MacBook Pros have the best displays in the market, but let’s face it, even the bigger 16-inch model still has a smaller screen for multitasking. We researched the best monitors in the market, and these are the recommended 4k monitors for MacBook Pro.
Apple has its own Pro Display XDR, which is everything a designer or professional creative wants, but the price is not for everyone. However, there are many great 4k monitors out there that you can pair with your MacBook, and most of them are less expensive than the Pro Display XDR.
Our recommendations include monitors with macOS integration and optimized picture modes for Mac, so rest assured that you’ll find the perfect monitor for your MacBook Pro.
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Which is Best? Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C 4K Monitor
MacBooks were the first laptops to adopt Thunderbolt 3, and the company confirmed it would continue to support Thunderbolt technology in their new M1 MacBooks. If you buy a Thunderbolt 3 (or USB-C if you’re on a budget) 4k monitor, then it will serve you fine even when you upgrade to the latest Apple Silicon MacBook Pro.
We recommend getting a 4k monitor with Thunderbolt 3 for MacBook Pro if your budget allows it. You can connect dual 4k displays, charge your Mac, and connect external storage through a single Thunderbolt 3 cable to your MacBook Pro. No more cable clutter on your desk.
The main advantage of getting a USB-C monitor over Thunderbolt 3 is that they are less expensive. But while you can also charge your MacBook Pro using a USB-C monitor, USB-C can only support one 4k display and does not support daisy-chaining. If you want to add another 4k USB-C monitor or connect Thunderbolt3/USB-C external storage, you’ll need additional Thunderbolt 3 ports on your MacBook Pro.
Unless you’re on a budget, a 4k monitor with Thunderbolt 3 should be the priority for your MacBook Pro. Note that you’ll need a monitor with two Thunderbolt 3 ports to daisy-chain a second 4k monitor or other Tb3 peripherals.
In this roundup, we only selected 4k monitors with Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C ports. So you can connect and charge your MacBook Pro at the same time with no dongles or extra cables required.
The Best 4K Monitors for MacBook Pro Available Now
| Image | Product | Details | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | BenQ PD3220U | Screen: 32-inches, 4K (3840x2160), IPS HDR: HDR10 Brightness: 300 nits PPI: 140 Color Gamut: 95% DCI-P3 Interface: Thunderbolt 3, 2x Ports Power Delivery: 85W | Check on Amazon |
 | LG UltraFine 4K Display 24MD4KL-B | Screen: 24-inches, 4K (3840x2160), IPS HDR: Yes Brightness: 500 nits PPI: 184 Color Gamut: 98% DCI-P3 Interface: Thunderbolt 3, 2x Ports Power Delivery: 85W | Check on Apple |
 | Samsung TU872 Series | Screen: 32-inches, 4K (3840x2160), VA HDR: HDR10 Brightness: 250 nits PPI: 140 Color Gamut: 99.9% sRGB Interface: Thunderbolt 3, 2x Ports Power Delivery: 90W | Check on Amazon |
 | Dell UltraSharp U2720Q | Screen: 27-inches, 4K (3840x2160), IPS HDR: DisplayHDR 400 Brightness: 350 nits (typical), 400 nits (HDR) PPI: 163 Color Gamut: 95% DCI-P3 Interface: USB-C, 2x Ports Power Delivery: 90W | Check on Amazon |
 | BenQ EW3280U | Screen: 32-inches, 4K (3840x2160), IPS HDR: HDR10, DisplayHDR 400 Brightness: 350 nits (typical), 400 nits (HDR) PPI: 140 Color Gamut: 95% DCI-P3 Interface: USB-C, 1x Port Power Delivery: 60W | Check on Amazon |
 | LG 27UN850-W | Screen: 27-inches, 4K (3840x2160), IPS HDR: DisplayHDR 400 Brightness: 350 nits (typical), 400 nits (HDR) PPI: 163 Color Gamut: 99% sRGB Interface: USB-C, 1x Port Power Delivery: 60W | Check on Amazon |
 | Philips Brilliance 272P7VUBNB | Screen: 27-inches, 4K (3840x2160), IPS HDR: No Brightness: 350 nits PPI: 163 Color Gamut: 122% sRGB Interface: USB-C, 1x Port Power Delivery: 65W | Check on Amazon |
1. BenQ PD3220U – Best 4K Monitor for MacBook Pro
Few monitors can match a MacBook display, and the BenQ PD3220U is one of them. This monitor comes at 32 inches with native 4K resolution, offering more screen real estate and perfect pixel density for most users. There is also a 27-inch variant if you prefer sharper picture quality to a large screen, but we feel 27 inches might be too small to really appreciate 4K.
