Best External Monitors for MacBook Pro in 2024: Various Price Ranges

If you’re looking for the perfect external monitor for MacBook Pro, there are many choices in the market right now. Whether you’re a digital artist bringing your ideas to life, a video editor looking for the smoothest playback, or just someone who needs more screen real estate for those endless workloads, we’ve got you covered in this article. Let’s find the perfect monitor for you!

This guide will help you explore the best monitors for MacBook Pro in 2024, covering a range of price points and features to help you make an informed purchasing decision.

Best Monitor for MacBook Pro Overall

If you are looking for the overall best monitor for MacBook Pro, monitors under this list might be your next choice. Some of the major factors in choosing these monitors are compatibility, the quality of colors that they can produce, and the overall user experience.

Apple Pro Display XDR - From $4,999

To start with this list, if you are looking for that one monitor that can do it all, the Pro Display XDR from Apple is considered to be the best-of-the-best. If you are looking for top-notch features like color reproduction, impressive brightness, and support for 6K resolution, this IPS monitor is unquestionably the best in this list. Whether you’re a creative or a business professional, this can be your next monitor.

Specs:

• Screen Size: 32-inch

• Resolution: 6016 x 3384 (6K)

• Refresh Rate: 60Hz

• Brightness: 1600 nits peak, 1000 nits sustained full‑screen

• Color Accuracy: P3 wide color gamut, 10-bit depth for 1.073 billion colors

• Compatible Models: MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019 and later), 14-inch (2021 and later), 15-inch (2018 or later), 13-inch (2016 or later)

Apple Studio Display - From $1,599

Moving forward, if the Pro Display XDR is out of your budget, the Studio Display is the next best alternative. Having similar features to what we can consider its older sibling, the Studio Display can still fairly compete. With great color quality, 5K resolution, and additional features like a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage, it’s perfect to be your all-in-one monitor.

Specs:

• Screen Size: 27-inches

• Resolution: 5120 x 2880 (5K)

• Refresh Rate: 50-60Hz

• Brightness: 600 nits

• Color Accuracy: True 10-bit color, 98% DCI-P3 Coverage

• Compatible MacBook Pro Models: MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019 and later), 14-inch (2021 and later), 15-inch (2018 or later), 13-inch (2016 or later)

Best Portable Monitor for MacBook Pro

Let’s say you’re working while you travel or constantly move between different coffee shops, having the best portable monitor for MacBook Pro is important. Now if you’re worried about the wide range of options in the market, we have narrowed this list down so you can easily find the one that fits your needs.

Arzopa Z1FCL - $179

Let’s start with the brand that might not be as popular as others listed in this guide. Arzopa is here to compete as one of the best portable monitors for MacBook Pro. For a versatile and compact portable monitor, the Z1FCL is perfect for MacBook Pro users on the go. At the same time, it’s one of the few portable monitors having the best color accuracy in the market.

Specs:

• Screen Size: 16.1-inches

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)

• Refresh Rate: 144Hz

• Brightness: 350 nits

• Weight: 1.5kg

• Compatible MacBook Pro Models: MacBook Pro 2017

Lenovo ThinkVision M14T Gen 2 - $299

If you’re looking for a touch-enabled portable monitor to help with your workflow and to increase efficiency, the ThinkVision M14T Gen 2 from Lenovo can be your next choice. It’s best suited when you’re working on video editing projects, digital art, and illustration, or just scrolling through documents while traveling.

The monitor also features a 16:10 aspect ratio that has been proven to be helpful for multitasking and productivity. With the ThinkVision M14T’s unique touch feature, you can do more than with other portable monitors on the market right now.

Specs:

• Screen Size: 14-inches

• Resolution: 2240 x 1400 (1.5 times more than Full HD)

• Refresh Rate: 60Hz

• Brightness: 300 nits

• Weight: 1.2kg

• Compatible MacBook Pro Models: All MacBook Pro models

Best 4K Monitor for MacBook Pro

Now let’s say you’re working with projects that need the highest-quality details, purchasing a monitor with 4k resolution is essential for your success. If you’re worried about finding the right one that fits your needs, we have combined the best 4k monitor for MacBook Pro.

XPPen Artist Pro 24 (Gen 2) 4K - $1,299

Coming from a known brand in the creative market, the XPPen Artist Pro 24 (Gen 2) 4K was just recently released. Even though it is new, a lot of people are already excited to get their hands on one.

If you’re working with creative projects like video editing, graphics design, and photography, this monitor is undoubtedly the best in the market. Its accurate color reproduction is made possible by the XPPen Color Master. And as it is co-developed with Calman, the high-quality and up-to-date features make it an excellent choice for creative professionals.

Specs:

• Screen Size: 23.8-inches

• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K)

• Refresh Rate: 60Hz

• Brightness: 300 nits

• Color Accuracy: True 10-bit color, 98% DCI-P3 Coverage

• Compatible Models: Compatible MacBook Pro Models: All MacBook Pro models

Best Budget Monitor for MacBook Pro

Choosing budget monitors shouldn’t cause you headaches, as monitors in the lower end of the price-range can still compete with other s. However, it might lack in some areas like resolution or refresh rate. Yet there are still the best budget monitors for MacBook Pro that can blow your mind.

