Best HP Monitors for Photo Editing

Professional photographers and designers need more than a high-quality camera to create beautiful, rich, and striking visuals. Photo editing is integral to image processing as it increases colour accuracy, enhances clarity, and fixes contrast. Editing can help salvage otherwise mediocre or poor shots, but you require the right tools that are up for the task.

Using the right monitor meant for photo editing can help produce exactly the end result you want. Unlike regular PC monitors, professional photo editing monitor displays have a wider colour spectrum and panel specifications to ensure higher colour accuracy, better viewing angles, and optimised calibration. Whether you are a professional or a photography enthusiast, a quality photo editing monitor is essential to master your craft. 

In this article, we will discuss the different specifications and factors to consider when choosing a photo editing monitor, list some of the best HP monitors for photo editing and offer tips on enhancing your editing results.

Factors to consider when choosing a photo editing monitor

Whether you are purchasing your first photo editing monitor or considering an upgrade, it is essential to keep in mind the following specifications and features:

Colour accuracy and gamut

Understanding colour accuracy and being aware of its technical terms and specifications can help you choose the optimum photo editing display. As the name suggests, colour accuracy is the ability of a monitor to reproduce colours and shades as expected. Factors such as colour space, colour gamut, panel type, and Delta E level influence the accuracy of monitors. Delta E measures how effectively the human eye perceives the difference in colours and its value ranges between 0 and 100. The lower the Delta E number, the better the monitor’s performance is likely to be.

Similarly, the colour gamut or spectrum constitutes the range of colours a monitor can reproduce. The wider the gamut, the more colours will be displayed accurately. Standardised colour gamuts are called colour standards or spaces, set by different industries to ensure consistency in the output. Some common colour gamuts are sRGB, Adobe RGB, NTSC, EBU and DCI-P3. For photographers and designers, sRGB and Adobe RGB hold the most significance.

sRGB is the most common standard, and since it has a narrower colour spectrum, it offers little time lag. In contrast, Adobe RGB has a wider colour gamut, which can depict more colours realistically. Knowing this distinction is important because if you click or edit a photo on a device using Adobe RGB and share it with a client who views it on a device with sRGB, the colour accuracy and vibrancy can significantly vary.

Resolution and screen size

Determining the screen size and resolution can be tricky and depends entirely on factors like the space available, your working style, and your budget. Having a larger screen size will have its benefits, as it gives you an enhanced viewing to edit photos to your liking. A size between 24 and 32 inches is usually suitable for photo editing with a widescreen aspect ratio. Consider an ultra-wide monitor only if you require a second screen for larger previews.

Naturally, a monitor with a higher resolution will produce sharper images. Smaller screens, say less than 27 inches, can work well with Full High Definition or FHD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels), but you may need a 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) resolution for bigger screens.

Display technology


The type of display technology of the monitor influences the contrast, distortion, colour shifting, and depth. In-plane switching (IPS) are advanced LCD panels with liquid crystal molecules that switch patterns to form richer colour displays. They offer relatively consistent brightness, sharpness, and quality when viewed at different angles. IPS screens are recommended over older panels, such as vertical alignment (VA) and twisted nematic (TN).

Another alternative that is becoming common is the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, which offers excellent colour accuracy. However, they are prone to pixel burnout due to brighter displays. So, while OLED screens make for great television or entertainment viewing, IPS screens are the safest bet for photo editing.

Connectivity and ergonomics

Besides technical specifications, you need to check the monitor’s screen surface, viewing angle, design, connectivity, and image quality settings. A USB-C output, DisplayPort™ and HDMI can make your work more flexible as connectivity with other devices will become easier. 

Similarly, ergonomically designed monitors with a sleek frame, bezel design, and adjustable mounts can make your workstations more comfortable. You want to be able to tilt, swivel, and adjust the viewing angles from an easy-to-use pivot control. Additionally, ensure that the monitor allows customisation of colour gamut, temperature, and gamma adjustment.

Best HP monitors for photo editing

At HP, we have many photo editing monitors in the Z Display Series at different price points. This series of professional displays includes a wide variety of features that can help photographers and designers work efficiently. Here are some options for you to consider:

HP Z25xs G3 QHD USB-C DreamColor Display


The HP Z25xs G3 QHD USB-C DreamColor Display
 offers a wide colour gamut and integrated colour calibration for unmatched colour accuracy and comes with an HP Zero BrightDot Guarantee. It offers 99% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3 coverage in vivid HDR and Quad HD or QHD resolution. The monitor has a frameless, razer-thin design with four-way adjustable ergonomics and allows you three additional customisable colour presets. This excellent editing monitor has the following specifications: 

