The 3 Best 5k Monitors - Fall 2024

The best 5k monitor we've tested is the Dell U4025QW. It has a 5120x2160 resolution, otherwise known as 5k2k, making it an ultrawide display. This 21:9 aspect ratio is extremely useful if you need a ton of screen space while working, like if you're working with large spreadsheets. It delivers very sharp text, so documents and data are clear and easy to read, and its 120Hz refresh rate makes it more responsive than most office monitors when scrolling through documents or data. It also has superb accuracy before calibration in SDR, making it a great choice for editing photos or videos.

Though its main feature is its size, it also has several perks to enhance productivity. This includes a KVM switch, allowing you to switch between sources and use the same keyboard and mouse connected to the monitor. It also has Thunderbolt 4 support with at least 90W of power delivery, so you can easily connect your laptop to the monitor. However, it's also very expensive, so if you want a cheaper 5k2k monitor, check out the LG 40WP95C-W. It performs similarly, but it has fewer features like a smaller USB hub.

If you find that the screen on the Dell U4025QW isn't wide enough, there's a class of 5k monitors with a 5120x1440 resolution known as super ultrawide. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9/G95SC S49CG95 has a massive 49-inch monitor and 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 the entire screen, as the curvature brings the edges closer to you.

It differs from the Dell because it's mainly designed as a gaming monitor with a higher 240Hz refresh rate, VRR support, and incredible motion handling. It also has much better picture quality, as its QD-OLED panel displays deep and inky blacks with bright highlights and vivid colors, which is great for watching content. However, QD-OLEDs like this are prone to burn-in, which is problematic if you need something for office work. If that concerns you, the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9/G95NA S49AG95 is another great choice that has Mini LED backlighting and doesn't risk burn-in, but it's also an older monitor that's harder to find.

All the monitors above are ultrawide displays, but there's another class of 5k monitors that aren't ultrawide, with a higher 5120x2880 resolution that macOS is optimized for. If you have a Mac computer and that's what you're interested in, check out the Apple Studio Display. It's a 27-inch monitor with features you can only use with macOS, like its exceptionally accurate sRGB picture mode. It also supports Thunderbolt 3 on one port, making it easy to connect your computer, but it doesn't support Thunderbolt 4 like the Dell U4025QW. It has other features most monitors don't have, like a built-in webcam and microphone, which are useful for video calls.

It's available in different variants, as you can choose which stand or screen finish you prefer. 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 it gets bright enough to fight glare in any environment.

Also check out the best monitors for Mac Mini and the best monitors for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.