The Mac Studio is one of the most powerful Macs Apple has ever produced, but choosing the right monitor to pair with it isn’t always straightforward.
Unlike a MacBook Pro or iMac, the Mac Studio doesn’t include a display, which means choosing the right monitor is one of the most important buying decisions you’ll make.
Whether you need a 5K Retina display for graphic design, a large ultrawide monitor for productivity, or an affordable 4K screen for everyday work, the Mac Studio can drive almost any display on the market.
The latest Mac Studio models support multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously via Thunderbolt and HDMI, making them ideal for creative professionals, programmers, video editors and anyone that needs extensive desktop space.
After testing numerous displays with Apple Silicon Macs, we’ve selected the best monitors for the Mac Studio based on image quality, Mac compatibility, connectivity, color accuracy and overall value.
Contents
- Quick Recommendations
- Studio Display Alternatives: Comparison Table
- Which Mac Studio Do You Have?
- Why 5K Monitors Work Best With Mac Studio?
- 1. Apple Studio Display (Best Overall)
- 2. Samsung ViewFinity S9 (Best 5K Alternative)
- 3. BenQ PD2730S (Best For Designers)
- 4. BenQ 27 inch MA270U Monitor (Best Budget)
- 5. BenQ PD3225U (Best 4K)
- 6. Dell UltraSharp 40 Thunderbolt (Best Ultrawide)
- FAQ
Quick Recommendations
| Best For | Monitor |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Apple Studio Display |
| Best 5K alternative | Samsung ViewFinity S9 |
| Best for designers | BenQ PD2730S |
| Best value | BenQ MA270U |
| Best 4K monitor | BenQ PD3225U |
| Best ultrawide | Dell UltraSharp 40 Thunderbolt |
Studio Display Alternatives: Comparison Table
| Monitor | Resolution | Size | Thunderbolt | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Studio Display | 5K | 27″ | Yes | Overall |
| Samsung ViewFinity S9 | 5K | 27″ | Yes | Value |
| BenQ PD2730S | 5K | 27″ | Yes | Designers |
| BenQ MA270U | 4K | 27″ | No | Budget |
| BenQ PD3225U | 4K | 32″ | Yes | Creatives |
| Dell UltraSharp 40 | 5K2K | 40″ | Yes | Ultrawide |
Which Mac Studio Do You Have?
All Mac Studio models support multiple external displays, although the exact number depends on the chip inside your machine.
The latest Mac Studio models can drive several 4K, 5K, 6K and even 8K displays simultaneously using Thunderbolt and HDMI.
Mac Studio works particularly well with:
- 4K monitors (3840 × 2160)
- 5K monitors (5120 × 2880)
- Ultrawide displays
- Thunderbolt monitors
- USB-C displays
For the sharpest text and macOS scaling, many Mac users prefer 5K displays because they closely match Apple’s Retina displays.
Why 5K Monitors Work Best With Mac Studio?
Although the Mac Studio supports virtually any display, 5K monitors often provide the best experience.
A 27-inch 5K display offers around 218 pixels per inch, which is identical to Apple’s Studio Display and very close to the Retina displays used in modern Macs.
This results in:
- Sharper text
- Better macOS scaling
- Less eye strain
- More accurate image rendering
4K displays remain excellent value options, especially at 27-inch and 32-inch sizes, but users that spend long hours reading or editing text often prefer 5K monitors.
With this in mind, here is our lowdown on the best Mac Studio displays.
1. Apple Studio Display (Best Overall)
If budget isn’t your primary concern, the Apple Studio Display remains the best monitor for the Mac Studio.
Designed by Apple specifically for Mac users, the 27-inch 5K display delivers exceptional image quality with a 5120 × 2880 resolution and 218 pixels per inch.
The Studio Display offers:
- 5K Retina resolution
- 600 nits brightness
- P3 wide color
- True Tone support
- Six-speaker Spatial Audio system
- 12MP Center Stage camera
- Three USB-C ports
The seamless macOS integration is difficult to match. Brightness controls, audio, camera functions and software updates all work directly through macOS.
Although it remains expensive, it is still the display that most closely complements the Mac Studio.
Check out our full Apple Studio Review for more.
Pricing: Starts at $1,499
Pros
- Outstanding 5K Retina image quality
- Perfect macOS integration
- Excellent built-in speakers
- 12MP Center Stage camera
- Premium aluminum design
- Three USB-C ports for accessories
- Excellent text clarity for office work
Cons
- Expensive compared to competitors
- Limited to 27 inches
- Only 60Hz refresh rate
- No HDR support for professional video workflows
- Height-adjustable stand costs extra
2. Samsung ViewFinity S9 (Best 5K Alternative)
The Samsung ViewFinity S9 is the closest competitor to Apple’s Studio Display.
