The best monitor calibrators
Finding a good monitor calibrator that will ensure the accuracy of the colors you see on screen is almost as important as choosing the best monitors. While there are professional monitors that come factory calibrated, checking them with a monitor calibrator is highly recommended, because they sometimes become out of calibration.
Actually, if you want to be 100% sure of the accuracy of the colors displayed by your monitor, you should perform a screen calibration once a month, or at least once every six months.
Below, I will introduce you to the best calibrators I have worked with in different agencies and companies I have worked for. In addition, I will detail why they are the best and how they differ from each other.
The 7 best monitor calibrators of 2024
1. Datacolor SpyderX Pro
- Works on: Monitors, laptop displays
- Delta-E max: 0.80
- Compatible: Windows, macOS
Last price update on 2023-07-31. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Best monitor calibrator overall
Following the successful Spyder5 series of calibrators, Datacolor introduced the much faster and more accurate SpyderX calibrators. Of these, the SpyderX Pro is the best choice for most users, both for its features and excellent performance, as well as its affordable price. That’s why it is on the top of this list.
The SpyderX range is characterized by the use of a 3-lens system that allows for greater accuracy in calibration, especially in distinguishing colors in the lighter and darker areas. This is very important when calibrating newer display models, whose dynamic range is increasing.
In addition, the SpyderX range has reduced scan times compared to the previous Spyder5 range, achieving completed calibrations in less than 2 minutes and, in some cases, close to only one minute (In my test, it took 1 minute and 14 seconds).
This makes it the fastest screen calibrator on this list. Its speed is a great advantage if you want to maintain a constant calibration frequency, since it takes so little time, it doesn’t feel like a tedious task.
On the other hand, the SpyderX Pro also has some advanced features, such as ambient light detection. This allows it to suggest display settings that compensate for the difference in perception of the human eye, due to the influence of ambient brightness.
It also offers support for multiple monitors, as it is flexible enough to technically match and visually adjust the color output of different monitors. Note, however, that it is impossible to match the color of two monitors of very different qualities if one of them is technically incapable of achieving the colors of the other.
Finally, another great advantage of the SpyderX Pro is its usability, as its software is simple, intuitive and fast. If you are a very technical professional and want the software to offer you advanced customization options, you will have to opt for the SpyderX Elite calibrator (reviewed below). But for the vast majority of users, SpyderX Pro’s 12 adjustment options are more than satisfactory.
In any case, you can always access advanced calibration options with the DisplayCAL software. This is free and compatible with SpyderX products, although not as intuitive and easy to use as the SpyderX software.
Is the SpyderX Pro worth it?
SpyderX Pro offers a combination of high calibration speed, extremely high accuracy and broad compatibility that none of its competitors offer right now. This makes it, without a doubt, the best option on the market for the most users.
View on Amazon2. Datacolor SpyderX Elite
- Works on: Monitors, laptop displays
- Delta-E max: 0.80
- Compatible: Windows, macOS
Last price update on 2022-11-29. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Best monitor calibrator for professionals
The SpyderX Elite is the same as the SpyderX Pro in terms of hardware, but its software gives you access to advanced calibration configuration options, as well as professional color profiles and features for print, video and film.
In terms of performance, the SpyderX’s calibration times are similar to the Pro version and its lens system is just as accurate. It also features the same ambient light sensor, which allows you to adjust display settings to compensate for ambient light influence.
The big difference with SpyderX Pro is that the Elite version stands out because it can be calibrated according to professional color spaces such as sRGB, Adobe RGB, NTSC and Rec 709, and is compatible with professional video and film programs.
In addition, with the StudioMatch tool you can calibrate installations with multiple monitors, setting a standard to which all monitors must conform. Very useful for design studios, printers, and production companies.
You can also match the calibration of your monitor and printer to ensure that what you print is what you see on the screen. Once both devices are set up, you can preview the printout directly on your screen, with great accuracy, saving time and money on test prints.
Is the Datacolor SpyderX Elite worth it?
If you want full control of your monitor calibration, there is no monitor calibrator on the market with more options and easier to operate than SpyderX Elite.
View on Amazon3. ColorChecker Studio
- Works on: Monitors, laptop displays, mobile devices, projectors, cameras, scanners, printers
- Delta-E max: 0.80
- Compatible: Windows, macOS
Last price update on 2023-07-31. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The best all-in-one professional calibrator
ColorChecker Studio is the most comprehensive ColorChecker calibrator, capable of calibrating different types of devices involved in your workflow to ensure that colours are represented uniformly across devices.
You can calibrate everything from monitors, projectors and mobile devices (including tablets) to cameras, scanners and printers. This way, you get a great deal of control, from image capture to final projection or printing.
