Looking for the best video editing monitor? With video resolution, color fidelity, bit rate, and dynamic range constantly evolving, you need to make sure you're viewing and editing your footage on a monitor that can keep up with the recording quality of your camera.
But what are the key things to look out for when picking the best monitor for video editing?
With 4K now the resolution standard for cameras and even camera phones, the time has come when a 4K monitor is all but essential. Color accuracy is also paramount: look for a display that has an advertised color accuracy, preferably a factory-calibrated model with an accuracy tolerance of less than Delta E ≤2. Built-in hardware color calibration is also desirable for ensuring that accuracy is maintained throughout the life of the monitor.
High-definition digital video is now recorded in two main color standards: Rec. 709 and DCI-P3. Ensure your chosen monitor can display as close to 100% of the colors in these recording standards as possible. DCI-P3 has a wider color gamut (more colors), so you'll therefore need to splash out on a higher-quality display if you want near-full reproduction of this color space.
Retina-searing brightness isn't actually that desirable for prolonged editing stints: around 150cd/m2 is usually enough for most viewing environments. However, if you need to edit HDR footage, a monitor needs to be capable of displaying localized highlights very brightly. A minimum brightness rating of 400cd/m2 is required for basic HDR compatibility, and to be fully HDR-capable, a monitor needs to be as bright as 1000cd/m2.
Ben is the Imaging Labs Manager, responsible for all the lab testing of cameras and lenses on Digital Camera World. Whether he's in the lab testing the sharpness of new lenses, the resolution of the latest image sensors, the zoom range of monster bridge cameras or even the latest camera phones, Ben is our go-to guy for technical insight. His expertise also extends to computing, with extensive knowledge of the latest laptop and desktop computers, as well as monitors, external storage and memory cards.
The best video-editing monitors
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Best all rounder
✅ You want gorgeous visuals: The OLED difference is very real - this monitor makes the image quality from an LCD screen look bland by comparison
✅ You're a color perfectionist: Color accuracy is superb, as is color and brightness uniformity.
❌ You need to calibrate regularly: There's no hardware calibration or built-in colorimeter, so you'll need to calibrate manually with an aftermarket calibrator.
'OLED' may only be four letters, but the impact this technology has on image quality is impossible to ignore. The ASUS ProArt Display OLED PA279CDV delivers a genuine wow factor from the moment it's switched on, with exceptional contrast, vivid colours and a level of image clarity that comfortably surpasses any IPS LCD monitor I've tested. Crucially, its performance isn't based on visual impressions alone: the monitor also excelled in our lab testing, producing impressive results for both colour accuracy and brightness uniformity. USB-C connectivity with Power Delivery makes it particularly appealing for laptop users seeking a tidy one-cable setup, while the 120Hz refresh rate adds a welcome touch of gaming versatility.
There are a couple of minor drawbacks: 92% Adobe RGB coverage isn't particularly special if you also edit images, and hardware color calibration support is absent. But these minor shortcomings are far from deal-breakers, as you'll be too busy drooling over the PA279CDV's stunning OLED image quality!
Read our full ASUS ProArt Display OLED PA279CDV review for more details
Lab results |
Score |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Color accuracy (Delta-E) |
0.69 |
★★★★★ |
Colour gamut (DCI-P3) |
98% |
★★★★★ |
Brightness uniformity (Delta-E) |
2% |
★★★★★ |
Best 5K screen
✅ You regularly multitask: Two 1080p windows can be displayed side by side comfortably.
✅ Image quality is a priority: With wide color space coverage, factory color calibration and HDR, this screen's specs don't disappoint.
❌ You want lots of extra features: For similar money you can get monitors with hardware calibration and a shading hood to reduce screen reflections, but not here.
The BenQ PD2730S is a 27-inch 5K monitor designed for creative professionals who require elite-level sharpness and color accuracy. Positioned as a direct competitor to the Apple Studio Display, it offers a high pixel density of 218ppi, making individual pixels nearly invisible and providing a "Retina-like" experience for both Mac and PC users.
