The best monitors for video editing

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Three of the best monitors for video editing on an orange background.

(Image credit: Future)

Jump to the quick list↴
1. Best overall: BenQ SW321C
2. Best budget: Dell S2722QC
3. Best premium: Eizo CG319X
4. Best value: BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA
5. Best 8K: Dell UP3218K
6. Best Apple: Apple Pro Display XDR
7. Best HDR: Alienware AW2723DF
8. Best ultrawide: LG 38WN95C
9. Also tested
How to choose
How to test
FAQs

While you can cut, re-sequence and colour-grade the commercial, film or Instagram Reel using any display, a good video editing monitor eliminates the guesswork and ensures an accurate view of brightness and colours, avoiding surprises when you export.

Monitors come at very different price points with a range of different features, so our expert reviewers have tested a wide range of screens for video editing to choose the best options for different needs. In our tests, we've evaluated screen resolution, colour gamut and accuracy, contrast ratio and brightness and HDR support. We've also compared screen size, mount articulation for viewing comfort and price.

In our pick of the best monitors for video editing below, we've included the best budget monitor for video editing as well as more professional options from among 4K monitors and higher. The best monitors will work better with the best video editing software, so make sure you're up to date.

Quick list

The best monitor for video editing overall

The BenQ SW321C monitor, one of the best monitors for video editing, on a deskcb badge

(Image credit: Michelle Rae Uy)
The best monitor for video editing overall

Specifications

Screen size: 32in
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Inputs: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C
Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Colour gamut: 99% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB/Rec. 709, 95% DCI-P3/Display P3
HDR: HDR10

Reasons to buy

+
Great colour coverage and uniformity
+
Excellent colour accuracy
+
Lots of editing-specific features

Reasons to avoid

-
Built-in OSD controls annoying to use
-
Contrast could be better

The BenQ SW321C PhotoVue might be a little on the pricey side, but it's very easy to justify that due to its top-notch performance and impressive features. It boasts a nice 32-inch panel and a sharp 4K resolution, as well as 99% AdobeRGB, 95% P3, and 100% sRGB colour gamut, and Delta E ≤ 2 colour accuracy that lets you see your work the way it’s supposed to be seen.

In tests, we found it to be incredibly uniform across the whole screen. It also has just about all the ports you could need, allowing you to connect multiple sources, as well as an SD card reader, something we don’t often see on many monitors. Its multiple input ports are made better by the fact that it comes with picture-by-picture and picture-in-picture modes, allowing you to create a screen setup for a seamless workflow.

Of course, it’s not perfect, as we’ve pointed out in our BenQ SW321C PhotoVue review – the built-in ODS controls aren't very intuitive. However, the monitor somewhat makes up for that with the inclusion of a hotkey puck. A USB hub and an affordable price tag (for a professional-grade monitor) round out what is an almost perfect monitor for video editing.

The best budget monitor for video editing

Product shot of Dell S2722QC, the best budget monitor for video editingCB endorsed

(Image credit: Dell)

02. Dell S2722QC

The best budget monitor for video editing

Specifications

Screen size: 27in
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Inputs: 2x HDMI 2.0, USB-C (with DisplayPort), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
Brightness: 350 cd/m2
Colour gamut: 99% sRGB
HDR: HDR suppoort

Reasons to buy

+
The cheapest monitor on our list
+
Great value for 4K resolution and decent colour accuracy
+
Nice and bright

Reasons to avoid

-
Mediocre HDR and colour coverage

If you're on a tight budget, the best cheap monitor for video editing that we can recommend is this offering from the ever-reliable Dell. It doesn't offer fantastic colour coverage, but it is bright and accurate and offers 4K resolution for under $400. The contrast ratio is unimpressive at 270:1 but is boosted in HDR mode. 

The HDR mode itself has its limitations as we'd expect from a monitor at this price: there's no dynamic backlight dimming so performance isn't great in scenes with stark contrasts like starlit skies. But with integrated speakers and plenty of connection options, we think this is a fantastic value screen for novice video editors.

