The Best Budget Monitor For Graphic Design

Finding the best budget monitor can be challenging. For a graphic designer, the monitor is essential in creating great animations and logos.

A high-quality 4K monitor can be expensive for beginners or freelancers with limited budgets. But there are affordable options that will work well, too!

But if you want a good budget monitor, it has excellent color accuracy and viewing angles.

If you want to be a content creator and find a good monitor for your work, look at our list of the best budget monitors.

Best Budget Monitor For Graphic Design & Video Editing: Comparison Chart

Here are the top-rated picks in 4K monitor for video editing, two-in-ones, and 4K monitor for content creators and broadcast workflow. We also have a favorite budget option.

Quick Summary

• If you like the relationship aspect of 16:9 widescreen, see Dell Ultrasharp U2720Q 27 Inch. It is a great monitor with extra screen space compared to its 1080p competition.
• If you want an 27-inch excellent monitor, We recommend the Philips 276E8VJSB. It is big and nice.
• Check out the BenQ 32-inch, 4K UHD Monitor if you love a higher screen resolution. This model has more pixels and is sharper than the 1080p models in its price range.
• If you are looking for a monitor with unique colors, ViewSonic VP3268 is the perfect monitor for photo editing. This monitor has very good colors and also can be calibrated to get the best color for your needs.

Dell S2721Q 27 Inch-Best Budget 4k Monitor For Video Editing

Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 60Hz

Dell S2721Q USB-C Monitors are good because they show colors well. It is a white color, and it covers the whole screen. It has a 4k Ultra HD resolution with a color coverage of 99%.

This monitor will be perfect for web design, 3D modeling, and photo editing. Dell S2721Q monitors will make you more productive by about 21%.

I am sure it is because of the Dell Display Manager. You can use it to put your work on the screen, side-by-side with another application. This way, you can work on two things at once.

The Dell displays have an “Auto restores” feature that remembers where you left off in a program even after turning off your computer and plugging it back in again.

This device will keep your laptop’s battery charged. It has a DP port and audio out. It also has a USB hub that is 3.0. It is for artists and designers who want to calculate alerts.

Features include:

• Dell S2721Q monitor will make you more productive
• 21% increase in productivity
• Use the screen to put your work side-by-side with another application
• “Auto restores” that remembers where you left off in a program

Acer Predator XB273K- Best Budget 27 Monitor For Graphic Design

Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 144Hz

The Acer Predator XB273K has a beautiful screen. It is fast and smooth when playing games. The screen is 27 inches wide and has an IPS panel.

It can have 144 Hz, which means it changes the images on the screen every second. It is so good that you can play it in daylight or at night, and have a speedy response time of 4 milliseconds.

This Acer Predator covers over 99% of the RGB/rec spectrum. It is very close to DCI P3 color accuracy.

It has tiny dots, matches the color of something based on its size, and in a game with lifelike realism. If you want a good experience on your computer, use settings that make it bright and accurate.

You can adjust the screen’s height so it is better for your eyes. And you can turn it so you get a good view. The monitor is fast, has a 144 Hz refresh rate, and is NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible.

Features include:

• Gives you a lifelike experience.
• Makes it look brighter and more vivid.
• Allows you to match the color of something based on size correctly.
• Increases your speed, response time, accuracy, and gameplay.

ASUS ProArt Series – Best Monitor For Content Creation

Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 50Hz

This Asus ProArt Authority is a good monitor for people who work with graphics, photography, and content creators. If you are a beginner designer on a tight budget, this is the monitor for creating professional-quality content as per your needs.

This monitor has excellent viewing angles of 178 degrees and displays colors well. This monitor also has 100% coverage of the sRGB color space, 99.5% Arabic RGB/rec, and 95% DCI P3.

This monitor is perfect for graphic designers and others needing a high-quality monitor. It is compatible with PCs, Macs, and modern game consoles.

