Image: Foundry
The monitor might be the most important part of your Mac’s setup–after all, you can’t use any desktop computer without one and even the 16-inch MacBook screen can be extended to an external display twice that size. Because you’ll spend a lot of time looking at it, you’ll want to invest wisely. Not only will you want a monitor that provides a pleasing experience, but the quality of the images on the screen can also affect your work.
However, picking a new monitor can be daunting. Not only are there many manufacturers to choose from, but there are also lots of sizes, resolutions, and features to consider–and when we say lots, we mean lots. We’re here to help guide you while you shop, and we have some tips on what to look for in a monitor.
Apple sells displays for its Macs, and you could go with its offerings, but its displays are a quite bit more expensive than what third parties have. Buying from a different company may mean you may not get a feature that Apple offers, but it may also be a feature that you don’t need, depending on how you use the monitor. Note there are compatibility issues for plain M1 and M2 Macs, which, unlike M1/M2 Pro/Max/Ultra MacBooks, can’t connect to more than one external display. Fortunately, we can show you how to connect multiple monitors to M1 and M2 Macs.
There are plenty of companies that have great monitors that you can use with your Mac, without having to take out a second mortgage. Our sister publications Tech Advisor and PCWorld have tested several displays, and we list their top-rated ones that we have been able to confirm work with Macs, alongside the monitors we have reviewed below. Here are our recommendations in order, starting with Apple’s most expensive.
Update July 2024: Added BenQ PD3225U and Samsung Viewfinity S65TC.
Best Mac monitors: Recommendations
Apple Pro Display XDR: Apple’s top-end professional 6K display
Pros
Phenomenally well-specced
Peak brightness of 1,600 nits, stunning picture quality
Cons
Seriously expensive (but this isn’t a consumer display)
Stand not included
Size: 32-inch
Resolution: 6K (6016×3384 pixels)
Connections: Thunderbolt 3 (96W PD), 3x USB-C
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Rotation stand extra $999/£949
Orientation: Landscape; Portrait with stand
Apple’s highly specced Pro Display XDR is a stunning piece of engineering, and we found it hard to find fault with the picture quality and colour output, but at that price and with these features this is a display for a very specific audience.
The XDR is phenomenally well-specced: it’s 32in and 6K, offering 40 percent more screen space than Apple’s 5K displays, and offers a peak brightness of 1,600 nits (or 1,000 sustained). But it comes with a seriously eye-watering price tag, especially if you want to include the Pro Stand for adjustability and pivoting.
While this is an expensive monitor by consumer standards, but it really isn’t a consumer monitor. It’s intended for a professional audience.
Picture quality is maintained at ultrawide viewing angles, thanks to industry-leading polariser technology. This is so that a creative team can gather round a single monitor and evaluate a photo, video or design project without suffering a loss of consistency.
Connected via Thunderbolt, it can charge a MacBook at up to 96W.–Neil Bennet
Read our full
Apple Pro Display XDR review
Apple Studio Display: Apple’s ‘affordable’ 5K production monitor
Pros
Handsome design
Good image quality
Impressive spatial audio
12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage
Cons
High starting price and costly upgrades
No HDR or ProMotion
Changing stand after purchase requires a service call
Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 5K (5120×2880 pixels)
Connections: Thunderbolt 3 (96W PD), 3x USB-C
Webcam: 12-megapixel
Stand: Tilt. Height-adjustable stand extra $400/£400
Orientation: Landscape; Portrait with $1,599/£1,499 VESA mount adapter
As a production display, the Studio Display is still expensive but is an affordable alternative to the Pro Display XDR. Buyers will enjoy its handsome design, good image quality, and impressive spatial audio, but you can save a lot of money by going with a non-Apple display.
Apple displays have always produced very good image quality, and the Studio Display continues that tradition. Colors are rich, contrast is good, and the brightness is suitable for most tasks.
The Studio Display has a tilt-adjustable stand, but it does not pivot between landscape and portrait modes, like the Pro Display XDR, although a very expensive WESA mount does add a portrait option. You can get a stand that provides about four inches of height adjustment but it doesn’t come cheap. The price tag for the tilt- and height-adjustable stand is a whopping $400/£400 more.
The Studio Display has six speakers (four force-canceling woofers, and two high-performance tweeters) that sound better than any display we’ve used.