The headline feature is the 5K (5120 x 2880) resolution. While 4K is standard for this size, 5K offers approximately 80% more pixels, allowing video editors to view 4K footage at 100% scale with ample room remaining for toolbars and timelines. The monitor utilizes an IPS Black panel, which significantly improves contrast ratios to a claimed 2000:1, offering much deeper blacks than traditional IPS displays.
Aesthetically, the monitor is clean and minimal with a white-finished back and a sturdy metal stand. It includes a Nano Matte anti-reflective coating that reduces glare without sacrificing clarity. Connectivity is robust, featuring Thunderbolt 4 (with 90W power delivery) and a built-in USB hub. A unique addition is the wireless Hotkey Puck, which allows users to swap between color modes and adjust settings without navigating on-screen menus.
My testing confirmed excellent color fidelity, recording 97% of the DCI-P3 color space (very close to the advertised 98%). The factory calibration ensures a Delta E ≤2 right out of the box, making it reliable for color-critical work in video editing. However, while the 2000:1 contrast ratio is impressive for an IPS panel, this peak contrast is mostly achievable at lower brightness settings; at higher levels, it tends to drop toward the 1000:1 range.
The BenQ PD2730S is a "sweet spot" monitor for video editors. It offers high-end features like 5K resolution and Thunderbolt 4 at a price point that, while premium, is often more accessible and flexible than its Apple counterparts.
Read our full BenQ PD2730S review
Lab results |
Score |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Color accuracy (Delta-E) |
0.42 |
★★★★★ |
Colour gamut (DCI-P3) |
97% |
★★★★★ |
Brightness uniformity (Delta-E) |
12% |
★★★ |
Best for value
✅ You want a value-packed display: A 32-inch, 4K, IPS monitor with USB-C connectivity sounds like it'd cost a fortune, but not here.
✅ You're fed up with switching between windows: With this much screen space available, split-screen multitasking is no problem.
❌ You grade in DCI-P3: This isn't a wide-gamut display, so P3 coverage is limited – you can't have everything at this price.
If you're after an extra-large monitor for video editing and you don't want to break the bank, the BenQ DesignVue PD3205U is ideal. Its 31.5-inch panel size provides ample room for palettes and timelines in your editing suite, while the 4K resolution is ideal for reviewing 4K footage.
At its heart is an IPS LCD panel, so you can expect excellent color and contrast consistency from any viewing angle. HDR10 support is also handy, and to ensure accurate colors right out of the box, the monitor is pre-calibrated at the factory to a Delta E ≤3 accuracy. In my testing, I actually found that to be rather conservative, as I recorded a deviation from perfect accuracy of just 0.218 – an exceptionally accurate score. Brightness uniformity and contrast also proved to be very good during my time with the PD3205U.
Usability is simplified by the included Hotkey Puck G2 remote control, which enables easy menu scrolling and settings adjustment. I also appreciated the USB-C connectivity, with 90 watts of power delivery to a connected laptop.
Naturally, you can't have everything at this price, and the compromise here is that although the PD3205U can display 99% of the Rec. 709 color space, it can't output a high percentage of the more demanding DCI-P3 gamut. So if you grade in this color space, you'll need a more upmarket display.
Read our full BenQ DesignVue PD3205 review
Best for Mac users
✅ You want the perfect Mac companion: Top class performance and Apple design makes this the dream display to compliment your Mac.
✅ You want more than just a monitor: With its built-in FaceTime camera with triple-mic array, this is also a great video conferencing monitor. There's even a 6-speaker sound system inside!
❌ Ergonomics are important: You pay a hefty premium for the Studio Display, yet its stand isn't hight-adjustable. Seriously, Apple?
The 27”, 5K Apple Studio Display is the perfect partner to a Mac mini or Mac Studio, and it makes an excellent big-screen secondary monitor to attach to a MacBook Pro. It can also be used with a Windows PC, providing it has a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port, although you won't be able to use extra features like the webcam's Center Stage function, Spatial Audio, and naturally Siri won't work with Windows.
Built-in reference modes match most of those on Apple's Pro Display XDR monitor, to the point where it’s possible to run both monitors side-by-side with little noticeable difference between the two when producing non-HDR content.
