Best Monitors for Video Editing (2026)

What are the best monitors for video editing in 2026?

Summary

RTINGS, which buys the monitors it tests, names the Apple Studio Display XDR the best monitor for video editing; it took the top spot on 2026-06-29, when RTINGS replaced the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM and the Alienware AW2725DF with the XDR and the LG 27GM950B-B, "which are brighter and have higher resolutions" [src1]. This card ranks the XDR first because it is the only one of the guides' top picks that its testers found strong in HDR: RTINGS calls it a fantastic choice for editing HDR content, and Tom's Guide measured 1,727 nits in HDR [src1, src8]. The other top picks are 4K IPS monitors with weak HDR: RTINGS rates the HDR picture quality of the BenQ PD3225U and the Dell U2723QE disappointing, and Creative Bloq lists poor HDR performance among the BenQ PD3226G's drawbacks [src13, src14, src4].

Digital Camera World puts the bar for HDR at brightness: a monitor needs 400cd/m2 for basic HDR compatibility and as much as 1000cd/m2 to be fully HDR-capable [src2]. On this card the HDR candidates are two Mini LED monitors with 2,304 dimming zones, the Studio Display XDR and the ASUS ProArt PA32UCXR, and two QD-OLEDs, the ASUS ProArt PA32UCDM and the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM. Tom's Hardware measured nearly 2,000 nits peak from the PA32UCXR in HDR, Creative Bloq calls the PA32UCDM's HDR performance exceptional, and RTINGS rates the PG27UCDM's HDR picture quality remarkable [src9, src7, src4, src10].

The PA32UCXR was this card's top pick. It is in none of the five buying guides we read, and it stays on the card as the HDR grading pick on the strength of two reviews, Tom's Hardware's and Australian Photography's [src7, src16]. It is hard to buy: ASUS's US site listed it at $2,999 and marked it out of stock when we checked on 2026-10-14, and Amazon had no purchasable offer in our last three daily price checks, the latest on 2026-10-13 [src17]. For a 32-inch HDR monitor that outlets have tested, the alternative on this card is the PA32UCDM.

11 Models Compared

Best for Each Use Case

Top Pick: Apple Studio Display XDR — Check price

RTINGS's verdict: "The best monitor for video editing is the Apple Studio Display XDR." Its 27-inch 5K screen has Mini LED backlighting with 2,304 dimming zones, and RTINGS found a strong local dimming feature that shows deep blacks alongside bright highlights, with some haloing around bright objects against dark backgrounds [src1, src9]. RTINGS rates it excellent for content creation: its sRGB mode is accurate before calibration, though white balance and gamma need a full calibration for perfect accuracy [src9]. Tom's Guide measured 1,727 nits in HDR, 516 nits in SDR and a 0.20 Delta-E, calls it a game-changer for creative professionals, and lists a 120Hz refresh rate, Thunderbolt 5 with 140W charging and a downstream Thunderbolt 5 port for daisy-chaining a second XDR [src8]. It is a Mac monitor first. It needs macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 or later, Macs with M1, M2 or base M3 chips run it at 60Hz, and while it will display a Windows signal, its single upstream input and lack of a KVM switch mean swapping cables between computers [src8]. RTINGS adds that it has no HDMI port, does not work with game consoles, and has a stand that does not swivel [src9]. Availability: Apple's US store listed four configurations at $2,899 to $3,599 when we checked on 2026-10-14; Tom's Guide gives $3,299 for standard glass and $3,599 for nano-texture glass, each with the tilt- and height-adjustable stand. [src18, src8]

Best for PC and Mac: BenQ PD3226G — Check price

Creative Bloq's top pick for video editors: a 32-inch 4K monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate, Delta E ≤ 2 color accuracy, Pantone validation and Thunderbolt 4 with 90W power delivery; its reviewer adds that the same specs make it "a more than capable gaming monitor" [src4]. Tom's Guide names it its best monitor for creatives, measured 104% of DCI-P3 and a 0.16 Delta-E, and lists two Thunderbolt 4 ports (one with 90W upstream), a DisplayPort 1.4 port, an HDMI 2.1 port and a built-in KVM switch — inputs for more than one computer, which the Studio Display XDR lacks [src3, src8]. Tom's Guide's review found a 4K IPS panel with high color accuracy and calls it a highly capable editing display for creative professionals, except print photographers [src20]. Both outlets fault it on HDR and Adobe RGB: Creative Bloq lists poor HDR performance and no Adobe RGB mode, and Tom's Guide measured 252 nits in HDR and also found no Adobe RGB mode [src4, src3]. Both give its price as $1,099. [src4, src3]

Best Value: ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM — Check price

A 27-inch 4K, 240Hz QD-OLED gaming monitor that RTINGS keeps as a notable mention for video editing: "a high-end OLED with deeper blacks than the Apple Studio Display XDR. The ASUS also costs less, but it lacks Thunderbolt support and has a lower resolution, resulting in less detailed images" [src1]. RTINGS rates it remarkable for content editing, with deep, inky blacks, no blooming around bright objects and a very accurate sRGB mode, and names burn-in from constant exposure to the same static elements as the biggest drawback; its Neo Proximity Sensor turns the screen off when you are away, to reduce that risk [src10]. Tom's Hardware gave it an Editor's Choice: its Quantum Dot layer covers over 103% of DCI-P3, accuracy is excellent out of the box with a pro-level sRGB mode, and Dolby Vision support makes it great for content creators [src6]. It was RTINGS's video-editing pick until 2026-06-29, when the brighter, higher-resolution Studio Display XDR replaced it [src1]. Amazon.com sold it at $934.00 in our 2026-10-13 price check.

