Greatest Thunderbolt Displays for Mac

In 2024, there are extra Thunderbolt displays than ever. Whereas Apple at present provides two choices, its shows at $1,600-$5,000+ gained’t be the appropriate match for everybody. Fortunately, there are extra inexpensive, strong selections from LG, BenQ, and Samsung. Under, we’ll cowl the perfect Thunderbolt displays for Mac in addition to what you get with a Thunderbolt monitor vs a USB-C monitor.

Replace 3/13/24: The latest Thunderbolt monitor comes from BenQ. It provides a 4K decision with helpful options like Mac colour syncing, Magic Keyboard brightness management, and extra.

Take a look at all the small print beneath.

Thunderbolt displays vs USB-C displays

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

So, what’s the distinction between Thunderbolt and USB-C displays? 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 subsequent).

That’s sooner than USB-C 3.1 and three.2, and USB4 help hasn’t arrived in displays at this level. Thunderbolt can also imply you possibly can keep away from a hub or dock. If these options should not an enormous deal, it can save you amount of cash by going for a USB-C show as an alternative of a Thunderbolt monitor.

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

Nonetheless, take into account, many instances different upgrades like better panel decision and measurement, I/O, and extra go hand-in-hand with Thunderbolt and its better bandwidth, therefore the dearer worth. If you wish to take a look at a take a look at USB-C displays, take a look at our round-up:

However beneath, we’ll focus particularly on Thunderbolt displays for Mac.

Greatest Thunderbolt displays for Mac

Samsung ViewFinity S9

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 is the latest Thunderbolt 4 show in the marketplace. It contains a 27-inch 5K panel, metallic construct, 99% DCI-P3, Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, and extra and is immediately aimed toward Apple’s Studio Show.

Specs:

• Slim metallic 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 colour calibration engine
• Common Delta E ≦ 21 colour 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 Sensible Hub to be used as a TV (distant included)
• Adjustable peak, tilt, and pivot
• 100 x 100mm VESA mountable
• Worth: $1,599 (typically obtainable for much less)

The ViewFinity S9 5K monitor is out there now from samsung.com, Amazon, and extra.

Take a look at a full comparability between the ViewFinity S9 and Apple Studio Show in our information:

BenQ PD3225U

The 32-inch BenQ PD3225U is the successor to the PD3220U. The brand new mannequin options Thunderbolt 3, 4K decision, 98% DCI-P3 colour, 85W energy supply for MacBooks, quite a lot of skilled modes, hotkey puck, Mac colour matching, Magic Keyboard brightness management, and extra.

Specs:

• 31.5-inch IPS Black panel
• 4K – 3840 x 2160 decision (140 ppi)
• Anti-glare end
• 2000:1 distinction
• 16:9 facet ratio
• 60Hz refresh price
• Brightness: 400 typical, 400 nits HDR peak
• 98% DCI-P3
• 99% sRGB
• 99% Rec. 709
• Coloration modes: Animation, B+W, CAD/CAM, Darkroom, DCI-P3, DICOM, Show P3, HDR, Low Blue Gentle, M-Guide, Rec.709, sRGB, Consumer
• Colours Tonal Management for Mac
• HDR10/Show HDR 400
• Hotkey Puck G2
• Show Pilot 2 for Mac keyboard show brightness management
• I/O:
  • 1 x Thunderbolt 3 port with 85W energy supply and daisy chain help
  • 2 x HDMI 2.0
  • 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
  • 3 x USB 3.2
  • 1 x USB C
  • 1 x USB B
  • Headphone jack
• Slim bezels
• 100 x 100mm VESA wall mount
• Worth: $1,099

You will get the brand new Thunderbolt monitor direct from BenQ and shortly at Amazon. And now yow will discover the BenQ PD3220U predecessor at Amazon for $999.

LG UltraFine 24 & 27-inch Shows

The $1,300 27-inch UltraFine show (reviewed) was actually the one choice in the marketplace to help 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 function downstream Thunderbolt ports for peripherals/daisy-chaining, simply USB-C.

At virtually half the value, the 24-inch 4K UltraFine (full overview) is a compelling choice for an Apple-endorsed show for these okay with the smaller measurement. With an MSRP of $700, it provides upstream and downstream Thunderbolt ports just like the BenQ, so you possibly can daisy chain or get the total 40 Gbps speeds with out having to make use of a separate dock.

LG 24-inch UltraFine Show

• 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 out there from Amazon and extra (now discontinued at Apple).

Apple Studio Show

Apple’s Studio Show marked the return to prosumer displays after letting LG’s UltraFine sequence function its official suggestion since 2016.

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

Whereas it has a variety of advantages, the Studio Show doesn’t supply downstream Thunderbolt ports however has three USB 3.1 Gen 1 (10 Gbps) ports (and one 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 huge colour help
• True Tone help
• 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 huge digital camera with Middle Stage help
• 6-speaker system with Spatial Audio help
• Studio-quality 3-mic array
• Aluminum construct
• Helps most reference modes as Professional Show XDR besides HDR
• Worth: $1599-$2,299 (relying on the stand and display end)

Studio Show is out there from Apple, Amazon, Adorama, Greatest Purchase, and extra.

Apple Professional Show XDR

We gained’t get into the total particulars of the Professional Show XDR. However the TL;DR is in case you worth the bigger 32-inch display, 6K decision, metallic construct, number of reference modes, and don’t thoughts paying $5,000+, it could be value contemplating this over different Thunderbolt displays.

Take a look at our detailed comparability together with extra perspective on the Professional Show XDR and Studio Show:

Compelling 32-inch USB-C price range choice

If you happen to’re keen to forgo Thunderbolt and a number of the different high-end options the displays above supply, an fascinating new show is Samsung’s Sensible Monitor M8.

The successor to the M7, the Sensible Monitor M8 provides a compelling bundle for many who desire a 4K decision, USB-C, and a big 32-inch display for $700 (normally on sale). It even options an iMac-like design with 4 colour selections.

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 help
• 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 total slim design
• Doubles as a wise TV, with Apple TV+ built-in and AirPlay 2
• Worth: MSRP $699-$729 (normally goes for much less)

The Sensible Monitor M8 is obtainable immediately from Samsung and Amazon.

Greatest Thunderbolt Displays for Mac wrap-up

Hopefully, now you perceive the variations between USB-C and Thunderbolt displays together with the highest choices in the marketplace – significantly in case you don’t need to spend a number of thousand {dollars} on Apple’s shows.

And in case you’ve realized you’d reasonably spend someplace between $200-800 on a monitor, take a look at our round-up of inexpensive USB-C shows:

Thanks for studying our information on the perfect Thunderbolt displays for Macs!