5K monitors are arguably the most Mac compatible displays of all – at least for MacBooks anyway.
The main reason for this all comes down to Pixels Per Inch or PPI.
The best 5K displays support up to 218 PPI which is the same as the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air retina displays.
It’s also the same as the Apple Studio Display which is why 5K displays often make the best alternatives to the Studio Display.
This support for 218 PPI means that when they scale-up the image you see on your MacBook, it looks much better than the way 4K displays scale the images.
Anything less than support for 218 PPI causes all sorts of scaling problems with Macs although there are apps like BetterDisplay which can mitigate this.
Apart from Mac compatibility though, 5K monitors are becoming increasingly popular among creative professionals such as video editors, photographers and graphic designers.
The reasons for this are, excuse the pun, clear.
The incredibly sharp and crystal clear images on 5K displays are ideal for high-end creative work and only bettered by 8K monitors (which still aren’t a serious option at the moment).
5K monitors are also usually shipped with higher quality panels that provide extremely good quality color production compared to most monitors.
Table of Contents
What Is 5K?
5K refers to monitors that have 5120 horizontal pixels and a true 5K monitor has a resolution of 5120 x 1440.
However, it can also include monitors with 5120 x 2160 resolution which is frequently referred to as “5K2K” in the monitor world.
Currently there aren’t as many 5K monitors on the market as there are 4K displays so the options for Mac users are limited.
Here we’ve looked at the highest quality 5K monitors which offer the best compatibility with Macs including Apple Silicon models.
Which Macs Support 5K Monitors?
You can use 5K displays at full 5K resolution with the following Macs. All Apple Silicon Macs with M-series chips are included, as well as select Intel-based Macs:
- Mac Studio (M1 Max/Ultra, M2 Max/Ultra)
- Mac Pro (2019 and later)
- MacBook Air (M1, M2, and later)
- Mac Mini (M1, M2, and later)
- MacBook Pro (2016 and later)
- iMac 27-inch (2017 and later)
- iMac Pro (2017)
Note: Macs with Apple Silicon M1 and later chips offer improved performance and compatibility for high-resolution monitors compared to older Intel-based models.
How Many 5K Displays Can You Connect To A Mac?
The number of 5K displays your Mac will support depends on the model of Mac you’ve got.
The number of 5K displays your Mac can support depends on the model:
- Mac Studio (M1/M2 Max/Ultra): Up to four 5K displays.
- MacBook Pro (M1 Pro/M2 Pro/M3 Pro): Up to two 5K displays.
- MacBook Pro (M1 Max/M2 Max/M3 Max): Up to three 5K displays.
- MacBook Pro (Intel 15-inch and 16-inch): Up to two 5K displays (one per Thunderbolt 3 port on opposite sides).
- MacBook Pro (13-inch M1/M2): One 5K display.
- Mac Mini (M1/M2): One 5K display.
- MacBook Air (M1/M2): One 5K display.
- iMac 27-inch (2017 onwards, including M3): One 5K display (in addition to the built-in 5K display on Intel models).
- iMac Pro: Up to two 5K displays (configured as dual-link SST 5120×2880 10bpc at 60Hz).
- Mac Pro (2019 and later): Up to six 5K displays, depending on the graphics configuration.
Note that base-level M1 and M2 Macs can only natively support one external display, but software solutions (like DisplayLink adapters) can enable additional monitors. This restriction does not apply to models with Pro, Max, or Ultra chips.
With this in mind, here are our choices for the best 5K monitors to use with Macs.
1. Samsung ViewFinity S9
Why we liked this monitor: The specifications are very similar to the Apple Studio Display and it’s currently much cheaper on offer at over 50% off.
Why we chose it:
The Samsung ViewFinity S9 has positioned itself as a direct competitor to the Apple Studio Display and has almost identical specifications.
Samsung first announced the the impressive 27 inch 5K ViewFinity S9 at CES 2023 and for anyone looking for a 5K alternative to the Apple Studio display, it’s a very strong contender.
It even looks like the Apple Studio Display and although the recommended retail price tag is exactly the same, it’s currently up to 50% off on Amazon (USA) making this a real bargain for a 5K monitor.
The Samsung Viewfinity S9 has a 5K 5120 x 2880 display with a wide 10-bit color gamut that covers 99% of the DCI-P3 spectrum.
It also boasts HDR600, support for 600 nits of brightness, a 4K webcam and plenty of connectivity options with one Thunderbolt 4 port, three USB-C ports and a mini Display port.
The ViewFinity S9 also supports 218 PPI which is the golden range for the best compatibility with MacBook retina displays.
Additionally, the monitor features its own remote control with a control joystick to navigate the on screen display settings.
You can also connect wireless Bluetooth devices to the ViewFinity S9 including speakers, keyboards and game controllers
There’s even support for Apple AirPlay so that you can stream directly from your iPhone or iPad to the monitor.
The ViewFinity S9 also has a decent sound system with two 5W stereo speakers (although these don’t support spatial sound), split screen support with Samsung MultiView, WiFi connectivity and Tizen TV OS built-in.
