Best Computer Monitor For Graphic Design

The best monitors aren't going to speed up your computer, but they can make your. PD3200U, a massive 32-inch Ultra HD display, as part of its Designer Monitor range. G-Sync tech, you won't need V-Sync stressing out your graphics card. Best monitor for designers is as important as a any other part of their workstation. Designers, graphic designers, video editors and professionals have jobs that require them to produce the best quality work.

While the best monitors aren’t going to speed up your computer, they can make your experience much better by making everything easier to see and read, boosting productivity. And, if you ask us, the best monitors will also be affordable, so that anyone can find a cost effective screen that won’t hurt their eyes. With high pixel density, fast refresh rates, and so many different sizes of panel, it’s never been easier to find the best monitor..

Whether you're looking for a gaming monitor to keep up with the gaming PCs, or if you just bought a MacBook Air and you need one of the best USB-C monitors, you’ve come to the right place. And, you can trust our picks – we’ve tested and reviewed them all ourselves.

1. BenQ PD3200U

4K resolution

Design may seem dull to some

Now that the best PCs can handle 4K easier than ever before, the best 4K monitors are everywhere. That’s why BenQ launched the PD3200U, a massive 32-inch Ultra HD display, as part of its Designer Monitor range. Marketed to creatives and professionals, BenQ has crafted, seemingly by mistake, a panel that gamers can get behind, too – as long as they can find room on their desks. However, 3D designers especially will love this display, thanks to the factory-calibrated color accuracy and CAD/CAM mode.

Read the full review: BenQ PD3200U

2. AOC Agon AG352UCG6 Black Edition

Ultra-wide on steroids

120Hz refresh rate

While the AOC Agon AG352UCG6 Black Edition is a gaming monitor through and through, it’s one of the best monitors if you need an ultra-wide display. With its sublime color support, strong contrast ratio and lightning fast 120Hz refresh rate, everything you do on your PC will look better and feel faster. It’s on the pricey side, but this ultra wide monitor can significantly boost productivity, so it’s totally worth it. As long as you have the hardware to drive it, it’s one of the best monitors out there.

Read the full review:AOC Agon AG352UCG6 Black Edition

3. Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ

Expensive, but beautiful

Beautiful image quality

If you’ve been shopping around for a high-end monitor and you’re ready to just throw your hands up and buy the most expensive monitor you can find, you’re in luck. The Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ combines so many high end features that it almost seems ridiculous. It doesn’t just feature a 4K UHD display at 144Hz, but it’s also rocking Nvidia G-Sync and HDR. This is simply the best monitor on the market, but it costs an arm and a leg. If you’re playing games, doing photo and video editing work, or even just general desktop work, you can’t go wrong with this monitor, as long as you have the cash.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ

4. Acer Predator X34

A gaming monitor with attitude

Perfect color accuracy

Underpowered speakers

When you start to grow weary of the same old 16:9 aspect ratio, nothing hits the spot like a cinematic 21:9 display. It’s probably not the best for watching Netflix or YouTube, but the Acer Predator X34 is a great example of what an ultra-wide monitor can do. Boasting an attractive aluminum bezel and polygonal stand that resembles a bird’s foot, this massive 34-inch monitor is a wonder to look at. More importantly, armed with Nvidia’s G-Sync tech, you won’t need V-Sync stressing out your graphics card. The Acer Predator X34 does all the heavy lifting for you. This is about as immersive as a gaming monitor gets.

Read the full review: Acer Predator X34

5. Asus Designo Curve MX38VC

A lot of pixels

No HDR

Ultrawide monitors are nothing new: they’ve been among the best monitors for a few years now, in fact. These wide monitors are lifesavers when it comes to productivity and are getting more popular than ever – and the Asus Designo Curve MX38VC takes it to another level. Not only does this monitor have a huge 3,840 x 1,600 resolution, but with USB-C compatibility and a Qi wireless charger built into the base, it’s going to be a workplace companion you can’t live without. It’s a bit expensive, and doesn’t feature HDR, but that’s a worthy sacrifice, especially for professionals.

Read the full review: Asus Designo Curve MX38VC

6. Dell UltraSharp UP3218K

Stunning 8K resolution

Very pricey

We don’t often run into technology that’s so far ahead of the curve that we’re left dumbfounded. The Dell UltraSharp UP3218K is the most recent example. Finding a monitor that can reach the raw beauty this one does should be impossible. It’s not just the resolution, either – Dell went a long way to make sure that the build quality and color reproduction are the best in the business, and well, it is. The Dell UltraSharp UP3218K is aimed at professionals, obviously, so if that sounds like it’s up your alley, it’s probably the best monitor for you.

Read the full review: Dell UltraSharp UP3218K

This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the BenQ PD3200U

7. BenQ EX3203R

High-res, low-cost

Great for gaming

If you’re looking for a great 1440p monitor with HDR for multimedia and gaming, the BenQ EX3203R might be the best monitor for you. This monitor is notable because it manages to bring in a ton of high-end features into a monitor that is extremely affordable. And, while 32 inches might sound like a bit much for a monitor, the 1800R curvature on this BenQ panel means that it’s easy to use, both for productivity and for immersion in your games and media.

