If you’re on the hunt for the best monitors for designers & photographers, there are key features you need to be aware of. If you’re a DESIGNER or a PHOTOGRAPHER, you’re probably trying to provide your clients with the most excellent results possible.
To do that, you will need high-quality equipment, so you can put that talent into good practice — especially the monitor you use for your design work.
In the world of technology, there are often categories aimed at different types of users. So, for example, there are products meant for most people. And there are products intended for professionals.
The market is packed with professional-grade monitors, divided into different subcategories. You should choose the best suitable option as a designer with a specialized set of needs.
So, it pays to know what you’re looking for to make the best purchase possible.
Table of Contents
What Should A Graphic Designer Look For In A Monitor?
Before purchasing a monitor for your design work, you must consider its specifications and what you should look for:
- Resolution – When it comes to pixel resolution, the more is better. The best resolution available would be UHD (Ultra High Definition), 4K resolution. Designers benefit the most from 4K since it offers four times more pixels than 1080p. However, the monitor’s price will increase as the screen resolution improves.
- Color accuracy – Before you take your project to the printer, you want to ensure the color consistency is right. That means the finished project will look the same as the one displayed on the monitor. Your monitor should cover at least 99% of the Adobe RGB color spectrum. Color accuracy brings us to another essential item – the panel type.
- Modern professional-grade monitors employ an IPS panel since they have no trouble displaying substantial color fidelity and luminosity. Unfortunately, TN panels are usually cheaper and lack the color reproduction capabilities that IPS panels offer. However, some TN panels have improved color accuracy.
- I/O connections and ergonomics – The number of ports means great, so choose a monitor with an HDMI, DisplayPort 1.2, and dual-link DVI ports. The mobility of the monitor and its ability to change into portrait mode is convenient. In addition, the height adjustments and swivel adjustments enable you to move the monitor into the most viewing position.
- Price – The quality of the work is based on the craftsman’s tools. High-quality displays aren’t the cheapest option on the market, and for a good reason.
Best Monitors For Designers Or Photographers
Considering these options, here’s a list of the top 10 monitors for designers in 2023:
Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
A 4K resolution and a stunning array of gamut standards make this heavy-duty, 32-inch monitor an excellent choice for studios and offices.
It features Dell’s distinctive design, and like most UltraSharp products, it looks clean and elegant. Moreover, this matte black and powder-coated silver exterior look fashionable thanks to its slim lines and clean edges.
This 32-inch IPS panel offers a 4K native resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a response time that can be boosted to 6ms. In addition, it displays 99.5% of the AdobeRGB gamut, and 100% of the typical sRGB spectrum, making this monitor suitable for content creation.
Its 32-inch 4K resolution screen produces a stunning 138 pixels-per-inch (PPI), which results in beautiful crispiness and detail. However, OS scaling is recommended to avoid stressing your eyes at this pixel density.
The UP3216Q is a worthy product with productivity and creativity in mind. These are suitable monitors for graphic designers.
Pros Of The Dell UltraSharp
- Plenty of connectivity options
- Superb color accuracy
- Elegant design
Cons Of The Dell UltraSharp
- Needs OS scaling
EIZO ColorEdge Monitor
The EIZO ColorEdge Monitor is one of the best choices for designers and artists, especially if you’re into filmmaking, animation, and CGI.
What sets the CG318-4K monitor apart from others is its 4K resolution. It offers 4096×2160, which is a filmmaking resolution. It won’t make much difference if you’re a graphic designer.
However, if you’re a video editor or animator, this monitor may be the right one for you, as it can be used as a reference display.
Color reproduction is stunning, as the CG318-4K outputs 100% of the sRGB spectrum and 99% of the Adobe RGB color space. It also produces 98% of the DCI-P3 color spectrum, perfect for post-production and film editing digital cinema.
Eizo CG318-4K offers excellent flexibility and adjustment options. In addition, the stand provides superior ergonomics, allowing you to tilt, rotate, swivel, and level the monitor to your eyes.
