One of the best 4K monitors can transform how you use your Mac. Whether you have an M2 MacBook Pro or any of the other best MacBooks, like the MacBook Air, or a desktop Mac, including the Studio, the Mac mini or Mac Pro.
There are lots of 4K monitors to buy, but many are tailored specifically to be used with a Mac. You’ll find these 4K monitors tend to feature USB-C and Thunderbolt connectivity, fantastic resolution to make the most of the high-performing Mac tech, Mac-specific color profiles, and much more. Another good source is to check out the best alternatives to Apple's Pro Display XDR if you can afford to spend extra, or take a look at the best monitor for Mac mini.
In this guide we’ve selected the best 4K monitors for your Mac, with stunning options to kit out your home office. Some are even portable, meaning you can carry them between home and work. To ensure you can adjust the height and angle of your new 4K monitor, read our best monitor stands guide, that way you’ll be getting the best possible experience and protecting your posture.
The best 4K monitors for Mac
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A standout performer
I use the BenQ PD3220U and absolutely love it. It has incredible detail and resolution, a huge range of color modes for every type of work, a Mac-specific color mode for Apple users, a remote control puck for on-the-fly settings adjustments, and more. It also boasts a very large number of ports and has excellent build quality, as well as a hefty stand.
HDR10 support
This is a fantastic USB-C monitor that features HDR support via two HDMI ports and a DisplayPort, a headphone jack, and two down-stream USB-A ports. During our testing, we noted it has excellent viewing angles thanks to its IPS panel and its grey-to-grey response time is a blazing-fast five milliseconds.
USB-C connection
Dell's UltraSharp 27-inch 4K monitor may just take over the top spot after more testing since it features USB-C and DisplayPort, mini DisplayPort, and HDMI. Its colors are immaculately accurate, and with a 99% sRGB color gamut, which means you can enjoy vibrant colors for both gaming and streaming from your Mac.
Upgrade pick
This might not be the cheapest monitor, but it's a stunning panel with great features. There's an adjustable stand in the back, which changes the height and the angle of the display, as well as HDR color. It's factory calibrated, so you can be sure the colors are solid too, and it covers 100% of the sRGB colorspace.
Thunderbolt 3 Monitor
LG's big 32-inch 32UL950 is not only a Thunderbolt 3 monitor, meaning you can daisy chain monitors together, but it also has a selection of ports. With one Thunderbolt 3 port, USB-A, an HDMI, and multiple DisplayPort ports, this monitor has tons of connectivity to attach all your favorite devices. Plus, its ultrafine 4K display and high color fidelity make this screen look amazing right out of the box.
The Philips 27B1U7903 is a tremendous 4K monitor with great mini-LED backlighting and a plethora of ports, as well as Thunderbolt 4/USB4 support for docking. It scored a whopping 4.5 stars in our review.
Which 4K monitor for your Mac should you choose?
If we could only pick one, then the LG 27UK850-W would be our top choice for a 4K monitor for Mac because we love the flexibility of having a wide variety of different ports.
This top 4K monitor can charge your MacBook, MacBook Air, or 13-inch MacBook Pro, and it also features two USB-A ports, two HDMI ports, a display port, and a headphone jack. So this isn't only a fantastic monitor but a hub of connectivity.
When it comes to excellent 4K monitors, the BenQ EW3280U is also hard to beat, with excellent value for money. Its features and price make it a solid choice.
What should I look for in a 4K monitor for Mac?
If you want to upgrade your Mac and add a second screen, then there are a couple of essential points to think about when you're shopping for the best 4K monitor for you:
- Connectivity — Apple is sneaky with ports. If you're looking for a 4K monitor for a newer MacBook, you're going to want it to come with a USB-C port unless you have a USB-C hub. Always be sure whatever device you're connecting to your Mac is compatible.
- Size — Most people think bigger is better with monitors and we tend to agree. But the size you go with should be dictated by the space you have available in your home office. With this in mind, higher resolution is almost always better, too, allowing you to see clearer details and fit more information on the screen.
- Portability — People rarely need a second screen they'll move around which is why we haven't included a portable 4K option, but it is worth thinking about if you need one before you buy a new, bulky monitor.
- Response time — If you'll be using your new monitor for gaming, you'll need a low response time. This is how long it takes for the display to respond to what you're doing. Generally, anything under 10ms is good, although the lower the better if you're serious about gaming.
- Refresh rate — This is how many times in a second your display draws a new image and it's measured in Hz. You'll find many of the best 4K monitors have 60 Hz refresh rates, but the MacBook Pro has refresh rates of up to 120 Hz so if you want to make the most of the screen, look for higher specs.
If you want more ways to refresh your tech and your home office, then we have other guides you'll want to read. If you're craving more comfort as you work, check out our guide to the best wireless mouse for Mac. Or if you enjoy working to music, take a look at our best over-ear headphones for iMac list.
Looking to add some new hardware to your set up? Then check our best external hard drives for your Mac or best CD/DVD drives for Mac guides.