Connected via Thunderbolt, it can charge a MacBook at up to 96W.–Roman Loyola
Read our full
Apple Studio Display* review
Samsung M8 Smart Monitor (2023): Best budget option for Mac users
Pros
Great price
Colorful 32-inch display with HDR10+
Dual-band wi-fi with AirPlay support
Adjustable stand (height, tilt, pivot)
Cons
Only 400 nits brightness
Doesn’t support DCI-P3 or Adobe RGB
Weak speakers
Size: 32-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Connections: Micro-HDMI (with HDMI adaptor), 1x USB-C (video), 1x USB-C peripherals, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 5, AirPlay, Thread
Webcam: HD
Stand: Tilt and height adjustable (included)
Orientation: Landscape
We really liked Samsung’s 32-inch M8 monitor when it was first launched a couple of years ago. It wasn’t perfect, but it did make a made a great, affordable alternative to Apple’s expensive Studio Display, and the latest version adds a number of new features as well as reducing the price even further.
Now costing $699/£649 the new version of the M8 looks very much like its predecessor – which does still remain on sale on sites such as Amazon, so make sure you buy the current model, which is listed with the full model number M80C on Samsung’s web site (or LS32CM801UUXXU if you want the detailed stock-keeping code). The lightweight plastic casing still feels a little flimsy, but it’s not as though you’ll be carrying the monitor around in a backpack, so it should be fine as long as it’s sitting safely on a desk or a TV stand. The design has been updated to make it even slimmer, measuring just 11.4mm thick for the main screen panel, and as well as adjusting the height and tilt of the screen, you can now rotate the screen into the upright (portrait) mode as well. The built-in speakers do sound rather thin, but the M8 includes Bluetooth so that you can stream to an external set of speakers if you want to. It also includes a detachable webcam with 1080p resolution for video calls.
There are USB-C and DisplayPort interfaces on the back panel for wired connections but, like its predecessor, the M80C model also includes dual-band wi-fi and supports Apple’s AirPlay, so that you can stream video to the M8 via wi-fi from your Apple devices. Other new features include a microphone with voice support for Amazon Alexa (and a privacy switch to deactivate the mic if you prefer), and the M8 also supports the Thread standard that will allow it to connect to smart home devices that also support Thread.
BenQ PD2725U: Best for Mac-friendly features
Pros
Very good image quality
Supports 100% sRGB
Stand adjusts height, tilt, swivel and rotation
2 Thunderbolt 3 ports
Cons
Supports 95% DCI-P3
400 nits max brightness
No webcam
Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Connections: 2x Thunderbolt 3 (1x 65W PD), 2x USB-A
Webcam: No
Stand: Tilt and height-adjustable stand
Orientation: Landscape and portrait
Most monitors that use standard HDMI, USB-C or DisplayPort interfaces are compatible with Macs, but BenQ has a number of displays that also include Thunderbolt 3 and are specifically designed for Macs. There’s a special section on its website to provide help for Mac users, and even Help files for owners of Macs with M1 and M2 chips as well.
The PD2725U is the first of its Mac monitors, offering a 27-inch screen with 4K resolution (3,840×2,160) for a competitive $899.99/£859.99, and there are 32-inch and 34-inch versions as well. BenQ quite rightly emphasizes the versatility and ergonomic design of the PD2725U, as the sturdy metal stand allows you to tilt, swivel and adjust the height of the screen without paying extra (as you have to do with Apple’s Studio Display). You can even rotate the screen into the upright (portrait) position as well.
It’s well connected too, with two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort interface, plus two Thunderbolt 3 ports, which allow you to connect the PD2725U to your Mac and also to daisy-chain a second 4K display for a twin-monitor setup. There’s also a built in hub that provides two USB-A (3.1) ports, and the ability to share your keyboard and mouse with two computers so that you can use the monitor with two computers and switch between them as required.
There’s a small set of built-in speakers, which aren’t particularly powerful, but the display also includes a 3.5mm audio socket for connecting headphones or external speakers as well. The display doesn’t have a built-in webcam, but BenQ includes a small puck–a kind of dial control that lets you quickly adjust the various display settings for different tasks and applications.