Pros Of The EIZO ColorEdge Monitor
- True 4K
- Wide color support
- Self-calibrating
Cons Of The EIZO ColorEdge Monitor
- This monitor is pricey
LG 27UD88 – One of the Best Monitors For Designers
The LG 27UD88 is color accurate, beautiful monitor meant for entertainment and productivity, which comes at an affordable price.
Considering the manufacturer, it’s not surprising that the 27UD88 is an attractive, low-profile monitor. The black-and-white chassis radiates elegance and minimalism.
Thanks to the narrow bezels surrounding the 27-inch display, the monitor blends effortlessly into any desktop environment. In addition, the stand isn’t just for show; it allows tilting, rotating, raising, and lower functions.
The gorgeous, factory-calibrated IPS panel offers a 3840×2160 resolution and covers 99% of the sRGB color gamut. This model is best used in creative workloads.
Its fantastic colors will make photo editing and graphic design a visual pleasure, while the split-screen option makes it even more suitable for creative work.
Pros Of The LG 27UD88
- Beautiful image
- Great IPS panel
- Good price-performance ratio
Cons Of The LG 27UD88
- Lacks HDR
Philips Brilliance DBM4350UC
Philips Brilliance BDM4350UC is a 43-inch gaming monitor for those who want to see extra details the 4K resolution offers.
The monitor features a sizeable glossy screen with a gentle anti-glare treatment from the front. The large screen is bordered by slim bezels (0.55 inches), with a marginally fuller bottom bezel.
The included stand is quite basic and doesn’t offer any ergonomic flexibility. However, it’s remarkably stable, without any wobble. Due to such design properties, it’s no wonder that people mistake this monitor for a TV.
This model employs a 42.5-inch IPS panel with a 3840×2160 resolution. Philips quotes 100% of the sRGB color gamut and 75% of the AdobeRGB spectrum.
The colors are exceptionally punchy, though they may not be a top pick for users that work with color professionally.
Pros Of The Philips Brilliance
- 4K resolution
- Large screen
- Affordable
Cons Of The Philips Brilliance
- Backlight shadows
Acer B286HK
Manufacturers usually cut corners to keep an affordable price tag since the price reflects the quality. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and Acer B286HK is one of them.
The B286HK looks refined and not a bit flashy. The chassis is black and grey plastic, supported by a beefy arm and stand.
A huge stand and a beefy arm allow you to rotate or tilt the monitor. The problem with the support is that it’s shaky, which shouldn’t be an issue if you place it on a stable and sturdy desk. If you find this troublesome, the monitor is VESA compatible.
The color performance of the 4K IPS panel, with 3840×2160 native resolution, is quite good. The panel displays 95% of the sRGB spectrum and 73% of Adobe RGB. However, the image quality isn’t as good as it could be out of the box.
For this reason, some initial calibration is required, especially if you’re doing professional image and video editing.
Pros Of The B286HK
- Good overall performance
- Good viewing angles
- Vibrant colors
Cons Of The B286HK
- Wobbly stand
BenQ SW271
BenQ has a strong line of products for gaming, general use, and professional displays. SW271 offers excellent color accuracy, flexibility, and several options, as expected from a professional-grade monitor.
The SW271 is a 27-inch, 4K IPS display with 10-bit HDR support and a 14-bit LUT. It also features 100% sRGB coverage and 99% of the Adobe RGB color spectrum.
Of course, there are numerous color settings and modes to choose from, all accessible through the OSD menu. These great features make SW271 an excellent photography and graphic design product.
With thin bezels surrounding the screen, and a generous amount of input options, the SW271 is a premium product. The overall build quality is superb, along with a stand that offers excellent ergonomic features.
Pros Of The BenQ SW271
- Amazingly accurate and flexible
- Great build quality
- Full AdobeRGB coverage
Cons Of The BenQ SW271
- No image adjustments in HDR mode
ASUS ProArt PA329C
Thanks to the many features they offer, many professionals use gaming monitors at their workstations.
However, graphic design only requires clarity and color accuracy, and Asus PA329Q excels at both.
It has a 4K IPS panel featuring Quantum dot technology for increased clarity. In addition, the panel has 10-bit color support providing better accuracy and a wider color gamut, reproducing a 95% of AdobeRGB and a 100% Rec.709 color spectrum.
