Best Mac monitors & displays 2018 Even if you have an iMac or MacBook you might want a second screen. And those with a Mac mini or Mac Pro will need a display of some kind.
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
The Rundown
- Best Overall:Dell Ultrasharp U2719DX at Amazon, “Rests somewhere in the middle price-wise but stands out for its price-to-performance ratio.”
- Runner-Up, Best Overall:Acer R271 at Amazon, “Capable of full HD content with a response time of just four milliseconds.”
- Best Audio:ASUS Designo MX27UC at Amazon, “The slim, sleek lines of this monitor cleverly hide a specially designed sound producing beat.”
- Best Budget:AOC Q2778VQE at Amazon, “Offers a 2560 x 1440 resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio supported by 16.7 million colors.”
- Best 4K Monitor:Dell P2715Q at Amazon, “Offers more than four times the pixel resolution of Full HD.”
- Best 4K Gaming Monitor:LG 27UD68-P at Amazon, “Featuring a 3840 x 2160 resolution IPS display with screen split technology.”
- Best Curved:Samsung CF591 at Amazon, “Offers stunning panoramic views during both work and play.”
- Most Ergonomic:ASUS PB277Q 27' WQHD 2560 x 1440 Monitor at Amazon, “Removes on-screen flicker that strains your eyes by using Smart Dynamic Backlight Adjustment.”
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Dell Ultrasharp U2719DX
Widely regarded as the best all-around 27-inch monitor on the market, Dell’s Ultrasharp U2719DX 27-inch LED-lit monitor is a fantastic choice for buyers. Featuring a 27-inch QHD 2560 x 1440 resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio with an ultra-thin bezel, the Dell rests somewhere in the middle price-wise but stands out for its price-to-performance ratio. The 178/178-degree viewing angle pairs with a full range of tilt, pivot, swivel and height adjustments to offer a “best fit” for each individual user. Weighing 13 pounds, the Dell also offers built-in compatibility for mounting to Dell’s single monitor arm for additional viewing options. Additionally, Dell offers a three-year 'Premium Pixel Guarantee,’ ensuring that even if one pixel goes out, they’ll replace it free of charge.
Runner-Up, Best Overall: Acer R271
For an affordable alternative to the top pick, the Acer R271 is a great choice for anyone looking for a basic 27-inch monitor that focuses on sheer reliability. In other words, if you want something that will keep on working long after you have set it up, this is another good option to consider. With a 1980 x 1080 maximum resolution, this IPS monitor is capable of full HD content with a response time of just four milliseconds and a contrast ratio of 100 million to 1.
The design is sleek and minimalistic, with a thin bezel around three sides of the screen. When paired with an additional R271, the thin bezel minimizes the amount of screen real estate that is lost in multi-monitor setups. Colors are pleasing without being over saturated or too dull. The monitor itself includes outputs for HDMI, DVI, and VGA, making it compatible with virtually any graphics card you may have.
The monitor also comes with extra features to enhance the viewing experience. Tiltable from -5 to 15 degrees, the monitor includes a blue light filter, so you can use the monitor before bedtime without feeling insomnia. Flicker and screen glare features keep the image consistently viewable as well. Should anything happen, the monitor is covered by a one year limited parts and labor warranty.
Best Audio: ASUS Designo MX27UC
Sound and a good screen is often a tough pairing to have in a computer monitor. Since monitors are meant to produce the best visuals possible from a computer, most manufacturers skimp on the sound and rely on customers going with dedicated speakers to make up the difference. While this setup is good for some people, those who want to maximize desk space need the best built-in sound they can get. In other words, they need the ASUS Designo MX27UC.
The slim, sleek lines of this monitor cleverly hide a specially designed sound producing beat. Two 3W, built-in speakers drive sound from two 5W amplifiers specifically designed to work in tandem with each other. The monitor’s onboard SonicMaster optimization technology tailors the output to deliver a full-bodied sound that enhances the visuals delivered from the 4K screen. Since the speakers are out of the way, you can maintain a clean look with your computer setup while enjoying the full sonic experience a desktop monitor can offer.
