Out of the 21 monitors we've reviewed this year, these are the 6 we'd recommend to creatives

Creatives spend a lot of time looking at screens. Whether you’re putting the final touches to a pic in Photoshop, populating a Premiere Pro timeline, rendering a 3D shot, or just kicking back with a Netflix binge, you need a monitor that delivers the best bang for your buck. But how do you find your perfect monitor match?

There are so many options out there, from cheap but adequate gaming monitors to high-end OLEDs for Hollywood pros. In this round-up we’ve selected the six best monitors you can buy right now, including some of the top picks from our guides to the best monitors for MacBook Pro users and the best monitors for graphic designers, narrowing it down to creative all-rounders, budget options and top-end OLEDs.

Best overall monitors for creatives

Modern-day creatives often dip their toes into graphic design, photo and video editing, and animation – and these all-rounder monitors are perfectly suited to these varied workflows.

Colour accuracy is the priority here, whether it’s for an ad that’s going to print or a short social media video. 95% or more DCI-P3 or Adobe RGB colour space coverage plus in-plane switching (IPS) are key features to look out for, and high resolutions (QHD or 4K) give you the screen space to work on multiple projects or see the big picture with stunning accuracy.

Best budget monitors

A tight budget doesn’t mean you have to get a monitor that cuts corners. In fact, there are more choices than ever before in the lower price bracket, and while these won’t provide the colour accuracy or deep blacks of premium options, they’re perfectly adequate for novice designers or students.

At this price point you can still pick up an IPS panel for decent viewing angles, and a solid 75Hz refresh rate, and low response times ensure a smooth and reliable design experience. Finally, look out for multiple HDMI and DisplayPort connectors to ensure maximum hardware compatibility.

Best OLED monitors

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) tech switches off individual pixels to provide true black levels, giving shadows unparalleled detail and ensuring colour purity. These monitors have become essential for creating HDR content and professional video editing – and when it’s time to relax with a game or movie, your entertainment will look better than ever.

When picking an OLED monitor, be sure to check for wide colour gamut coverage (DCI-P3) and high refresh rates for motion clarity. While the cost of OLEDs may be high, your eyeballs will thank you for the incredible visual experience.