For years, TV brands have been advertising with gigantic, unrealistic contrast values. But really good contrast does ensure better image quality. Combine a higher contrast with richer colors and a considerable maximum brightness and you have a display mecca. Then is exactly the basis of the HDR standard. In this article, we'll discuss what HDR is, take a look at the state of affairs with computer monitors, and read what to look for when selecting one. We also discuss the best HDR monitors of the moment.
It has gone very fast with HDR (High Dynamic Range) on television screens. If you have a little chic TV that is at most a few years old, then it probably has HDR support. If you start the Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or the Disney Plus app, you will see a notification with most films and series that HDR content is coming, something you notice from a visibly better image quality. Because unlike some questionable marketing logos of the past, there's a lot to be said for HDR. In short: if you are about to buy a new TV, you really want an HDR model if possible.
What is HDR?
Unfortunately, the application of HDR in computer monitors is less smooth. Before we look at the causes of this, let's first look at what HDR is. HDR basically means that the dynamic range, or dynamic contrast, of the screen is higher. A higher dynamic range is the difference between the brightest parts and the darkest parts in the picture. You can of course achieve this in different ways. This way you can increase the maximum brightness, but also make the dark parts darker.
A good HDR TV or monitor focuses on both aspects and thus shows lighter peaks and darker valleys. The color range is the third wheel of HDR, because a truly impressive image also requires a wider color range. Richer colors with a higher contrast provide a much nicer image.
Content is leading
Having HDR on your monitor alone is not enough to take advantage of it, the content you watch must also be HDR ready. Most modern films and series are recorded taking HDR into account and thus benefit from this modern technology. Herein lies the great argument why the HDR development in computer monitors is somewhat slower: most content on computers cannot do much with it. Windows itself has only been able to handle HDR reasonably well since the last major update. In the first half of 2019, HDR was more often than not an issue on PCs. And then Windows itself is just a conduit.
Programs and apps within Windows are also only limited HDR-ready. Only a handful of games really benefit from an HDR monitor, a very select number of YouTube channels can be viewed in HDR and applications such as browsers or Office programs do not benefit at all from the HDR function. In fact, they sometimes look even worse if you enable HDR, so that as an HDR monitor owner you regularly have to switch off the HDR mode.
In theory, the fact that there are multiple HDR formats, such as HDR10, Dolby Vision and HDR10 +, also plays a role in the developments. But that fact does not seem to play a huge role as yet compared to the developments on the content and hardware side.
The VESA DisplayHDR standard
Leave it to the manufacturers to introduce HDR and you get one big mess. HDR labels were sprinkled all over with both TVs and monitors. In theory, something can be an HDR screen as long as it can handle the signal, but it is certainly not a guarantee of better image quality. Time for some regulation. The VESA DisplayHDR standard has been developed for this, which all major manufacturers have happily supported.
Manufacturers such as LG, Samsung, Philips, AOC, BenQ, HP, Dell and Gigabyte. Panel builders such as AU Optronics, Innolux and TPV, but also indirectly involved parties such as Microsoft, Intel, AMD and Nvidia are also behind it. In short: the status of VESA DisplayHDR as the standard is not up for discussion.
Peaking as high
It is better to speak of DisplayHDR standards. There are several, ranging from DisplayHDR 400 to DisplayHDR 1400, where the number corresponds to the peak brightness in nits. And the higher the standard for brightness, the stricter the demands are on the other aspects of image quality.
A DisplayHDR 400 screen doesn't have to be able to do much more than briefly reach 400 nits of brightness. Although most really cheap screens do not meet the 8-bit requirement of this standard. DisplayHDR 400 isn't bad, but the bar is far from high. However, a DisplayHDR 1400 screen requires an extreme color gamut (95 percent DCI-P3 with 10-bit processing), and must also be able to hold a minimum of 900 nits on a completely white image. A brief high peak is then no longer sufficient to meet this standard.