AOC Q27G3XMN - $279

If you’re working with a tighter budget but still need a high refresh rate and a high resolution display, the AOC Q27G3XMN is your number one option. The 180 Hz refresh rate offers a smooth and immersive viewing experience for MacBook Pro users on a tighter budget. With its larger screen size and sharp image made possible by the support of MINI LED, it created the finest picture quality and best color uniformity in its price range, making it a great value-for-money option.

Specs:

• Screen Size: 27-inches

• Resolution: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)

• Refresh Rate: 180Hz

• Brightness: 1000 nits peak brightness

• Color Accuracy: True 8-bit color, 95% DCI-P3 Coverage

• Compatible MacBook Pro Models: All the MacBook Pro Models

Best High Refresh Rate Monitor for MacBook Pro

Gaming on a MacBook Pro might be a rare sight, but the use of high refresh rate monitors is not limited to gaming. These types of monitors can be effective in fast-paced movies, and other creative tasks that involve moving frames. However, having a high refresh monitor makes the experience feel smoother and this category might also include the best external monitor for MacBook Pro.

Samsung Odyssey G7 - $899

Coming from one of the most well known brands in the niche, the Samsung Odyssey G7 is a high-performance monitor that offers a blazing-fast 240Hz refresh rate. If you’re gaming, watching movies, or just editing videos, this monitor is perfect for these types of workflows. Let’s say you’re also looking for color accuracy, this monitor offers the best of the best in the market without spending much. The support for 1000R curved screen technology is also what sets this monitor apart from other choices in the market.

Specs:

• Screen Size: 27-inches

• Resolution: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)

• Refresh Rate: 240Hz

• Brightness: 600 nits

• Color Accuracy: True 10-bit color, 100% DCI-P3 Coverage

• Response Time: 1ms (GtG)

• Compatible MacBook Pro Models: All the MacBook Pro Models

XPPen Artist Pro 24 (Gen 2) 165Hz - $1,099

Lastly, if you’re looking for a higher refresh rate alternative to the Artist Pro 24 (Gen 2) 4K, the Artist Pro 24 (Gen 2) 165Hz offers similar features but with a higher refresh rate. If you’re an animator or video editor, having monitors with high refresh rate can be useful during the editing process. Similar to other XPPen Artist Pro drawing tablet monitors, the Artist Pro 24 (Gen 2) 165Hz model also supports the XPPen Color Master feature for better color accuracy.

Specs:

• Screen Size: 23.8-inches

• Resolution: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)

• Refresh Rate: 165Hz

• Brightness: 300 nits

• Color Accuracy: True 10-bit color, 98% DCI-P3 Coverage

• Compatible MacBook Pro Models: All the MacBook Pro Models

How to Choose the Perfect Monitor for your MacBook Pro?

When choosing the right monitor for your MacBook Pro, you should try to consider these different factors that make one monitor a perfect fit for your needs.

Color Accuracy

To start with, if you’re a photographer or video editor who edits frequently, having a color-accurate external monitor is a must. Color accuracy ensures that what you see is exactly what you’ll get.

High-power Delivery

You are not only able to charge your MacBook Pro but you can connect it to your monitor with just one cable. But also, having this feature is perfect for keeping your desk clean and clutter-free. That’s what high-power delivery through USB-C offers.

Connectivity

Moreover, if you are part of the majority of the people who purchase a MacBook Pro to use it as a portable powerhouse, you’re in luck. The wide range of monitors that support universal plugs like USB-C is rising in popularity - making it easy to use when traveling.

Screen Size

When you’re juggling multiple projects at a time, you’ll start to appreciate the purpose of larger screen sizes. Monitors with 24-inches and 27-inch screen sizes are the most common option in the market for multitaskers. These screen sizes are the most popular as they can give you more room to open multiple tabs.

Display Resolution

It’s not fun when your work starts to pixelate because your monitor does not support higher display resolutions. Monitors with Ultra HD 4K Ultravision capabilities often produce more dense and crisp images without any visible pixels, ensuring more details.

Refresh Rate

While it’s true that game-players need high refresh rate monitors, they’re not just for gaming. If you’re just scrolling through documents, editing photos and videos, and want the smoothest visuals, a higher refresh rate monitor will make a major difference.

Compatible MacBook Pro Models

After considering these features that make the best monitor for MacBook Pro, try to check if your MacBook Pro is compatible with your chosen monitor. It could be through USB ports, hardware and software features, and more. Take time to research and find data about your specific MacBook model and compatible devices.

What’s the Best Monitor for MacBook Pro for You?

To help you decide on what’s the best monitor for MacBook Pro for your needs, here’s a table to compare the key specifications of the monitors mentioned in this article.

While other monitors offer better features, make sure to understand your preferences before buying one. If you are looking for an all-in-one monitor for creative works, consider the Artist Pro 24 (Gen 2) 4K for more detailed tasks. On the other hand, the Artist Pro 24 (Gen 2) 165Hz is best fit for more fast-paced tasks and to achieve a smoother viewing experience.

Ready to level up your viewing and productivity? Consider checking the best external monitor for MacBook Pro out for your next monitor for MacBook Pro upgrade!