We Ranked The 5 Best Monitors For Video Editing

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By

Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated May 2, 2024 5:56 PM
best monitor for video editing guide that shows the top best computer monitor model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

For video editing, you need a monitor with excellent contrast ratios, full color gamut coverage, and a high resolution of at least 1440p to ensure accurate color representation and ample screen real estate. Features like blue-light filters, flicker-free displays, and ergonomic adjustments are beneficial for long editing sessions​​​​.

We analyzed 196 monitors and filtered out 71% of untrustworthy expert reviews, leaving us with 322,035 verified reviews. Our unique approach certified 5 monitors as top choices for video editing based on their performance, verified testing, and filtered reviews. These monitors excelled in key areas like color accuracy, brightness, and contrast ratios​​​​. While this guide primarily focuses on video editing, other guides highlight the top gaming monitors, delivering high refresh rates and low latency or the best overall computer monitors for any use case. For those seeking value, our top budget monitor guide has options that offer solid performance without breaking the bank.

Below is our list of the 5 best monitors for video editing.

How Did We Rank the Best Monitors for Video Editing?

We’ve crafted the ultimate guide to video editing monitors by analyzing more than 200 websites. By evaluating various testing methods and examining customer reviews, we pinpointed the key features video editors need. Our in-depth analysis identifies 2 required test results and 2 must-have specifications, ensuring you find the perfect monitor for impeccable color precision, clarity, and connectivity.

Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must have a screen size of 27″.
  • Must have a max resolution more than 2560×1440.

? Test Criteria

  • Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 or higher (infinite), offering deep blacks and bright whites for an exceptional viewing experience.
  • Color Accuracy: At least 90% of the DCI P3 color gamut, providing rich and vibrant colors.

Latest Updates

  • 05/02/2024: Republished the list to include the best monitors for video editing based on our True Score system.

Top Monitors for Video Editing For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dell Alienware AW3423DW

    • Best For Mac Mini

    Ideal for video editors needing ultrawide, color-accurate displays, this product offers exceptional color gamut and contrast but struggles in bright light. Its fast response enhances editing and gaming, and its high cost reflects its OLED quality.

    Dell Alienware AW3423DW Review →

    True Score

    83
    85
    14

    Experts

    87
    2k

    Customers

    SAVE $200
    $899.99
    $699.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240

    • Best For Business

    For precision and speed in dynamic content, the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 delivers unparalleled performance, ideal for professional tasks and gaming.

    Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 Review →

    True Score

    83
    83
    10

    Experts

    88
    334

    Customers

    SAVE $400
    $999.99
    $599.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Samsung Odyssey G85SB

    • Best For Samsung

    It boasts supreme color gamut coverage and an ultrawide screen for extensive timeline views. OLED’s low brightness limits its use in well-lit areas. The high refresh rate and gaming-ready specs add versatility. It is premium priced for outstanding accuracy and contrast.

    Samsung Odyssey G85SB Review →

    True Score

    82
    83
    10

    Experts

    87
    8k

    Customers

    SAVE $509
    $1,199.99
    $691.10
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Gigabyte Aorus FV43U

    Combines huge screen size with extreme brightness, making it perfect for brightly lit environments. Excellent color accuracy and contrast ratio enhance video editing. Very affordable for its size and performance, blending work and play effectively.

    Gigabyte Aorus FV43U Review →

    True Score

    78
    78
    4

    Experts

    84
    637

    Customers

    $749.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Gigabyte Aorus FO48U OLED

    This colossal 48-inch OLED offers deep contrast and accurate colors for professional editing. It has adequate indoor brightness and a high refresh rate for smooth playback. It is excellent for video editing and has significant gaming appeal.

    Gigabyte Aorus FO48U OLED Review →

    True Score

    77
    78
    4

    Experts

    83
    203

    Customers

    $1,243.25

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Monitors for Video Editing?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required), anyone can quickly and easily compare these computer monitors and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase the best monitor for video editing.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Contrast Ratio>3000:1YesThe difference in brightness between the whites (lit sections) and blacks (dim or unlit sections) of a monitor panel.
Color Gamut (DCI P3 xy)> 90%YesHow much of the DCI P3 xy color gamut is covered by the monitor, which helps indicate color accuracy for HDR content, which includes certain movies.

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 110+ computer monitor reviewers and found that 33 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for computer monitors.

  1. Samuel Breton – Rtings, MuckRack
  2. Chris Eberle – Tom’s Hardware, LinkedIn
  3. Tony Hoffman – PC Mag, MuckRack

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every computer monitor review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Computer Monitor Test Data & Results

3. Contrast Ratio (as ratio, x:1) Test Results

Contrast ratio is responsible for making images appear “dynamic” and “dramatic.” By having a good contrast ratio, a monitor is able to recreate dramatic differences between light and dark spots in scenes, images and games accurately.