One of the best features of the BenQ PD3220U is the two Thunderbolt 3 ports. Daisy-chain two PD3220U displays to add more screen space for multitasking via a single cable connection to your MacBook Pro while also providing 85W charging power.The BenQ PD3220U sports a familiar look for Mac users with a space gray finish that blends well with the MacBook Pro, bringing a seamless, elegant look to your office. The stand is ergonomically designed for tilt, pivot, swivel, and height adjustments to ensure perfect viewing angles and a comfortable viewing experience. Onboard you’ll find two 2W built-in speakers suitable for everyday use.
The 10-bit IPS panel offers fantastic color accuracy, perfect for high editing and creative work. It supports HDR10 with a wide color gamut, producing stunning contrasts and highlights. With Calman/Pantone certification and factory calibration, rest assured that you get accurate and consistent colors that meet the industry standards. If you need professional color and designer tools, the BenQ PD3220U is the kind of monitor to buy.
M-book Mode is an excellent feature on the BenQ PD3220U that matches the colors on the monitor to the MacBook Pro for consistent picture quality. But the monitor’s 300nits brightness is still lower than Mac standards.
Connectivity
- 3 x Thunderbolt 3 (85W PD)
- 2 x HDMI 2.0
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
- 3 x USB 3.1
- 1 x USB 3.1 Upstream
Alternatives
The LG UltraFine 4K Display 24MD4KL-B is another outstanding 4k monitor. It was co-developed by LG and apple to deliver the best performance to MacBook Pro and MacBook Air with macOS integration. It has dual Thunderbolt 3 ports with 85W charging power. It’s very sharp at 24 inches and incredibly bright at 500 nits.
However, we feel 24inch is very small for multitasking and everyday office use. The BenQ PD3220U is still our top recommendation.
Our TakeThe BenQ PD3220U is hands down the best 4K monitor for MacBook Pro. It has an outstanding display that closely matches the MacBook Pro and many tools for professional photo and video editing. The two Thunderbolt 3 ports add a premium value, especially for the latest MacBook Pros. However, the brightness still can’t match the MacBook Pro, but if you want more screen real estate, Thunderbolt 3, and high color accuracy, the BenQ PD3220U is the monitor to get.
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports with 85W charging
- Mac integration
- Reference-level color accuracy
- HDR support
- Professional designer tools
- Fully adjustable stand
- Built-in KVM switch
- 300nits is low for Mac standards
2. Samsung TU872 Series – Best Budget 4K Monitor for MacBook Pro
If you don’t want to pay a premium for the BenQ PD3220U, the Samsung TU872 Series is the best for you. You still get a 32-inch 4K display and two Thunderbolt 3 ports that support daisy chaining of two 4K displays or up to six Tb3 devices. However, this monitor uses a VA, so the color accuracy isn’t great as the BenQ PD3220U, but it’s great for most users unless you’re a professional content creator.
The monitor comes with a clean look to fit most office and business settings. It’s black with 3-sided bezels and a fully-adjustable stand. The TU872 is suitable for multi-monitor setups, which gets even better with the Thunderbolt 3 daisy-chaining support. On the back, you get smart cable management and a 100 x 100mm VESA mount. There are no built-in speakers.
With 4K at 32-inches, you get sharp picture quality and crisper text perfect for productivity work like programming. The monitor has decent color reproduction and supports HDR10 for lifelike colors and images. The Samsung TU872 is also factory-calibrated to ensure accurate colors out of the box.
However, this monitor uses a VA panel, so the viewing angles are slightly off, and it has a low 250nits brightness. If you’re a long time MacBook user, it will take some time adjusting to this display.Other great features of the Samsung TU872 Series include the 90W power delivery via Thunderbolt 3, capable of charging the demanding MacBook Pro 16. it also has screen splitting software for efficient multitasking and eye saver mode to protect your eyes when working for longer periods.
Connectivity
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3 (90W PD)
- 1 x HDMI 2.0
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
- 2 x USB 3.0
- 1 x Ethernet (RJ45)
- 1 x Headphone Out
The Samsung TU872 Series is a great 4k monitor for MacBook Pro if you don’t need professional-grade color accuracy. It great for office, study, and everyday desktop computing. It has premium features like Thunderbolt 3, HDR, and superb ergonomics, providing great value for your money. Unless you’re a professional creator or designer, the Samsung TU872 Series is everything you need for the MacBook Pro.
