Monitors

8 Best Monitors For Color Accuracy (2023 Reviews & Guide)

All monitors are not created equally. Although most of us are just happy with our conventional monitors, there are few cream of the crop that have unparalleled color accuracy and depth.

The best monitor for color accuracy are professional monitors appreciated by designers and photographers.

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If you are short on budget or if you are beginner, we recommend the ViewSonic VP2468 as the best monitor for color accuracy. Despite being an affordable monitor, it covers all the essential features.

Alternatively, if you do not have budget constraints but want to stick to a mid range monitor then we highly recommend the BenQ PD2700U.

Finally, if you are professional making a living out of your work, then we recommend the ViewSonic VP2785-4K. This is a 4K monitor that has extensive color enhancing features including 100$ coverage of the Adobe RGB.

Continuing On…

You haven’t truly experienced the amount of colors your eyes can see until and unless you lay your eyes on one of these monitors.

Of course, high color accuracy and depth requires special technology. Therefore, these displays are generally quite expensive.

However, for a designer and a photo editor, these monitors are a necessary investment. Every artists requires certain tools of the trade.

Image

Model

Size

Resolution

Panel Type

Total Colors

Color Features

Check Price

PHILIPS 246E9QDSB 24' Frameless Monitor, Full...

24

1920 x 1080

IPS

16.7 Million (8 Bit)

250 nits, 129% sRGB, 108% NTSC,

ViewSonic VP2468 24-Inch Premium IPS 1080p...

24

1920 x 1080

IPS

16.7 Million Native | 14 Bit LUT with 4.39 Trillion Colors Processing

250 nits, 14 Bit LUT, 100% sRGB, EBU, SMPTE C, Rec, 709, Dicom Simulation, Delta E < 2

BenQ PD2500Q Color Accurate Design Monitor...

Detail

2560 x 1440

IPS

16.7 Million (8 Bit)

350 nits, 100% sRGB, Rec. 709, Delta E < 2

ViewSonic VP2771 27-Inch Premium IPS 1440p...

27

2560 x 1440

IPS

1.07 Billion Native | 14 Bit LUT with 4.39 Trillion Colors Processing

350 nits, 14 Bit LUT, 100% sRGB, EBU, SMPTE-C, REC. 709, DICOM-SIM, Delta E < 2

BenQ PD2700U Color Accurate Design Monitor...

27

3840 x 2160

IPS

1.07 Billion (10 Bit)

350 nits, 100% sRGB, REC. 709, HDR 10, Delta E < 2

BenQ PD3200U Color Accurate Design Monitor...

32

3840 x 2160

IPS

1.07 Billion (10 Bit)

350 nits, 100% sRGB, REC. 709, Delta E < 2

ViewSonic VP2785-4K 27-inch 4K Ultra HD...

27

3840 x 2160

IPS

1.07 Billion Native | 14 Bit LUT with 4.39 Trillion Colors Processing

350 nits, 100% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB, EBU, SMPTE-C, REC. 709, HDR 10, Delta E < 2

ASUS PA329Q 32' 4K/UHD 3840x2160 IPS HDMI Eye...

32

3840 x 2160

IPS

1.07 Billion Native | 14 Bit LUT with 4.39 Trillion Colors Processing

350 nits, 100% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB, 100% Rec. 709, 90% DCI-P3, Rec 2021, 14 Bit LUT, Delta E < 2


List Of The Best Monitors For Color Accuracy

This is the quick list of the best monitors for color accuracy that we think set the standard.