This model’s size and native resolution provide a larger workspace, which is excellent for graphic design.
The PA329Q’s chases are in a matte black finish, with slim bezels surrounding the screen. Thanks to its sophisticated look, the overall design is set to match the professional environment.
Pros Of The ASUS ProArt
- Great color quality
- A high number of connection ports
- A solid stand with flexible adjustments
Cons Of The ASUS ProArt
- Pricey
Lenovo ThinkVision P27H
The ThinkVision P27H is Lenovo’s new premium-line 27-inch 4K PC monitor.
It combines a brilliant IPS panel, a high-resolution screen, and fantastic color accuracy. Unfortunately, it also comes with a hefty price tag.
Throughout its product lineup, Lenovo offers a unique aesthetic design, with ThinkVision P27H being no exception. The product design is suitable for business or studio settings, and the chassis comes with a matte black finish and clean lines that provide a sophisticated look.
The P27H sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 3840×2160 4K native resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 6ms response time, and 178° viewing angle.
However, most content creators are interested in the genuine 10-bit color support and 99.9% of the Adobe RGB color spectrum.
It may come with a hefty price tag, but ThinkVision P27H deserves it by being truly an impressive professional-grade display.
Pros Of The ThinkVision P27H
- The high-quality IPS panel
- Great color accuracy
- Excellent configurability
Cons Of The ThinkVision P27H
- A bit pricey
Samsung U28E590D
With an attractive design, 4K resolution, and fast response time, the U28E590D is a reasonably priced monitor with more than decent image quality.
This monitor appeals to the fans of minimal design, keeping things pretty simple. The stand is made of aluminum and feels sturdy and durable. It also allows for a quick and easy setup.
However, it has limited ergonomic options, offering only a 15° tilt without rotation and height adjustments.
The panel is of a Twisted Nematic type, offering excellent viewing angles, but not great. While the 1ms GtG response time doesn’t mean much to designers, the improved color rendition does.
It performs well in both AdobeRGB and sRGB color spectrums. The 100% of sRGB range makes this monitor an ideal performer for graphic design.
Pros Of The U28E590D
- Attractive design
- Image quality (once calibrated)
- Easy setup
Cons Of The U28E590D
- Limited stand adjustments
BenQ PD3200U
The BenQ PD3200U is a fantastic 32-inch monitor with 4K resolution, aimed at professionals who also like little gaming entertainment after work hours.
The 32-inch display running a 4K resolution looks stunning and has Windows 10 scaling options. In addition, text and icons are easily readable, even at high resolutions.
The panel type is IPS, with excellent viewing angles and a native resolution of 3840×2160, providing excellent image quality.
Since it’s a professional-grade monitor, color accuracy at any given angle is 100% of the sRGB spectrum, an industry standard. It also covers various color gamuts, such as Rec.709, DCI-P3, and AdobeRGB, ensuring the most accurate colors.
The design of PD3200U is simple but elegant and functional, made to inspire efficiency and productivity. In addition, it offers a fully ergonomic stand and a great selection of ports.
The outstanding performance and the straightforward design of BenQ PD3200U make it an excellent monitor for productivity and some light entertainment.
Pros Of The BenQ PD3200U
- 4K resolution
- Large 32-inch screen
- Good price-quality ratio
Cons Of The BenQ PD3200U
- The design might seem dull to some
Do Graphic Designers Need A 4K Monitor?
Not really, although it can be beneficial to have one that IS 4K.
It depends on what type of work you’ll be doing, mainly on the RESOLUTION you’ll need to work with.
However, for many people who do graphic design and photography, you might as well get a 4K one. It means you’ll never be LIMITED by your monitor, and you can work with the highest-resolution projects and photos.
Further Reviews
- Laptops For Graphic Design
- Best DSLR Cameras For Vlogging
- Ten Of The Best Adjustable Sit Stand Desks
More Posts
Whether you own a small business or a huge enterprise, you're probably using Excel or QuickBooks quite a lot. So we wanted to find the best laptop for QuickBooks. I get it: It's tough to find...
When you're looking for the perfect set of monitors for music production, there are many factors you need to consider for the best purchase. There is a growing space for niche sets of monitors to...