Finest Thunderbolt Displays for Mac

In 2023, there’s extra number of Thunderbolt screens than ever. Whereas Apple at the moment presents two choices, its shows at $1,600-$5,000+ received’t be the precise match for everybody. Fortunately there are some nice decisions which might be extra reasonably priced from LG, BenQ, and Samsung. Under we’ll cowl the very best Thunderbolt screens for Mac in addition to what you get with a Thunderbolt monitor vs a USB-C monitor.

Thunderbolt screens vs USB-C screens

Thunderbolt (3 and 4) use the identical bodily connector as USB-C which presents single-cable connectivity and charging for Macs with screens. Whereas Thunderbolt 4 is on the market, it’s extra of a rebrand of Thunderbolt 3 with the identical 40 Gbps bandwidth. That’s why you see all the businesses under – even Apple with its Studio Display and Professional Show XDR – use Thunderbolt 3.

So what’s the distinction between Thunderbolt and USB-C screens? The first distinction for the end-user is the power to daisy chain as much as 6 gadgets with Thunderbolt at as much as 40 Gbps speeds (connecting one peripheral on to the following).

That’s sooner than USB-C 3.1 and three.2 and USB4 assist hasn’t arrived in screens at this level. Thunderbolt may additionally imply you’ll be able to keep away from a hub or dock. If these options should not an enormous deal, it can save you an excellent sum of money by going for a USB-C display as a substitute of a Thunderbolt monitor.

For reference, USB-C 3.1 gen 2 can assist as much as 10 Gbps and USB 3.2 helps as much as 20 Gbps speeds.

Nonetheless, remember, many occasions different upgrades like larger panel decision and measurement, I/O, and extra go hand-in-hand with Thunderbolt and its larger bandwidth, therefore the costlier worth. If you wish to take a look at a have a look at USB-C screens, take a look at our round-up:

However under we’ll focus particularly on Thunderbolt screens for Mac.

Finest Thunderbolt screens for Mac

Samsung ViewFinity S9

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 is the most recent Thunderbolt 4 show available on the market. It contains a 27-inch 5K panel, steel construct, 99% DCI-P3, Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, and extra and is instantly geared toward Apple’s Studio Show.

Specs:

Slim steel design (aluminum stand however silver plastic again panel)
27-inch IPS 5K panel – 5120 x 2880
99% DCI-P3
600 nits brightness
60Hz refresh price
5ms response time
1000:1 distinction
Matte show end
Constructed-in shade calibration engine
Common Delta E ≦ 21 shade accuracy
USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity
- 1x Thunderbolt 4 port, 3x USB-C, 1x mini DisplayPort
- 90W energy supply
Constructed-in SlimFit 4K webcam
Built-in audio system with Adaptive Sound+
Samsung Good Hub to be used as a TV (distant included)
Adjustable peak, tilt, and pivot
100 x 100mm VESA mountable
Worth: $1,599 (usually accessible for much less)

The ViewFinity S9 5K monitor is on the market now from samsung.com, Amazon, and extra.

Try a full comparability between the ViewFinity S9 and Apple Studio Show in our information:

BenQ PD3220U

The 32-inch BenQ PD3220U options Thunderbolt, 4K decision, 95% DCI-P3 shade, 85W energy supply for MacBooks, quite a lot of skilled modes, hotkey puck, stable steel stand, a number of I/O, and portrait orientation assist.

It’s a robust contender to Apple’s Studio Show however with a bigger panel and a number of other hundred {dollars} cheaper.

Specs:

31.5-inch IPS panel
4K – 3840 x 2160 decision
16:9 facet ratio
60Hz refresh price
Brightness: 250 typical, 300 nits HDR peak
95% DCI-P3
100% sRGB
HDR10
Twin Thunderbolt 3 ports – 85W and 15W energy supply
- Daisy chain with Thunderbolt
2 x HDMI 2.0
1 x DisplayPort 1.4
3 x USB 3.1
1 x USB C
1 x USB B
Headphone jack
Slim bezels
Panorama and portrait orientation assist
MSRP: $1,199 (usually accessible for much less)

You possibly can normally discover the BenQ PD3220U at Amazon and Adorama.

