If you need a high-resolution display, look to the best 4K monitors for the ideal panel. Although 5K and 8K monitors already exist, they are still very few and far between. More importantly, such displays are still incredibly expensive and out of most people’s reach. And, with very little 5K and 8K content out there to fully utilize it, getting one is a rather imprudent decision.
That makes 4K monitors the more economical option. Not that they’re cheap themselves. Just the opposite, many displays with UHD resolution are expensive – even though there are some affordable ones that have popped up in the last couple of years. That’s where the good news comes in. Not only are there cheaper 4K monitors, but more economical models should join them soon. And, it’s only a matter of time before this monitor type becomes altogether affordable, especially with Ultra HD quickly becoming the new standard of display resolution.
That isn’t to say that 1440p and even 1080p displays are no longer viable viewing solutions. However, 4K monitors do have a modest list of advantages over them. Beyond delivering sharper, more detailed visuals, they allow users to display videos, photos, and hi-res vector images at 100%, which makes them a boon to creative professionals who require a seamless creative workflow. They also offer a lot more screen real estate, which allows any editor or designer to spread out and save a bit of time.
Just bear in mind that a 4K display does require considerable processing and graphical power, especially when you’re running UHD content and rendering UHD videos. On top of that, finding one with very high refresh rates is next to impossible. There are now a few 144Hz 4K monitors on the shelves, but there aren’t 240Hz and 360Hz options available. At least, not for now.
If you do have a PC powerful enough to run 4K content and you don’t require fast refresh rates – not many creative professionals do, anyway – then it might be time to jump on the 4K bandwagon. Keeping in mind color gamuts, brightness level, contrast, screen size, features, and price, we found the best 4K monitors for photographers, video editors, content creators, graphic designers, and other creative professionals seeking that Ultra HD goodness on a monitor that will deliver on everything else.
Best 4K monitor in 2023
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Whether it’s the inclusion of a USB-C port or the fact the BenQ SW321C PhotoVue is pre-calibrated at the factory, it’s clear that this display is made with content creators in mind. In fact, it even comes with additional hardware calibration settings so you can fine-tune it the way you want. And, though there are minor flaws such as the port placement, this is such a great monitor for creating content that they’re easy to overlook. After all, it has such a uniformly bright screen with impeccable color coverage – 99% Adobe RGB and 95% DCI-P3, to be exact – that any small issues are quickly forgotten.
Read our full review: BenQ PhotoVue SW271C review
The PD3205U delivers 4K and a 32-inch screen at a very affordable price. Its 4K 3840x2160 resolution gives a pixel density (ppi) of 140, so fine detail is still easy to see at a comfortable viewing distance. In our testing colour uniformity, colour accuracy, luminance uniformity, white point uniformity, tone response and contrast were all very good. Color space coverage of gamuts like AdobeRGB and DCI-P3 could be better, but otherwise this huge 4K monitor is superb value
Read our full review: BenQ DesignVue PD3205U review
The U2723QE itself is a 27-inch display with headline specs like 98% DCI-P3 color space coverage, 4K resolution, USB-C connectivity with Power Delivery, and even IPS Black technology to boost contrast and give deeper black depth. In our testing we found Dell's headline specs translate to excellent image quality results across the board. If you need extensive DCI-P3 color space coverage and USB-C connectivity with Power Delivery, this display is certainly worth the money and is definitely worthy of serious consideration if you're in the market for a high-performing display for image or video editing.
Read more: Dell UltraSharp U2723QE full review
The thing about displays made for creators is they don’t come cheap, especially when you want that Ultra HD goodness as well. Luckily for economizing photographers and designers, the Asus ProArt Display PA279CV exists, touting 100% sRGB and 100% Rec. 709 color gamut and Delta E < 2 out of the box. It has a great selection of ports as well, alongside a USB hub and Asus’ ProArt Palette that allows you to really customize it to your own specifications. That’s all without costing you a fortune. As expected, there are sacrifices to be made. That 250-nit brightness, for example, won’t even let you come close to getting proper HDR. But, if you’re on a budget, there’s much value to be had in this.
Read our full review: Asus ProArt Display PA279CV review
Whether it’s the excellent color coverage, the various picture modes for different creative workflows, or that large 32-inch 4K display, the BenQ PD3200U is ideal for just about any creative workflow. To start, those picture modes come in handy when switching between different projects or focusing on something that not all monitors can do, like catering to those working in CAD software. There’s also great colour coverage here, even if it’s lack in the Adobe RGB department. It does require a bit more desk space than most monitors and won’t inspire anyone with its design. But, it’s what’s inside that counts, at least for this monitor. And, getting a display as good as this for its sub $1000/£1000 asking price is quite a steal.
What can you expect from a monitor design by a company that’s won an Oscar for a Scientific and Technical Award? Just take a look at the Eizo ColorEdge CG319X, a 4K monitor that’s made by creative professionals for other creative professionals (and has the price that solely meant for them too). Its 99% Adobe RGB and 98% DCI-P3 colour coverage alone screams professional filmmaking. As do its built-in calibration sensor that will do the work for you and its excellent viewing angles that make collaborative efforts a bit more… well, effortless. Video editors and colourists will also appreciate the hybrid log-gamma and the PQ curve it comes equipped with, especially when tackling HDR workflows.
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