Best 4K monitors for Mac in 2023: high-res screens for all use cases

Having one of the best 4K monitors can completely transform the way you use your Mac. Whether you have the latest MacBook Air M2 or you're looking to add a monitor to the Mac Studio, a 4K monitor brings with it richer colors, deeper contrast, and more detail to your work.

Like how  there are plenty of types of MacBook and Mac such as the MacBook Pro and iMac, there are loads of 4K monitors you can buy. Many of them are tailored specifically to be used with a Mac. 4K monitors usually support Thunderbolt connectivity, incredible resolution, Mac-specific color profiles, and plenty of other key features.  

For high-end Mac users, you may also wish to consider the best alternatives to Apple's Pro Display XDR if you can afford to spend extra, or simply take a look at the best monitor for Mac mini.

Below, we've selected the best 4K monitors for your Mac, with stunning options to spruce up your home office. Some are even portable so you can take them between home and work easily. Before delving in, it's a smart move to read our best monitor stands guide too, so you can adjust the height and angle to your heart (and posture)'s content.

Quick list

Best overall

The Philips 27B1U7903, while a mouthful to say, is an excellent monitor. The 4K display is an absolute monster. It has a massive multitude of ports that leave you with loads of ways to plug in. There is a Thunderbolt 4 port, a USB4 hub, as well as all the standard HDMI and Display port slots.

That hub has 4 USB 3.2 ports, another Thunderbolt 4 slot, and even an Ethernet LAN 1GB connection. That effectively makes the monitor an all-in-one device which means you won't need to have a seperate dock. It's not cheap, at $1199, but you get a super high-quality monitor for the price.

Best for gamers

For gamers, there's not much on this list better than the Dough Spectrum 4K with a glossy display. For one, not only is it a crisp and clear 4K screen, but it's got a 144Hz refresh rate that will make all sure that you can make use of the super high framerates that modern games are capable of reaching.

The glossy display has loads of strengths and weaknesses, and the Dough Spectrum 4K is no different. In the pro column, there are deeper blacks, better contrast, and more sumptuous color, to go with greater detail and clarity. In the cons category (and it is a big one) is substantially more glare.

Keep it away from windows though, and the Spectrum 4K is a stunning screen. There's a reason why it has four and a half stars in our review, although you really do need to make sure it's nowhere that the sun can wash out the screen.

There is a good port selection too, with 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, Display port 1.4, a USB C port, and a USB B connector for the inbuilt hub which contains 2 USB A ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. A super solid monitor for $899 – if you can find a sunlight-free spot to put it.

Best for color grading

Color grading requires some super accurate screens, and while this one isn't as spectacular as the most expensive models that you can find out there that designed for the purpose, its still an excellent, accurate display.

For one, it's near perfect representation of the RGB color space is going to do you well to make sure that you're getting the best color representation possible, and it's size means you'll be able to blow things up that little bit bigger.

It's also got loads of features that just make it a great monitor. There's a cool control puck, whoch removes the controls for the OSD from the monitor to a seperate device, making navigating around super easy. It's stand is good too — If you're doing any work that needs accurate colors, then this is the monitor for you.

Best for video editing

Video editors are going to want something that's super clear, and smooth — and the LG 27UK850-W delivers just that in spades. The 4K panel is big, bright, and clear, and has plenty of space for video timelines and other apps that a video editor might use.

As a monitor for everyone too, there are some great features on board. There's a built-in dock, powered by a USB-C port, as well as 60W power delivery, so you only need to plug your MacBook in with one cable. It's stand is solid and looks nice on the desk too, so you're getting the full package.

Best for artists

An artist want's super solid color representation and some nice screen real estate to fill with art, and the Benq PD2700U delivers in spades. For those that use loads of photoshop and procreate, there's not going to be much better — and the incredible pixels per inch is going to make sure your work looks great no matter how close you zoom in.

There's more to like as well, such as its sturdy stand and multiple display inputs. Just be aware that there's no USB-C connection on the back so you'll need to use a dongle when connecting it to your MacBook.

Best for photo editing

For photo editors, a large, clear display so that they have plenty of display real estate to edit photos and other files. The LG 32UL950-W is an excellent option, at 32 inches, and features an Ultrafine LG 4K display.

Connectivity is also excellent, with loads of inputs and outputs at the back so that you can plug all your stuff in. We like the stand of this monitor in particular — it's wide, well-built, and has loads of adjustments so that you can get the screen exactly where you want it.

Q&A

Which 4K monitor for your Mac should you choose?

If we could only pick one, then the LG 27UK850-W would be our top choice for a 4K monitor for Mac because we love the flexibility of having a wide variety of different ports.

This top 4K monitor can charge your MacBook, MacBook Air, or 13-inch MacBook Pro, and it also features two USB-A ports, two HDMI ports, a display port, and a headphone jack. So this isn't only a fantastic monitor but a hub of connectivity. 

When it comes to excellent 4K monitors, the BenQ EW3280U is also hard to beat, with excellent value for money. Its features and price make it a solid choice. 

What should I look for in a 4K monitor for Mac?

If you're keen to add a first or second screen to your Mac, there are some key points you need to consider before shopping for one of the best 4K monitors. Here are the ones to remember:

• Connectivity — Apple is sneaky with ports. If you're looking for a 4K monitor for a newer MacBook, you're going to want it to come with a USB-C port unless you have a USB-C hub. Always be sure that whatever device you're connecting to your Mac is compatible. 
• Size — Most people think bigger is better with monitors and we tend to agree. But the size you go with should be dictated by the space you have available in your home office. Because of that, a higher resolution can be more practical and almost always better. It allows you to see clearer details and it allows you to fit more information on the screen.
• Portability — People rarely need a second screen they'll move around which is why we haven't included a portable 4K option, but it is worth thinking about if you need one before you buy a new, bulky monitor.
• Response time — If you're planning to useyour new monitor for gaming, you'll need a low response time. This is how long it takes for the display to respond to what you're doing. Generally, anything under 10ms is good, although the lower the better if you're serious about gaming. 
• Refresh rate — This is how many times in a second your display draws a new image and it's measured in Hz. You'll find many of the best 4K monitors have 60 Hz refresh rates, but the MacBook Pro has refresh rates of up to 120 Hz so if you want to make the most of the screen, look for higher specs.

If a new monitor is part of a wider plan to refresh your tech and home office, we have plenty of other ways to do so. The best wireless mouse for Mac is perfect for added comfort and efficiency, while you might want to zone out with music or podcasts via the best over-ear headphones for iMac.

While cloud storage is all the rage now, there are still times when you need one of the best external hard drives for your Mac or even the best CD/DVD drives for Mac.