  1. 1
    Philips 246E9QDSB – 24″ – Less than $150 Range
  2. 2
    ViewSonic VP2468 – 24″ – Best Monitor for Color Accuracy in Budget Range
  3. 3
    BenQ PD2500Q – 25″ – WQHD Monitor for CAD
  4. 4
    ViewSonic VP2771 – 27″ – Popular Choice for Professional – 2K – 14 Bit LUT
  5. 5
    BenQ PD2700U – 27″ – 4K and HDR – near $500 Range
  6. 6
    BenQ PD3200U – 32″ – 4K Professional Monitor
  7. 7
    ViewSonic VP2785-4K – 27″ – 4K, HDR, 14 Bit 3D LUT, 100% Adobe RGB coverage
  8. 8
    ASUS PA329Q – 32 Inch 4K Monitor

8 Best Monitors For Color Accuracy Reviewed

Let us now look at some of the picks. We have also listed budget monitors here that are great for beginner designers and editors. These monitors tend to give the best color accuracy for their price.


Monitors Around $200 Range

These are the cheaper monitors that promise great color accuracy are an excellent for those with keen sense of color.

1. Philips 246E9QDSB – 24″ – Less than $150 Range

PHILIPS 246E9QDSB 24" Frameless Monitor, Full...
  • Philips E-Line 24" (23.8" viewable) LED...
  • Philips Ultra Wide-Color technology with 129%...
  • AMD FreeSync technology provides fluid,...
  • LowBlue mode reduces harmful shortwave blue...

This monitor is beyond amazing for its price range. For a monitor that costs less than $150, it offers exquisite color quality.

Not only does it cover 129% of sRGB color space, it also covers 108% of NTSC color gamut. Although it does not come factory calibrated, for the price, you can’t really ask for more.

sRGB is the color space that defines the color on digital medium. Therefore, any work of art, photos etc that you see on monitors or phones have the colors defined by the sRGB space.

Professionals who work on this medium seek monitors that cover at least 100% of the sRGB space. This monitor goes beyond that. It covers 129% of the sRGB space. This is phenomenal at this price tag.

Since this is a budget monitor for a specialized work, it only manages to offers FHD resolution on a 24 inch display. This monitor also has a 27 inch FHD variant, however, FHD on 27 inch monitor is not recommended for professionals.

If you are looking for the cheapest possible display, then this is one of the best monitors with AMD free sync technology.

Philips 246E9QDSB Specs at Glance

Essential: 24″, 1920 x 1080, IPS, 129% sRGB, 108% NTSC
Connections: HDMI, DVI-D, VGA, 3.5mm HDMI audio in/out
VESA: Yes

Good
  • Covers 125% of sRGB color space enabling working with digital media and 108% of NTSC space.
  • Cheapest possible with a good color quality and performance.
Bad
  • No factory calibration which means lower accuracy.
  • Only offers FHD resolution.
  • Not the most famous monitor among designers looking for color accuracy.

2. ViewSonic VP2468 – 24″ – Best Monitor for Color Accuracy in Budget Range

On Sale Today
ViewSonic VP2468 24-Inch Premium IPS 1080p...
  • PREMIUM MONITOR: Full HD (1920x1080p)...
  • AMAZING AT ANY ANGLE: A four-sided ultra-thin...
  • ULTIMATE COLOR ACCURACY: Screen wide sRGB,...
  • HARDWARE CALIBRATION: Quick and easy...

The term budget in monitor market is a relative term. When you are looking for a conventional monitor just for word processing or surfing the internet, then budget implies an item near $100 range.

However, in this sense where you are looking for high performance color accuracy monitors, budget implies a monitor near $200.

If you are looking for the best colors on a 24 inch but at an affordable price tag, then this should interest you. It covers 100% of sRGB color space, comes factory calibrated with Delta E < 2, and has a 14 Bit LUT for highest precision of colors.

As such, this monitor can deliver a palette of 4.39 trillion colors. Compare this to the conventional 8 bit panel monitors that offer 16.7 million colors. Although this monitor too has an 8 Bit panel, but the color depth is further enhanced by the inclusion of 14 Bit LUT.

The only drawback is that it is only an FHD monitor. However, you have to realize that this costs a fraction of the monitors with these color enhancing features.

