Best Monitors for Photo Editing and Photographers in 2023

Professional photographers or designers must have expertise in photo editing and video reproduction tasks. To perform such high-end graphics tasks, they must rely on monitors that can help them edit high-quality images or videos to retain high color accuracy. Such monitors for video editing must have a uniform display and wide viewing angles and some other advanced technical features that are explained in this article. Picking the best monitor for photo-editing jobs can be tricky since some specifications can be misleading to confuse the designers or photographers. So, here is a brief discussion about the basic features needed in a photo-editing monitor. You can make an informed decision from our hand-picked monitors ideal for Photoshop CS, CorelDraw, Picturescape, Illustrator, or similar image editing applications.

Features to look for in Photo-editing Monitors

Monitor Screen Size

It is understood that large screen sizes will help designers or editors to analyze their work in depth. A big screen also allows the optimum space for toolbars on the screen that are essential for various editing tasks.  I would recommend going for a minimum of 24 Inches screen size while choosing a graphics monitor.

Screen Resolution

This is one of the vital features that the photo-editors can’t ignore while buying the best monitor. Resolution is defined as the total count of pixels in horizontal and vertical sections of the screen. A lower resolution monitor may not be able to capture the whole view on the screen, even if it is of large size. The screen resolution and quality are improving day by day with constant innovation and research in display technology. The minimum resolutions that can work for you are listed below

• Full HD 1920 x 1080p
• QHD 2560 x 1440p
• UHD/4K 3840 x 2160

Aspect Ratio

Aspect Ratio is measured in terms of the width of the screen with respect to height. In earlier days, 4:3 was the common aspect ratio and TVs and monitors appeared square in dimensions. But now this is replaced by an aspect ratio of 16:9 which gives a monitor a widescreen appearance. Also, remember that different aspect ratios support different resolutions. 16:9 today has become a standard aspect ratio for high-definition monitors.

Screen Panel-type

There are three types of screen panels that include TN, VA, and IPS. Among these, VA panels are mostly used in TVs whereas the other two are used in manufacturing monitors. TN panels are outdated and are not great for wide-angle viewing. IPS panels, on the other hand, are the latest in technology which offers high viewing angles, better contrast, efficient color reproduction, and better refresh rates.

Color Gamut

  Image credit:  wikipedia   

Color gamut is defined as the ability of a device to produce a different range of colors. The wider the color gamut, the more realistic the colors, a monitor can produce. The standard gamut is sRGB and almost all the monitors or TVs available today cover this range. In order to meet the demand for high levels of colors by professional photographers or photo editors, Adobe created its own color gamut as AdobeRGB which consists of a wider range of colors. Depending on your needs and budget you can go for higher color accuracy with a wider color gamut range.

Delta E

It is a standard metric that is a measure of the difference between two colors as perceived by the human eye. The standard quantifies this difference and compared it to the benchmark and calculates the deviation. The minimum the value of this deviation (measured as Delta E), the more is the color accuracy.

Connectivity

Apart from the basic VGA port, always look for the latest digital ports like DVI or HDMI on monitors. Make sure you have the same ports on your computer system. If you don’t have one, you can always buy the port converter cables easily available online.

Reviews of Photo Editing Monitors

ASUS ProArt Display 27″ Monitor

The monitor offers a high-resolution WQHD resolution( 2560 x 1440), providing sharp and detailed visuals for an enchanting viewer experience. With 100% sRGB and 100% Rec 709 color accuracy, you can confidently see everything as precisely intended. Equipped with a USB hub, USB-C, Daisy Chaining, and HDMI connectivity, this monitor offers versatile connectivity options. It is compatible with Mac monitors and laptops.

Pros

• The PA278CV comes out of the box mostly assembled, as you need to screw the base plate into the vertical stand. You can rotate the frame on the base.
• The port selection is very generous, as most are situated on the bottom edge of the raised edge area.

Cons

• The streamlining of the interface and the menu could have been much better.
•  A thing that is lacking at this price point is the quoted 1:1000 contrast.