The image quality is very good–clear and detailed, with bold colors, and the display supports 100% of the sRGB color space, so it’ll be suitable for basic graphics and design work. However, it only supports 95% of the DCI-P3 color space used for high-end video work, and its 400 nits brightness isn’t quite as vibrant as the 500 nits of my MacBook Pro’s built-in display. Professional users who need a high-end display for video editing may prefer to pay a bit more for a display with full P3 support, but the PD2725U provides an excellent and affordable 4K display for most Mac users to use at home or for general office work.–Cliff Joseph
Alogic Clarity Pro Touch Display: Best touchscreen display for Mac
Pros
Impressive 4K 60Hz touchscreen
Fantastic adjustable stand
Cons
Fiddly Mac touchscreen software install
Hub doesn’t daisy-chain extra displays
Size: 27-inch or 32-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Connections: USB-C (65W PD), USB-B, 2x HDMI, DisplayPort
Webcam: 8-megapixel (retractable)
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait
The Alogic Clarity Pro Touch offers Mac users a large, premium touchscreen on a monitor that boasts one of the best height-adjustable, tilt and pivot stands that we’ve tested. It’s a precision, 10-point multitouch, One Glass Solution (OGS) touchscreen that combines the monitor’s protective layer with its input layer via a conductive medium keeps the Clarity Pro Touch’s screen as thin as the other Clarity monitors, while maintaining the monitor’s bright picture.
Touchscreens are useful for artists and video professionals, with many pro tools having accurate touch functionality that beats using a mouse. It’s a more intuitive way to fine-tune levels and effects in photo-editing or music mixing, in applications such as Adobe Lightroom and Audition, and Apple Pro Logic.
Alogic has an optional accessory, the $199 Clarity Fold Stand, to better facilitate comfortable drawing or interacting onscreen—the articulating stand securely holds the monitor raised at an angle like a drafting board. It can rotate 360° so that you can share work with colleagues.
We did find the touchscreen setup a little fiddly as you have to install drivers for Mac, but once up and running, the operation was smooth.
The height-adjustable stand offers a versatile swivel and tilt experience, and the screen can be used in either landscape or portrait modes.
Its retractable webcam automatically raises itself from within the monitor when an app requires it, and then auto-retracts when it’s no longer needed.
The 27-inch Pro Touch and new 32-inch Max Touch are the top-end of Alogic’s Clarity range of monitors: the entry-level Clarity (reviewed below) boasts the same premium screen but isn’t a touchscreen and lacks the webcam; the Clarity Pro is also non-touch, but does come with the smart webcam. Read our Alogic Clarity Max Touch review for a closer look at the larger touchscreen model.–Simon Jary
BenQ PD3225U: Alternative to the Apple Studio Display
Pros
Very large screen
Colorfast and bright
Thunderbolt connection
Cons
Only 60Hz
Rather meager speakers
No webcam
Price When Reviewed:
1199 Euro
Size: 31.5-inch
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels
Connections: Thunderbolt 3 On, Thunderbolt 3 Off, 3 USB-A ports, 1 USB-C port, 1 USB-B port, 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, 1 DisplayPort 1.4, audio jack
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Landscape
The BenQ PD3225U 4K display offers high display quality and many practical functions. It’s ideal for design, desktop publishing, and photo and video editing–it’s a good all-around display. Thanks to the Thunderbolt connection, it is ideal as a Mac docking station.
Using Thunderbolt, the display offers four USB ports and an additional Thunderbolt socket into a practical docking station. The second Thunderbolt port also serves as a daisy-chain connection, which can be used to connect a second monitor. The rest of the ports are located on the rear of the display. The PD3225U also offers two HDMI 2.0 ports and DisplayPort 1.4.
Content on the PD3225U is always clearly recognizable thanks to a peak brightness of 400 nits and a contrast ratio of 2,000:1. The PD3225Q is also an exceptionally evenly illuminated panel with no halos or similar display problems. The matte screen is coated with an anti-glare coating that largely prevents reflections from light sources.
The PD3225U also supports BenQ’s own Display Pilot software. This tool allows you to conveniently control the PD3225U from the Mac via the menu bar.
Read our full
BenQ PD3225U review
BenQ PD2706UA: Best Ergonomic Display
Pros
Competitive price
Includes flexible ergonomic arm
Supports 100% sRGB
Good connectivity
Cons
Only supports 95% DCI-P3
400 nits max brightness (with HDR)
Weak speakers
Size: 27-inch
Resolution: HD (2560×1440 pixels)
Connections: 4x USB-A, USB-C, HDMI 1.4, 2x DisplayPort 1.2
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Joint (Rotation)
Orientation: Landscape
It’s a common criticism of Apple’s own displays that they don’t allow you to adjust the height of the screen unless you pay a ridiculous amount for an optional adjustable stand. Most rival displays do allow you to adjust the height, of course, but BenQ’s 27-inch PD2706UA goes even further. Rather than having a conventional stand, the PD2706UA includes an ergonomic arm that attaches to your desk and allows you to freely adjust the height, tilt and swivel, and even rotate it into the upright portrait mode with just a tap of your finger. You don’t have to pay a fortune for this flexibility either, as the PD2706UA provides an attractive 4K display for just $629.99/£549.99.
