5 Best Monitors for Photo Editing Under $300

When it comes to photo-editing, a monitor that produces crisp and sharp images is not enough. It should be calibrated properly and at the same time, it should support a wider color gamut of color. Plus, it should have the right display panel followed by a wide viewing angle. And that’s just the beginning.

Computer monitors for photo editing can get a bit expensive. However, the good news is that there are a few in the affordable segment with accurate color reproduction and sharp picture quality.

And in this post, we have listed a few of the best monitors for photo editing and graphic editing.

Let’s take a look.

1. Philips 276E8VJSB 27-inch 4K UHD IPS Monitor

Philips 276E8VJSB 27-inch 4K UHD IPS Monitor

Buy

If you are looking for a good and affordable option for photo editing, the Philips 276E8VJSB 27-inch monitor makes for a good buy. It has a 4K display and is based on an IPS display. As you might already know, IPS panels have better color reproduction and wider viewing angles, thus making it convenient to show your edited photos to your friends and colleagues.

Now, coming to the important part, the Philips 276E8VJSB comes with a 10-bit color depth (8-bit + 2-bit FRC) and ~109% sRGB color gamut. That means you’ll get the desired picture output with actual color reproduction, without the images appearing too vivid or saturated.

The best thing about this monitor is its design. It has a thin bezel on the three sides that give it a fairly modern look. Add a sleek-looking stand to the mix, and you’ve got a modern monitor at your lap. Plus, you get two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort, and fairly loudspeakers.

Users love it for its bright panel and the picture quality, and of course, for its affordable pricing. However, do note that it doesn’t have the support VESA mounts.

In short, the Philips 276E8VJSB is a great monitor for photo editing if you are starting in this field and do not want to spend big bucks on a monitor.

2. Dell P Series 24-inch LED-Lit Monitor (P2419H)

Dell P Series 24-inch LED-Lit Monitor (P2419H)

Buy

Another affordable computer monitor for photo editing is the Dell P2419H. It has an 8-bit IPS panel with a native resolution of 1080p and sRGB gamut. However, you have to keep in mind that it covers around 97% of the sRGB color space. Hence you’d need to calibrate the colors a little.

Connectivity-wise, the P2419H is loaded with a DisplayPort, four USB 3.0 port and two HDMI 1.4 ports. So, you can connect it to multiple systems if the need arises or have several USB devices connected at the same time.

The good thing is that the makers have paid attention to the finish of this monitor. The matte film on the screen prevents stark glares of reflection, while the almost bezel-less display lets you get the most out of this 24-inch monitor.

Last but not least, the Dell P2419H comes with a solid stand. It can hold up the weight of the monitor (and give it a solid look), and you can tweak it to adjust to your liking. It supports tilt and swivel.

3. AOC U2790VQ 27-inch UHD Frameless Monitor

AOC U2790VQ 27-inch UHD Frameless Monitor

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Many say thatthe AOC U2790VQ is too good to be true and rightly so. It comes with ~99% sRGB and 90% NTSC color gamut coverage which is great for color-critical work. However, the colors may not be accurate out-of-the-box and may need some adjustments. Once done, you’ll be able to see almost accurate color reproduction and crisp picture quality in this 4k monitor.

Similar to the ones above, it sports a 10-bit IPS-LED panel. And the wide viewing angle ensures that the colors do not change even when you change positions.

The AOC U2790VQ is every bit a modern monitor. It sports an almost frameless design, which makes it ideal for a multi-monitor setup. Stick 2-3 monitors side-by-side, and you’ll have a massive rig in no time.

Like its counterpart above, it has a solid stand. It has a neat hold in the back for cable management. However, there are some limitations. For one, it does not have HDR, and the build quality is not as solid as you’d have anticipated. Considering the price, it costs less than $300, remember?

4. Dell UP2516D 25-inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor

Dell UP2516D 25-inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor

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Another Dell monitor perfect for picture editing is the Dell UP2516D monitor. It has a native resolution of 2560x1440p and comes with a slew of color-corrected profiles such as 100% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB, REC709, and even 98% DCI-P3 color spaces. That results in accurate colors that will help the aspiring photographer in you.

Talking of hardware specs, it comes with an IPS panel and is equipped with six USB 3.0 ports, HDMI 1.4 port, and a DisplayPort, among others. And thanks to the dual USB 3.0 ports, you can also pair this monitor with two PCs for dual content.

It is factory-color calibrated, and the wide color coverage means that the color representation is almost accurate. And the wide viewing angle (178°) is the cherry on top.

5. BenQ PD2700Q 27-inch QHD IPS Monitor

BenQ PD2700Q 27-inch QHD IPS Monitor​

Buy

If thick bezels do not bother you, you can try out the BenQ PD2700Q as well. This one is known for its out-of-box color accuracy making it great for graphics editing and photo editing. This IPS monitor has a QHD resolution at 10-bit sRGB. The images are sharp and crisp. And there’s a horde of features for image adjustments.

The build is solid and is likely to last you a long time. Furthermore, you can use it in both landscape and portrait modes, whichever suits your work the best. On top of it, the solid stand lets you tweak the height and supports tilt and swivel. Plus, there’s a hole at the bottom for better wire management.

Freeze the Moment

As they say, photography lets you tell your story in a few words. And with color-calibrated monitors, you do not have to play a game of guesses as to how a photo might look when it is printed or how it will look on different screens.

So, which one of these monitors will you buy?