Read the full review: BenQ EX203R

This product is only available in the US at the time of writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Acer S277HK

8. Alienware 25

A ubiquitous solution to screen tearing

High refresh rate

Only 1080p

Depending on your budget, it might break the bank – like any Alienware product – but Dell’s 25-inch gaming monitor will all but eliminate screen tearing. Whether you have an AMD Radeon VII or an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080, there’s a configuration for you. With G-Sync or FreeSync taking away some of the heavy lifting from the GPU that would otherwise be spent on VSync, the Alienware 25’s 120Hz refresh rate may actually be viable. And, the 1ms response time is just the gravy on top.

Read the full review: Alienware 25

9. BenQ Zowie XL2540

A monitor tailored to the needs of professional gamers

Easy setup

Limited appeal beyond pro gamers

You might not believe it at first glance, but the BenQ Zowie XL2540 is every bit the gaming monitor that the Asus Predator X34 is. And though it may not seem it from the outside looking in, it does its job remarkably well too, sacrificing dazzling lighting effects for a zippy 240Hz refresh rate and nigh-instantaneous 1ms response time. There’s no G-Sync or FreeSync, as this monitor assumes you already have a rig that’s plenty capable of eliminating screen tears on its own. Instead, this monitor keeps it simple by supplying you with lots of visual presets, an “S Switch” control pod for managing those presets and even a pair of adjustable light screens.

Read the full review:

10. LG 34UC79G-B

Curved 21:9 screen design

Lesser resolution than rivals

If you’re running games using a weaker GPU and you’re looking to get into ultra-wide displays without spending a fortune, you might want to check the LG 34UC79G-B out. This monitor, measuring in at 34-inches diagonally, is equipped with AMD FreeSync for screen tear elimination and a 21:9 aspect ratio best suited for games and cinema. Despite its resolution being lower than other ultrawide displays out there, this LG monitor pulls off a crisp image nonetheless – and with stunning color accuracy at that. Plus, you can change the height, which is more than can be said for even some of the more expensive 4K monitors out there.

Read the full review: LG 34UC79G-B

Gabe Carey and Bill Thomas have also contributed to this article

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Image Credits: TechRadar

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If you're a graphic designer or photo editor, you're likely looking for a monitor that has wide viewing angles and color accuracy. In 2018, these options are more affordable than ever before.

The entrance of less expensive e-IPS panels as well as 4k and 5k monitors has brought even more expensive photo editing monitors down. Depending on the level of color accuracy you need, one of these panels might be perfect. For those who do logo work or that depend on high level of color accuracy, you'll likely need to go with something higher-end.

Whatever your needs are, we'll identify a few good computer monitors that should meet your needs as a photo or video editor, or graphic designer.

One of the best value IPS monitors available is the *Dell UltraSharp 2415. It's perfect for those of you on a budget who need semi-critical color accuracy. Gamut is at 99% sRGB. With a 6ms gray to gray response time it's also good enough for video editing and gaming.

For screen real estate, it has a bit more than your typical 1080p monitor. With a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 1920x1200 resolution you get a little bit more to work with.

One of the nice things about the U2415 is that out of the box it comes factory precalibrated with a deltaE of <3. Honestly, this is good enough for most and makes it simple to use right when you get it.

Dell also sells their UltraSharp series in 25, 27, 29 Wide, 30, and 34' curved versions. All of these have their various positives and negatives. Still, the U2415 is the one I see as having the best value for the money you spend.

There is a newer version of this monitor in the Dell UltraSharp U2417HJ that is similar in quality. If it's available for about the same price, it's probably worth the upgrade. Specs are similar and it comes with wireless charging.

A Good and Cheap IPS Monitor Under $200

If you've got a budget of under $200 consider the older model, Dell UltraSharp U2414H. It covers 96% of the sRGB space and comes with a sRGB preset mode which is the factory calibrated profile. As most would prefer not to professionally calibrate a monitor in this price range, it's good to know that any of these monitors come with a decent calibration out of the box.

*The 25' and 27' versions of this monitor both have a 2560x1440p resolution.

A Good 4K / 5k IPS Monitor for Photo and Video Editing

Dell Ultra HD Series 4k and 5k Monitors

Want to maximize your screen real estate with a 4k or 5k monitor? Dell's Ultra HD series comes in the resolution and still has 99% sRGB color coverage and a deltaE of <3 for the 4k model and <2 for the 5k.

If you have a Mac, you'll also be glad to know that this series is plug and play. There are no compatibility issues and you'll also notice that the colors will be the same on this screen as on your MacBook.

4k Version

The 4k version is a great budget option for those looking for more pixels while maintaining a high level of color accuracy. There are no resume from sleep bugs like that which plugged some previous versions. Also, at under $500 you can't complain about the price.

5k Version

The 5k version of this monitor is, admittedly, much more expensive. And for good reason. It has nearly double the pixels of the 4k version (14.75 million vs 8.3 million).

If you're coming from an iMac 5k to something like this you'll find that it's fairly similar with the iMac 5k having the slight advantage on ppi.

