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The Rundown
Best External Monitor for MacBook Pro and Air in 2017 – 2018. LG 27UD88-W 4K 27 Inch Monitor – Best USB-C Monitor for 2016 Macbook Pro. Go ahead and purchase the best external monitor in 2017 and 2018 for your Mac that seems to be the likely candidate to find a place in your workspace. Best External Monitor for MacBook Pro and Air in 2017 – 2018 By Paul Dobell| Last updated on December 26, 2017 It is common knowledge that Apple sells a lot more portable MacBooks rather than desktops, but the one problem that is common to all the MacBooks is that most of them have a display size of less than 15 inches.
- Best Overall: BenQ PD3200U 32” 4K at Amazon, “The best option on the market to pair with a MacBook Pro.”
- Runner-Up, Best Overall: LG 34UC98-W Curved UltraWide Monitor at Amazon, 'Equipped with two Thunderbolt 2.0 input/output ports, this monitor allows you to transfer data from compatible devices with incredible speeds far superior to USB 2.0.'
- Best Budget:Acer H277HU at Amazon, “A great monitor that won’t break the bank.”
- Runner-Up, Best Budget: Samsung UE590 Series 28' LED 4K UHD Monitor at Samsung, 'The 100,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio provides accurate color and sharp contrast for improved picture quality.'
- Best for Gamers: LG 4K UHD 27UD88-W 27” at Amazon, “Its clear and detailed 4K Ultra HD resolution looks fantastic from even inches away.”
- Best for Design Professionals:ViewSonic VP3268-4K 32” Frameless at Amazon, “This huge 32-inch frameless ultra-wide 4K monitor delivers lifelike colors.”
- Best Space-Saving Monitor: LenovoL24I-20 Monitor, 23-Inch at Amazon, “A stylish and budget-friendly solution at only 23 inches.”
- Best Value: Dell Ultra HD 4K P2715Q at Amazon, “Comes fully equipped with 3840 x 2160 resolution – that’s four times more detail than Full HD resolution.'
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: BenQ PD3200U 32' 4K Designer Monitor
4.4
The BenQ PD3200U 32-inch 4K designer monitor is the best option on the market to pair with a MacBook Pro. This award-winning monitor was built with advanced IPS technology so that all types of professionals can work confidently in 100 percent sRGB and Rec.709 color spaces with brilliant color, wide viewing angle and 4ms response time when viewing pictures or videos. The BenQ monitor’s dual view function allows you to work in two separate modes at once such as sRGB, CAD/CAM, animation display mode or Darkroom mode without needing two screens.
This monitor even has low blue light and flicker-free technology to reduce eyestrain – essential for professionals who look at screens during long work days or gamers who play well into the night. With adjustments available for height, tilt, pivot, stroke and swivel, this monitor can be comfortably fine-tuned for any user – plus the smart screen orientation detector will automatically transpose your screen contents so you can view them correctly with no extra effort.
Runner-Up, Best Overall: LG 34UC98-W 34-Inch 21:9 Curved UltraWide Monitor
The LG 34UC98-W 34-Inch 21:9 Curved UltraWide QHD IPS Monitor blends great picture and features that make it a great option for any MacBook Pro owner. Equipped with two Thunderbolt 2.0 input/output ports, this monitor allows you to transfer data from compatible devices with incredible speeds far superior to USB 2.0. You can even charge compatible devices using the included USB 3.0 Quick Charge port.
Apart from the cool included ports, the monitor itself has some fantastic features including OnScreen control, which allows you to make quick adjustments to screen configurations and display settings in just a few moves so you can create custom workstations. A fun-to-use Screen Split feature includes a handy picture-in-picture mode for multi-tasking. If you crave color accuracy, you know sRGB is the standard color space of ideal color reproduction. Providing over 99 percent coverage of the sRGB spectrum, this LG monitor is a great choice for photographers, designers, event planners or anyone else who needs their colors to be on point. Best of all, this monitor has a fully ergonomic design to make viewing pain-free. Adjust the height and tilt of the display to provide the best user experience for every person in the family or at the office.