2. LG UHD 27-Inch 4K Monitor

LG Ultrafine UHD 27-Inch 4K delivers ultra-HD resolution when viewed from an angle, the hues are extremely true. The 27-inch display offers the versatility of USB type C connectivity coupled with the benefits of HDCP 2.2 compatibility, so it will display 4K content from a variety of sources.

Pros

• At this price point, screen accuracy with the loaded calibrator is a worthy feature.
• The power delivery from the USB cable eliminates unnecessary cords.
• The high-dynamic-range feature adjusts the display range automatically to show HDR content.
• In addition, the picture quality is outstanding, and the large size makes photo editing a desirable feature.

Cons

• The screen has dark edges on each side.
• There is a VA panel as colors could be a tinge washed out and the viewing angles are not as good as IPS.
• No PBP/PIP mode

3. Sceptre 4K IPS 27″ 3840 x 2160 UHD Monitor

When it comes down to the specifications, the max screen resolution is 3840 x 2160, the refresh rate is 75 HZ, and it can run at.75 HZ. The gaming monitor weighs 9.1 lbs, and the color of the monitor is machine black. The 4K video in this format looks 3K and is vibrant.

Pros

• The response time is faster, as watching an action adventure or playing fast-action games requires a fast and timely response from an LED monitor.
•  With quick response times, blurring and ghosting are reduced for the user, and they can enjoy the display with clarity.

Cons

• Through HDMI, it will give you a response of 30 Hz, which is not ideal. If you are looking for a monitor with a super high refresh rate, then this is not the ideal one.
• Another drawback is the lack of control over the menu.

4. SAMSUNG S80A Computer Monitor, 27 Inch 4K

SAMSUNG S80A Computer Monitor, incorporated IPS panel features, powers your performance. The resolution is 1080p making small text easy to read whereas photos, illustrations, and videos are easily visible. The slim, borderless design and height adjustable stand( HAL) with tilt, swivel, and pivot functions pave the way for a clutter-free setup in any organization.

Pros

• USB- C for charging laptops, and other devices and connecting the monitor
• 3 USB type- A ports
• Supreme accuracy out of the box
• Colorful

Cons

• It is expensive and there are no speakers
• The stand could have been much lower
• Even the HDR is lackluster.

5. BenQ PD2705Q Mac-Ready Monitor 27”

The BenQ PD2705Q is a firm monitor once you unpack it. Once you plug it into your iMac via USB-C, the whole thing will click. The color is well matched with the displays, though there is a feeling that it is a bit out of the box. For emails, documents, and spreadsheets, it is a great option. The contrast is good, the lines are crisp, and the text reads well.

Pros

• A notable feature is KVM, which makes it easier to switch between multiple computers.
• The mounting and cable management are outstanding features.

• Not only is the BenQ PD2705Q a serious gaming monitor, but the software to adjust the screen is loaded on your computer.

Cons

• The monitor cannot be controlled from the Mac keyboard.
• There is no control of volume or brightness from the keyboard.

6. INNOCN Portable Monitor 13.3″

For a portable monitor 13.3″ may be smaller in size, though it leads to a thin and lightweight device with a stylish appearance and an adjustable stand. The main reason why people will consider the monitor is the promise of OLED color performance at an affordable price. Due to the current price point, it is one of the best portable monitors available in the market.

Pros

• The contrast ratio is 100,000: 1 and promises a maximum brightness of 400 nits.
• The monitor has a glassy coating instead of the matte finish typical of this segment

Cons

• The reflections can become a hindrance even at maximum brightness.
• Using a glossy finish also means that fingerprints emerge quickly when handling the portable computer.

Pick the Best Monitor for Photo-Editing Tasks

Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned player in the photo editing profession, you need a top-notch graphics monitor that supports high-end photo editing to move ahead in your career. I hope the monitors listed here will reduce your efforts in searching for the best monitor that fits your budget, creativity, and job requirements. All these photo editing monitors have the latest specs and features for quality work to make your customers happy.