The best USB-C monitors are picking up more and more attention for many professionals and creatives. Given that USB-C is now the de default (and sometimes only) input in Apple’s latest MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops, and an increasingly common port on Windows 10 machines as well, the best USB-C monitors are more important than ever.
USB-C is incredibly popular, and it’s easy to see why. With this standard, data transfers at extraordinarily high speeds, which really comes in handy when it comes to gaming. USB-C also offers charging capabilities, so you can drive your monitor and charge your laptop at the same time, with the same cable.
So, if you have a USB-C equipped laptop, and you want to pick up the best monitor, without having to shell out for extra dongles, you’ve come to the right place. Picking up the best USB-C monitor is a particularly great choice for anyone with a recent MacBook: you not only get that second display, but also a USB-C hub to connect your other peripherals, plus battery charging through the same port.
There are a ton of USB-C monitors out there with every major monitor manufacturer offering something, so there’s quite a selection to choose from. Luckily, we here at TechRadar have found the best USB-C monitors on the market. Whether you’re looking for one of the best gaming monitors or a big, color-accurate display for work, you’ve come to the right place.
1. LG 27UD88-W 27-inch 4K USB-C Monitor
A great USB-C monitor with the perfect balance of price and performance
The Best 4K Monitors. Updated October 25, 2018. HP’s Z27 is now our top pick because of its great three-year warranty. The UltraFine 5K is the best way to expand your MacBook Pro or iMac, but isn’t recommended for other computers. Buying Options. $1,300 from Apple.
USB-C: Yes | Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | HDMI inputs: 2 | Display ports: 1
The smaller sibling to the Ultrafine 5K display below, this 27-inch LG monitor was designed with gaming in mind. It features 4K resolution and FreeSync anti-tearing processing, as well as three gaming presets, two custom presets, and two calibration presets. While this is one of the best USB-C monitors, it might be getting a little long in the tooth as it’s a couple of years old now. So it's gotten a lot cheaper - despite the fact that it's still a top option for just about anybody.
Read the full review: LG 27UD88-W
2. Dell U3818DW UltraSharp 38-inch Curved USB-C Monitor
A fantastic high-end USB-C monitor for those who need the very best
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USB-C: Yes | Screen size: 38 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 1600 | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | HDMI inputs: 2 | Display ports: 1
With a curved 38-inch InfinityEdge screen, this Dell monitor is definitely beautiful. The wide canvas allows you to work with multiple windows at once, perfect for graphic design or other creative fields. However with its sRGB color gamut, it's equally suitable for charging into battle or fighting off zombies.
3. LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL
More than fine
USB-C: Yes x 3 | Screen size: 24 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | HDMI inputs: none | Display ports: none
Are you a fledgling photo or video editor? You’ll find a lot to love in the LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL, from its 4K resolution and color accuracy, to its plethora of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports. And with its buttonless design and fairly light weight, this is a perfect match for your Mac or ultrabook – not to mention, make it easy to forgive those bizarrely thick bezels and high price tag. Get ready to break that piggy bank.
Read the full review: LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL
4. Acer H277HU 27-inch USB-C monitor
Reasonably priced, this USB-C screen is for you if price and design are your chief concerns
USB-C: Yes | Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | HDMI inputs: 1 | Display ports: 1
The H7 Series USB-C monitor is a fantastic option for content consumption and casual gaming. The H7 Series doesn't have quite the high-end specs you'll want for video editing and graphic design, but it's ideal for home or small office users who are willing to shell out a bit more to view content on a luxury device. The USB-C functionality of one of the best USB-C monitors is just the cherry on top of what is an already-delicious sundae.
5. LG 34UM69G-B 34-inch UltraWide USB-C monitor
A superwide USB-C monitor that's cheap due to its lower resolution
Best 4k Monitor For Macbook
USB-C: Yes | Screen size: 34 inches | Resolution: 2560x1080 | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | HDMI inputs: 1 | Display ports: 1
It’s clear LG was thinking about one thing when it built this 34-inch wide-screen monitor: gaming. Its 1ms motion blur reduction, FreeSync technology, and Dynamic Action sync are all included with the gamer in mind. But if that wasn't enough, there are three customizable gaming modes: two first-person shooter modes and one pre-set RTS mode. Meanwhile, the aesthetics of one of the best USB-C monitors out there will fit right in with your gaming rig.
6. BenQ PD2710QC 27-inch designer USB-C monitor
A budget option, this would make a decent second screen for the home office
USB-C: Yes | Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 2560x1440 | Aspect ratio: | HDMI inputs: 1 | Display ports: 2
Another very affordable USB-C-equipped option, this BenQ monitor might not keep up with other high-end displays, but it holds its own at this price-point. It comes equipped with IPS to ensure it looks good from every angle, and has an sRGB color gamut to deliver a beautiful, vivid picture.
