Investing in the best monitor for video editing can make all the difference in achieving professional-quality results. You'll be getting precise color accuracy as well as high resolution, fast refresh rates and ample screen real estate to handle complex timelines and multiple editing windows.
So whether you're a budding YouTuber, a seasoned filmmaker, or a professional working in post-production, choosing a display that meets the unique demands of video editing is crucial for both your creative process and final output. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best monitors for video editing in 2024, evaluating key features such as screen resolution, colour gamut and accuracy, contrast ratio and brightness and HDR support. We’ll also break down what to look for in terms of size, panel type and ergonomic design.
This 2022 model remains our top pick in 2024, thanks to its top-notch performance and impressive features, including a 32-inch panel, sharp 4K resolution, wide colour gamut and Delta E ≤ 2 colour accuracy. Uniquely, it also has an SD reader, plus a whole host of ports. Read more below
If you're looking for a budget-friendly monitor that can handle both video editing and gaming, the AOC Gaming Q27G4XF offers impressive value. While it's not 4K, the QHD display delivers sharp image quality with vibrant colours thanks to its HDR10 support. Read more below
If money is no object, the Eizo ColorEdge CG319X offers stunning performance and a rare self-calibration feature. Its range presets, color gamut coverage and accuracy make it an excellent choice for most professional video editors. The wider DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) resolution works a treat, too. Read more below
With a fantastic feature set, decent screen size of 27-inches and solid build quality, the BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA provides excellent value for money. There are plenty of ports, too and a handy C-clamp. Read more below
For MacBook-wielding video editors, the BenQ MA270U stands out as a purpose-built solution. Its P3 wide colour gamut and professional calibration ensure perfect colour matching with your MacBook's display; crucial for accurate video editing. Read more below
We've picked this as our favourite HDR model as its HDR mode is beautifully bright, with a maximum of 1,000 nits. It's a gaming laptop, but its 240Hz refresh rate is also fantastic for video editing too, and there's an anti-glare Fast IPS panel too. Read more below
✅ You need pro colour accuracy: Factory calibration and Delta E ≤ 2 make it perfect for precise work.
✅ You work across multiple colour spaces: The GamutDuo mode allows side-by-side colour space comparison.
Don't buy it if
❌ You're on a tight budget: While good value for a pro monitor, it's still a significant investment.
❌ You need high contrast ratios: Our tests showed contrast performance below the advertised 1,000:1 ratio.
The bottom line
🔎 BenQ SW321C is a professional-grade 4K monitor that delivers exceptional colour accuracy and features specifically designed for content creators, though at a premium price point. ★★★★½
What you need to know: The BenQ SW321C PhotoVue was released in 2022, but even though it's not the latest model, it's still the best in our eyes, thanks to its top-notch performance and impressive features. It’s not perfect: 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.
Design and build: The monitor features a practical rather than flashy design with relatively thick bezels and a traditional control system. The included hotkey puck simplifies navigation through different colour modes and settings. While the stand offers good adjustability with 45-degree swivel, tilt, and 90-degree pivot, it could be more stable. Cable management and an effective anti-glare coating are notable positive features. 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.
Display: The 31.5-inch 4K panel delivers impressive image quality with exceptional colour accuracy. Our tests confirmed the advertised colour space coverage of 99% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB, and 95% DCI-P3. Colour accuracy is particularly impressive, with a measured Delta E of 0.90 in Adobe RGB mode. The panel includes HDR10 and HLG support, though brightness peaks at 250 nits. Professional features include multiple colour modes, GamutDuo for side-by-side colour space comparison, and CalMAN support.
Pricing: At £1,599, the SW321C represents good value in the professional monitor market, offering many high-end features found in more expensive alternatives. While it's a significant investment, the price is justified by its professional-grade performance and features.
✅ You require smooth motion: The 180Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms response time provide fluid playback.