The ergonomic arm is designed to either clamp onto the edge of a desk or table, or attach to the circular grommets found on many pieces of office furniture. It does require a little patience to assemble properly, but the free movement of the screen will be a blessing for people who may have problems with their neck or shoulders, or simply for quickly swiveling the display into position to show your work to clients or colleagues.
The display provides 4K resolution with support for HDR10, which is good value at this price. Connectivity is good too, with HDMI and DisplayPort interfaces, along with one USB-C connector that handles video and provides 90W output for charging a laptop. It also includes a built-in USB hub that provides three USB-A ports and one USB-C (for data transfer only), as well as BenQ’s ‘hotkey puck’, which sits on your desk and provides a quick dial control for selecting display settings without using the traditional on-screen menus.
As always, BenQ keeps Mac users in mind by providing a Mac version of its DisplayPilot app, which provides features such as an ‘M-book’ mode that is designed to match the color settings on a Mac. The display also supports 100% of the sRGB color space, and 95% of DCI-P3, so it can handle a wide range of graphics and design tasks. Our only real complaint is that the display only provides modest levels of brightness – 350nits or 400nits with HDR – compared to 500nits for my office iMac. The built-in speakers are pretty feeble too, but the PD2706UA does have a 3.5mm audio connector so you can use headphones or external speakers if you want to.
Some professional users might prefer a more expensive display that supports 100% of DCI-P3, but the PD2706UA will be a good, affordable option if you just need a 4K display for use at home or in the office, with the added bonus of the versatile ergonomic arm thrown in for good measure.–Cliff Joseph
Alogic Clarity 27in UHD 4K Monitor: More affordable classy 4K display
Pros
Impressive 4K 60Hz screen
Fantastic adjustable stand
USB-C hub with 90 watts of power
Cons
No webcam
Hub doesn’t daisy-chain extra displays
Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Connections: USB-C (90W PD), USB-B, 2x HDMI, DisplayPort
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait
The Alogic Clarity is a stunning 27-inch display with built-in hub and a fantastic height-adjustable, tilt and pivot stand. It will appeal to Mac users with its Apple looks and is even, in some ways, a superior monitor to Apple’s own Studio Display, although its 4K resolution isn’t as sharp as Apple’s 5K screen.
The stand is one of the best we’ve seen, and easily beats Apple’s standard monitor stand.
It features multiple display connections and can power your MacBook at up to 90W via either USB-C or USB-B.
There is also a Clarity Pro model that features a built-in retractable webcam, although we prefer a standalone webcam (check out our favorite Mac webcams), as well as a touchscreen version reviewed above.–Simon Jary
Read our full
Alogic Clarity 27in UHD 4K Monitor review
Limink LK14 Laptop Triple Screen Extender: Best screen extender for portability
Pros
Adds two 14-inch screens
Portable
Easy setup
Size: 14-inch
Resolution: HD (1920×1080 pixels)
Connections: USB-C or HDMI to host
Webcam: No
Stand: Simple
Orientation: Landscape
If you need a bigger screen you can plug a display into your Mac laptop, but if you want multiple screens without the giant extra monitors, a better option is to buy a portable external display. These displays tend to not be much larger than the display on your laptop, but they don’t add a much more weight and can more than double your screen space.
The Limink LK14 portable Tri-screen Monitor is a screen extender that your MacBook fits into and adds a 14-inch screen either side of the laptop’s own. It is compatible with 13-16-inch MacBooks, and connects via either USB-C or HDMI cables (included).
Setup is easy and you can attach and detach this extender to your MacBook in about a minute.
It’s HD rather than 4K and so is not as sharp and clear as the MacBook’s own. But it’s fine for spreadsheets, browsers and other mainstream applications. It’s great for adding supplementary screen estate when you’re on a video call, or for presentations.
