The high resolution provides exceptional clarity for detailed creative work.
❌ You work with HDR content: The lack of HDR support is a significant limitation.
❌ You use non-Apple devices: Limited port selection and features may not work with non-Apple kit.
🔎 Apple Studio Display offers excellent build quality and seamless integration with Apple devices, though its high price and some notable omissions like HDR support make it harder to recommend universally. ★★★★
What you need to know: If you're an Apple user and want the perfect-looking companion to your MacBook Pro or Mac mini, you may well be tempted to go for Apple's own monitor, the Studio Display. When it comes to editing photos, we found the 5K display to be decent choice. It offers great clarity, and colour and brightness are consistent, which are the main priorities when it comes to photo editing. There's even a built-in webcam, which could come in handy if you have to take video calls with clients.
Design and build: The Studio Display features Apple's characteristic minimalist design in silver aluminium, with clean lines and professional aesthetics. However, we found the standard stand somewhat limiting, offering only tilt adjustment. Height adjustment requires an expensive additional purchase (£400), which we think should have been included at this price point. Port selection is restrictive, with just four USB-C ports (only one for video input), which may require adaptors for non-USB-C devices. The fixed power cable could also present installation challenges.
Display: The 27-inch 5K panel delivers impressive image quality with vivid colours and excellent viewing angles. However, we were disappointed by the lack of HDR support, which is particularly notable given the premium pricing and its positioning as a creative professional's monitor. The 60Hz refresh rate, while adequate for most tasks, also falls behind many competitors. The glossy screen can be quite reflective, though this can be addressed with the optional nano-texture glass (£250 extra). The built-in A13 Bionic chip enables some smart features, including Centre Stage for the webcam, though early webcam performance has been somewhat underwhelming (Apple has promised software fixes).
Pricing: Starting at £1,499, the Studio Display sits firmly in the premium monitor category. The price can increase significantly with additions like the height-adjustable stand (£400) or nano-texture glass (£250), potentially pushing the total cost above £2,000. While build quality and integration with Apple devices is excellent, the pricing may be hard to justify given some key feature omissions.
Read more: Apple Studio Display review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design and build | Premium build but limited adjustibility | ★★★★ |
| Display | Good quality but no HDR | ★★★★ |
| Pricing | Expensive | ★★★ |
The most ergonomic monitor for photo editing
07. LG 32UN880 UltraFine Ergo
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You need exceptional ergonomic flexibility: The innovative stand offers unmatched adjustment options.
✅ You want professional colour accuracy: 95% DCI-P3 coverage makes it ideal for creative work.
❌ You need true HDR performance: The 350 nits brightness limit means HDR content won't pop as expected.
❌ You need higher refresh rates: 60Hz won't be enough for some.
🔎 LG 32UN880 UltraFine Display Ergo delivers good value with its combination of professional-grade colour accuracy and innovative ergonomic design. ★★★½
What you need to know: The LG 32UN880 is a 32-inch 4K monitor that combines professional-grade colour accuracy with an innovative ergonomic stand design. It's particularly suited to creative professionals working from home who need flexibility in their setup.
Design and build: The standout feature is the innovative ergonomic clamp stand that comes included. We found it offers exceptional freedom of movement: you can adjust height, rotate 90 degrees for portrait mode, swivel the stand to reposition on your desk, and tilt in any direction. This premium stand design, which would typically be an expensive add-on, comes standard. The monitor features impressively thin bezels on three sides, lending it a modern appearance. Port selection is comprehensive, with two HDMI, one DisplayPort, USB-C, and two USB-A ports (active when connected via USB-C).
Display: The 32-inch 4K IPS panel impressed us with its colour accuracy, covering 95% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. We found the colour reproduction to be extremely comfortable for photo editing, with accurate and vibrant output. While HDR10 is supported, the 350 nits brightness limitation means HDR content doesn't deliver the impact you might expect. The 60Hz refresh rate is standard for creative work, and AMD FreeSync support is included for those who might game occasionally. Settings are easily accessible through a discrete bottom-mounted button that brings up an intuitive circular menu.
Pricing: At £599, we think the LG 32UN880 offers strong value for money, particularly considering the inclusion of the premium ergonomic stand. It's competitively priced against similar prosumer models but offers additional features that would typically cost extra.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design and build | Brilliant ergonomic stand | ★★★★★ |
| Display | Strong but limited HDR performance | ★★★ |
| Pricing | Excellent value | ★★★★★ |
Best ultra-wide monitor for photo editing
8. Philips Evnia 34M2C8600
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You need creative and gaming capabilities: It offers a great combination of colour accuracy and gaming features.
✅ You want OLED quality: The OLED panel delivers exceptional contrast and colour reproduction.
