Is HDR worth it on a desktop monitor?

Only if the monitor has real local dimming (HDR 600+) or OLED. HDR 400 monitors barely improve on SDR. A good HDR monitor transforms movie watching, gaming, and photo editing with lifelike highlights and deep shadows.

Does Windows handle HDR well?

Windows 11 HDR support has improved significantly but still has quirks. Some SDR apps look washed out with HDR enabled. Auto HDR helps by upscaling SDR games. macOS handles HDR more seamlessly. For the best Windows HDR experience, enable HDR only when consuming HDR content.

Best HDR Monitors 2026