The best premium monitor for video editing

Eizo ColorEdge CG319X reviewCB endorsed

(Image credit: Eizo)
The best monitor for video editing if money is no object

Specifications

Screen size: 31.1in
Resolution: 4096 x 2160
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Inputs: 2 x DisplayPort, 2 x HDMI
Brightness: 350 nits
Colour gamut: 99% AdobeRGB, 98% DCI P3
HDR: HLG HDR

Reasons to buy

+
Industry-standard presets
+
Remarkable colour accuracy
+
Automatic AI calibration

Reasons to avoid

-
The most expensive in our list

The BenQ monitor at number 1 in our list is pricey, but it's relatively affordable compared to this pro screen. However, the Eizo ColorEdge CG319X might just be the ultimate monitor for video editing with its stunning performance and a rare self-calibration feature. Its range of broadcast and cinema presets – with Rec. 2020 and DCI-P3 with 98% colour coverage – make it an excellent choice for most professional video editors. 

We found the colour accuracy to be top-notch during our testing, as noted in our full Eizo ColorEdge CG319X review. The wider DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) resolution works a treat for filmmakers shooting in this format, letting them see the original footage at 1:1 pixels no matter what format you might switch to during editing.

Best of all, the display has a self-calibration system built-in, with a sensor automatically checking its accuracy periodically and correcting any issues. This means that you can spend less time fine-tuning the screen and more time polishing your footage. The only downside is the price. It's by far the most expensive monitor for video editing in our list, which is the only reason it isn’t at the top. But if you can afford it, this is the best monitor for video editing overall.

The best value monitor for video editing

BenQ PD2706UA monitor review

(Image credit: Future)
The best value monitor for video editing

Specifications

Screen size: 27in
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Inputs: 1x HDMI 2, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB Type-C (DP1.4), 1x Audio Out (3.5 mm), 1x USB-B (upstream), 3x USB-A (downstream), 1x USB-C (downstream)
Brightness: 350 nits
Colour gamut: 100% Adobe RGB, 95% P3, 100% Rec.709
HDR: DisplayHDR 400

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic colours
+
Excellent screen quality
+
Very good value

Reasons to avoid

-
Could be brighter

The BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA offers a good screen size, quality and feature set for the price, making it great value. And features it certainly has, including a programmable hotkey puck that can be used for navigation as well as a stellar range of colours (100% Adobe RGB, 95% P3, 100% Rec.709) and sharp 4K resolution. It's factory calibrated straight out of the box for perfect colours straight away, so there's no faffing around with calibration either.

The refresh rate is just 60Hz, which won't appeal to gamers, but this should be enough for most video editors' needs. It's got plenty of ports, too, which are hidden using a plastic panel. We found that you can move the monitor around easily with the C-clamp design, which is another bonus. Find out more in our BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA review.

The best 8K monitor for video editing

Product shot of Dell UP3218K, one of the best monitors for video editing

(Image credit: Dell)

05. Dell UltraSharp UP3218K

The best 8K monitor for video editing

Specifications

Screen size: 32in
Resolution: 7680 x 4320
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Inputs: 2 x DisplayPort
Brightness: 400 nits
Colour gamut: 100% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB, 98% DCI P3, 100% Rec.709
HDR: none

Reasons to buy

+
Colossal 8K resolution
+
Fantastic colour coverage

Reasons to avoid

-
RRP of around $5,000
-
No HDMI 2.1

Most of our picks in our list of the best monitors for video editing offer 4K resolution, but 4K is now almost a minimum for video editing, with many professional videographers and even some novices shooting in up to 8K now that more accessible cameras can shoot at this resolution. If you're working with 8K or 6K footage and need a way to view it at full 1:1-pixel quality, this is our pick as the best 8K video editing monitor. 