Splendid Video Intelligence Technology takes care of the colors, brightness, contrast, and sharpness to have a great picture. You can choose from six preset video modes on the monitor menu.

The colors on this display are very bright because it has a 14-bit color lookup table and is factory pre-calibrated. You can use it with your phone or tablet, too! The ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV has a stand so you can find the best view. You can tilt it, swivel it, and pivot it.

If you work with colors, this is the best monitor for you. It is how it looks when it’s made and in color. You don’t have to worry about anything because it’s already calibrated.

Features include:

• Easy on the eyes with excellent viewing angles of 178 degrees.
• A highly accurate visual display for artists and designers.
• Unbeatable color range complies with standards in all three significant color spaces: sRGB, Arabic RGB, and DCI P3.
• Incredible compatibility between hardware platforms (PCs, Macs, game consoles)

Philips 27 Inch – Best Budget Monitor For Video Editing

Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 3840×2160 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 60Hz

These Philips monitors are excellent. They have high-quality panels for an UltraClear, 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution. Suppose you are a professional who needs to edit video for Auto CAD design, 3D applications, or a financial wizard working on massive spreadsheets. In that case, these displays will make your images come alive.

The IPS panel gives good images with colors that are bright. It’s one of our list of best budget monitors for video editing.

The IPS panel displays the full Dynamic Range of colors for video editing. It does not have many errors, and the errors are minor. Its screen has a refresh rate of 60Hz and high-quality pictures.

This monitor is good. It doesn’t tire your eyes because it has a built-in eye-saver mode. It also has a blue color mode that is easier on your eyes. The monitor has a curved stand, which makes it look nice.

You can put it on the desk or hang it on the wall (with an HDMI cord). Display Port 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 and HDMI audio output for speakers or headphones with your computer.

This monitor has two big screens, 768 VGA SP. It is suitable for photography and movies. It is perfect for professionals who need consistent brightness and color accuracy.

Features include:

• Doesn’t make your eyes tired
• Color mode for easier on the eyes
• Curved stand makes it look nice
• Display Port 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 and HDMI audio output

BenQ 4K IPS Monitor – Best Budget Video Editing Monitor

Screen size: 32-inch | Resolution: 3840×2160 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 60Hz

It can be hard to find a 4k monitor for your MacBook. But one is the BenQ PD3220U 4K IPS Monitor. This screen is extensive with many pixels, and you can adjust it to flat on the bottom.

The colors suit 100% of the sRGB color space but not Adobe RGB or DCI P3. It does have HDR 10 content support, though!

This device has three different modes. One mode is for a cat or a darkroom animation. Another mode is to improve efficiency in our workflow. The final mode is to enhance our workflow setup.

This device doesn’t need screws, but it does have a button that attaches the stand to the screen. The mechanism connecting this device’s stand and screen includes every port.

This monitor has 2 HDMI ports, 2 DisplayPort ports, and 2 USB-A 3.1 ports. It also has a microSD port and 2 USB-C Thunderbolt 3 Ports. It has an Apple alternative with a visibly prized pro-grade screen, slim bezels, and sleek styling. You can swivel it and pivot it.

Features include:

• Improved color accuracy without any calibration.
• Does not need screws to attach the stand.

LG 27UN850-W UltraFine 4K UHD IPS Monitor

Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 3840×2160 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 60Hz

The LG 27UN850-W is a great 27-inch monitor. It has high-resolution and accurate colors that are better for Creative professionals. Graphic designers will like it because it has many colors to choose from.

They can also use the monitor with their Macbook Pro computer or other laptops with Thunderbolt-enabled Windows computers. This monitor has a screen that is black and plastic.

It can be adjusted to different heights and shows 500 nits of brightness. The colors are more prosperous and vivid than other monitors in this price range. The Color accuracy, pixel density, brightness nits, and picture quality are all improved. As your first option, look for ultra-high-definition (UHD) monitors with a 3,840 by 2,160-pixel configuration.