Best Budget: Acer H277HU
If you need a great monitor that won’t break the bank, this Acer H7 Series monitor is a great choice. Its 27-inch wide viewing IPS display shows every detail clearly and vividly without warping color – great for streaming online video, gaming or photo editing. It fits in neatly at home or in the office with its zero-frame design, handy magnetic base, and brushed hairline finish. Thanks to high-resolution and a high-contrast ratio, you receive improved detail with reduced eyestrain.
It comes with HDMI and display port inputs so you can use it with additional devices. Designed with power-saving technologies, helps this monitor further cut future costs. A -5 to 15-degree tilted angle provides comfortable viewing, preventing neck and shoulder injuries.
Runner-Up, Best Budget: Samsung - UE590 Series 28' LED 4K UHD Monitor
For a budget-friendly monitor, the Samsung UE590 series 28-inch LED 4K UHD monitor has some top-shelf features. Despite a very affordable price tag, it had one of the fastest response times we found at just 1 ms. This speedy response time keeps quick-moving images in your favorite video games and movies from blurring and ghosting while preventing color streaking. The 60Hz refresh rate also helps preserve the clarity of the picture for gaming and other fast-moving media. The 100,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio provides accurate color and sharp contrast for improved picture quality.
The 170 degree horizontal and 160 degree vertical viewing angles plus -1–15 degree tilt give you a variety of angles to view your monitor comfortably. Or try out the picture-in-picture mode to view two images or documents at the same time. You can even choose to mount this monitor on the wall thanks to the 75mm x 75m VESA design. Plus, it has HDMI 2.0 output, DisplayPort output, and 3.5mm audio output, allowing you to attach other essential devices when necessary.
Best for Gamers: LG 4K UHD 27UD88-W 27' LED-Lit Monitor
Coming in at under $600, the LG 4K UHD 27UD88-W 27-inch LED-lit monitor is a great value for the price. Though less expensive than other options, its clear and detailed 4K Ultra HD resolution looks fantastic from even inches away. It maintains color consistency with sRGB coverage over 99 percent so you never have to worry about inaccurate color when creating presentations, editing photos or designing your own graphics. The USB Type-C port lets you display stunning 4K video, transfer data and charge a laptop or mobile device all from the same place.
Are you a gamer that plays a lot of games including dark scenes? LG's Black Stabilizer is perfect for you – it senses darkness and helps make it brighter giving you an edge when trying to spot clues or enemies in the dark. In fact, this monitor comes with three modes for gamers - two for first-person shooters and an RTS pre-set – for optimized gaming conditions no matter what you’re currently playing.
Best for Design Professionals: ViewSonic VP3268-4K 32' Frameless 4K Monitor
If you’re a design professional, you need a monitor that can live up to your exacting standards. The View Sonic VP3268 4K monitor won’t let you down. This huge 32-inch frameless ultra-wide 4K monitor delivers lifelike colors and nearly perfect color accuracy ideal for graphic design, photography, or video. With screen-wide sRGB color uniformity and 4.39 trillion colors, you'll always make the right choice and never have to worry about color inconsistency no matter what part of the monitor you are viewing. The four-sided ultra-thin bezel minimizes distractions and is especially handy when working with more than one monitor.
Hardware calibration is also available with the optional ViewSonic Colorbration Kit, which allows you to calibrate the monitor based on the type of work you are doing. It even comes with an advanced ergonomic design and an industry-leading three-year warranty so you can have peace of mind and body when making this purchase.
Best Space-Saving Monitor: Lenovo L24I-20 Monitor, 23-Inch
Not everyone has the luxury of working in front of a huge monitor. For those with limited workspace or if you're just looking something a little smaller, this Lenovo monitor is a stylish and budget-friendly solution. At only 23 inches, this monitor squeezes neatly into compact workspaces or home offices. Despite the smaller size, the wide-view display still provides a great viewing area. The minimal-frame design, narrow bezel and the absence of color distortion, ghosting or irritating reflections make this a solid overall display.
The FHD (1920 x 1080) In-Plane Switching screen displays vivid images across wide (178/178 degrees) viewing angles too. To further help with space-saving, this monitor also comes with clutter-free cable management to keep your workspace neat and tidy.
