Best USB-C / Thunderbolt Monitors for MacBooks

USB-C / Thunderbolt display options have really grown over the last few years. It’s great to see options like Apple’s Pro Display XDR on the market, but it’s probably not the best fit for the majority of users with a starting price of $ 5,000 (without standpoint). Let’s take a look at some of the best USB-C / Thunderbolt monitors available in the $ 400- $ 1,300 range.

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Update 1/18/21: New for January are two exhibits launched by LG and Dell at CES. LG’s new offering introduced is the 32-inch UltraFine OLED Pro Monitor and Dell is introducing a new 40-inch 5K2K USB-C / Thunderbolt display. Check out all the details below.

We also learned that Apple is reportedly working on a more affordable screen.

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While the screens below work great for a single cable setup with your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air and PCs, keep in mind that the 2018 iPad Pro and 2020 iPad Air also work with any of these USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 screens can be used. (even Apple’s Pro Display XDR 😅).

While Apple’s 6K Pro Display XDR is a fantastic product (full review), the reality is that it costs too much for $ 5,000 for many MacBook owners’ needs, budgets, or both.

In particular, one trend we’ve been seeing more lately – which Apple has adopted with the Pro Display XDR – is a 32-inch screen size. Luckily, there are some solid 32-inch options from other companies in the $ 1,000 ballpark that offer a compelling experience. And we’re also looking at some 27-32-inch 4K USB-C monitors in the $ 400- $ 600 range.

Best USB-C / Thunderbolt Monitors for Mac: 32 inches and larger

LG 32UL950-W

This is the UltraFine 32-inch screen from LG that features a solid feature like two Thunderbolt 3 ports plus two USB-A ports, thin edges, support for use in portrait orientation, and more.

In his full review, my colleague Jeff Benjamin found that he likes the design better than the other UltraFine models from LG with many of the same features.

Specifications:

• 31.5-inch UHD 4K screen (3840 x 2160)
• Refresh rate 60Hz
• Nano IPS with DCI-P3 98%
• VESA DisplayHDR ™ 600
• Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports (in x 1 (PD 60W) / out x 1)
• 4K Daisy Chain with Thunderbolt ™ 3
• 2 x USB-A
• DisplayPort 1.4
• HDMI 2.0
• 3.5 mm headphone output
• Stores usually sell for about $ 1000 (MSRP $ 1,300)

The LG 32UL950-W can be found on Amazon as well as other retailers such as B&H Photo.

LG 34WK95U-W

LG’s 34-inch widescreen Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C screen is a few inches higher and offers a resolution of 5120 x 2160 (between 4K and 5K). Jeff reviewed this exhibit and found it to be a compelling option for creative benefits.

But if you are a creative professional who knows what you are doing, this screen is a major real estate upgrade from 4K. Just make sure you understand that it really is a 4.5K screen and that it offers no resolution advantages over a true 5K screen like in the 5K iMac or iMac Pro.

Specifications:

• Nano IPS (In-Air Switch) Panel
• Thunderbolt 3 interface
• Power output: 85W
• 5120 x 2160 Resolution
• 21: 9 Aspect Ratio
• 60Hz refresh rate
• Brightness: 450 (tip), 360 (min) cd / m2
• Support for VESA HDR 600
• DCI-P3 98%
• 2 x HDMI
• 1 x DisplayPort
• 2 x USB 3.0
• 3.5 mm headphone jack
• Speakers: 5W x 2
• A sleek design on all four sides
• Often available between $ 1,300 and $ 1,400 (MSRP $ 1,500)

The LG 34WK95U-W is usually in stock at Amazon and B&H Photo.

Dell UltraSharp U4021QW – New for January

This is Dell’s latest 4K USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 screen and it has a 40-inch curved screen. It’s technically a 5K2K resolution, but for those looking for a large screen size, it may fit well.

Specifications:

• 39.7-inch curved 4K (5K2K) display (5120 x 2160 @ 60Hz)
• 140 PPI
• 16: 9 aspect ratio
• 90W transmission power
• DCI-P3 at 98%
• Suggested sale price: $ 2,099 – available from January 28, 2021

Dell UltraSharp U3219Q

Dell is currently offering this 4K 32-inch USB-C monitor at a relatively affordable price of $ 790. It has thin edges, decent I / O, an anti-glare finish and 95% DCI-P3.

Specifications:

• 31.5-inch IPS 4K display (3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz)
• 16: 9 aspect ratio
• Support for VESA HDR 400
• 1x USB-C, 1x USB-B upstream, 4x USB-A downstream
• 1x DisplayPort and 1x HDMI port
• Brightness: 400 cd / m2
• Antiglare finish
• DCI-P3 at 95%
• Usually about $ 900 available ($ 1,049 MSRP)

Dell also makes its UltraSharp screen in a 27-inch model that usually costs under $ 600

Apple Ultra Fine screens backed by Apple

LG UltraFine OLED Pro Monitor (32EP950) – New for January

Another interesting announcement at CES this year is the new LG UltraFine OLED Pro Monitor. It is a 32-inch USB-C screen that is 5 inches larger than the 27-inch UltraFine.