On the visual side, the AH-IPS panel delivers true 4K performance with a 3840 x 2160 resolution. The Eye Care technology provides a blue light filter and flicker-free backlighting to reduce eye fatigue during extended use. The monitor’s minimal-bezel design offers a 178 degree viewing experience with an 80 million to one contrast ratio. For hookups, there are DisplayPort, HDMI and USB type-c connections for connecting separate laptops or other devices. In case of damage, the case and panel are covered with a three year warranty plus an optional one year warranty for other parts.
Best Budget: AOC Q2778VQE
AOC’s Q2778VQE 27-inch LED-lit monitor may be priced well below the competition, but the value here is unmistakable. Weighing 14.9 pounds, the AOC offers a 2560 x 1440 resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio supported by 16.7 million colors. At four times the resolution of 720p, the AOC essentially offers four 720p HD videos on the screen at the same time while showing greater detail in both color and clarity. The bevy of connectivity options includes HDMI, VGA, DVI-D, and DisplayPort, as well as a headphone jack for audio support. With full-tilt support, the sleek and slim design of the AOC provides low-power consumption all without spending a fortune.
Best 4K Monitor: Dell P2715Q
With an Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 resolution and over eight million pixels, Dell’s P2715Q 27-inch LED 4K monitor stands out from the rest of the pack. Weighing 16.7 pounds, the Dell offers more than four times the pixel resolution of Full HD and offers extremely fine detail onscreen, so tasks such as high-resolution photo editing will be easier and more enjoyable. The included stand enables five-degree forward or 21-degree backward tilt, along with pivoting, swiveling and built-in cable management to offer each individual user maximum comfort. Additionally, the Dell offers DisplayPort 1.2 connectivity, which allows you to connect two monitors side-by-side eliminating the need to run extra cables to the PC. While it might be feature rich, Dell took extra care to make this monitor eco-friendly as well through energy star qualification and by using a chassis made of more than 25 percent recycled material.
Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best 4K monitors.
Best 4K Gaming Monitor: LG 27UD68-P
There are gaming monitors and then there are 4K gaming monitors such as the LG 27UD68-P 27-inch 4K UHD IPS monitor with FreeSync technology. Featuring a 3840 x 2160 resolution IPS display with screen split technology, the LG is a step above most gaming monitors on the market today. With over 99 percent coverage of the sRGB spectrum, this monitor also doubles as a standout choice for professional photographers, graphic designers or anyone else who can benefit for highly accurate color reproduction. The included screen split 2.0 technology allows resizing and displaying multiple windows at one time with four separate picture-in-picture choices. Additionally, with FreeSync technology, gamers will find seamless and fluid movement with the elimination of tearing and stuttering that can occur between a graphic card and monitor refresh rate. Add in ergonomic controls and Black Stabilizer for superior dark scene detail and the LG is undoubtedly the best 4K gaming monitor available today.
Check out our other reviews of the best high-end gaming monitors available on the market today.
Best Curved: Samsung CF591
While most displays we use and view daily are the default square or rectangle, the up-and-coming curved displays offer an experience that is unparalleled. Samsung’s CF591 curved 27-inch FHD monitor offers a truly immersive viewing experience that is unlike anything an “older” monitor style can match. With a resolution of 1920 x 1080, Samsung’s 1800R screen curvature offers stunning panoramic views during both work and play. Additionally, Samsung included AMD FreeSync technology that provides smoother images even during fast-action movie scenes by syncing the screen refresh rate with the content frame rate to minimize any attempts at blurring. Add to the feature list the built-in five-watt stereo speakers offering full, rich sound and you’ll find Samsung’s curved display may be everything you didn’t know you needed in a monitor.
Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best curved monitors.
Most Ergonomic: ASUS PB277Q 27' WQHD 2560 x 1440 Monitor
The unfortunate truth is that most of us spend hours upon hours of each day in front of our computers. So in the same way that investing in a quality mattress is a matter of health, so is buying the right monitor. The ASUS PB277Q is built for your comfort. Its proprietary EyeCare Flicker-Free technology removes on-screen flicker that strains your eyes by using Smart Dynamic Backlight Adjustment. The display also has a blue light filter that protects your eyes from the harmful blue light that can cause headaches and even sleep disorders. Its ergonomic stand can tilt, swivel and pivot and its height can be easily adjusted to fit your setup. Altogether, these features let you work (or play) comfortably for long stretches of time.