ViewSonic VP2468

Essential: 1920 x 1080, 24″, IPS, 4.39 trillion colors, Delta E < 2 (Factory Calibrated), 14-Bit 3D LUT
Ergonomic Stand
VESA: Yes
Connections: HDMI 1.4 (x2),Mini DisplayPort, DisplayPort, DisplayPort Out and USB 3.0 (Type A,B)

Good
  • It offers the best colors on a 24 inch screen with a low price tag.
  • Covers 100% sRGB color space making it possible to work with digital media.
  • Comes with factory calibration with Delta E < 2 enabling high color accuracy.
  • A huge color variety due to the 14 Bit 3D LUT.
Bad
  • Offers only an FHD resolution which is not the best.
  • It doesn’t have speakers.

Monitors Around $500 Range

You can find a versatile range of monitors here. In this price range, you will have to sacrifice one crucial feature over another.

For example, one monitor may have all the things you need including a good resolution, but lack a larger screen. On the other hand, you may find a large monitor with good resolution but it could lack a central feature for color accuracy.

Generally, in this range, you will find monitor of 2K/QHD resolution with specialized color enhancing features.

3. BenQ PD2500Q – 25″ – WQHD Monitor for CAD

BenQ PD2500Q Color Accurate Design Monitor...
  • Ideal for Graphic Designers and...
  • AQCOLOR Technology: Developed by BenQ that...
  • Experience Excellent Color Coverage: 100...
  • Seamless Connectivity: Easily access your...

Things at this price range tend to become very exiting and this monitor is a proof of that.

Although it does not boast a large screen, it offers a good 2K resolution, as well as color coverage of 100% sRGB.

For starters this monitor offers an unusual and rare 25 inch screen. Although the resolution does not change, the slightly larger size can make work a tad bit more comfortable.

The monitor also comes factory calibrated with a Delta E<2 and is certified through several programs like Technicolor Color Certificate. This is a standard used in Hollywood and other entertainment industries.

Furthermore, the monitor simply looks stunning thanks to its thin bezels and an ergonomic stand.

BenQ PD2500Q

Essential: 25″, 2560×1440, IPS, 100% sRGB, Delta E < 2 (Factory Calibrated)
Connections: HDMI, DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, USB 3.1
VESA: Yes
Ergonomic Stand

Good
  • A good screen resolution due to the 2K screen on a slightly bigger 25 inch.
  • It covers the bare minimum of 100% sRGB color space which is needed for digital media.
  • It has high accuracy due to being factory calibrated with Delta E < 2 which makes it eligible for this list.
Bad
  • It doesn’t cover other spaces namely Rec. 709 and DCI P3.
  • Sub par built in speakers

4. ViewSonic VP2771 – 27″ – Popular Choice for Professional – 2K – 14 Bit LUT

ViewSonic VP2771 27-Inch Premium IPS 1440p...
  • PREMIUM MONITOR: This QHD (2560x1440p)...
  • FRAMELESS DIGITAL CANVAS: A three-sided...
  • REDUCE CABLE CLUTTER: Connect video, audio,...
  • ULTIMATE COLOR ACCURACY: Screen wide sRGB,...

You will almost always find a 27 inch monitor from the ViewSonic VP series in any list of professional monitors online. That is because, over the years, this series has consistently given excellent displays.

This is a 2K monitor with WQHD resolution with a high end IPS panel.

The core features of this display include 100% coverage of sRGB color space as well as 14 bit 3D LUT for color precision. Furthermore, it also comes factory calibrated with a low Delta E.

For most professional, the configuration of high performance monitors with 27 inch screen and WQHD resolution is the best way to go.

They are sharp and provide sufficient amount of screen real estate for depth as well as multitasking. Although the holy grail is 4k curved monitors, they tend to be quite expensive. Therefore, 2K monitors like this ViewSonic VP2771 are excellent monitors for content creators.

Other than the beautiful display, this monitor also offers a fully ergonomic stand. It also offers a plethora of connectivity options including USB 3.1 Type C. Note that this is not the same as Thunberbolt 3 even though they share the same form factor.