Best Budget: ASUS ProArt PA279CRV — Check price

TechRadar's best budget monitor for video editing, with "the usual ProArt experience including accurate factory calibration and excellent color coverage in a surprisingly affordable package": 99% Adobe RGB and 99% DCI-P3 in its specifications, USB-C with 96W power delivery and a DisplayPort output for daisy-chaining; HDR is limited to DisplayHDR 400 and the refresh rate to 60Hz [src5]. RTINGS rates it good for content creation, with a dedicated sRGB mode that is very accurate without calibration and picture modes for other color spaces, but finds its HDR picture quality disappointing, which it says matters if you edit video [src11]. RTINGS's own budget pick for video editing is the KOORUI S2721PM, a 1440p Mini LED monitor; it lists the PA279CRV as a notable mention that is worse for HDR because its local dimming feature is terrible [src1]. Amazon.com sold it at $397.18 in our 2026-10-13 price check.

Best for HDR Grading: ASUS ProArt PA32UCXR — Check price

Tom's Hardware's verdict: "For film and TV content creators, the Asus ProArt PA32UCXR is a great choice." Its 32-inch 4K IPS panel has a Mini LED backlight with 2,304 dimming zones; Tom's Hardware measured nearly 2,000 nits peak in HDR and over 1,300 nits from a full-screen white pattern in SDR, saw no halo artifacts, and found no adjustment necessary in any picture mode [src7]. It supports HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision, has a built-in meter that motors into place to calibrate the screen, works with Calman and Light Illusion ColourSpace, and comes with a light hood; its inputs are DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0 and Thunderbolt 4, and a USB-C port supplies 90 watts [src7]. Its one weakness in Tom's Hardware's review is a 60Hz maximum refresh rate [src7]. Australian Photography's reviewer at times had to turn its brightness down because it was too bright, and calls it ideal for content creators, video editors and post-production work [src16]. Availability: ASUS's US site listed it at $2,999 and marked it out of stock when we checked on 2026-10-14 [src17], and Amazon had no purchasable offer in our last three daily price checks, the latest on 2026-10-13. For a tested 32-inch HDR monitor, see the ASUS ProArt PA32UCDM below.

Best Professional OLED: ASUS ProArt PA32UCDM — Check price

Creative Bloq's best premium monitor for video editing: "OLED has finally arrived in a monitor aimed squarely at creatives." Its 32-inch 4K, 240Hz QD-OLED panel reaches up to 1,000 nits of local peak brightness but only around 250 nits full-screen; it has two Thunderbolt 4 ports with 96W power delivery and an HDMI 2.1 port but no dedicated DisplayPort, and Creative Bloq found its factory calibration slightly over-saturated, fixable with the built-in hardware 3D LUT or Calman Autocal. Creative Bloq gives its price as $1,899 [src4]. Tom's Hardware gave it an Editor's Choice and disagrees on calibration: it has modes for every video color standard in use, including sRGB, BT.709, Adobe RGB, DCI-P3, BT.2020 and DICOM, and Tom's Hardware verified that all of them were spot-on with no calibration required. It noted black crush and color anomalies in the HDR modes [src15].

Alternative — TechRadar's Top Pick: BenQ PD3225U — Check price

TechRadar's best monitor for video editing overall: a 32-inch 4K IPS Black monitor with 99% sRGB and Rec.709 coverage, Thunderbolt and USB-C hub connectivity, an integrated KVM switch, and a stand whose height, tilt and swivel adjustments kept its tester comfortable sitting or standing; TechRadar's drawbacks are its premium price and weak built-in speakers [src5]. RTINGS rates it very good for editing, with BenQ's Display Pilot 2 and Palette Master Ultimate software for configuration and color tuning, but it is only fairly accurate before calibration, is not a good choice for editing HDR content because it does not get bright enough for highlights to pop, and has bad motion handling [src13].

Alternative — Digital Camera World's Top Pick: Dell UltraSharp U2723QE — Check price

Digital Camera World's best all-rounder: "This 27" screen has almost everything you could want for video editing." Its lab measured a 0.74 Delta-E and 98% of DCI-P3, its reviewer verified the factory-calibrated Delta E ≤2 accuracy and Dell's color space claims, including 100% of Rec. 709, and it has a 2000:1 contrast ratio and a USB-C port with up to 90W of power; its weak spot is Adobe RGB coverage [src2]. RTINGS rates it good for content creators, with an accurate sRGB mode, an IPS Black panel, a KVM switch and incredible ergonomics, but blacks still look gray in dark rooms and its HDR picture quality is disappointing [src14].