Best Value: Dell Ultra HD 4K Monitor P2715Q 27-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor
This Dell Ultra HD 4K Monitor was originally priced at over $700, but is now available on Amazon for less than $400, making this a great value. The 27-inch monitor comes fully equipped with 3840 x 2160 resolution – that’s four times more detail than Full HD resolution. The high pixel density is essential for revealing fine details onscreen, a great feature for photo editing, gaming and watching videos. With 99 percent sRGB color coverage, you can rest assured that your color matching will be totally accurate whether you are creating presentations, designing t-shirts or editing photos for the family album.
Get comfortable thanks to the adjustable stand which enables tilt (5 degrees forward or 21degrees backward), pivot, swivel and even built-in cable-management. You can even save desktop space by mounting the monitor onto a swing arm or on the wall instead thanks to the VESA-compatible 100 x 100 millimeter wall mount kit.
Tested by
How We Tested
We bought a top-rated monitor for a MacBook Pro that our reviewers tested daily for weeks on end. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using this monitor, from its design to its picture quality. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.
What to Look for in Monitors for MacBook Pros
Screen size -Your decision to add a monitor to your MacBook Pro is likely driven by a need for a larger screen. Most models come in a variety of sizes, often ranging from 23 inches to 34 inches and up (measured diagonally).
Picture quality -A standard monitor will have a resolution of around 1920 x 1080 pixels. For an even more vivid viewing experience, look for a monitor with 4K Ultra HD resolution (3,840 x 2,160 pixels). Another factor that will contribute to stellar picture quality is color accuracy, which is especially important for designers. sRGB is the standard color space of ideal color reproduction, and the best monitors will have coverage over 99%.
Design -The design of a monitor takes into account material, color, ergonomics, and build, among other things. Some have a wider footprint, while some are designed specifically to save space on your desk. Some designs are fixed, while others can tilt for a better viewing experience. Some even incorporate a curved screen. The best design is entirely based on your personal preference.
Test Results: BenQ PD3200U 32' 4K Designer Monitor (Best Overall)
4.4
What We Like
- Multiple color settings
- Incredibly clear display
- Useful features
What We Don't Like
- A little bulky
- Sound quality not the best
“In terms of resolution and color range, this monitor has the best colors and sharpness I’ve seen on a monitor ever,” raved one of our testers. Other highlights, according to our reviewers, include the convenient touch-sensitive panel, adjustable angles, and super simple setup — ”Even a child could set this up,” one of our testers remarked.
While our testers liked the versatility and features of the monitor, one of our reviewers wasn’t impressed with the quality of the built-in speakers: “I appreciate the utility of having speakers on the monitor, but the quality of sound coming from the speakers wasn’t too impressive,” he said. One of our testers also wished it were less bulky, but noted, “It may be heavy but at least it isn’t easily damaged or scratched, which maintains its new appearance.” Overall? “Whether I was reading, gaming, or watching a video, the colors were always really good and I could adjust the settings to my liking,” declared one of our testers.
Very simply, if I need a monitor for editing photos, I will look for a high-resolution display, something with a great viewing angle and the ability to represent true colors.
Now, colors are something that is dependent on the fact that you calibrate you monitor from time to time. Even if the monitor comes well calibrated out of the box, over a period of time it loses that calibration. So, you have to recalibrate it as you go.
You also need the monitor to display a certain resolution and be of a certain size. For a photographer or a creative professional (someone who does photo editing for a living), it is pertinent that the monitor is at least around 27-inch. I feel 27″ is a great size for photo editing. The resolution should be around UHD / 4K.
![2018 samsung 4k monitor 2018 samsung 4k monitor](/uploads/1/2/6/5/126526162/435701613.jpg)
In any case, don’t go for too large a monitor if the resolution is anything less than UHD / 4K. This is because with larger pixels the image is likely to become blurry. Ideally, you would want a dense pixel concentration to give a smoother experience and higher detail.
Apart from that, you need your monitor to support 100% of the sRGB color gamut. This will ensure that the images that you print to match the colors that you see on the monitor. Here are a few monitors that we feel are great choices for the purpose of photo editing. We have sorted them in terms of their pricing band.
