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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.