Best 4k Monitors For Photo Editing in 2022

Finding the right monitor for photo editing is a crucial process. This is because photo editing requires a high-end resolution, top-notch color quality, better contrast, and more detailed images. Hence, searching for a monitor with all of these qualities is a little difficult.

No matter if you are a freelancer or a professional photo editor, everyone wants their work to be the best. That is why you need a top-notch monitor that will make your work easy and perfect.

If you are looking for some best 4K monitors for photo editing, then congratulations, you’re at the right place. In this article, we are going to discuss the best 4K monitors for photo editing, and other multi-media work as well. All of these products were chosen after testing out hundreds of products available in the market.

So, let’s get started.

Best Budget 4k Monitors For Photo Editing

1. ViewSonic VP2785-4K

ViewSonic VP2785, an amazing 4K monitor highly recommended for professional photo editors and designers. When it comes to photo editing the most important thing is the image quality, and the ViewSonic VP2785 is a top-performer in this regard.

This device offers excellent performance along with unique features. The ViewSonic VP2785 is the latest edition in the designer monitor’s lineup offered by ViewSonic. Let’s check out the review of this product in detail to know more about it.

Image Quality

The ViewSonic VP2785 is equipped with a 27 inches screen accompanied by a screen resolution of 3840 x 2160 (4K). The aspect ratio of this monitor is 16:9.

Other than that, a combination of 27 inches screen with a 4K resolution results in a strong pixel density. The ViewSonic VP2785 offers 111 PPI which is far stronger than the recommended amount.

The next thing is the panel type, this monitor is equipped with In-Plane Switching panels, that help the 4K resolution of this monitor to deliver amazing color quality with extra details and sharpness in images and text. The addition of IPS panels in the ViewSonic VP2785 makes it even better for tasks like photo editing.

We all know that when it comes to color accuracy and consistency, IPS panels are better than Twisted Nematic and Vertical Alignment panels. Furthermore, due to the IPS panels, this monitor offers wide viewing angles. It means that even if you look at the monitor’s screen from a skewed angle you won’t face issues like color shifts or transitions.

The ViewSonic VP2785 produces around 100% of the sRGB color gamut, 99% of Adobe RGB color space, and 96% of DCI-P3. The factory calibration of this monitor is outstanding, making it perfect for multimedia and design-related tasks.

Contrast ratio offered by the ViewSonic VP2785 which is 990:1 (static). The contrast ratio is a little low, but it is because of the IPS panels. Due to this, deep blacks on your screen will appear grayish. The brightness offered by this monitor is around 350-nits which is absolutely amazing for well-lit rooms.

Concluding all these factors, the image quality offered by ViewSonic VP2785 is beyond expectations and truly amazing. In terms of picture quality, it is a great fit for photo editing.

Features and Specifications

This monitor offers an extensive color palette that is an amazing feature for photo editors. As we discussed above, this monitor covers a total of 99% Adobe RGB and 95% DCI-P3 color coverage. So for photo editing tasks you can use richer hues and colors while editing your images.

The ViewSonic VP2785 comes with an Auto Eco-Control feature. That means this monitor has a built-in light sensor and presence sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness and operating status of this monitor in correspondence to the optimal eco-setting.

Another good thing about the ViewSonic VP2785 is that it supports HDR10 support. With the High Dynamic Range support, the ViewSonic VP2785 tends to make every little detail possible in a picture for a better viewing experience.

The refresh rate offered by this monitor is 60 Hz which is pretty basic but enough for photo editing. On the other hand, the response time offered by this monitor is 5ms.

Now, let’s check out the specifications of this monitor:

• Screen Size: 27 inches
• Screen Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD 4K)
• Panel Type: In-Plane Switching
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Adaptive Sync: Not included
• Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
• Response Time: 5 ms
• VESA: Included (100mm x 100mm)

Design and Connectivity

The design of this monitor is quite better and more enhanced in terms of connectivity and ergonomics as compared to its ancestor. The ViewSonic VP2785 has thin bezels that make it easy for you to avoid any distractions while working on your projects. This device comes up with a glossy and premium finish that adds up to its professional design.

When it comes to connectivity, this monitor features a vast number of options such as DisplayPort 1.2, a Mini DisplayPort, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and three USB 3.1 ports.