12 of the Best Monitors for Photo Editing in 2019:
Product | Details |
---|---|
BenQ 4K PhotoVue Photographer Monitor (SW271)
| |
Dell UltraSharp U2717D InfinityEdge Monitor
| |
ASUS Designo MX27UC 4K UHD
| |
BenQ SW2700PT 2K Photographer Monitor
| |
BenQ PV3200PT 16:9 4K Video Editing IPS Monitor
| |
LG 32UD99-W 16:9 HDR10 FreeSync IPS B076CTL3BD
| |
Samsung WQHD LED Monitor (S32D850T)
| |
ViewSonic VX2778-SMHD
| |
HP Pavilion QHD V1M69AA#ABA
| |
LG 27UD58-B 4K UHD
| |
AOC Q3277FQE Class MVA LED Monitor
| |
PRO Eizo ColorEdge CG2420
|
Let us have a look at each monitor in detail:
1. BenQ 27″ 4K PhotoVue Photographer Monitor (SW271)
What I like about the BenQ SW271 PhotoVue 27 inch 4K HDR Photography IPS Monitor is that it supports 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The fact that it also supports 99% of the Adobe RGB color gamut isn’t all that important for me.
36 Reviews on B&H
- 27' In-Plane Switching (IPS) Monitor
- USB Type-C / HDMI / DP Inputs
- 3840 x 2160 Resolution
- 1000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 350 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time (GtG)
- 1.07 Billion Colors
- 99% Adobe RGB Color Coverage
- Built-In USB Hub
B&H price as of 2019-08-25
I don’t print my own photos and most photo printing labs use sRGB. This way I can rest assured that the colors will match when the prints come back and there will be no surprises.
The Intenet too uses sRGB as the default color space, any picture that I edit and then upload to a gallery or a forum or social media will look exactly the same as it does on my computer. Usually, when your editing color space is AdobeRGB and then you upload in sRGB the colors look dull.
The other thing that I like is this is a 4K (UHD) monitor and that means a resolution of 3840 x 2160.
Additionally, this monitor incorporates IPS technology and that means it has a wider display angle, unlike the TN panels. The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:9. The refresh rate is 60 Hz. The contrast ratio is 1000:1.
The monitor uses a 14-bit (3D) LUT. Thanks to that you have a large wider color gamut than what is possible with other 12-bit or smaller LUT systems.
BenQ 27″ 4K monitor comes with a USB-C port which allows you to plug in an external calibration tool (among other devices for both charging and data) for sustained true color output and accurate color reproduction.
However, that said, you can’t use the USB-C port as a docking station for the purpose of connecting a laptop. The system comes with the Palette Master Element Calibration Software and that allows you to use most good quality calibration hardware.
There is one bad news for any gamers reading this, the monitor does not have Free-sync. That means for any games that you normally play at a higher frame rate, there is bound to be some amount of jerks and tears. This, however, does not impact photo editors.
2. Dell UltraSharp U2717D 27″ InfinityEdge Monitor
This 27 inch Dell UltraSharp InfinityEdge monitor comes with a resolution of 2560 x 1440. Again, it is less than the UHD / 4K that we love, but still useful nonetheless as its better than the full HD display on most monitors.
93 Reviews on B&H
- In-Plane Switching (IPS) Technology
- DisplayPort + Mini-DP + HDMI Inputs
- 2560 x 1440 WQHD Resolution
- 1000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 350 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 8 ms Response Time
- 16.7 Million Colors
- Built-In USB 3.0 Hub
- Stand Included
B&H price as of 2019-08-25
The monitor incorporates IPS technology as well as the useful anti-glare technology for better viewing angle and better contrast even when used in a brightly lit room. The monitor comes with a contrast ratio of 1000:1 and support for up to 16.7 million colors.
Related Post: Best Laptop Displays (Top Professional Models)
The refresh rate of the monitor is 60 Hz. Clearly, if a gaming monitor is what you are looking for this is not what you should be looking at. Among the things that we don’t like, are that there are no USB-C ports but only USB-A. Plus, the 3.5mm port accepts a mic but there is no headphone support which is kind of strange.
3. ASUS Designo MX27UC 27” 4K UHD
The ASUS Designo MX27UC is a 27″ monitor that comes with the IPS technology and a 4K / UHD resolution. I.e., the display is 3840 x 2160. IPS displays are great for viewing as they offer wider viewing angles and better contrast when doing so compared to TN panels.