❌ You need full rotation: The stand lacks rotation capability which might affect some workflows.
❌ You require maximum brightness in SDR: The 250 nits might not be sufficient for very bright environments.
🔎 Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 excellently combines creative and gaming capabilities in a premium package, though its capabilities are reflected in a premium price. ★★★½
What you need to know: The Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 is a premium 34-inch ultrawide curved OLED monitor that successfully bridges the gap between creative work and gaming. There are mixed opinions on using curved displays for photo editing, though, so we recommend trying one for yourself before making the leap. The benefit is the space to work since an ultra-wide display is almost like having two smaller monitors together without a bezel breaking up the desktop space.
Design and build: The monitor features a distinctive white and silver aesthetic that sets it apart from typical black monitors. We found the build quality excellent, with a sturdy two-pronged textured white stand offering 150mm height adjustment and 20-degree tilt, though rotation is absent. Connectivity is comprehensive, including USB-C with power delivery, two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB hub functionality. The OSD control button on the back takes some getting used to, but the menu system is functional, plus there's a headphone hook on the stand.
Display: The 34-inch QD OLED panel impressed us with its outstanding performance. We found the 3440 x 1440 resolution sharp and the gentle 1800R curve struck an excellent balance; minimal distortion for creative work while maintaining immersion for gaming and entertainment. Colour coverage was exceptional at 99.3% DCI-P3, and the contrast is outstanding thanks to OLED tech. While SDR brightness is rated at 250 nits, HDR content can reach impressive peaks of 1,000 nits in small areas. The 175Hz refresh rate (via DisplayPort/USB-C) and 0.03ms response time are great for gaming.
Pricing: At £899, while certainly premium-priced, we think it offers good value considering its OLED technology, exceptional colour accuracy, and gaming capabilities. Recent price reductions from its launch price of £1,299 have made it more competitive.
Read more: Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design and build | Premium design, good adjustability | ★★★★ |
| Display | Exceptional OLED performance | ★★★★★ |
| Pricing | Premium | ★★★★ |
How to choose the best monitor for photo editing
There are several things to consider and look out for when you're choosing a monitor for photo editing. One of the most important is to decide what size monitor you want. A larger monitor means that you can see your work at a larger size, and it can also make it easier to see all of your work if you have lots of layers or to navigate multiple windows, which is handy if you're jumping between Photoshop and Lightroom, for example. However, a larger screen takes up more space, so you'll need to decide on the sweet spot for you (we normally recommend between 27 inches and 32 inches.
One of the most important factors in a monitor for photo editing is colour coverage and accuracy. There are no minimum requirements that you should look for in terms of resolution and colour accuracy, and we'll discuss colour spaces more below. If you're editing images for digital use, you will probably be using the sRGB colour space, so the higher the percentage of colour coverage in this space the better. There are other colour spaces for video and print.
How we tested the best monitors for photo editing
We have chosen the best monitors for photo editing based on our writers' experiences when carrying out our own hands-on tests and reviews. We spend dozens of hours testing each monitor in a real-life setting, including at work writing reviews and guides like this, to see how they are to live with outside raw benchmark testing. All our monitor reviewers have extensive experience with display technology and all have and use professional colorimeters to test the screens with.
When reviewing monitors, we conduct a series of benchmark tests to check brightness and contrast levels, colour coverage, accuracy and uniformity. While many manufacturers state specs in some or all of these areas, those are guidelines and our test results sometimes vary.
We also use the monitors over several days in real-life use cases, including for photo editing in Lightroom and Photoshop. As well as the quality of the display itself, we also evaluate build, ergonomics, connectivity and price. We then seek to identify the best monitor for different needs and budgets.
FAQs
Why do I need one of the best monitors for photo editing?
Screens vary in their brightness, uniformity and level of colour coverage and accuracy, which means images can look different on different displays. If the screen you work on has poor colour coverage and accuracy, your work could look very different on a different screen or when printed out.
The best monitors for photographers can help ensure your photos look the way you expect when they appear on another device or in print. Good colour coverage is especially important if you're doing HSL adjustments and colour grading. Editing on an inadequate screen, or even a good screen that's not been calibrated, can result in images that can be over or undersaturated.
The best monitors for photography support wide colour spaces such as Adobe RGB and provide accurate colours and uniform brightness and contrast. While you can't guarantee what screen your clients or public will use to see your photos, you can at least ensure that your own screen is allowing you to make the most accurate edit possible.
Which is the best type of monitor for photo editing?
You'll notice that the monitors that we've listed above mainly include two types of display: OLED (organic light-emitting diodes) and IPS (in-plane switching). These use slightly different tech, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
OLED screens:
Individual Pixel Lighting: Each pixel lights up independently, which allows for perfect blacks and high contrast.