2. Dell S2721Q

Dell S2721Q which is no doubt an amazing choice for photo editing due to its amazing image quality and versatile features. This monitor offers a 27 inches screen size, with a 4K resolution. Other than that, the design of this device gives off a premium feel, coming with better ergonomic options.

For someone in search of a budget 4K monitor for photo editing, this product is highly recommended for you. Let’s review the Dell S2721Q to know more about it.

Image Quality

This monitor is equipped with a 27 inches screen along with a 4K resolution of 3840 x 2160, which gives off an amazing pixel density. The Dell S2721Q gives off 163 PPI of pixel density which is quite good. Due to the high pixel density, you will be able to get excellent clarity and sharpness in your images.

The Dell S2721Q is equipped with an In-Plane Switching panel offering decent wide viewing angles (178 degrees). Hence no matter if you look at your screen from a skewed angle, the image won’t shift colors and will give the best quality.

Another benefit of IPS panels is that they provide an excellent color quality as compared to other panel technologies, such as vertical alignment, and twisted nematic.

The Dell S2721Q also supports a 10-bit of color depth by providing a total of 1.07 billion colors. Moreover, this monitor also covers around 99% of the sRGB color gamut for better color reproduction. This is the main reason why the colors offered by this monitor are accurate and consistent.

The Dell S2721Q offers a 350-nits peak brightness which is strong enough to perform efficiently in a well-lit room. The contrast ratio offered by this monitor is around 1300:1 (static). It may be low but as compared to other monitors with IPS panels, it is better.

Due to a mediocre contrast ratio, the deep blacks on your screen may appear to be gray. The monitors with vertical alignment panels offer a better contrast ratio, but the color quality is not as good as compared to the one offered by IPS panels. That is why for photo editing, IPS panels are a better choice.

Overall, the image quality offered by this monitor is outstanding. For professional photo editors, the Dell S2721Q is a good 4K monitor coming under a budget price tag.

Features and Specifications

Next up we have the features and specifications offered by Dell S2721Q.

The On-Screen Display menu of this monitor can be used to access most of its features. In order to use the OSD menu, you will need a joystick located on the rear side. With the addition of a joystick, it becomes much easier to navigate through the panel. You can also use the hotkeys located under the bottom bezel of Dell S2721Q.

By using the OSD menu you can easily utilize features like image calibration, Picture-in-Picture, and Picture-by-Picture, etc. Other than that, the adjustment tools would be much helpful for you during photo editing tasks.

With the adjustment tools, you can modify the brightness, contrast ratio, sharpness, and saturation/hue. You can also use picture presets as per the nature of your editing tasks. These picture presets include the Standard View, Comfort View, FPS, RGB, RTS, Movie, Cool, Warm, etc. You can also use custom color models to create your own picture preset.

The aspect ratio sharpness of this monitor is set to 50% by default, but it can be adjusted in the OSD menu. Other than that the response time is set to 8ms by default but you can adjust it to fast (5ms) or extreme (4ms) mode.

In addition to this, Dell S2721Q also offers the Dark Stabilizer feature that enhances the visibility of objects in dark.

The response time offered by this monitor is 4ms, meanwhile, the refresh rate is 60 Hz. But the good thing is that this device comes with AMD FreeSync support that can be used to get Variable Refresh Rates, around 40-60 Hz.

Now, let’s move on to the specifications of this monitor:

• Screen Size: 27 inches
• Screen Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD 4K)
• Panel Type: In-Plane Switching
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
• Adaptive Sync: Included (AMD FreeSync technology)
• Response Time: 4 ms
• VESA: Included (100mm x 100mm)

Design and Connectivity

The Dell S2721Q features a premium design with good ergonomics. This monitor comes with ultra-thin bezels to avoid any distractions during work.

Other than that the screen of this monitor is covered with matte anti-glare coating as well as a low-haze. This avoids reflections on the screen and it doesn’t affect the image quality. The ergonomics options include height adjustment, pivot, swivel, tilt, and VESA mount compatibility.

By using the VESA pattern you can mount your monitor against your wall. The Dell S2721Q offers a 100mm x 100mm VESA mount.

For connectivity, this monitor is equipped with two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort 1.2, and an audio line-out port. For better sound quality, the Dell S2721Q is equipped with dual 3W integrated speakers.

