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The best monitor for the MacBook Pro

One of these monitors will look great next to your new MacBook Pro

As great as the displays on Apple’s range of MacBook Pros are, notebooks can never quite live up to the grandeur and functionality of working or watching various media on a large-scale desktop display. After reviewing more than 100 of the top monitors from the best brands, we know a thing or two about what works well with Apple’s MacBook Pro: Our top recommendation is the stunning BenQ PD3200U with its large display and 4K resolution.

The best

BenQ PD3200U 32-inch 4K IPS

BenQ PD3200U review
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

This monitor made our list of the top MacBook Pro accessories, so it’s no wonder it steals the top spot here. At 32-inches diagonally with a 4K resolution, it’s an absolutely huge display with tons of screen real-estate. That gives you plenty of room for productivity — although working so close to a large screen may take some getting used to.

But once you do get used to it, you’ll appreciate how gorgeous this display looks.  It also features BenQ’s Eye-Care technology for reduced blue-light and flickering, making it more comfortable to use over longer periods of time.

If the price tag is a little rich or you think the resolution is overkill, there is a substantially cheaper QHD (2,560 x 1,440) version also available, with all of the same specifications and features otherwise.

The rest

LG 27UD68-W 27-inch 4K IPS

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Although our testing didn’t paint this as a perfect monitor, the LG 27UD68-W is an affordable option for those looking for sheer style, with a lot of substance. Its 4K resolution in a 27-inch form-factor means its pixels are dense and its colors are rich, with 99% coverage of the sRGB spectrum.

There are preset modes offered, including a game mode and a black stabilizer. It’s a beautiful monitor with a lot of detail, a great pick if you want a more standard-sized monitor but still want excellent image features for work and entertainment. The price is also quite affordable compared to our other top picks!

Dell Ultrasharp U3818DW

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If you’re looking for a larger screen that can hold more projects or provide a more immersive gaming experience, this massive 38-inch curved Dell monitor should be just what you need. This 4k monitor has accurate color, a great warranty, and excellent display controls for adjusting the picture. And, for a monitor this size, pricing is very competitive!  Unfortunately, there is no FreeSync option for this Dell model.

Acer H277HU 27-inch QHD

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Just because 4K displays are more affordable today than they have ever been in the past, doesn’t mean you have to shell out for one. Featuring a response time of just 4ms, the Acer is surprisingly spry for an IPS panel and its slimline bezel makes it an attractive addition to your home or office from any angle.

Although its price tag is practically economical compared to some entries on this list, if you find it too rich for your blood or don’t need something as big as the 27-inch model, there is also a 25-inch variant which knocks a few dollars off the asking price.

Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to…