ViewSonic VP2771 Specs at Glance

Essential: 27″, 2560×1440, IPS, 100% sRGB, Delta E < 2 (Factory Calibrated)
Connections: USB 3.1 Type C, HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort
Ergonomic Stand
VESA: Yes

Good
  • A high end IPS panel featuring 2K with WQHD resolution brings more reality to the pictures.
  • It covers the sRGB space 100% making it adequate for an editor working with digital media.
  • It has factory calibration with low Delta E with a 14 Bit 3D LUT giving a wide range of color with high accuracy.
  • Offers a fully ergonomic stand allowing better adjustability.
  • Provides the USB port 3.1 Type C for better connectivity options.
Bad
  • It doesn’t cover the rest of the many color spaces like the Rec. 709 and DCI P3.
  • The uniformity compensation makes the brightness of the monitor go down by half.
  • It has puzzling OSD calibrations.
  • Not the product for a beginner due to the price range. Only a professional editor should get this.

5. BenQ PD2700U – 27″ – 4K and HDR – near $500 Range

BenQ PD2700U Color Accurate Design Monitor...
  • Ideal for Professional Work: 27 Inch 4K UHD...
  • AQCOLOR Technology: Developed by BenQ that...
  • Eye-Care Tech: Our exclusive Eye-Care...
  • KVM Switch: Expand your workspace with a KVM...

The reason this monitor is included in the list is because it is very close to $500 range yet it offers 4K resolution with great color accuracy.

Don’t get this wrong, 4K monitors are certainly available in the market for less, but very rarely are they coupled with color enhancing features.

This monitor not only offers 100% sRGB coverage, it also offers HDR features.

Thus making it a pioneer in offering HDR at this price range. It also offers true 10 bit colors. This is a huge improvement over the conventional 8 bit monitors. 8 bit panels offer 16.7 million colors whereas 10 bit panels offer 1.07 billion colors in total.

Consider a professional monitor nothing more than an artists. The more colors it has, the better work it will produce. That is the idea behind color depth i.e the amount of colors you have.

Furthermore, this monitor also offers the KVM Switch feature which allows you to control content on this monitor through multiple devices yet using only a single keyboard and mouse.

I think for most of you this may be the some where at top of your list since it is rightly priced and has decent features. It is perhaps for this reason that this monitor is highly reviewed.

BenQ PD2700U

Essential: 27″, IPS, 2560×1440, 100% sRGB, Delta E < 2 (Factory Calibrated), KVM Switch, HDR, 10 Bit Panel, PIP/PBP
Connections: D-sub, DVI-DL, DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4
Ergonomic Stand
Speakers: 2x2W
VESA: Yes

Good
  • It offers 4K resolution which gives extraordinary pixel density.
  • It covers 100% of the sRGB color space making it eligible for an editor.
  • It offers HDR feature which gives details to the picture
  • It has a true 10 bit color depth offering a great range of colors.
Bad
  • Only covers the sRGB color space
  • Does not offer a USB hub

High End Monitors

Monitors beyond the price of $500 tend to become exponentially more expensive. This is the range where you will find large screen monitors with screen sizes of 32 inch boasting premium features for color accuracy.

Although some of you may find your best monitor for color accuracy in this price range, for some this is just too steep.

6. BenQ PD3200U – 32″ – 4K Professional Monitor

On Sale Today
BenQ PD3200U Color Accurate Design Monitor...
  • Ideal for Professional Work: 32 Inch 4K UHD...
  • Seamless Connectivity: Easily access content...
  • Ergonomic Design: Easily customize your...
  • Eye-Care Technology: Our exclusive Eye-Care...

This is one of the cheapest 32″ monitor boasting a 4K resolution with color precision features.

You can imagine that a monitor with such size and resolution would cost a lot and that is exactly true.

This the cream of the brand and thus this monitor can cost a fortune.

