Although your MacBook works with most monitors, some offer a few advantages. Monitors with USB-C ports make it easy to connect your MacBook to get a video signal and charge it with one cable. However, the monitor needs to support DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt to get a video signal from the laptop over this connection. It also needs to have enough power to keep your laptop charged while you're using it, with at least 65W being enough for most MacBook Air and Pro models.
While macOS is optimized for use with monitors that have a pixel density of 110 or 220 PPI, not all monitors have exactly this. The next best alternative is to use your MacBook with any pixel density or resolution you prefer, and make sure the display delivers sharp text. There are other factors you should consider depending on your usage. For example, good color accuracy is important for content creation, and it's good to get something with deep blacks, a wide range of colors, and bright highlights if you work with HDR content.
We evaluate monitors' macOS compatibility by testing with a 2023 MacBook Pro (M2 Pro) and a 2024 MacBook Pro (M4 Max). The results are also valid for any chip and MacBook, including newer M5 models and the MacBook Neo.
We've bought and tested more than 415 monitors, and below are our recommendations for the best external monitor for MacBook Pro, including the best MacBook Air monitors. Also, check out our recommendations for the best monitors for Mac mini, the best monitors for Mac Studio, and the best monitors for programming. If you're shopping for a laptop, check out the best Apple laptops and MacBooks.
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.
-
Best Monitor For MacBook Pro
OfficeEditingSDR PictureHDR PictureColor AccuracySDR BrightnessSize32"Panel TypeLCDSub-TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate60 HzNative Resolution6016 x 3384USB-C DisplayPort Alt ModeThunderboltSee all our test resultsUSB-C Power DeliveryThe best monitor for MacBook Pro that we've tested is the ASUS ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV. It's a premium 32-inch, 6k monitor with a high pixel density of around 220 PPI. This results in extremely sharp text, and it works well with macOS; it also has picture modes that make it look accurate compared to a MacBook screen. It also has a large USB hub with Thunderbolt 4 support, which makes full use of the MacBooks that also support Thunderbolt 4. It delivers 90W of power to a connected laptop, which helps keep it charged as you work. Plus, it supports daisy-chaining to a second screen, great if you want a multi-monitor setup. Lastly, it includes a KVM switch that makes it easy to change sources connected to the monitor, like if you have a MacBook and Mac mini, and use the same devices with both.
This monitor is designed with content creators in mind, featuring a very accurate sRGB mode that requires minimal calibration if you work in that color space. It also displays a wide range of colors in other color spaces, from Adobe RGB to Rec. 2020. It's even great if you want to use it in a well-lit room, as it gets bright and its matte coating effectively reduces glare. However, it's an aggressive coating that makes text look hazy. Sadly, this monitor performs worse in dark rooms, as it has a low contrast ratio and blacks look gray, limiting HDR performance, which is a downside if you edit HDR videos or want to watch movies.
-
Best Upper Mid-Range Monitor For MacBook Pro
OfficeEditingSDR PictureHDR PictureColor AccuracySDR BrightnessSize27"Panel TypeLCDSub-TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate330 HzNative Resolution5120 x 2880USB-C DisplayPort Alt ModeThunderboltSee all our test resultsUSB-C Power DeliveryIf you find the ASUS ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV too expensive, or you simply want a smaller 27-inch screen, consider the LG 27GM950B-B instead. Despite its lower 5k resolution, it has the same pixel density as the ASUS. The LG has a less aggressive coating, so text looks sharper and isn't as hazy, but it also produces more mirror-like reflections. That said, the biggest difference is that the LG has a smaller USB hub, with only one USB-C port as opposed to four on the ASUS. The LG doesn't support Thunderbolt either, but instead it supports DisplayPort Alt Mode to get an image from a laptop, but with slower data delivery. Like the ASUS, it also provides 90W of power delivery to a laptop to keep it charged. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a KVM switch or support daisy-chaining, so it's worse for multitasking with different devices and computers.
Where this monitor excels is its HDR performance. It uses Mini LED backlighting that helps it display deep blacks alongside bright highlights. It also has more vivid colors than the ASUS, resulting in much better picture quality for HDR content, like when editing videos. It even gets much brighter in HDR, so highlights stand out against the rest of the image, but it dims itself after a few minutes when you're using its local dimming feature. If you don't need such good HDR performance, the ASUS ProArt Display PA27JCV is a solid alternative that sometimes costs less, but like the LG, it doesn't support Thunderbolt.