To be honest, we're not exactly swimming in options at this resolution, but Dell's UltraSharp UP3218K delivers in many ways, providing 100% AdobeRGB, 100% sRGB, 100% Rec. 709, and 98% DCI-P3 colour coverage. At 32 inches, it's a workable size despite the ridiculous number of pixels, although the screen is let down by a lack of HDMI 2.1 or USB-C – the only connections for 8K support are the dual DisplayPort connectors.

The best Apple monitor for video editing

Apple Pro Display XDR monitor

(Image credit: Future)
The best monitor for video editing for Apple fans

Specifications

Screen size: 32in
Resolution: 6016 x 3384
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Input: 1 x Thunderbolt 3, 3 x USB Type-C
Brightness: 1000 nits
Colour gamut: 100% DCI P3, 10-bit colour
HDR: XDR (Extreme Dynamic Range)

Reasons to buy

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

Reasons to avoid

-
Priced at $5,000
-
…and that doesn't include the stand

Apple's sleek Pro Display XDR offers resolution of 6016 x 3384, which is enough for many 6K formats (though not quite the 6K full-frame recording of a RED camera). Added to that is an incredible HDR peak brightness of up to 1,600 nits, with a typical brightness of 1,000 nits, and there are 576 individual dimming zones for backlight control, so the contrast is colossal.

In terms of colours, there are specific reference modes for DCI P3, sRGB, NTSC, BT.709, and many more. That includes a reference mode for 'Apple display', which will make it match a MacBook Pro for brightness, so you get a consistent look if you have them side by side. There's the option of a nanotexture effect on the screen to reduce reflectivity as low as it goes for monitors like this, too.

It comes with one Thunderbolt 3 port (meaning it can go at the end of a Thunderbolt chain, but can't be a Thunderbolt hub), plus three USB-C ports for connecting accessories. We think it's the perfect video editing monitor for Apple fans but... it's priced at almost $5,000 and the official stand costs a further $999 / £949 / AU$1,699 (although you can also get a VESA mount adapter, if you prefer). See our Apple Pro Display XDR monitor review for more details.

The best HDR

An Alienware AW2723DF monitor sitting on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

07. Alienware AW2723DF

The best monitor for HDR video editing

Specifications

Screen size: 27in
Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440
Refresh rate: 240Hz
Inputs: 2 x HDMI, DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.2 Gen 1 downstream with Battery Charging 1.2, 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 downstream, USB 3.2 Gen 1 upstream, Headphones, Audio line-out
Brightness: 500 nits
Colour gamut: 100% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3
HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 600

Reasons to buy

+
100% sRGB colour coverage
+
Speedy refresh rate
+
Good preset modes

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulky

Dell's Alienware AW2723DF is designed for gaming, but its 240Hz refresh rate also makes it fantastic for video editing. The build is solid (though a little bulky), and there's an anti-glare Fast IPS panel. We've picked it as our favourite HDR model as its HDR mode is beautifully bright, with a maximum of 1,000 nits. There's also a SRGB preset mode, which is ideal for photo and video editing. 

We found it to be extremely impressive when we reviewed it, and felt that "the combination of presentation, build quality and performance more than justifies the price".

It's not a monitor for novice and budget video editors, but professional designers and content creators, especially those who like gaming, would be wise to invest. Read more in our Alienware AW2723DF review.

The best ultrawide monitor for video editing

A Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 monitor on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)
The best ultrawide OLED monitor for video editing

Specifications

Screen size: 34in
Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440
Refresh rate: 175Hz (DP/USB-C), 100Hz (HDMI)
Inputs: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C (supports power delivery), 1x USB-B 3.2 upstream, 4x USB-A downstream (1 for fast charge B.C 1.2)
Brightness: SDR: 250 nits, HDR: 450 nits, peak 3% brightness: 1,000 nits
Color support: 99.3% DCI-P3
HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400 certified

Reasons to buy

+
Curved OLED panel
+
Over a billion display colours
+
1,000,000:1 contrast ratio

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't adjust colour temperature

The Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 is one of the best ultrawide monitors we've ever tested. Our reviewer loved the gentle curve of the 1800R screen, which he found handled any creative task he threw at it, and struck a neat balance between practicality and immersion.

