Creative designers who are really serious about their professions know how important it is to have the best graphic design monitor. Not only will you be able to achieve a high level of creativity, but you’ll also be able to obtain a great deal of accuracy, colours, and work processes that would have been impossible on lesser screens. However, getting the ideal monitors for your creative design work is no easy feat. There are factors and elements you need to consider before choosing the best monitor for yourself. Technology is always improving and it’s the same in the world of creative design monitors.
Therefore, it’s imperative that you get with the times and choose nothing but the best. To save you the stress of having to sort through thousands of reviews, we’ve created a review of ten of the best creative design monitors on the market. We’ve also added an additional guide to help you know what to look out for when buying a monitor for graphic design just in case our product picks don’t match your preference. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
- The 10 Best Monitors for Graphic Design
- Dell Ultrasharp 32″ UP3216Q Monitor
- EIZO CG2420-BK 24.1″ Graphics Monitor
- Samsung UH750 28″ QLED 4K UHD FreeSync Monitor
- ASUS 32 ” 4K Ultra HD ProArt Professional Monitor
- BenQ 32″ IPSPost-Production Monitor
- Apple iMac 27″ Retina 5k Monitor
- Philips Brilliance BDM4350UC 43″ LED Monitor
- LG 27MD5KB UltraFine 27″ IPS Monitor
- Lenovo ThinkVision P27h-10 27″ Monitor
- ViewSonic VP3881 38″ WQHD+ UltraWide Curved Monitor
- Monitor For Graphic Design Buyer’s Guide
- What Is A Graphic Monitor?
- Do Graphic Designers Need A 4K Monitor?
- Are Gaming Monitors Good For Graphic Design?
- Factors To Consider When Choosing The Ideal Monitors For Graphic Design
The 10 Best Monitors for Graphic Design
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Dell Ultrasharp 32″ UP3216Q Monitor
Graphic design monitors are all about colours and accuracy. Your colours need to be consistent and accurate. Colour consistency and accuracy are two huge elements you are sure to find on the Dell Ultrasharp Monitor. Loaded with premier colour, this 4K monitor has the capability to produce four different colour spaces, including 100%RGB, 99.5% Adobe RGB, 87%DCI-P3, and 100% Rec709 coverage. This simply means that you’ll always get the right colours to suit your professional needs when working with this 4K monitor.
The viewing angles here are phenomenal as the monitor offers a 3840 x 2160 ultra HD 4K resolution. This means that you get to savor every detail in a resolution that’s 4 times better than full HD. An HDMI port, DisplayPort, and Mini DisplayPort helps you connect the monitor to your devices. You also get USB 3.0 ports, an audio jack, and a 6-inch card reader on this monitor. The Dell Ultrasharp is definitely a good buy given the fact that you’ll be getting all of these features for less than $1000.
| Display Resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Screen Size | 32 inches |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Supports 4K Display | Yes |
Pros
- Great viewing angles
- Four different color spaces
- 31.5 inches of in-plane switching
- Custom color mode and look-up tabl
Cons
EIZO CG2420-BK 24.1″ Graphics Monitor
When it comes to choosing the best monitors for graphic design, you’ll most definitely make a stop at the EIZO ColorEdge Professional Colour Graphics Monitor. Even if you don’t have the budget, you’d definitely take a long, good look at it before moving on. This is because the Eizo ColorEdge is a screen that brings your art to life. It is simply one of the best 4K monitors every creative designer should have. Endowed with an LED IPS technology, this 21 inch, 1920 x 1200 resolution screen provides users with a 1500:1 contrast ratio. Additionally, it features 99% Adobe RGB, 100% REC 703, and 98% DCI-P3 colour coverage.
This Eizo ColorEdge monitor also features an in-built self-calibration sensor that allows you to automatically calibrate the colours being displayed by the monitor. It is also equipped with a host of ports for enhanced connectivity, including an HDMI port, USB 3.0, DVI-D, and a DisplayPort. This monitor is VESA compatible and it also features a protective hood. The built-in calibration sensor works well with the ColorNavigator software. Also, this 60 Hertz monitor is faster than many others on the market as it features a 10ms response time. If you have over $1400 to spend on a reliable monitor with a high quality build, great accuracy, and impeccable performance, this Eizo ColorEdge monitor is one of the best options you can work with.