When we reviewed the Studio Display we were pleased to see plenty of fine-tuning options to customize each screen mode, enabling precise calibration with other monitors. The Studio Display’s 600-nit brightness is very high – higher than many competing monitors. We also found brightness to be very consistent across the screen, and viewing angles to be excellent. Glare is also significantly reduced thanks to the nano-textured glass option on our review sample. Three USB-C ports and one Thunderbolt port make up the connectivity selection.
Read our full Apple Studio Display review
Best for 4K
✅ You need absolute color consistency: the PD2770U has accurate color right out of the box, but thanks to its totally automated calibration, you can be sure it'll stay accurate, year after year.
❌ You're on a tight budget: There are cheaper monitors that'll give similar image quality and color accuracy, though you'll have to live without some of the PD2770U's features.
The BenQ PD2770U is a great option for video editing. First-class screen specs include 100% Rec. 709 and 99% DCI-P3 color space coverage, a super-sharp 4K resolution, high color accuracy and factory color calibration. Other high-end monitors can match all that, but BenQ hasn't stopped there. The PD2770U stands out from even its fiercest rivals thanks to included extras like a shading hood, as well as a versatile Hotkey Puck remote control that makes light work of settings adjustment and switching color modes. What's more, this monitor can even keep itself calibrated, thanks to its fully automated hardware calibration and a built-in motorized calibrator.
During our time testing the PD2770U we found image quality to be excellent. We measured the display's color space coverage to be pretty much bang-on BenQ's claimed percentages, while color and brightness uniformity proved superb.
Naturally, all this tech and image quality doesn't come cheap, but considering how much you get for the money, the PD2770U is still good value.
Read our full BenQ PD2770U review
Lab results |
Score |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Color accuracy (Delta-E) |
0.97 |
★★★★★ |
Colour gamut (Adobe RGB) |
99% |
★★★★★ |
Brightness uniformity (Delta-E) |
4% |
★★★★★ |
Best for color accuracy
✅ Top-class image quality is a must: The SW272U boasts first class image quality – it passed our lab tests with flying colors.
✅ You need consistent color accuracy: This monitor can maintain its color accuracy, regardless of the computer it's used with, thanks to its built-in hardware calibration.
❌ You're after the best bang per buck: This is a premium monitor at a premium price. Other screens can perform almost as well, but for a lot less cash.
BenQ has produced a long line of top-notch monitors designed for video editing, and the SW272U is its latest flagship. This 4K display comes complete with factory color calibration to a high accuracy of Delta E ≤1.5, plus it's able to display a whopping 99% of the very wide DCI-P3 video color gamut.
To further help justify the premium price, there's USB-C connectivity with 90W Power Delivery, as well as BenQ's third-generation color Uniformity Technology. Hardware color calibration is a pro-grade feature you won't find in budget or mid-range monitors, and there's also a nifty 'Hotkey Puck' remote control that can be used to quickly switch between screen modes and adjust display settings.
I found the SW272U performed nothing short of brilliantly during lab testing, which is to be expected, considering the premium price tag. However, I've seen scores almost as high from monitors costing far less cash.
Read our full BenQ PhotoVue SW272U review
Lab results |
Score |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Color accuracy (Delta-E) |
1.07 |
★★★★★ |
Colour gamut (DCI-P3) |
98% |
★★★★★ |
Brightness uniformity (Delta-E) |
8% |
★★★★ |
Best for professionals
✅ You want ultimate reliability: Eizo builds no-compromise monitors and guarantees their quality with a 5-year on-site warranty.
✅ You need consistently calibrated color: This monitor features a built-in hardware calibration system, so you never need to worry that color accuracy has slipped.
❌ You're a more casual hobbyist: This is a monitor built mainly for pros who'll be subjecting a screen to years of frequent use. The price is harder to justify to a more casual user.
Eizo could be considered the 'Rolls-Royce' of computer monitor manufacturers, and the company has built a venerable reputation among professional creatives, thanks to its no-compromise approach to image quality (and pricing!).
