Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a budding amateur or just a hobbyist, you are probably aware that post-shoot editing is an integral part of digital photography in the 21st century.
Regardless of what you shoot, what software you use, or how you go about editing your shots, almost all professional photographers now spend as much time in studio post-editing, as they do capturing shots.
It doesn’t matter if you’re reducing the noise in a landscape shot, or retouching a portrait for an ad campaign. You’ll need a monitor that shows the image that you are editing so that you know if your edits are making the image better.
Having the right monitor for this integral part of the photography process is key. There are plenty of things to consider when you decide to buy a monitor. For one, there are so many monitors on the market that it can be tough to know where to start.
The most important thing to know about monitors is the color. You’ll want the color contrast to be as realistic as possible. The definition is also another key point to review, as is the size of the monitor that you’re investing in.
In this list, we’ve rigorously searched for the best monitors for photo editing. You are sure to find a monitor that fits your needs and requirements whether you’re working on a tight budget, need a professional quality monitor, or just want something that will let you edit in the most efficient way possible.
Read on and you’re sure to find what you’re looking for!
BenQ SW2700PT 27 Inch QHD 1440P IPS Photography Monitor
We start our list with the BenQ SW2700PT 27-inch monitor. This is a great place to start as this monitor offers high resolution, decent screen size, and fantastic specifications for photo editing.
At 27 inches, this monitor is smaller than a lot of high-end photo editing monitors. However, this is dramatically represented in the price which is extremely lower than models which feature a similar specification.
Plus, with plenty of thoughtful touches such as the shading hood, BenQ has really thought about and considered the user with this model. This monitor is perfect for anyone be it hobbyists, students or professionals.
At the price, this is a good deal.
Pros
- Great value for money
- High-end specification on a budget
- 27-inch screen
- 2 x USB ports
- 1 x HDMI ports
- 2560 x 1440 resolution
- 99% Adobe RGB coverage
- 14 bit lookup table
- More affordable than larger monitors
- Shading hood
- Multiple screen sizes and resolutions for different users specifications and budgets
- Zero flicker eliminates eye damage
- Pallet master software
- Color abbreviation
- Perfect for hobbyists, students, and professionals
- Easy to use
- BenQ have been thoughtful as it is thinking about the user in their design
- 109 pixels per inch
- Black and white renditions available in three specifications for the ultimate editing
- Storing build
- Durable
Cons
- Doesn’t support 4K
- Smaller screen size than other competitors
- Color bleeds after prolonged use
- Poor customer service team
ASUS Designo Curve MX38VC 37.5″ Monitor
The ASUS Designo Curve is the ultimate monitor for photographers.
If money is not an issue for you, we recommend splashing the cash and investing in this extremely useful monitor. If you’re looking for professionally edited photographs and you want to win over clients, this is the monitor you should invest in.
A whopping 37.5-inch screen allows you to have multiple applications open at the same time. You can also work simultaneously on shots. On top of this, the frameless design, eye care protective screen, and plethora of built-in software and gadgets make this monitor the ultimate choice for photographers.
We think everyone should take a look at this fantastic monitor as it will enable you to best edit any of your photographs.
Pros
- Large screen at 37.5 inches
- 1000:1 viewing angle
- 4K ultra-wide viewing
- 3840 x 1600 pixel count
- Built-in wireless charging
- Amazing color retention
- Perfect accurate color rendition
- 21:9 aspect ratio
- Great for having multiple apps open
- Edit multiple photographs at the same time
- Comes in various sizes ranging from 25 inch – 37.5 to match your space and spec
- Frameless design
- Well built with no color bleeding
- 10W built-in speakers
- Perfectly curved screen
- Bluetooth music screening
- Flicker-free technology to ensure you do not damage your eyes
- Great for professionals
- Fantastic build quality
- Good customer service
- Good value for money considering all the specifications that come with the screen
- Durable and well designed
Cons
- No HDR
- Expensive compared to other models on the market which can be off-putting
- The larger screen size takes up lots of room so you’ll need plenty of desk space to house this monitor
Eizo ColorEdge CG319X Hardware Calibration LCD Monitor
Most of you will think that the price of this monitor will be way out of your budget. However, we did claim that we’d cover everything for everyone.
So if you’re a studio, or perhaps you work for large clients and companies, this is the monitor for you. Studio professional standard quality Eizo has become a renowned monitor-producer for photographers.
This is their latest offering – a new and improved version of their last model – which has been a favorite of studios and professionals alike. With plenty of built-in features and potentially the best color accuracy you’ll find, this is the ultimate monitor for those who want the most amazing results.
If editing is part of your process, or you work for a design studio, then look no further than the Eizo ColorEdge.
Pros
- Outstanding color rendition
- Perfect color accuracy
- Amazing quality
- Outstanding build and design
- Eizo are renown for monitor making specifically for editing
- Unrivaled image quality
- High-end spec
- Professional quality brightness and clarity
- 10–bit color definition
- 4096 x 2160 pixels
- Unique built-in color calibration tool that means your color palette will always be in sync
- 17:9 aspect ratio
- Perfect for studios, design agencies, or professionals
Cons
- Extremely expensive
Dell Ultra Sharp LED-Lit Monitor 25″ Black
Now if you’re at the other end of the spectrum and you’re working with a tighter budget then Dell has you covered.
This 25-inch monitor is perfect for those that want a good editing monitor but don’t want to break the bank. If you’re an amateur, hobbyist, or even a student, this is a great monitor to get you started.
At this great price, you’ll be hard pressed to find a monitor that has a similar specification.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Unbeatable specification for the price range
- 25-inch screen
- 2560 x 1440 pixels
- 1 x HDMI port
- 2 x USB ports
- Slim bezels
- 1000:1 contrast ratio
- Easy to use
- Good for beginners
- Great for hobbyists, students and others
- Renown brand
- Good build quality
- Durable
Cons
- Small screen size
- Not professional spec
- Students will outgrow it quickly if they want a higher-end specification
ViewSonic VP3881 38in IPS Ultra Wide Curved Pro Monitor
The ViewSonic VP3881 is our answer to those who want an ultra wide screen whilst having a small budget.
This monitor allows users to have multiple applications and photographs open at the same time whilst editing. It will also not sacrifice image quality.
We highly recommend this monitor to those that have space and require a larger screen.
Pros
- Ultra-wide
- Great design
- Good build quality
- Great for students and professionals
- 38-inch screen
- USB and HDMI connectivity
- Covered screen
- Eye care built-in technology so you will not damage your eyes
- 10-bit color rendition
- Great color accuracy
- Perfect for larger studios
- Easy to use
Cons
- Requires a large desk space
Conclusion
This list has run through a collection of the best monitors for photography on the market. We’ve covered monitors that will function in home studio setups, as well as budget monitors for those working with less money.
We’ve also looked at professional standard monitors for those who work with design studios, or need professional-quality editing software.
