Back in 2018, we provided you with the best monitors you could use as a designer to do your best work. And today, we circle back and update our selections so that this year if you’re looking to upgrade your tools you can choose from the best of the best.
Whenever you start shopping for new tech, a shopping list of what you’re looking for immediately enters your mind. So with that in mind, let’s start our Best Monitors for Designers in 2020 list with what should be on your shopping list.
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Shopping list for buying your next monitor
- Type of Monitor
There are many different types of monitors that you can buy. Everything from a basic business monitor to a high-end gaming laptop is available. To ensure you pick the right one, you need to make sure that it has the features you need so it can handle everything you need it to do. For design work, multimedia or even a gaming monitor will not only have the display specs but inputs such as an HDMI input that allow you to use the monitor for entertainment as well as design.
- Features
From the outside, many monitors can look the same. However, the additional features that some monitors can come with can put them ahead of their competition. Things like a gloss or matte screen or a monitor with adjustable height and a swivel base can be the deciding factor between two monitors that you’re considering.
- Resolution
Resolution is the term used for the number of pixels that the monitor can display. The higher the resolution, the better the picture will look on it because the monitor can display more information. For example, a monitor with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 has more pixels on its screen than many HD televisions. That’s pretty amazing!
- Size
Larger screens are great for designers so that you can see all of your work in one place. Sizes can range from 15 inches to more than 30 inches, measured diagonally. The problem with a larger screen though is that you also need to make sure that you have enough room on your desk to handle such a large screen.
- Budget
Before you consider how much you can comfortably spend on a new monitor, you should think about exactly how you’ll spend your time using it. If you’re primarily going to be answering emails and doing video chats through Skype, you may want to keep money in your pocket but if you’re working on high-resolution images or videos, having a high-end monitor will likely give you the best image possible so your work can be the best it can be.
Best Monitors for Graphic Design in 2020
- Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ – $1320
- BenQ PD3200U – $684
- AOC Agon AG352UCG6 – $681
- Acer Predator X34 – $729
- Asus Designo Curve MX38VC – $999
- Dell UltraSharp UP3218K – $5941
- BenQ EX3203R – $394
- Alienware 25 – $319
- BenQ Zowie XL2540 – $399
- MSI Optix MPG341CQR – $674
Best Monitors for Graphic Designers in 2020 Compared
Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
The best monitor overall
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 600 cd/m2 | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 50,000:1 | Color support: Adobe RGB 99% | Weight: 28 pounds
No matter how many monitors you look at, at some point, you may just be fed up enough to give up and spend as much money as you can on a monitor. If that’s you, then you should take a closer look at the ROG Swift from Asus. With the combination of high-end features such as a 4K UHD display, plus Nvidia G-Sync and HDR, the Swift is quite simply on of the best monitors available even though it will cost you a decent amount of money.
Learn More – $1320
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 27 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) 144 Hertz HDR gaming monitor with integrated aura Sync and ambient light sensor embraces ROG standards and design
- Nvidia G SYNC HDR for lifelike contrast and color, display HDR 1000 and UHD premium Certified with peak 1000 nits brightness and 384 local dimming zones
- Quantum dot IPS display with 97% DCI P3 (99% Adobe RGB) color gamut for realistic colors and smoother gradation.Brightness : 600 cd/㎡ (Typical)/1000 cd/㎡ (Peak)
- Marathon ready with game grade ergonomics such as tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustments and ASUS Eye Care technology to reduce eyestrain via Blue light filter and flicker free back lighting
- Flexible connectivity options with Display Port 1.4, HDMI 2.0 and USB 3.0 hub
BenQ PD3200U
The Best Ultra HD display
Screen size: 32-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 8.5kg
With the adoption of 4K resolution by many monitor manufacturers, 4K monitors are a dime a dozen. This is why the PD3200U Ultra HD display from BenQ is such an amazing display. This display is a 3D designer’s best friend thanks in part to the CAD/CAM mode along with factory-calibrated color accuracy. Designed for professionals and creatives, the PD3200U from BenQ is one of the best all-around monitors available today.
Learn More – $684
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Exclusive AQColor technology covers a wide variety of color spaces such as Adobe RGB, sRGB and Rec. 709 ensuring the colors on your screen are the brightest, boldest and most accurate
- View files side-by-side with DualView. Easily compare photos and videos in specialized CAD/CAM, Darkroom or Animation display modes next to each other on one screen. Pantone Validated
- Ergonomic features allows you to customize your viewing experience with a tilt, twist or turn. Adjust the screen height or rotate to portrait mode for added comfort and workflow efficiency
- Keyboard Video Mouse (KVM) Switch allows users to display files, photos or videos from two different computers on a single screen. Easily work on multiple projects at once without worrying about...