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels |
| Screen Size | 24.1 inches |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hertz |
| Supports 4K Display | Yes |
Pros
- Fast response time
- Built-in colour calibration
- Comes with a five-year warranty
- Offers great colour coverage and accuracy
Cons
Samsung UH750 28″ QLED 4K UHD FreeSync Monitor
You don’t have to break the bank before being able to get one of the best monitors for graphic design. The Samsung UHD FreeSync Monitor is a testament to that fact. For just a little over $300, you can have this 4K monitor sitting on your desk, helping you bring great graphics, videos, and images to life. This screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio. It offers a sleek 360˚ body design that helps keep the cables concealed in its rear panel. This design also provides it with its stylish look. The UH750 uses QLED technology to bring each and every colour to life. It offers immense detail and accuracy. You are surely going to love creating graphics on this monitor.
The UH750 supports multitasking in two ways. You can either use the PBP (picture by picture) technology or the PIP (Picture in Picture) technology embedded in it. While PBP allows you to simultaneously connect to two different devices without losing image quality, PIP allows you to work on two images on the same screen. With over 1 billion shades of colour, incredible brightness and detail, perfect accuracy, and a low price-point, this monitor for creative design is surely one of the best UHD monitors around.
| Display Resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Screen Size | 24 inches |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hertz |
| Supports 4K Display | Yes |
Pros
- High-quality build
- Great multi-tasking technology
- Conceals cables in its rear panel
- AMD Radeon FreeSync 2 allows for a smoother experience
Cons
ASUS 32 ” 4K Ultra HD ProArt Professional Monitor
The Asus Proart Professional Monitor is another great monitor for graphic design. There’s no way you won’t fall in love with its 4K display. This is one of the best monitors for graphic design tailored to cater to the needs of both professionals and beginners. There are two different colour variants for the Asus Proart – the sRGB variant and the Adobe variant. The sRGB variant is designed with 100% sRGB colour accuracy and Rec 709 colour space support while the Adobe variant possesses 99.5% Adobe RGB and 100% Rec 709 colour spaces.
This Asus 3840 x 2160 monitor also features an anti-flicker technology that ensures the safety of your eyes. You can work for long hours on this monitor without your eyes being fatigued. It is ergonomically designed with a stand that allows the monitor the ability to stand in different positions. You can swivel, tilt, and pivot the monitor. You can even adjust its height so it fits with your workspace and eye level. In the case of ports, you have an MHL 3.0 port for distinct 4K playback, an HDMI port, DisplayPort as well as USB 3.0 ports.
| Display Resolution | 3840×2160 pixels |
| Screen Size | 32 inches |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hertz |
| Supports 4K Display | Yes |
Pros
- One of the best creative design monitors for professionals.
- Features 16-bit colour lookup table (LUT) and a 10-bit IPS panel
- Designed with a host of ports including one for a memory card reader
- Versatile colour accuracy
Cons
BenQ 32″ IPSPost-Production Monitor
Both graphic designers and video/movie makers are going to enjoy working on this monitor. The BenQ Post-Production Monitor is one that’s built with an IPS panel and 100% sRGB and Rec 709 technology. So, what are the reasons why it’s one of the best monitors for graphic design? Well, this BenQ monitor provides reliable and consistent colour throughout your entire work process. Whether it’s during colour correction, composition, the addition of effects, or during the output stage, you’re sure to get consistent colour accuracy. This simply means that you’ll be able to visualize your changes during and after editing.
Unlike the Asus Proart that features a 10-bit LUT, this Ben Q Monitor comes with a 14-bit LUT. This means that you’ll get better RGB colour accuracy as well as enhanced colour reproduction. While this isn’t an Adobe RGB monitor, it possesses average Delta E≤2 in Rec 709 and sRGB colour coverage, which allows you to view images in their most original form. This monitor also features an OSD controller with three preset buttons. Each button is embedded with a customized display setting. This allows you to easily switch between your colour coverage without stress. You can effortlessly switch between Rec 709, SMPTE-C, or EBU. In other words, you’ll be able to work more efficiently while saving time.
| Display Resolution | 3840×2160 pixels |
| Screen Size | 32 inches |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hertz |
| Supports 4K Display | Yes |
Pros
- OSD controller allows for more efficient and time-saving work
- Hardware calibration allows you to adjust the image processing chip with changing the output data of your graphics card
- Features 14-bit 3D LUT
- Better viewing experience thanks to its brightness uniformity feature
Cons
Apple iMac 27″ Retina 5k Monitor
We all know that Apple makes some of the best albeit expensive devices on the market. This is also true for the Apple iMac Monitor. It’s simply one of the best and most gorgeous PC monitors for graphic design. However, it sits in a $2000 price range, which may be uncomfortable for some people. But there’s no denying the fact that it’s a powerhouse and arguably the best PC monitor for graphic design on the market. The features it is endowed with justifies its price. First off, you get a ninth-generation 6-core Intel core i5 processor embedded into the monitor. Also it features a slim, 5120 x 2880 5K display that’s just as stunning as it is beautiful.