Summary: 4k Is Good Enough for Most

Overall, I'd recommend the 4k version of this monitor for all but those who have need for it or the most particular. Price for these models ranges from just under $400 for the 24' 4k version to up around $1500 for the 5k 27' version. Either option is a compatible monitor with the MacBook Pro.

Dell Ultra HD 4k Monitor P2715Q 27-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor

At under $500, the Dell HD 4k offers a lot of value. You can see it, along with the 5k version, below.

2 Incredibly Accurate Monitors for Color Reproduction

If you work on branding or need a monitor that's perfectly accurate, I'd recommend one of the monitors below. Getting a good calibration will be key.

Dell UP 3017

Want a big monitor that's color accurate, has a 16:10 aspect ratio, and 2560x1600 resolution? The Dell UP 3017 should be at or near the top of your list.

The UP 3017 comes with a great deal of color accuracy right out of the box. It gives the user amazing accuracy with Adobe RGB, sRGB, and DCI-P3 while being relatively affordable.

The Cadillac Monitor for Photo Editors and Videographers

Looking for the best? I highly recommend the Eizo ColorEdge series.

Eizo ColorEdge 2' CG277-BK

With built-in self calibration, 99% of the Adobe RGB color space, full sRGB and DCI-P3, amazing tone in the dark, and a non glare IPS panel, this Eizo monitor doesn't disappoint. It's price tag is high, around $2,000, but if you need one of the most color accurate monitors available, this is where you should look.

The black levels on a monitor like the ColorEdge simply blow everything else I've tried away. Brightness is a max of 300 nits. Whether you're a digital artist or culling and editing a ton of photos, this monitor is ideal for post production.

The design of it is great as well with an excellent stand and ergonomics and superb built-in colorimeter. The panel, like most professional monitors, is thick at around 3 inches and has a large bezel. However, this is to be expected on a monitor of this caliber.

Overall, it's not a 4k monitor; however, because of that you're getting a cheaper price for it than you would have last year.

EIZO CG277-BK ColorEdge Professional Color Graphics Monitor 27.0' Black

The CG277-BK is the most accurate monitor I've ever used. However, if you're looking for 4k, you may want to consider the FlexScan 3237.

A Budget 16:10 IPS Monitor with a Wider Color Gamut

If you need a wider color gamut and a 16:10 aspect ratio, consider the Asus PA246Q with the same screen resolution, a faster 6ms response time, and a P-IPS panel with 98% Adobe RGB coverage. It's a good deal if you can find it still available at just under $500.

The newer version of this monitor is considerably less expensive but does not have the same coverage. It's up to you whether that's worth it or not. Another tempting monitor in this price range is the Asus PB278Q which is one of the better budget 27' IPS displays available on the market.

Yet, there's something especially good about the PA246Q. It's unfortunate that it never received a real upgrade. Overall, the Asus PA246Q is an affordable 30-bit display and great for those that want maximum color accuracy without the price. That being said, you'll likely need to callibrate this one to get the best result.

Technical details include a 1920 x 1200 resolution, 178째(H) / 178째(V) viewing angle, 0.27mm pixel pitch, 1.07 Billion display colors, 400 cd/m2 brightness, ASCR 50,000:1, 6ms GTG response time, P-IPS panel, D-Sub, DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB connectors, USB 2.0 1 x upstream, 2 x downstream, Height, Pivot, Swivel, Tilt adjustment, VESA compatible 100mm x 100mm holes, and includes a standard 3 year warranty

Why Choose an IPS Panel vs. a TN Panel Monitor?

There are two main reasons why I use an IPS panel monitor; accurate color reproduction, and wide viewing angles. In-plane switching panels use 8-10 bits per RGB color for a total of 24-30 bits. On the other hand, e-IPS panels typically are 6 bit. Dithering can be used to make up some of that gap. For this reason, even less expensive monitors may be accurate enough for some.

While true color is considered 18-bit color depth, a professional IPS monitor, like Eizo's FlexScan SX2462W can produce 1.07 billion colors and has a 30-bit color depth.

A Brief History of IPS Panels

Originally developed in 1996 by Hitachi, today, there are many types of IPS panels. Budget IPS displays are widely available and response times, overall, have come down considerably. On most IPS monitors, some user calibration is required in order to get accurate color reproduction. In addition, many IPS monitors go beyond the standard 1920 x 1080 pixels considered high definition in order to give additional working space to graphic designers, photo editors, and video editors.

While TN or twisted nematic panel monitors can claim to have up to 16.7 million colors, dithering is used in order to replace the actual color with an approximation of two or more other colors. The result is often inaccurate and grainy. Advantages to TN panel monitors include faster response times, better energy efficiency, and more affordable prices

IPS Display Poll

With more manufacturers than ever adding IPS panels to consumer displays, it's likely that within a few years the panel costs will continue to decrease. This means better and less expensive options for the masses.

Best computer monitor for graphic design ideas

Have a monitor that you'd like to recommend or simply want to make a comment on one of the monitors above? Be sure to let us know in the open discussion area below.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

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