Are you a graphic designer looking for the best graphic design monitor to create and showcase your work? You’ve come to the right place.
For graphic designers, the devil is in the detail, and poor quality screens simply don’t allow you to view accurate color ranges (adobe RGB).
Up until now, HDR screens have done a great job, but now we have 4K, 5K and even 8K high resolution screens.
4K resolution lets you see everything in minute detail and fine-tune your designs to individual pixels, and it also works great for vertical monitors.
The end result is a smooth, flawless design that looks incredible on any kind of screen. In short, 4K is becoming essential for graphic designers and a minimalist desk setup.
I’ve long used an Apple MacBook due to the screen but I wanted a larger screen to work with on my dual monitor standing desk.
I compared the different monitor types, and there is no question about it, 4K UHD has me hooked.
What to Look For In a Monitor for Graphic Design
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1. The Screen Size
Graphic designers and visual editors generally need a large screen to work with. This allows you to see the entire piece you’re working on and makes it easier to spot details and areas that require attention.
Choose the largest size screen you can for your budget and available desk space. Another good option is to purchase several smaller monitors and place them together for a multi-monitor setup.
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2. The Resolution
The most crucial element of a graphic design monitor is the resolution. 4K UHD achieves crystal clear clarity that will allow you to see everything in ultrafine detail without straining your retinas.
However, you should also make sure you opt for an in-plane switching (IPS) display, as this gives you superior color reproduction and deeper shading.
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3. Adjustability
Graphic design monitors should have plenty of adjustable parameters to achieve the right color consistency, contrast, and accuracy.
The more versatile your monitor is, the better experience you will have when using it.
What Are The Best Monitors for Graphic Design?
I want to help all graphic designers out there find the perfect 4K monitor for them, so here are the results of all my research.
Let’s take a look at my top picks for the best graphic designer monitor for 2023.
- Best 4K Monitor – Dell S3221QS
- Best budget 4K monitor – BenQ EX3203R
- Best ultrawide 4K monitor – Samsung Odyssey G9
- Best curved 4K monitor – LG UltraGear LG 38GL950G-B
- Best 4K monitor for color – Asus ProArt
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1. Dell S3221QS
Best 4K Monitor
Brand: Dell
Screen size: 32”
Price: Starting at $319.99
This is the screen I chose for my work because I think it strikes the perfect balance between quality and affordability. At 32”, it’s not too huge, and the curved monitor offers you immersive viewing angles.
The screen quality offers four times the resolution of full HD and boasts incredible clarity and detail. The VA display with 99% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3 wide color coverage gives rich color depth with a huge range of shades.
Work in comfort with the flicker-free screen and inbuilt ComfortView – a feature that reduces blue light. The inbuilt speakers are also a nice touch on this monitor.
You have full connectivity whether you use a PC or Mac and a wide range of ports, including HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort, USB 3.0 downstream and upstream, and more. And, you can easily swivel this screen for a vertical working environment.
Customers rave about how good the picture is on this monitor, and one CAD designer is particularly pleased with the USB connectivity and curved design.
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2. BenQ EX3203R
Best budget 4K monitor
Brand: BenQ
Screen size: 32”
Price: Starting at $269.99
BenQ has a great reputation for its monitors, and this monitor is no exception. Although it is specifically a gaming monitor, it’s still an excellent choice for graphic designers.
The monitor uses adaptive image-balancing technology to reveal darker details without washing out the brighter colors. This tech also works to minimize eye strain by refining the images allowing you to work for longer.
FreeSync technology gives the monitor an impressive response time. When coupled with the 144Hz high refresh rate, you never have to worry about broken frames or choppy AMD graphics. Ideal for video editing.
Customers say this is a great monitor for gamers and graphic design work such as photo editing. They’re impressed with the quality you get for the price and the USB-C port and HDMI connectivity.
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3. Samsung Odyssey G9
Best ultrawide 4K monitor
Brand: Samsung
Screen size: 49”
Price: Starting at $1499.99
The Samsung Odyssey range is definitely the high-end premium pick of the bunch. The huge screen is equivalent to having two QHD 27-inch monitors and is curved for total immersion.
QLED tech creates pixel-perfect quality and 125% more color space than sRGB. A 240hz refresh rate is unparalleled and gives smooth, unbroken graphics every time.
This monitor syncs with NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ and matches every frame from your graphics card plus, you can have multiple windows open simultaneously, eliminating the need for dual monitor setups.
Packed with features and functionality, this ultrawide monitor has all the connectivity ports and excellent on-screen color and clarity you need to create gorgeous work.
Customers love how this monitor looks and how convenient its size is for larger screen requirements.
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4. LG UltraGear LG 38GL950G-B
Best curved 4K monitor
Brand: LG
Screen size: 38”
Price: Starting at $1296.99
We’ve got a few curved monitors on this list, but this one’s my favorite because it’s super-wide without being too large. The UltraGear features VESA DisplayHDR 400, which provides a visual immersion with on-point color and a greater contrast ratio.
The IPS panel’s aspect ratio is 21:9, which gives you a large viewing angle of 178˚, while RGB Sphere Lighting adjusts the color to match any dynamic sounds.
This screen is also free from blue light and flicker, plus the almost bezel-less design gives you a greater area to work with.
Customers find this a great ergonomic monitor and perfect for multitasking. They also love the excellent color and rich detail of this LCD screen.
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5. ASUS ProArt Display PA248QV
Best 4K monitor for colors
Brand: Asus
Screen Size: 24.1”
Price: Starting at $239
This award-winning screen is the ultimate for color, definition, and depth. And it’s been created specifically with graphic designers in mind.
The IPS display features extensive color-adjust parameters and calibration to obtain perfect color shades, plus it can achieve 100% sRGB and 100% Rec. 709 wide color gamut.
Additionally, the monitor is Calman Verified and factory calibrated for excellent color reproduction accuracy and color grading.
You have extensive connectivity with HDMI ports, an earphone jack, and four USB 3.0 ports. The screen is fully adjustable and can be mounted vertically.
Customers rave about the high-end specs of this IPS monitor, particularly video editors, Photoshop users, and those who use other graphic design apps.
Graphic Design Monitor FAQs
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Which Monitor Type Is Best for Graphic Design?
Monitors with IPS panels are best for graphic design because they provide the best color accuracy along with a clearer display. Choose one with a high NITS count (250 upwards) for the best brightness and clarity.
Finally, a 4K WQHD screen resolution will allow you to view everything clearly in minute detail.
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Does a Graphic Designer Need a 4K Monitor?
A graphic designer does not necessarily require a 4K monitor to work. However, the prices for this technology have significantly dropped, and it is now possible to purchase a 4K monitor for a very reasonable price.
Therefore, a 4K monitor is now the best – and most affordable – solution for graphic designers looking for the best screen resolution.
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Do You Need a Good Monitor for Graphic Design?
If you want to create flawless work, you need a great-quality screen to work on. If you use a bad-quality screen, you will miss mistakes and errors that will be glaringly obvious when viewed on a better-quality screen.
Always invest in the best screen you can afford for your budget. You will be able to work more efficiently and in greater comfort for longer periods.