This monitor has two ports, one for single input and all your other USB 3.0 devices, such as thumb drives or accessories. This monitor is perfect for photographers and video editors.

It is affordable and has a smaller screen than other monitors designed for professionals with super-high pixel density.

Features include:

• Ultra-fine ultra high-definition display size.
• Two ports for single input and all your other USB 3.0 devices, such as thumb drives or accessories
• High contrast and color
• A smaller screen than most monitors of this size, perfect for photographers and video editors

ViewSonic VP2468a 24-Inch IPS 1080p Monitor

Screen size: 24-inch | Resolution: 1920x1080p | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 60Hz

The ViewSonic VP2468a 24-inch is a good monitor for people who need to see pictures with the colors exactly as they are. This monitor has a high resolution of 24 inches and a refresh rate of 60 Hz.

It is 100% accurate for sRGB and 99% for RGB/rec. This means you can see videos with many colors more precisely. The monitor has a cutting-edge design.

It has a light and sensor for working in low lights. The monitor also has USB Type-C for USB 3.0 downstream port and two headphone jacks.

ViewSonic makes monitors that are good for photography, graphic design, and other color-critical applications. They have been making these kinds of monitors for more than 30 years now, and they are still going strong!

This monitor is the best budget monitor for graphics design. It has a factory calibration, and it costs less than other monitors.

Features include:

• The ViewSonic VP2468a 24-inch is a cutting-edge monitor with a high resolution of 24 inches
• It allows you to see pictures with the colors exactly as they are.
• This monitor has a high refresh rate, meaning you can see videos in color more precisely.

Eizo Color Edge CG318 4K – Professional Graphics design Monitor

Screen size: 24.1-inch | Resolution: 1920×1200 | Aspect ratio: 16:10 | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 60Hz

The Eizo Color Edge CG318-4K monitor is the best 4K visual photo editing and video broadcasting screen. It has 24.1 inches, which can show you a lot of things at the same time.

It also has 149 pixels per inch, which looks apparent even when working on 4k content. This monitor is great for editing videos because it automatically adjusts color settings to make them look better, and its 4k resolution makes it easier to edit videos, too!

This is a good accessory. It helps you to see colors better. This monitor has the best color accuracy of any 4K monitor available today. It displays at least 98% of the DCI P3 color space and 99% of the Adobe RGB gamut range.

This monitor includes two DisplayPort 1.2 ports for sharing full resolution at 60 Hz of smoothness, suitable for two HDMI 1.4 ports, and 4 USB ports for better connectivity. It is a powerful 4k monitor that professional users can get online. This monitor is for the best photo editing on our list.

Features include:
• The Monitor displays at least 98% of the DCI P3 color space and 99% of the Adobe RGB gamut range.
• This product is great for editing videos because it automatically adjusts color settings to make them look better, which makes video editing more accessible, too!
• Its 4k resolution makes it easier to edit videos.

SAMSUNG UR59 Series 32-inch 4K UHD Computer Monitor

Screen size: 32-inch | Resolution: 3840×2160 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 60Hz

This monitor is good because it has a high resolution and an IPS panel. It also supports HDR10 and Eye comfort display modes technology. You can enjoy movies on this monitor because it will give you viewing comfort by smartly reducing blue light emissions.

Many monitors have IPS panels, making colors stay true no matter what angle you’re looking at them. This monitor has a rate of 60 hertz with support for AMD Radeon free sync.

It also can do a variable refresh rate from 40 to 60 Hz and 10-bit color without flickering. This monitor has a high-quality look. You can use it for HDR10 and 10-bit color processing.

This monitor has many good things about it. It has a low blue light setting, Picture-In-Picture and Picture-By-Picture features, HDMI ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. You can see the picture in perfect colors from any angle!

Features include:

• The IPS panel helps eliminate any color distortion from off-angle viewing.
• Enjoy a smoother and more fluid experience with AMD Radeon free sync.
• Provides a high resolution of 3840 x 2160 for sharp details.
• Supports HDR10 and 10-bit color processing.