- Large screen with sharp picture
- Decent colors and HDR support
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports with 90W charging
- Adjustable stand
- Split-screen software
- Dim 250nits brightness
3. Dell UltraSharp U2720Q – Best USB-C 4K Monitor for MacBook Pro
If you’re looking for a monitor to complement your MacBook Pro’s aesthetics, the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q with space gray finish is a perfect option. At 27 inches, the 4k resolution results in a high pixel density of 163PPI, producing razor-sharp images and crisper text. If you want a monitor for coding work or similar text-based productivity tasks, you can’t go wrong with the U2720Q.
While it’s only USB-C, this monitor delivers 90W charging power, capable of charging any MacBook Pro. With so many pixels, take advantage of the Easy Arrange feature on the OSD to split your screen and display more applications side-by-side for multitasking.
The U2720Q comes at the same price as the Samsung TU872 Series. But unless you want Thunderbolt 3, we recommend this anytime for the MacBook Pro. This monitor has 350nits brightness (up to 400nits with HDR) and uses an IPS panel for consistent colors and wide viewing angles. The DisplayHDR 400 panel with 95% DCI-P3 coverage is all you need to get almost the same viewing experience as the MacBook Pro.
Connectivity
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
- 1 x HDMI 2.0
- 2 x USB-C (90W PD)
- 2 x USB 3.0 Downstream
- 1 x USB 3.0 Upstream
- 1 x Audio line-out
Alternative
BenQ EW3280U (Amazon Link) is another 4k USB-C monitor to replace the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q if you’re willing to pay extra. It is available in 27 and 32 inches variants and supports DisplayHDR 400 and a wide color gamut. However, the monitor only delivers 60W of power via USB-C, compared to Dell’s incredible 90W. (27-inch model only supports HDR10 with 350 nits max).
Our TakeIf you need superb color accuracy but don’t want to pay a premium, the U2720Q is one of the best monitors to buy. It’s also a perfect monitor for everyday computing and work. It can fully handle the demanding MB 16 with 90W charging power, and you get impressive color accuracy and brightness closest to the MacBook Pro standards.
- Sharp picture quality
- Excellent color accuracy and wide color gamut
- Two USB-C ports (90W PD)
- Fully adjustable stand
- Bright screen up to 400 nits
- Wide viewing angles
- No built-in speakers
4. LG 27UN850-W – Best Budget USB-C Pick
If you want the best bang for your buck, we present you with the LG 27UN850-W USB-C monitor. It’s a mid-range 4k monitor with sharp picture quality at 27-inches. The monitor offers excellent features for the money, including DisplayHDR 400 and 60W power delivery via USB-C to charge your MacBook Pro.
If your power adapter is more than 60W, this monitor will still be able to charge your MacBook Pro, but slower than usual.
LG went for a matte white finish with black bezels on the front, giving it a clean look that blends well in most environments. The stand supports full range motion adjustments, including tilt, pivot, swivel, and height, providing a comfortable viewing experience. Onboard there are two 5W built-in speakers and a 100 x 100mm plate for VESA mounts.
The 27-inch 4K display with an IPS panel delivers a stunning picture quality with sharper colors and wide viewing angles. This monitor can hit up to 400 nits with DisplayHDR 400. While it doesn’t match the incredible 500 nits on the MacBook Pro, it should be fine in most environments unless using it in really bright rooms. While there is no wide color gamut, the monitor covers 99% sRGB producing decent colors for watching content and editing.
LG 27UN850-W is the only monitor in this roundup with in-game enhancements if you want to fire up some games on your MacBook Pro. It supports FreeSync for tear-free gaming and Dynamic Action Sync to reduce input lag. Other features include Black Stabilizer to improve visibility in dark areas of the game and preset game modes.
Connectivity
- 2 x HDMI 2.0
- 1 x DisplayPort
- 1 x USB-C (60W PD)
- 2 x USB 3.0
- 1 x Headphone Out
LG 27UN850-W is a great 4k monitor for MacBook Pro, delivering outstanding performance for both work and play. While in the mid-range category, this monitor features a very bright and colorful display to make a perfect combo for the MacBook Pro. If your MacBook Pro has a 61W power adapter and you don’t need professional color accuracy, the LG 27UN850-W is the 4k monitor you need. You can even play competitive games on this monitor, features you won’t find in the other monitors.
