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The 4 Best 5k Monitors - Summer 2023 Reviews

Updated
Best 5k Monitors

5k monitors are a set of niche monitors that are useful, but they aren't as common as 4k displays. A 5k resolution is a broad term referring to monitors with 5120 horizontal pixels, but they come in various shapes with different vertical resolutions. A true 5k monitor has a 5120x2880 resolution and is ideal for macOS because the operating system is optimized for monitors with a high pixel density. This also produces sharp image and text clarity, even better than on 4k monitors. However, if you aren't a macOS user, you can also consider monitors with a resolution of 5120x1440 or 5120x2160 (also known as 5k2k) because of their 5k horizontal resolution.

Choosing which type of 5k monitor and its aspect ratio is right for you can also depend on your usage. Super ultrawide 5120x1440 monitors can be useful for playing atmospheric games as you get a ton of screen space. A 5k2k ultrawide monitor also offers a good amount of screen space, and they deliver sharp images, so these can help with productivity. It's important to keep in mind that most 5k monitors are costly, and you won't exactly find any budget models with this resolution.

We've bought and tested more than 285 monitors, and below are our recommendations for the best monitors with a 5120 horizontal resolution that we've tested. See our recommendations for the best monitors for Mac Mini, the best monitors for video editing, and, if you don't mind the lower resolution, the best 4k monitors.


  1. Best 5k Monitor

    The best 5k monitor we've tested is the Apple Studio Display. It's a great monitor with a 27-inch screen and 5120x2880 resolution, and it's a great choice if you want to connect your Mac computer to it, as it's optimized for macOS. It has features you can only use with a Mac, like its exceptionally accurate sRGB picture mode. It also supports Thunderbolt 3 on one port, making it easy to connect your computer to it.

    It has other features most monitors don't have, like a built-in webcam and microphone, which are great for video calls. It's available in different variants, as you can choose which stand or screen finish you want. There's one variant with a stand that only offers tilt adjustment, but you can get another variant with a height-adjustable stand. Additionally, you can get it without a stand altogether if you prefer mounting it. As for the screen finish, you can choose between glossy or matte screen coatings, and both have fantastic reflection handling.

    There are other similar 5k monitors that we haven't tested, like the Apple Pro Display XDR, a higher-end and more expensive version of this monitor designed for professional content creators. The LG UltraFine 5k is another option with a 27-inch screen, but it can also be harder to find, and it doesn't have as many features as the Apple monitor.

    See our review

  2. Best 5k Monitor For Work

    If you need something versatile for productivity and you don't need a monitor optimized for macOS, consider the LG 40WP95C-W. It's a different type of 5k monitor from the Apple Studio Display because it has an ultrawide screen with a 5k2k resolution, meaning its pixel density is lower, but it offers more screen space. It still delivers incredibly sharp text, and with this extra screen real estate, you can easily open multiple windows simultaneously. It also has more video ports than the Apple monitor and supports a Picture-by-Picture mode, letting you view images from two sources simultaneously. It even supports Thunderbolt 4, allowing for higher bandwidth than the Apple monitor.

    Even though it doesn't get as bright as the Apple monitor and has worse reflection handling, it's still fine if you want to use it in a room with a few lights, but it will struggle if you place it opposite a bright window. It also has a dedicated sRGB mode, and while it isn't as accurate as the one on the Apple monitor, it's still excellent, and you'll likely only need to calibrate the monitor if your work requires perfect colors.

    See our review

  3. Best 5k Super Ultrawide Monitor

    If you find that the screen on the LG 40WP95C-W isn't wide enough for you, there's a class of 5k monitors with a 5120x1440 resolution known as super ultrawides. The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 is a massive 49-inch monitor with a 32:9 aspect ratio, equivalent to placing two 27-inch, 1440p monitors side-by-side. It also has an aggressively curved screen that makes it easier to see things at the sides of the screen without turning your head too much, as the curvature brings the edges closer to you.

    It's different from the LG and the Apple Studio Display, mainly designed as a gaming monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate, variable refresh rate (VRR) support, and good motion handling. However, you can use it for a variety of uses as the large screen provides enough space to multitask, and the pixel density is still high enough that the text clarity is good. Luckily, it has good reflection handling and incredible peak brightness, which are great if you want to use it in a well-lit room. Even if you use it in a dark environment, it displays deep blacks, and the Mini LED local dimming feature helps improve the picture quality in dark scenes.

    See our review

  4. Best 5k Super Ultrawide Monitor For Multimedia

    If you like the super ultrawide format of the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 but want something for watching content in dark rooms with outstanding picture quality, check out the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9/G95SC S49CG95. While it has the same 49-inch screen and 5120x1440 resolution as the Neo G9, it's different in a few ways because it uses another panel type. Instead of the Mini LED backlighting on the Neo G9, it has a QD-OLED panel that displays perfect blacks without any blooming around bright objects, so it's fantastic in dark rooms.

    While it doesn't get as bright with most content as the Neo G9, small highlights still stand out against the rest of the image, and the monitor also displays a wide range of bright and vivid colors. This means images look vibrant and realistic, which is ideal when you want to sit back and watch shows or movies. However, it's important to know that OLEDs like this risk permanent burn-in with exposure to the same static elements over time; even if you constantly have black bars on the side of the screen, it can be problematic. If that concerns you, it's better to stick with the Neo G9.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Samsung Odyssey G9: The Samsung Odyssey G9 is an older version of the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 that costs less, so it's a good alternative if you find the Neo G9 too expensive, but it doesn't get as bright and has worse picture quality in dark rooms, too. See our review
  • Dell UltraSharp U4021QW: The Dell UltraSharp U4021QW is similar to the LG 40WP95C-W because it has the same 40-inch screen with a 5120x2160 resolution, but considering it costs more and doesn't support HDR at all, it's worth going for the LG. See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Aug 24, 2023: Added the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9/G95SC S49CG95 as 'Best 5k Super Ultrawide Monitor For Multimedia' because it delivers better picture quality than the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9.

  2. Jun 29, 2023: Renamed the categories to reflect how people are looking for 5k monitors, with the Apple Studio Display being renamed to 'Best 5k Monitor' and the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 to 'Best 5k Super Ultrawide Monitor'.

  3. May 02, 2023: Renamed the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 to 'Best 5k Monitor' to be reflective of how people are searching for monitors, and renamed the LG 40WP95C-W to 'Best 5k Monitor For Work'.

  4. Mar 08, 2023: Renamed the LG 40WP95C-W as the 'Best 5k Monitor' and the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 as the 'Best 5k Gaming Monitor' to better reflect their performance and uses.

  5. Jan 11, 2023: Verified our picks for accuracy and consistency, and refreshed the text.

All Reviews

Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best monitors with a 5k resolution that are currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people, in each price range. Rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.

If you would prefer to make your own decision, here is the list of all of our 5k monitor reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.