If you're a professional photographer, videographer, or digital artist, you need to have a calibrated monitor. This ensures that your output has accurate color across different displays and prints.

To make sure you're working with the right colors, you need to have a monitor calibrating device. This equipment corrects your monitor's color output to conform to international standards. So whatever color you see on your display will be the same across all other calibrated devices.

Here are the best monitor color calibrators available to purchase.

Premium pick

1. X-Rite i1Studio

9.00 / 10
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This monitor calibrating tool is perfect for professional photographers who need an end-to-end color management solution. Aside from the spectrophotometer, you also get a camera color calibration app and a 24-color target to ensure you get perfect colors from start to finish.

The i1Studio also allows black and white image profiling, ensuring you get perfect shadows and highlights in your photos. And when you're ready to print, you can do so with its built-in intelligent iterative profiling to consistent prints anywhere. It's also compatible with Mac, Windows, and iOS devices.

So whatever workflow you have, you're ensured accurate and precise colors every time. The app also supports up to ten languages, so even if you're not a native English speaker, you can use this tool easily.

Key Features
  • Calibrates Macs, Windows, and iOS devices
  • Includes camera color calibration software
  • Provides end-to-end color management solution for professionals
Specifications
  • Brand: X-Rite
  • Connectivity: USB-A
  • Integrations: MacOS X 10.13x and up / Windows 7 and up / iOS 7.x and up
  • Color: Silver and Black
  • Material: N/A
  • Battery: Lithium ion batteries (included)
  • Weight: N/A
  • Capacity: N/A
  • Mount: N/A
  • Optical System: N/A
  • Aperture: 6mm
  • Focal Length: N/A
Pros
  • Also allows black and white image profiling
  • Supports up to ten languages
  • Comes with a standard 24-color target for scene color calibration
Cons
  • Expensive
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X-Rite i1Studio
Editors choice

2. X-Rite i1Display Pro

8.80 / 10
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If you're a hobbyist photographer and require accurate colors but don't want to spend on premium gear, you can consider the i1Display Pro. This is a more affordable alternative that's also easier to use. Its software has a basic, wizard-driven mode, allowing even beginners to calibrate their monitors easily.

But despite being designed for new users, you can still get advanced features like ambient light compensation and display glare adjustment. The included app also works with the latest Mac OS and Windows versions, so you're sure it will work no matter what system you use.

Although this doesn't work with cameras and mobile devices, you can still ensure accurate color on your computer monitors. This calibrator also uses video color standards designed for color grading and video editing work, making it useful for filmmakers as well.

Key Features
  • Software allows basic, wizard-driven and advanced user-driven modes for all types of users
  • Works with both MacOS X 10.13 or newer and Windows 7 or newer operating systems
  • Uses video color standards for color grading and video editing work
Specifications
  • Brand: X-Rite
  • Connectivity: Powered USB Port
  • Integrations: MacOS X 10.13 and up / Windows 7 and up
  • Color: Black and Silver
  • Material: N/A
  • Battery: N/A
  • Weight: N/A
  • Capacity: N/A
  • Mount: N/A
  • Optical System: N/A
  • Aperture: N/A
  • Focal Length: N/A
Pros
  • Supports up to nine languages
  • Compensates for ambient light
  • Adjusts for display glare with Flare Correct technology
Cons
  • Cannot calibrate mobile devices
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X-Rite i1Display Pro
Best value

3. Datacolor SpyderX Pro

9.00 / 10
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The SpyderX Pro is Datacolor's monitor calibrating tool designed for beginner and intermediate users. It offers a single-click calibration mode, allowing you to quickly adjust your display without having to go through complicated settings. But despite being beginner-friendly, it still offers advanced functions like monitor performance analysis, multi-display calibration, and even multiple calibration setting profiles.

It also adjusts for ambient light changes, ensuring you get accurate colors no matter the time. And after you finish calibrating your monitor, you can see its before and after results for comparison.

