Best monitor for MacBook Pro in 2023: which to buy from Apple, Dell, LG & Samsung

The best MacBook Pro monitors include the Dell 27020Q UltraSharp Monitor, Gigabye M27Q, and the LG 34BK95U UltraFine Ultrawide Monitor

After all, sometimes you're going to need a bit more screen real estate than the MacBook Pros offer, even in their largest variations. Chances are, if you're looking for the best monitor for MacBook Pro, you're using the device for work of some kind.

That means you're going to want to look out for a variety of things, including screen size, screen resolution, and even color quality. Finding one of the best MacBook Pro monitors can be difficult, especially with so many monitors out there to choose from. That's why we've done most of the legwork and put together this list of the best MacBook Pro monitors, including a budget option for those who don't want to break the bank with their latest accessory.

Best overall monitor for MacBook Pro

The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is a newly-upgraded model that comes sporting excellent color coverage. Once you've seen it in action, you'll never want to go back to another monitor. This delightful display comes with support for 4K resolution, and 98% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB, and 100% REC 709. That means you'll have vibrant, sharp, and naturally beautiful visuals no matter what you're doing on your MacBook Pro.

The panel here is also 27 inches, which means plenty of screen real estate to spread out your windows and make use of. The included ergonomic stand can also tilt, pivot, and adjust vertically, which means you can easily set it up any way you like it without having to move the monitor stand around a lot.

On top of great resolution and color quality, the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE also comes with a built-in USB-C port. That means you can charge your MacBook Pro even while running it at its full potential. The brightness could be a little bit better, but with so many other things going for it for under $700, this is a great contender for the best monitor for MacBook Pro.

Best budget monitor for MacBook Pro

If you want to add a monitor to your MacBook Pro setup, but don't want to spend a lot of money, there are still some good options. One of the best budget options is the Gigabyte M27Q. This monitor features a max refresh rate of 170Hz an an IPS panel with a full resolution of 1440P. That makes it crisp enough to handle most work you'll throw at it. The color support here isn't as great as you'll find in higher-priced monitors, but it's still more than good enough for most of what you'll do with it.

The peak brightness, on the other hand, is extraordinary, and it handles reflections really well, too. That means you can work in bright rooms without having to worry so much about them causing glare on your screen. Additionally, the picture quality is good overall, and the accuracy of the image is fantastic right out of the box. If it had checked a few more boxes, it could easily have been a possibility for our best overall MacBook Pro monitor. But, since it falls somewhat short, and the included USB-C port doesn't have enough power to charge your MacBook Pro, it will have to settle for the budget spot on our list.

Best ultrawide monitor for MacBook Pro

If you want to maximize screen real estate, while also taking advantage of a colorful and bright screen. At 34-inches, this 5K monitor is a great option for anyone who needs a large screen with a high resolution. It also comes with ample viewing angles and great build quality. Overall, it's hard to beat the LG 34BK95U-W Ultrafine and its bevy of features.

On top of sporting a higher resolution panel, the 34-inch monitor also comes with a ton of ports, including a DisplayPort, two HDMI ports, as well as a USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) port, and even some regular USB-A 3.0 ports. That makes it great for accessories, which most MacBook Pros may struggle with. One of the real standout parts of this monitor, though, is its three year warranty for parts and labor. That means you won't have to worry about dropping such a large sum on a monitor again, at least for a good few years. The LG 34BK95U-W retails for $999, but is available at Amazon.

Apple's best monitor for MacBook Pro

If you don't mind spending a pretty penny and want to keep everything in the Apple ecosystem, then pair your MacBook Pro with the Apple Studio Display. The newly released 5K monitor comes with a bevy of features, including multiple USB ports, which should help you accessorize as needed.

Like the Pro Display XDR, the Studio Display is geared towards creative professionals. That means multiple reference modes, and P3 wide color gamut support, too. You'll also find a built-in six-speaker sound system, as well as a 12MP ultra-wide web camera enclosed in the front of the device. The entire thing is powered by an onboard A13 chip, and comes with a nano-texture display that does great at cutting down on glare.

There are better 5K displays out there, but if you really want to keep it in the Apple family, then the Studio Display is the monitor for you. Read our full Apple Studio Display review.

AppleInsider readers can also save $110 to $150 on the Studio display with this activation link and promo code APINSIDER at Adorama. Step-by-step coupon instructions can be found here.

Best Apple alternative monitor for MacBook Pro

The Alogic Clarity is a solid monitor with a distinctly Apple-like design language. Although it's cheaper than the Apple Studio Display, the Clarity monitor does have its own suite of productivity tricks and additional feature that could help sway your decision.

It's a 27-inch monitor with a 4K display with a resolution of 3,840 by 2,160 pixels. It packs more port options than the Apple Studio Display, with a pair of HDMI ports, a Type-C, two USB-A ports, headphone jack, and a USB-B port.

