If you're after the best photo editing tools and accessories, you've come to the right place. First things first, in order to get your images looking picture perfect, you really need to choose and download one of the best photo editing software packages. However, no matter whether you use Photoshop CC or Luminar AI, there's a selection of photo editing tools that can not only save you a lot of time, but help you be more creative.
From photo editing consoles and 4K monitors to a graphics tablet and keyboard accessories, here's our pick of the best photo editing tools and accessories money can buy.
The best photo editing tools in 2023
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If you're on the hunt for a photo editing consoles, Loupedeck+ is a quality but affordable option. A Finnish design, this photo editing tool aims to reduce image editing time and encourage creativity via a selection of easy-to-access controls. There's dials and buttons a-plenty controlling everything from exposure and shadows to highlights and white balance – all of which can be fully customised to suit your particular editing workflow.
While primarily designed for use with Adobe Lightroom, Loupedeck+ is also compatible with Photoshop CC, Camera Raw, Premiere Pro CC, After Effects, Audition, Final Cut Pro X and Skylum Aurora HDR.
It's not the cheapest console out there, so it might not be the best option for total novices (especially if you're not sure you're going to like using it).But for pros who want a fully customisable photo editing interface, it's well worth the investment.
A quality monitor calibrator is a must-have photo editing tool for professional photographers. Fast and easy to use, the Datacolor SpyderX Pro is a relatively small price to pay for an accurate representation of colour and brightness on your screen.
Its lens-based colour engine provides a high level of colour accuracy across multiple monitors, plus there's room light monitoring to determine the optimal monitor brightness, white balance and shadow detail.
Simple and fast to use, the SypderX Pro's one-click calibration does it's thing in just minutes, so your screen will be picture perfect in next to no time.
The BenQ PhotoVue SW271C is an outstanding 27-inch 4K monitor which performs almost flawlessly - it's incredibly color-accurate thanks to 99% sRGB and 99% AdobeRGB color space coverage, and a delta-E color accuracy of less than 2. If you're after an exacting and reliable screen for precise image or video editing, this is a superb choice and simply can't be bettered at this price point. 60W USB Power Delivery and BenQ's third-generation color Uniformity Technology further justify the premium price, as hardware color calibration and a separate 'Hotkey Puck' remote control for easy settings adjustment and color mode switching.
Read more: the best monitors for photo editing
Continuing the monitor theme (we'll stop soon, promise), next up we've got this pro monitor hood – the perfect way to shield your display from unwanted light when editing your images. A universal design, the hood is fully adjustable for any LCD or CRT monitor measuring between 15 and 26 inches.
A black velvet inner layer helps to absorb light and reflections, while an anti-static external layer keeps dust to a minimum. Significantly reducing the risk of eye strain, this photo editing tool is well worth the investment if the lighting in your studio or office is less than ideal. Included with the monitor hood is a colour management guidance document to really help you make the most of this handy add-on.
When it comes to graphics tablets, Wacom's range is up there with the best of them (evident in our round up of the best graphics tablets for photo editing). The Wacom range is extensive, and so it will depend on skill level and what budget you have that will determine which one is best for you. However, as an all-rounder, in terms of price and performance, for us, the Wacom Intuos Pro Medium comes out on top.
The drawing surface is big enough to make photo editing a pleasurable experience, but not too big that it's too bulky to carry around. It's highly sensitive stylus and tactile surface are a perfect combination for professional editing, and Bluetooth and USB connectivity make it easy to boot the device up and start editing your images, whenever, wherever.
The tablet supports multi-touch gestures (pinching, swiping, etc), and its shortcut keys are fully customisable, allowing you to assign them the photo editing functions of your choice. And don't forget the Touch Ring, which gives you quick access to your favoured commands and tools.
• See also: Best Wacom tablets
An ergonomic keyboard is a must-have if you're spending hours sat infront of a computer editing photos. And one of the best designs we've seen is this Moko Universal Foldable Keyboard.
At just 16.18 cm when folded, it'll easily fit in your kit bag, and weighing in at a slight 141g, you'll barely even notice it's there. And the best part? The highly portable design doesn't compromise on ergonomics or functionality, with each side of the keyboard spaced perfectly to allow a comfortable and natural position when in use.
It's compatible with Windows, Android and iOS so everyone can, quite literally, get their hands on one. And at its price, it's an absolute bargain to boot!
• See also Best keyboard for editing
A photo editing tool to help you master Photoshop's shortcuts, this keyboard cover is color coded to help you final all of your favorite Photoshop features super-faster. From the type and clone tool to the eye dropper and quick masks, simply lay the skin over the top of your MacBook Pro and you've got a fully customized, Photoshop-ready keyboard.
Our listed version will fit both the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, from 2016 to date - but there are versions for other keyboards out there. As well as being fully waterproof for easy cleaning, there's also a one year warranty included in this keyboard skin's very reasonable price.
A quality mouse is an essential photo editing tool for any photographer. And when it comes to functionality and value for money, they don't get much better than this Contour Unimouse. A Red Dot award-winning computer mouse, its design sees pressure taken away from the wrist when used to help reduce conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome
A movable thumb support allows for a relaxed grip and makes it suitable for most hand sizes. The model listed here is wireless and for right-handed users, but you can get the device in four different variants, with wired and left-handed options available too.
• See also Best mouse for editing
While you're knocking on Contour's door for the Unimouse, you might as well take a look at its Contour ShuttleXpress while you're there too. A compact multi-media controller, the ShuttleXpress enables precise photo editing on the go. The device has five programmable buttons, a jog dial and shuttle wheel, all of which can be fully utilised to optimise your photo editing workflow and help get your images picture perfect in half the time.
Getting your laptop up higher is recommended if you are going to be at it for hours - as this ensures that the screen is level with your eyes. The best laptop stands do just this - and this beautiful design is one of our favorites.
Made from a single piece of aluminum, it is designed to match the look of the best Macbooks.... but its design can be used with any type of laptop. There's an outlet at the back that you can feed all of your cables through, which will help keep your desk nice and tidy.
Read more:
• The best tablets for photo editing
• The best photo-editing monitors
• The best NAS drives
• Best graphics tablets for photo editing
• The best photo-editing laptops
• The best desktop computers for photo editing
• The best ultrawide monitors for photo editing