3. ASUS ROG Strix

ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ which is an amazing multi-purpose monitor perfect for tasks like photo editing. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ offers a good quality display screen with a 4K resolution, a high refresh rate with a rapid response time. Other than that, the color quality offered by this monitor is beyond expectations.

This monitor comes with both AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility, making it even better than its competition. Let’s check out the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ in detail to see what it has to offer when it comes to photo editing.

Image Quality

The screen size offered by this monitor is 27 inches further accompanied by a screen resolution of 3840 x 2160 (4K). The combination of a 27 inches screen with an ultra HD resolution results in a good pixel density that makes the text and pictures on your screen better with more clarity.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ is equipped with an IPS panel. Due to which this monitor offers wide viewing angles along with consistent and accurate color quality. The colors displayed by this monitor are bright and vivid. Even if you look at your screen from a distance or side angle, you will be able to experience consistent colors with no color shifts.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ covers 125% of the sRGB color gamut and 90% of DCI-P3. That is why you will get to experience good quality colors on this monitor. The brightness offered by this device is 350-nits which is quite high. Due to high brightness, this monitor will be able to be a top-performer in a well-lit room. However, if you are planning on using this monitor in a dim room then adjust the brightness a little to avoid getting eye strain and vice versa.

The contrast ratio offered by this device is 1000:1 (Typical) as expected from IPS panels. As compared to IPS panels and twisted nematic panels, the contrast ratio offered by vertical alignment panels is quite high resulting in deep blacks and bright whites. But every panel type has its own pros and cons. With IPS panels the contrast ratio is indeed low, but the color quality is surprisingly high.

Hence, the overall image quality offered by this monitor is no doubt amazing, making it a good choice for photo editors.

Features and Specifications

First of all, let’s talk about the On-Screen Display menu features of this device. The OSD menu offers many features for gaming and photo editing. For instance, if you navigate towards the image menu, you will find adjustment tools such as luminance controls (helps you adjust brightness), dual HDR modes, Dynamic Dimming enhancer, etc.

The Dynamic Dimming enhancer helps you to increase the contrast ratio by modifying the backlight on a frame-by-frame basis. With this feature, you can save the highlight shadow detail without clipping.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ is also equipped with Display Stream Compression technology that helps you get smooth, 4K visuals at a high refresh rate of 144 Hz. Other than that it also comes with DisplayHDR 400 feature that gives off 90% DCI-P3 coverage.

Next up is the refresh rate and the response time of this monitor. This device offers a fast refresh rate speed of 144 Hz, accompanied by a 1 ms (MPRT) response time speed that decreases the input lag to a minimum.

Besides these features, the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ is equipped with both AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility.

If you stay in front of your monitor for a longer time span then this monitor is a great fit for you. You see, there must be a time when you get so busy at work that you have to sit in front of the screen to meet the deadlines. In that case, your eyes can get seriously affected by unwanted eye strain.

However, the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ is equipped with Flicker-Free technology along with a low blue light filter to help you work for a longer time without headaches, stress, or eye strain. These eye care technologies are quite efficient and they help protect your eyes while you work on the go.

You can also access the picture preset modes from the OSD menu such as RPG, RTG, and Movie, etc. Now, let’s take a look at the specifications offered by this monitor:

• Screen Size: 27 inches
• Screen Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD 4K)
• Panel Type: In-Plane Switching
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
• Adaptive Sync: Included (AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync technology)
• Response Time: 1ms
• VESA: Included (100mm x 100mm)

Design and Connectivity

The design of this monitor is the same as the previous models in the ROG series. There is a ROG eye located at the bottom of this monitor along with RGB lighting that adds up to the overall design of this monitor.

The overall design look of this monitor is absolutely amazing giving off strong gaming aesthetics. Other than that this monitor offers good ergonomics as well, the stand is sturdy and comes with different ergonomic variations.

For connectivity options, this monitor offers two DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and three USB 3.0 ports one on the upper side and two are located downwards.

4. BenQ 32 inch, 4K UHD Monitor

BenQ PD3200U which is a quality monitor equipped with all the important stuff that photographers need for better editing. This monitor comes with a 32 inches screen with an ultra HD resolution. It offers its consumers great performance and vast features that make it stand out from its competition. As for photo editors, the picture quality of this monitor is also amazing.

