Deciding that you want to upgrade your video editing monitor can be exciting at first. But it only takes a quick search online to realize that the options for editing monitors are endless. Fear not!
With the proper guidance and a solid foundation of understanding, I guarantee you’ll make a decision that will not only make you happier, but will also improve your creativity.
Take a couple breaths and sit back.
Here is a guide to the best monitors for editing video. Note: these are the BEST video editing monitors so some of the following monitors are quite expensive. I’ll get a post up with the best budget monitors soon.
In the meantime, if you’re editing on a budget, check out this BenQ QHD 27″ Monitor for just $299.00!
But before we get into our top monitor picks, there are 3 important monitor specifications you should know.
Take a quick look at the 3 most important specs for editing monitors where I explain the benefits of ISP display panels, the variety in screen resolution, and more.
You can also learn about sRGB vs Adobe RGB color spaces in this post.
Here are the 10 best monitors for video editing available right now! Photographers, check out the 10 best photo editing monitors.
10 Best Monitors for Video Editing
10. LG 48 CX OLED
Price: $1,249.99
Screen Size: 48-inch — Screen Resolution: 3840 x 2160 — Color Gamut: 94.6% sRGB, 88% DCI-P3, 74% Adobe RGB — Ports and Connectivity: 4x HDMI, 3x USB 2.0
The ability to handle reflections and an incredibly true representation of blacks put the LG 48 CX OLED firmly on this list. Yes, it’s a TV.
And yes, there’s always the risk of permanent burn-in when you use a TV as a monitor for video editing.
But I just can’t help the beauty of this thing.
If some video editor out there is looking for the best monitor for editing video that also doubles as the best Netflix video player, stop scrolling here.
9. Apple iMac 27-inch Retina 5K Display
Price: $1,799.99
Screen Size: 27-inch — Screen Resolution: 5120 x 2880 — Color Gamut: 100% sRGB, 93% Adobe RGB — Ports and Connectivity: 4x USB 3.0, 2x Thunderbolt 2 — Panel Technology: ISP
Apple makes the list for top monitor for video editing, but just barely.
Their 5K retina display screens are truly amazing. However, there are several things keeping it from climbing higher in the rankings. For one, it’s expensive. For another, Apple’s dedication to proprietary ports is a pain in the ass.
And finally, compared to the other screens in this list of the best monitors for video editing, 27-inches is small. Besides these three factors, the iMac 27-inch is a star and displays colors with the best of them.
Any video editor already entangled in the Apple web of products would do well to go this route.
8. Acer Nitro XV340CK
Price: $417
Screen Size: 34-inch — Screen Resolution: 3440 x 1440 — Color Gamut: 99% sRGB, 81% DCI-P3 — Ports and Connectivity: 2x DisplayPort, 2x HDMI, 2x USB 3.0 — Panel Technology: IPS
Sure, the Acer Nitro XV340CK is known as a gaming monitor. But it will surprise many photo and video editors with its ability in Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro. Indeed, it’s a top 10 best monitor for video.
It’s an ultrawide monitor with plenty of space to review footage while also reviewing timelines.
Also, it’s affordable enough for even those of us editing photo and video for free. You can get it on Amazon for just under $420.
The main downside is that it doesn’t excel with colors.
7. Asus ProArt PA32UC-K
Price: $2,642.97
Screen Size: 32-inch — Screen Resolution: 3840 x 2160 — Color Gamut: 100% sRGB, 99.5% Adobe RGB, 95% DCI-P3 — Ports and Connectivity: 4x HDMI, DisplayPort, 2x USB-C/Thunderbolt 3, 2x USB Type A — Panel Technology: IPS
Are you a photo or video editor looking to edit HDR footage? Well, this might just be the screen for you. The Asus ProArt PA32UC-K is an HDR machine, displaying a wide range of color and excelling in brightness.
Not only does this video monitor excel in colors, but editors will also appreciate this screens light and dark contrast. Plus, this monitor for editing video has plenty of connectivity for devices and outputs.
6. MSI Prestige PS341WU
Price: $1,110
Screen Size: 34-inch — Screen Resolution: 5120 x 2160 — Color Gamut: 100% sRGB, 98% DCI-P3 — Ports and Connectivity: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 1x USB-C, 3x USB 3.2 Type A, 1x USB 3.2 Type B — Panel Technology: Nano IPS
Looking for a 5K monitor for video editing? Look no further. The MSI Prestige PS341WU ultrawide monitor is a highly accurate and bright video editing monitor that serious editors shouldn’t overlook.
Yes, this is considered a gaming monitor. But you tell us to not edit video on the MSI as you watch glorious 4K drone footage with color grading on it.
The brightness on this screen is higher than what you’ll find on most other screens on this list. That that alone does make a huge difference.
But, everything beautiful has an ugly side. The MSI gets docked points for the cheap-feeling construction of the product. Additionally, reviews on Amazon claim limited compatibility with Apple computers.
5. Samsung CHG90 QLED
Price: $1,099.99
Screen Size: 49-inch — Screen Resolution: 3840 x 1080 — Color Gamut: 99% sRGB, 92% Adobe RGB — Ports and Connectivity: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 1x Mini-DP, 2x USB — Panel Technology: VA
Samsung’s ultrawide QLED CHG90 is marketed as a gaming monitor. However, it easily cracks my list of best monitors for video editing.