- 27' In-Plane Switching (IPS) Technology
- HDMI 2.0 / DP 1.2 / DP Over USB-C Inputs
- 3840 x 2160 4K Resolution
- 1300:1 Static Contrast Ratio
- 300 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time
- 1.07 Billion Colors
- Dual 3W Stereo Speakers
- ASUS Eye Care Technology
B&H price as of 2019-08-25
The ASUS Designo MX27UC has a display of 178˚. The unique frameless design gives it a stunning appearance. The bezel actually measures 0.1 cm in thickness.
For extended use of the monitor, such as when editing batches of photos and videos after a shoot, you need a way to be able to preserve your eyes. The monitor comes with the ASUS Eye Care technology as well as a blue light filter technology which reduces the strain on your eyes when using the monitor for long periods.
There is a 29″ and a 34″ version of this monitor. But they don’t offer the same high pixel density resolution as the 27″ version. Whichever way you look at it, the 27″ is my favorite as it is just the right size for a great photo editing experience. The static contrast ratio is 1300:1.
The monitor displays 1.07 billion colors. It supports the entire sRGB color space, and thus give a more accurate color representation and better consistency across all your displays, the web, and your printer. The response rate of the monitor is 5 ms.
In terms of connectivity, the monitor comes with several connection options along with the all-important USB-C port.
4. BenQ SW2700PT 27 inch 2K Photographer Monitor
The BenQ SW2700PT is a 27” monitor powered by IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology. It has a display resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels (109 ppi) and a contrast ratio of 1000:1.
136 Reviews on B&H
- 27' In-Plane Switching (IPS) Panel
- DVI-DL - HDMI 1.4 - DP 1.2 Inputs
- 2560 x 1440 Resolution
- 1000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 350 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms (GtG) Response Time
- 10-Bit Support for 1.07 Billion Colors
- OSD Controller to Switch Color Modes
- 99% AdobeRGB Color Gamut
B&H price as of 2019-08-25
The monitor has 99% coverage of the AdobeRGB color space. It also supports 100% of the Rec. 709 / sRGB color gamut.
A built-in calibration tool using the image processing chip is a better and more reliable method of keeping the display honest. Also, the monitor comes with a proprietary calibration application.
Though not a huge advantage for photo editors the response time of the monitor is 5 ms. What, however, is of advantage, is the support for 1.07 billion colors.
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Despite the fact that we are dealing with monitors for photo editing and that is the primary focus, a monitor is not always used as a photo editing tool. In fact, it rarely has that privilege. Thus, it is frequently switched from photo editing tasks to browsing and even gaming.
There is this quick ‘mode-change’ option named OSD controller that allows you to make that change whenever you want to use your monitor for anything other than photo editing.
A feature of the BenQ SW2700PT 27” is the detachable hood. This hood is a nice touch, especially for users who might be sitting in areas where controlling the ambient light may not be possible. The hood also makes it possible to work in outdoor conditions as well, in bright scenes where glare makes it difficult to review images after they have been shot. Thus, this is a useful tool for location shooting purposes.
The monitor comes with an array of connectivity options but what it does not have is a USB-C port.
5. BenQ PV3200PT 16:9 4K Video Editing IPS Monitor
We bring in another BenQ in this discussion. This is the BenQ PV3200PT. This is a 32″ monitor with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 (UHD). Additionally, the monitor comes with a contrast ratio of 1000:1. The brightness level of the monitor is 350 cd/m².
3 Reviews on B&H
- 32' In-Plane Switching (IPS) Panel
- DisplayPort / HDMI / mDP Inputs
- 3840 x 2160 Resolution
- 1,000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 350 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time
- 1.07 Billion Colors
B&H price as of 2019-08-25
Being an IPS panel has its own advantages as the viewing angle is pretty big – 178˚ to be precise. The response time of the monitor is 5 ms. The monitor supports up to 1.07 billion colors. The refresh rate of the monitor is 60 Hz.
The monitor supports 100% Rec. 709 color space as well as 100% of the sRGB color space. The monitor comes with a 14-Bit LUT which enables a much larger color palette compared to others. There is an interesting hardware calibration tool integrated into the monitor.
