5 Best Monitors for MacBook Pro: Top Picks to Elevate Your Workstation

If you’re using a MacBook Pro, there’s no denying that its Retina Display is impressive. But if you’re a professional working from home, a coder, or a graphic designer, nothing boosts your productivity more than a high-end monitor. However, with so many options with different sizes, resolutions, and UX features, deciding on the best monitor for MacBook Pro is easier said than done.
The good news is that to save you the legwork, we’ve rounded up the best monitors for MacBook Pro users and the factors to look for when buying one. Let’s explore the best screens out there!
Key Takeaways
● The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE offers vibrant colors and multiple connectivity ports, which makes it a smart choice for budget-conscious MacBook Pro users.
● Apple Pro Display XDR provides professional-grade 6K resolution and exceptional color accuracy, which is a first-class choice for creators working on detailed graphics or videos.
● The Samsung M8 Smart Monitor is an excellent choice for professions that require multi-screen flexibility to switch between tabs.
● The Artist Pro 24 (Gen 2) 4K is perfect for creative professionals who crave color accuracy. It offers 16K ultrasensitive pressure levels for precise designing and also serves as a professional drawing tablet for Mac.
● If you don’t require high brightness levels, the Alogic Clarity Pro Touch Display steps in with the ultimate touchscreen to allow you to work smoothly – for hours.
5 Best Monitors for MacBook Pro
Here’s a lineup of some fantastic monitors that work incredibly well with MacBook Pro to give you the best working experience:
Dell UltraSharp U2723QE – Best Budget
The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is an excellent choice when it comes to the best monitor for MacBook Pro, especially if you’re on a budget. It features a 27-inch 4K panel and impressive image quality for a fraction of the original Apple Studio Display price. At 163 DPI, it delivers sharp, color-accurate visuals that let you create crisp presentations, digital signages, and visual portfolios of your work.
Unlike Apple’s costly stand options, this model comes with top-tier comfort features like tilt, swivel, and portrait adjustment that let you work in ways you’re most comfortable. We like Dell UltraSharp U2723QE’s connectivity, including USB-C power delivery, an integrated KVM switch, and multiple other options.
Speaking of performance, it hands macOS pretty well with sharp text and detail— so no matter its nature, your work is never compromised. The best part is that this monitor is the ComfortView Plus, allowing you to work for as long as you want without blue light straining your eyes.
Pros
● Multiple connectivity ports, including USB-C, HDMI, DP1.4, and Ethernet
● Adjustable screen which can be operated conveniently via joystick
● Built-in Low blue light screen that allows users to work for hours without any eye issues
● 98% DCI-P3, which presents vibrant colors on the screen
Cons
● Peak brightness is only 400 cd/m² which isn’t an ultimate HDR experience
● Slightly shadowed display panel
Apple Pro Display XDR – Best 6K Display
The Apple Pro Display XDR is yet another best monitor for MacBook Pro, especially if you have no budget limits to set up your workstation. Its 32-inch 6K Retina offers 40% more screen space than standard models, making detailed work easier than ever.
With 1,600 nits of peak brightness, this monitor lets you work even in low-light conditions. The 1,000,000:1 makes it especially suited for intricate designs, photo editing, and video work. Since each of the 576 LEDs is individually calibrated with custom reference modes, it helps pro color and brightness levels based on their project needs.
There’s plenty of color precision support, too, with the DCI-P3 color gamut and 10-bit color depth. Whether you’re working in HDR, print, or web design, it lets you switch between different color modes that integrate easily with your MacBook Pro.
Pros
● Top-tier color accuracy with 6K resolution
● Only a 9mm screen border so your work takes the maximum space
● Designed to match different color spaces and brightness levels
● Exceptional build quality
Cons
● Requires you to buy the Pro Stand
● Very expensive
Samsung M8 Smart Monitor – Best for Professionals
If you spend most of your day in front of the screen, we recommend opting for the Samsung M8 Smart Monitor, which covers pretty much everything without breaking the bank. The 4K (3,840 x 2,160) resolution offers clear visuals, and better yet, the model covers 99% of sRGB coverage. These features make it ideal for light graphics work, photo editing, and professional design projects.
More so, it comes with USB-C, HDMI, and USB-A ports for versatility and better connectivity. Plus, the WiFi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay support make streaming, gaming, or mirroring from Apple devices simpler than ever.