Peak Brightness vs. Long-Term Brightness
High peaks in small pieces of the screen give a big boost to spectacular moments. Think of an explosion, a flash or reflection. High brightness in larger areas for longer periods of time creates beautiful scenes. Think of sunrises or shots of snowy mountains; things where only the better HDR screens really make a difference. Ideally, a monitor can do both, but it is very expensive to make a screen that can display high brightness for a longer period of time. Most affordable monitors therefore mainly focus on being able to display clear peaks.
DisplayHDR 400 and 600, sometimes affectionately referred to as 'HDR-lite', are the most common due to their mild demands for long-lasting brightness. That, plus a lack of real requirements for color and the dark parts in the screen. The 320 and 350nits requirements for sustained brightness aren't necessarily bad, but they're barely higher than what you'd expect from a decent monitor from years past. Around 300 has been a reasonable basis for years, and 320 or 350 is hardly brighter to the naked eye.
The DisplayHDR 400 or 600 label should therefore mainly be seen as an extra on top of the other specifications. The screen can then handle HDR signals and therefore displays slightly more impressive peaks, but that's about it. Don't hope too much for better colors (although that varies per screen), or a really better contrast. It is not surprising that many buyers of DisplayHDR 400 or 600 panels are disappointed with the HDR performance: the real HDR experience with high brightness, extreme contrast and richer colors is missing.
Avoid DisplayHDR 400 and 600?
New! While the standards are too minimal for a true HDR experience, that doesn't mean they're bad. Really mediocre monitors don't even qualify for these certifications. If you only occasionally play a game or watch a movie on the PC, it can still be nice to activate the HDR mode of such a screen for just a little more brightness. The HDR experience isn't the same as a DisplayHDR 1000 screen or a mid-range TV, but the HDR feature doesn't get in the way and you can always turn it off.
DisplayHDR 1000 and above: the real innovation.
Until recently, DisplayHDR 1000 was the highest certification available. DisplayHDR 1400 was recently added to this, when it turned out that a number of manufacturers were able to take significant steps forward very quickly. Although DisplayHDR 1400 has mainly been added for developers of HDR content. DisplayHDR 1000 is therefore the threshold for a true HDR experience for consumers. A 1000nits peak brightness is enough to make your eyes squint. The 600nits requirement for long-term display is a huge bucket of light, and VESA makes firm demands on color and contrast.
A manufacturer must therefore use a high-quality panel and put an extreme light source behind it. A solution must also be devised to locally dim the light source to enable the extreme contrast; the so-called local dimming. OLED panels are an exception, each pixel can be switched off individually. In order for current TN, VA and IPS panels to comply with the DisplayHDR 1000 standard, the rear backlight must be controlled in zones.
DisplayHDR 1000 is not sacred
The more of those zones, the better the image quality. That's why we see many manufacturers bragging about their number of FALD (Full Array Local Dimming) zones. These have tens to hundreds of small zones that dim or light up individually. However, even in the best screens with hundreds of zones, we still see some unwanted side effects, such as the halo effect. That is the visible lighting of dark parts in the vicinity of very bright parts. You will have to read reviews to make sure that a screen is really high-end on other fronts as well.
The fact that there are only a dozen DisplayHDR 1000 monitors on the market, only one of which is under 1000 euros, is indicative of the complexity. Of course, manufacturers often save expensive techniques for monitors that are also exceptional on other fronts, such as the gigantic Samsung C49RG90, a 49-inch Super Ultra Wide 120Hz screen, or the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ; the first 4K 144Hz IPS monitor.
HDR monitor: now or later?
We criticized the weak DisplayHDR 400 and, to a lesser extent, 600 standard, and stated that the DisplayHDR 1000 standard is not sacred either. Would you be wise to invest in an HDR monitor now?
