The TechRadar Pro team have been expertly tracking down the best monitor for MacBook Pro. We're looking for high resolutions, Thunderbolt connectivity, Mac compatibility, and these are our top recommendations.
After testing all the best monitors for the Mac mini, the best monitors for the Mac Studio, and using a MacBook Pro for many of our full reviews, we still rate the BenQ DesignVue PD3220U as the best computer monitor for MacBook Pro users. Optimized for Apple, it's a versatile 32in 4K display that ticks all our boxes, boasting great color accuracy and coverage.
We've rounded up our favorite screens and top recommendations right here, with 4K and 6K monitors that bring out the best from the MacBook Pro.
The quick list
Best monitor for MacBook Pro overall
BenQ's 32-inch 4K monitor ticks so many boxes. The 4K resolution ensures decent pixel density and sharp font rendering. There's full Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, including display daisy chaining. And it's a beautifully built display with 95% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut.
Best monitor budget for MacBook Pro
At little more than a third the cost of Apple's Studio Display, you don't miss out on much with Dell's 27 incher. The 4K resolution ensures decent pixel density, while the USB-C connectivity with device charging enables slick single-cable docking support with charging.
Best 4K monitor for MacBook Pro
A budget 4K monitor with outstanding color space coverage. For us, the ideal balance between price, performance, and a quality display. With 99% Adobe RGB and 99% DCI-P3, this is great for photo and video editing.
Best Apple monitor for MacBook Pro
It's not cheap, but the Apple Studio Display is a well-optimised monitor for the MacBook Pro. The 27-inch 5K IPS panel delivers Retina-style pixel density for crisp fonts. There's also a webcam, speakers, Thunderbolt 3 and a trio of USB-C ports.
Best 6K monitor for MacBook Pro
A gorgeous 6K panel is the just one of the many eye-catching features on this screen, which also boasts a broad connectivity options including that all-important Thunderbolt port. With 200DPI, the high-pixel density makes it a natural fit for the Mac.
Best ultrawide monitor for MacBook Pro
The AOC CU34G2X is a curved ultrawide monitor that comes in well under budget for anyone who needs an affordable big-screen with excellent performance and minor trade-offs. It may not hit 4K, but if that's not a deal-breaker, there's a lot to like.
Best premium monitor for MacBook Pro
If you want the absolute best 6K display for your Mac, the Apple Pro Display XDR is hands-down winner. It's super-expensive, but super-powerful, with all the bells and whistles you'd expect from Apple.
Best monitor for MacBook Pro overall
✅ You want a great all-round premium monitor: BenQ has nailed it with this 32-inch 4K beauty. The image quality is super, the build quality and design are superb and the connectivity has you covered. It's the perfect panel for your MacBook Pro.
✅ You want single-cable docking capability: Thanks to Thunderbolt 3 with power delivery and plenty of ports, you can hook up your MacBook Pro with a single cable, keep it charged and connect peripherals like external storage.
✅ You want a great looking display: And we're not just talking about image quality. With its slim-bezel styling and Space Grey-style colourway, this is the perfect partner for your MacBook Pro.
❌ You need something seriously punchy: This monitor's main weakness is brightness. It only goes to 300 nits. To be clear, that's plenty for most workflows and needs. But if you need something seriously bright, this monitor isn't the best choice.
❌ You're after a true HDR monitor: The BenQ DesignVue PD3220U does have HDR10 support. But it's only the most basic kind that allows for correct HDR colour rendering. This monitor can't actually display HDR visuals.
❌ You're on a really tight budget: For what you get, the BenQ DesignVue PD3220U is reasonably priced. But it's still a lot of money and there are similar but cheaper models.
Alternative: The Dell U2723QE - our pick for best budget MacBook Pro monitor - offers a similar solution in a smaller package for way less money.
🖥 The BenQ DesignVue PD3220U is a fabulous all-round monitor that makes for a perfect fit with the MacBook Pro. The 4K panel delivers sharp, accurate image quality, the connectivity is great and it's even styled sympathetically to suit Apple laptops.. ★★★★★
What you need to know
BenQ's DesignVue PD3220U is getting on a bit these days. In technical terms, you could even argue it's a little dated. After all, it's not some fancy pants new OLED panel. It doesn't even support local dimming or true HDR capability. But it's still a damn fine display and one that suits the MacBook Pro perfectly, both in technical terms and aesthetically.
Design and Build Quality: The BenQ DesignVue PD3220U is a perfect fit with your MacBook Pro when it comes to design and build quality. The minimalist slim-bezel design is very "Apple" with its Space Grey-style colourway. Moreover, the PD3220U is relatively unusual in having consistent bezel width on all four sides of its IPS panel. That makes for a pleasing premium look.
Connectivity is another strong point. Up front and centre is Thunderbolt 3 connectivity with 85W of power delivery, plus both USB-C and a trio of USB-A ports. That means you can hook up your MacBook, drive the display, keep everything charged and also dock peripherals like external storage, all with one cable.
But it gets better. Unlike the official Apple Studio Display, the BenQ DesignVue PD3220U makes full use of Thunderbolt 3's daisy chaining capability courtesy of a second Thunderbolt 3 downstream port. So you could buy two of these monitors and connect to them with a single cable. Yes that includes retaining all the other single-cable docking and charging functionality. That would be one awesome pro-level MacBook display solution.