At $699, it is expensive, but you are paying for portability and two decent screens. The whole package, which comes with a leather protective cover, can be folded up and placed in a drawer when not in use, and is light enough (3.3lbs; 1.5kg) to take with you on your travels.–Simon Jary
Read our full
Limink LK14 Al Alloy Portable Triple Monitor review
Dell UltraSharp U2723QE: Display with docking station
Pros
Manager software
Good price-performance ratio
Many connections
Wide range of setting options
Cons
Plasticky design
Ports difficult to access
Price When Reviewed:
665,21 Euro
Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels
Connections: 2x USB-C PD, 5x USB-A, gigabit ethernet DP-in/DP-out, 1x HDMI, USB-C upstream (for daisy chain)
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Landscape
Dell advertises the U2723QE with “exceptional contrast.” This is made possible by the panel’s IPS Black technology. Indeed, the screen offers an unusually high contrast ratio of 2000:1: black looks like black, and colors are very clearly distinguishable. Thanks to its wide color space support (100 percent Rec.709, 100 percent sRGB, and 98 percent DCI-P3) it is on a par with modern Apple LCDs.
The screen settings can be adjusted using the joystick on the back, or directly from the Mac desktop using the Dell Display and Peripheral Manager software. Here you can quickly adjust the brightness and contrast. There is also the option of defining a schedule for changing the brightness or contrast. If required, users can also define hotkeys for brightness and contrast control. However, the software works on the MacBook, Mac mini, and Mac Pro, but not on the iMac.
The ports on the back are hard to reach and not entirely in logical positions. The two connections at the front are also arranged at the bottom, which makes plugging them in from the bottom a gymnastics exercise every time. A side or rear-facing solution like Apple’s would be better here. But this display does offer a lot of ports, and it’s a complete USB-C docking station for MacBooks and a good extension for the Mac mini or Mac Studio.
Read our full
Dell UltraSharp U2723QE review
Samsung ViewFinity S65TC: Widescreen display
Pros
Affordable
2 Thunderbolt 4 ports
Good contrast
Plenty of screen space
100Hz screen frequency
Cons
Pale colors
Low brightness
No webcam
Size: 34-inch
Resolution: 3440 x 1440 pixels (WQHD resolution)
Connections: Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.0, 2 USB-A ports (and a USB service port for servicing), a DisplayPort (version 1.2), an ethernet port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Curved landscape
The Samsung VIewFinity S65TC is a 34-inch display but it’s more wide than tall, so it’s like working on two displays side by side. The S65TC also offers a high refresh rate, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and easy-to-use controls. It’s a nice display at a reasonable price.
The ViewFinity S65TC supports Thunderbolt 4 and you can use it to connect to a Mac. One of the Thunderbolt 4 ports delivers 90 watts of power (it’s labeled with a laptop and Thunderbolt icons), so you’ll want to use that port to connect to a MacBook so it can charge the laptop while connected. If you prefer, you can connect it via the HDMI 2.0 port. The display also has 2 USB-A ports (and a USB service port for servicing the display), a DisplayPort (version 1.2), an ethernet port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
The S65TC’s contrast is quite good, but the color reproduction feels watered down, especially if you put it next to an iMac, for example. Brightness is also in the lower spectrum at 350 nits–the Apple Studio Display’s brightness is 600 nits. Even a MacBook Air has more screen brightness at 500 nits.
Read our full
Samsung ViewFinity S65TC review
Spectrum One 4K Gorilla Glass: Affordable Studio Display alternative
Pros
Good image quality
HDR support
Variable refresh rate up to 144Hz
Elegant design
Cons
Stand sold separately for $99
Blacks aren’t as deep as Apple Studio Display
No built-in speakers, microphone, or webcam
Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Connections: USB-C (100W PD), 2x HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, 2x 10Gbps USB-A, USB-B, audio mini-jack, Gigabit Ethernet
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait
The Spectrum One with Gorilla Glass is worth a look if you’re in the market for a display and cringe at the $1,599 starting price of the Apple Studio Display.
There are a few trade-offs: it’s 4K resolution rather than 5K, and it lacks speakers, a microphone, and a webcam. The height-adjustable stand costs an extra $99.
Its overall image quality isn’t as good as the Studio Display, but it’s still very good for even professional-level image work.
A Mac can also use one of the two HDMI 2.1 ports, but by connecting through USB-C you’ll also be able to use the display as a hub and its other USB-C port (15 watts), the two USB-A ports, and the 3.5 mm audio jack.
It has a few advantages over the Studio Display, such as a variable refresh rate to a maximum of 144Hz, a higher maximum brightness, and it can connect to game consoles at 120Hz. Overall, it’s a display that’s worth the investment.
This model is sold on Amazon in the U.K. but with a delivery estimation of more than three months and the European sales are in Euros, so not really one for the U.K. market.