Other than that, the BenQ PD3200U provides users with great value at a good price. The design is premium with good ergonomic features.

Image Quality

We all know that when it comes to photo-editing, image quality is of great importance. That’s why we will review BenQ PD3200U’s image quality firstperiod.

This monitor comes with a 32 inches screen size along with an Ultra HD resolution of 3840 x 2160 (4K). As for the price of this monitor, the screen size and resolution were beyond the expectations of users.

The pixel density offered by this monitor is 138 pixels per inch which is the result of a good size and resolution combination. Normally, it is important for a monitor to have 90 to 100 PPI as pixel density for better clarity. However, in the case of BenQ PD3200U, we have 138 which is far more than the required pixel density. That is why this monitor displays clear images and sharp text without any blurriness.

Another thing that adds up to the quality of this monitor is the 10-bit In-Plane Switching panel. Due to the IPS panel, this monitor will provide consistent colors throughout your editing experience. Other than that due to the IPS panels, BenQ PD3200U provides users with wide viewing angles.

This monitor covers 100% of the sRGB color space, making it simply amazing for tasks like photo editing.

The peak brightness offered by BenQ PD3200U is 350-nits. On the contrary, the contrast ratio offered by this monitor is 1000:1. Well, the peak brightness is high, which makes this monitor a good fit to use in a well-lit room. However, in a dim room, a 350 nits brightness can cause issues like headaches and eye strain as well.

On the other hand, due to the low contrast ratio the deep blacks on your screen will give off gray color, and sometimes while editing a picture with darker shades, most of the details go unnoticed. But if you want a monitor with a higher contrast ratio, then you can get a monitor with a vertical alignment panel. But VA panels are not good with color quality when compared to IPS panels. So if you want better color quality and consistency then stay put with IPS panels.

You can also adjust the contrast and brightness as per your requirements, we will discuss this in the upcoming section. For image quality, this monitor is a good fit for photo editors.

Features and Specifications

The BenQ PD3200U is packed with a lot of features that will help you with photo editing. First of all, we have the On-Screen Display Menu features of this monitor. The BenQ PD3200U features OSD controllers that can be used to navigate through the OSD menu. Through the OSD menu, you can access the image and calibration options. You can also adjust Brightness, contrast, sharpness/hue, and color temperature in the OSD menu. There are a total of eight picture presets and you can select any one of them as per your requirements.

This monitor is also equipped with a DualView feature that helps you to view two windows side by side with two different picture modes. The BenQ PD3200U also offers an Eye Protect setting equipped with an embedded sensor. This sensor works to detect ambient light levels and it automatically adjusts screen brightness to protect your eyes.

Other than that, this monitor offers a light meter along with a timer that gives you reminders to rest your eyes. The presence sensor of this monitor puts it to sleep mode if you don’t use it. The response time offered by this monitor is 4ms along with a 60Hz refresh rate.

Let’s take a quick look at the specifications of this monitor:

• Screen Size: 32 inches
• Screen Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD 4K)
• Panel Type: In-Plane Switching
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
• Adaptive Sync: Not Included
• Response Time: 4 ms
• VESA: Included (100mm x 100mm)

Design and Connectivity

The design of this monitor is pretty basic, the same as the previous models manufactured by BenQ. The BenQ PD3200U is equipped with a matte-black cabinet along with thin bezels. It is equipped with a sturdy stand, offering good ergonomic functions such as height adjustment, tilt, swivel, and pivot, etc. This monitor also comes with VESA mount compatibility.

For connectivity options, the BenQ PD3200U is equipped with two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, a mini DisplayPort, a 3.5mm headphone jack, with USB 3.0 downstream ports.

5. Dell UltraSharp U2720Q

Dell UltraSharp U2720Q, which is no doubt an excellent choice for photo editing. Other than editing, it can also be used for multi-purposes as well.

The Dell UltraSharp U2720Q is an amazing monitor, coming with a 4K resolution, good image quality, better design, and excellent performance. Other than that it comes at a really affordable price.

Image Quality

The Dell UltraSharp U2720Q comes with a 27 inches screen size along with a solid ultra HD resolution with 3840 x 2160 pixels.