Dell UltraSharp 43 4K USB-C Monitor

Screen size: 43-inch | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 60Hz

The Dell UltraSharp 43 4K has a big screen. It is smooth when you work on it, and the colors are accurate. The monitor can show things from up to four sources at once.

And it can show 1.07 billion colors with a high resolution of 103 pixels per inch (PPI). The world’s first monitor that can change its height is expensive, and you can use it to save space on your desk.

It is of good quality and shows 96% of the color gamut ultra-thin bezel. This will make working easier because it is designed for comfort and long hours.

The Dell UltraSharp 43 4K has a flicker-free screen and doesn’t make you feel sick. It also has HDMI 2.0, display port 1.42, 2 USB Type-C, which can deliver 90 watts of power, and a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack.

Features include:

• Ultra-large screen.
• Crisp and accurate colors.
• Show up to four sources on the same screen at once.
• Adjustable height/base saves desk space.
• High resolution of 103 PPI.

Philips 276E9QDSB 27-inch frameless monitor

Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 75Hz

This is the last monitor for designers on our list: Philips 276E9QDSB 27 inches frameless. Your eyes need to be taken care of. Phillips monitors help reduce eye fatigue and headaches even when you are on them for a long time. You can make your screen healthier with the low blue light setting.

It will help protect you from harmful shortwave blue light or flicker-free technology that helps regulate brightness with less screen flicker.

Philips 27-inch monitor has FreeSync Technology. It will not have any tearing in games or videos.

It has an ultra-wide viewing angle spectrum of 124% sRGB coverage while staying accurate to other standards like NTSC 93%. Rest easy knowing that your product will be replaced for free for four years in the USA, CA, and the UK if anything goes wrong.

Features

• Full HD monitor with 1920 x 1080 resolution for vivid color and detailed images.
• IPS panel with wide viewing angles and crisp colors.
• Vibrant and accurate color coverage up to 124% sRGB/rec & 93% NTSC.
• Reduce blue light exposure from your monitor with low blue mode.
• FreeSync technology reduces image tearing, stuttering, and input lag for a smooth gaming experience.
• This monitor is the best one that is at an affordable price.

Best Budget Monitor For Graphic Design – Buying Guide

Before you buy a monitor for your graphic design, you think about the following: the resolution on the screen, how big it is, how accurate the colors are, what connections it has, and if it can be adjusted to make things easier. Consider how much money you want to spend, too.

Resolution

The most common resolution on monitors is 1920 x 1080. If you are using your monitor for graphic design or image editing, having a higher resolution can make things look sharper and more detailed. However, if you don’t need the highest quality images, a lower resolution might be better for you.

Size

As with everything in life, bigger isn’t always better regarding monitors. Typically, 24-inch models tend to be the most extensive options available on the market, and they offer much more space than their 18-inch counterparts for working with photos. If your workstation doesn’t have enough space to accommodate a larger monitor, a smaller option might be best.

Color Accuracy

Monitors with good color accuracy will show you images that look true to their original colors. When looking for monitors, check how many percent of the sRGB/rec and NTSC color gamuts they cover. Most monitors offer at least 98% coverage color gamut ultra-thin bezel, but some models reach 124%. This is important because professionals often work with images within these ranges.

Connections

Most modern graphic design monitors have several connections, including an HDMI port and a DisplayPort. If you are planning to use external devices like tablets or cameras, get a monitor with these connections as well.

Adjustability

Many monitors have built-in features that allow you to customize their look. This can include changing the screen resolution, brightness, and color temperature. Many monitors also have VESA mounting holes to attach directly to the wall if needed.

Panel Technology

The type of panel used in graphic design monitors can affect the quality of the picture. There are three main types: IPS, TN, and VA.

A TN monitor uses a twisted nematic liquid crystal display, which gives a sharper picture but can cause ghosting and blurriness when viewed off-axis.