Within monitors, you can accurately calibrate those that are highly reflective thanks to the Flare Correct function, which measures the level of reflection and compensates the calibration.
iOS devices are calibrated through the ColorTRUE app, but this does not alter the color of your device at the system level, it only corrects the display of the files you place in the ColorTRUE Image Gallery.
On the other hand, ColorChecker Studio includes a specific plug-in for Adobe Lightroom and, if you use video editing software, it supports professional color standards such as DCI-P3, Rec. 2020, Rec. 709 NTSC and PAL SECAM.
On the other hand, calibration time is always less than 5 minutes. This is more than twice as long as the SpyderX, but still an acceptable duration.
If you like the ColorChecker Studio, but would like it to be faster, take a look at the ColorChecker Display Pro, whose calibration times are less than 2 minutes. In addition, the latter includes some features that the ColorChecker Studio does not, such as the uniformity check, which measures the consistency of colors across the entire screen; or the ambient light control feature, which readjusts the colors of your monitor on a daily basis, depending on the influence of ambient brightness.
Is the ColorChecker Studio worth it?
Being able to calibrate multiple devices in your workflow with a single device, the ColorChecker Studio is a great time, money and space saver. Alternatively, Datacolor has the SpyderX Studio (reviewed in this guide), a pack that includes specific tools for calibrating each type of device.
View on Amazon4. ColorChecker Display Pro
- Works on: Monitors, laptop displays, projectors
- Delta-E max: 1.50
- Compatible: Windows, macOS
Last price update on 2023-07-31. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The best all-in-one calibrator
The Calibrite ColorChecker Display Pro monitor calibrator expands the configuration options of the Calibrite ColorChecker Display Studio and improves its calibration speed, going below two minutes and approaching one minute in some cases.
Although it belongs to a series prior to the new Calibrite ColorChecker Studio, it is still a calibrator to be taken into account. Both for its features, its configuration possibilities and its price, which is more affordable than the latest Calibrite model.
The ccProfile software, included with the Calibrite ColorChecker Display Pro, offers advanced features not available in the Calibrite ColorChecker Display or Calibrite ColorChecker Studio. It allows you to set a range of brightness, gamma and white point with more precise options.
In terms of usability, this software is slightly more complex than SpyderX, especially with the advanced options, and not as intuitive. Therefore, if you don’t want to get complicated, it is recommended that you use the basic mode.
Another highlight is the ambient light meter that compensates the color perception according to the existing light influence in the place where the device to be calibrated is located, as Datacolor’s SpyderX calibrators do.
Is the Calibrite ColorChecker Display Pro worth it?
This calibrator gives you access to advanced calibration options for a very affordable price, which makes it very attractive. In addition, it is compatible with the latest models of displays and monitors on the market.
View on Amazon5. ColorChecker Display
- Works on: Monitors, laptop displays, projectors
- Delta-E max: 1.50
- Compatible: Windows, macOS
Last price update on 2023-05-17. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The best budget monitor calibrator
The ColorChecker Display is the new version of the previous X-Rite i1 Display Studio and is Calibrite’s cheapest calibrator. Its calibration speed is very similar to that of the more professional models, but it differs in that it does not calibrate scanners and printers, like the Display Pro, Display Plus or ColorChecker Studio models.
Nor does it measure on-screen color uniformity or constantly monitor ambient light throughout the day to adjust calibration. These details may be key if you are a professional photographer, illustrator or designer, in which case, I would recommend opting for a higher-end model.
However, if you don’t want to spend too much on a calibrator or your monitor, laptop or projector is already pretty good and auto-adjusts colors depending on ambient light (like Apple’s displays with TrueTone), then ColorChecker Display may be a good option.
Is the Calibrite ColorChecker Display worth it?
The ColorChecker Display gives you a very good calibration for a much more affordable price than the ColorChecker Studio or ColorChecker Display Pro, as it is technically very similar to these, it just doesn’t offer some features and settings for professionals.
View on Amazon6. Datacolor SpyderX Studio
- Works on: Monitors, laptop displays, projectors, cameras, printers
- Delta-E max: 0.80
- Compatible: Windows, macOS
Last price update on 2022-11-29. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The best calibration pack for professionals
SpyderX Studio is a set of calibration devices that allows you to calibrate and color match all devices in your workflow.
Intended for photography, design and video professionals, the SpyderX Studio includes 3 calibration devices:
- Spyder Cube: this small, pocket-sized device takes reference light conditions during photo shoots and then calibrates white balance, exposure, black value and brightness of RAW images more easily.
- SpyderX Elite: is Spyder’s professional monitor calibrator, as we saw in this guide.
