There are several things to consider when purchasing an external monitor for your MacBook Air, including display performance, size, and price. This review looks at the Best Monitor for MacBook Air.
MacBook Airs are some of the best and most affordable Macs. It may not be sufficient for everybody in this work-from-home scenario and with long sitting times. It may be necessary to use a wider display to be more productive and more effective.
For this reason, we recommend that you purchase a monitor for your MacBook Air. This will increase the screen of real estate as well as make it easier for you to complete more tasks. We’ve picked out some of the most popular MacBook Air monitors for you.
You can handpick some amazing monitors if you need one to handle complex tasks such as graphic design or gaming, as well as photo editing and video editing.
Top 10 Best Monitor for MacBook Air
The following is a list of the best ultrawide, portable, curved, 4K, 5K, and other feature-packed external monitors for MacBook Air and MacBook that will surely meet all your needs.
IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | CHECK PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
LG 27MD5KL-B | Screen Size: 27 Inches Response Time: 1ms Resolution: (5120 × 2880) pixels | ||
LG 38WN95C-W | Screen Size: 38 Inches Response Time: 1ms Resolution: (3840 × 1600) pixels | ||
Philips Momentum 558M1RY | Screen Size: 55 Inches Response Time: 4ms Resolution: (3840 × 2160) pixels | ||
Apple Pro Display XDR | Screen Size: 32 Inches Response Time: 5ms Resolution: (6016 × 3384) pixels | ||
LG 34BK95U-W | Screen Size: 34 Inches Response Time: 5ms Resolution: (5120 × 2160) pixels | ||
ViewSonic VP2785-4K | Screen Size: 27 Inches Response Time: 7ms Resolution: (3840 × 2160) pixels | ||
HP 34f | Screen Size: 34 Inches Response Time: 5ms Resolution: (3440 × 1440) pixels | ||
Lenovo Q27h-10 | Screen Size: 27 Inches Response Time: 4ms Resolution: (2560 × 1440) pixels | ||
Dell-UltraSharp U2720Q | Screen Size: 27 Inches Response Time: 5ms Resolution: (3840 × 2160) pixels | ||
LG Ultrafine | Screen Size: 27 Inches Response Time: 12ms Resolution: (3840 × 2160) pixels |
1. LG 27MD5KL-B – Best Monitor for MacBook Air M1
Among third-party monitors available for Mac, the LG UltraFine Thunderbolt monitor remains the best. Using Thunderbolt 3, integrated brightness and volume control, a built-in camera, and the 27-inch 5K model are designed with macOS in mind.
A Thunderbolt 3 compatible USB Type-C connector with some Thunderbolt functionality can be added to the back of a Mac so the monitor, 94W power pass through and the USB-C hub can be accessed.
If you have an M1-based Mac, you’ll be able to use Thunderbolt 3 but cannot chain monitors together or connect external GPUs. Storage devices and hubs with Thunderbolt support will, however, work.
With 5120×2880 5K resolution, 99% P3 color gamut, and 500 nit brightness, you’re likely to have the closest experience possible to an Apple desktop.
With its built-in stereo speaker, camera, and microphone, this headset is best in multimedia. The LG UltraFine 5K Display is an excellent choice for entertainment and communication, including watching movies, making FaceTime calls, and chatting online.
2. LG 38WN95C-W – Best Ultrawide Monitor for MacBook Air M1
The ultrawide curved monitor from LG is an excellent option if you want to enjoy games or movies while keeping your focus on work. Three HDMI ports are built-in to the streamlined back and aluminum stand of this 38-inch monitor.
Those who own this monitor enjoy a 144Hz refresh rate, even when gaming or working on their PC, and a variable refresh rate (VRR) feature is available, which will eliminate screen tearing.
Due to the 38′′ curved monitor’s 21:9 wide screen, you can have multiple windows open at once without minimizing the size. Because of its multitasking and gaming capabilities, it is the perfect monitor for MacBook Air M1 users.
Grey uniformity is very good, so it is great for watching movies or working on color-critical projects. Embrace the immersive Nano IPS experience and never miss a moment with your games.
The 38UC99 supports Thunderbolt 3 and delivers twice the bandwidth compared to Thunderbolt 2. This guarantees minimal display lag. The display provides accurate colors and stable images across a wide viewing angle without image sticking.
Our main pick – with its 38-inch curved display – offers a similar display size to this, although it lacks the USB-A ports that the main pick has.
3. Philips Momentum 558M1RY – Best External Monitor for MacBook Air
Apple MacBook Air users have many options when it comes to external monitors. Some people may favor the fastest possible refresh rate, others may prefer curves for immersion, others may prioritize resolution, and finally, there will always be those who prioritize sheer size.
