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Getting accurate color and gray-scale out of a TV takes more than the eyeball method — it takes a hardware colorimeter (or full pattern-generator kit) paired with calibration software. These seven are real, currently sold tools spanning consumer colorimeters through the professional pattern-generator rigs installers use for full ISF-style calibrations.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calibrite ColorChecker Display Plus | $200-$280 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Calibrite ColorChecker Display Pro | $270-$350 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Datacolor Spyder (2024 lineup) | $130-$170 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Datacolor SpyderPro | $230-$300 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | X-Rite i1Display Pro | $250-$330 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Portrait Displays Calman Home Software Bundle | $600-$700 | Amazon |
| 7 | Murideo Six-G Pattern Generator | $2,500-$3,200 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Calibrite ColorChecker Display Plus
Calibrite’s step-up colorimeter (the rebranded successor to X-Rite’s i1Display line), with better dark-tone measurement accuracy for calibrating TVs and monitors.
- Colorimeter sensor with ccProfiler software
- Improved dark-tone accuracy over the base Display model
- Supports high-brightness and HDR-capable displays
- Strong accuracy-to-price ratio for a step-up tool
- Software supports both photo and video-style targets
- ccProfiler software has a steeper learning curve than consumer-friendly alternatives
Calibrite ColorChecker Display Pro
Calibrite’s professional-tier colorimeter, the direct continuation of the well-known X-Rite i1Display Pro, aimed at serious home-theater and studio calibration.
- High-precision colorimeter sensor
- Full ccProfiler software suite
- Supports multi-display profiling and video targets
- Long track record under the i1Display Pro name it replaces
- Precise enough for professional calibration work
- Priced above entry-level consumer colorimeters
Datacolor Spyder (2024 lineup)
Datacolor’s current-generation consumer colorimeter, replacing the older SpyderX line, aimed at straightforward guided TV/monitor calibration.
- Lens-based color engine
- Guided, beginner-friendly software workflow
- Entry point into the current Datacolor Spyder lineup
- User-friendly guided calibration process
- More approachable price than the Pro tier
- Fewer advanced controls than SpyderPro
Datacolor SpyderPro
The current flagship Datacolor colorimeter, replacing the previous SpyderX2 Ultra, supporting mini-LED, OLED, QD-OLED, and Apple XDR-class high-brightness displays up to 12,000 nits.
- Supports mini-LED, OLED, and high-nit HDR displays
- Unlimited custom calibration targets
- Multi-display color continuity tools
- Handles the newest high-brightness/HDR display technologies
- Professional-grade feature set
- Highest price in the current Datacolor lineup
X-Rite i1Display Pro
The still-sold precision colorimeter from X-Rite, offering both Basic and Advanced measurement modes for color-accuracy work.
- Basic and Advanced user modes
- High color-measurement precision
- Established, widely reviewed hardware
- Well-documented, long-standing tool with broad software compatibility
- X-Rite’s photo/video calibration line has largely rebranded to Calibrite, so stock varies by retailer
Portrait Displays Calman Home Software Bundle
A full home-calibration bundle pairing Portrait Displays’ Calman software with the C6 HDR5000 meter and G1 pattern generator, built specifically for TV calibration rather than monitor/photo work.
- Calman calibration software
- C6 HDR5000 colorimeter/meter
- G1 pattern generator for full-signal-chain calibration
- Purpose-built for TV (not monitor) calibration
- Includes a pattern generator, not just a sensor
- Higher total bundle cost than a standalone colorimeter
Murideo Six-G Pattern Generator
A professional-grade HDMI pattern generator used by ISF and THX-certified installers, integrating with Calman for full HDR and Dolby Vision calibration workflows.
- Professional HDMI pattern generator
- Supports SDR, HDR, and Dolby Vision test patterns
- Integrates with Calman for automated pattern control
- The pattern-generator standard for professional TV calibrators
- Professional pricing well beyond hobbyist budgets
Buying tips
- A colorimeter alone (Calibrite, Datacolor, X-Rite) measures your screen’s output and drives your TV’s picture settings or a calibration app — a full pattern-generator rig (Murideo, Portrait Displays bundle) is only necessary for advanced HDR/Dolby Vision work most enthusiasts skip.
- Check that your TV supports either a service/calibration menu or at least full manual picture controls (gamma, color temperature, gain/bias per color) — a colorimeter can’t calibrate a TV that won’t expose the right settings.
- Consumer-tier tools (Datacolor Spyder, Calibrite Display Plus) are built primarily for monitors but work fine for TV calibration paired with free/open-source calibration software.
- If a hardware colorimeter is out of budget, a calibration disc (see our Blu-ray calibration disc guide) gets you most of the way with eyeball adjustment and test patterns alone.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.