7. Dell S2718D 27-inch Ultra-thin USB-C Monitor
It's super thin and super gorgeous, this USB-C monitor ticks many of the boxes including the one marked 'great value'
USB-C: Yes | Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | HDMI inputs: 1 | Display ports: 0
Dell has called the S2718D 27-inch USB-C monitor the ‘world’s thinnest monitor’, and, well, we can see it. As one of the best USB-C monitors, this svelte display looks like it would be more at home in an art studio, with a streamlined design that’ll see it fit even the most luxurious desk. There are no speakers, or even a display port, but this IPS display features HDR10 compatibility. The best part? The Dell S2718D is affordable: you can have high quality and a low price.
8. LG 27MD5KA 27-inch UltraFine 5K USB-C Monitor
This super high res USB-C screen is perfect for your high end MacBook Pro
USB-C: Yes | Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 5120 x 2880 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | HDMI inputs: 0 | Display ports: 0
Pushed by Apple, this LG monitor is being endorsed as the preferred companion to your MacBook Pro - and for good reason. Its 5K display is a thing of beauty; it comes equipped with IPS and a P3 color gamut. With only USB-C and Thunderbolt inputs, it's obviously geared towards Macs, which may make it one of the best USB-C monitors we could imagine for Apple fanatics.
9. Acer XR382CQK 38-inch Curved USB-C Monitor
It's enormous and awesome, this USB-C screen is perfect for gaming
USB-C: Yes | Screen size: 37.5 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 1600 | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | HDMI inputs: 2 | Display ports: 1
The Acer XR382CQK curved gaming monitor boasts a humongous 38-inch display, complete with AMD’s FreeSync technology. But, there are some more subtle qualities here which make it one of the best USB-C monitors, like an ergonomic stand with height, tilt and swivel. There’s also the normal arrangement of eye-protecting features like an anti-flicker mechanism and a blue light filter. What’s more, this monitor is made for gaming, so the Acer XR382CQK can switch at the drop of a hat between three different display profiles, and pull off tricks like changing black levels to more easily see opponents hiding in dark corners.
Michelle Rae Uy also contributed to this article.
Today's best deals on the best USB-C monitors:
Best4K Monitors for MaciMore2019
Your Mac or MacBook's display is already gorgeous, but if you're in the market for a second display or even something larger than what you have, a 4K monitor is a huge step in the right direction. If you want to try and maintain the same level of definition as your current display, here are the best 4K monitors for your Mac.
Our pick: Dell U2718Q
Staff Favorite
Dell's tried and tested U2718Q is a feature-laden monitor that supports HDR content playback. It's still, unfortunately, missing a USB-C port, but it does have a USB 3.0 hub, HDMI, DisplayPort, mini DisplayPort, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It's the best 4K monitor for most people.
$600 at Dell
HDR10 support: LG 27UK850-W
One of LG's latest monitors, the 4K 27UK850-W sports USB-C, HDR support via 2 HDMI ports and a DisplayPort, a headphone jack, and two down-stream USB-A ports. It also has excellent viewing angles, thanks to its IPS panel, and its gray-to-gray response time is a blazing-fast five milliseconds.
$627 at Amazon
USB-C connection: HP Z27
HP's new Z27 4K monitor may just take over the top spot after more testing since it features USB-C, as well as DisplayPort, mini DisplayPort, and HDMI. Its colors are immaculately accurate, and with a gray-to-gray response time of 8 milliseconds, you won't see any hiccups while you're working or gaming.
$539 at Dell
Upgrade pick: BenQ PD3200U
BenQ's 32-inch monitor is somewhat expensive, but it offers excellent features for the creative pro, like several different modes (including Darkroom) for photo and video editing, a built-in SD card reader, as well as a 5-port USB hub, HDMI ports, and mini and regular DisplayPorts.
$700 at Amazon
Budget option: LG 27UD58-B
Best 4k Monitor For Macbook Pro
This inexpensive monitor from LG has the company's excellent IPS panel, as well as a swift 5-millisecond response time. With a refresh rate of 60Hz, excellent viewing angles, and a designated gaming mode, this is a solid all-around monitor for most people. It doesn't offer much in terms of inputs (HDMI and DisplayPort only), but it'll do in a pinch.
$325 at Amazon
A couple of suggestions
When it comes to excellent 4K monitors, the Dell U2718Q is hard to beat, with excellent bang for your buck. Its combined features and price make it a great consideration for anyone looking for a 4K display to use with their Mac, but the lack of USB-C can be concerning for some.
Of course, when it comes to using a newer MacBook you're not only going to want USB-C (since its the only ports the MacBook lineup has anymore), but you're likely going to want some extra ports. That's where the LG 27UK850. Since it has the ability to 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 headphone jack, making it not only a fantastic monitor but a whole hub for connectivity.
Lastly, if the price is your only concern the LG 27UD58-B is probably the monitor you should pick up. Since its a monitor that a couple of years old, it's received a huge price cut recently and that's no laughing matter.
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