As you'd expect from a monitor of this calibre, the CG2700X is capable of displaying 98% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, and to ensure that color accuracy is always maintained, there's even a built-in calibration system. The hardware for this is concealed in the edge of the screen until required, and it works in conjunction with Eizo’s free ColorNavigator 7 software. This also contains functions like being able to control a network of color-match monitors.
I was impressed by its high 4K resolution, revealing bags of detail. The panel's 10-bit colour also results in super-smooth color gradations, while the hardware calibration system is also easy to use.
Of course, that hefty price will always be a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering how many other 27-inch, 4K monitors are available, which perform almost as well, but at a fraction of the Eizo's cost.
Read our full Eizo ColorEdge CG2700X review
Lab results |
Score |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Color accuracy (Delta-E) |
0.40 |
★★★★★ |
Colour gamut (Adobe RGB) |
99% |
★★★★★ |
Brightness uniformity (Delta-E) |
3% |
★★★★★ |
Best curved monitor
✅ You want to go curved without spending a fortune: This is very well priced for a curved monitor.
✅ Sound is important: The 10W stereo speakers provide decent volume and enough bass to give voices actual weight.
❌ Colors are critical: My objective testing could not reach the stated 95% DCI-P3 coverage, making it a risky choice for professional color-grading where wide-gamut accuracy is non-negotiable.
The Dell 34 Plus S3425DW is a curved ultrawide monitor that positions itself as a versatile, budget-friendly workhorse for productivity and creative editing. It offers an impressive visual experience for its price point, though it falls short of some professional-grade color claims.
The monitor features a 34-inch VA (Vertical Alignment) panel with a 3440 x 1440 (WQHD) resolution and a 21:9 aspect ratio. Its 1800R curvature is designed to provide a more immersive field of view, helping to mitigate the viewing angle limitations typically associated with VA technology. The design follows Dell’s clean, minimalist aesthetic, with slim bezels and a white-finished stand. A USB-C port with 65W power delivery allows users to charge a laptop and transfer data via a single cable. It also includes pop-out front-facing USB ports for easy peripheral access.
Image quality is generally vibrant with punchy contrast, thanks to a native 3000:1 contrast ratio that produces deeper blacks than standard IPS panels. However, while Dell advertises 95% DCI-P3 color space coverage, in my objective testing, I could not quite reach this figure, despite excellent sRGB accuracy. Brightness is rated at 300 nits, which I found sufficient for most indoor tasks, but I noted mediocre brightness uniformity across the panel.
For professionals, the ultrawide canvas is ideal for side-by-side window management and video timelines. Surprisingly, the built-in 10W stereo speakers outperformed expectations, delivering decent volume and enough bass to provide weight to voices.
Read our full Dell 34 Plus S3425DW review
Lab results |
Score |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Color accuracy (Delta-E) |
1.17 |
★★★★★ |
Colour gamut (DCI-P3) |
85% |
★★ |
Brightness uniformity (Delta-E) |
21% |
★★ |
Best ultimate
✅ You want the very best image quality: this monitor aced our image quairty lab tests - you won't find a more color-accurate display.
✅ Screen space is important: With 30.5 inches of screen real estate, there's plenty of space to display multiple windows.
❌ You're on a budget: The best rarely comes cheap, and that's certainly the case here. This is a monitor for pros, and the price reflects that.
Along with its smaller sibling, the ColorEdge CG2700X (above), the CG3100X is the most accurate monitor for video editing I've ever used. Its image quality is as close to flawless as you'll find from an LCD monitor, with exceptional color accuracy, gamut coverage, and excellent uniformity.
Then there's the plethora of premium features like hardware calibration with a built-in colorimeter for fully automated calibration, and the unusual DCI 4K resolution with its resulting 17:9 aspect ratio. They give the CG3100X special appeal to professional videographers, and the same can be said for the screen's HDR ability with support for hybrid log gamma and perceptual quantization.