The combination of 27 inches screen with 3840 x 2160p resolution gives a pixel density of 163 PPI that is more than good for better image viewing, good image clarity, and sharp texts as well.

Other than that, the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q is equipped with an In-Plane Switching panel. Due to IPS panels, this monitor provides good color accuracy and consistency as compared to other panel types such as Vertical Alignment and Twisted Nematic panels. The Dell UltraSharp U2720Q provides good viewing angles so that you will not face any color transition effects when viewing your screen from a skewed angle.

According to the company, the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q provides a wide color gamut with a 99 percent coverage of the sRGB color space. sRGB is the standard color space used on the internet and different photo-editing applications as well.

The peak brightness offered by this monitor is 350 nits, and the contrast ratio given by the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q is 1300:1 (static). If you use the monitor at standard mode while using the default settings, then this monitor will work on 232 nits brightness and a 1267:1 contrast ratio.

The Dell UltraSharp U2720Q comes with DisplayHDR 400. In fact, it is equipped with different HDR settings such as DisplayHDR, Movie HDR, and Game HDR as well. You can try testing any one among these three modes to find out which one works best for you.

Overall, the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q is a top performer when it comes to image quality. This monitor delivers amazing colors that are bright and vibrant. Hence it is a good fit for photo editing.

Features and Specifications

The OSD menu is user-friendly and quite easy to use. In order to access and use the On-Screen Display menu, you have to utilize the four hotkeys situated at the bottom of the screen. You can use the menu to change picture presets (various presets will be available, you can even create your own), adjust saturation/hue, temperature, contrast, and brightness, etc.

Another good feature offered by this monitor is the addition of Display Manager Software. With the help of this software, you will be able to tile up your screen which helps users with productivity. The color reproduction of this monitor is amazing. The Dell UltraSharp U2720Q covers 99% of the sRGB color gamut.

The response time offered by this monitor is 8 ms which is quite low. A fast response time is essential in order to avoid stuttering and ghosting effects on your screen. But it was quite disappointing for users to get an 8 ms response time in Dell UltraSharp U2720Q. Because this monitor lacks a super-fast response time that is why it is not a good device for gaming. So, you can indeed use it for photo editing tasks, but for gaming, this monitor is not recommended.

If you need a monitor with a better response time then you can check out the other recommendations that we have added to this article. Or else you can opt-in for buying a monitor with the twisted nematic panel, but in that case, you will have to sacrifice color accuracy and the overall image quality as well. The refresh rate offered by this monitor is 60 Hz which is pretty basic but it will be enough for photo editing and it won’t bother you.

Now, let’s take a quick look at the specifications of this monitor:

• Screen Size: 27 inches
• Screen Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD 4K)
• Panel Type: In-Plane Switching
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
• Adaptive Sync: Not Included
• Response Time: 8 ms
• VESA: Included (100mm x 100mm)

Design and Connectivity

The Dell UltraSharp U2720Q is equipped with an amazing design. This monitor is equipped with thin bezels, surrounding it from every side.

The design gets a premium look with a minimal InfinityEdge bezel. It has a black front. The Dell UltraSharp U2720Q is covered with a matte screen finish. Hence the device is good at dealing with reflections.

The ergonomics offered by this monitor are simply amazing. It is equipped with a strong stand that supports different ergonomic features such as tilt, swivel, and height adjustment, etc.

For connectivity options, the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q is equipped with a DisplayPort, an HDMI port, two USB 3.0 ports, and an audio line out port as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 4K monitor good for editing?

Yes, for photo editors, and professional photographers a monitor with 4K resolution is amazing to use. Photo editing requires high-end color calibration and features, which are available in 4K monitors. So, they are a good fit for this purpose.

Are curved screens good for photoshop?

No, a curved screen monitor isn’t that good for photoshop. The curved screen usually distorts the image that is why they are not recommended for photoshop.

Which monitor is best for 4K editing?

Following are the best monitors we recommend for photo editing:

• ViewSonic VP2785
• Dell S2721Q
• ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ
• BenQ PD3200U

Conclusion

This was all about the best 4K monitor for photo editing. We have reviewed hundreds of products in the market to bring out the best ones for you. I hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and by the end of it you will be able to choose your ultimate editing monitor. If you haven’t then good luck with that.

Also, if you have any questions or queries then let us know in the comments, we would love to hear from you.