Performance: First up is the PD3220U's 32-inch panel. It's a quality IPS item with full 4K resolution. At 140DPI, it doesn't offer true Retina-style pixel density. But it still serves up nice, crisp fonts and plenty of image detail. Likewise, the 32-inch diagonal makes for ample physical screen real estate.
There's plenty of precision on offer, too, with 95% coverage of the DCI-P3 digital cinema gamut. Granted, with no local dimming and only 300 nits peak brightness, this isn't remotely a true HDR display. But it can process an HDR10 signal and render HDR colours correctly. So there is basic HDR support, which can be handy for some workflows. Even better, the DesignVue PD3220U comes factory calibrated and there's a Mac-specific M-Book mode that synchronises colours profiles between the display and a connected MacBook Pro at the clock of a few buttons.
Value for money: As for what you miss out on for the price, well, there's no webcam or microphone array and the built-in stereo speakers are nothing on the Apple Studio Display's sextet of drivers. In truth, the PD3220U's speakers are best viewed as backups only to be used in emergencies. But then the Apple Studio Display costs at least 50% more. It's over double the price if you spec Apple's pricey height-adjustable stand and the optional anti-glare coating.
And, of course, the Apple's panel is much smaller. All told, the BenQ DesignVue PD3220U makes better compromises and offers superior value. It's a really slick and effective screen that suits the MacBook Pro perfectly.
Read our full BenQ DesignVue PD3220U review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | It's not cheap but it is a very strong overall package | ★★★★☆ |
| Design | The features and design are a perfect match for MacBook | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | It's not the brightest, but it is otherwise a peach of a panel | ★★★★☆ |
Best budget monitor for MacBook Pro
✅ You want a full-featured monitor: Dell's 4K 27 incher has it all. You get a superb 4K IPS panel, fantastic features including comprehensive connectivity, plus slick slim-bezel styling. It really is a great package.
✅ You appreciate single-cable connectivity: USB-C with power delivery enables not only standard single-cable connectivity but also next-level docking thanks to daisy chaining support, a KVM switch and an ethernet port.
✅ You want a high-DPI monitor: At 163DPI, this Dell doesn't quite achieve Retina levels of pixel density. But by any normal standard, it is extremely sharp and delivers very crisp fonts in MacOS and plenty of image detail.
❌ You want a really big display: 27 inches isn't tiny. But it doesn't make for a huge amount of desktop real estate. A 32-inch 4K monitor would be a better choice if you appreciate the ergonomics of a larger screen.
❌ You need true HDR support: The U2723QE does offer basic Vesa DisplayHDR 400 support. But there's no local dimming and the peak brightness is just 400 nits, so this monitor doesn't deliver a true HDR experience.
❌ You appreciate lush build quality: The slim-bezel design is fairly slick. Just don't expect lush Apple-style all-metal construction. This monitor is mostly made from plastic and it doesn't feel hugely high quality.
Alternative: If you don't need 4K, see our Dell P2725HE USB-C Hub Monitor review for a great all-rounder display.
🖥 The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE Monitor is a fantastic all rounder. The 4K 27-inch panel is pin sharp, the connectivity options are utterly comprehensive and the silm-bezel design looks slick, too. It's a fantastic screen to use with a MacBook Pro. ★★★★½
What you need to know
Looking for a monitor that gives you most of the day-to-day viewing experience of Apple's pricey Studio Display for around one third the cost? Try the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE. It offers the same 27-inch form factor and single-cable connectivity for so much less cash.
Of course, with the huge savings come a few compromises. Most obviously, this is a 4K rather than 5K display. Consequently, the pixel density clocks in at around 163DPI, quite a bit lower than the Studio Display's 218DPI. The thing is, there's definitely a case to be made for diminishing returns when it comes to desktop display pixel density.
Design and Build Quality: As standard, you get not only a stand with tilt and height adjustment, but also swivel and even rotate into portrait mode. Apple charges you $400 / £400 just to add height to the Studio display's standard tilt-only arrangement. The Dell's slim-bezel design is very slick, too, and compliments the MacBook Pro's sleek lines well.
Then there's the U2723QE's excellent connectivity. USB-C with a decent level of power delivery to keep your MacBook Pro charged is a given, we wouldn't recommend a monitor for the MacBook Pro without it. But the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE ups the ante with display daisy chaining support, enabling you to connect to dual monitors with a single cable. And, yes, that includes dual 4K monitors. What's more, the U2723QE also has an integrated KVM switch, making it quick and simple to share this monitor with your MacBook Pro and maybe a work PC, and also networking support thanks to the integrated LAN port.
Performance: For sure, the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE delivers very sharp font rendering in MacOS and oodles of image detail. Is the Studio Display sharper and even more detailed? Yup. But the gap isn't nearly enough to justify the yawning price premium. Indeed, this Dell can do things the Apple display can't, most notably it's Vesa DisplayHDR 400 certified. OK, that's only entry-level HDR support. But it can be handy in a pinch for some workflows to have at least rudimentary HDR capability.