With 450 nits in HDR mode and 250 in SDR mode, plus peak brightness of 1,000 nits, our reviewer found this monitor to be "consistently fantastic to look at", which makes it an ideal piece of kit for video editing.

It has a 175Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for gaming and entertainment, too, so it works well as a monitor that you can use all day for work and then come back to in the evenings. 

If you can afford to go ultrawide, then we really recommend this monitor, which we gave 4.5 stars in our Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 review.

Also tested

Product shot of the Acer ConceptD CP3271K, one of the best monitors for video editing, on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)
An excellent video editing monitor for that 27-inch 4K sweet spot

Specifications

Screen size: 27in
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Inputs: 2 x HDMI, 2 X DisplayPort
Brightness: 400 nits
Colour gamut: 99% sRGB, 90% DCI-P3
HDR: VESA Certified DisplayHDR 400

Reasons to buy

+
Exceptionally colour-accurate
+
Very bright with HDR capability
+
144Hz refresh rate makes it a good option for use as a gaming monitor as well

Reasons to avoid

-
Poor AdobeRGB coverage
-
Not USB-C

The Acer ConceptD CP3271K’s over-$1,000/£1,000 price tag may be a hard pill to swallow, even for consumers who aren’t looking for cheap options. However, as we noted in our Acer ConceptD CP3271K review, this superb piece of kit boasts a few premium features that make it worth the price for creative professionals. 

That sweet 4K resolution on a 27-inch panel spot means it’s the perfect combination of screen real estate, smaller footprint, and perfectly-sized visuals. Meanwhile, the 400 nits of brightness, 99% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3 colour gamuts, and Delta-E accuracy of less than 1 make it an excellent tool for content creators. In addition, we found its colour space coverage claims to be spot-on and its colour and brightness uniformity good, if not exactly exceptional. And, naturally, we appreciate the inclusion of the shading hood. When it’s time to unwind, the 144Hz refresh rate ensures clean, sharp, and butter-smooth gaming. 

Apple Studio Display, one of the best monitors for photo editing on a desk in an office

(Image credit: Future)
A competitive choice for video editing for Apple users

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Resolution: 5120 x 2880
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Inputs: USB-C only
Brightness: 600
Colour gamut: 100% sRGB
HDR: None

Reasons to buy

+
Competitive price for a high-end 5K screen
+
Built-in reference modes for media
+
Non-reflective nano-texture glass option

Reasons to avoid

-
Underwhelming webcam
-
Need to spend extra for height adjustment

We were a little disappointed when we did our initial Apple Studio Display review. However, we think it's a solid choice for Apple users who need to edit video, and, perhaps surprisingly for Apple, it actually provides very competitive value, offering 5K resolution at a price that's by no means the most expensive in our list. 

With only a 60hz refresh rate, no HDR, and with no stand (you have to buy that separately!), the truth is, this is a bit of a hard sell for professional video editors. The built-in webcam is also mediocre (although it's nice to have it). But this monitor pairs well with a Mac mini or MacBook Pro and the 5K screen offers great clarity, while colour and brightness are consistent, which are the main priorities when it comes to video editing.

A black 27-inch Aver Vero RL272 monitor sitting on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)
A lightweight, budget option

Specifications

Screen size: 27in
Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080
Refresh rate: 75Hz
Inputs: HDMI, VGA
Brightness: 250 nits
Colour gamut: 99% sRGB
HDR: None

Reasons to buy

+
Budget-friendly option
+
Decent colour gamut

Reasons to avoid

-
Not many ports

The Acer Vero RL272 is another impressive budget option. It's super-light with an ultra-thin screen, which isn't even 40mm. Despite its price, we found it has some impressive features, including a colour gamut of up to 16.7 million colours and 99% sRGB coverage. The 250 nits aren't quite so impressive but the contrast ratio is a whopping 100,000,000:1. 