At a minimum, we recommend a contrast ratio of 3000:1, as this will do a good enough job at allow for detail in dark scenes and images. If contrast ratio gets too low, the picture quality suffers, and the monitor performs worse across the board, no matter the lighting condition. By getting a monitor with a sufficiently high contrast ratio, you can ensure the picture quality doesn’t suffer, and dramatic scenes with stark shifts in lighting, whether they be in games or videos, are created as accurately as possible.

Contrast Ratio (higher is better)

2. Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 xy) Test Results

Color gamut is responsible for making a monitor produce accurate colors when displaying a variety of content. The DCI P3 xy gamut is considered a “standard” gamut of sorts, and is used to help color grade films. Most HDR content will use this gamut at the very least (though other gamut exist) and it’s a commonly used gamut for films.

When it comes to a computer monitor, having a panel that covers at least 90% of the DCI P3 gamut means it’ll output accurate colors when watching HDR content and movies that use the gamut. If a monitor doesn’t cover enough of the gamut, it causes color inaccuracies and shifts the image quality. If you care about maintaining accuracy in the movies you watch so they look the way they were intended, this gamut needs to be properly covered.

Color Gamut P3 XY (in %; higher is better)

Best Monitors for Video Editing: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring color accuracy: Color accuracy is crucial for video editing to ensure accurate color reproduction. Look for monitors with wide color gamut coverage (such as sRGB, Adobe RGB, or DCI-P3) and factory calibration or support for hardware calibration to achieve consistent and precise color representation. Similarly, the best monitor for graphic design must also excel in color accuracy, enabling designers to work confidently across different projects.

  2. Not considering panel type: Different panel types—such as IPS, TN, and VA—offer varying characteristics in terms of color accuracy, viewing angles, and response times. IPS panels generally provide the best color reproduction and wide viewing angles, making them suitable for video editing and photo editing. TN panels offer faster response times, which may be preferred for gaming, but they often sacrifice color accuracy and viewing angles.

  3. Neglecting resolution: Higher resolutions like 4K (Ultra HD) offer sharper images and more screen real estate, which can be beneficial for video editing. Consider at least a 1440p (Quad HD) resolution for a video editing monitor, but if your budget allows, opt for a 4K resolution for optimal detail and clarity. When comparing 1080p vs 4K monitors, 4K provides significantly more pixels, which is ideal for intricate work, though a high-quality 1080p monitor can still serve as a budget-friendly option. If gaming is a priority, the best 4K gaming monitor will offer high resolution without compromising refresh rate or response time.

  4. Ignoring color depth: Monitors with higher color depth (e.g., 10-bit) can display a wider range of colors and gradients, resulting in smoother transitions and more accurate color representation. Consider monitors with higher color depth for more precise video editing. In addition to video editing, a monitor with high color depth also makes an excellent monitor for watching movies, providing vivid colors and smooth gradient transitions for an immersive viewing experience.

The Best Monitors for Video Editing Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Brightness
Contrast Ratio
Color Gamut (DCI P3)
Color Gamut (sRGB)
Input Lag
Response Time (ms)
Reflections %

Dell Alienware AW3423DW

  • Best for Mac Mini

83
  • 241.39 nits

  • 241.39:1

  • 99.81%

  • 100%

  • 15.8 ms

  • 1.96 ms

  • 1.4%

$699.99
$900
$200

Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240

  • Best for Business

83
  • 317.53 nits

  • 317.53:1

  • 96.12%

  • 106.96%

  • 13.55 ms

  • 0.79 ms

  • 1.8%

$599.99
$1,000
$400

Samsung Odyssey G85SB

  • Best for Samsung

82
  • 237.45 nits

  • 237.45:1

  • 109.6%

  • 141.3%

  • 13.4 ms

  • 3.45 ms

  • 1.4%

$691.10
$1,200
$509

Gigabyte Aorus FV43U

  • Best for HDR Content

78
  • 904.5 nits

  • 904.5:1

  • 99.43%

  • 99.1%

  • 21.7 ms

  • 3.93 ms

  • 5.4%

$749.99
77
  • 282.33 nits

  • 282.33:1

  • 94.82%

  • 99.6%

  • 19.4 ms

  • 3.17 ms

  • 1.3%

$1,243.25

Monitors for Video Editing Questions (FAQ)

Is color calibration important for a monitor used for video editing?

Yes, color calibration is crucial for maintaining color accuracy and consistency across different devices. Look for monitors with built-in calibration tools or compatibility with external calibration devices to ensure precise color reproduction.

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