As if all that wasn't enough, this monitor stands out for its excellent image quality. It doesn't just offer any old IPS panel but LG's latest IPS Black technology with twice the contrast of most equivalent displays, including the Apple Studio Display. Dell also rates the panel at 98% coverage of the DCI-P3 digital cinema gamut, which is a very decent performance given the relatively reasonable price point.
Value for money: Ultimately it's an awfully close run thing between this display and the BenQ DesignVue PD3220U for overall honours as a MacBook Pro monitor. This Dell is clearly better value and offers a fantastic feature set. It's only really the BenQ's larger panel size, which makes for more day-to-day elbow room, and Mac-optimised colour profiles that swing it. But it's a marginal call and you could easily make the case for this not just being a great value option for the MacBook Pro, but the best choice, period.
Read our full Dell UltraSharp U2723QE review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | For the money, the feature set and performance is fantastic | ★★★★★ |
| Design | The build quality is mediocre but the styling is slick | ★★★★☆ |
| Performance | The 4K panel delivers accurate, pin-sharp image quality | ★★★★★ |
Best 4K monitor for MacBook Pro
✅ You want a great 4K monitor: You can find loads of good 4K monitors, but the Asus ProArt PA279CRV nails that balance between price, performance, and panel quality.
✅ You want wide color coverage: With 99% Adobe RGB and 99% DCI-P color space coverage, this monitor is ideal if you’re using your laptop to edit photos and videos..
✅ You’re on a budget: For a 4K MacBook Pro monitor, this is very reasonably priced, offering great value with a host of features and a wide range of uses.
❌ You don’t need 4K: If you’re performing general office tasks or light content creation for social media, a FHD monitor should be a suitable second display, although we recommend 4K as a base.
❌ You need more brightness: We weren’t terribly impressed with the brightness - colors still pop, but at a fairly average 400nits, professionals and gamers may want higher specs here.
❌ You want more contrast: As with brightness, contrast here is a basic 1000:1, which may be a deal-breaker. HDR and black levels are similarly basic, with no local dimming.
Alternative: For around the same price, check out our BenQ PD3205U review for an excellent 4K screen tested on MacBook Pro.
🖥The Asus ProArt PA279CRV is a 4K monitor that offers some surprising features and specs considering the reasonable price - and the color space coverage is great for content creators. Overall, a good value 4K MacBook Pro monitor. ★★★★½
What you need to know
If you want the best 4K monitor for MacBook Pro, you can’t really go wrong with any of our top picks here, but we’re singling out the Asus ProArt PA279CRV as a great balance of price, quality, and that all-important resolution. Like our other budget pick here, we found it’s an excellent 4K performer that doesn’t compromise on all the key features, whether you’re using it as a business monitor for office tasks or content creation. With 99% Adobe RGB and 99% DCI-P3, it’s one of our top choices for photo editing, video editing, and graphic design, too.
Design and Build Quality: As a budget MacBook Pro monitor, the PA279CRV is mostly constructed from plastic, it’s robust and stable, but you won’t mistake this for premium build quality. The overall design is clean, modern, perfect for a variety of workspaces. A slim bezel frames three sides of that lovely 27-inch IPS panel, although the control buttons below the screen somewhat infringe on an otherwise sleek design. Mounted to the included stand, the display easily tilts, swivels, and rotates from landscape to portrait mode, and we had no trouble here.
The Asus monitor also benefits from a good amount of connectivity. And this is what really seals the deal as a top 4K MacBook Pro monitor. Alongside two DisplayPorts and two HDMI 2.0 ports, It boasts a USB-C with 96W and a dual-port USB-A hub. So the upshot is that you can charge your MacBook and connect peripherals all through the PA279CRV.
Performance: Frankly, there aren’t a lot of budget 4K monitors that feature a comprehensive set of factory-calibrated color spaces, including sRGB, Adobe RGB, DCI-P3, Rec. 709, and Rec. 2020. Throw in the 163dpi pixel density, which helps make everything crisper and more detailed, and suddenly you have an almost pro-level monitor without the price-tag. It’s fair to say, we weren’t sure such a monitor could meet our expectations. Happily, it performs brilliantly.
With 400nits brightness, colors look vibrant and accurate, and we have few issues overall. Best of all, we tested it with macOS and found the monitor plays well with the Apple operating system - unlike many we’ve tried. Here, you’ll find a full range of options for scaling and the fonts and very cleanly rendered.
However, there are some trade-offs with a budget panel like this. Response times and refresh rates are standard-issue. And although the monitor has DisplayHDR 400 certification and 1000:1 contrast, you won’t find any local dimming, and generally HDR and black levels are basic. But then, this is a standard complaint with these types of panels.
Value for money: In our view, the Asus ProArt PA279CRV offers great value for money. Considering this is a budget 27-inch 4K monitor, there are some great specs here that will serve most users in the office, at home, or in the studio. There are some trade-offs here, so expectations should be tempered slightly. Brightness and contrast are average, but won’t affect most day-to-day use. At this price, it’s not really like losing features, but rather not expecting the fastest refresh rates or the very best HDR support.