The system allows you to recalibrate the image processing chip inside the monitor and keep the settings in the graphics card of your computer unchanged. Thus, you get to see consistent results and the monitor does not get affected by the settings in your graphics card.
The system comes integrated with the Palette Master Element software. What you need is a calibrator (external) and you can recalibrate your BenQ PV3200PT from time to time and keep it performing in its optical state for years.
Plus the BenQ PV3200PT comes with an OSD controller. This special remote control ensures that you can switch between different display settings as and when needed.
6. LG 32UD99-W 31.5″ 16:9 HDR10 FreeSync IPS
The LG 32UD99-Wis a 31.5″ monitor with a resolution of 3840 x 210 (UHD). The higher resolution as I have mentioned several times over helps in getting a more detailed image. That comes in handy when you are editing images which have a lot of detail in it – landscapes, product shots, black & white portrait of a senior individual and so on.
29 Reviews on B&H
- In-Plane Switching (IPS) Technology
- USB Type-C - DisplayPort - HDMI
- 3840 x 2160 Resolution
- 350 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time
- Supports HDR10
- AMD FreeSync Technology
B&H price as of 2019-08-25
The LG 32UD99-W features in-plane switching technology which ensures that you have a wider viewing angle than other standard monitors. The viewing angle, by the way, is 178˚.
The brightness level of the monitor is a good 350 cd/m² and it has a 5 ms response time. There are faster monitors out there, no doubt about it. But given the fact that we are primarily discussing photo editing applications, we don’t need 1 ms or anything near that. Those are best for gamers and are outside the purview of our discussion. The monitor supports DCI-P3 95% color standard.
The refresh rate of the monitor is 60 Hz. Though there are monitors with even higher numbers and for gaming and watching videos those might be useful, a higher refresh rate is not necessary for photo editing.
Having said that it is hard to ignore the fact that the best monitors are usually the ones that come loaded with features for the hardcore gamer. The LG 32UD99-W being a gaming monitor comes with some gaming features as well.
Related Post: Best Monitors for MacBook Pro (8 Amazing Options)
For example, it has the AMD FreeSync technology. This technology is designed to tune the monitor’s refresh rate with that of the frame rate output of the graphics card ensuring a smoother experience. This is for a smoother gaming experience.
Plus you get HDR capabilities as well. That means you will be able to get a much better (and detailed) image across the dark to medium to bright tones giving you much better viewing experience.
Though actually designed for gaming along with the black stabilizer technology that is also incorporated into the system, to help find details in the shadow areas, this technology will come in handy when editing HDR images.
Among the connectivity options, you have several really, the one that stands out is the USB-C port. It is the latest and the fastest and gives you both data and charging capabilities.
7. Samsung 32″ WQHD LED Monitor (S32D850T)
The Samsung 32 is a 32″ large monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 (WQHD). Though the resolution is slightly better than full HD, it is not at par as the UHD resolution of the BenQ that we have just finished discussing.
35 Reviews on B&H
- HDMI / DVI / DisplayPort Inputs
- 2560 x 1440 WQHD Resolution
- 3,000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 300 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time
- 1,073,000,000 Color Support
- Built-In USB 3.0 Hub
B&H price as of 2019-08-25
The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:9. The monitor supports 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The viewing angle of the monitor is 178˚ allowing you a much wider viewing angle. Though you would hardly be looking at this from the side, it is good to have this feature. The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:9.
The Samsung 32” WQHD LED Monitor (S32D850T) – a great pick for those who want to edit their photos on a big screen (and are on a tight budget).
Among the other fringe benefits of the monitor is the picture in picture mode. Though practical for some uses it is not useful for photographers. The only time I can envision myself using this is when I am watching a tutorial and using it at the same time on a photo editing application.
What is practical, however, is the presence of Eco light technology. This technology ensures that the monitor’s display is adjusted automatically when the brightness of the room changes.
What is missing on the system is the USB-C port. There are several Type-B and A ports along with the other ports but this is what is missing.
8. ViewSonic VX2778-SMHD 27
The ViewSonic VX2778-SMHD is a 27″ monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440p (2K / WQHD). The monitor incorporates IPS technology. The presence of IPS technology ensures that you have a much wider viewing area compared to the normal (Twisted Nematic) screens.