- Eye care technology prevents eye strain, fatigue and irritation with Low Blue Light technology, Brightness Intelligence and ZeroFlicker filters out harmful blue light, automatically adjust screen...
AOC Agon AG352UCG6
A phenomenal ultra-wide monitor
Screen size: 35-inch | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 2,500:1: | Color support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 26 pounds
In the last few years, many designers have chosen to go from a traditional screen to ultra-wide displays like the Agon from AOC. With its supreme color support, 120Hz refresh rate, and incredible contrast ratio, the ultra-wide display makes everything look better and feel faster. While it’s certainly not the cheapest option, as long as you have the tech to drive it, it is worth the price.
Learn More – $681
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 35" Agon Professional grade gaming monitor with 1800R curvature for immersive gaming experience
- 3440 x 1440 Ultra wide Quad HD resolution with VA panel (cinematic 21: 9 ratio), 85% NTSC color gamut for high Color accuracy
- Nvidia G-SYNC for smoothest competitive gameplay with 120Hz refresh rate and 4ms GTG response time
- Displayport 1. 2, HDMI 1. 4 inputs, 2 x USB 3. 0 hub w/ 1 fast-charging port
- Low input lag and shadow control allows you to see and react faster
Acer Predator X34
The best gaming monitor for designers
Screen size: 34-inch | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3440 x 1440 Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Response time: 4ms G2G (grey-to-grey) | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 100 million:1 | Colour support: SRGB 100% | Weight: 9.9kg
Sometimes, to see things differently, you need to change things up. With a 21:9 aspect ratio, the Predator X34 from Acer is a great example of the potential that ultra-wide monitors have and what they can do to help your work be the best it possibly can. The 34-inch monitor uses Nvidia’s G-sync technology so you can avoid using V-Sync and putting too much on your graphics card. With an impressive polygonal stand and aluminum bezel, the Predator not only performs amazingly, but it also looks amazing.
Learn More – $729
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 34" QHD (3440 x 1440) 1900R Curved Widescreen IPS Display
- NVIDIA G SYNC Technology
- Refresh Rate: 100Hz (Overclocking to 120Hz) Using Display Port
- Ports: 1 x Display Port 1.2, 1 x HDMI 1.4 & 4 USB 3.0 Ports
- Display Port, HDMI & USB Cables included
Asus Designo Curve MX38VC
An ultrawide monitor with inches to spare
Screen size: 37.5-inch | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 1,600 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Response time: 5ms G2G (grey-to-grey) | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: 1.07 million colors | Weight: 9.9kg
When it comes to productivity, an ultra-wide monitor like the Curve from Asus can be a lifesaver. The Curve is a massive display with a 37.5-inch screen size along with an astounding 3840 x 1600 resolution. The base comes with USB-C compatibility as well as a Qi wireless charger will make display one you won’t want to live without. While its a bit pricey, the features make it well worth the price.
Learn More – $999
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 37.5” 21: 9 ultra-wide Quad HD (3840 x 1600) Curved monitor with a wide 178° viewing angle featuring 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 2 x HDMI 2.0 and USB Type-C
- Award-winning frameless design and transparent sundial base Pair with hidden, down-firing inputs and a 5-way navigation key to blend elegance and performance
- Stereo 10W Harman Kardon speakers and ASUS SonicMaster technology provide rich, spacious sound while eliminating the need for external speakers
- Embedded wireless 15W Qi charging pad with status-monitoring lighting
- ASUS Eye Care technology with TUV Rhineland-certified flicker-free backlighting and blue light filter minimizes eye fatigue
Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
The best 8K resolution display
Screen size: 32-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 7,680 x 4,320 | Brightness: 400 cd/m2 | Response time: 6ms | Viewing angle: N/A | Contrast ratio: 1,300:1 | Color support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 8.5kg
Sometimes we come across technology that hasn’t even been fully adopted yet and in those cases, we’re astounded by what the manufacturer is doing. This is the case with the UltraSharp UP3218K from Dell. Not only does the display have 8K resolution, but the build quality and color reproduction are also the best in the business. Aimed at professionals, the UltraSharp is an amazing display with a price to match.
Learn More – $5941
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Dell UltraSharp 32IN 8K 7680x4320
- UP3218K
- 8K
BenQ EX3203R
A high-res display at an affordable price
Screen size: 31.5-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Brightness: 400 cd/m2 | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 3,000:1 | Color support: DCI-P3 90% | Weight: 13.4kg
One of the best monitors in 2020, the EX3203R from BenQ offers a multitude of high-end features in a display that is priced very affordably. The 1440p monitor has a 32-inch curved panel which makes the display easy to use for your design work and for watching a movie at the end of a long week.