The height-adjustable stand and battery-saver mode of this model let you work for hours without discomfort or running out of power. Designed with your work needs in mind, it comes with a Multi-View feature, which makes it the best monitor for MacBook Pro for most professionals.
Pros
● Active Voice Amplifier for flawless audio processing during work
● Easy switching between screens that helps navigate MacBook Pro’s and Monitor’s screens effortlessly
● UHD resolution for more vivid details of your content
Cons
● Build quality slightly lower than that of pricier models
● Might not live up to the expectations of professionals requiring the DCI-P3 standard
XPPen Artist Pro 24 (Gen 2) 4K – Best Overall
If you’re a professional wanting to get your hands on the best monitor for MacBook Pro that has it all, the Artist Pro 24 (Gen2) 4K from trusted brand XPPen is the ultimate choice. It features a 23.8-inch 4K display, capable of displaying 1.07 billion colors, so every detail pops with color. We like how it switches between sRGB, Adobe RGB, and Display P3 color spaces to ensure consistency across multiple mediums.
It comes with an advanced X3 smart chip with 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity, so you don’t skip even the smallest details of your work. Whether drawing, designing, writing, or editing, the Artist Pro 24 (Gen2) ensures everything is crystal-clear.
Plus, its Red Dot award-winning Design Language makes it a great addition to any workspace, complete with an adjustable stand to suit your posture. The Delta E < 1 color accuracy breathes life into your creative designs. This even lets you preview your work in high resolution before you can finalize it!
Pros
● Ergonomic design that lets you work for hours without causing discomfort
● 16K ultrasensitive pressure levels for unmatched artwork quality
● Fully laminated Anti-glare glass to protect your eyes
● ASC02 stand to adjust stand however you want
Cons
● Often takes up a large desk space
Alogic Clarity Pro Touch Display – Best Touch Screen Display
When looking for the best monitor for MacBook Pro, you can’t rule out the Alogic Clarity Pro Touch Display, and for the right reasons. With its 27” 4K studio-quality display, it’s made for digital artists who need absolute color accuracy. It has a vivid 350 cd/m² brightness and HDR contrast you can trust for your work.
For us, the best part is that Clarity Pro’s built-in USB hub allows connectivity with 8 versatile ports — allowing easy connection with your MacBook Pro. Its touch screen supports finger gestures, as well as pressure-sensitive stylus interaction. Another good news is that it comes with a retractable 8MP webcam, simplifying professional calls for you.
Another note-worthy feature is the smart rotation sensor and IPS technology, keeping up with top-notch work quality even when viewing at angles up to 178 degrees.
Pros
● 4K screen displaying over one billion colors
● Precise touch interaction for use with fingers or a stylus
● Quickly switches between landscape and portrait modes
Cons
● Less impressive audio quality
● It might not be bright enough to fend off reflections
Buying Guide for Best Monitor for MacBook Pro
If you’re still unsure how to get the best monitor for MacBook Pro, here’s a list of factors to consider to make a worthwhile decision:
● Screen Resolution: The first thing to look for when finding the best monitor for MacBook Pro for work is the number of pixels it offers. Typically, larger displays come with higher screen resolution, which is a key requirement for professions that need details.
● Color Space: The number of colors your monitor can display is yet another critical factor to look at. Generally, color spaces like sRGB, Adobe RGB, and Display P3 help professionals bring their screen visuals to life. This is especially important if you’re a photographer, a graphic designer, or a video editor.
● Connectivity to MacBook Pro: Of course, the best monitor for MacBook Pro is one that connects effortlessly. It’s best to look for options with USB-C or Thunderbolt ports to minimize clutter and ensure your workspace is as efficient as it gets.
Conclusion
Unless you know exactly what to look for, choosing the best monitor for MacBook Pro won’t be easy. Hopefully, this guide has all you need to pick out a monitor that boosts your productivity in multiple ways.
For larger businesses, the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE and the Apple Pro Display XDR stand out. If you’re on the lookout for a monitor with touch features, the Alogic Clarity Pro Touch Display is an excellent choice. For those looking to upgrade to top-tier color accuracy and drawing features, the XPPen Artist 24 Pro Gen2 (4K) offers a smooth, flexible editing experience like never before.