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If you are in the market for a new 5K monitor that is built to work with your Mac or even your iPad, then you know the struggle. In a world where everything seems to be moving and innovating at lightning speeds, finding a true 5K monitor that delivers Retina-level clarity, Mac-optimized color accuracy, and reliable connectivity is still surprisingly rare in 2025. Then, when you do find it, there always seems to be some sort of trade-off you need to make.
So, I wanted to create a 5K monitor buying guide to help you navigate the market and ultimately make an educated purchasing decision. There are no cheap 5K monitors out there. So whether you’re a creative professional, a power user, or someone who just wants that ultra-sharp Retina experience on a larger screen, these are the top options worth your time and money.
Featured: BenQ PD2730S – 5K monitor for designers and creatives
What I think is great about this monitor is that it was purpose-built for Mac users. So, creatives and designers will appreciate the precise color, pixel-level detail, and premium build quality. Here are some of the specs.
- Resolution: 5120 x 2880 (5K Retina)
- Size: 27″ IPS
- Color ratings: 98% P3, 100% Rec.709, 100% sRGB, & 2000:1 contrast ratio
- Brightness: 400 nits
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Ports:
- Thunderbolt 4 (90W power delivery)
- HDMI 2.1
- DisplayPort 1.4
- USB-C ( USB 3.2 Gen 2)
- 3x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 2)
- Standout features:
- Nano matte panel
- Daisy chain support
- Wireless Hotkey Puck G3
- Palette Master Ultimate calibration software
- M-Book mode
- Display Pilot 2 software allows native Mac keyboard control over monitor brightness and volume, integrating seamlessly into your workflow.
As you can see, this monitor can do a lot. The color accuracy is top-tier right out of the box, with factory calibration and validation from both Calman and Pantone. If you’re on a Mac, the M-Book mode makes it super easy to match your MacBook’s display, and everything looks right. The anti-glare Nano Matte Panel keeps reflections down without dulling the screen, and the 2000:1 contrast ratio gives your work extra depth and detail. You’ve also got Thunderbolt 4 with 90W charging, so this is the perfect single-cable solution, and the additional high-speed data ports mean you have a Thunderbolt hub built into the monitor.
One of the best parts about this monitor is how it handles color accuracy and consistency across the entire screen. BenQ’s AQCOLOR Uniformity Technology corrects brightness and color variations edge-to-edge, so you get a perfectly even image without weird shifts in tone, which is especially important for designers. And when it comes to managing that color over time, the built-in Palette Master Ultimate software makes it easy to stay calibrated in just a few minutes. Plus, Mac users will love the Display ColorTalk feature, which lets you easily match your MacBook’s display to the BenQ monitor—even if you don’t have a separate calibrator.
Price: This monitor is available today for $1,399
This monitor is an interesting one because, on paper, it has it all and can do more than a regular monitor. Of course, it has all the main specs you need from a 5K monitor, like the resolution, brightness, matte finish, but it also has its own built-in OS called Smart Hub. So not only is this your monitor, but it also has a remote and can act as your smart TV. It even has Apple AirPlay support. Here are the specs:
- Resolution: 5120 × 2880 (5K Retina)
- Size: 27″ IPS
- Color ratings: 99% DCI-P3, 1000:1 contrast ratio,100% sRGB (Pantone Validated)
- Brightness: 600 nits (480 nits min)
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Ports:
- Thunderbolt 4 (90W)
- Mini DisplayPort
- 3x USB-A
- USB-C
- Standout features: Smart Hub OS, detachable camera, built-in speakers (2x 5W), metal height-adjustable stand with tilt/swivel/pivot
This monitor packs many features you don’t usually see in this category. It offers full macOS scaling support, a Pantone-validated wide color gamut, and even factory tuning with a calibration report in the box. The detachable webcam is a nice touch for video calls, and the matte anti-glare panel is included in the price point. It runs Samsung’s Tizen smart OS to access built-in apps like YouTube and Netflix, plus it supports AirPlay, which I always thought was interesting. The design also looks extremely familiar to the Studio Display; you might be able to see where the inspiration comes from. Now this does retail for $1,599 but I have seen some open-box deals directly from Samsung that cut the price in half. I have never gone through an open-box purchase from Samsung but it is something to consider.
Price: $1,599 (new) and as low as $799 (open box)
The Apple Studio Display still remains as one of the best and most seamless experiences you can get as an Apple user. It’s well built, fits the Apple aesthetic, was built for macOS, and just feels like an extension of your Mac or MacBook. But it’s over three years old and comes at a hefty price point. Here are some of the specs:
- Resolution: 5120 x 2880 (5K Retina)
- Size: 27″ IPS
- Color ratings: 100% P3, Support for 1 billion colors, True Tone technology, & 1000:1 contrast ratio
- Brightness: 600 nits
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Ports:
- Thunderbolt 3 (96W power delivery)
- 3x USB-C (up to 10Gb/s)
- Standout features: Built-in 12MP webcam, six-speaker system, native macOS scaling
This monitor was built purely for Apple computers, from the simple integration to the industrial design. True Tone, brightness controls, and scaling all work out of the box, so no setup is needed. The built-in webcam with Center Stage is a nice plus for video calls, and the speaker system easily fills a room (very underrated feature). It feels like an enlarged MacBook laptop screen, and I mean that in the best way. While it has a lot of good, you must consider the lack of port variety (only USB-C), age, and price. It starts at $1,599 but can easily reach $2,300 depending on your options.