Read our full Asus ProArt PA279CRV review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | An affordable 4K monitor with excellent screen performance for the money. | ★★★★★ |
| Design | Classic monitor design that doesn’t use highest-grade materials but feels sturdy and stable. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Performance | Impressive performance with high color coverage, although brightness and contrast are average. | ★★★★☆ |
Best monitor for MacBook Pro by Apple
✅ You want an Apple-optimised monitor: Apple's Studio Display is unsurprisingly well optimised for the MacBook Pro, from the excellent pixel density to support for True Tone and the integrated 12MP webcam with Center Stage.
✅ You want sharp 5K visuals: Full 5K resolution on a 27-inch panel makes for very high DPI. That works so well with MacOS when it comes to rendering gorgeously clear text and providing oodles of image detail.
✅ You appreciate the extras: Along with the 5K panel you get an excellent 12MP webcam with outstanding audio quality from the triple-mic array, plus great sound from the Studio Display's speakers.
❌ You want great value for money: Even accounting for the strong feature set and 5K resolution, this is an expensive display, especially given the modest 27-inch panel size and lack of any HDR support.
❌ You need HDR support: Probably the most obvious omission from the Studio Display's spec list is HDR support. You don't even get basic HDR10 signal processing. That's a problem given the lofty price.
❌ You want lots of connectivity options: The Studio Display does have single-cable Thunderbolt connectivity. Beyond that you also get three USB-C ports. And that's it. Dell's 27-inch alternative costs one third as much and has way more ports.
Alternative: For professionals, check the Apple Pro Display XDR, our choice for best premium monitor for MacBook Pro.
🖥 The Apple Studio Display is really nicely optimised for MacBooks Pros and boasts excellent pixel density and super-sharp font rendering. It's beautifully built, too, but it all comes at quite a price, especially considering the lack of any HDR support. ★★★½
What you need to know
It's not cheap, but the Apple Studio Display is simply so well optimised for the MacBook Pro. Up front and centre is the 27-inch 5K IPS panel packing no fewer than 5,120 by 2,880 pixels.
That ensures Apple's signature Retina-style levels of pixel density (218 pixel per inch to be precise) and therefore fabulously crisp, clean fonts. Once you've experienced this level of pixel density on a desktop display, conventional low-DPI monitors seem awfully rough around the edges.
Design and Build Quality: Connectivity is a definite strong point for the Studio Display. There's Thunderbolt 3 with 96W of power delivery. That enables single-cable docking with the ability to keep your MacBook Pro charged. To that you can add a trio of USB-C ports for hooking up peripherals, including keyboard, mouse and external storage, all of which dock with your MacBook Pro via that nifty Thunderbolt interface.
The Thunderbolt port is also key to enabling the Studio Display's excellent 12MP webcam. Not only does it support Apple's clever Centre Stage head track tech, it also includes a three-mic array for capturing high quality sound. Speaking of which, you also get really high quality audio output thanks to four force-cancelling woofers, plus a pair of tweeters. The sound quality is far better than that on offer from pretty much any conventional PC monitor.
You can say the same of the Studio Display's build quality. As you'd expect from Apple, it's pretty much exquisite. The slight catch is that it comes with a til-only stand as standard. If you want to add height adjustability, you'll have to add yet another $400 / £400 to the already steep asking price. Ouch.
Performance: As an SDR monitor, the Studio Display delivers excellent performance, including over 98% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut. It also offers great viewing angles and strong peak brightness of 600 nits. But black levels and contrast are nowhere near what a monitor with local dimming or an OLED panel can achieve.
Arguably, the Studio Display's 60Hz refresh is also something of a limitation. Sure, this is not a gaming panel. But then the MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models both offer 120Hz ProMotion technology, so Apple recognises the value of higher refresh rates for professional applications. It just hasn't seen fit to give the Studio Display that capability.
Value for money: You could argue there are a couple of obvious omissions from the Studio Display's spec list which are disappointing given the lofty price point. For starters, this is not an HDR display. By that we don't mean this is the kind of display that can't do true HDR visuals but can support an HDR signal, like a lot of PC monitors, but that there's no HDR support. At all. That also means no local dimming. But then if you want a 5K display with Retina-style pixel density and tight integration with your MacBook Pro, there are few other options.
Read our full Apple Studio Display review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | This is a pricey panel given the limited feature set | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Design | As beautifully built as you'd hope for from Apple | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Fabulous pixel density but conspicuously lacks HDR | ★★★★☆ |
Best 6K monitor for MacBook Pro
✅ You want epic pixel density: The 6K native resolution makes for over 200DPI. That's a perfect fit for MacOS, which loves high pixel density when it comes to font rendering. It also matches the Retina display of your MacBook Pro perfectly.
✅ You want a Pro Display XDR for cheap: OK, this isn't a cheap monitor. But it's less than half the price of a fully specced Pro Display XDR and has much better connectivity. What you don't get is the mini-LED backlight with local dimming.
✅ You want great connectivity: Dell has specced this monitor up with Thunderbolt, display daisy chaining, a USB hub, ethernet, a KVM switch, the works. It's as good as display connectivity gets.
❌ You want an HDR experience: There's no full array dimming, just 12 edge-lit zones, which is a bit of a kludge and means you're not getting a true HDR experience. It doesn't even come close to the Pro Display XDR's peak brightness.