LG UltraFine 24 & 27-inch Displays

The $1,300 27-inch UltraFine show (reviewed) was actually the one possibility available on the market to assist USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 at a full 5K decision till the Apple Studio Show was launched.

However curiously, with bandwidth getting used up for the upper decision, the 27-inch mannequin doesn’t characteristic downstream Thunderbolt ports for peripherals/daisy-chaining, simply USB-C.

At virtually half the worth, the 24-inch 4K UltraFine (full review) is a compelling possibility for an Apple-endorsed show for these okay with the smaller measurement. With an MSRP of $700, it presents upstream and downstream Thunderbolt ports just like the BenQ so you’ll be able to daisy chain or get the complete 40 Gbps speeds with out having to make use of a separate dock.

LG 24-inch UltraFine Display

23.7-inch panel with nano IPS
4K – 3840 x 2160 decision
16:9 facet ratio
Brightness: 540 nits most
60Hz refresh price
98% DCI-P3
85W energy supply by way of Thunderbolt
2x Thunderbolt (1 upstream, 1 downstream as much as 40 Gbps)
3x USB-C 3.1 gen 1 as much as 5 Gbps
MSRP $699

The LG 24-inch UltraFine show is on the market from Amazon and extra (now discontinued at Apple).

Apple Studio Display

Apple’s Studio Display marked the return to prosumer screens after letting LG’s UltraFine collection function its official suggestion since 2016.

Beginning at $1,599, the Studio Show Thunderbolt monitor is geared toward those that worth Apple’s refined (and steel) construct high quality however don’t want the actually skilled Professional Show XDR.

Whereas it has a variety of advantages, the Studio Show doesn’t provide downstream Thunderbolt ports however has three USB 3.1 Gen 1 (10 Gbps) ports (and 1 upstream Thunderbolt 3 port with 96W energy supply).

Specs:

27-inch panel
5K 5120 x 2880 decision
16:9 facet ratio
60Hz refresh price
600 nits brightness
P3 extensive shade assist
True Tone assist
1x Thunderbolt 3 port with 96W energy supply
3x USB-C ports (3.1 gen 2 as much as 10 Gbps)
Constructed-in 12 MP extremely extensive digital camera with Heart Stage assist
6-speaker system with Spatial Audio assist
Studio-quality 3-mic array
Aluminum construct
Helps most reference modes as Professional Show XDR besides HDR
Worth: $1599-$2,299 (relying on stand and display screen end)

Studio Show is on the market from Apple, Amazon, Adorama, Best Buy, and extra.

Apple Professional Show XDR

We received’t get into the complete particulars of the Professional Show XDR. However the TL;DR is should you worth the bigger 32-inch display screen, 6K decision, steel construct, number of reference modes, and don’t thoughts paying $5,000+, it might be value contemplating this over different Thunderbolt screens.

Try our detailed comparability together with extra perspective on the Professional Show XDR and Studio Show:

Compelling 32-inch USB-C finances possibility

In the event you’re prepared to forgo Thunderbolt and a few of the different high-end options the screens above provide, an attention-grabbing new show is Samsung’s Good Monitor M8.

The successor to the M7, the Smart Monitor M8 presents a compelling package deal for many who need a 4K decision, USB-C, and a big 32-inch display screen for $700 (normally on sale). It even options an iMac-like design with 4 shade decisions.

Specs:

USB-C with as much as 65W charging
4K 3840 x 2160 decision
32-inch panel
16:9 facet ratio
60Hz refresh price
HDR10 assist
Included magnetic SlimFit webcam with face monitoring
400 nits brightness
99% sRGB
4ms response time
Constructed-in 2.2 channel audio system
Out there in white, blue, inexperienced, and pink
Slim bezels and general slim design
Doubles as a sensible TV, with Apple TV+ built-in and AirPlay 2
Worth: MSRP $699-$729 (normally goes for much less)

The Good Monitor M8 is accessible direct from Samsung and Amazon.