That’s not all; the Apple iMac is also endowed with a host of ports, including two Thunderbolt 3 ports and 3 USB ports. You can connect one 5K monitor and two 4K monitors to this Apple monitor. It supports 1 billion colours, 500 nits of brightness, and wide colour. With Turbo Boost, you can get up to 4.6GHz, and you also get to enjoy a 1080P camera unit embedded into the monitor’s forehead. And to spice things up, a mouse and keyboard comes with this wonderful 5K monitor from Apple.
| Display Resolution | 5120 x 2880 pixels |
| Screen Size | 27 inches |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hertz |
| Supports 4K Display | Yes |
Pros
- Incredible speed
- 2TB of space
- 5K resolution
- Slim and unique profile
Cons
Philips Brilliance BDM4350UC 43″ LED Monitor
The Philips Brilliance LED Monitor is a brilliant work of art and technology. It features technologies that would get any creative pumped up. First off, this is a 43″ 4K UHD monitor designed with an IPS panel for wide-viewing angles. Displaying over 1 billion colours, this monitor for graphic design features a 50, 000, 000:1 smart contrast ratio that brings your deep blacks to life. Just like the Samsung monitor for graphic design above, the Philips Brilliance also features picture-in-picture technology as well as picture by picture display.
It is VESA compatible and features 2 stereo speakers. Ports on this incredible monitor include 2 DisplayPort ports, HDMI, USB 3 ports, VGA, as well as audio in and out ports. This graphic design monitor is also a fast monitor given the fact that it offers just 5ms response time. To make things even better, its SmartUniformity technology allows you to enjoy perfect brightness and colours. In the SmartUniformity mode, you’re going to get only the best, uniform, and most accurate images.
| Display Resolution | 3840×2160 pixels |
| Screen Size | 43 inches |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hertz |
| Supports 4K Display | Yes |
Pros
- Great brightness levels
- SmartUniformity technology for accurate and uniform images
- Multiview technology for 4K
- SmartConnect technology for 4K
Cons
LG 27MD5KB UltraFine 27″ IPS Monitor
LG is a household name when it comes to electronics. They make some of the best household electronics and mobile devices on the market. The brand decided to dabble into the computing world, and has, so far, been able to produce nothing but impressive and high-quality products. One of them is the LG UltraFine 27″ IPS Monitor. From its name, this monitor for graphic design is a great beauty to behold. Just like the Apple iMac above, it also supports 4K and 5K resolution. It’s designed with an IPS panel that allows you to create incredible images and creative graphics in the best colors, accuracy, and uniformity.
This LG monitor for graphic design runs on Apple’s operating system, the Mac OS. You can only use a Mac 2017 (or later) or a MacBook Pro 2016 (or later) to run this monitor for graphic design. Also, the device you plan to use with this monitor must be running macOS sierra 10.12.1 or later so as to get the best out of it. So basically, this monitor for graphic design is for users with the devices above or later. Taking that away, the LG Ultrafine IPS Monitor is one of the best monitors for graphic design you can get your hands on.
| Display Resolution | 5120 x 2880 pixels |
| Screen Size | 27 inches |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hertz |
| Supports 4K Display | Yes |
Pros
- Great colors and accuracy
- Supports 5K display
- Distinct IPS panel for better colors and accuracy
- Beautiful and clean exterior
Cons
Lenovo ThinkVision P27h-10 27″ Monitor
Over the years, Lenovo has proven to be one of the best computer makers in the world. Their ThinkPad and IdeaPad lineups are especially getting tons of attention from the computing community. The Lenovo ThinkVision Monitor is another great product that shows how versatile the brand is when it comes to making great computing products. With a price that’s just above the $300 range, the Lenovo ThinkVision is one of the best and cheapest 2560 x 1440 qhd monitors for graphic design. It features superb color and clarity that ensures that your creative works come out in the best possible light.