The development of monitors has accelerated. In a short time we have moved to much larger and faster panels, OLED is on the rise, new backlight techniques such as mini-LED and FALD are on the rise and other techniques also entail quite a few shifts. For example, we now also see FreeSync and G-Sync HDR monitors that combine HDR with a smoother image in games.
It therefore seems very attractive to wait a little longer. After all, every few months something new comes out and prices drop.
But on the other hand, the significant developments of recent years also mean that if your current monitor is a few years old, you will benefit enormously with a screen from now. As with many other computer components you can wait for eternity, the developments never stop. We do not expect that next year will bring noticeable changes, we will probably see some more HDR models appear on the market gradually.
That is why we have listed the best HDR screens of the moment for everyone who is ready for a new screen.
Dell Ultrasharp U2518D
Solid consumer monitor with HDR as a bonus
As mentioned, real HDR monitors are pricey. So for our entry-level advice, we look at a decent all-round monitor for about 300 euros, where the HDR support is just a small, meaningful extra. The Dell Ultrasharp U2518D is already a year or two old, which explains why it doesn't have a DisplayHDR certificate. A 25-inch screen is a practical size, the higher 2560x1440 resolution gives it a nice sharpness and some extra workspace for photo and video editing. It's also a very solid screen, with a sturdy build and a height-adjustable base. With a 60Hz refresh rate, it's not a screen that gamers are excited about, but the image quality is excellent and playing an occasional game is no problem.
The HDR support is mainly a bonus, but that doesn't make it annoying. The peaks are close to 600 nits and although Dell officially lists 350 nits sustained, our own model hit well over 400. It's not a true wide-gamut monitor for ultimate HDR colors, but the color range is fine and the accuracy from the factory even very well. With this, the U2518D with HDR content still manages to give that little bit extra that you hope for, something we rarely see at this price level.
Dell Ultrasharp U2518D
Price€ 299,-
Format
25 inch
Resolution
2560 x 1440 pixels
Refresh rate
60Hz
Panel type
IPS
HDR
HDR10 (no DisplayHDR certification)
Website
www.dell.nl 8 Score 80
- Pros
- Image quality for creative purposes
- One of the better HDR performance in this price range
- Excellent construction
- Negatives
- Not a real HDR experience
- Relatively slow at 60 Hz
Philips Momentum 436M6VBPAB
Real HDR for little
The Philips Momentum 436M6VBPAB has the advantage of being by far the most affordable DisplayHDR 1000 screen. At 579 euros, it costs roughly half of the next alternative. If we look purely at the HDR performance, Philips shows that they get it: excellent contrast, extreme brightness (more than 700 nits before you go into HDR mode), deep black values and an all-round excellent image quality. However, with its 60Hz refresh rate, it's not a real gaming monitor for PC fanatics.
The low price also has its consequences. For example, the screen wobbles quite a bit when we push against our (very sturdy) desk, the local dimming is disappointing and the viewing angles are not as good as IPS alternatives. The main point, however, is its huge 43-inch diagonal, which makes it simply impractical for many; sitting a meter away from such a screen does not work well. This Philips therefore delivers the best HDR performance of any monitor in this price range, but whether it is the monitor for you is highly questionable. We see this more as a console gaming monitor than a desktop monitor.
Philips Momentum 436M6VBPAB
Price€ 579,-
Format
43 inch
Resolution
3840 x 2160 pixels
Refresh rate
60Hz
Panel type
VA
HDR
DisplayHDR 1000 7 Score 70
Gigabyte Aorus FI27Q
The real all-rounder with a little HDR
For our true all-rounder, a monitor that offers both the resolution and top image quality for creative professionals and the real speed for gamers without costing a fortune, we have to take a step back when it comes to HDR. And we do that with the Gigabyte Aorus FI27Q. With 27 inches and a 1440p resolution, it has a nice balance between enough pixels for serious work and not too many pixels, something that makes it difficult for a decent video card to control games in that resolution.