✅ You want good ergonomics: You get height, tilt, swivel and pivot adjustments.
Don't buy it if
❌ You need pro colour accuracy: While it's HDR10 capable, it's not specifically designed for colour-critical work.
❌ You require 4K resolution: The QHD resolution, while good, isn't suitable for 4K video editing.
The bottom line
🔎 AOC Gaming Q27G4XF delivers impressive performance for video editing at a budget-friendly price point, though with some compromises in connectivity and resolution. ★★★★½
What you need to know: If you're looking for a budget-friendly monitor that can handle video editing, the AOC Gaming Q27G4XF offers impressive value. While it's not 4K, the QHD display delivers sharp image quality with vibrant colours thanks to its HDR10 support. The Fast IPS panel ensures smooth motion handling, which is beneficial for video playback and editing.
Design and build: The monitor's ergonomic stand offers extensive adjustability with 130mm height adjustment, pivot, tilt, and swivel options, making it comfortable for long editing sessions. However, the limited port selection might be restrictive for some workflows, and the basic design won't win any style awards.
Display: The 27-inch QHD panel delivers sharp visuals with support for HDR10, offering good contrast and vibrant colours. The 180Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms response time ensure smooth playback of video content. While not specifically calibrated for professional colour work, the Fast IPS panel provides good colour reproduction suitable for most video editing tasks.
Pricing: At £199.99 it's a very attractive option for content creators who also game, though professional editors might want to look at options with higher resolution and more comprehensive colour gamut coverage.
✅ You work with HDR content: Support for HLG and PQ curve ensures accurate HDR editing.
✅ You require DCI 4K resolution: The true 4K DCI resolution is perfect for cinema work.
Don't buy it if
❌ You're on a budget: This is a serious investment.
❌ You need a compact setup: The 31-inch screen and thick bezels require significant desk space.
The bottom line
🔎 Eizo ColorEdge CG319X is a professional powerhouse that delivers exceptional colour accuracy and HDR capabilities for serious video editors and colourists. ★★★★½
What you need to know: Got money to spend? 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.
Design and build: The monitor features a utilitarian design focused on functionality rather than aesthetics. It offers generous adjustability with 344-degree swivel and 35-degree tilt, though no rotation. The sturdy circular base provides stable support for the heavy panel. The included monitor hood helps maintain colour accuracy by blocking ambient light. Cable management and connectivity are well thought out, though inputs aren't easily accessible for frequent switching.
Display: The 31.1-inch IPS panel delivers exceptional image quality with 1500:1 contrast ratio and up to 350 cd/m² brightness. 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.
Pricing: This is 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.
✅ You value ergonomics: The innovative C-clamp design offers exceptional flexibility.
✅ You use a Mac: Active colour syncing works without additional calibration for Mac compatibility.
Don't buy it if
❌ You work in dim conditions: 350 nits brightness might not suffice.
❌ You're looking for high refresh rates: The 60Hz refresh rate limits its appeal for gaming or high-frame-rate videos.
The bottom line
🔎 BenQ PD2706UA is a premium 4K monitor that delivers professional-grade colour accuracy, innovative ergonomics, and robust build quality, making it an excellent choice for video editors. ★★★★½
What you need to know: This 27-inch 4K monitor strikes an impressive balance between professional features and accessibility. In our testing, we found it offers exceptional colour reproduction and versatility that video editors will appreciate. While there are more expensive professional displays available, the PD2706UA provides all the essential features video editors need.
Design and build: The standout feature is the robust C-clamp design with its articulating arm, offering impressive flexibility with 25-degree swivel, 90-degree rotation, and height adjustment of 5.9 inches. Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB-C with power delivery for laptop charging. The integrated USB hub provides three USB-A and one USB-C port, while the clever cable management system keeps your workspace tidy. The refresh rate is just 60Hz, which won't appeal to gamers, but this should be enough for most video editors' needs.
