Which monitor calibrator to buy

This page last updated: February 2024

On this page I will discuss calibration devices which are presently available in the marketplace. I will keep it as up-to-date as I can. I’m slightly embarrassed to say that I actually own almost every device mentioned on this page. Yes, I’m a geek.

If you need it, please read my general information about monitor calibration.

If quality and control are your main considerations

If you’re very serious about your craft, and especially if you make (or intend to make) money from it, go for the best:

These devices are the bee's knees. They can calibrate any monitor you choose, to any targets you choose. If your budget allows it, they won’t let you down.

Important disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate. Therefore, many links in this section are to Amazon pages. While I am immensely grateful to anyone who purchases via my links, I urge you not to abandon normal shopping prudence. If you find an item cheaper elsewhere, definitely go for it.

Previous generations

At the time of this update, some vendors are still selling the next-to-latest models, so you might find these at a good price:

If your computer isn’t brand new, and you don’t think you’ll buy a brand new one any time soon, these previous generation devices are absolutely fine.

If your budget is a factor

If you, like many people, are trying to be more frugal, the decision-making process can be framed in these terms:

“How much help does my screen need?”

Assess your screen in its uncalibrated state, compared to your prints from a pro lab. How closely do they match?

1. They don’t match at all

This means your screen needs all the help it can get; therefore you should buy one of the most powerful calibrators that I mentioned above:

But there are two other aspects to consider in this situation. First, follow this troubleshooter to make sure your print problems aren’t caused by colour space.

Second, consider if some of your hard-earned money might be better spent on a new screen instead. These days, good screens are getting more and more affordable. You might find you’ll be more satisfied spending your money on a newer, better screen and a cheaper calibrator, than an expensive calibrator for your old screen.

Of course, you might have a brand new screen that simply isn’t very good. There are plenty of those out there. It’s not only old screens that can be bad, just as it’s not only new screens that can be good. Either way, this screen-vs-calibrator decision is one you’ll have to make, and for whatever it’s worth, my opinion is that a better screen with a cheaper calibrator is a more satisfactory way to spend your dough.

2. They match, or very close

For the best calibration, once again I emphasise the quality of the top tier devices. However, since your screen doesn’t need huge manipulation, you should get satisfactory results with these mid-range devices:

I'm a big fan of these ones. I wrote an enthusiastic post about them here. In my firm opinion, they're the ones to get.

But these ones are pretty good too. They’re not the most function-rich calibrators on the market, but they perform their functions very well:

Bought one?

Once you’ve made your purchase, head to my monitor calibration instructions page for a step-by-step guide to using it.

Remember to gather or order your test prints while you’re waiting for the calibrator to arrive. Do NOT wait until after you’ve calibrated to get prints. You need those prints beside you when you calibrate, so you can immediately know if the calibration was successful.

Calibrators for home printers

I’m firmly on the record stating that I think printing at home is for mugs. All that expense of wasted paper and inks and time when stuff goes wrong – who needs it? Pro labs are so reliable and fast.

However, if you’re printing your own, your printer needs to be calibrated. So you’ll need one of these:

I have used some of these devices, but only briefly, and a long time ago. Please do your own research very carefully, to find out which one is best for you.

The above devices calibrate monitors as well. So you don’t need two separate pieces of equipment.

Note: Buying second-hand

Buying used is tricky. First, you have to be entirely satisfied that the device is being sold for the right reasons (ie not dodgy) and that’s hard to do.

Second, you have to be very sure that the device will work with your screen and operating system. Nothing worse than buying a device then finding it isn’t compatible with your LED screen, or your version of Windows, or whatever.

But to complicate matters, remember that just because a device didn’t work for somebody else, doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t work for you. Maybe your screen is better suited to it than theirs was.

So do your research very carefully. Ideally, ask to test the device on your screen before buying it. If that’s not possible, be sure you can return it for a refund if it doesn’t work.

 


If you have a question about this article, please feel free to post it in Ask Damien.