On the other hand, an IPS monitor uses an in-plane switching LCD, creating a more precise picture without the blurring effects of a TN monitor.

A VA monitor uses a vertical alignment LCD, creating a brighter picture and providing wider viewing angles than a TN monitor.

Increased color consistency

You’ll probably want a monitor that offers increased color consistency to get into graphic design. You don’t want your designs to vary too much from one monitor to the next.

It would help if you also looked for a monitor to automatically adjust the brightness, contrast, and gamma settings. These allow you to control the colors of your images and videos easily.

Designers often use a custom white point setting to achieve consistent whites across all screens. They may even go further by using a custom black level setting instead.

Wide viewing angles

Designers who work from home need to have a wide viewing angle.

It isn’t easy to concentrate on what you’re doing when someone else is standing behind you watching TV or browsing Facebook, so you’ll want a monitor that can view your content clearly from any position.

It should also be easy to set up to see the entire screen from any angle. Some models include adjustable stands that let you tilt the monitor forward or backward, while others offer swivel brackets that let you rotate the screen left or right.

Low input lag

Input lag refers to the time taken for the image on the screen to appear after pressing the button. 

Most designers will not notice a difference between 2ms and 20ms of lag, but some people find it annoying if it takes more than 5ms.

Some manufacturers include a low input lag mode in their monitors. If this isn’t available, you can still reduce the amount of lag by lowering the refresh rate.

HDR support 

HDR technology is becoming more popular among designers because it increases the dynamic range of colors displayed on a monitor. This means that the colors are brighter and more detailed than they would be with traditional monitor technology.

There are two different ways to do this:

1. Using a high dynamic range video card.
2. Using a high dynamic ratio monitor.

Video cards tend to be expensive and require a lot of power, so most professionals use a high-dynamic ratio monitor instead. A high dynamic ratio monitor displays more shades of grey within each pixel, allowing them to reproduce a more excellent range of colors.

It means they can produce a brighter image with less distortion. However, there is a tradeoff, as the image will suffer from banding and blooming issues.

Most affordable HDR monitors tend to be limited to 16 million colors and only support SDR content. However, more advanced HDR monitors can support 32 million colors and deliver high-quality HDR content.

Price

The most crucial part of buying a monitor is the price. If you spend more, you will get better quality. High-end monitors may be expensive, but they are worth it because they are better than others.

For a monitor that is 4K, the price could be around $3000. A 27-inch WQHD monitor could cost between $800 and $1200, while a 24-inch affordable monitor can cost you more than $500.

If you spend some time and buy a cheap monitor, you will not be surprised by the prices. There is an old saying that if your work is good, it will be because of all of your tools.

If your projects need accurate colors or grayscale performance, you want to buy a better monitor for your graphic design projects.

sRGB vs. Adobe RGB

When working with Photoshop and other programs that rely on sRGB, you need a monitor supporting both sRGB and Adobe RGB/rec. 

It ensures that your images are displayed correctly, whether you’re editing your photos using a Windows or an Apple Macbook Pro.

Adobe RGB is similar to sRGB, except it has a wider gamut. It makes it possible to recreate more vibrant colors without losing detail.

Gamma controls

Gamma controls allow you to adjust the monitor’s brightness, contrast, and color temperature. You can then fine-tune these settings to get the best results for your needs.

For example, you might prefer a bright display at night when reading documents online, but you’d rather keep things dim during the day. In this case, you could lower the gamma value to save battery life.

If you have multiple monitors connected to your computer, you may want to turn off the gamma control on one to avoid adjusting all of them individually.

 VESA mounting system

The VESA mounting system lets you mount your monitor onto a wall bracket. It enables you to position the monitor anywhere, which can be helpful if you work from home or travel frequently. 

It’s also great for creating a custom workspace. You’ll also need to purchase a wall bracket to install the monitor. 