❌ You demand top notch build quality: Along with the dorky forehead, this Dell majors on plastic rather than metal when it comes to construction. Compared to Apple's displays, it all feels a bit cheap.
❌ You're looking for a bargain: Yes, it's half the price of an Apple Pro Display XDR. But it's also three times the price of a comparable 32-inch 4K monitor. That's a big old premium for those extra pixels.
Alternative: Our best premium monitor for MacBook Pro is the Apple Pro Display XDR - it's pricier but comparable.
🖥 The Dell UltraSharp 32 6K U3224KB Monitor is the 6K display we've been waiting for to take on Apple's Pro Display XDR. Dell's take on 6K monitors is half the price, offers much better connectivity and the same gorgeous high-DPI experience. But it feels a bit cheap and offers far inferior HDR performance. ★★★★
What you need to know
It's worth comparing the Dell UltraSharp 32 6K U3224KB to arguably its closest rival, the similarly specced Apple Pro Display XDR. But where the Apple monitor rocks 6,016 by 3,384 pixels, Dell's new 32-inch 6K beast clocks in with an even higher resolution of 6,144 by 3,456. In practice, you'll struggle to notice the difference in the pixel count. But, clearly, Dell is using a different panel. Either way, you're getting fantastic pixel density and so fabulously crisp fonts and oodles of image detail.
Design and Build Quality: There's more to Dell's top-spec monitor than that gorgeous 6K panel, however. For starters, you get an integrated 4K HDR webcam with a full mic array and a physical shutter for reliable security. Then there's the Thunderbolt 4 hub. It supports the usual single-cable shizzle including power delivery to keep your MacBook Pro charged.
But to that it adds daisy chaining, so you can drive two monitors with a single cable. There's also a grand total of five USB-A ports and two USB-C ports. Two of the USB-A and one of the USB-C ports are located in a nifty little pop-down housing on the lower screen that gives you some easy-access front-facing ports. Nice. Oh and ethernet is also included in the hub. As if that wasn't enough, there's also an HDMI 2.1 socket and a full KVM switch making it a cinch to share this display with your MacBook Pro and maybe a work PC.
As for downsides, the styling is a little challenging thanks to a very large forehead above the panel to house the 4K webcam and the display's speakers. The rather plasticky build quality doesn't even come close to the Pro Display XDR's lush alloy construction, either.
Performance: A major difference compared to Apple's 6K monitor and likely the key differentiator that allows the U3224KB to undercut the Pro Display's price so dramatically, is in backlight technology. Where the Apple monitor offers fully-array local dimming thanks to a mini-LED backlight, Dell's display is much simpler.
You only get 12 edge-lit zones, which is the minimum required to achieve the U3224KB's Vesa DisplayHDR 600 certification. In other words, this is not a true HDR display. That said, it does use LG's latest IPS Black panel technology, which delivers 2,000:1 static contrast performance. That's roughly double what you get from most other IPS panels. It's also an extremely accurate panel with 99% coverage of the DCI-P3.
Value for money: Ah, the sordid matter of money. Sure, this monitor is half the price of the Apple option when the latter is equipped with its optional stand. But it's still a tonne of money, especially for a monitor with limited HDR support. It's roughly three times the price of an equivalent 4K monitor. That's an awfully big premium for those extra pixels.
Read our full Dell UltraSharp 32 6K U3224KB review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Half the price of a Pro Display XDR but still not cheap | ★★★☆☆ |
| Design | Excellent connectivity, but the build quality is a little basic | ★★★★☆ |
| Performance | The high-DPI experience rocks but there's limited HDR support | ★★★★☆ |
Best ultrawide monitor for MacBook Pro
✅ You want a budget ultrawide monitor: As far as cheap ultrawide displays go, this is a real bargain that doesn’t compromise too much on quality.
✅ You want a modern, frameless design: Eschewing the usual RGB designs of gamer-centric peripherals, the AOC CU34G2X is sleek, subtle, and modern.
✅ You want good performance at low cost: The AOC CU34G2X proves all-round performance like this doesn’t need to cost the earth.
❌ You need a more intuitive monitor: Navigating menus and using the physical boards is an unnecessary chore that requires more button presses than it should.
❌ You demand brightness: At 300nits, this isn’t the brightest monitor for MacBook Pro that you can find.
❌ You need a 4K ultrawide: Falling short of the 4K experience, the CU34G2X features a 3440x1440 resolution which may not satisfy some users.
Alternative: For 5K big-screen rival, see our Dell UltraSharp U4924DW review.
🖥 The AOC CU34G2X is our top ultrawide monitor for MacBook Pro, thanks to a mix of good pricing and good performance. The smart design, with its subtle blacks and reds, is pleasant, and construction feels solid. However, it lacks a 4K resolution that some may require. ★★★★
What you need to know
The AOC CU34G2X is a 34-inch monitor with a 3440x1440 resolution in the 21:9 aspect ratio. Ostensibly a gaming monitor, this budget option swerves the RGB-ification of all things, instead offering a modern, ‘frameless’ design that will sit well in any office, home office, or studio.