In short, if you want the best out of the box colors, gamma and grayscale accuracy, and image quality, this monitor is the way to go.

This monitor offers 100% sRGB and REC. 709 coverage, offers features that are essential for CAD/CAM designing like Darkroom and has an ergonomic design.

In addition to that, the DualView features expands on your work flow so you can have CAD/CAM mode on one half of the screen where as animation mode on the other half side-by-side.

This monitor has won Editor’s Choice on Tom’s Hardware.

BenQ PD3200U

Essential: 32″, 4K 3840×2160, IPS, 100% sRGB, KVM Switch, HDR10, Dual View, 10-Bit
Connections: 2xHDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2, Mini DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0 Hub, Card Reader
Ergonomic Stand
Speakers
: 5x2W
VESA: Yes

Good
  • One of the cheapest 32 inch monitor to offer 4K resolution which gives an excellent pixel density on the monitor.
  • Has outstanding gamma and grayscale accuracy and image quality.
  • Coverage of 100% sRGB and Rec. 709 is supported allowing editing for digital media content and HD movies.
  • Has additional features supporting CAM/CAD mode and for animation with DualView expanding work flow.
Bad
  • It costs a lot of money which means it is for the elite class of designers.
  • Doesn’t offer 14 Bit 3D LUT
  • Limited color settings

7. ViewSonic VP2785-4K – 27″ – 4K, HDR, 14 Bit 3D LUT, 100% Adobe RGB coverage

ViewSonic VP2785-4K 27-inch 4K Ultra HD...
  • PREMIUM MONITOR: 4K UHD (3840x2160p) advanced...
  • FRAMELESS DIGITAL CANVAS: A three-sided...
  • REDUCE CABLE CLUTTER: Connect video, audio,...
  • COLOR ACCURACY: Screen wide 99% Adobe RGB,...

This monitor is the epitome of 27 inch monitors. It boasts almost the best features under the sky.

Therefore, it would be safe to say that this IS one of the best monitors for color accuracy. Unfortunately, it is costly.

From 4K resolution to the latest USB Type C connectivity, this monitor has them all. As far as colors are concerned, this monitor is fantastic.

This monitor offers HDR14-bit 3D LUT, coverage of not just 100% sRGB but also 100% Adobe RGB color space, 4.39 trillion colors and comes factory calibrated with Delta E<2. Along with that, this monitor offers a KVM Switch, ambient light sensor and an ergonomic stand.

A professional designer always works in terms of color space. Each color space defines a different medium. sRGB defines colors displays on monitors, DCI-P3 defines colors of the projection devices like projectors, Adobe RGB defines the colors of printed media.

Therefore, if you are working on magazines or billboards, then you would want a monitor that covers Adobe RGB colors space.

This monitors does just that. Other than all the core features, this monitor covers a plethora of color spaces.

ViewSonic VP2785-4K

Essential: 27″, 4K 3840×2160, 100% sRGB and 100% Adobe RGB, Delta E < 2 (Factory Calibrated), 14 Bit 3D LUT, KVM Switch, HDR10
Connections: USB 3.1 Type C, HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort
Ergonomic Stand
VESA: Yes

Good
  • The best for color accuracy due to a 4K resolution and Delta E < 2 calibration.
  • It has HDR and 14 bit 3D LUT providing 4.39 trillion colors.
  • It covers both the sRGB and Adobe RGB 100% making it suitable to work with digital and print media.
Bad
  • Sub par HDR effect
  • It has no in-built speakers.
  • Monitor built only for the elite designers.


8. ASUS PA329Q – 32 Inch 4K Monitor

ASUS PA329Q 32" 4K/UHD 3840x2160 IPS HDMI Eye...
  • 32-Inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution...
  • 100% rec. 709 & 99. 5% Adobe RGB true Color...
  • ASUS ProArt calibration technology with...
  • Compatible with major hardware calibrators...

32 Inch 4K monitors are generally the industry standard for professional monitors. The screen size and the resolution go perfectly hand in hand.

