Even the best graphic design monitors are starting to get old now (yeah seriously 🤯).
If you want to stay ahead of the curve then consider grabbing one of the best 5K or even 8K monitors for your desk setup.
Things move so fast these days. It wasn’t so long ago that we were impressed with full HD quality and vertical monitors. That quickly progressed to UHD, 4K, and now beyond.
Japan has already begun to broadcast in 8K, and I think it won’t be long before it starts to become accepted in more places in the world.
If you rely on computer monitors for your profession, you know how vital it is to keep up with technology.
If you use a screen with a poor resolution to create visual work, once it’s transferred to a screen with 4K quality or more, it might look terrible.
To ensure your work looks good on any type of screen, make sure to invest in a monitor with the best resolution you can get your hands on.
5k vs. 8k monitors: Which One Should I Buy?
Investing in a new screen leads to a new dilemma. Should you opt for 5K or 8K?
Both are new technologies, but 5K has been around for longer, so there’s certainly more choice on the market. And while the prices are high, they’re significantly lower than 8K monitors!
On the other hand, it’s a good idea to future-proof your tech and opt for the more advanced 8K since it will be far longer before it becomes outdated.
The issue here is that they’re eye-wateringly expensive – like four times more expensive than 5K – and there are only a couple of models available on the market.
My recommendation is to go for the monitor you can afford. 8K is still a while away from becoming mainstream, so there’s no need to bankrupt yourself by laying down several thousand dollars on an 8K monitor.
If money is no object, sure, go for one; however, if you’re like me and on a budget, 5K is a perfectly adequate and high-quality option to get right now.
Keynotes
If you want to truly future proof yourself, then an 8k monitor is the way to go. Just beware of the extreme price tag of new technology.
5K monitors are more widespread and are relatively affordable with a good selection on the market.
What to Look For In a 5K or 8K Monitor
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1. Standard Size or Ultrawide?
Ultrawide is pretty awesome for achieving a large, seamless screen surface. It’s particularly good for graphic designers that want to view an entire piece of work in one go. Plus, it removes the requirement for dual-monitor setups.
However, ultrawide is expensive and can be impractical for smaller workspaces. Therefore, purchasing a standard-size screen may be better if you’re on a budget or need a flexible setup.
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2. Flat or Curved?
Flat screens are more practical and space-saving, especially since you can mount them flush against a wall or other surface. They’re also cheaper than curved versions, although the price gap is getting smaller.
Curved screens allow you to take everything in at once, reducing eye strain and allowing you to work longer. The curved shape also provides a more immersive experience while working.
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3. Cost
5K and 8K screens are generally expensive when compared with 4K monitors. Expect to lay down several thousand for an 8K monitor, while a 5K can be had for around $1,000 on average.
What Are The Best 5K and 8K Monitors?
To help you decide, here are my top picks for the best 5k monitors you can buy right now – and one 8K thrown in for good measure.
- Best 5K monitor for Apple Mac / MacBook Pro – LG Ultrafine
- Best 5K monitor for photo editing – Lenovo ThinkVision P40w
- Best 5K monitor for video editing – Philips Brilliance 499P9H
- Best 5K monitor for gaming – Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
- Best 8K monitor for graphic design – Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
- Best Budget 5K monitor for Windows PC – LG 34BK95U-W UltraFine
Let’s check out their features!
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1. LG Ultrafine with macOS Compatibility
Best 5K monitor for Apple Mac and MacBook Pro
Brand: LG
Screen size: 27”
Price: Starting at $1,299.99
If you want a 5K resolution for your Apple iMac, iPad, and other Apple products without requiring an adapter, the LG Ultrafine 5K is a sound choice.
With seamless Thunderbolt 3 -enabled Mac and USB type-C ports -enabled Mac integration, you can connect your Apple devices and enjoy high resolution and performance every time.
The crystal clear, wide DCI-P3 color gamut and color accuracy offer rich, bright colors and razor-sharp image quality, plus you can enhance the experience thanks to the built-in speakers, webcam, and microphone.
The IPS display is height-adjustable and tiltable for an ergonomic working environment, or it can be wall-mounted with a VESA bracket.
Customers love having the ability to connect all their Apple devices and how simple the 27-inch IPS monitor is to operate. Many use this model for design work and photo editing.
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2. Lenovo ThinkVision P40w
Best 5K monitor for photo editing
Brand: Lenovo
Screen size: 39.7”
Price: Starting at $1,994
Photo editing requires ultra-sharp images, so you can adjust every tiny detail, and you certainly have that with the Lenovo ThinkVision. It’s the world’s first Thunderbolt™ 4 monitor that supports Intel Active Management Technology for Intel vPro® clients.
The large 5120 x 2160 pixel WUHD resolution of the LED monitor allows you to view your images in ultrasharp clarity, while the 2500R curvature of the IPS panel with super-slim bezel provides an immersive studio display.