It’s not our top ultrawide monitor overall - for the premium option, see our LG UltraGear 38GN950 review. However, the well-constructed AOC CU34G2X proved in our tests to be a reliable performer across the board, at an affordable price for a second display. However, to get the best results from this monitor, you may need to get a Thunderbolt to DisplayPort adapter.
Design and Build Quality: The overall design is sleek, modern, with pleasing red accents scarring the black chassis. It’s a world away from other gaming monitors, where RGB lighting blinds users in a bid to get noticed. Here, we have a very subtle design. Arguably, too subtle, and this may come across as a slightly bland and forgettable monitor. Still, that just means you’re spending more time looking, which is immersive.
When it comes to construction, the chassis feels sturdy and durable, the metal base stable - we never got the impression that it was a flimsy unit, even with the plastic casing. Although it was tricky to find the proper placement, as the base takes up more room than we’d like. However, generally, this screen is robust, well-constructed, and well-designed. Where this proved untrue is in the menu buttons, which felt small and tacky. But looking at the broader picture, this is a minor gripe.
Performance: For a budget ultrawide monitor, the AOC CU34G2X showed great performance in our tests. Specs are pretty good here, although the lack of 4K may put off some. A 34-inch QHD screen, 21:9 aspect ratio, 3440x1440 resolution, 144Hz, and a response time of 1ms. Connectivity is good, too, boasting two HDMI 2.0 ports and two DisplayPorts, and six USB slots.
Out of the box, we found no need to toy with the color balance settings, with rich colors, deep blacks - although it sits at the darker end of the spectrum here, with the monitor;’s brightness a low 300nits. There’s also a few HDR features, despite not being a true HDR monitor, with vivid results. Don’t set your expectations too high and you should be very happy. However, sorting out these settings can be somewhat tricky. The monitor’s menu is a pain to use, requiring multiple unintuitive button presses to get to the settings you need.
We were also concerned that the light curve of the screen may overwhelm when leaning forward, but this wasn’t the case. In use, the ultrawide screen is immersive - even if it lacks the detail that comes from a 4K display.
Value for money: The CU34G2X represents superb value for money - if you want a budget ultrawide monitor for your MacBook Pro, this is a stellar pick at a price that won’t break the bank. Depending on your device and set-up, you may need to invest in a TB to DP adapter, which are generally cheap, but is still an additional cost.
You’ll miss out on a few features at the budget end. It’s not a full 4K monitor, and some design and construction corners have been cut - notably on the buttons and menu UI. But for us, these issues were outweighed by solid performance.
Read our full AOC CU34G2X review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Very reasonably priced ultrawide monitor that doesn’t hit 4K, but otherwise puts in a good performance. | ★★★★★ |
| Design | A subtle frameless design and decent construction of the chassis and base give this a modern feel. | ★★★★☆ |
| Performance | Good overall performance, with extra HDR features, and plenty of ports for connectivity. | ★★★★★ |
Best premium monitor for MacBook Pro
✅ You want the ultimate Apple display: Actually, this isn't just the ultimate Apple display, it might just be the best productivity panel, period. The combination of 6K resolution with full-array local dimming makes for a truly stunning experience.
✅ You want a large high-DPI display: The Apple Studio Display renders nice, crisp fonts. But at 27 inches, it's a bit puny. The Pro Display XDR fixes that with its 32 inch diagonal and plenty of screen real estate.
✅ You appreciate great build quality: Never before has a computer display been so beautifully built. The Pro Display XDR's machine alloy chassis is so gorgeous, it's almost offensive. Nothing else comes close.
❌ You want a high-refresh experience: The Pro Display XDR is limited to 60Hz. That's a bit disappointing when you consider that the MacBook Pro now comes with 120Hz ProMotion displays as standard.
❌ You want great connectivity: With Just Thunderbolt and a three-port USB-C hub, the Pro Display XDR is beaten by the cheapest display here for connectivity. It's simply not as flexible and useful as it could be.
❌ You need an affordable option: As if the Pro Display XDR wasn't expensive enough, you can add thousands more to the price by adding a stand and anti-glare coating. Surely those things should come as standard?
Alternative: There's nothing quite like the XDR, but the Apple Studio Display - our pick for best MacBook Pro monitor made by Apple - is ideal for most users who need that professional clarity.
🖥 The Apple Pro Display XDR is very expensive. But then there's nothing quite like it. The combination of 6K resolution, epic pixel density, spectacular HDR performance and fantastic build quality is like no other monitor on the market. ★★★★½
What you need to know
From the moment we witnessed our Apple Pro Display XDR first look at its launch, we were impressed. It has everything we wished the Apple Studio Display had - HDR support, the same 1600 nit luminance found on the MacBook Pro, that extra level of resolution.
We've never had a chance to give this expensive bit of kit a full and rigorous review, but just look at those specs. Claiming perfect color accuracy and reproduction out of the box, this 32-inch IPS panel boasts a color space coverage of 99% P3 and a color depth of 10-bit - and we have to say, color detail seriously impressed us when we saw it up close.