- Spyder Print: this is a device for calibrating printers by analyzing a printed sheet.
In addition, the SpyderX Elite calibration software provides multiple professional adjustment options, video profiles for sRGB, Adobe RGB, NTSC and Rec 709 color spaces.
The package includes a case for safe storage of the devices. Although this is a bit bulky, the truth is that, since the devices have lenses and delicate elements, it is the best way to protect them.
Is the Datacolor SpyderX Studio worth it?
If you want to calibrate different types of devices, you can opt for an all-in-one device, such as the Calibrite ColorChecker Studio, or use a specific device for each type. The latter is what the SpyderX Studio offers. Its big advantage? That by using specific calibration devices, you gain that they are faster and more accurate in their respective tasks.
View on Amazon7. Wacom Color Manager
- Works on: Wacom tablet displays
- Delta-E max: 1.00
- Compatible: Windows, macOS
Last price update on 2022-11-29. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Best monitor calibrator for Wacom display graphics tablets
The Wacom Color Manager is Wacom’s specific display calibrator for the Cintiq and Wacom MobileStudio Pro display graphics tablets. As we saw earlier, some monitor calibrators can calibrate Apple tablet displays, such as the Calibrite ColorChecker Studio, but except for the Wacom Color Manager, there are no specific calibrators for display graphics tablets.
This calibrator is a customized Wacom version of the ColorChecker Display Pro, Calibirte’s top-of-the-line monitor calibrator. If you are familiar with the brand and its ccProfiler calibration software, it is quite easy to use.
Please note that this is a specific product for tablets with Wacom Cintiq and Wacom MobileStudio Pro screens and does not guarantee results with monitors, tablets or graphic tablets with screens of other brands.
Is the Wacom Color Manager worth it?
If you have a graphics tablet with a Wacom display, it is undoubtedly an excellent product and is backed by the prestigious X-Rite brand.
View on AmazonThe 5 best-selling screen calibrators in 2024
Last price update on 2022-10-14. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
How to choose the best monitor calibrator
When looking for a display calibrator, you should pay close attention to its specifications, because although some models have very similar names and price ranges, they may actually have very different accuracy or performance.
Delta-E maximum
The Delta E (ΔE) value is the result of a mathematical formula that indicates the difference between two color samples. The closer Delta E is to zero, the less difference there is between the samples.
Therefore, the closer the Delta E value of a monitor calibrator, the more accurate it will be in calibrating colors. When ΔE is less than 2.3, differences are considered to be practically imperceptible to the human eye.
As the display calibrators measure several aspects, we can consider the “maximum Delta E” as the highest degree of difference that the calibrator can reach in any of the aspects measured.
| ΔE* | Accuracy |
| <1 | Excellent |
| 1 – 2 | Good |
| 2 – 4 | Normal |
| 4 – 5 | Enough |
| >5 | Bad |
Calibration speed
The speed of calibration is very relevant to maintain the periodicity of this practice. I mean, the longer it takes a screen calibrator to perform its analysis, the more difficult it will be for you to find time to calibrate your monitor and the easier it will be for you to end up not maintaining a periodic calibration.
Therefore, it is important to look for a display calibrator that, without compromising the quality of the display, is as fast as possible. The best screen calibrators manage to perform this task in less than 2 minutes.
Remember that it is advisable to perform a calibration once a month or at least once every six months.
Ambient light detector
The ambient light detector allows the display calibrator to understand how the colors of the monitor are perceived by the user, depending on the ambient light at the location of the analyzed display.
Monitor calibrators with this function can make recommendations on display settings that compensate for the influence of ambient light.
The SpyderX Pro and Elite calibrators can even self-calibrate depending on the current light conditions, if desired. For this purpose, they have up to 5 different levels of adaptation to ambient light.
Compatibility
Some monitor calibrators are also compatible with mobile device displays and can even calibrate projectors and printers. Each calibrator specifies what type of devices it is compatible with, as well as the system specifications it requires to function properly.
Advanced functions
Within the monitor calibrators, there are calibrators that have basic calibration options and others that allow access to more advanced options.
Sometimes the difference between one model or another is only in the software and not in the hardware of the product. If you want full control of the calibration and you have advanced color knowledge, the advanced features can be very useful. If not, you can do without them and save the price difference.
In any case, you can always download the DisplayCAL calibration software, which is compatible with several display calibrators, and access these advanced options for free.
Brand
Screen calibration is a task that requires absolute confidence in the device you are going to use. Therefore, I recommend only using products from trusted brands, such as Datacolor, X-Rite, Calibrite or Wacom.
Warranty
The warranty for these devices is between one and three years from the date of purchase of the product. Generally, the brand requires user registration on its website to activate it.
