You’re in the market for a monitor for photo editing, but you don’t want to break the bank. Then you need the best photo editing monitors for under $200.
That’s cool, it makes sense. You’ve probably just spent a lot of money on a camera, tripods, microphones, and a bunch of different lenses.
All those things are expensive, and so too are editing monitors.
However, they don’t have to be.
We’ve rounded up some of the best monitors to edit photos on for under $200.
The Best Monitor for Photo Editing Under $200
- Acer R240HY 23.4″ IPS – best 24-inch monitor under $200.
- Philips 271E1S 27″ Frameless Monitor – best frameless monitor under $200.
- Asus PA248QV ProArt Display – best for color accuracy under $200.
- ViewSonic VX2776-SMHD 27-inch – best design for under $200.
1. Acer R240HY 23.8-Inch IPS – best 24” photo editing monitor under $200
- 23.8" Full HD IPS widescreen with 1920 x 1080 resolution
- Response time: 4ms, refresh rate: 60 hertz, pixel pitch: 0.2745 millimeter. 178 degree wide viewing angle, display colors: 16.7 million
- The zero frame design provides maximum visibility of the screen from edge to edge
- Signal inputs: 1 x HDMI, 1 x DVI (withHDCP) & 1 x VGA. Does not support HDCP 2.2, the version this monitor supports is HDCP 1.4
- No picture visible using the OSD menu, adjust brightness and contrast to maximum or reset to their default settings. Brightness is 250 nit. Operating power consumption: 25 watts
The Acer R240HY comes with a small yet impressive 23.8”, full HD widescreen display. Which, whilst it isn’t the largest possible format, it’s enough to give you a healthy workspace for your photos.
The screen boasts a resolution of 1920 x 1080. This is HD, but it does fall on the lower end of the modern spectrum of HD options.
The IPS screen, however, does give you a very wide viewing angle, without diminishing colors. It’s 178 degrees total, so if you shift around whilst you work – we know we do – then you’re not going to suffer a loss of quality.
If you like to edit and work at a standing desk, the tilt function will also help with the viewing angle and ergonomics. With 20 degrees of motion, the screen can always be adjusted to your eye line.
Lastly, what we really liked about this cheap photo editing monitor is its edgeless frame. The frame is very minimal, and if you want to double up screens, you get very little interference – doubling up is also a good choice if you want to upgrade at a later date.
Pros:
- 178-degree viewing angle without color loss.
- Edgeless frame.
- Competitive price.
Cons:
- Doesn’t rotate around the center.
- At the lower-end resolution.
2. Philips 271E1S 27″ Frameless Monitor – best frameless photo editing monitor under $200
- Philips E-Line 24" (23. 8" Viewable) Led Monitor With Full Hd 1920X1080, Ips Panel For Wide-Viewing Angles And Full Colors
- Philip Ultra Wide-Color Technology With 129% Srgb & 108% Ntsc Color Gamut Coverage
- Amd Freesync Technology Provides Fluid, Artifact-Free Gaming Performance With Support Up To 75Hz Refresh Rate
- Lowblue Mode Reduces Harmful Shortwave Blue Light For Your Wellbeing + Flicker-Free Technology Regulates Brightness And Reduces Eye Fatigue
The Philips 271E1S is a little pricier than the last option, but if you’ve got the extra money, it’s worth every penny under $200.
The 271E1S features a 27” full HD screen, giving you a much larger workspace to edit stills in – 27” allows you to work in split-screen mode, yet not suffer any loss of screen real estate.
As with the previous monitor, the 271E1S also has a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Again, this isn’t bad, but it is on the lower end of acceptable resolution these days.
The 271E1S also has a 178-degree view angle, so you don’t lose any color quality as you move around the screen. This is great if you need to ensure your photos have a consistent appearance wherever they’re view from.
The color gamut and range on the 271E1S are what help it to stand out in this price bracket. You get 90% NTSC and 101% sRGB ranges, which is competitive for a monitor under $200.
