Best Monitor For Photo Editing Under 500

Research is essential to find the best monitor for photo editing under 500 because many options aren’t up to standard. Still, a few premium models can also be found for a reasonable price.

With any luck, this post will help you narrow down your options and choose the best monitor for photography under $500.

I’ll compare and contrast the most highly suggested photography displays, starting with the top cheap monitor for photo editing and ending with the best monitor for Photoshop.

Why do I need to choose one of the best monitors for photo editing?

Since monitors vary in colour reproduction and accuracy, images seem differently on each. That means your work may appear drastically different on another screen or when printed out if the one you’re using has poor colour coverage and accuracy.

If you plan on making any HSL changes or grading the colours in your video, you’ll want to ensure you have a wide colour gamut to work with. There’s no telling what kind of screen your customers or the general public will use to see your images, but you can make sure your personal screen gives you the best editing experience.

The 6 best monitors for photo & video editing under 500

Which is the best monitor for photo editing? Editor’s Recommendation

We recommend the BenQ 27 Inch IPS Monitor to edit photos as the best monitor for photo editing under $500. We only rated it third instead of first because we considered cost, and expensive monitors like this are out of reach for many enthusiasts and professionals.

The BenQ is your best choice if you’re in the market for a professional-grade monitor for picture editing but want to keep costs down a bit.

1. LG 27UL500-W 27-Inch Monitor

My go-to display for photo editing is this LG 27-inch model, and I have to say that it is the most excellent monitor which we can use for photography. The 4K resolution and 27-inch size appear ideal for software like Photoshop and Lightroom, as the screen is neither too large nor too tiny.

The stand on this model doesn’t allow for height or lateral changes (though it does tilt), so if you require that functionality, a mounting arm is your best bet.

Using the LG panel in the LG monitor, it was made for truly allows you to see the brand’s quality; thus, this is where the LG shines. Once the screen has been calibrated, however, the entire sRGB colour gamut is displayed, resulting in both vivid and nuanced colours with no noticeable banding. Because of the lack of backlight leakage and the low level of IPS glow, none of these issues is evident in everyday use.

If your computer has a video card compatible with Radeon’s FreeSync, you won’t experience any blurriness when scrolling windows. This unique feature sets this monitor apart from others in its price range.

It is an ideal monitor for graphic designing that you can buy for under $500.

2. Philips 276E8VJSB 27″ Frameless Monitor

The Philips screen is the ideal 4K monitor in terms of value. You can get this E8 series monitor, or a variant like the Philips E1, for less than $500, which is a value considering the 27-inch display and 4-year warranty.

The monitor’s 10-bit panel shows a colour gamut that exceeds sRGB by around 9%, allowing the full range of sRGB colours and more to be seen on the screen. As a result, greens may be portrayed with greater nuance and saturation than on other monitors of the same quality without experiencing banding.

Even if colour accuracy isn’t relatively as high as on the LG 27″ monitor, it’s still quite decent for the price and shouldn’t put you off if you’re more of an amateur photographer.

It’s essential to keep in mind that this model is susceptible to backlight bleeding. However, it will only be visibly problematic in the darkest photographs. Compared to more expensive monitors like the LG 27″, colour variation across the display is relatively small.

But these are just me being finicky over little things. Given its high performance and low price, this Philips display is the best monitor for photo editing under $500.

You may also like this: Best Monitor For Adobe Illustrator

3. BenQ GW2780 IPS Monitor

With specifications that are well beyond what its low price tag would imply, the BenQ 27-inch is the best monitor for photo editing under $500. If you can get by without the USB ports and other premium features that you typically find on a monitor of this size, then you have the best budget monitor for picture editing.

When properly calibrated, the monitor displays an extensive range of colours, covering almost the whole sRGB gamut. Gradation and banding are visible on deeper tones, but their practical application is restricted. IPS glow and backlight leakage are not present; therefore, the image quality is not compromised, no matter the viewing angle.

A genuine 8-bit colour depth is preferable since it allows for a smoother transition between colours on the screen. This 27-inch monitor seems to be the finest value on the market for professional picture editing.

4. LG 27UN850-W 27″ Monitor

The LG 27UN850 (and the similar, cheaper 27UL850) is one of LG’s newest monitor models and nears the peak of the ideal displays for photo editing at around $500. The HDR 400 standard has been added to the 27UN850, and a super resolution’ mode is available.

If none of these features is essential to you (they aren’t required for picture editing, but it’s nice to have them), then you can save $50 by going with the 27UL850.

So, why isn’t this the best monitor for editing photos that costs less than $500? The LG 27UL500 is a considerably better bargain for the money, as it costs just approximately two-thirds as much as this monitor does while offering almost the same performance. But if money is no object, the LG 27UN850 is the ideal display for editing photographs.

You can trust that the cutting-edge LG panel you’re investing in will provide you with a crisp, detailed 4K picture. In terms of colour gamut, you may expect to receive 99% of the sRGB spectrum with no noticeable banding and no backlight bleed (although, as with most IPS monitors, you will see some IPS glow when viewing a completely black screen).