•    25" QHD (2,560 x 1,440 @ 60 Hz)
•    Flat IPS with Edge-lit
•    1 USB Type-C, 1 HDMI 2.0 (with HDCP support), 1 DisplayPort 1.4-in (with HDCP support), 1 DisplayPort 1.4-out (with HDCP support), 3 USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 USB Type-C (power delivery up to 15W)
•    Tilt and height adjustable, pivot, swivel stand
•    Pantone Validated and Factory-calibrated
•    Brightness buttons
•    VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified

HP M24f FHD Monitor


The HP M24f FHD Monitor
 is an entry-level editing display with FDH resolution, high colour accuracy and impressive audio capabilities. With IPS technology for 178-degree ultra-wide viewing angles, 99% sRBG colour gamut, and Freesync™, this monitor also has innovative cable containment and seamless design for side-by-side screens. Here are its specifications:

•    23.8" FHD (1,920 x 1,080 @ 75 Hz) resolution
•    Flat IPS with Edge-lit
•    1 VGA, 1 HDMI 1.4 (with HDCP support)
•    Tilt stand
•    Sustainable
•    Adaptive sync
•    Low blue light mode
•    Eyesafe® Certified

HP Z43 42.5-inch 4K UHD Display


The HP Z43 42.5-inch 4K UHD Display
 is a large high-end editing monitor with consistent colour accuracy and 4K UHD to ensure you don’t miss any detail. This premium monitor has over 8 million pixels, giving you top-notch picture quality with sharp colours, contrast, and crispness. Here is what you get with this display: 

•    42.51" 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160 @ 60 Hz)
•    Flat IPS with LED backlight
•    1 DisplayPort 1.2, 1 mini DisplayPort 1.2, 1 HDMI 2.0, 1 USB Type-C (power delivery up to 65 W)
•    Tilt and swivel stand
•    Anti-glare
•    In-plane switching
•    On-screen controls
•    User programmable

HP Z27q G3 QHD Display


The HP Z27q G3 QHD Display
 is a feature-rich mid-level monitor with HP’s Zero BrightDot Guarantee. With a 99% sRGB colour gamut and QHD resolution, this display offers exceptional vibrancy with HP Eye Ease that reduces blue light exposure with zero impact to true colour accuracy. You can also connect a series of displays with a single DisplayPort or additional workstations. Here are some other specifications of this device: 

•    27" QHD (2,560 x 1,440) resolution
•    IPS display 
•    1 HDMI 2.0; 1 DisplayPort 1.4-in; 1 DisplayPort 1.4-out; 1 USB Type B (upstream); 4 SuperSpeed USB Type-A 5Gbps signalling rate (2 with Battery charging 1.2)
•    On-screen controls
•    Anti-glare
•    Height adjustable stand, pivot rotation and VESA mountable

Monitor calibration and workflow optimisation

Photo editing monitors may require some calibration for precise colour reproduction and efficient editing. While most monitors may be good to use out-of-the-box (particularly if they have been factory-calibrated), some hardware calibration may be necessary. Even factory-calibrated monitors may offer different visual outputs with continued usage, so it is essential to recalibrate your screen regularly for maximum colour accuracy. Here are some tips to calibrate your monitor and optimise your workflow:

•    Get a calibration tool: If your display doesn’t come with in-built calibration tools, invest in a monitor calibrator to adjust colour accuracy.

•    Control gamma correction: Gamma correction manages the brightness of the display, and you can control this setting to improve details in images.

•    Adjust lookup table: To control the monitor’s tonal grades and transitions, use the lookup table to apply different looks and colour grades easily.

Enhancing the editing environment

Once you have the right editing monitor and system, you need to optimise your workstation and environment for seamless editing. Follow these tips to enhance your efficiency:  

Design a well-lit workstation

Photo editing and processing requires great attention to detail, and having adequate light while working is necessary to observe different aspects of the image. Set your workstation to receive as much natural light as possible to understand how the colours of the end product may appear in print or external environments.

Manage cables efficiently

You may inadvertently end up using several external chords, storage devices, and connected accessories to transfer images and designs. Having a cable organiser that provides access to different devices and accessories without making a mess on your workstation is essential for working efficiently.

Ensure consistency from different viewing angles

Make sure your position and height with respect to the monitor are stable enough to give you consistent visual output, regardless of the viewing angle or title.

Provide system ventilation

Editing software systems typically pose significant stress on the device, and the hardware may overheat during long work sessions. So, have adequate ventilation and room for the system hardware and monitor to maintain a safe temperature and ensure optimum performance.

HP Monitors for photo editing: The last word

Professional photo editing monitors are important for professionals to be at the top of their game. Comparing the features and specifications of different monitors requires fundamental knowledge about colour accuracy, calibration, display technology, and resolution. 

Since professional photo editing monitors are priced slightly higher than regular monitors, you need to consider several important factors before making this investment. HP offers photo editing monitors of varying screen sizes and capabilities as per your budget and requirements. Learn more about HP monitors and HP accessories to build your dream editing machine. 

Author bio: Manav Seth is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. He is a copywriter with over 12 years of journalism and digital marketing experience.