-
Best Mid-Range Monitor For MacBook Pro
OfficeEditingSDR PictureHDR PictureColor AccuracySDR BrightnessSize27"Panel TypeLCDSub-TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate320 HzNative Resolution3840 x 2160USB-C DisplayPort Alt ModeThunderboltSee all our test resultsUSB-C Power DeliveryIf you want a solid-value option in the mid-range price category, look into the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx. It's a step-down from the LG 27GM950B-B because it has a lower 4k resolution, but despite its lower pixel density, it still has fantastic text clarity. It also uses Mini LED backlighting, but there are some trade-offs with its local dimming feature. It has more haloing around bright objects against dark backgrounds and loses detail in dark scenes, like a starfield. This local dimming feature at least helps the monitor display deep blacks in dark scenes, but you can only use it in HDR. As it has a low contrast ratio, blacks look gray without its local dimming feature in SDR.
This monitor has similar productivity features to the LG, including a small USB hub with DisplayPort Alt Mode and 90W of power delivery. It even has a KVM switch, which is ideal if you have more than just your MacBook connected and you want to use the same devices on different computers. While this monitor is fine to use in a well-lit room, as it gets bright enough to fight some glare, it has worse reflection handling than the LG. This means it's a worse choice for use in a sunny room.
-
Best Lower Mid-Range Monitor For MacBook Pro
OfficeEditingSDR PictureHDR PictureColor AccuracySDR BrightnessSize27"Panel TypeLCDSub-TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate120 HzNative Resolution3840 x 2160USB-C DisplayPort Alt ModeThunderboltSee all our test resultsUSB-C Power DeliveryIf you want to save some money without necessarily getting into the budget category, the Dell S2725QC offers solid value as a lower mid-range pick. It's especially worth getting when you can find it on sale. Like the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx, it's another 4k, 27-inch option, but there are notable differences and trade-offs in performance. For example, the Dell has much worse picture quality because it doesn't have Mini LED backlighting or any local dimming. This means blacks look gray, and highlights don't pop in HDR.
That said, this monitor is a solid choice if you're going to use it in SDR, as it performs similarly to the Acer. It has an accurate sRGB mode that's helpful if you're a content creator and don't want to pay for a full calibration. Like the Acer, the Dell also comes with a small USB hub to connect your devices. However, it delivers less power over USB-C, and its 65W may not be enough to quickly charge higher-end MacBooks. You can also consider the cheaper, similar Dell S2725QS if you want something without any USB ports, though that means you'll have to connect your laptop via HDMI.
-
Best Budget Monitor For MacBook Pro
OfficeEditingSDR PictureHDR PictureColor AccuracySDR BrightnessSize27"Panel TypeLCDSub-TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate144 HzNative Resolution2560 x 1440USB-C DisplayPort Alt ModeThunderboltSee all our test resultsUSB-C Power DeliveryIf you're looking for something on a budget, check out the Dell S2725DC. It's a step-down model and differs from the Dell S2725QC in that it has a lower 1440p resolution, so images and text aren't as sharp or detailed. It doesn't have HDR support, but given the S2725QC's limited picture quality in HDR, it doesn't make much of a difference anyway. It comes with similar productivity features, including an ergonomic stand and a small USB hub with DisplayPort Alt Mode and 65W of power delivery, enough to charge most MacBook Pro and Air models.
It's even a good choice if you're a content creator. Despite not having a dedicated sRGB mode, it's accurate before calibration, with minimal white balance and color inaccuracies. However, gamma tracking is on the dark side, which means you have to calibrate it to avoid this issue. Besides that, it gets bright, which is ideal if you want to use it in a bright room, but reflections can be distracting in sunny environments.
-
Best Apple Monitor For MacBook Pro
OfficeEditingSDR PictureHDR PictureColor AccuracySDR BrightnessSize27"Panel TypeLCDSub-TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate120 HzNative Resolution5120 x 2880USB-C DisplayPort Alt ModeThunderboltSee all our test resultsUSB-C Power DeliveryIf you want one of Apple's proprietary displays to match your Apple ecosystem, check out the Apple Studio Display XDR. It's a high-end 5k model that has features to take full advantage of your MacBook. This includes Thunderbolt 5 ports, which are ideal if you have the latest MacBooks that also support Thunderbolt 5. Plus, it delivers 140W of power, enough to charge even power-hungry, high-end MacBooks. It also supports daisy-chaining to a second screen, and there are two other USB-C ports for connecting your devices. As expected of Apple's flagship monitor, it offers macOS-made features, including True Tone, which syncs settings between the MacBook and the monitor.
