Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through them. Our content is not influenced by commissions.
Most monitors are made with a particular purpose in mind, whether that is gaming, photo/video editing, graphic design, etc. So what do you do if you want a multipurpose monitor that is good for gaming AND editing? Unfortunately, there is no monitor that will be perfect at both. However there are some monitors that are pretty good for both purposes and are a good compromise if you can’t afford or don’t have the room for two monitors.
In this guide we will take a look at what you should look for in a monitor and then offer some recommendations for the best monitors for gaming and photo/video editing.
What To Look For in a Monitor
Although it would be nice to find a monitor that is perfect for photo/video editing and gaming, unfortunately that isn’t possible. Most monitors are made with a specific purpose on mind. Below, I will outline what you want to look for in a gaming monitor and a photo/video editing monitor, and then what I recommend as a good compromise.
For Gaming
- Fast response time. Response time refers to how long it takes for a pixel to fully change from one color to the next. Therefore, for gaming, you want a lower response time to prevent what is known as ghosting. This is when there appears to blurring during fast movements because the pixels aren’t given enough time to change. TN panels offer the fastest response time (often 1ms), but the picture quality is not as good as an IPS panel.
- High refresh rate. Refresh rate refers to how many times per second the display changes. For gaming, you want as high a refresh rate as possible to give the smoothest experience. If you plan on playing slower paced games without sudden movements like many RPGs, a 60hz monitor is sufficient. For faster paced games such as CSGO, I would suggest at least a 120hz monitor (or as high as possible).
- High resolution. This also applies to photo/video editing monitors. A higher resolution will give a sharper image which is beneficial to both gaming and editing. Make sure to take into account your PC specs when deciding on a resolution. Graphically demanding games will require a powerful graphics card and processor to run at higher resolutions. You also need to take into account the size of the monitor. Larger monitors will require a higher resolution to keep a crisp image. We recommend 1080p for 24″ monitors, 1440p for 27″ monitors and 4K for 32″ monitors.
For Photo/Video Editing
- Large size. A larger monitor is preferable for photo/video editing. Having the extra space to hold toolbars and panels most editing applications use is really handy. We recommend a minimum size of 24″, but 27 – 32″ is preferable.
- IPS panel. For photo/video editing you should go for an IPS panel. IPS panels reproduce colors much better than TN panels and offer higher viewing angles. The downside is that they usually have slower response times which isn’t great for gaming.
- High resolution. Like with gaming monitors, a higher resolution is preferred for a sharper image.
Best Monitors for Gaming and Editing
For gaming and photo/video editing, we recommend a monitor that is at least 24″ with and IPS panel. Although the IPS panel isn’t ideal for gaming due to the higher response time, the higher quality image is necessary for editing. Also, these days you can get IPS monitors with fairly low response times. The refresh rate should be at least 60hz but preferably more and the monitor should have a 5ms response time or lower if possible..
Below are our top picks for monitors that are great for gaming and photo/video editing.
- 24 Inch full HD IPS Display
- 1ms motion Blur reduction.OS Compatibility Windows 10
- AMD Free Sync. Viewing Angle : 178/178(CR≥10)
- On screen control
- 24 Inches 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS monitor. Brightness is 250 cd/m2
- FreeSync. Power Input : 100 240 Voltac, 50/60Hz.OS Compatibility Windows 10
- On screen control with screen split 2.0. Dimension Without Stand (WxHxD) 55.372 centimeter (21.8) x 6.09 centimeter (2.4) x...
- Game mode & black stabilizer
- 27 inch WQHD (2560x1440) IPS panel with 165Hz refresh rate (supports 144Hz) full sRGB gamut for immersive life like color in...
- Thin bezel design brings out the best balance of screen size and resolution for gaming
- NVIDIA G SYNC technology removes stutter and screen tearing for the smoothest gaming experience with NVIDIA G SYNC Processor
- ASUS Eye Care technology enables low blue light mode and flicker free panels for marathon gaming comfort
- 27 Inches WQHD (2560 x 1440) widescreen with NVIDIA G SYNC technology
- Refresh rate: 144Hz (overclocking to 165Hz) Using display port
- Response time: 4ms, Pixel Pitch: 0. 233 millimeter. Flicker less technology reduces annoying screen flickering that can cause...
- 2 x 2W speakers. Brightness: 350 nit. Panel technology: In plane switching (IPS) Technology. Tilt angle 5° to 35°. Swivel...
- Exclusive AQCOLOR technology covers a wide variety of color spaces such as Adobe RGB, sRGB, Rec. 709, ensuring the colors on...
- Brightness (typ.) is 250nits; Aspect Ratio is 16:9
- View files side-by-side with DualView. Easily compare photos and videos in specialized CAD/CAM, darkroom or animation Display...
- Ergonomic features allows you to customize your viewing experience with a tilt, twist or turn. Adjust the screen height or...
- 32" IPS UHD Widescreen with 3840 x 2160 resolution
- Response Time: 4ms;Tilt Angle : 5°to25°
- Pixel Pitch: 0.185mm. Flicker less Technology Reduces annoying screen flickering that can cause eye strain when viewing the...
- Signal Inputs: 1 x HDMI & 1 x Display Port (v1.2)
Conclusion
In conclusion, for a monitor that will suit both gaming and photo/video editing purposes, you should look for a monitor that is at least 24″, has an IPS panel, at least a 60hz refresh rate and as quick a response time as possible.
Last update on 2022-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Leave a Reply