How We Test Monitors

 

We test desktop monitors of all stripes here at PCMag, from barebones budget screens to moderately priced mainstream displays to high-end, big-screen Ultra High Definition (UHD) models that cost thousands of dollars. Every monitor we review is subjected to a series of image-quality and performance tests that we use to draw a comparison to other monitors in the same class, which in turn helps us to assign a rating to each monitor. Read on to see how we test monitors.

 

All monitors are first tested in an out-of-the-box state. We do not calibrate the monitor or tweak color settings unless indicated and special circumstances call for it.

To ensure accurate, repeatable testing results, however, we use the monitor's Standard picture mode while testing and turn off all digital processing settings (such as dynamic contrast ratio, adaptive contrast, and color and black-level enhancers). The monitor is always tested at its native resolution over a DisplayPort 1.4b cable (assuming that this video input is supported). If it is not, we default to HDMI 2.0.

 If the monitor has specialized color configurations built in (Adobe RGB, DCI-P3, and the like), we will also test those presets using the matching settings in our CalMAN testing software.