The monitor features 12 different ports, including multiple USBs, HDMI, and four Thunderbolt 4 ports, so you have plenty of connectivity for your devices. And the adjustable stand provides you with a comfortable working environment.
Customers really like the inbuilt laptop dock and how solid and sturdy it feels. Others are satisfied with the quality and fast refresh rate of the screen.
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3. Philips Brilliance 499P9H
Best 5K monitor for video editing
Brand: Philips
Screen size: 49”
Price: Starting at $1,038.18
This ultrawide monitor from Phillips brings you plenty of features – and space – for your home studio setup. The superwide LED monitor features dual QHD resolution and covers 91% of Adobe RGB for on-point color accuracy and 400 NITS for brighter, deeper, and more nuanced colors.
The curved monitor provides wide viewing angles for total immersion, plus you have built-in speakers, a headphone port, and a popup webcam to enhance your experience.
A range of ports and an inbuilt docking station allow you to connect and share any devices or peripherals, including multi-client computers. 90-degree pivot and swivel allow you to adjust the monitor to your liking, or it can be wall-mounted.
Customers love the inbuilt speakers and pop-up webcam on this monitor and how straightforward it is to connect their devices. They also feel it’s high quality and a great size for the price.
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4. Samsung Neo G9
Best 5K monitor for gaming
Brand: Samsung
Screen size: 49”
Price: Starting at $1,499.99
The Samsung Odyssey series is seriously impressive, and this ultrawide gaming monitor can easily handle any type of graphics card.
Featuring 1,000R curvature, the monitor gives you the equivalent of two 27” QHD screens. The Samsung QLED technology delivering DCI-P3 95% provides pure, beautiful color with true-life accuracy.
AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and 120 Hz refresh rate gives you smooth, interrupted response times without stuttering or tearing, while the 32:9 ratio curve of the screen provides full immersion into your gameplay.
An inbuilt Game Mode calibration automatically adjusts contrast and color settings for any game genre, so it looks perfect each and every time. The screen also has an eye-saver mode and flicker-free technology.
Customers are amazed at the quality of this screen and how it eliminates the requirement for multiple-screen setups. They also appreciate the ability to VESA mount the monitor and save space.
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5. Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
Best 8K monitor for graphic design – Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
Brand: Dell
Screen size: 32.8”
Price: Starting at $4024.99
Here we have our 8K offering. It’s the world’s first commercially available 8K monitors and one of the only ones available on the market.
The Dell UltraSharp features Dell PremierColor and a high pixel density of 280ppi, which provides visuals so sharp and clear there are no visible pixels on the screen. The monitor is calibrated to Adobe RGB and provides 64 times more color depth than standard monitors.
Wide color parameters allow you to customize with precision or use the X-rite iDisplay Pro colorimeter for automatic contrast ratio calibration. And you have 100% AdobeRGB, 100% sRGB, 100% Rec. 709, and 98% DCI-P3, which meets major industry standards.
Thanks to Dell’s InfinityEdge, you have a virtually borderless design and ComfortView for a comfortable retina display and blue light minimization.
Customers are in awe of the image’s clarity and sharpness that this screen brings and say it’s the ultimate screen to have if you work with detailed imagery.
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6. LG 34BK95U-W UltraFine
Best budget 5K monitor for Windows PC
Brand: LG
Screen size: 34”
Price: Starting at $1,036
If you want a high-performing 5K IPS LED screen for your PC at a lower price point, I think this is the best value option on the market today.
Featuring HDMI, Thunderbolt 3 port, and USB Type-C Inputs, you have plenty of connectivity for your peripherals. The nano IPS controls provide support for over 1 billion colors, and the dynamic HDR gives amazing contrast between light and dark areas.
The screen is borderless and provides you with an aspect ratio of 21:9 – plenty of room to do most types of tasks.
Customers are happy with the connectivity of this monitor and how sharp the imagery is on the screen. Others report that the color and audio output are excellent, while the screen is great for reducing eye fatigue.
FAQs regarding 5K and 8K Monitors
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What Is 5K Resolution?
5K refers to the screen resolution of a screen or monitor. 5K resolution is 5120 x 2880 pixels in length x width format.
The more pixels a screen has, the better the resolution. Therefore, a 5K screen has a better resolution than a 4K screen.
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Is 5K a Good Resolution?
5K is an excellent resolution and usually more than enough to see tiny details in astonishing clarity. This resolution is, therefore, superb for graphic designers, video editing, photo editing, and gaming.
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What Is the Difference Between 5K and 8K?
5K is a screen resolution of 5120 x 2880 pixels while 8K is 7680 × 4320. Currently, 8K is the highest available resolution on the market, but it is still considered an emerging technology. 5K, while also relatively new, is more widely available.