Display: The 4K resolution delivers crystal-clear image quality, whilst the colour accuracy impresses with factory calibration achieving a Delta E ≤ 3. Video editors will appreciate the 11 built-in colour modes and particularly the DualView feature, which enables simultaneous comparison of footage in different colour spaces. The monitor includes useful eye-care technology for comfortable long editing sessions, though at 22lbs, it's notably weighty.
Pricing: At £549, the BenQ PD2706UA offers excellent value considering its professional feature set. While not the most affordable 27-inch monitor available, the combination of colour accuracy, ergonomic design, and thoughtful features like the programmable hotkey puck justify the investment for serious video editors.
✅ You're a dedicated Mac user: This is built specifically for MacBooks with perfect colour matching and integrated controls.
✅ You want seamless integration: USB-C with 90W PD keeps your MacBook charged while working.
Don't buy it if
❌ You're on a tight budget: This is not a cheap monitor.
❌ You're primarily a PC user: Features are specifically optimised for Mac ecosystem.
The bottom line
🔎 BenQ MA270U is a purpose-built monitor for MacBook users that excels in colour accuracy and integration, though at a premium price point. ★★★★½
What you need to know: For MacBook-wielding video editors, the BenQ MA270U stands out as a purpose-built solution. Its P3 wide colour gamut and professional calibration ensure perfect colour matching with your MacBook's display; crucial for accurate video editing. The 4K resolution delivers exceptional clarity, while the 90W USB-C power delivery means one cable handles everything from display to charging. The thoughtful integration extends to synchronised MacBook controls for brightness and volume, making it feel like a natural extension of your laptop.
Design and build: The monitor offers comprehensive adjustability with 115mm height adjustment, -5 to 20-degree tilt, 15-degree swivel, and 90-degree pivot in both directions. Connectivity is Mac-focused but versatile, featuring two HDMI ports, a 90W USB-C port for MacBook charging, a 15W USB-C for accessories, and USB-A ports. While build quality is robust, the aesthetic design feels somewhat dated compared to Apple's sleek styling.
Display: The 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) delivers exceptional clarity that matches MacBook's Retina display quality. Video editors will appreciate the P3 wide colour gamut and professional calibration that ensures perfect colour matching with MacBook displays. The monitor also features MacBook Control for synchronised brightness and volume adjustments across both screens.
Pricing: At £449.99 for the 27in model (£549.99 for 32in), this is a premium monitor. However, the price is justified for Mac users who require perfect colour matching and seamless integration for their video editing workflow.
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
Buy it if
✅ You work with HDR content: 600 nits brightness with DisplayHDR makes it great for HDR video editing.
✅ You value colour accuracy: 100% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3 coverage ensures precise colour reproduction.
Don't buy it if
❌ Desk space is limited: The bulky design and heavy stand require substantial desktop real estate.
❌ You need maximum adjustability: Adjustment options are limited.
The bottom line
🔎 Alienware AW2723DF combines professional-grade colour accuracy with gaming features, making it a versatile choice for video editors who also game. ★★★★½
What you need to know: This 27-inch QHD monitor bridges the gap between professional and gaming displays, offering features that benefit both video editing and gaming. While it carries Alienware's gaming DNA, its colour accuracy and HDR capabilities make it a capable choice for creative work.
Design and build: The monitor features Alienware's distinctive aesthetic with LED-lit logos and a substantial white-backed design. The stand, while sturdy, is quite bulky and heavy at 5.71kg (without stand). Connectivity is comprehensive but somewhat awkwardly placed, with ports tucked away behind the curved back panel. Adjustment options include tilt (-5/21°), swivel (-20° to 20°), rotation (180°), and height adjustment (110mm).
Display: The Fast IPS panel delivers impressive performance with QHD resolution (2560 x 1440) and excellent colour coverage (100% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3). Video editors will appreciate the DisplayHDR capability with 600 nits brightness, while the various preset modes include specific options for creative work. The anti-glare coating helps maintain visibility in bright environments.