Design and Build Quality: First, there's the build quality. If there's another monitor that even comes close to the Pro Display XDR's fabulous alloy construction, well, we haven't seen it, that's for sure. As for connectivity, it's well optimised for the MacBook Pro, if a little minimalist. Along with the main Thunderbolt interface, you get a further three USB-C ports for peripherals.
It's worth noting that this display isn't a good choice for sharing with multiple computers, say your MacBook Pro and a work PC. Apart from the single display input, the monitor lacks any controls, everything is managed in MacOS. So, the display is hobbled when connected to a PC.
Performance: Just as important as the epic pixel density and super-sharp font rendering that the 6K resolution enables is the display's outstanding HDR capability. The Pro Display XDR has full-array local dimming with 576 mini-LED zones. That makes for finely-controlled contrast and much better black levels than a conventional IPS display. It also enables incredible brightness up to 1,600 nits for HDR content.
Then there's colour accuracy and management. Along with the Pro Display XDR's DCI-P3 support and 10-bit colour, there are a full suite of reference colour modes for HDR, print, digital cinema and more available that integrate seamlessly with your MacBook Pro. Ensuring you've got the right mode for your workflow and having confidence that the display is delivering great accuracy are things that the Pro Display XDR makes easier for MacBook Pro owners than just about any other display.
Value for money: Of course, all of this comes at a painful price. It's particularly galling that you have to pay an extra $999 / £949 if you want the monitor with a stand. Likewise, the extra $1,000 / £900 Apple charges for the optional nano-texture anti-glare coating is pretty ridiculous.
Apple argues that the Pro Display XDR is much cheaper than the full professional-level content grading monitors used by the likes of movie studios. And it is. But then such monitors are also technically much more capable in certain areas than the Pro Display XDR. You can't do full Dolby Vision content grading on a Pro Display XDR, for instance.
Instead, Apple's monitor is more akin to a very high-end mainstream display rather than a cut-price movie studio monitor. And in that context, as delicious as the Pro Display XDR undoubtedly is and as undeniable as it is that this is the best display you can buy for a MacBook Pro, the price is a little hard to stomach.
See what Tom's Guide hands-on thoughts after a month using the Apple Pro Display XDR.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | It's so much money, but it's so much screen | ★★★☆☆ |
| Design | Beautifully built but the connectivity could be better | ★★★★☆ |
| Performance | Epic 6K panel only lacks high refresh | ★★★★★ |
Best monitor for MacBook Pro: FAQs
Can I use any monitor with a MacBook Pro?
We asked Jason Lee, BenQ's North America LCD Line of Business Head, for his thoughts. Here's what he told us about connecting the best monitors to your MacBook Pro.
"The MacBook Pro has Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, which can support a variety of display interfaces, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA, depending on the adapter you use.
When selecting a monitor for use with a MacBook Pro, you should ensure that it has the appropriate inputs to connect to your computer. Many monitors today have multiple input options, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C. You can also use an adapter to connect a monitor with a different input type to your MacBook Pro.
It's important to note that not all monitors are created equal, and some may provide a better visual experience than others. Factors such as resolution, color accuracy, and refresh rate can affect the quality of the image displayed on the screen. If you're looking for one a quality monitor for professional use, you may want to consider a model with a high resolution and color accuracy.
Ultimately, the best monitor for your MacBook Pro will depend on your specific needs and budget. Consider the features that are most important to you, such as resolution, color accuracy, and connectivity options, and research different models to find the one that best meets your requirements."
Jason Lee is the North America LCD Line of Business Head at BenQ. He has been with the monitor company for over 10 years.
How many external monitors can I hook up to my MacBook Pro?
We put this question to Jason Lee at monitor firm BenQ - this is what he told us.
"The number of external monitors you can connect to your MacBook Pro depends on the model and the display connectors it has. MacBook Pros have a variety of display ports, including Thunderbolt, HDMI, and DisplayPort, which can be used to connect external displays.
The MacBook Pro (2019) supports up to six 4K displays, three 5K displays, or two Pro Display XDRs. The MacBook Pro (Late 2013) supports up to three 4K displays or six Thunderbolt displays. The number and type of displays you can connect will depend on the specific model of MacBook Pro you have.
When selecting an external monitor for use with your MacBook Pro, you should consider the size, resolution, and color accuracy of the display. If you're using your MacBook Pro for professional work, such as photo or video editing, you may want to consider a monitor with high resolution and color accuracy."
What is the minimum resolution for the best monitors for MacBook Pro?
We recommend looking for monitors with a minimum resolution of 4K. This ensures the high pixel density MacOS needs to render crisp fonts and also gives plenty of desktop space. But bear in mind that with really large displays beyond 32 inches, you'll need an even higher resolution to maintain good pixel density.
Are there any specific connectivity options that I should look for in a monitor for my MacBook Pro?
The best monitors for a MacBook Pro will feature USB-C and Thunderbolt connectivity. These allow slick, single-cable connectivity that covers charging the MacBook, driving the display, and connecting peripherals. Outside of that, you can find a monitor with a built-in USB-C hub that opens up several ports through the single USB-C used to send video to your monitor. Depending on the monitor, sometimes this can also be used to charge your MacBook Pro.
Is it worth it to splurge on an expensive monitor for my MacBook Pro?