You can also adjust the height of the stand on the ViewFinity S9 – if you want that privilege on the Apple Studio Display you have to shell out an extra $400.
Finally, you can also use the Samsung ViewFinity S9 as a SmartTV too with preinstalled apps including Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube.
You can check out our look at the Samsung ViewFinity S9 vs Apple Studio Display for more.
Pros:
- Almost the same specifications as Apple Studio Display
- 5K resolution
- 218 PPI
- HDR600 support
- Sleek, Apple style design
- Remote control and Smart TV functionality
Cons:
- Big external power supply
- Some users may not want the streaming apps integration
2. ASUS ProArt PA27JCV
Why we liked this monitor: It’s one of the best budget 5K monitors available at just $799 with incredibly high color reproduction.
Why we chose it:
A relatively new entrant to the list, the ASUS ProArt PA27JCV is a 27-inch 5K monitor that was released in late 2024.
With a similar spec to the impressive 4K Asus ProArt PA279CV, its designed for creative professionals, offering a sharp 5120 x 2880 resolution with 218 PPI, accurate color reproduction, and USB-C connectivity with 96W power delivery.
It provides excellent color accuracy with factory calibration and a wide color gamut, making it ideal for photo and video editing.
Additionally, it includes DisplayHDR 600 certification, height adjustment, and a range of connectivity options (although only one HDMI port).
It’s currently available for around $799 which prices it similarly to the Samsung ViewFinity S9.
For a head-to-head comparison, check out our look at the Asus PA27JCV vs Apple Studio Display.
Pros:
- High resolution and color accuracy
- USB-C with 96W power delivery
- HDR support and ergonomic stand
- Price
- 218 PPI
Cons:
- Only available in 27 inch model
- Availability
- Only one HDMI port
3. LG 27MD5KL-B 5K Ultrafine 27″
Why we liked this monitor: It’s ideal for those that want a good value, high quality 5K display that scales really well with macOS with support for 218 PPI.
Why we chose it:
The 5K LG 27MD5KL-B Ultrafine 27 inch monitor offers excellent compatibility and image quality with Macs.
Apple even helped LG develop the UltraFine display as it contains a very similar panel to the 27 inch 5K iMac display.
The LG UltraFine 5K display offers an impressive maximum of 218 PPI which is the same as both the Apple Pro XDR display and Apple Studio display.
It also has a 16:9 Aspect Ratio and 500 nits of brightness – just 100 less than the Studio Display.
The 27 inch wide-Screen features a flat-panel IPS Monitor with DCI-P3 99% color gamut.
There’s also a built-in camera and a speaker plus Thunderbolt 3 Port with up to 94W power delivery and 3 x USB-C ports.
The Thunderbolt 3 connection on the LG 27MD5KL-B can transmit 5K video, audio and data simultaneously to any Mac.
The LG 27MD5KL-B Ultrafine 27 inch monitor only has a 60Hz refresh rate but it still performs very well fine for gaming and fast moving media such as when video editing.
The main issue with this display is both the availability (outside of the USA at least) and price.
At around $795 it’s almost half the price of the Apple Studio Display although availability of the monitor can be very limited.
You can read our full LG 27MD5KL-B 5K UltraFine 27″ monitor review for more.
Pros:
- 5K quality resolution
- Wide P3 gamut
- 218 PPI
- Built-in web camera
- Built-in speakers
- Supports volume and brightness control from Mac
Cons:
- Internal speaker quality
- Webcam quality isn’t great
- Doesn’t support High Dynamic Range (HDR)
- Build quality is average
- Poor availability outside of the USA
- Price
4. LG 34BK95U-W 5K UltraFine 34”
Why we liked this monitor: It’s the best 34 inch 5K display for those that need a wide screen for multitasking.
Why we chose it:
If you want a 5K display with more screen estate, then the superb LG 34BK95-W UltraFine 34 inch offers 5K resolution on a bigger 34 inch screen.
It only supports 163 PPI compared to 218 PPI in the LG 27 inch and Apple Studio Display but for some, the bigger screen will be worth it.
You do however get full 2K5K 5120 x 2160 resolution with the LG 34BK95-W which is great for video editing and graphic designers that need large canvasses.
The LG UltraFine 34 inch display even supports HDR which like Dolby Vision, makes bright and dark parts of an image incredibly intense and contrasted.
You can change the tilt and height on the stand that comes with the LG34BK95U-W UltraFine but if you need swivel, you’ll have to add a VESA stand mount connection.
In terms of ports, apart from the standard HDMI there’s a dedicated Thunderbolt 3 port with 85W of power to charge MacBooks which also offers DisplayPort Alt Mode.
Note that outside of the USA, this model is more commonly available as the LG 34WK95U-W which is almost exactly the same with a few minor differences.
You can read our full LG 34BK95U-W 34 inch 5K monitor review for more.
Pros:
- 5K resolution with 5K2K support
- 3 USB-C ports plus Thunderbolt port and HDMI
- Huge screen estate
- 3 year LG guarantee
- Supports HDR
Cons:
- 163 PPI doesn’t scale well
- Sound or brightness can’t be controlled from Mac keyboard
- Swivel requires mounting a stand
- No internal webcam
5. LG 40WP95C-W 40” UltraWide Curved WUHD
Why we liked this monitor: It’s the best 5K curved monitor with HDR 10 support which is ideal for video editing or graphic design.
