When photo editing, having the right monitor for the job makes a significant difference in the quality of your work. External monitors for photography have key features that provide optimal color accuracy so images are consistent across devices and in print.
There are excellent monitors for photographers to choose from regardless of experience level or budget. Keep reading to learn the features you’ll find in the best monitor for photo editing and explore some top manufacturers to consider during your search.
Features of the Best Monitors for Photo Editing
A monitor for photography is designed with certain specifications to help you create high-quality, professional-looking images. You can ensure you have a desktop setup well-suited for photo editing by checking for these features. Then, compare different models within your budget to help you narrow down the best photo editing monitor for you.
Screen Resolution
Resolution refers to the sharpness and clarity of the on-screen image and is measured by the number of pixels, or picture elements, across and down a screen. A higher screen resolution translates to a higher quality image because more of the image is displayed, adding color and detail.
Full HD 1080p has a resolution of 1920 x 1080, meaning there are 1,920 pixels horizontally and 1,080 pixels vertically for a total of 2,073,600 pixels on screen. 4K has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 or 8,294,400 pixels – that’s four times as many for enhanced visual quality and the ability to see fine details.
Keep in mind that the larger the screen, the more pixels can fit. This means that the best monitor for photo editing will have a 4K resolution if it has a 32-inch screen or larger..
Color Gamut
A monitor’s color gamut refers to the range, rather than the number, of colors it is able to display. A wide color gamut reproduces more of the color spectrum discernible to the human eye, resulting in more vivid and lifelike images. Monitors with a wider color gamut typically have a higher color accuracy and provide a more immersive visual experience. Some examples of color gamuts include:
- sRGB – The standard color gamut is used for most digital media. It has a comparatively narrow range of colors to be compatible with most devices.
- Adobe RGB – This color gamut is wider than sRGB and is an industry-standard for photographers. It displays the same number of colors as sRGB but covers more of the green spectrum.
- ProPhoto RGB – Photography professionals who require the highest level of color accuracy use this color gamut, which is so wide it displays colors outside the spectrum of human vision.
Gamuts are typically listed as a percentage in a monitor’s specifications. The best color-accurate monitors will have at least 100% sRGB.
Calibration
Most monitors for photography are factory calibrated to ensure accurate color reproduction. You’ll want to make sure that’s the case and plan to recalibrate to maintain the color performance of your monitor over time. This can be accomplished using built-in software; however, in most cases, a calibration tool will get far better results. Some monitors have built-in hardware calibration, while others require the additional purchase of a third-party tool.
Our Recommendations for the Best Monitors for Photo Editing
Now that we’ve identified the most important features to look for in photo editing monitors, it’s time to look at a few of our favorites. These monitors for photography are highly rated and offer essential features for photo editing.
ASUS ProArt Series: This popular line of monitors for photographers has up to 4K resolutions and features a wide color gamut. Not only is every model pre-calibrated, ASUS ProArt™ Calibration technology self-recalibrates, making this critical maintenance easy. These are only a few of the features that place the ASUS ProArt Series among the best monitors for photo editing.
BenQ PhotoVue: BenQ PhotoVue monitors are factory calibrated with a guarantee of accuracy and uniformity, and they boast a wide color gamut with hardware calibration. These features are available even on monitors with less than 4K resolution to offer more affordable options without sacrificing color accuracy – that makes a PhotoVue perhaps the best budget monitor for photo editing.
Eizo ColorEdge: Discover what the pros know – Eizo’s ColorEdge monitors are unmatched in image quality with high resolution, 99% Adobe RGB, a built-in calibration sensor and many more high-end features. Designed specifically for color-critical work, it’s no wonder those who work in photography for a living consider ColorEdge the best 4K monitors for photo editing.
Other top-tier photo editing monitors to explore include Dell’s award-winning line-up of UltraSharp monitors, as well as those from LG and HP, two other manufacturers of quality monitors for photography.
Find More Picture-Perfect Editing Solutions at ON1
Upgrading your editing setup will help you turn good photos into great ones, and using the best monitors and photo editing software makes the editing process easier and more enjoyable. Experts, enthusiasts and beginners alike can use professional-level tools like a color-accurate display and an AI-powered RAW photo editor to create stunning images.