The Alogic Clarity doesn't match Apple's display pound-for-pound, but it does come in at a cheaper $799.99 — and delivers a lot of value for that price point.

Best reference monitor for MacBook Pro

If you're looking for a reference monitor for high-end graphics and film editing work, then the Pro Display XDR is a solid option. This is a 32-inch monitor with a 6K resolution, HDR supports, and up to 1000 nits of brightness. It's tailor-made for professionals.

The Pro Display XDR has the same port array as the Apple Studio Display, with three USB-C ports and a single Thunderbolt 3 port. While it doesn't come cheap, it's still significantly less expensive than most other professional-grade reference monitors.

If price isn't an issue, the Pro Display XDR is the best monitor for MacBook Pro.

It typically costs $4,999 at places like Amazon, or $5,999 with the special matte Nano Texture Glass. But AppleInsider readers can save up to $510 on the Apple Pro Display XDR in addition to $100 off AppleCare at Adorama with this activation link and promo code APINSIDER. Need help with the coupon? Here are step-by-step activation instructions.

Best 5K monitor aimed at creatives for MacBook Pro

The LG UltraWide 5K2K is a powerful monitor aimed at creative professionals. It's a 34-inch wide display with a 5K horizontal resolution and 4K vertical resolution. It sports a 90% DCI-P3 wide color gamut range, max brightness of 450 nits, and a resolution of 5120 by 2160 pixels.

On the rear, you'll find a plethora of ports, from a pair of HDMI ports to a DisplayPort, various USB ports, and a Thunderbolt 3 port. The real draw here is the screen real estate. Its massive display area makes for easier workflows across a variety of creative and productive tasks.

You can buy the LG UltraWide 5K monitor for $1,086.46 on Amazon or for $1,496.99 at Adorama.

Best smaller 4K monitor for MacBook Pro

The LG UltraFine 4K has the distinction of being an Apple-approved monitor that you can purchase directly from the iPhone maker. It's a 23.7-inch display with a 3840 by 2160 resolution, a P3 wide color gamut, and up to 500 nits of brightness.

It can power a MacBook Pro with its included 85W Thunderbolt 3 cable, and it also sports two Thunderbolt 3 ports and three downstream USB-C ports. On the audio and visual side, it packs built-in stereo speakers.

You can purchase the LG 4K UltraFine display for $699 at B&H.

Best monitor with smart TV features for MacBook Pro

The Samsung M8 is a 4K monitor that can also act as a smart TV, allowing users to take advantage of online services without a host device. That makes it a bit more versatile than other monitors on the list — but the Samsung M8 still functions well as a dedicated computer display.

While it's a larger 32-inch monitor, it has a lower pixel density than Apple's Studio Display. Despite that, it still supports HDR10+, a 99% sRGB color range, and up to 400 nits of brightness. It packs a single HDMI port and a pair of USB-C ports (with one downstream and one upstream port).

As far as audio and visual goes, the Samsung M8 has its own 5W speaker system with a tweeter, a Far Field Voice microphone, and a detachable webcam.

It's available starting at $579 from Samsung or at Amazon for as low as $464.

Best desktop companion to a MacBook Pro

There are likely times when a dedicated desktop Mac is going to be more useful to your workflow than a separate monitor. In these cases, your best bet is likely to be the 24-inch iMac, which is powered by an M1 chipset and sports some hefty display features.

It packs a 4.5K display with a 4,480 x 2,520 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, True Tone, and Wide Color range. Of course, it's also a dedicated computer in its own right, with a powerful M1 chipset and a seven- or eight-core GPU.

While it can't function as a monitor for your MacBook Pro, you can streamline your workflows using features like Continuity and AirDrop.

Discounted prices start at $1,199 in our 24-inch iMac Price Guide.

Best MacBook Pro monitor for multitaskers

If you're planning on multitasking, then going with an ultrawide monitor can be a great way to give yourself some extra screen real estate. It might not be the best ultrawide out there, but the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW does come close, and it gives you a ton of features to take advantage of during usage for under $2,000.

First, let's talk about the elephant in the room. This monitor is massive. At 39.7 inches, the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW will take up a lot of desk space. But, it makes up for all of this with an absolutely stunning picture quality you aren't likely to find on many other monitors. The ports that it comes with are also fantastic, and you'll probably never need to use them all.

But what makes it so special for multitaskers? We're glad you asked. Let us introduce you to the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW's various multitasking modes, including picture-by-picture, picture-in-picture, and KVM (which stands for keyboard, video, and mouse). These features allow you to connect two separate laptops or computers and view them on that single screen. So, if you need to collaborate with a teammate who has their own MacBook Pro, the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW can let you both work side by side whenever you need to.

While it may be tough to choose between these monitors, there is a great chance of discovering the best monitor for MacBook Pro that will fit your needs here.