Although it doesn't come with a USB-C cable, you can attach it to modern systems with any adapter. Alternatively, you can get a Datacolor-branded USB-C to USB-A adapter for the SpyderX Pro.

Key Features
  • Supports multi-display calibration
  • Adjusts for environmental light changes
  • Offers a single-click calibration mode for quick adjustment
Specifications
  • Brand: Datacolor
  • Connectivity: USB-A Plug
  • Integrations: Mac OS X 10.10 and up / Windows 7 and up
  • Color: White and Red
  • Material: N/A
  • Battery: Lithium ion
  • Weight: N/A
  • Capacity: N/A
  • Mount: N/A
  • Optical System: N/A
  • Aperture: N/A
  • Focal Length: N/A
Pros
  • Shows before and after comparison results
  • Allows monitor performance analysis
  • Saves up to 12 calibration settings for portable workstations
Cons
  • Doesn't come with a USB-C cable
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Datacolor SpyderX Pro

When you need to minimize disturbance to your workflow, use the Spyder5Express to calibrate your displays. This calibration tool only takes five minutes to ensure you get the most accurate colors on your screen. It's also easy to set up and use, with the built-in lens cap also serving as a counterweight.

You can also use this device to evaluate your different displays. That way, you can see which of your monitors perform the best—allowing you to pick the right hardware in the future. This tool also has built-in light monitoring, allowing you to get optimal monitor brightness no matter the situation.

Once the Spyder5Express finishes calibration, it displays pre- and post-calibration image results. That way, you can see how much your output will improve after correcting your monitor's colors.

Key Features
  • Built-in room light monitoring tool for optimal monitor brightness
  • Display evaluation allows for performance comparison between different monitors
  • Guaranteed color accuracy with built-in seven-detector optical engine
Specifications
  • Brand: Datacolor
  • Connectivity: USB-A
  • Integrations: Mac OS X 10.7 and up / Windows 7 and up
  • Color: Black
  • Material: N/A
  • Battery: N/A
  • Weight: N/A
  • Capacity: N/A
  • Mount: N/A
  • Optical System: N/A
  • Aperture: N/A
  • Focal Length: N/A
Pros
  • Lens cap also serves as counterweight
  • Only takes five minutes for full calibration
  • SpyderProof displays pre- and post-calibration image results
Cons
  • Exorbitant price
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Datacolor Spyder5Express

If you don't want the hassle of manually adjusting your display, the ColorMunki Display is the perfect tool for you. It automatically manages your hardware's settings via its Automatic Display Control function. You thus get the perfect color without having to do anything to your screen.

Furthermore, monitor calibration with the ColorMunki Display is easy with its wizard interface software. You can also use this on Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows. So no matter what devices you use to edit your images, you're sure to get accurate colors. Best of all, even advanced and professional users will appreciate this tool.

It supports the calibration of up to four displays per workstation. And if your work area is affected by changing light conditions, this tool will automatically compensate for that, ensuring accuracy throughout the day.

Key Features
  • Quick and easy calibration through via a wizard interface
  • Adjusts hardware settings via Automatic Display Control
  • Measures, monitors, and compensates for ambient light
Specifications
  • Brand: X-Rite
  • Connectivity: Powered USB Port
  • Integrations: Android 4.0.4 and up / iOS 7.x and up / MacOS X 10.11.x and up / Windows 7 and up
  • Color: Black
  • Material: N/A
  • Battery: N/A
  • Weight: N/A
  • Capacity: N/A
  • Mount: N/A
  • Optical System: N/A
  • Aperture: N/A
  • Focal Length: N/A
Pros
  • Works with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows
  • Best for both beginners and advanced users
  • Supports up to four displays per workstation
Cons
  • Requires adapters to work with mobile devices
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X-Rite ColorMunki Display

The SpyderX Elite is Datacolor's monitor calibration tool designed for professionals. It features StudioMatch technology, allowing for color standardization across different devices and workstations. Furthermore, it supports a wide range of screen types, resolutions, and color gamuts. This enables you to calibrate newer ultrawide displays reliably.