It features the same 27-inch 5K resolution and 218 PPI pixel density while costing less than Apple’s display during many sales.
It also includes:
- Thunderbolt 4
- USB-C connectivity
- 600 nits brightness
- 99% DCI-P3 color coverage
- Built-in smart TV features
- Remote control
For users that want a 5K monitor without paying Apple prices, the ViewFinity S9 is an excellent alternative.
Check out our comparison of the ViewFinity S9 vs Apple Studio Display to see what a great value display it is.
Pricing: $1,105.46
Pros
- 5K resolution and 218 PPI
- Significantly cheaper than the Studio Display
- Thunderbolt 4 connectivity
- Excellent color accuracy
- Smart TV features included
- Remote control included
- Matte screen reduces reflections
Cons
- Smart TV features may be unnecessary for many users
- External power brick is quite large
- Software can occasionally feel sluggish
- Build quality isn’t quite at Apple’s level
3. BenQ PD2730S (Best For Designers)
For photographers, designers and creative professionals, the BenQ PD2730S is one of the best displays available for the Mac Studio.
Its 5K resolution provides Retina-level sharpness while BenQ’s factory calibration delivers outstanding color accuracy.
Features include:
- 5K resolution
- 98% P3 color coverage
- Thunderbolt connectivity
- Display Pilot 2 software
- KVM switch
- Mac color modes
If your work involves Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator or Final Cut Pro, the PD2730S is an outstanding choice.
Check out our full hands-on PD2730S review for more.
Pricing: $1,099.99
Pros
- Excellent 5K resolution
- Superb factory color calibration
- Designed for creative professionals
- Thunderbolt connectivity
- Display Pilot 2 software
- KVM switch included
- Excellent Mac color modes
Cons
- Expensive compared to 4K alternatives
- No integrated webcam
- Speakers are fairly basic
- Limited availability in some regions
4. BenQ 27 inch MA270U Monitor (Best Budget)
BenQ monitors are the most Mac Studio compatible monitors we’ve tried outside of Apple’s display and the excellent BenQ 27 inch MA270U is our recommendation as the best budget display for the Mac Studio.
The 27 inch MA270U comes in at just under $500 and you won’t find a better value display for the Mac Studio in our opinion.
If you need more screen estate, there’s also a 32 inch model for just under $600 for the 32 inch MA320U.
Although designed specifically for color matching the liquid retina displays of MacBooks, BenQ’s MA series play well with any Mac.
The build quality and design is very Apple esque and the monitor has been built with Mac users in mind.
For example, you can control the contrast and volume directly from your Mac’s keyboard and you can even use Siri to control Focus Modes on it.
For managing the monitor, it also includes BenQ’s excellent DisplayPilot software which allows you to calibrate and customize how it works with your Mac.
In terms of value for money and Mac Studio compatibility, you can’t go far wrong with the MA270U.
Read our full BenQ MA270U review if you want to learn more.
Pricing: $499 for the 27 inch MA270U / $599 for the 32 inch MA320U
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Designed specifically for Mac users
- Display Pilot software
- MacBook color matching mode
- Keyboard brightness controls
- Available in 27-inch and 32-inch versions
Cons
- Limited to 4K resolution
- No Thunderbolt connectivity
- Built-in speakers are weak
- No webcam
- Lower pixel density than 5K displays
5. BenQ PD3225U (Best 4K)
If you’re a graphic designer that needs the ultimate in color accuracy, then the BenQ PD3225U “Design Monitor” is our tip as the best 4K display for the Mac Studio.
The Design Monitor offers all of the Mac compatibility and integration of BenQ’s MA series monitor (see above) but with slightly higher specs.
For designers and photographers, the BenQ PD3225U offers exceptional sharpness and color accuracy, making it an excellent choice for editing images and designs.
The PD3225U supports a DCI-P3 99% color gamut, making it suitable for working with Adobe RGB profiled images and RAW photos, covering Rec. BT 709.
Although the pixel density of the BenQ PD3225U is relatively low at 140 pixels per inch (ppi), this is hard to discern even when compared to monitors with higher pixel densities.
In terms of connectivity, the PD3225U offers two Thunderbolt 3 ports, USB-C ports, HDMI, and DisplayPort.
Additional features include an external HotKey puck for easy control, a KVM switch, and the ability to hot-swap and display two color profiles simultaneously.
The BenQ PD3225U does have some pretty average internal speakers, but with the Mac Studio’s six-speaker surround system supporting spatial audio, you definitely won’t need to use them.