- Decent color accuracy
- Sharp picture quality
- Great viewing angles
- Bright screen, DisplayHDR 400 support
- Fully adjustable stand
- USB-C with 60W power delivery
- 60W PD isn’t enough for the MacBook Pro 16-inch
- No wide color gamut
5. Philips Brilliance 272P7VUBNB – Cheapest 4K Monitor for MacBook Pro
Philips Brilliance 272P7VUBNB is a cheap 4k monitor with everything you need to get the best of your MacBook Pro. It has a USB-C port for video input and power back charging, with 65W power delivery. Again, this monitor will slow charge your Mac if it uses the 87W or 96W power adapter, but it will never damage your laptop.
The monitor is all black with a silver finish on the back of the stand. It’s not the best design you can get, but it offers all the basics, including full range ergonomics, 3-sided thin bezels, and cable management. It is also wall-mountable with a 100 x 100mm VESA mount.
As with most of our recommendations, the 272P7VUBNB offers stunning picture quality with decent colors. It has wide viewing angles and consistent colors, thanks to the IPS panel. But there is no HDR. Color accuracy is decent; you can use this monitor for professional editing tasks. The 350 nits brightness and 122% sRGB are impressive for a cheap and non-HDR monitor.
Connectivity
- 1 x USB-C (65W PD)
- 1 x HDMI 2.0
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
- 2 x USB 3.2
- 1 x Ethernet LAN (RJ45)
- 1 x Headphone Out
If you want a 4k everyday monitor for your MacBook Pro, there is no need to pay big bucks for the expensive monitors. This monitor comes with a 4k IPS panel, so you get impressive picture quality and decent colors. It can also charge your notebook with 65W power delivery. It’s excellent for most users and pretty much affordable.
- Great value
- Sharp picture quality
- Bright display with decent color accuracy
- Great viewing angles
- Fully adjustable stand
- USB-C port with 65W power delivery
- No built-in speakers
- No HDR
Choosing the Best 4K Monitor for MacBook Pro
Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C Connectivity
All the modern MacBook Pros come with Thunderbolt 3 ports only, meaning you’ll need a monitor with Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C connectivity if you don’t want to spend extra on dongles. If you want a clean setup, choose a monitor with USB-C power delivery. With this, your MacBook Pro gets charged when connected to the monitor, eliminating the need for extra power cables and adapters.
Mac Integration
If you want the perfect monitor for your Mac, get one with Mac integration. From changing monitor settings on macOS to replication the MacBook on your monitor, these monitors provide the best experience when connected to your MacBook Pro. LG and BenQ have the best 4K monitors for Mac. We’ve featured most in our roundup.
Brightness
One of the distinctive features of a MacBook Pro is the retina display. It’s colorful and gets very bright at 500 nits. If you a similar experience, ensure to select a 4K monitor with higher brightness. Most of the featured picks support DisplayHDR 400, with 400 nits peak brightness. That’s enough for most environments unless you’re in a really bright room.
DCI-P3 Color Gamut
Very important if you want a display closest to the MacBook Pro. Most Macs support a wide color gamut. Therefore, if you want the best monitor for the MacBook Pro, it ensures you get at least 90% DCI-P3. A wide color gamut is also essential if you want a monitor for professional photo and video editing.
Best 4K Monitors for MacBook Pro Frequently Asked Questions
Does MacBook Pro support a 4K monitor?
Yes. The MacBook Pro supports up to two 4K displays via Thunderbolt 3. However, the new Apple silicon MacBook pro only supports a single external display via Thunderbolt 3.
What is the best 4K monitor for a MacBook Pro?
The BenQ PD3220U is the best 4K monitor for MacBook Pro. If you want a smaller monitor, the 24-inch LG UltraFine 24MD4KL-B is an excellent alternative. Both monitors have Mac integration.
Can a 60W USB-C monitor charge my MacBook Pro?
Yes. But if it uses an 87W or 96W power adapter, the monitor will charge your Mac much slower than usual.
How do I get 4K on my MacBook Pro?
While the MacBook Pro does not natively support 4K resolution, you can enjoy 4K content using an external 4K monitor.
Will any monitor work with a MacBook Pro?
Yes. While a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C monitor is the best for MacBook Pro, you can still non-USB-C monitors using Thunderbolt 3 adapters. So if you have an HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, or DVI monitor, it will work fine with the MacBook Pro using an adapter.