Read our full
Spectrum One 4K Gorilla Glass review
Mobile Pixels Geminos Dual Vertical FHD Monitor: Vertically stacked dual-screen option
Pros
Two vertically stacked monitors
Ergonomic screen layout
Adjustable height and viewing angles
65W USB-C passthrough charging
Cons
HD not 4K
Webcam is too high when both screens are flat
Price When Reviewed:
699,00 Euro
Size: 2x 24-inch
Resolution: HD 1080p (1920-x-1080 pixels)
Connections: 2x HDMI, 2x USB-C (65W PD), 2x USB-A, Gigabit Ethernet, Audio In/Out
Webcam: Yes
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Rotation
Orientation: Stacked landscape
The Mobile Pixels Geminos is a monitor curiosity that might take your fancy. Instead of having two screens side by side, the Geminos stacks two on top of each other, with the ability to fold the whole thing down flat if you want to.
Having two screens stacked on top of each other will save your neck from frequent twisting plus a bunch of freed-up desk space too.
The two joined 24-inch screens are HD rather than 4K so won’t suit those who want the deepest, richest colors, but as a productivity option, we applaud Mobile Pixels for the idea and comfortable dual-screen alternative.
Setup is a little complicated, and you can buy two separate monitors cheaper, although not stacked vertically, for which you would need a special mount.
There’s even a version, Geminos T, with a touchscreen for the lower monitor.–Simon Jary
Read our full
Mobile Pixels Geminos Dual Vertical FHD Monitor review
Dell Ultrasharp U2421E: Stylish USB-C 24-inch HD screen
Pros
USB docking station
Versatile design
Good quality display
USB-C hub with 90 watts of power
Cons
Limited brightness
Weedy speakers
No webcam
Price When Reviewed:
352,55
Size: 24.1-inch
Resolution: HD (1920×1200 pixels)
Connections: 2x USB-C (1x 90W PD), HDMI, DisplayPort 1.4, 3x USB-A, audio mini-jack, Gigabit Ethernet
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait
The stylish Dell Ultrasharp U2421E is a slick design perfect for those with a USB-C/Thunderbolt charged MacBook, as the docking station features are handy. The color range is also good, and while the price is high for this resolution and size, there are cheaper prices available online—check the latest prices above.
It’s big enough for general office work and a nice option for those who use a laptop as their daily workhorse.
It looks professional and almost Apple-ish, and the support arm allows it to pivot and tilt extensively. It’s also got decent color representation with close to 100% sRGB coverage and 83% of the P3 color space.
There’s also a decent range of ports at the back and underneath. Connected via USB-C, it can charge a MacBook at up to 90W.–Mark Pickavance
Asus ProArt PA279CV: 4K for the budget-conscious
Pros
Accurate image
High maximum brightness
Menu settings allow calibration
USB-C hub with 65 watts of power
Competitive price
Cons
Unimpressive design
Luminance uniformity could be better
HDR is bright but otherwise falls short
No webcam
Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Connections: USB-C (65W PD), 2x HDMI, DisplayPort
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Landscape
The Asus ProArt PA279CV is a 4K monitor that offers accurate color and important “pro” features such as accurate gamma presets. It even has USB-C connectivity, making it an excellent choice for creators looking to upgrade from their laptop display.
It’s not a great-looking monitor, with larger than average display bevels on the plasticky chassis. It’s not luxurious but it’s fine for an office or workstation.
Asus’ ProArt PA279CV is a sensible choice for content creators who want a color accurate 4K monitor but don’t want to clean out their savings account.
Connected via USB-C, it can charge a MacBook at up to 65W—enough for a MacBook Air or 14-inch MacBook Pro.–Matthew S.Smith
Read our full
Asus ProArt PA279CV review
Acer Nitro XV272: Color-accurate HD on a budget
Pros
Very accurate color
Great out-of-box image quality
Good range of image adjustments
Smooth, clear motion performance
Cons
Expensive for a 1080p monitor
Bland, basic design
Modest SDR brightness
No USB-C Power Delivery
Size: 27-inch
Resolution: HD (1920×1080 pixels)
Connections: 2x HDMI, DisplayPort
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape
Acer’s Nitro XV272 costs more than a lot of 1080p monitors, but the IPS, 165Hz screen provides above-average image quality, excellent color accuracy and motion performance, and a full range of monitor-stand adjustments and a generous array of ports make it worth the cost.
It also has three video inputs, four USB ports, and a stand that feels a bit cheap but offers numerous ergonomic adjustments. These features signal that the Nitro XV272, though not expensive, is a cut above entry-level 1080p monitors.