You can read our full BenQ PD3225U review for more.
Pricing: $849.99
Pros
- Excellent color accuracy
- Large 32-inch screen
- Thunderbolt connectivity
- KVM switch included
- HotKey Puck controller
- Ideal for designers and video editors
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Lower pixel density than 5K displays
- No webcam
- Speakers are average
- Premium price for a 4K monitor
- Large footprint on a desk
6. Dell UltraSharp 40 Thunderbolt (Best Ultrawide)
If you prefer a single large display rather than dual monitors, the Dell UltraSharp 40-inch ultrawide is one of the best options.
The large curved display offers enormous workspace for:
- Video editing
- Programming
- Music production
- Spreadsheet work
- Multitasking
Thunderbolt connectivity also makes it ideal for docking accessories and external drives.
Pricing: $1,895
Pros
- Massive 40-inch ultrawide workspace
- Excellent for multitasking
- Thunderbolt hub functionality
- Built-in KVM switch
- High-quality IPS panel
- Reduces need for dual monitors
- Excellent connectivity options
Cons
- Very expensive
- Large desk required
- Lower pixel density than 5K displays
- Curved screen may not suit everyone
- No Retina-level text sharpness
FAQ
Can Mac Studio support two monitors?
Yes. Every Mac Studio model can support at least two external displays, and most configurations can drive several monitors simultaneously.
The latest Mac Studio models support multiple displays through their Thunderbolt and HDMI ports, allowing you to connect combinations of 4K, 5K, 6K and even 8K monitors depending on the chip inside your Mac Studio.
Many users connect:
- Two 5K displays
- Two 4K displays
- A single ultrawide monitor plus a second display
- Multiple displays for video editing or trading setups
For the best experience, connecting monitors via Thunderbolt or USB-C usually provides better integration with macOS than HDMI.
Does Mac Studio work with ultrawide monitors?
Yes. The Mac Studio works extremely well with ultrawide monitors.
Popular sizes include:
- 34-inch ultrawide displays
- 38-inch ultrawide displays
- 40-inch ultrawide displays
- 49-inch super ultrawide monitors
Ultrawide displays are particularly popular with programmers, video editors, music producers and office users because they provide a large workspace without needing two separate monitors.
Models such as the Dell UltraSharp 40 offer enough screen space to replace dual-monitor setups while reducing cable clutter.
The Mac Studio can also support ultrawide monitors alongside additional displays if you need even more workspace.
Is 4K enough for Mac Studio?
For many users, a 4K monitor is more than sufficient for the Mac Studio.
A good 27-inch or 32-inch 4K display offers excellent image quality for:
- Office work
- Web browsing
- Programming
- Video editing
- Photo editing
- Content creation
However, some users prefer 5K displays because they provide Retina-level pixel density similar to Apple’s own displays.
If text sharpness and macOS scaling are particularly important to you, a 5K monitor may provide a better experience.
If budget is a concern, a quality 4K monitor such as the BenQ MA270U or BenQ PD3225U still delivers excellent performance with the Mac Studio.
What monitor does Apple recommend for Mac Studio?
Apple markets the Studio Display as the ideal companion for the Mac Studio.
The Apple Studio Display features:
- 27-inch 5K Retina resolution
- 600 nits brightness
- P3 wide color
- True Tone technology
- 12MP Center Stage camera
- Six-speaker Spatial Audio system
- Thunderbolt connectivity
Because it was designed specifically for macOS, the Studio Display offers seamless integration with the Mac Studio, including brightness controls, software updates and audio settings directly within macOS.
Although it is one of the more expensive options available, many Mac Studio owners consider it the best overall display for Apple’s desktop computer.
Is a 5K monitor worth it for Mac Studio?
A 5K monitor is worth considering if you spend long periods reading text, editing photos, designing graphics or working with creative applications.
A 27-inch 5K display provides approximately 218 pixels per inch, which closely matches Apple’s Retina displays and produces exceptionally sharp text and images.
For many users, 4K remains the better value option, but those looking for the best possible image quality often prefer 5K displays such as the Apple Studio Display, Samsung ViewFinity S9 or BenQ PD2730S.
Should I connect my Mac Studio monitor using HDMI or Thunderbolt?
Thunderbolt or USB-C connections are generally the best option for Mac Studio users.
Thunderbolt provides:
- Higher bandwidth
- Single-cable connectivity
- USB hub functionality
- Power delivery support on compatible devices
- Better integration with macOS
HDMI remains useful for televisions, gaming displays and secondary monitors, but most premium Mac Studio displays perform best when connected via Thunderbolt.
For more, check out our guide to Thunderbolt vs USB-C.