This screen has a higher refresh rate than the other monitors in this review. Built with an in-plane switching panel, this 2560 x 1440 monitor has the capabilities to carry out multi-screen function while connecting to virtually any device. It uses a USB Type-C port for all its connection and you can adjust it for better viewing angles. While this isn’t a 4K monitor for graphic design, other factors that make the Lenovo ThinkVision a great choice include 4ms response time, 16:9 aspect ratio, VESA compatibility, and a three-year warranty from the company.
| Display Resolution | 2560 x 1440 pixels |
| Screen Size | 27 inches |
| Refresh Rate | 76 Hertz |
| Supports 4K Display | No |
Pros
- Adjustable height to get better viewing angles
- In-plane switching panel for the best display
- Three-year warranty
- Great color with over 99 percent sRGB coverage and factory-calibrated accuracy
Cons
ViewSonic VP3881 38″ WQHD+ UltraWide Curved Monitor
If you are a creative who loves working with curved displays, the ViewSonic Ultrawide Curved Monitor is one that’s bound to interest you. Whether you work from home, a personal office, or a 9 to 5, this high-end monitor will help you get the best results. With an immersive 2300R curved viewing experience, you get to enjoy finer details, panoramic views, and vivid colors on this monitor for graphic design. This is a monitor geared towards professional creatives who are all about clarity and accuracy. The IPS display panel delivers life-like colors and its smooth palette of 4.3 trillion colors helps you create lifelike images.
Talking about color coverage, the Viewsonic UltraWide Curved Monitor features Rec 709, SMPTE-C, sRGB, and EBU coverage. It’s also endowed with hardware calibration, which makes it easy for users to calibrate the monitor so it displays your colors correctly. It supports HDR 10 and can work with Macbooks, PCs, and laptops. As for ports, you get USB 3.1 Type C, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort inputs. Accessories you get in the package include an HDMI 2.0 cable, USB Type C cable, as well as DP to DP cable. However, it’s important to note that this isn’t a 4K monitor.
| Display Resolution | 3840 x 1600 pixels |
| Screen Size | 38 inches |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hertz |
| Supports 4K Display | No |
Pros
- Bright, immersive, and clear
- Curved design promotes better viewing angles
- Swivel, tilt, and adjust height for your convenience.
- Supports HDR 10
Cons
Monitor For Graphic Design Buyer’s Guide
The best monitors for graphic design are those that will provide you with nothing but the best output. Everything from color spaces to accuracy and brightness will be perfect for your creative work. We’ve reviewed ten of the best monitors for graphic design on the market. You can simply choose the one that matches your budget, workload, and preference, and start enjoying nothing but the best creative output. There are many different factors to consider when shopping for the perfect monitor for graphic design.
Many creatives out there don’t know what these factors are. Not to worry though, we’ve provided an informative guide below to ensure that you get nothing but the best monitors for graphic design. But before we dive into these factors, below are some frequently asked questions many creative designers are looking to get answers to.
What Is A Graphic Monitor?
Simply put, a creative design monitor is one that’s specifically geared towards the need of graphic designers. Monitors in this category are endowed with excellent performance as well as incredible colour gamut and accuracy. Many of them feature different color spaces such as Adobe RGB coverage, sRGB coverage, REC 709, and more. They are also designed with a host of ports that allow users to connect them to other devices. We’ve reviewed ten of the best monitors for graphic design in our list above. They offer great performance and while some of them only feature one color space, others are embedded with two or more.
Do Graphic Designers Need A 4K Monitor?
Most graphic designers, if not all, use one or more apps from the Adobe Suite or Adobe Creative Cloud, including Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. If you’re a graphic designer who uses any of these apps or apps like these, such as Gimp and PicPick, a 4K monitor will provide you with the ability to unleash your creative prowess. You’ll be able to work with really high-resolution images, keep their quality, and view them in exact detail. Also, thanks to Photoshop’s scalability, you won’t be zooming and scrolling through your images as you’ll be able to view them at 100%.
Additionally, a good 4K screen will allow you to work on different image formats, such as RAW and JPEGs, without losing out on quality. You’ll be able to work in full resolution while capturing every minute detail of the image. Monitors with 4K resolution also allow 3D modelers and graphic designers to work with high-resolution vector images with no hassle. Video editors are also not left behind as a good 4K monitor will help them capture the perfect picture, angles, and details. Gamers are also going to enjoy using 4K monitors due to the fact that most of them come with a 60Hz refresh rate and the viewing experience is quite immersive.
Are Gaming Monitors Good For Graphic Design?
Most gaming monitors are built to produce fast images while still ensuring smooth, high-quality details. While they usually come with fast response time and high refresh rates (which makes them faster), they usually tend to lose out on viewing angles and accuracy. This is because they utilize a twisted nematic panel type, otherwise known as TN panels, which is great when it comes to performance, but it lacks color accuracy.
Monitors for creative design, on the other hand, make use of in-plane switching panels, otherwise known as IPS panels. This panel type is more accurate and produces truer colors. The in-plane switching panel was developed due to the shortcoming of the TN panel type. So basically, gaming monitors may provide you with speed and performance, but they do not offer the kind of color accuracy you’re going to find on monitors for graphic design.