It lacks a USB-C with Power Delivery port, so won’t charge your MacBook.–Matthew S.Smith
Read our full
Acer Nitro XV272 review
Dell U3223QE: Large-screen with 4K resolution
Pros
IPS Black panel fulfils its promise
Accurate color with wide gamut
High brightness in SDR
USB-C hub with 90 watts of power
Cons
Edges of display are noticeably bright
HDR performance disappoints
No webcam
Size: 31.5inch
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Connections: USB-C (90W PD), HDMI, DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait
The Dell U3223QE uses LG’s IPS Black tech to deliver a top-notch, professional-level, 31.5-inch 4K display with a built-in USB-C hub.
It retains the great color performance high-end IPS panel monitors are known for, and, to sweeten the deal, provides crisp 4K resolution.
But there’s more to the U3223QE than the panel. It’s also a fantastic business, productivity, and professional monitor loaded with image-quality options and a king’s buffet of connectivity.
The stand adjusts for height, tilt, and swivel—features that shoppers expect at this price. However, it throws in a bonus: It can pivot 90 degrees for use in portrait mode. This is rare for a 32-inch monitor, as most stands lack the height to allow it.
The USB-C hub is crammed to the gills with connectivity. This includes multiple USB-C ports, one of which can handle up to 90 watts of Power Delivery, five USB-A ports, and ethernet.
Connected via USB-C, it can charge a MacBook at up to 90W.–Matthew S.Smith
Read our full
Dell U3223QE review
HP E27u G4: Affordable 27-inch HD monitor
Pros
Affordable 27-inch display
Attractive image with 2560×1440 resolution
HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C inputs
4-port USB hub
Cons
No webcam
No speakers
Size: 27-inch
Resolution: HD (2560×1440 pixels)
Connections: 4x USB-A, USB-C, HDMI 1.4, 2x DisplayPort 1.2
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel Floor, Joint (Rotation)
Orientation: Landscape
Apple’s Studio Display and Pro Display are seriously expensive, and they’re very much designed for professional and creative users who need 5K or 6K displays for graphics and video work. Not everyone needs such a high-res display though, and I’ve always found that a QHD (quad-HD) display with 2,560×1,440 resolution is the affordable sweet spot that works well for both general office work and off-duty entertainment. HP’s somewhat clumsily named E27u G4 is a good option here, providing an attractive QHD display with a variety of connectivity features for just $424/£286.80.
You’re not going to get a top-of-the-range display for that price, and the E27u does lack a few added extras, such as a built-in webcam or speakers. It gets all the basics right, though, with good image quality, multiple video inputs, and a useful built-in USB hub. The display’s 250 nits brightness may be relatively modest, but we found that the E27u looks bright and sharp enough for working with productivity software such as Microsoft Office, and also for streaming video from the BBC iPlayer and Apple TV+. And while Apple charges an extra £400 for an upgrade that allows you to adjust the height of its Studio Display—which is more than the entire cost of the E27u—you can tilt, swivel and adjust the height of the E27u, and even rotate it into upright (portrait) mode at no extra cost.
The E27u includes HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C interfaces for connecting to your Mac, with the USB-C port also providing 65W power to charge a MacBook or other laptop if required. When using the USB-C connection you can also use four USB-A ports to connect devices such a keyboard, mouse or hard drive, and there’s also a second DisplayPort interface that will allow you to daisy-chain a second monitor if required. Our only complaint is that there’s no audio connector that would allow you to connect headphones or a set of external speakers to the display – although HP does sell a special ‘speaker bar’ that bolts onto the bottom of the screen if you want to add audio ($43.00/£40.00).–Cliff Joseph
How to choose a Mac monitor
Display technology is a bit of a movable feast, with a lot of confusing jargon and technical features to wade through, as well as a variety of different interfaces and cables that are used by Apple itself and the various monitor manufacturers. So it’s worth taking a closer look at some of the factors that you need to think about when buying a monitor for your Mac.
Screen size
Size isn’t everything, as the saying goes, but it’s a good place to start. Your decision will be influenced by how much desk space you have, and how comfortable you are while using the display. Some people think that a big screen is best, but then when they start to use it daily, they find that it’s too big. And the same goes for customers who think a small screen is best.
If you’re looking for a size to start with for your own personal research, we recommend 24 inches—just like with Apple’s iMac. That seems like a good size for most people, and it’s easy to go up or down from that point. Most people tend to go between 24 and 27 inches for home use.