As is probably becoming clear though, the CG3100X isn't intended to compete with typical consumer monitors of this size; rather, it's a no-compromise tool for professionals, and its price reflects this. If you're after a decent quality display for video editing at home, it simply doesn't make sense to spend anything like this much money - other monitors will get close to the CG3100X's performance for a fraction of the cost.
But if you need an utterly dependable display for mission-critical production work, a screen that produces near-perfect image quality and should reliably continue to do so for many years, then the CG3100X will be worth the investment.
Lab results |
Score |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Color accuracy (Delta-E) |
0.26 |
★★★★★ |
Colour gamut (DCI-P3) |
100% |
★★★★★ |
Brightness uniformity (Delta-E) |
6% |
★★★★★ |
Best for HDR
✅ You regularly edit HDR content: a 600-nit brightness rating earns this screen DisplayHDR 600 certification, and I found it to be even brighter.
✅ Color accuracy is paramount: A 0.55 Delta-E deviance from perfect color is outstanding, making this one of the most color-accurate monitor's we've ever tested.
❌ You want top-notch brightness uniformity: uniformity wasn't great in our lab tests, but this isn't obvious to the naked eye.
If you need to edit HDR footage, you need a monitor with high brightness, and this screen is brighter than most. It's rated at 600cd/m2, which is almost twice as high as a typical display. However, my lab testing recorded an even brighter reading of 881cd/m2, which is incredibly bright, and easily earns this screen its DisplayHDR 600 certification.
The PA27UCGE is also extremely color-accurate, and it's able to maintain that accuracy all by itself. It sports a built-in motorized colorimeter so it can calibrate automatically. Usually this feature costs a small fortune, but the PA27UCGE includes it for a negligible premium over rival monitors with similar image quality specs. USB-C connectivity with Power Delivery, and a bundled shading hood further boost this monitor's excellent value.
The PA27UCGE isn't quite perfect: the automated calibration is frustratingly slow, but you can schedule it for a time when you won't be using the screen. Our review sample also showed less-than-ideal brightness uniformity (though you'll struggle to see any brightness deviation with the naked eye). However, these drawbacks are relatively minor given the price.
Read our full ASUS ProArt Display PA27UCGE review
Lab results |
Score |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Color accuracy (Delta-E) |
0.55 |
★★★★★ |
Colour gamut (Adobe RGB) |
87% |
★★★★ |
Brightness uniformity (Delta-E) |
18% |
★★★ |
How to choose the best video editing monitor
A range of considerations must be made before deciding which monitor is best for you. One of the first things to think about is the overall size of the monitor. Do you want one massive one or multiple smaller ones? Make sure whatever you get will fit comfortably on your desk.
Then it's time to consider whether you want a flat or curved monitor. This will largely be a personal choice, but curved options are great for larger monitors as they make the periphery parts much more natural to look at.
The final thing to think about is the resolution of the monitor. With an increasing number of 4K and even 8K options, you'll want to get something that not only suits your current workflow but future-proofs you enough for a few years to come.
Do I need an 8K monitor?
For most video editors, a 4K monitor will be more than sufficient. As most videos are watched on mobile phones, televisions, and HD monitors, there is little need to push up to 8K at the moment. What's more, 8K monitors are extremely rare and extremely expensive – now just isn't the time to buy one.
What docking station do I need for my monitor?
Different docking stations support different interfaces and monitor resolutions. It's vital to get a docking station that matches or beats your desired resolution. The newer and more expensive docks can support two 4K monitors.
How we test video editing monitors
We evaluate a monitor with particular attention given to its core image quality, including brightness, contrast, color vibrancy, and accuracy. While this can – and will – be assessed by the experienced eye of our professional reviewer, some manufacturer screen specs can only be definitively judged by an 'electronic eye' – a monitor calibrator.
Where possible, a calibration device will be placed on the screen to verify its advertised color space coverage, brightness output and consistency, and factory color calibration accuracy. Beyond image quality, we'll also scrutinize the monitor's display and data ports to ensure acceptable connectivity, and will give a thorough assessment of build quality, including the range of ergonomic adjustments in its stand. Only then will we determine if a screen is worthy of use by a discerning imaging or video enthusiast.