Superior colour and contrast: Vibrant colours and deep blacks.
Thinner design: No need for backlighting, resulting in thinner and lighter screens.
Faster response time: Ideal for fast-moving images and gaming.
Power efficiency: More energy-efficient when displaying darker images.
IPS screens:
Consistent colour accuracy: Excellent colour accuracy and consistency across wide viewing angles.
Backlighting: They use a backlight, which can result in lower contrast compared to OLED.
Durability: Generally more durable and less prone to burn-in than OLED displays.
Better brightness: Often brighter than OLED screens, making them easier to view in bright environments.
Cost: Typically more affordable than OLED screens.
If you're looking for superior image quality with deep blacks and vibrant colours, OLED is the way to go. On the other hand, if you need consistent colour accuracy and durability, especially for professional work, IPS is a solid choice.
Which is the best monitor for photo editing?
The very best monitor for photo editing in our view is the Eizo ColorEdge CG319X at number three in our list above. We only place it at number three rather than at the top because we've also taken price into consideration, and monitors such as this are simply not an option for many enthusiasts, and even for many professionals.
We currently recommend the BenQ PD2706UA as the best monitor for photo editing for those looking for a balance between professional specs and a slightly more accessible price.
What size monitor should I use for photo editing?
One important thing to consider when buying a monitor for photo editing is the size of screen that you want to work on. Many displays come in the standard 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, although a taller screen (or a screen that you can rotate like the LG Ultrafine Ergo in our list above) can be useful for editing images in portrait orientation.
Ultra-wide monitors will give you a lot more screen space to work on so that you can have multiple windows or panels open, but they aren't necessarily the best for focused work. They also take up a huge amount of space. Generally, we find that most photographers like editing on a monitor that's between 27in and 32in.
What monitor resolution do I need for photo editing?
Very simply, the higher the resolution, the better the sharpness and detail of the image, but that depends on the size of the monitor – and of course, higher resolution monitors are usually more expensive. When looking to pick the best monitor for photo editing, we would recommend going for a resolution of 4K (3,840 x 2,160) if you can afford it.
Most of the screens in our list of the best monitors for photo editing are 4K displays (double check that your PC or Mac supports 4K resolution if it's quite an old device), but we have also included an QHD and FHD screen, both much more affordable while still offering the good colour coverage you want for photo editing.
Do I need a 4K monitor for photo editing?
Not at all. We recommend using a 4K screen since it will offer a sharper, cleaner and more detailed image if the screen is large enough, and since 4K monitors have become more affordable, it's not so much of a difficult decision. But if you prefer a smaller screen (less than 27 inches), then you're not going to see much of a difference between 4K and FHD, and the interface scaling may make things too small to be comfortable.
What else should I consider in a monitor for photo editing?
If you're buying a monitor for photo editing, colour is vital and it's a good idea to look for a that display supports colour spaces like Adobe sRGB. You'll also want a uniform brightness across the screen. The best monitors for photo editing include their own calibration tools, but this is not an essential since you can also buy an external monitor calibrator to perform regulator calibration of your screen.
Connectivity is a key issue, too – many monitors have HDMI, but some also support Thunderbolt or USB-C meaning you can have a single cable going to your PC or Mac that powers it and also carries the display signal (see our pick of the best laptops for photo editing)
Whichever monitor your choose, you'll want to make sure you regularly calibrate it using one of the best monitor calibrators. And if your workspace has harsh lighting, you might want to consider applying an anti-reflective coating too.
What colour coverage do I need for photo editing?
In the specs for the monitors above we've listed the colour coverage that each provides. What colour coverage you need for your photo editing will depend on whether you're a professional or enthusiast. Monitor colour coverage can a confusing topic at first because several different colour spaces exist, and some of these contain more colours than others.
A colour space is a specific organisation of colours which, in combination with colour profiling, supports reproducible representations of colour. Looking at the best monitors for photo editing, you'll see that they cover a percentage of different colour spaces – the higher the percentage, the more of that colour space they can produce. Colour spaces include sRGB, Adobe RGB,
Why it can be confusing is that one monitor might be certified at 100% sRGB, the standard 8-bit colour space for web display, but that still isn't the best colour colour coverage possible. The Adobe RGB spectrum and DCI-P3 are broader spaces than sRGB, thus with more colours. As a general rule, we'd advise choosing a monitor for photo editing that covers at least 90% of sRGB and 70% of Adobe RGB. These colour spaces are industry standards. Professionals, especially those working on projects that go to print or involve working with other photo editors will want higher than this – ideally over 90% of Adobe RGB.
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