Why we chose it:
The 40 inch LG 40WP95C-W is a great choice for those that want a high quality 5K curved monitor, especially for video editing.
The LG 40WP95C-W has a 5120 x 2160 resolution and 21:9 aspect ratio which gives you plenty of space for toolbars, palettes and working space.
The sRGB mode is automatically calibrated for excellent color accuracy and it even supports HDR 10 which makes it an ideal choice for video editing and graphic designers.
One of the other big attractions of the LG 40WP95C-W for Mac users is that it also has two USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt 4 which will provide 95W of power to charge the battery of any MacBook Pro or MacBook Air.
Other useful features in the LG 40WP95C-W include Picture-by-Picture mode which can display images from two sources simultaneously, 2 built-in 10 watt speakers and a stand with tilt/height/swivel motion.
On the downside, the low pixel density of 140 ppi will cause some scaling issues when connecting to the retina displays of MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs.
The low level maximum brightness level of 300 nits is also not suitable for very well lit environments either.
Pros:
- 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports
- 40 inch screen
- 5K resolution
- Up to 72Hz refresh rate
- Excellent for gaming
- Supports daisy chaining monitors
Cons:
- Adaptive sync can cause flickering on Mac if activated
- Only 140 PPI
- Only supports 300 nits of brightness
- Not everyone wants a curved monitor
6. Apple Studio Display
Why we liked this monitor: It’s the best 5K display by far and easily the most Mac compatible.
Why we chose it:
Although it’s out of the budget of many, no roundup of Mac compatible 5K displays would be complete without the stunning Apple Studio Display.
The Apple Studio Display was released in March 2022 by Apple to coincide with the release of the original Mac Studio and offers a much cheaper alternative to the 6K Apple 32-inch Pro Display XDR.
The Apple Studio Display instantly became the best value Apple monitor on the market starting at $1,599 compared to $4,999 for the Pro XDR display.
The Apple Studio Display supports 218 ppi, can handle a maximum 5K 5120 x 2880 resolution and displays around 6.5 billion colors more than a 4K display.
It supports 600 nits of brightness which is more than enough for working in brightly lit environments (although nowhere near as high as 1600 in the XDR).
The Studio Display has features only Macs can use too such as an automatic sRGB mode which calibrates color perfectly for your applications.
The monitor also comes with True Tone Anti Reflective Coating but is also available with nano-texture glass.
It’s even better than the Apple Pro XDR in some respects with a 12 MegaPixel Ultra Wide webcam which supports Apple Center Stage for more immersive video meetings.
Most monitors aren’t known for good sound quality but the Studio Display excels here too with a six speaker surround system that supports Spatial Audio.
Finally, the Apple Studio Display also comes with a tilt and height adjustable stand although you’ll have to add a VESA swivel mount for an extra $400 if you want to add more movement to it.
The one thing it doesn’t support is High Dynamic Range (HDR) which like Dolby Vision, offers better image contrast quality.
You can check out our full Apple Studio Display review for more on this impressive Apple display.
If it’s not in your budget, you might also enjoy our look at the best Apple Studio Display alternatives too.
Pros:
- Easily the best 5K Mac compatible monitor available
- Up to 5K resolution
- 218 ppi
- 600 nits of brightness
- 3 Thunderbolt ports
- 12MP camera
- Three-way microphone
- Automatic sRGB color calibration for Macs
Cons:
- Price
- Maximum size is 27 inch
- Thunderbolt/USB-C only no HDMI
- No HDR support
- Expensive to add swivel mount
FAQ
Why should I consider a 5K monitor for my Mac?
5K monitors offer a resolution of 5120 x 2880 pixels, providing exceptionally sharp and clear images. They support up to 218 pixels per inch (PPI), matching the Retina displays of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. This ensures optimal scaling and image clarity, making them ideal for tasks like video editing, photography, and graphic design.
Which Macs are compatible with 5K monitors?
Most modern Macs support 5K displays. This includes all Apple Silicon Macs with M-series chips and select Intel-based models. Specific compatible models are listed in the article.
How many 5K monitors can my Mac support?
The number of 5K displays a Mac can support varies by model and configuration. For instance, the Mac Studio with M1 or M2 chips can handle up to four 5K displays, while a MacBook Pro with an M1, M2, M3 or M4 Pro chip supports up to two. Detailed information for various models is provided in the article.
Are there any considerations regarding scaling and resolution when using a 5K monitor with a Mac?
Yes, when using a 5K monitor at full resolution, text and interface elements may appear smaller due to the high pixel density. macOS offers scaling options to adjust the display for better readability. It’s recommended to use the “Default for Display” setting in System Preferences to ensure optimal scaling. More details on managing scaling issues are available in the article.
Can you use an old iMac as a 5K display with a Mac?
There are ways to use an iMac as a external 5K display with a Mac although you can’t with all models and it often requires third party software.
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