The Best PC Monitors – 2024 Update

The BenQ PhotoVue SW321C is our top monitor choice for content creators such as photographers, videographers, and designers seeking a high-quality display with excellent color accuracy. This 32-inch 4K IPS monitor stands out for its impressive color gamut coverage, boasting 99% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB, and 95% DCI-P3, as well as a Delta-E of less than 2, ensuring vibrant and consistent colors across various professional uses. The PhotoVue also carries a pro-level price of $1,899.

A notable feature is the inclusion of hardware calibration, which allows for precise adjustments with a 16-bit look-up table, providing smoother gradations and more accurate color representations. The monitor is also pre-calibrated to ensure excellent color accuracy right out of the box, a significant advantage for professionals who rely on color fidelity.

In terms of aesthetics, the SW321C opts for a more functional than flashy design, with thick bezels and a robust stand that offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments. However, the stand’s lack of stability may be a drawback given the monitor’s premium status and price.

Image credit: Francesco Gola

Connectivity is comprehensive, including multiple HDMI and USB ports, a USB-C port with 60W power delivery, and an SD card reader. The inclusion of a hotkey puck for easier navigation and settings adjustments is a nice touch, too.

There are areas where the SW321C could improve. The HDR performance is moderate, and the stand could be more stable.

Overall, the BenQ SW321C PhotoVue offers a solid package of features tailored for professional work, making it an attractive option for those who prioritize color accuracy and detailed visuals over sleek design and the very latest HDR capabilities.

Dell UltraSharp U3223QE

The Dell UltraSharp U3223QE is not as high-end, but still offers a great mix of pro features, color accuracy, and build quality, all for $677 which is less than half than the BenQ’s price tag.

Dell’s experience in producing high-end displays is made obvious with this display. The 3840 x 2160 IPS panel has been color-calibrated at the factory to produce 100% sRGB color accuracy out of the box, as well as 98% DCI-P3 and 89% Adobe RGB colors. The screen boasts 1.07 billion colors and a claimed 2000:1 contrast ratio, while the 400 nits of brightness help it to HDR 400 certification, which admittedly isn’t great.

Ports consist of a single DisplayPort 1.4 and another DP output to allow for a second monitor to be daisy-chained. There are also four USB 3.0 slots, a single HDMI 2.0, a USB Type-C that offers Power Delivery (up to 90W of charging power), DisplayPort Alt Mode, and USB 2.0 data connectivity.

Other highlights include a built-in KVM that lets you switch between two PCs while using one keyboard and mouse. It also comes with tiny bezels (6mm), a low response time, and the minimalist chassis is solid.

The main downside to Dell’s offering is the semi-gloss finish, as it doesn’t handle reflections from bright sources very well. For some users, it may be tricky to find the right position without the screen glare being too distracting.

Asus ProArt PA32DC

The Asus ProArt PA32DC is a stunning 32-inch 4K monitor made for serious professionals, a fact reflected in its (reduced) price of $2,899. The ProArt uses an OLED panel, which means deep blacks, true 10-bit color depth, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. This is especially beneficial for video production and photo editing, where precise color representation is crucial.

The monitor supports multiple color standards, including DCI-P3 (99%), sRGB, Adobe RGB, and Rec.709, making it perfect for various pro applications. It comes pre-calibrated with a detailed report, too. Users can further calibrate it using the built-in colorimeter and Asus ProArt Calibration software or third-party solutions like Calman.

In terms of design, the PA32DC is functional with a solid metal stand that offers height, tilt, and swivel adjustments. The monitor also includes a hood to reduce glare, though its assembly can be somewhat fiddly. Connectivity options consist of multiple HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, and USB-C, although it lacks HDMI 2.1, which may be an issue for some. There’s also a 0.1ms response time, though it’s obviously not designed with gamers in mind.

For SDR content, the PA32DC delivers excellent grayscale tracking and gamma accuracy, while its HDR performance is equally impressive, with support for multiple formats such as Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. However, some users might find the out-of-the-box Standard mode less impressive, but switching to other presets or performing manual calibration can achieve near-perfect results.

Overall, the Asus ProArt PA32DC is a premium choice for professionals requiring top-notch color accuracy and contrast, offering features that justify its higher price point.