It ultimately depends on your needs and budget. If you are a professional who relies on accurate color representation and high resolution for tasks such as photo and video editing, investing in a high-quality monitor may be worth it. However, if you are a casual user, you may be able to find a more budget-friendly option that still meets your needs.
The best way to determine something like this is to look at the ROI (return on investment). Meaning, if you spend a lot of money on a monitor for something that does no have a substantial return (whether that is income or some other return) then it is not worth the money.
Are there any monitors that are specifically designed for use with the MacBook Pro?
Some monitors, such as the Apple Studio Display, are explicitly designed for use with Apple devices and may offer features such as compatibility with Apple's proprietary technologies. However, many high-quality monitors from other brands are also compatible with the MacBook Pro.
Some monitors will work better with the MacBook Pro than others, but generally any even semi-recent monitor will be compatible in one way or another with a MacBook Pro.
How to choose the best monitor for MacBook Pro
When choosing which monitor is best for your MacBook Pro, there are a few specs and details you'll want to check.
Not everyone will need the same specifications. For example, if you're mostly working with office apps, you may not need the broader color space coverage that's required for image or video editing. But however you use your monitor, here's what we recommend looking out for.
Resolution:
MacOS loves high resolution displays. The more pixels the better for rendering nice, clean fonts and providing plenty of image detail. Apple's own desktop displays, the Apple Pro Display XDR and Studio Display, have what's known as Retina pixel density. In practice that means over 200 pixels per inch (PPI), which matches the screens in the MacBook Pro.
Very few non-Apple displays can match that pixel density, but a 27-inch 4K display is pretty good at 163PPI. 32-inch 4K displays are decent, too, with 140PPI.
Connectivity:
USB-C or Thunderbolt with power delivery is the bare minimum when it comes to connectivity. We'd recommend at least 65W of power delivery and ideally 90W-plus for keeping your MacBook Pro fully powered. A USB hub with plenty of USB-A and USB-C ports is very desirable, too.
Additional inputs like HDMI can be handy, and an ethernet port can be useful for some office environments. The ability to daisy chain a second monitor is also an interesting option, as is a KVM switch if you're sharing the display with a second computer.
HDR versus SDR support:
HDR is a tricky technology. Many workflows don't require it. But it is becoming more widespread. A display with HDR capability tends to also offer increased colour coverage and generally improve image quality. However, the technologies that enable HDR rendering vary hugely and some displays are much more effective than others.
For that reason, unless you know your workflows require full HDR support, we recommend focussing on getting a display with good SDR performance. If it happens to also offer some HDR capability, great. But for most users, HDR probably isn't a top priority.
Build quality and extras:
It's easy to obsess over specifications like resolution and HDR performance. But the overall quality of a display and feature set can make a big difference, too. If you're paying big bucks, it's nice to have a display that feels worth the money and looks good with your laptop.
Likewise, superficially lesser features like good speakers, a great webcam and a microphone array can make a big difference to the overall usability of a monitor. Having features like that built in can also help to reduce desk clutter and simplify docking and connectivity. For more extras, we've reviewed the best MacBook Pro accessories.
How we test the best monitors for MacBook Pro
Our expert team of reviewers have tested a massive range of displays, including the best monitors for photo editing and the best monitors for video editing. So, we're experienced at knowing what to look out for to help you find the best dual monitor set-up to go with your laptop.
A decent monitor for your MacBook Pro isn't going to be cheap. So, you want to know you're making the right choice. That's why we test each display extensively. That starts with performance assessments of various aspects of image quality.
That includes brightness, refresh rate and pixel response. We also consider colour accuracy, viewing angles, contrast, HDR performance, latency, and last but by no means least resolution and pixel density. Display tech is increasingly varied and complex, what with new technologies like HDR, mini-LED backlights and OLED panels revolutionising the industry. So, we keep on top of all of that for you, helping you to understand the difference between a few edge-lit dimming zones and real full-array deal
Crucially, we also assess how well a display works with MacOS. Once connected to a MacBook Pro, does it offer a full range of optimised scaling options, for instance? Next up is connectivity. We consider the range of ports on offer and whether single-cable docking with power delivery is included, along with USB hubs and other features like ethernet, a KVM switch and display daisy chaining.
We also consider any extra features like webcams and speakers. In theory, they can add significant value. But if they're not done well, you're probably just paying for things you'll hardly ever use. You might even end up paying twice if you find you need to buy a dedicated webcam or speakers.
Next up, there's build quality, design and ergonomics. A monitor that looks great on the desk with your MacBook Pro is important. But good build quality matters, too. When you are investing a lot of money, you want a display to not just look good, but feel good and last the test of time.
Then there's ergonomics. At minimum, a robust and stable stand with a good range of adjustability including height and tilt is important. The ability to rotate into portrait mode can be handy, too.
Of course, how all of that factors into the overall value proposition is the final measure. The MacBook Pro is a demanding machine. So, you're not going to get the best out of it with a budget display. But you can also spend a lot of money and not necessarily get a better display solution. We'll help you work out what's worth the money and what costs plenty but doesn't improve your MacOS experience.
Find out more about our process in our guide How we test, review and rate on TechRadar Pro: professional and business monitors.