It has a well-adjusted IPS panel and is also nice and fast with a 165Hz refresh rate. The gamer RGB lighting and somewhat aggressive design won't appeal to everyone, but we have to give Gigabyte points for the excellent build quality, stability and collection of connections. It is an excellently balanced monitor.
With an above-average constant brightness of more than 450 nits in SDR mode, and peaks near 600 nits in HDR mode, as an HDR monitor, just like the Dell UD2518D, it certainly adds something to HDR games and - movies. Local dimming is missing, but given the performance in the Philips monitor, local dimming would rather be missing than moderately performed. We will not call it real HDR, but here too we can at least call it a modestly attractive addition to an excellent overall picture.
Gigabyte Aorus FI27Q
Price€ 499,-
Format
27 inch
Resolution
2560 x 1440 pixels
Refresh rate
165 Hz
Panel type
IPS
HDR
DisplayHDR 400 9 Score 90
- Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Nice and fast for gamers
- Some added value of the HDR compared to the competition
- Negatives
- No full HDR
ASUS ROG Swift PG35VQ
The Ultimate (HDR) Monitor
Before anyone gets too excited: the ASUS ROG Swift PG35VQ costs 2799 euros and is therefore simply not an option for most consumers. But if you have the money for it, you will in any case get both an ultimate monitor and a practically ultimate HDR experience. This 35-inch 3440x1440p Ultrawide is ultimate both on paper and in practice: 200Hz refresh rate, HDR 1000, G-Sync Ultimate and 512-zone FALD. Asus has also invested some time and effort to eliminate the halo effect. It's not completely gone, but the progress compared to previous FALD options is clearly visible.
There's not much we don't like about this screen, and we're running out of superlatives to describe the experience. Colors are right, the brightness is right, the local dimming is impressive, the factory setting is good, the build quality and finish are good and the firmware from Asus with the necessary extras for gamers is very welcome. Only well, that price probably makes it more of an example of what mainstream gaming monitors will look like in a year or two than a really real option.
ASUS ROG Swift PG35VQ
Price€ 2799,-
Format
35 inch
Resolution
3440 x 1440 pixels
Refresh rate
200Hz
Panel type
VA
HDR
DisplayHDR 1000 8 Score 80
- Pros
- Excellent HDR experience
- The ultimate gaming experience
- Negatives
- Price
- Again the price
ASUS ProArt PA32UCX
For the HDR developer
The Asus ProArt PA32UCX is even more extreme than the PG35VQ, but this is a monitor with a completely different approach. It is intended for developers of HDR content. Support for both Dolby Vision, HDR-10, Hybrid Log Gamma and the option of hardware calibration show that this monitor is about simply being able to handle all content. However, this screen does give us the perfect opportunity to experience what HDR content really should look like, because that is what it does.
The PG32UCX is impressive on paper: mini LED backlight with 1152 zones that virtually eliminates the halo effect, a true 10-bit panel with extreme color gamut, accurate factory calibration for both sRGB, AdobeRGB and DCI-P3 profiles. The peak brightness claim stands at 1200 nits. In practice, it goes even further: more than 1600 nits. The screen even managed to produce more than 1500 nits with 75 percent of the screen on white. At that point you need sunglasses, plus some fans in the screen to cool the whole thing.
Even modern TVs are not capable of displaying that much brightness and certainly not on larger parts of the screen at once. We will not immediately give a purchase recommendation, but we would advise you to take a look at this screen somewhere. The ProArt PA32UCX shows like no other how impressive HDR is.
ASUS ProArt PA32UCX
Price€ 3299,-
Format
32 inch
Resolution
3840 x 2160 pixels
Refresh rate
60Hz
Panel type
IPS (Mini LED)
HDR
DisplayHDR 1000 9 Score 90
- Pros
- Show how HDR really should be
- Unprecedented peak and sustained brightness
- Image quality on all fronts
- Negatives
- Price
- Energy consumption and active cooling
All monitors in a row
