Best Monitors for Creative Professionals

Whether you're a graphic designer, video editor, photographer, or animator, the computer monitor is one of the most crucial elements of your set-up. You might be equipped with a top-end laptop or computer and all the best software available, but if you’re not seeing the right colours on your screen or you’re missing all the fine details, your work will suffer. With so many monitors to choose from, you might not even know where to start. Here we’ve put together a list of our best monitors for creative professionals!

Top Monitors for Creative Professionals

• Best 4K - Dell UltraSharp U3223QE 32" 4K
• Best 27-inch - ASUS ProArt PA279CRV 27" 4K
• Best 5K - Samsung ViewFinity S9 27" 5K
• Best Ultrawide - LG 40WP95C-W 40" 5K2K
• Best 6K - Dell Ultrasharp U3224KB 32" 6K
• Best Under $700 - ASUS ProArt PA278CV 27" QHD
• Best for Apple - Apple Studio Display 27" 5K

Not sure what all the different specs mean and why they matter? Read our Computer Monitor Buying Guide!

Best 4K Monitor

Dell UltraSharp U3223QE 32" 4K

Dell's UltraSharp monitors are a popular choice for creative professionals and the UltraSharp 32" U3223QE 4K Monitor is our top pick! This monitor features outstanding clarity thanks to the 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution, providing 4x the pixel density and up to 300% more onscreen space than similarly-sized FHD displays. The 32-inch large screen size makes it especially great for creatives such as video editors who need the extra screen real estate for large work flows. A wide colour gamut that includes 100% Rec 709, 100% sRGB and 98% DCI-P3 coverage means you'll enjoy true-to-life colour. Additionally, a contrast ratio of 2000:1 delivers exceptional contrast - that means incredible colour and superior blacks! Each UltraSharp monitor is factory colour calibrated and comes with a complete factory calibration report, giving you the confidence that colours will be accurate from the start.

Beyond its stunning visuals, the U3223QE is a productivity powerhouse. Its robust connectivity options include USB-C (delivering up to 90W of power), wired Ethernet via RJ45, super speed USB 10Gbps ports, and convenient front-facing ports for quick access. Unleash your multitasking potential with a dual 4K monitor setup, or leverage KVM, Picture-by-Picture, and Picture-in-Picture for seamless workflow. Picture-by-Picture lets you compare the same image in different colour spaces or juxtapose visuals from two sources. And for all-day comfort, UltraSharp monitors feature ComfortView Plus, a built-in low blue light technology that protects your eyes without sacrificing colour accuracy. The Dell UltraSharp U3223QE 32" 4K UHD Monitor is a great choice for all creative professionals. If you love all of the features but don't need the size, check out the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 27" 4K Monitor. 

Best 27" Monitor

ASUS ProArt PA279CRV 27" 4K

 
Does 32-inches feel like overkill? Then consider the ASUS ProArt PA279CRV. This 27-inch display caters specifically to creative fields like photo editing, videography, and graphic design. Packed with a crisp 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution panel, it delivers stunning visuals with exceptional detail. With a peak brightness of 400 nits and VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification, you're guaranteed a vibrant, realistic viewing experience. Most importantly, it offers beautiful accurate colours. The ProArt display boasts 99% coverage of both sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces, ensuring rich and vivid colour reproduction. To top it off, the monitor achieves a Delta E of less than 2, meaning you can trust that your images are displayed faithfully. This lets you see precisely how your work will appear once finished. And for ultimate peace of mind, the PA279CRV comes factory calibrated and Calman Verified, guaranteeing industry-leading colour precision.

The stunning display is also a versatile connectivity hub, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices. It includes 4x USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort for seamless connections.  The integrated USB-C port allows for both rapid data transfers and up to 90W power delivery. Keeping user comfort in mind, the monitor boasts a fully ergonomic stand that provides tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments. For increased flexibility, the screen can be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise by 90 degrees, enabling portrait mode - ideal for working on lengthy documents, coding, or browsing websites! Don't need all the extra pixels that a 4k monitor offers? Or perhaps your budget is below $1000? Check out the ASUS ProArt PA278CV 27" QHD.

_{Display Size: 27-inch - Panel Type: IPS - Resolution: 4K (3840x2160) - Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - Colour Gamut: 99% DCI-P3, 99% sRGB - Pixels Per Inch (PPI): 163 - Connections: 1x USB-C (DP Alt Mode) (PD up to 96W), 2x DisplayPort, 2x HDMI, 3x USB-A, USB-C}

Best 5K Monitor

Samsung ViewFinity S9 S27C900PAE

 
The Samsung ViewFinity S9 is a premium choice for creative professionals! This 27" IPS monitor has 5K (5120x2880) resolution, delivering around 77% more pixels than a 4K monitor. This, along with 218 PPI, equates to incredible, sharp detail that's a feast for the eyes. Additionally, it covers 99% of the DCI-P3 colour space, offering fantastic colour saturation that will bring your creative ideas to life. Plus, with Pantone Validation and factory-calibration to achieve DeltaE <2, the ViewFinity S9 delivers true colour accuracy straight out of the box. You can also calibrate the screen to a different colour space, and adjust colour temperature, luminance and gamma using a compatible smartphone.

For creators who juggle multiple devices, the ViewFinity S9 offers exceptional flexibility. Thunderbolt 4 delivers a powerful one-two punch: up to 90W of fast charging and blazing-fast 40Gbps data transfer speeds. This, coupled with DisplayPort and a trio of downstream USB-C ports, creates a seamless workstation environment for effortlessly connecting and powering all your creative tools. It also supports Apple AirPlay5, allowing you to mirror or extend your screens to get more done. Also worth noting is the anti-glare matte display which drastically reduces light reflections without obscuring your viewing. 