The HDR 400 certification guarantees that the monitor can display a wide variety of vivid colours while also displaying blacks as near to true black as achievable on a non-OLED screen.

If the monitor’s price tag is prohibitive, but you still want to use it for picture editing, cheaper LG versions like the LG 27UL500-w are still a great option and won’t let you down too badly in terms of quality.

5. AOC Quad HD Frameless Monitor

With AOC’s Quad HD resolution of 2565 x 1441 pixels, you’ll enjoy a picture quality that’s four times as sharp as in standard HD. Four 720p HD pictures may be viewed simultaneously on the screen. Quad High Definition (QHD) on a 32-inch widescreen provides crisp, clear images with vivid colours. This CQ32G1’s high-resolution widescreen is ideal for picture and video editing.

Because it supports FreeSync, you can enjoy smooth editing performance regardless of the frame rate you’re working with. This monitor’s LED screen displays extremely high-definition images at a lightning-fast 145 Hz refresh rate and a one millisecond response time. Thanks to the high refresh rate, your videos and pictures will play back with unrivalled fluidity and responsiveness to mouse and keyboard input.

Having access to more visual information is facilitated by using numerous monitors. With little bezel interruption, the optimal editing station will have a frameless design (or at least a narrow border). With direct power backlighting, you won’t have to worry about your eyes becoming tired during those long hours of working, thanks to the lack of flickering.

Thanks to the curved design, you’ll feel like you’re right in the heart of the action as you edit. It’s great for regular editing and professional computing because of its size, quickness, and colour fidelity.

6. HP VH240a 23.8-Inch LED Monitor

The IPS Full HD screen boasts 72% sRGB colour coverage and a 1000:1 static contrast ratio, making it ideal for professionals who require accurate colour representation. The screen has a pixel density of 92.55 PPI, which is impressive at this price point.

The monitor features 178-degree wide viewing angles, both horizontally and vertically, which means you can view the screen from any angle without sacrificing image quality. Additionally, the monitor has an anti-glare panel to protect your eyes during long hours of editing, making it a perfect choice for those who work long hours.

VH240a offers decent ergonomics: a vertical tilt range between 5° toward and 30° away from the user, a 360° swivel, and a pivot capability. This allows you to adjust the monitor to your comfort level and also helps to reduce strain on your eyes and neck. The monitor also comes with a detachable stand and can be mounted on the wall or attached to a movable arm, making it even more versatile.

Regarding connectivity, the HP VH240a has VGA and HDMI ports, both of which support HDCP. This allows you to connect the monitor to various devices, including laptops, PCs, and gaming consoles.

Overall, the HP VH240a is an affordable and versatile monitor with a great combination of features and performance, making it the best monitor for photo editing under 500 for professionals and home users.

Things To Consider Before Choosing The Best Monitor For Photo Editing Under $500

When shopping for a monitor to use for editing photographs, you should keep a few factors in mind. Choosing a suitable monitor size is one of the most crucial. It would be best if you also searched for a specific minimum resolution and colour fidelity. Some of those concerns will be addressed in the following sections.

Monitor Size

Consider the size of the screen you intend to operate on before purchasing a monitor for picture editing. A bigger screen (or a rotatable screen, like the LG Ultrafine Ergo in our list above) might be helpful for editing photographs in portrait orientation, even though many displays come in the average 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio.

While ultra-wide displays make it easier to have many windows or panels open at once, they may not be ideal for concentrated work. Likewise, they occupy a great deal of room. Most photographers choose a screen size between 27 and 32 inches for editing photos.

Resolution

To put it simply, higher resolution means better visual quality, but higher-resolution displays are typically more expensive. Monitors with a resolution of 4K (3,840 by 2,160) are highly recommended if you intend to edit photographs.

Although most of the displays on our list of the best monitors for photo editing under $500 are 4K displays (check to see if your PC or Mac can handle 4K resolution if it’s quite old). We’ve also included a QHD and FHD screen that is significantly cheaper while offering the wide colour gamut you need for photo editing.

What else should I consider in a monitor for photo editing?

When shopping for a monitor for picture editing, getting one that can show Adobe sRGB and other colour spaces is essential. You also want the screen to be bright everywhere. Calibration tools are built into the best monitors for photo editing. Still, an external monitor calibrator is also available for purchase if you prefer to have your screen calibrated to industry standards.

Another critical factor is the monitor’s ability to connect to your computer. At the same time, most displays require one connection to supply power and the display signal; some monitors enable Thunderbolt or USB-C.

Choose whatever monitor best suits your needs, but remember that even the greatest models require periodic calibration using a top-tier monitor calibrator. It’s also possible that you’d benefit from using an anti-reflective coating if bright lights illuminate your office.

Check More: Best 32 Inch Monitor Under 300

Final Thoughts

When editing images, it is essential to use high-quality displays. Your monitor’s colour and contrast settings are crucial to making professional-quality picture alterations. This post was written to help you find the best monitor for photo editing for under $500.