This article explains the differences between affordable colorimeters and more precise spectrophotometers for monitor calibration. Colorimeters are suitable for standard LCD monitors and beginners, while spectrophotometers are intended for professionals and prepress work. For OLED monitors, specialized devices or software with correction profiles are recommended. Recommended entry-level devices include the Datacolor Spyder X and X-Rite ColorMunki Display.
Category: Photography – Advanced Topics > 10. Monitor Calibration & Color Management Article ID: 10.3 Created: May 2026
The Essentials at a Glance
- There are two device classes: colorimeters (affordable and sufficient for most photographers) and spectrophotometers (more precise, more expensive, and intended for professionals and prepress work)
- The most important manufacturers are X-Rite (i1Display, ColorMunki) and Datacolor (Spyder)
- For photography beginners getting started with calibration, a colorimeter in the $100–$180 range is entirely sufficient
Explanation
The Two Device Classes
Colorimeter A colorimeter measures light using three filters—corresponding to the three color receptors of the human eye (red, green, and blue). It is fast, affordable, and very well suited to standard monitors.
- Good for: LCD monitors (IPS, VA, TN), standard photo editing, home studios
- Limitation: With OLED and wide-gamut monitors (P3, AdobeRGB), colorimeters can become slightly less accurate because their filters are optimized for standard sRGB monitors. Modern devices (from around 2020 onward) have largely solved this problem.
- Price: $80–$250
Spectrophotometer A spectrophotometer measures the complete light spectrum—it records each wavelength individually and is therefore precisely independent of the monitor. It can also create printer and paper profiles.
- Good for: Professional photographers, prepress work, wide-gamut monitors, OLED, when printer profiling is required
- Price: $180–$1,500+
The Most Important Devices Compared
| Device | Type | Price (approx.) | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Datacolor Spyder X | Colorimeter | ~$130 | Beginners, hobbyists |
| Datacolor Spyder X Pro | Colorimeter | ~$180 | Enthusiastic hobby photographers |
| Datacolor Spyder X Elite | Colorimeter | ~$230 | Advanced users, multiple monitors |
| X-Rite i1Display Pro | Colorimeter | ~$220 | Professional photographers, broad monitor support |
| X-Rite i1Display Pro Plus | Colorimeter | ~$280 | Professionals, OLED, wide gamut |
| X-Rite ColorMunki Display | Colorimeter | ~$140 | Best value for beginners |
| X-Rite i1 Pro 3 | Spectrophotometer | ~$1,500 | Prepress, color studios |
| X-Rite i1 Studio | Spectrophotometer | ~$450 | Mid-range professional segment |
Note: Prices change—always check current prices directly with the retailer.
What Distinguishes Affordable Devices from Expensive Ones?
More expensive devices offer:
- More accurate measurement filters—particularly relevant for OLED and wide gamut
- More measurement points—for more detailed profile creation
- Ambient light sensor—automatically adjusts the profile to changing room brightness
- Printer profiling (spectrophotometers only)—create custom ICC profiles for printer/paper combinations
- Software features—advanced settings, batch calibration of multiple monitors
For most photographers, the following applies: In everyday use, the difference between a $130 colorimeter and a $300 colorimeter is barely measurable. The upgrade to a spectrophotometer is only worthwhile when printer profiling or high-level OLED calibration is required.
Software—Included or Third-Party?
All devices come with their own calibration software:
- Datacolor: Spyder X software (simple, guided, good for beginners)
- X-Rite: i1Profiler (powerful, complex, for professionals)
For experienced users, the third-party software DisplayCAL (free, open source) is recommended—it offers significantly more configuration options and supports almost all measurement devices from both manufacturers. DisplayCAL is often superior to the included software, especially for advanced profiling.
OLED Monitors: Pay Attention to This Special Consideration
OLED displays have different spectral behavior than LCD monitors. Standard colorimeter filters are optimized for LCD and can result in slight inaccuracies with OLED. Anyone who wants to calibrate an OLED monitor (e.g., LG OLED, Asus ProArt OLED) should either:
- Choose a device with an OLED correction matrix (X-Rite i1Display Pro Plus, newer Spyder X Elite models)
- Or use DisplayCAL with an OLED correction profile
Practical Tip
If you are buying a calibration device for the first time: The Datacolor Spyder X or X-Rite ColorMunki Display in the $130–$150 range is a solid starting point. Both deliver very good results for standard LCD monitors. Before buying, it is worth checking current reviews at rtings.com or displaycal.net/reviews—measurement devices are regularly compared and rated there.