2 Reviews on B&H
- Plane-to-Line Switching (PLS) Technology
- Mini-DP + DisplayPort + HDMI Inputs
- 2560 x 1440 Resolution
- 80,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
- 350 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5.1 ms Response Time
- 16.7 Million Colors
B&H price as of 2019-08-25
The screen supports a contrast ratio of 1000:1 (dynamic contrast of 80,000,000:1) and supports up to 16.7 million colors. Additionally, the monitor supports 100% of the sRGB color gamut.
The viewing angle of the monitor is 178˚. The monitor comes with a special anti-glare coating that suppresses disturbing screen reflections and glares. The refresh rate of the monitor is 68 – 100 kHz. The vertical refresh rate is 45–65 KHz.
Additionally, the system has a response time of 5 ms which gives fast access to the system when working (rather playing games).
Related Post: Best TVs for Photo Viewing (Top 7 4k Smart TVs)
There is a useful Viewing Mode option on the monitor which ensures that you can toggle between the different modes based on what you are looking at (editing photos, playing games or surfing the net). This automatically adjusts the brightness of the display screen as well as contrast and color temperature for a better viewing experience.
9. HP Pavilion 32-inch QHD
The HP Pavilion is a giant 32″ monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440. This is kind of a disappointment as the extremely large monitor real estate could have easily supported 4K / UHD resolution and give a sharper and more detailed picture. For photo editing purposes that is exactly what we photographers require.
36 Reviews on B&H
- 32' LCD Monitor
- HDMI & DisplayPort Inputs
- 2560 x 1440 Resolution
- 3000:1 Static Contrast Ratio
- 300 cd/m² Brightness
- 7 ms Response Time (GtG)
- Covers 100% of sRGB Color Space
- Tilt from -5 to 21°
B&H price as of 2019-08-25
The monitor has a horizontal frequency of 68 – 100 kHz and a vertical frequency of 46 – 65 kHz. The viewing angle of the monitor is 178˚.
At par with all the good monitors that we have discussed here. 8-bit color depth supports 16.7 million colors. The monitor supports 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The monitor incorporates IPS technology which means the viewing angle is a bit better than TN displays.
![2018 2018](https://cdn-sysprobs.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/BenQ-BL2711U-cheap-and-best-monitor-for-Mac-Pro_thumb.gif)
The dynamic contrast ratio of the monitor is 80,000,000:1 and the response time is 5 ms.
Just like the ViewSonic VX2778-SMHD above, the HP Pavilion V1M69AA#ABA too comes with a few viewing modes.
You need to switch the modes using the gaming mode hotkeys. Though this has been designed for gaming aesthetics you can always try out different settings based on the kind of work that you are going.
10. LG 27UD58-B 27-Inch 4K UHD
I have mixed emotions when I am about to write about the LG 27UD58-B 27-Inch 4K UHD. You will know about it when you have finished reading this part. The LG 27″ is a 4K / UHD monitor.
33 Reviews on B&H
- In-Plane Switching (IPS) Technology
- HDMI + DisplayPort Inputs
- 3840 x 2160 Resolution
- Dynamic Mega Contrast
- 250 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time
- 1.07 Billion Colors
B&H price as of 2019-08-25
I love the higher resolution, especially, when the display real estate is large to support. The LG 27UD58-B is big. The extra resolution means you can easily get a larger view of the images you are editing without having to minimize the image too much. Something that every photographer/photo editor loves.
The viewing angle of the monitor is 178˚. It allows you a larger viewing angle. Additionally, the monitor comes with support for 1.07 billion colors. The response time of the monitor is 5 ms.
The monitor covers 72% of the sRGB color gamut and has a maximum brightness of 250 cd/m2. That is kind of lame. The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:9 while the refresh rate is 60 Hz.
Primarily a gaming monitor, the LG 27UD58-B also comes with some gaming specific features like the LG proprietary FreeSync technology. The rare moments when you choose to play PUBG or GTA, you will experience less tear and jitters. Though, not something that is the first priority for any photographer. The other feature is the split screen technology that allows you to divide the screen between two windows when you are multitasking.
A major issue with the monitor, however, is the absence of a USB port. This is a major drawback of the monitor. Another issue of the product is that you can adjust the height as well as tilt it, but you will not be able to swivel or pivot the monitor. The curved stand that comes with the monitor does not allow those functions.
