Best Budget Monitor for Video Editing and Color Grading in 2025

I’ll be real with you: I’m not a pro colorist. I don’t know all the formulas behind color science. But I do know how to get my edits looking good — honestly, better than most video editors out there. No shade :).

And here’s the thing… color grading used to be locked behind a giant paywall. Back in the mid-2000s, if you wanted to be a “real” colorist, you needed a DaVinci Resolve hardware rig. Those setups could run $200K–$250K easily, with high-end suites climbing toward $800K. Yeah, you read that right. It was a gatekept craft. The cost of entry was too high!

But today? The cost of entry has basically disappeared. You don’t need a Hollywood studio budget anymore. You just need the right monitor — and no, it doesn’t have to be Apple’s $1,599 Studio Display.

Meet My Favorite Budget Monitor for Creators: ASUS ProArt PA278CV

This monitor is the real deal for filmmakers, YouTubers, and editors who want pro-level color accuracy without dropping a small fortune. The ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV delivers features you’d expect from monitors triple its price — and it’s sitting right in the $300–$350 range.

Here’s why I love it:

1. Color You Can Trust

The PA278CV is factory-calibrated, Calman Verified, and rated ΔE < 2. Translation? The colors you see are the colors your audience sees. It also covers 100% sRGB and 100% Rec. 709, which makes it spot-on for video editing, color grading, and content creation.

2. A Resolution That Feels Just Right

With a crisp 2560 × 1440 WQHD resolution on a 27″ IPS panel, it’s sharp without overloading your GPU. Perfect for editing timelines in Resolve or Premiere without feeling cramped.

3. One Cable Simplicity

This is my favorite part: the USB-C connection handles video, data, and up to 65 W of power. That means one cable powers my MacBook Pro and runs the display. Clean desk, fewer chargers, no mess.

4. Creator-Friendly Ports

HDMI, DisplayPort, USB hub, and even DisplayPort daisy chaining if you want a dual-monitor setup. Basically, it grows with you.

5. Comfort for Long Edits

The stand is fully adjustable — height, tilt, swivel, and pivot. You can set it exactly how you like and avoid neck pain after hours of grading.

Why It Beats the Apple Studio Display

I usually say “don’t be cheap, buy quality gear.” But in this case? Save your money. The Apple Studio Display costs $1,599. The ASUS ProArt PA278CV gives you the color accuracy, ergonomics, and workflow features you actually need — for a fraction of the price.

The Bottom Line

I don’t pretend to be a color science wizard. But I know this: good tools make a difference. And the ASUS ProArt PA278CV is easily the best budget monitor for video editing and color grading in 2025.

For around $300, you get professional color accuracy, clean USB-C power delivery, and a setup that feels way more expensive than it is.

👉 If you’re serious about your edits, do yourself a favor: skip the overpriced screens and pick this one up. Your eyes, your workflow, and your wallet will thank you.