One downside we immediately noticed was that you can’t rotate the screen, you can only tilt it. This means when you’re setting it up, you can’t adjust it without also moving the stand. This isn’t a massive issue for most, but if you don’t have lots of space on your photo editing desk, it can be a pain.
Pros:
- 27” gives you a large workspace.
- 178 degrees viewing angle.
Cons:
- The stand can only tilt and not rotate.
3. ASUS PA248QV ProArt Display – best color accuracy photo editing monitor under $200
- Professional artist monitor: 24.1-inch 16:10 WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS display with frameless design
- Industry-standard color space coverage: 100% sRGB and 100% Rec. 709 color gamut with a brightness of 300 cd/m² (max) and a response time of 5 ms (gray to gray)
- Accurate image reproduction: Calman Verified and factory pre-calibrated for impeccable color accuracy
- Personalized editing: ASUS exclusive ProArt Preset and ProArt Palette provide several adjustable color parameters and preset modes
- Extensive connectivity: DisplayPort, HDMI, D-sub, Audio in, Earphone jack, and four USB 3.0 ports for ideal flexibility
The Asus PA248QV comes to the top of the price point, but this monitor will give you the top-quality image editing abilities that come with that.
Firstly, the ProArt PA248QV features a 24” full HD display, with 1920 x 1200 resolution, and a 16:1 professional standard display ratio. The screen also has a frameless design, so, when you’re working, you’re not seeing pointless bezels.
In terms of color, the PA248QV has an impressive range and gamut. Once unboxed and turned on, you’ll get the 100% sRGB, along with 100% Rec 709 gamut.
If you’re worrying about real-world accuracy, this all translates into an ∆E < 2 reproduction value. This means the change in color from your screen to your printed image is practically imperceptible to the human eye.
In addition, this monitor has a real-size alignment grid overlap, so you can check the sizes of your prints before you print.
Unlike the previous two entries on our list, this monitor is fully adjustable in all directions. So you can tilt, swivel, rotate, and pivot your screen to best fit your photo editing workspace.
Pros:
- Great color reproduction value.
- Fully rotatable and adjustable.
- Verified color accuracy by Calman.
Cons:
- At the top end of the $200 price bracket.
4. ViewSonic VX2776-SMHD 27 Inch – best design photo editing monitor under $200
- FORM & FUNCTION: With ultra-slim bezels design, Full HD (1920x1080p) resolution, and premium IPS panel, this monitor looks as good as it performs
- AMAZING AT ANY ANGLE: A SuperClear IPS panel ensures stunning views no matter your vantage point
- ENHANCED VIEWING COMFORT: Flicker-Free technology and Blue Light Filter for all-day comfort
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTIVITY: The VX2776-SMHD supports laptops, PCs, and Macs with HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA inputs *This product is not VESA compatible
- INCLUDED IN THE BOX: LCD Monitor, Power Cable, AC/DC Adapter, HDMI Cable, VGA Cable, and Audio Cable
What stands out about the ViewSonic is what you’ll notice immediately: its stylish, thin design.
The 27” full HD VX2776-SMHD monitor features 178-degree viewing angles, thanks to its IPS tech. It has the full 1920 x 1080 pixel density, which is a standard amount now. And, it has blue light and flicker-free tech, allowing you to edit for longer without the ultraviolet light straining your eyes.
However, the monitor is frameless, with an almost invisible bezel. This makes viewing your images a delightful experience. You’re not getting interference from a thick, black edge, potentially ruining the composition of what you’re editing.
Moreover, the screen is incredibly thin in profile – much like the new iMacs.
In terms of color, this monitor doesn’t hold up to the ProArt, but it will still give good results.
Pros:
- Great design and stylish look.
- 178-degree viewing angles from the IPS screen.
Cons:
- Not color specialized like some other screens.
If aesthetics are your vibe, then you might want to check out wireless monitors:
- Keep your desk clutter-free with the best wireless computer monitors.