Display Size: 27-inch - Panel Type: IPS - Resolution: 5K (5120x2880) - Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - Colour Gamut: 99% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB - Pixels Per Inch (PPI): 218 - Connections: 1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x Mini DisplayPort, 3x USB-C

Best Ultrawide Monitor

LG 40WP95C-W 40" 5K2K Curved

The LG 40WP95C-W 40" 5K is an elite choice for video editors and animators, but content creators in every field could benefit from this! It has a stunning 5K2k ultrawide resolution (5120 x 2160) on a 40" curved display, delivering incredibly sharp image quality and fine details; while offering enough screen real estate to display everything you're working on, from video editing to special effects, all at once. The Nano IPS panel delivers accurate and consistent colour reproduction - crucial graphic designers, photographers, and video editors! The display covers 98% of the DCI-P3 colour space, making it an excellent choice for colour-critical work. 

The 40WP95C-W features a Thunderbolt 4 cable, making it capable of transmitting 5k video, audio and data simultaneously as well as charging a device up to 96W with just a single connection. This powerful port is fully compatible with Thunderbolt™ 4-enabled Mac, USB Type-C™ -enabled Mac or iPad Pro. Its Thunderbolt and DisplayPort support Daisy Chain setup so you can connect two monitors and a laptop for ultimate productivity. The monitor's quality build, ergonomic design, and advanced features make the LG 40WP95C-W an excellent choice for creative professionals seeking pixel-perfect precision and colour accuracy.

Best 6K Monitor

Dell Ultrasharp U3224KB 32" 6K

If you’re after even more pixels or simply want an absolute top-tier monitor, the Ultrasharp U3224KB 32" 6K UHD Monitor is for you! This monitor sets you up to be ultra-productive while enabling you to see your work in exceptional colour and detail. It features a 31.5” IPS panel that boasts an incredible 6K Ultra High Definition resolution (6144x3456) and 223 PPI which provides up to 156% more pixels compared to a 4K monitor. The U3224KB meets high colour standards by covering 99% Display-P3 and 99% DCI-P3. It also sports 6K IPS Black Panel technology which has deeper blacks and greater gray colour level accuracy, delivering exceptional contrast (2000:1) across a wide viewing angle. Rich, vivid and lifelike colour will help you reproduce what you see in real life.

Additionally, it has fantastic connectivity options that will enhance the way you work. A single Thunderbolt™ 4 cable will reduce desk cable clutter, while providing fast transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps and delivering up to 140W of power to your PC. It also features a DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1, USB-A and USB-C ports so you can extend your connectivity. Are video calls a big part of your job too? Blow everyone away with a built-in webcam that features a 4K Sony Starvis™ CMOS sensor - this will deliver true colour, even in low or harsh lighting, with digital overlap HDR, and greater image quality free of motion blur thanks to 3D/2D Video Noise Reduction.

Best Under $700

ASUS ProArt PA278CV 27" QHD

Don't need all the extra pixels that a 4k monitor offers? Or perhaps your budget is below $700? The ASUS ProArt PA278CV 27" QHD is a fantastic choice that'll save you some desk space, while also being a more affordable choice. This professional monitor features a 27-inch IPS display that offers a QHD (2560x1440) resolution to satisfy the needs of a range of creative professionals, from photo and video editors to graphic designers. A wide colour gamut with 100% sRGB and Rec. 709 colour space coverage, along with support for DCI-P3, results in rich, vivid colour reproduction that brings your photos and videos to life. Factory calibration and Calman Verification ensures Delta E<2 colour accuracy so that exceptional colour fidelity comes through for your professional work. Smooth colour gradation is achieved through meticulous testing during manufacturing. 

For versatile connectivity, the ProArt PA278CV boasts a USB-C port with 65W power delivery, DisplayPort, and HDMI inputs. This selection ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices. The PA278CV also serves as a USB Hub, meaning that when you connect to it via USB-C (using C to C cable or C to A cable), your device gains access to whatever peripherals are connected to the USB ports. For maximum comfort, the monitor features an ergonomic stand with tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, ensuring a personalised viewing experience. Ultra-low blue-light technology also protects your eyes, especially important when you're working on long projects for hours at a time.

Best for Apple Users

Apple Studio Display 27" 5K

This list wouldn't be complete without a strong contender for Apple users: the 27-inch Apple Studio Display. While all of the monitors on this list are a great choice for Apple users, this one was made especially with Mac devices in mind, so it may be a top contender for Apple fanatics. It boasts a stunning 5K resolution (5120x2880) with over 14 million pixels, delivering exceptional sharpness and image clarity. True Tone technology, 600 nits of brightness, and wide P3 colour gamut with support for 1 billion colours ensure vibrant and accurate colours so you can produce your best work. Additionally, an anti-reflective coating further enhances viewing comfort and readbility, perfect for long hours in front of the screen.  

Great cameras, mics and speakers are part of the package. The studio-quality three-mic array filters out background noise, and six speakers with Spatial Audio deliver cinematic sound. The Studio Display offers three USB-C ports for connecting, powering, and charging devices. It also features a Thunderbolt port for a single-cable connection to your Mac, with the ability to charge compatible Mac notebooks, including fast-charging the 14-inch MacBook Pro. The Studio Display is the perfect partner for Mac devices, whether that's a Mac Studio, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac Mini. To ensure comfort as you create, the display also includes a tilt-adjustable stand.  

So there you have it – five of our top monitor picks for creative professionals. As with all expensive technology this isn't the be all and end all, you'll need a 10-bit capable graphics card (like a Quadro) to make use of a 10-bit Monitor, and 10-bit printer if you want to make your creations real - but such is life when you're using the best of the best!