Its included software is easy and intuitive to use, allowing you to calibrate your monitors in as little as two minutes. And if you find automatic and preset calibration insufficient, you also get access to expert-level controls. That way, you can correct your screen's colors to exacting specifications.

Aside from calibrating monitors, you can also use the Datacolor SpyderX Elite to calibrate digital projects. So if you're planning to project your images for yourself or your clients, you are sure to get the best colors out of your projector.

Key Features
  • Allows for color standardization across devices with StudioMatch
  • Custom calibration through expert-level control panel
  • Supports the latest screen types, resolutions, and color gamut
Specifications
  • Brand: Datacolor
  • Connectivity: USB-A
  • Integrations: Mac OS X 10.10 and up / Windows 7 and up
  • Color: White and Red
  • Material: N/A
  • Battery: N/A
  • Weight: N/A
  • Capacity: N/A
  • Mount: N/A
  • Optical System: N/A
  • Aperture: N/A
  • Focal Length: N/A
Pros
  • Can calibrate digital projectors
  • Uses intuitive software
  • Calibrates monitors in as little as two minutes
Cons
  • No included USB-C adapter
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Datacolor SpyderX Elite

If you're a digital artist, you will appreciate the Pantone ColorMunki Design. Aside from calibrating your display, you can also use this to detect colors. You can then use it to create custom color palettes from Pantone and other color libraries, allowing you to find the best tone and hue for your designs.

It works with Photoshop, InDesign, and QuarkXpress, allowing you to load your chosen colors on these apps directly. You will also get software that offers both advanced controls and easy use. So even if you're not well-versed in monitor calibration, you can use this tool. And aside from calibrating your displays, you can also use this with digital projectors, ensuring accuracy even for large-scale viewing.

When you're ready to print, this tool will also provide precise colors via its printer profiling feature. With this tool, you're guaranteed correct colors from the screen to paper.

Key Features
  • Calibrates multiple display and detects colors
  • Create custom color palettes from Pantone and other color libraries
  • Can be used for printer profiling, ensuring accurate colors from screen to paper
Specifications
  • Brand: Pantone
  • Connectivity: Powered USB Port
  • Integrations: Mac OS X 10.7.x and up / Windows 7 and up
  • Color: White
  • Material: N/A
  • Battery: N/A
  • Weight: N/A
  • Capacity: N/A
  • Mount: N/A
  • Optical System: N/A
  • Aperture: N/A
  • Focal Length: N/A
Pros
  • Allows easy and advanced software setup
  • Compatible with digital projectors
  • Works with Photoshop, InDesign, and QuarkXpress
Cons
  • Doesn't work with smartphones and tablets
Buy This Product
Pantone ColorMunki Design

FAQ

Q: How Can I Calibrate My Monitor for Free?

You can use your computer's built-in color calibration tool to correct its color. And if you find that lacking, there are free online tools and downloadable software for monitor color calibration. However, all these solutions are based on your judgment and what you see.

The only way to get the most accurate colors is to get a monitor calibration tool.

Q: Is Monitor Calibration Necessary?

Monitor calibration is essential if you want to see content with the right colors. Although most monitors come pre-calibrated from the factory, it's still not a guarantee that you will get accurate colors. If you're planning to use your screen for personal consumption only, software calibration is sufficient.

However, if you're planning to use it for printing photos or professional work, you should use a monitor calibration tool. That way, you can get the best results from your display.

Q: How Can I Make Different Monitors Match in Color?

If you're calibrating multiple monitors, you should match all their settings—temperature, colors, brightness, contrast, and gamma settings. The monitor with the lowest brightness setting should be your baseline display, allowing all the rest of the screens to adjust to it.