Alternative — Built-In Calibration Sensor: Eizo ColorEdge CG2700X — Check price

Digital Camera World's best monitor for professionals: a 27-inch 4K monitor with 10-bit color, a built-in calibration system concealed in the edge of the screen that works with Eizo's free ColorNavigator 7 software, and a 5-year on-site warranty. Its lab measured a 0.40 Delta-E and 99% of Adobe RGB, and Digital Camera World says it and the larger CG3100X are the most accurate monitors for video editing its reviewer has used, while noting that many other 27-inch 4K monitors perform almost as well at a fraction of its cost [src2]. In our 2026-10-13 price check, Amazon offered it only through a marketplace seller we have not verified, with low stock.

Alternative — Hardware Calibration: BenQ SW272U — Check price

Digital Camera World's best monitor for color accuracy: a 27-inch 4K monitor factory-calibrated to Delta E ≤1.5, with hardware color calibration, BenQ's third-generation Uniformity Technology, USB-C with 90W power delivery and a Hotkey Puck remote. Its lab measured a 1.07 Delta-E and 98% of DCI-P3; the reviewer found it brilliant in lab testing but calls the price hard to justify, since other screens perform almost as well for a lot less [src2]. In our 2026-10-13 price check, Amazon offered it only through a marketplace seller we have not verified.

Alternative — Mac on a Smaller Budget: Apple Studio Display (2026) — Check price

The standard 2026 Studio Display has the XDR's 27-inch 5K size and Thunderbolt 5, with a second Thunderbolt port for daisy-chaining, but no HDR support, no local dimming and lower power delivery [src12, src1]. RTINGS rates it good for editing: its sRGB mode is extremely accurate before calibration, but that mode locks the brightness, and its contrast ratio is low [src12]. Tom's Guide measured 538.2 nits in SDR and a 0.21 Delta-E, against the XDR's 516 nits and 0.20 [src8]. It comes with a tilt-only stand, with a tilt- and height-adjustable stand or a VESA mount adapter as options; Apple's US store listed it from $1,599 when we checked on 2026-10-14. [src12, src19]

Key Market Trends (2026)

• Mini LED replaced OLED at the top of RTINGS's list: on 2026-06-29 RTINGS replaced two OLEDs, the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM and the Alienware AW2725DF, with two Mini LED monitors, the Studio Display XDR and the LG 27GM950B-B, "which are brighter and have higher resolutions", and moved the PG27UCDM to its notable mentions. [src1]
• Apple's monitors moved to Thunderbolt 5: both 2026 Studio Displays have Thunderbolt 5, and the XDR adds Mini LED, HDR and 120Hz; Tom's Guide calls the 32-inch Pro Display XDR discontinued. [src9, src12, src8]
• OLED reached monitors made for creatives: Creative Bloq says "OLED has finally arrived in a monitor aimed squarely at creatives" in the ASUS ProArt PA32UCDM, and Tom's Hardware found its color modes spot-on without calibration. [src4, src15]
• Creative monitors are getting faster: Creative Bloq says the BenQ PD3226G's 144Hz refresh rate sets it apart from typical creative monitors, and the Studio Display XDR now runs at 120Hz; Creative Bloq adds that for video shot at 30 or 60 fps, a faster refresh rate won't make much of a difference. [src4, src8]
• HDR still divides the field: RTINGS rates the HDR picture quality of the ASUS ProArt PA279CRV, BenQ PD3225U and Dell U2723QE disappointing, and the standard Apple Studio Display (2026) does not support HDR at all. [src11, src13, src14, src12]

Important Caveats

• Prices in the text are dated. The Price column and the table at the top of the page show our latest price check.
• The Studio Display XDR is built around Macs: it needs macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 or later, runs at 60Hz on Macs with M1, M2 or base M3 chips, has one upstream input and no KVM switch (it will display a Windows signal), and has no HDMI port. [src8, src9]
• OLED burn-in: RTINGS names burn-in from constant exposure to the same static elements the PG27UCDM's biggest drawback, less of a concern if you vary the content on screen. [src10]
• Figures on this card come from different outlets' tests, which use different methods; compare numbers within one outlet.
• Factory calibration claims do not always hold: Creative Bloq found the PA32UCDM's factory calibration slightly over-saturated where Tom's Hardware found its presets spot-on, and RTINGS found the PD3225U needs calibrating for the most accurate image. [src4, src15, src13]
• Availability: ASUS's US site marked the PA32UCXR out of stock on 2026-10-14 [src17], and Amazon had no purchasable offer for it in our last three daily price checks, the latest on 2026-10-13; in our 2026-10-13 price check Amazon offered the CG2700X and the SW272U only through marketplace sellers we have not verified.