For professionals—graphics, video, audio, even spreadsheets—a large screen will help you be more productive. Think 27 inches and higher. You’ll be able to fit more elements on the screen and not waste your time scrolling.
If on-screen real estate is valuable to you, consider a multi-display setup. A smaller screen can be used for things like chat, email, web, and more, while the bigger screen is your main workspace. Or get screens of the same size and maximize the space.
Screen resolution
Screen resolution can go hand-in-hand with screen size. Screen resolution refers to the number of pixels used to create what you see on the screen. The higher the resolution, the more detail you can see. Larger displays tend to have more resolution options, as well as the ability to support higher resolutions.
Often, when you find two displays that are the same size but have a wide price difference, it’s mostly because of the screen resolution. Monitors with high resolutions are more expensive. For example, Apple’s $1,599 Studio Display is 27 inches, and it has a high screen resolution of 5120×2880 (5K resolution). On the other hand, LG sells the 27-inch 27UK650-W, but it’s a 3840×2160 (4K) resolution display for content creators, and it’s $350–lower resolution, but $1,249 cheaper. (There actually aren’t other 27-inch 5K monitors available, except for the $1,449 LG UltraFine 27MD5KL-B.)
So what screen resolution should you get? Here are some suggestions; these are guidelines that you can adjust based on your preferences.
For general purpose use, such as web browsing, email, media viewing, small photo and video projects and viewing: 1920×1080 or 2560×1440 (HD)
For more-involved content creation, productivity, and media viewing: 3840×2160 (4K)
For pro-level content creation, productivity, and media viewing: 4K or higher
Want to use an 8K monitor? Read How to connect an 8K display to your Mac.
Connecting to a Mac
How a monitor connects to a Mac can be confusing. The traditional HDMI and DisplayPort connectors used by many monitors are being replaced–or complemented–by USB-C and Thunderbolt ports. And though USB-C and Thunderbolt cables may look the same, there are actually some important technical differences between them, so it’s important to check which ports your new monitor uses and make sure you buy the correct cables and adapters.
Most recent Mac models have Thunderbolt ports, so if you buy a monitor that has HDMI or DisplayPort interfaces only, then you’ll need an adapter to connect to the Mac. This can get a bit confusing, but Apple does provide a list of the ports included on most recent Mac models so that you can figure out what you need.
Apple also provides a guide to HDMI and DisplayPort technology, which covers Mac models going right back to 2008, so that should provide all the info you need for all the Macs you use at home or at work. Less expensive monitors still tend to use HDMI and DisplayPort, and while it’s not too costly to buy adapters that will allow you to connect your Mac, we reckon it’s worth future-proofing your new monitor by getting one that includes at least one USB-C or Thunderbolt port.
If a display uses Thunderbolt to connect to the Mac, it may have additional USB-C or Thunderbolt ports so the display can act as a hub. In this case, If you have a device you want to connect to your Mac, you can connect it to one of the ports on the monitor, which is already connected to the Mac and probably in an easier location for access.
Look for a USB-C or Thunderbolt connection with power delivery (PD) that can charge your MacBook. A 65W PD will be enough for a MacBook Air or 14-inch MacBook Pro, but you’ll need at least 90W for a 15-inch or 16-inch Pro.
Read our article on how to connect a second screen to a Mac which explains everything you need to know about how to identify which ports you have, the adapters you will require, and how to set things up.
Ergonomics
If you’re going to spend a lot of time sitting at a desk looking at your lovely new display then you need to keep ergonomics in mind. The ability to tilt the angle of the monitor back and forth, swivel it around for easy viewing, and adjust the height of the monitor in order to avoid an aching back or neck.
Some monitors can pivot or rotate in either landscape or portrait mode.
As a rough guide, there is a point at about 2 to 3 inches from the top of the screen that should be at eye level. Obviously, eye level varies from one person to another, so it’s important that you can adjust the screen for your own personal comfort. You may also prefer a monitor that doesn’t suffer from glare, or you will be forever repositioning the monitor (or your head) to compensate for that.
Other considerations
There are other considerations you’ll want to make when shopping for a monitor. A lot of these come down to personal preference or what you need for the work you do. They include:
Color space (gamut): The number of colors a monitor can show. Professionals need specific color spaces.
Refresh rate: The frequency when a screen is refreshed. Higher rates produce smoother animations.
Webcam: Some displays have a built-in camera you can use for FaceTime and other video conferencing apps, or to record yourself.
Speakers: If you plan on frequently viewing or listening to media, a good set of speakers makes for a better experience.
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