Price: Starts at $1,599; Nano-textured display (+$300), height adjustable stand (+$400)
ASUS ProArt Display – A price friendly 5K option
If you’re looking for a 5K monitor that keeps costs low without totally sacrificing quality, the ASUS 5K ProArt is worth a look. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles like some of the others in this guide, but it nails the basics—and that might be all you really need. This monitor delivers solid Retina-level sharpness, good color accuracy, and works well with Macs out of the box thanks to proper scaling support.
These are some key features you should consider:
- Resolution: 5120 x 2880 (5K Retina)
- Size: 27″ IPS
- Color ratings: 99% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB, 95% Adobe RGB; Calman‑verified factory calibration with ΔE < 2 (10‑bit, over 1 billion colors)
- Brightness: 400 nits (typical), up to 500 nits (peak, HDR)
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Ports:
- USB‑C with DisplayPort Alt Mode + 96 W power delivery
- DisplayPort 1.4
- HDMI 2.1
- USB hub: 1× USB‑C + 3× USB‑A downstream
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
- Standout features: VESA DisplayHDR 500 / HDR10 support, LuxPixel anti‑glare, low‑reflection panel, auto KVM switch, built‑in 2 × 2 W speakers
It’s factory-calibrated with a Delta E < 2, covers 100% of the sRGB color space, and supports ASUS’s ProArt Presets and Palette software for quick color tuning. The design is simple and clean, with slim bezels and an ergonomic stand that gives you all the height and tilt adjustment you need. No Thunderbolt or Smart OS here, but for under $1,000, it’s a no-frills way to step into the 5K space.
Price: Starts at $849 and is available on Amazon
ViewSonic VP2788 – the value 5K display
Now, this display is a bit different because it is all about value and specs. It’s not flashy, it’s not going to win any visual awards, but it can get the job done for most people. This monitor has the sharp resolution and color accuracy you would want from a 5K display. The best part, is that this is under $1,000. Here is what you get:
- Resolution: 5120 × 2880 (5K Retina)
- Size: 27″ IPS
- Refresh rate: 75Hz
- Color ratings: 99% sRGB (Rec.709), 99% DCI-P3, 2000:1 contrast ratio
- Brightness: 500 nits
- Ports:
- 1x HDMI
- 1x DisplayPort
- 2x USB-C
- 2x USB-A
- Thunderbolt 4
- Standout features: Factory-calibrated with report, anti-glare and anti-reflective surface, integrated speakers, full ergonomic stand (tilt, height, swivel, pivot)
This is a great entry point into 5K if you’re on a tighter budget. The Viewsonic 5K comes factory-calibrated, supports macOS Retina scaling properly, and includes a bright, color-accurate panel ready for photo or video work. You get basic creature comforts like an adjustable stand, USB hub, and built-in speakers, but you won’t find smart features, voice control, or advanced calibration tools. HDR support is also missing, and the 14ms response time and lack of adaptive sync won’t make it ideal for gaming or high-frame-rate workflows, even though this is the only monitor on this list with a 75Hz refresh rate.
Still, for color-accurate 5K resolution at under $1,000, it checks the right boxes and is an easy pick for creatives focused on editing, designing, or any workflow where clarity and consistency matter more than extras.
Price: This monitor is available on Amazon for $949
Final thoughts
As I mentioned to start this, there still aren’t many 5K monitors on the market in 2025, but these four cover a wide range of needs for Mac users:
- BenQ PD2730S is ideal for creatives who want top-tier color accuracy and Thunderbolt 4—all in a Mac-optimized package.
- Apple Studio Display delivers the most seamless macOS experience with great hardware, but it’s starting to show its age at a high price point.
- Samsung ViewFinity S9 combines premium 5K visuals with smart features, voice assistants, and Thunderbolt support.
- ASUS ProArt PA27JCV is a great price-friendly option that nails the essentials—5K resolution, solid color accuracy, and a clean design—for those who want performance without the premium price tag.
- ViewSonic VP2788-5K is the value pick for creatives who want sharp resolution and reliable color performance without extra frills.
Each of these displays has its strengths and trade-offs, but if you are serious about getting the most out of your Mac’s visual capabilities, I recommend getting a 5K display. I personally use the BenQ PD2730S as my main 5K display for my Mac Mini and my M4 iPad Pro and I love everything about it.
What do you think? Do you use a 5K display? Do you think its a must-have? Let’s discuss below!
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