Besides that, you can get it with its standard glossy coating or the Nano-texture matte coating to match your MacBook's finish. It delivers great picture quality, mainly thanks to its Mini LED backlighting. Its dimming zones help deepen black levels while making the monitor get bright and make highlights pop in HDR, but there's haloing around bright objects against dark backgrounds. On the plus side, it displays a wide range of colors and offers a very accurate sRGB mode, which is ideal if you're a content creator and don't want to pay for a full calibration. However, keep in mind that this monitor is very expensive, which is why the ASUS ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV remains the best overall option in terms of value, and the Apple is something to consider if you want an Apple product.
Notable Mentions
-
BenQ MA270S:
The BenQ MA270S is a high-end 5k monitor with Thunderbolt 4 support. It's cheaper than the ASUS ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV, which helps if you want to save some money, but it can be harder to find at times.
See our review -
MSI MPG 274URDFW E16M:
The MSI MPG 274URDFW E16M is a mid-range 4k Mini LED monitor that competes with the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx. They perform similarly for the most part, and you can use the MSI's local dimming in SDR. However, the MSI can be harder to find.
See our review -
Dell U2725QE:
The Dell U2725QE is a 4k work monitor with a larger USB hub than the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx, including Thunderbolt 4 support. That said, it costs more and is worse for HDR, as it lacks Mini LED backlighting.
See our review -
KOORUI S2721PM:
The KOORUI S2721PM is a budget-friendly 1440p monitor with better picture quality than the Dell S2725DC thanks to its Mini LED backlighting. This makes it a great choice for HDR. However, it has fewer productivity features than the Dell as it doesn't have any USB ports.
See our review -
Apple Studio Display 2026:
The Apple Studio Display 2026 is a lower-end model compared to the Apple Studio Display XDR. Consider the Studio Display 2026, as it costs much less but has worse picture quality because it lacks Mini LED backlighting.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 23, 2026:
We renamed the Apple Studio Display XDR to the 'Best Apple Monitor For MacBook Pro' and added the ASUS ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV as the 'Best Monitor For MacBook Pro' because the ASUS is significantly cheaper and performs well. We replaced the Apple Studio Display 2026 with the LG 27GM950B-B in the upper mid-range category because the LG offers better picture quality. In the mid-range category, we replaced the MSI MPG 274URDFW E16M with the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx, which performs similarly for a cheaper cost. We also added the BenQ MA270S, the 274URDFW E16M, and the Studio Display 2026 to the Notable Mentions.
Aug 26, 2026:
We replaced the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx with the MSI MPG 274URDFW E16M, which is easier to find. In the Notable Mentions, we replaced the AOC Q27G3XMN with the KOORUI S2721PM, which is better for productivity, and the Dell S3225QC with the brighter Acer XV275K P5.
Jun 30, 2026:
We removed the Dell P2425H as it's becoming harder to find. In the Notable Mentions, we removed the ASUS ProArt Display PA27JCV and the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS, and we added the LG 27GM950B-B and the Dell S3225QC to better reflect the current market.
May 13, 2026:
We made several changes based on newly-released monitors. We replaced the ASUS ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV and the Dell U2725QE with the Apple Studio Display XDR and the Apple Studio Display 2026, which have better MacBook compatibility. We also replaced the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV with the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx, which has better picture quality. In the Notable Mentions, we added the PA32QCV and the U2725QE.
Mar 19, 2026:
We replaced the Apple Studio Display 2022, as it's been discontinued, with the ASUS ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV. We also replaced AOC Q27G3XMN with the Dell S2725DC for consistency with other recommendations. In the Notable Mentions, we removed the Dell U4025QW and added the Q27G3XMN.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best external monitors for MacBook Pro and the best MacBook Air monitors currently available in the United States. They're adapted to be valid for most people in each price range. The rating is based on our review, feedback from visitors, and price. For example, two monitors may perform the same, but the cheaper one will be recommended. We also consider availability, as we don't recommend a monitor that's hard to find.
If you'd prefer to make your own decision, here's the list of all of our 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 for are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.