Pricing: At £539, it represents a premium option in the market. However, regular discounts from Dell can make it more accessible, and the combination of professional features with gaming capabilities helps justify the investment for those needing a versatile display.
✅ You work in 8K: This monitor will display suitable video footage in incredible detail.
✅ You may work in 8K in future: Even if you don't need 8K now, this monitor is nicely future proof.
Don't buy it if
❌ You don't want to work in 8K: Obviously, this monitor is overkill for standard resolutions.
❌ You don't have a powerful computer: The monitor requires a high-end GPU to screen 8K.
The bottom line
🔎 Dell UltraSharp UP3218K is the best monitor on the market today for viewing 8K or 6K footage at full 1:1-pixel quality. ★★★★
What you need to know: 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.
Design and build: This monitor offers premium build quality with slim bezels helping maintain a relatively compact footprint, despite the 32-inch screen size. The stand offers excellent versatility with 120mm height adjustment, 60-degree swivel, and 90-degree rotation for portrait orientation.
Display: 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. Also be aware that operating at this resolution requires significant graphics power - you'll need a powerful GPU with dual DisplayPort outputs to drive the display.
Pricing: This monitor will cost you a substantial £4,000 / $4,000, but if you prioritise working in 8K this may be worth the investment.
✅ You want a premium OLED display: The QD OLED panel offers exceptional contrast (1,000,000:1) and colour accuracy with 99.3% DCI-P3 coverage.
✅ You want excellent connectivity: You get USB-C, DisplayPort, and dual HDMI inputs.
Don't buy it if
❌ You're on a tight budget: This monitor will cost you.
❌ You need portrait orientation: The monitor lacks rotation capability, which might limit workflow options.
The bottom line
🔎 Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 is a stellar ultrawide monitor that expertly balances creative work and gaming capabilities. ★★★★½
What you need to know: 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.
Design and build: The monitor features a distinctive white and silver aesthetic that sets it apart from typical black monitors. The two-pronged stand offers 150mm height adjustment and 20-degree tilt, though it lacks rotation capabilities. Connectivity is comprehensive, with USB-C (with power delivery), DisplayPort 1.4, dual HDMI 2.0 ports, and multiple USB-A downstream ports making it an effective USB hub.
Display: Our reviewer found this monitor to be "consistently fantastic to look at", which makes it an ideal piece of kit for video editing. The 34-inch QD OLED panel delivers a sharp 3440 x 1440 resolution with remarkable brightness levels—250 nits in SDR and up to 1,000 nits peak in HDR. Colour reproduction is outstanding with 99.3% DCI-P3 coverage and 1.07 billion colours. The 1800R curve strikes an excellent balance, minimising distortion for creative work while maintaining immersion for content consumption. The 175Hz refresh rate (via DisplayPort/USB-C) and 0.03ms response time ensure smooth motion handling.
Pricing: Originally launched at £1,299, now available for £899, the Evnia 34M2C8600 represents solid value for a premium OLED ultrawide monitor, though it remains a significant investment.
The over-$1,000/£1,000-plus 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.
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.
This budget monitor 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. This is a decent monitor if you want a cheaper option for quicker or less in-depth edits.
As a work monitor, the Iiyama Prolite XUB3293UHSN-B5 is a strong proposition. It has the brightness, the colour response, and the convenience of the built-in KVM to be a handy desk companion, and it's cheaper than most similar 4K screens. If you’re looking for something that can fullscreen Premiere Pro, but can’t quite stretch to a 5K screen, then this package is an attractive proposition.
This 240Hz screen will appeal to video editors who like gaming after work, and the OLED panel attracts too. It's a screen that can easily pull double duty between your MacBook and your games PC, and if you want excellent colour, brightness, framerate and versatility in one package, then the Predator X27U is worth checking out. It is expensive, though.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