Factors To Consider When Choosing The Ideal Monitors For Graphic Design
Color Accuracy and Gray-Scale
What you create on your display is the exact same thing you’ll get when you print it out. Therefore, you want to ensure that you work on every minute detail before sending it off to the printer. That is why it’s important that you choose monitors with great color accuracy and grayscale capabilities. These two elements can be found in IPS monitors. They tend to display dark gray and light colors with no problems. Without these two properties, you won’t be able to determine the level of highlight, detail, and shadow in your image and other creative works.
Another thing you want your display to have is a look up table, otherwise known as LUT. You want to ensure that the LUT of your screen is either 10, 13, or 14 bit. The LUT allows you to calibrate your screen multiple times without stress. The monitors you choose should also have at least 99% Adobe RGB color space as they’ll be able to portray your colors accurately.
Another reason why you want to choose an IPS screen is that they provide wide viewing angles. Also, screens made from IPS panels deliver great luminosity and screen fidelity when you’re viewing from the bottom, top, or sides, unlike screens made out of vertical alignment and twisted nematic panels.
Resolution
Technology is improving even in the world of computer screens. It’s like every year, a new kind of resolution pops up and they are usually brighter, faster, and able to capture more details than the previous versions thereby blurring the lines between screens and reality. However, the simple rule with pixel resolution is “more is always better.” There are many different screens with different resolutions. But currently, the best resolution is 5K. While they haven’t gained enough popularity like 4K, otherwise known as UHD, 5K screens are great and serve as an enhancement to 4K.
4K UHD screens are currently the most popular high-resolution screens. They are able to capture every tiny detail of your image and other creative works. They come with very high resolutions (3840 x 2160 pixels), which is basically four times of what you get on a screen with 1080P resolution. 5K screens, on the other hand, provide up to 5120 x 2880 pixels, which makes them a lot better than 4K monitors.
Leaving both resolutions, the next ideal resolution is the WQHD (Wide Quad HD) resolution, which offers up to 2560 x 1440 pixels. Screens with this resolution are commonly called 1440P screens. It’s, however, imperative to note that the higher the resolution, the higher the price. Therefore, a typical 5K screen will be more expensive than a 4K screen. And a 4K UHD screen will definitely be more expensive than a screen with WQHD resolution.
I/O Connections
I/O connections, otherwise known as ports, are some of the most important considerations to make when choosing a monitor. They help you hook up your screen to multiple devices. So, to give yourself the ideal connectivity options, always ensure that the screen you choose comes with the following ports:
- Dual-link DVI
- HDMI
- DisplayPort
- USB ports
- Thunderbolt ports (optional)
The reason why Thunderbolt ports are optional is that not everyone wants to link multiple screens. If you have multiple monitors and plan to link all together to get the ideal results and work efficiently, then you’ll need either a DisplayPort 1.2 or Thunderbolt in and out ports.
Additionally, if you’re looking to display 4K images, graphics or videos on multiple devices, you’ll need to ensure that your computer’s graphics card is capable of handling Multi-Stream Transfer. In addition to that, you’ll also need either a DisplayPort 1.2 or two HDMI ports. Combining all of these will help you run the maximum resolution possible at a 60Hz refresh rate, which makes for a smoother and cleaner experience.
Screen Size
Many people are of the notion that screen size doesn’t matter as long as they get the highest resolution possible. This, however, is inaccurate. For creative designers, screen size is a very important factor especially if you’re working with an image or video with high details and high resolution. However, we all don’t have the same workspace, which means some people are going to experience limitations.
The ideal thing to do, especially if you’re going for a 4K UHD or WQHD display, is to look for a screen size that’s between 27 to 32 inches. This will accommodate your space while still providing you with the resolution, color accuracy, and details you need. However, if you have an office space where you use two or more monitors, you may want to consider going for a 29-inch, ultra-wide monitor. This way, you’ll be able to get an aspect ratio of 21:9.
Conclusion
Getting the ideal monitors for creative design is an easy feat if you know what to look out for. To make things easier for you, we’ve provided a review of ten of the best monitors for graphic design on the market. You can simply choose one of the products on our list that matches your preference.
We recommend the Apple iMac, Dell UltraSharp, Asus Proart, and the Samsung FreeSync monitors in our review. However, if none of the products in our review matches your preference, our guide is worth considering as it’s going to help you understand the factors you need to consider before purchasing a monitor for creative design.
If you’re looking to do graphic design on the go, we recommend taking a look at these laptops for graphic designers.
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