Make no mistake, a monitor like this ASUS PA329Q is very expensive. In fact, it is the most expensive in this list.

As far as the color enhancing features, this is second to none. It offers full coverage of bAdobe RGBrec. 709DCI-P3Rec,2021 color spaces. Along with that it comes factory calibrated and also support calibration hardware like the X-Rite i1. Finally, it also offers 14-bit LUT for delivering 4.39 trillion colors.

So as far as the colors go, you will have absolutely no issue that all. The real difference between affordable 32 inch monitors and the a 32 monitor like this is the color uniformity factor.

ASUS PA329Q offers unparalleled color uniformity across the screen. Hence if you value a large screen with excellent colors, then this is one of the best monitors for color accuracy for you.

ASUS PA329Q

Essential: 32″, 3840×2160 IPS, 14-Bit 3D LUT, Delta E < 2 (Factory Calibrated), HDR10 Support, PIP/PBP
Speakers: 2 x 3 Watts
Connections: HDMI (v2.0) x4, Mini DisplayPort 1.2, DisplayPort 1.2, 5 x USB 3.0
Ergonomic Stand
VESA: Yes

Good
  • Offers coverage of Adobe RGB, Rec. 709, DCI-P3 and Rec. 2021 color spaces.
  • Comes factory calibrated and with a 14 Bit 3D LUT
  • It has excellent color uniformity.
Bad
  • Very expensive
  • Limited OSD color calibration settings
  • No adaptive sync

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Color accuracy goes hand in hand with an array of features that all function together to provide the best image quality. Therefore, it is good to understand these features first.

Of course as a rule of thumb, the more of the following features a monitors possesses, the more expensive it will be. If you are on a budget, you will need to balance between what you need and what you don’t need. The good news is that you will definitely find a professional monitor that meet your exact needs.

What to Look for in the Best Monitors for Color Accuracy

Depending on the budget, the monitor that you choose may or may not have these features. You don’t have to worry about all the features like high refresh rate, fast response time or AMD Freeysync / NVIDIA GSync.

Wide Color Gamut:

The wider the color gamut, the more colors the monitor can process. There are minimum standard like 100% sRGB. However, better monitors tend to cover 100% Adobe RGB as well as NTSC color gamut coverage as well.

color space

14 Bit 3D LUT:

While the most professional displays likely have true 10 Bit panel, they can have an additional 14 bit 3D Look Up Table for higher color correction.

lut

Calibration:

It is imperative that monitor for high color accuracy follow an error of Delta E < 2 colors. Most monitors come factory calibrated while others require calibration by professionals with tools.

Full Array Local Dimming and Contrast Ratio:

The contrast ratio is defined as a measure of how black the black spots are and how bright the white spots are. This has all to do with backlight arrangement as well as the panel type.

VA panels tend to have three times as much static contrast ratio as compared to IPS or TN panels. Furthermore, a full array local dimming – despite being a rare feature – implies better contrast ratio.

Related: What Does Dynamic Contrast Ratio Mean?

HDR:

This is one of the newest features that is being mass produced in monitors. It expands the color gamut, brightness and contrast ratio of the monitor.

hdr

High Resolution:

The higher the resolution the better. More resolution means you get more real estate to work on. Plus, more resolution gives you better control on editing the images.

Here is a Video Guide to Understand Colors on Monitors


Conclusion

Here we looked at the best monitors for color accuracy. We looked at monitors from budget, mid range as well as high end range.

In short, within the budget range we really loved what ViewSonic VP2468 had to offer. For a rather affordable monitor it offers all the important color enhancing features.

We also loved the BenQ PD2700U for its overall value and for offering a 4K IPS panel.

Lastly, in the high end range, we believe that ViewSonic VP2785-4K in the 27 inch size category and ASUS PA329Q in the 32 inch size category truly stand out. Their 4K resolution, and myriad of color space coverage including the Adobe RGB color space makes them truly professional.