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Best Hdr Monitors

Patrick Murray
  Mar 29, 2023 1:22 PM

As opposed to HDR televisions, the availability of HDR monitors is extremely limited. Check out this HDR monitor buying guide if you're looking for the greatest HDR on the market at a reasonable price.
 


OVERVIEW

You may be wary of purchasing a low-quality HDR display out of fear that you'll be duped by "fake HDR" or "pseudo-HDR" claims when doing your research.
Monitor manufacturers put HDR labels on just about anything these days, and that’s why in this buying guide, we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about HDR when it comes to monitors.

With monitor technology advancing at a rapid rate, it’s no surprise to see a large influx of HDR monitors available in today’s market. Once a very rare feature in displays, HDR is becoming increasingly popular. Budget displays now also include HDR capabilities, albeit with different performance outcomes and visual quality.
 


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BUYING GUIDE

There is no question that HDR performance has vastly improved across the board within the monitor industry, despite the fact that the top HDR monitors are still quite a ways behind TVs. As a result of the fact that a significant number of console gamers will also be purchasing gaming monitors for the next-generation PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles, manufacturers have begun to promote HDR capabilities more openly. In addition, the implementation of full-array local dimming (FALD), mini-LED backlight technology, and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels are all becoming much more widespread, which is contributing to an increase in the average HDR performance of all monitors. Taking everything into consideration, we are going to explore the internet in search of the very best HDR displays that we can get our hands on. Throughout the years, we have had the opportunity to test and review a large quantity of monitors, which has provided us with the confidence to provide recommendations for the best options available in a range of price ranges.

If you've been seeking for a fantastic HDR monitor, you don't need to keep searching because we have all the most recent suggestions right here.

Our top pick :

What is HDR and why it’s worth the investment?

 

The term "high dynamic range" (HDR) refers to a function that is integrated into today's televisions and monitors. This function enables the display to generate a greater variety of color, contrast, and brightness.

This reasonably popular feature is currently present across several displays within the market in today's day and age, providing up a more realistic color experience that is fantastic for both gaming and the consumption of content. When turned on, high dynamic range (HDR) displays will make use of a broader color gamut, which will enable the panel to display a greater contrast and color range. The information that you are seeing will appear to have a higher level of vibrancy as a result of this, in addition to producing a color experience that is more true to life.

Additionally, "real" HDR displays provide a higher peak brightness, which allows the panel to perform very well in a variety of lighting environments, including brightly lit rooms as well as gloomy ones.

 

What are the different HDR standards?

 

Having said that, the quality of HDR displays can vary greatly. The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) has spent many years certifying high dynamic range (HDR) capable monitors using a performance tier system to determine the various levels of HDR performance that a panel offers.

The tier system for VESA Certified DisplayHDR begins at "DisplayHDR 400" and progresses all the way up to "DisplayHDR 500 True Black" – with each step up the theoretical HDR ladder offering a better, more realistic HDR experience than the previous one. Monitors that offer the highest levels of HDR reproduction (DisplayHDR 500 True Black/DisplayHDR 1400, for example) will, of course, typically come with a price premium that is fairly significant to match. Having said that, if you place a high priority on color accuracy and picture quality, a "True" HDR experience is difficult to top.

 

Is HDR good for gaming?

 

It is generally agreed that high dynamic range (HDR) provides an exceptional gaming experience, particularly for those who play on next-generation consoles. Earlier on, we made a passing reference to the fact that making use of HDR when watching movies or playing video games enables the display to improve the depth of color, resulting in an experience that is significantly more accurate and immersive.

HDR is featured on many of today's most advanced gaming monitors, and it's easy to understand why this is the case. It should come as no surprise that there has been an uptick in interest in True HDR monitors given the growing availability of HDR-enabled content in modern times, particularly within the gaming industry.

 

Do all 4K monitors have HDR?

 

It is reasonable to say that the most majority of 4K displays offer some type of HDR capabilities, particularly in the 4K gaming monitor area. This is due to the fact that HDR is becoming an increasingly popular technology. Having said that, there are only a select number HDR monitors that have the highest possible VESA certifications, and the vast majority of them come with a significant cost premium.

Having said that, the quality of HDR will most certainly see a significant improvement in monitors as a direct result of the ever-increasing popularity of HDR in both games and general entertainment.
 

Is HDR400 ‘True’ HDR?

 

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is; is HDR400 ‘True’ HDR? And sadly, the answer is no.

As stated on the VESA DisplayHDR website, “If a monitor claims HDR support without a DisplayHDR performance specification, or refers to pseudo-specs like “HDR-400” instead of “DisplayHDR 400” it’s likely that the product does not meet the certification requirements.“

For a ‘True’ HDR experience, a monitor (or display) mus be able to meet the following requirements:

  • True 8-bit image quality – on par with top 15% of PC displays today

  • Global dimming – improves dynamic contrast ratio

  • Peak luminance of 400 cd/m2 – up to 50% higher than typical SDR

  • Minimum requirements for color gamut and contrast exceed SDR

Some sources also say that a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut is a minimum requirement of ‘True’ HDR – a feature that will allow a TV or monitor to showcase a much wider variety of colors when compared to the standard 99% sRGB.

 

How we choose the best HDR monitors

 

Choosing the best HDR monitor can often be a tricky task, especially when you consider just how many great monitors reside in today’s market. Luckily, our veteran team of display enthusiasts has a tonne of experience when it comes to gaming TVs and monitors, allowing us to handpick the best options out there.

Like every component we recommend, every HDR monitor we choose also goes through a strict testing process that allows us to determine which is the best when it comes to console gaming, general content consumption, and everyday usage. We run numerous tests using purpose-built equipment that allows us to confidently recommend the best monitors across the web.

 

Best HDR Monitor FAQs

Is an HDR monitor worth it?

Yes, we are big fans of HDR monitors. HDR monitors are nimble with pixel density and color depth, resulting in a sharper picture than Full 1080p. HDR images are also known for improved contrast ratios between light and dark images with improved backlighting.

What is the best HDR monitor?

We feel the best HDR monitors have a minimum of a 300 nits brightness rating, native 120Hz high refresh rates for no blur motion, and layered technologies such as nVidia GSync and AMD Freesync compatible to boost response times for sports watching and gaming performance. Do not forget ergonomics - healthy tilt, swivel, and height adjustment angles along with flick free technology is a must to reduce eye strain and extend those long working hours.

Is 300 nits bright enough?

We consider 300 nits an absolute minimum to work with no issues in brighter rooms. Go for a 500 nits brightness rating or a higher HDR 1000 monitor for the best brightness performance.

 

In Conclusion

 

You've found the perfect HDR display, right?

Feel free to send us any questions you might have in the comments below!

Overall, the Dell AW3423DWF is a great choice. The Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q and GP27U are excellent choices if you're not interested in an ultrawide display or can't quite afford one.

The greatest HDR displays for 2022 have been covered in this article. We hope that by the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of HDR monitors and the technology that goes into them. Here are five of the greatest high dynamic range (HDR) displays now on the market, ranging in size, price, and performance. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a console player, a dedicated PC gamer, or a regular consumer that’s trying to better their home setup, this guide ultimate includes everything you need to know about HDR monitors.


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