Getting the most out of your MacBook Pro often requires connecting it to an external monitor. While the stunning Retina display built into MacBook Pros provides crisp, vivid images, sometimes you need more screen real estate and pixels.
Whether you‘re a gamer hungry for high frame rates, a video editor needing color-accurate 4K resolution, or a designer craving space for multiple graphics apps, an external monitor can transform your MacBook Pro experience.
But with so many monitor models and features to evaluate, choosing the right display can be daunting. That‘s why we‘ve done the research and ranked the best monitors for MacBook Pros across four key categories:
Best Overall: Apple Studio Display
The Apple Studio Display hits the sweet spot for most MacBook Pro users needing an external monitor thanks to its stellar 5K resolution, P3 wide color support, built-in webcam, and seamless integration with Macs.
While its $1,599 starting price tag isn‘t cheap, you get a bright, color-accurate, and immersive 27-inch monitor perfect for creative pros and power users. Extras like a 12MP Ultra Wide camera, spatial audio speakers, and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity make the Studio Display feel like an extension of your Mac.
If you want the best overall external monitor to unlock your MacBook Pro‘s full potential, the Apple Studio Display sits at the top of the class.
Key Features:
- 27-inch 5K Retina display with P3 wide color gamut
- Integrated 12MP webcam with Center Stage
- Thunderbolt 3 port and three USB-C ports
- Six-speaker sound system with spatial audio
Best for Gaming: Razer Raptor 27
Gamers need every frame they can get. That‘s why the Razer Raptor 27 shines as the best MacBook Pro gaming monitor. Its WQHD 2560 x 1440 resolution and lightning-quick 165Hz refresh rate give you crystal clear, buttery smooth visuals even in twitch-heavy games.
The vivid colors, fast 1ms response time, and FreeSync/G-Sync compatibility also make gameplay incredibly fluid and immersive. Niceties like the colorful RGB lighting, cable management, and intuitive menus check all the boxes for a premium gaming display.
Just expect to pay a premium for the performance. But if fast frame rates matter most, the Razer Raptor 27 helps unlock your MacBook Pro‘s latent gaming talents.
Key Features:
- 27" WQHD 2560 x 1440 resolution
- 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time
- 178° viewing angles with IPS display
- AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync support
- Razer Chroma RGB lighting and cable management
Best for Video Editing: Apple Pro Display XDR
Video editors and colorists need every ounce of resolution, color gamut, contrast ratio, and brightness they can get. That‘s why the Apple Pro Display XDR reigns supreme as the best MacBook Pro monitor for professional video editing.
The breathtaking 32-inch 6K Retina display delivers over 20 million pixels, a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 1600 nits peak brightness, and gorgeous P3 wide color. It makes editing 4K and 8K footage feel lifelike with astounding details that let you tweak every pixel to perfection.
As you‘d expect from a $4,999 reference monitor built for Hollywood, the Pro Display XDR sits in a class of its own. Just be prepared to pay a premium similar to a high-end Mac Pro for video editing performance that‘s second to none.
Key Features:
- 32-inch 6K Retina display with Extreme Dynamic Range (XDR)
- 16000 x 1200 resolution and P3 wide color gamut
- Sustained 1000 nit brightness and 1600 nit peak
- 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio
Best Budget Monitor: Acer Nitro XF243Y
You don‘t need to spend big bucks to drive your MacBook Pro with a solid external display. Case in point: the Acer Nitro XF243Y delivers a sharp Full HD 1080p picture, speedy 144Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time for under $200.
It even manages to check extra boxes like AMD FreeSync support, HDR visualization, and 95% sRGB coverage. The ergonomic stand lets you tweak the perfect viewing angle while the virtually borderless IPS panel immerses you in content.
While the display quality doesn‘t match premium monitors, the Acer Nitro XF243Y proves you can equip your MacBook Pro with a high-performing external display without draining your wallet. It brings exceptional value given the performance and features you get.
Key Features:
- 23.8-inch 1920 x 1080 IPS display
- 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time
- AMD FreeSync support
- HDR10 visualization
- 95% sRGB coverage
How to Pick the Best Monitor for Your MacBook Pro
Choosing the ideal external monitor for your MacBook Pro depends largely on your primary use case. Here are key factors to consider:
Screen Size: Bigger screens promote multitasking and allow you to see fine details easier in creative projects and games. Just ensure text doesn‘t get too small to read clearly at 4K or 5K resolutions on displays smaller than 27 inches.
Resolution: Higher resolution displays promote sharper details and allow fitting more content and apps on screen. 5K monitors offer excellent balance, but 4K displays often sell at more affordable price points.
Refresh Rate: Faster refresh rates (120Hz+) promote smoother motion clarity for gaming and video playback. They also future-proof your investment as content shifts to higher frame rates.
Color Performance: Wider color gamuts like DCI-P3 and more accurate delta-E scores promote color accuracy for photography, video editing and design work. They better match what you‘ll see in print and production too.
Adaptive Sync: Gaming-centric features like AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync adjust the monitor‘s refresh rate to your game‘s frame rate. This minimizes screen tearing and lag for a smoother experience.
Connectivity: Look for a monitor with USB-C connectivity to easily connect your MacBook Pro with a single cable. Thunderbolt 3 options even charge your laptop while accelerating data speeds.
Transform Your MacBook Pro with the Right Display
An external display opens up new possibilities to use your MacBook Pro for gaming, video editing, 3D modeling, day trading and more. The additional screen space, higher resolution and other monitor enhancements let you push your macOS experience further than ever.
Just be sure to choose a monitor tailored to your priorities. Graphics pros need color-accurate panels while gamers crave anything fast and fluid. Leave no MacBook Pro performance untapped by connecting an external display that fits your work and entertainment needs.