So, as you can imagine, what the high resolution and the big display wins for the LG 27UD58-B, the low brightness level and the lack of a USB hub (and the USB-C port) loses it.
11. AOC Q3277FQE 32-Inch Class MVA LED Monitor
Best 4k Monitor For Macbook Pro 2018
The AOC Q3277FQE is a large 32″ monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440. The monitor has a peak brightness of 300 cd/ m². The TFT Active matrix MVA panel produces exceptionally vibrant images. That said I don’t quite like the fact that the display resolution is so low. Being a 32″ monitor I would have preferred that the monitor has UHD / 4K resolution. That way the images would have been sharper with more detail.
5 Reviews on B&H
- 32' TFT Active Matrix MVA Panel
- VGA / DVI / DisplayPort / HDMI Inputs
- 2560 x 1440 Resolution
- 20,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
- 300 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time
- 1.07 Billion Color Depth
B&H price as of 2019-08-25
The monitor has a response of 5 ms. Plus, it has a 178 ˚ viewing angle giving you a greater degree of freedom when it comes to editing (or watching videos). The monitor supports up to 1.0 billion colors and has a dynamic contrast ratio of 20,000,000:1. The panel has a color depth of 8-bit.
Monitor screens (as well as laptop screens) are fingerprint magnets. That is why manufacturers go great distances in order to create a panel that can resist such smudges and dirt. The AOC Q3277FQE has an anti-glare coating that not only prevents smudges and dirt accumulating on the panel but also lets the screen be easily viewable even in bright light.
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There are several connection points on the monitor but what’s missing is the USB plugin and more specifically the USB-C option.
12. PRO Eizo ColorEdge CG2420 24″
The PRO Eizo ColorEdge CG2420 is a 24″ monitor with a resolution of 1920 x 1200. The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:10. This is slightly larger than the usual 16:9 aspect ratio of other monitors. The static contrast ratio of the monitor is 1500:1 and the peak brightness is 400 cd/ m².
15 Reviews on B&H
- In-Plane Switching (IPS) Technology
- DVI-D + DisplayPort + HDMI Inputs
- 1920 x 1200 Screen Resolution
- 1,500:1 Static Contrast Ratio
- 400 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 10 ms Response Time
- 1.07 Billion Colors
- Built-In USB 3.0 Hub
- Built-In Calibration Sensor
B&H price as of 2019-08-25
Thanks to the IPS technology that this monitor incorporates, viewing angle on the monitor is 178˚ which ensure that anything displayed on the monitor is discernable even from an acute angle. The monitor has a response time of 10 ms.
Also, the monitor supports 99% of the Adobe RGB color gamut. A unique feature of the monitor is the presence of a built-in calibration sensor. This sensor makes it redundant to use an external/third party calibration tool to calibrate the monitor from time to time. In order to calibrate your monitor all you need to do is select the presets and the ColorNavigator 6 software will create an ICC profile by employing the monitor’s LUT thereby calibrating the colors.
The ColorNavigator NX Quality control software comes preloaded into the monitor. That means you don’t have to recalibrate if you change your PC (connect your monitor to a different PC).
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Another feature of the ColorEdge is the Digital Uniformity Equalizer technology. This technology results in a uniform, and that way, better brightness, and chromaticity across the display.
This technology also does something even more important and that neutralizes the color temperature changes that result from a change in temperature of the monitor. This has a profound impact when you are editing your images and maintains the integrity of the colors especially if you plan on printing your images later on.
There are two aspects of this monitor which makes it suitable for using outdoors.
First is the light-shield and the second is the carrying handle. One thing we really like about this monitor is it comes with a light-shielding hood. If you are working in a brightly lit room and the glare of the lights is affecting your display and your work this is probably the thing that you would order with a monitor. You get this for free with the PRO Eizo ColorEdge CG2420.
Thanks to the carrying handle you can use it outdoors or change its location as often as required without the associated hassles.
What we don’t like about this monitor is its lower resolution which defeats the whole purpose of getting a big monitor. At 24″ they could have incorporated a UHD resolution.
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Note: Amazon.com prices, reviews, and ratings were updated on
2019-08-25
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