The move to OLED is interesting here as well. While there are benefits, such as blacks, and more, there may be concerns about burning the screen. The UltraFine OLED Pro Monitor looks about twice as thin as current LG UltraFine screens.

With a larger screen and the switch to OLED, we definitely expect it to rise above the $ 1,299 selling price of the 27-inch 5K UltraFine.

Specifications:

• 31.5-inch OLED screen
• 3840 x 2160 4K resolution
• USB-C with 90W throughput
• 2 x DisplayPort
• 3 x USB
• 1 x HDMI
• DCI P3 at 99%
• Adobe RGB 99%
• MSRP – Not yet announced, but probably $ 1,500 +
• Release Date: Announced

LG Ultrafine 24- and 27-inch screens

Although the 27-inch UltraFine screen (revised) is actually the only option on the market to support USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 with full 5K resolution, the price of $ 1,300 is likely to make this screen very difficult, especially since it has not changed since 2016.

Another compromise here is a thicker edge for a built-in webcam, though these screens provide a good I / O setup. Another aspect that distinguishes these screens is the P3 wide color scale and 85 W power output.

The current models are the 5K 27-inch and the 4K 23-inch UltraFine screens. The 23-inch version replaced the 21.5-inch 4K model last May and sells for about $ 700. Check out our full review here.

If you are tempted by these exhibits, our recommendation is to keep an eye on 9to5Toys, where we have seen that certified refurbished models of the $ 1,300 5K screen are as low as $ 550 and the 21.5 inch 4K model so is low. as $ 190.

Best USB-C / Thunderbolt screens with a budget

Although there are some solid screens on the market that include USB-C with less than 4K resolutions, a few hundred dollars on a new screen with a lower image quality than you are used to on your MacBook will not work well. does not fit. for many.

Here are three of the best USB-C monitors that offer 4K resolution in the range of $ 500 or less.

32-inch Samsung Smart Monitor M7

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This is an interesting new option released in December 2020. You get some excellent features at a budget price. However, it sounds like from early reviews while getting 4K resolution, USB-C, AirPlay 2 and more, image quality is not a strong point.

You also do not get things like a 3.5mm audio jack, DisplayPort, and the brightness is only 250 only.

• 1 x USB-C with 65W PD
• 2 x HDMI
• 3 x USB 2.0
• 16: 9 aspect ratio
• 60Hz refresh rate
• 250 net brightness
• 3840 x 2160 resolution
• sRGB 99%
• HDR10
• Anti-gloss finish
• Smart TV features including AirPlay 2
• Retail at $ 400

You can find out more about the 32-inch Samsung M7 on the company’s website and buy it at Best Buy.

LG 27UK850

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This 4K USB-C screen is the successor to LG’s older 27UD88 model that we reviewed a few years ago. The 27UK850 27-inch model has an IPS panel with LED backlight with HDR10 support, AMD Freesync and USB-C connection with single cable.

The 27UK850 offers two USB 3.1 ports, but just like the previous model, 4K up to 60Hz is limited to USB 2.0 speeds. It would have been nice to see 87W power delivery for a full 15-inch MacBook Pro charge, but that’s not a problem for most users.

• 1 x USB-C v. 3.1 with 60 W PD
• 2 x HDMI
• 1 x display port
• 2 x USB v. 3.1 gen1
• 3.5mm audio port
• 16: 9 aspect ratio
• 60Hz refresh rate
• 3840 x 2160 resolution
• sRGB 99%
• AMD Freesync
• Anti-gloss finish
• Usually available under $ 500

Read our review here for a more in-depth look at this screen.

The LG 27UK850 is available on Amazon.

ASUS Designo

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This screen offers almost all the same features as LG’s UK850 with slightly different aesthetics. The IPS panel with LED background does not have HDR10 support and AMD FreeSync, but otherwise the specifications are almost identical.

• 1 x USB-C v. 3.1 with 60W PD
• 1 x HDMI
• 1 x DisplayPort
• 3.5mm audio port
• 2 x USB v. 3.1 gen1
• 16: 9 aspect ratio
• 60Hz refresh rate
• 3840 x 2160 resolution
• 100% sRGB
• Eye Care blue light filter
• Anti-gloss finish
• Usually around $ 500 – $ 600 available

ASUS Designo is available on Amazon.

Uithou?

Are you thinking of waiting a while longer to see what other manufacturers have to offer in the coming months? If you feel you can not compromise on 4K resolution, but can save cash by skipping the USB-C / Thunderbolt connection, Philips has a 27-inch 4K display for a little less than the price of the other screens. on this list. AOC also makes a comparable 27-inch 4K option.

We also recently learned that Apple is reportedly working on a more affordable self-branding screen, which is more akin to its retired $ 999 Thunderbolt display.

Syspan

Another option if you want to wait a little longer to record a new external screen, use the excellent MacOS Sidecar feature that allows you to use an iPad as a secondary screen.

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