It does have a distinct lack of ports, just a HDMI connection, but we found that it worked well for general photo editing, although more in-depth video editing may be a little too much for it. 

If you want a cheaper option for quicker or less in-depth edits, then this is a decent monitor. See our Acer Vero RL272 review for more details.

How to choose the best monitors for video editing

There are certain factors you'll want to bear in mind while looking for a monitor for video editing. First up, consider screen size. How big do you need to go? You may find that a small screen that's more portable might suit you better if you don't have a dedicated setup space. If you can afford it, then a bigger screen will enable you to see your creations in more detail, easier.

You'll need to decide whether you want a 4K screen or not, we'd say go for 4K if you can, as 4K video footage is becoming the norm. You also need to look at colour accuracy, Delta E < 2 or better, a colour gamut of at least 95% DCI-P3 are ideal and you'll want a high contrast ratio and brightness level (nits of 400 and above are best, or 1,000 for HDR).

If you can afford HDR support then that's also another plus. Price will of course be a factor, we've included a range of options here to suit everyone who wants the best video editing monitor on the market to those with a more limited budget.

Don't forget to also look at number of ports, think about how many you'll need for your setup and look at a monitor that can match your needs (although a decent dock can help). For other uses, also see our guide to the best monitors for graphics artists.

How we test

We've made our picks of the best monitors for video editing based on our own tests. Our contributors are working creatives and test each screen for video editing and other creative work over several weeks, carrying out a number of projects as well as testing for everyday use. We've also taken into account recommendations and feedback from other creatives and customer reviews. 

We look at various things in our tests, and try to go beyond just specs to look at how fast the monitor responds, how easy it is to set up and use, and the accuracy with which it displays colours. We also test it out with footage that uses a range of colours to see how well they display. 

We also know that generally if a monitor works for gaming, it's also good for creatives, so we've picked out some of the best gaming monitors we've tried and included them when relevant here. 

FAQs

Is a 4K monitor good for video editing?

Resolution isn’t everything when it comes to choosing the right monitor for video editing. But, if you’re hoping to produce content in UHD, you’ll need to be able to see your work in its native resolution. So, having a monitor capable of 4K resolution isn’t just good, for most video editors, it’s necessary. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a computer powerful enough to be able to deliver that high resolution content to a 4K monitor.

Are curved monitors good for video editing?

It’s not necessary to have a curved monitor to do great work on your video editing projects. But, curved monitors do offer a few advantages. Since they make the whole screen equidistant from your eyes, they’re easy to work with since you won’t have to strain as much to see the corners of your screen. And, many curved monitors come in a wider 21:9 aspect ratio, meaning you’ll have more screen real estate and can work on projects in their native resolution while still having instant access to your editing tools. However, you do have more limited viewing angles compared to flat displays. If you need to show your work to colleagues, they might not see an accurate representation of your project.

Is Hz important for video editing?

While refresh rate is crucial for video editing, just about every contemporary monitor comes with at least a 60Hz refresh rate. And, considering that most video is shot at 30 or 60 fps, having a faster refresh rate won’t make much of a difference. Of course, if you’re also doing animation or are hoping to game on that same display, having a speedier refresh rate becomes a bit more of a priority.

What is a HDR monitor?

HDR monitors have better contrast ratio than non-HDR ones, meaning that there's a bigger difference between bright and dark areas of an image. For video editing, this is helpful as it helps you more accurately see your footage. Note that switching to HDR will only work where a monitor has a wide range of colours, high contrast levels and ample brightness.

Beren Neale
Ecom Editor

Beren has worked on creative titles at Future Publishing for over 13 years. Cutting his teeth as Staff Writer on the digital art magazine ImagineFX, he moved on to edit several creative titles, and is currently the Ecommerce Editor on the most effective creative website in the world. When he's not testing and reviewing the best ergonomic office chairs, phones, laptops, TVs, monitors and various types of storage, he can be found finding and comparing the best deals on the tech that creatives value the most.

With contributions from