The cheapest option is to buy a generic bracket and attach it yourself. Alternatively, you can opt for a branded model with screws and mounting hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Size Monitor Is Best For Graphic Design? (Screen Size & Aspect Ratio)

The best size monitor for graphic design has a screen resolution of at least 1920 x 1080 pixels. This is the standard resolution for web pages, meaning all websites should be designed to fit this resolution. To create a website that looks great on any device, you must use a high-quality editor such as Adobe Photoshop or GIMP.

Are curved monitors good for graphic designing?

Curved monitors suit designers because they allow them to see many different documents simultaneously. However, curved monitors are expensive, and some laptops don’t work well with them.

Are Gaming Monitors Good For Graphic Design?

They are great for graphic design because they offer high resolution, wide viewing angles, and quick response time. They also provide a lot of light, essential when working at night. However, gaming monitors are expensive and don’t last extended performance monitors. 

Can I use a gaming monitor for graphic design?

Yes, you can use a gaming monitor for graphics design. However, you should be aware that gaming monitors are designed for gamers and may not be suitable for professional graphic designers. If you want to use a gaming monitor for your graphic design work, before buying a professional monitor, you need to consider the following factors:

1. The resolution of the monitor. A higher resolution means better quality images.

2. The refresh rate of the monitor. A faster refresh rate means smoother animations. The higher the frame rate, the smoother the image appears

How to choose a monitor for graphic design?

The best monitors for graphic design offer high resolution, color accuracy, and brightness. A good monitor should also handle multiple displays and have a wide viewing angle.

What should a designer look for in a monitor?

A good monitor has a high resolution, a wide viewing angle, and fast response times. The best monitors have a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, the standard resolution for desktop computers. If you want to use a laptop, choose a model with a 1366 x 768 resolution.

Best Graphic Design Monitor: Which One is Right for you?

The best graphic design monitor is the one that has the proper resolution, color depth, and refresh rate for your needs. Consider buying a 27-inch 4K monitor if you need a high-quality screen. However, if you only need a standard-size screen, you should go for a 24-inch 1080p monitor.

Do graphic designers need a 4K monitor?

Graphic designers should use a 4K monitor to work at high resolution. A 4K monitor has four times the pixels of a standard 1080p monitor to create sharper images. However, a 4K monitor is expensive, so graphic designers should consider buying a new laptop.

You should use a 4K monitor because they need to work at high resolution. A 4K monitor has four times the pixels of a standard 1080p monitor to create sharper images. However, a 4K monitor is expensive, so you should consider buying a new laptop instead.

How to calibrate the monitor for graphic design?

Calibrating your monitor is essential in ensuring you use the correct settings when working with graphics software. To calibrate your monitor, ensure it is correctly plugged into a power outlet and switched on.

Then, go to the menu of your program and select “Customize.” From here, you should be able to adjust several settings, such as color accuracy, contrast ratios, gamma levels, etc.

By calibrating your monitor each time you use graphic design software, you can improve the quality of your work while also reducing eye fatigue.

What is the difference between a VA monitor and an IPS monitor?

The main difference between VA monitors and IPS monitors is the viewing angle. A VA monitor has a wider viewing angle than an IPS monitor, meaning you can see the screen in more directions.

However, this advantage comes at the price of poorer color accuracy and brightness at wide angles. When it comes to VA monitors, the contrast ratio is relatively high, but when it comes to IPS monitors, the contrast ratio is not the same.

Why are curved monitors the best?

A curved screen is the best type of monitor for graphic design because it provides a more comfortable viewing angle. A curved monitor will make you feel less cramped when working in a cramped space, such as on an office desk.

Furthermore, most graphic design software is designed to be used with curved monitors so your work will be easier and more efficient.

Conclusion

Finding the right graphic design monitor can be challenging when you have a low budget. Fortunately, there is some good graphic design monitor that is affordable. One of these is the ASUS Pro Art.

This is our favorite cheap monitor for designers because you can personalize your experience and get great results every time with it.

The best budget monitor for graphic design is available for starting a budget of around $300-$500. If the budget fits your hand, then take a look before buying.