If a monitor box or listing just says "HDR," don't count that as an answer. Find the exact VESA DisplayHDR tier name on the spec sheet, then check that name against VESA's DisplayHDR site. A named tier gives you something you can compare between models. A bare "HDR" badge doesn't.
This guide covers the tier names and the split between the LCD tiers and True Black. It does not repeat the brightness, dimming or color numbers behind each tier. VESA's DisplayHDR site has a summary table with those figures, so read them there.
The DisplayHDR tier names VESA lists for LCD monitors
As of November 2026, VESA's DisplayHDR site lists these tiers for LCD displays, plus a separate True Black spec:
| Tier name | Panel type it applies to |
|---|---|
| DisplayHDR 400 | LCD |
| DisplayHDR 500 | LCD |
| DisplayHDR 600 | LCD |
| DisplayHDR 1000 | LCD |
| DisplayHDR 1400 | LCD |
| DisplayHDR True Black (five numbered levels) | Separate spec |
Those are the exact names to look for. If a listing uses a different wording, such as "HDR-ready," "HDR support" or "HDR400" without "DisplayHDR," you can't tell which VESA tier the monitor meets, or whether it meets one at all. Check the model against the list of certified products on displayhdr.org.
True Black is its own spec, so compare it separately
VESA's site says it publishes DisplayHDR True Black as a separate specification from the LCD tiers, and True Black has its own five numbered levels. In practice, that means a True Black monitor and, say, a DisplayHDR 1000 monitor are certified against different specs. Don't rank them against each other just by the number in the name. If you're choosing between a True Black model and an LCD tier model, look up both specs on VESA's site and compare the actual test requirements.
Read VESA's requirements for the tier you're paying for
Once you have the tier name, read what that tier actually requires. Read those, not a retailer's summary.
Which explainers to treat with care
Plenty of retailers and blogs publish tier explainers. Some of these sites sell monitors, and none of them is the certifying body. Use them for context if you like. When a number matters to your decision, confirm it on VESA's own pages.
Don't let the cable or dock undo the label
A certified monitor still depends on the connection feeding it. If you're setting up a new display, check that your cable is what it claims to be. Our guide on how to choose an HDMI cable covers the label to look for. If you connect through a laptop dock, read how to choose a USB-C dock for multiple monitors before you buy one.
The recommendation
Buy against a named DisplayHDR tier, and read VESA's criteria for that tier before you decide it's worth the extra money.