The 27” WQHD 2,560 x 1,440 panel has 109 pixels per inch, delivering greater image detail and up to 77 percent more on-screen desktop space than standard Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) displays. It also boasts a speedy 1ms response time and 75Hz refresh rate, making it a great choice for gamers.
Tested by
How We Tested
We bought and tested three top-rated 27-inch LCD monitors. Our reviewers spent more than 300 hours setting them up, connecting their devices, and using them for everything from surfing the Internet to gaming. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these LCD monitors, from design to resolution. We’ve outlined the key points here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.
What to Look for in a 27-Inch LCD Monitor
Resolution - At this size, 1920x1080 is a perfectly acceptable resolution that’ll look just fine. However, if you do a lot of image editing or gaming, step it up to 2560x1440. Also, if you have any UHD video sources (like a gaming console, streaming device, or Blu-ray player) and your computer can handle it, some 27-inch monitors are capable of displaying full 4K.
Slim bezel - Monitors of this size provide a ton of screen real estate for work and gaming, but they also take up a lot of space on your desk. Look for a monitor with a slim bezel to reduce the bulk. As an added benefit, monitors with thin bezels look even bigger than they actually are.
Extra ports - The best 27-inch monitors come equipped with a lot more than basic HDMI-in ports. Look for a unit that has enough HDMI ports to plug in all your equipment, plus extras like DisplayPort and HDMI-out connections and USB 3.0 hubs.
Best 27 Inch Monitor For Macbook Pro
Test Results: Dell Ultrasharp U2719DX (Best Overall)
What We Like
Bright, sharp, color-accurate display
Sturdy construction
Highly adjustable
Great cable management
Excellent warranty
What We Don't Like
No USB-C support
No built-in speakers
Slow response time
'This monitor's display is bright, sharp, and color-accurate, and I found it to be a pleasure to use for hours at a time,' raved one of our testers. 'Editing photos and videos was a particularly great experience.' He also thought its overall build quality was sturdy and liked its design: 'It features a simple yet elegant solution to cable management,' he explained. 'It's just a hole in the middle of the stand, but it keeps your desktop tidy and eliminates the problem of wires dangling down randomly from behind the display.' In terms of improvements, he felt its response time could have been faster: 'It's somewhat slow at a maximum of 6ms,' he said. 'This means it's not the best for playing video games.' He also wished it supported USB-C instead of just USB 3.0: 'This means that USB transfers and device charging through the monitor aren't as fast,' he said.
Test Results: Acer R271 (Runner-Up, Best Overall)
What We Like
Great image quality
Wide viewing angles
Very thin profile
Excellent value
What We Don't Like
Only full HD
Difficult to operate monitor controls
No way to adjust the display angle
Our tester loved this monitor because of its “excellent” image quality: “It’s very bright, color-accurate, and has a reasonably fast response time for an IPS display,” he said. He was also a fan of its look: “It’s attractively designed and looks great on a desk,” he noted. “It’s also well-balanced so that it’s more stable and unlikely to tip over.” On the other hand, he felt it could have been more adjustable: “The stand doesn’t attach to the monitor in a way that feels secure, and there’s no way to adjust the angle of the monitor,” he said. He also pointed out that the “monitor controls are difficult to operate due to their recessed location.”
Test Results: ASUS Designo MX27UC (Best Audio)
Pc Monitor 27 Inch
What We Like
Full 4K resolution
Very bright
Great viewing angles
Lots of input options
Excellent built-in speakers
What We Don't Like
Limited mounting/adjustment options
Gets very hot after extended use
“This monitor’s display is super crisp because of high 4K resolution,” our tester explained. “It is also very bright and color-accurate, which makes it ideal for photo and video editing, as well as very high-end gaming.” He also liked that it had a variety of input methods, including Displayport via USB-C: “This means that not only can connect your computer to the monitor, you can also connect a mobile device via a USB-C cable,” he explained. Plus, he thought its built-in speakers were “surprisingly good.” The downsides? “The built-in stand limits mounting options and the ability to adjust the display,” he said. “You can't put it on a wall mount, and you can't rotate it to a vertical orientation.” He also reported that it becomes “very hot after extended use, which makes it potentially hazardous to leave running and unattended.”