Learn More – $394
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Panoramic entertainment: immerse yourself in Gaming on the 31.5" Screen of 2560x1440 resolution with 1800R curvature
- 144Hz refresh rate: high refresh rate of 144Hz offers smoothness and fluidity for game playing
- Display HDR 400 VESA Certified: offers greater brightness and contrast level to deliver users a detailed and vivid image performance
- Free Sync 2: empowered by AMD Free Sync 2 technology to eliminate choppy tearing and broken frames and ensure smooth game play
- Connectivity: USB-C enables SuperSpeed USB data transfer and 2K video delivery on one cable
Alienware 25
The perfect answer to screen tearing
Screen size: 24.5-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Brightness: 400 cd/m2 | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: sRGB 119% | Weight: 11.7kg
From time to time, your business might be on a tight budget and that can make buying the best gear for your office tough. The Alienware 25 display eliminates screen tearing and G-Sync or FreeSync helps to take some of the hard work off your computer’s GPU while its 120Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time are just icing on this surprisingly affordable Alienware cake.
Learn More – $319
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Designed for the enthusiast, the AW2518HF delivers a futuristic style and precise form with solid stability
- Lightning-fast 240Hz native refresh rate combined with 1ms response time delivers buttery-smooth gameplay with virtually no input lag
- Compatibility- All Operating System. AMD Free Sync eliminates choppy gameplay and broken frames with fluid, artifact-free performance at virtually any framerate
- Specific gaming OSD (onscreen display) design keeps your user experience in the gaming theme. Brightness : 400 nits. Voltage Required AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hertz)
- Game comfortably in your zone with a height adjustable stand, tilt, swivel and pivot features. Refer to the PDF attached below in Technical Specification for Installation manual
BenQ Zowie XL2540
A professional gamer monitor perfect for design work
Screen size: 24-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Brightness: 400 cd/m2 | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: NTSC 72% | Weight: 7.5kg
While the Zoxie from BenQ is designed to be a gamer’s monitor, the monitor can also be a great choice for any design work you may need to do. With an amazing 240Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time, making it a super-fast monitor for your video editing work. The manufacturer assumes that you are using a computer with enough power to eliminate screen tears and hasn’t included either G-Sync or FreeSync in its build. Instead, it keeps things simple with visual presets plus and “S Switch” control pod so you can manage your presets effectively.
Learn More – $399
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Lightning-fast 240 Hz refresh rate performance for a smooth gaming experience
- 1ms response time (GTG) to eliminate ghosting and lag providing the optimal gaming experience
- Exclusive color vibrancy and black equalizer technology to enhance visual clarity and customized color settings giving players the advantage on the battlefield
- Removable Shield that helps players focus on the game by blocking outside distractions paired with our s-switch that allows players to navigate the menu save custom display profiles and change monitor...
- Multiple connectivity options Featuring DisplayPort Dual-link DVI-D HDMI and headphone/Microphone jack input Brightness 400 cd/M2
MSI Optix MPG341CQR
The best VA panel display
Screen size: 34-inch | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Brightness: 400 nits | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 3000:1 | Color support: sRGB 105% | Weight: 21.16 pounds
Many of the options on our list choose to offer consumers with an IPS display which is a very good display type but the fact that the 34-inch Optix display from MSI uses a VA panel made it stand out to us. The VA panel provides the screen with more contrast as well as colors that seem to pop off the screen better. With a competitive price, the Optix also features an integrated camera, “Mystic Light” RGD LEDs and USB-C connectivity for all of your peripherals.
Learn More – $674
Latest Price on Amazon:
- ULTRAWIDE CURVE — Immersive 34-inch 1800R curved MSI gaming monitor with UWQHD (3440 x 1440p) resolution and realistic HDR 400 with 3000 1 dynamic contrast ratio and 21 9 aspect ratio
- FAST & SMOOTH VISUALS — 120hz refresh rate and 1ms response time VA LED panel create smooth frame-to-frame action for anti-ghosting fast-reflex gameplay
- FREESYNC TECHNOLOGY — Adaptive FreeSync technology matches the refresh rate of your PC GPU to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering and deliver ultra-smooth lag-free visuals
- CUSTOM UX & RGB — MSI Gaming OSD provides in-game assistance and on-screen customization while MSI Mystic Light in tandem with SteelSeries Gamesense allows you to program RGB lighting effects based...
- NIGHT VISION — See more details in darker locations like caves and dark rooms in your games with the Night Vision feature
Best Monitors for Designers in 2020
When it came time to provide you with a new listing of the best monitors for creatives, we didn’t want to repeat the same options we provided you with before because there are many different options out there for you to choose from and what the best is for your needs can change in a heartbeat.
Did you buy a new monitor for 2020 and love it? Tell us about it in the comments below!!
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