This is for a few reasons.
For one, the width of this screen means that video editors can edit a 16:9 aspect ratio video with real estate available for editing software, poker games or whatever it is you do while editing video. Secondly, it covers most of sRGB and Adobe RGB color spaces in 10-bit. The main downside to using this ultrawide screen as a video editing monitor is that it is not an IPS panel display.
And, most unfortunately, it can’t properly display 4K footage.
4. BenQ PD3200U
Price: $843
Screen Size: 32-inch — Screen Resolution: 3840 x 2160 — Color Gamut: 100% sRGB & Rec. 709 — Ports and Connectivity: 1x DisplayPort, 1x Mini-DP, 1x HDMI, 4x USB 3.0 — Panel Technology: IPS
Any editor looking for a high quality monitor for editing without thousands of dollars to spend should seriously consider this monitor. The BenQ PD3200U is a respected IPS panel monitor.
And it costs a small fraction of what other professional level video editing monitors cost. With 100% color representation in sRGB and Rec. 709 color spaces, this BenQ model covers the bases that most video editors will be concerned with.
Of course, if you’re looking to edit videos for the Sundance Film Festival, you will want more depth and variety. But most video editors will be pleased with the quality of this best budget monitor for video editing.
3. HP DreamColor Z31x
Price: $1,899
Screen Size: 31-inch — Screen Resolution: 4096 x 2160 — Color Gamut: 100% sRGB, Adobe RGB & Rec. 709, 99% DCI-P3, 80% Rec. 2020 — Ports and Connectivity: 2x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort, 2x DreamColor USB, 1x USB-C, 1x USB 3.0 Type-B, 2x USB 3.0 Type-A — Panel Technology: IPS
HP brings us this top 3 monitor for video editing that falls short for only 1 reason: brightness levels don’t quite get high enough. This might be only be a minimal downside for many video editors, but this factor (along with the screen’s bulkiness), keep it from landing any higher.
As far as editing monitors available to video editors, the HP DreamColor Z31x is as close to ‘cinema standard’ as you can get without spending a fortune. Just look at the color gamut coverage – everything besides DCI-P3 is at 100% coverage, and DCI-P3 is at a very respectable 99%.
This monitor displays images immaculately, but editors will have to pay for the quality here.
At the time of this writing, this screen was available for around $2,000 on Amazon.
2. Eizo ColorEdge CG319X
Price: $5,739
Screen Size: 31.1-inch — Screen Resolution: 4096 x 2160 — Color Gamut: 100% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB, 98% DCI-P3 — Ports and Connectivity: 2x DisplayPort, 2x HDMI, 3x USB 3.0 — Panel Technology: IPS
If you really want to edit images on a professional-level photo and video editing monitor, the Eizo ColorEdge CG319X is one to consider. It won’t come cheap, but I guarantee you’ll feel the difference.
The level of ownership this video editing monitor gives is nearly unmatched in the consumer market.
At nearly 32-inches and with a screen resolution of 4096 x 2160, editors who choose this monitor will have their images truly represented. It comes with plenty of connections as well, except for the strange exception of the high-speed USB-C. The Eizo ColorEdge CG319X makes up for this connection deficiency with an extremely capable AI system that ensures the screen constantly adapts to the footage it’s displaying.
This means you’ll spend less time adjusting configurations with this editing monitor.
sRGB, Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 colors are all nearly 100% represented with the Eizo ColorEdge CG319X. Therefore, no individual who claims to love color in film and photography can also reasonably claim to be ignorant of this screen.
The only downside: it’ll set you back nearly $6,000 at the time of this writing.
1. Dell Ultrasharp U3219Q
Price: $1,199
Screen Size: 32-inch — Screen Resolution: 3840 x 2160 — Color Gamut: 99% sRGB & Rec. 709, 95% DCI-P3 — Ports and Connectivity: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 4x USB 3.0, 1x USB-C — Panel Technology: IPS
Is it any surprise that the Dell Ultrasharp U3219Q is the best monitor listed here? When it comes to the intersection of display quality and price point, this Dell Ultrasharp is the absolute cream of the crop.
From aspiring amateurs to committed hobbyists, the Ultrasharp U3219Q is a solid display for almost any home editing suite.
But what makes it so special?
For one thing, the Dell Ultrasharp U3219Q monitor is extremely accurate in its representation of colors. Creatives using this screen for editing images will appreciate the depth and variety of 99% sRGB & Rec. 709, and 95% DCI-P3 color.
Few, if any, monitors for editing video and photo provide this level of color depth at the same affordable price. Another feature that I love is the amount of connections it supports. This is extremely useful for people who like to stream video live or use their video editing monitor as a preview display screen.
And finally, every video editor appreciates size when it comes to monitors. At 32-inches, the Dell Ultrasharp U3219Q provides plenty of screen for a video editor to fully appreciate his or her work.
Turn the lights off, make your video full screen and give your edit the review it deserves with this best monitor for video editing in 2021.
If you’re looking for the closest thing to professional while not putting yourself into life-damning debt, the Dell Ultrasharp U3219Q is your best bet.