Look no further than Philips’ latest Momentum 558M1RY if you think bigger is better. Our largest monitor yet, this giant 55in monitor proves to be the ideal monitor for taking console gaming to new heights.
Momentum 558M1RY is not only the largest monitor we’ve tested but also one of the more stylish, thanks to its slim top and side bezels, preinstalled metal stand, and fabric-covered Bowers & Wilkins soundbar.
The only thing that’s missing is an integrated tuner, but you may argue that modern viewing habits make traditional broadcasts less of an issue, seeing as streaming is replacing them.
The 558M1RY is marketed primarily as an addition to game consoles. When connected to an Xbox One S, the screen is 4K, HDR10 and VRR (variable refresh rate) compatible, and Philips’ HDR implementation is one of the best examples of the technology in an LCD monitor.
It adds an extra layer to supported games and adds an element of realism, although it is surprisingly slow to switch between SDR and HDR modes. When playing an HDR game, reentering the home screen can result in a delay of a few seconds, as the image must reappear after you exit.
4. Apple Pro Display XDR – Best 6K Monitor for MacBook Air
Featuring a full-array local dimming backlight composed of 576 special blue LEDs, the 32-inch Pro Display XDR displays up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness and 1,000 nits of sustained brightness.
Apple states that it hits a million-to-one contrast ratio when utilizing certain industry-standard test patterns using its true 10-bit color and full DCI-P3 color gamut. Apple says the Pro Display XDR is the “world’s best pro display” based on these impressive specifications.
You’ll find four USB-C connections on the back, but they’re more confusing than what you might expect. If you can make sense of USB-C (or perhaps not, since it is generally confusing.) One of the USB-C connectors has a thunderbolt 3 port, which you connect to your Mac.
Depending on your computer, the other three USB-C connectors work differently: most supported Macs are limited to USB 2-speed connections, but the 16-inch MacBook Pro supports a new technology called Display Stream Compression that leaves enough bandwidth on the Thunderbolt bus for faster USB connections.
Apple Display is another mode that allows you to preview your work on non-XDR Apple displays by limiting brightness to 500 nits, keeping True Tone and the sensors active, and basically matching the profile used for all the company’s other displays.
When you’re working on serious color projects, the modes become much more precise. HDR applications run on a display set to color-accurate mode, but with an overall brightness limit of 100 nits and a peak brightness limit of 1,000 nits. In addition to disabling True Tone and user brightness controls, this mode is only recommended for use in standardized, controlled lighting environments.
5. LG 34BK95U-W – Best Dual Monitor Setup with MacBook Air
IPS LED monitor LG 34WK95U-W offers crisp and clear images in 5K. In SDR, the screen can get very bright. HDR content is also displayed decently, but in a dark room, the contrast ratio is mediocre, and the local dimming is poor, so blacks look grayish.
With its large screen and high resolution, it has an excellent viewing experience. With such a low input lag, it is extremely responsive; however, since there are no flicker-free features and no variable refresh rate functionality, it is not suitable for serious gamers.
For most purposes, the LG 34WK95U-W monitor is suitable. This monitor has a bright enough screen to work in bright offices, and it has wide viewing angles that make it easy to share work with others.
Low input lag makes this TV appealing to gamers, and it has a fast response time, so players can view fast content without being distracted. Nevertheless, its name comes from its large screen and high resolution, which allow you to display more on the device.
If you are looking for an ultrawide monitor, then LG 34BK95U-W is the Best Dual Monitor Setup with MacBook Air. Because its screen allows you to do multiple works at the same time.
6. ViewSonic VP2785-4K – Best 4K Monitor for Mac Mini
The ViewSonic VP2785-4K is characterized by its 27-inch screen’s native 4K resolution, as evident from its model number. This professional-grade monitor is designed for creative professionals, such as photographers and video editors, who require exacting color reproduction in their images.
It is calibrated for a wealth of common color spaces and was designed with a wide color palette in mind. According to our testing, it displays HDR content beautifully and can be used for low-impact gaming as well as beautifully rendered photos and videos.
A comparison of ViewSonic’s 1,000:1 contrast ratio with our tested ratio (991:1) revealed that the ratio is within 1 percent of what ViewSonic rates. The VP2785-4 K is rated as bright as 350cd/m2 (aka nits); we tested it and its maximum brightness was only 323 nits.
VP2785-4K features a wide range of display inputs and other connections. In addition to HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort, and mini-DisplayPort ports, the USB Type-C port, four USB 3.0 downstream ports, and two 3.5 mm jacks are included.
One of these two is a headphone jack, and the other is an audio-in jack that allows you to connect external audio sources. (The VP2785-4K does not have built-in speakers.) All the ports are located behind the panel, facing downward. However, they are accessible after rotating the panel into portrait orientation.
7. HP 34f – Best 4K Monitor for Mac Mini M1
The best external monitor for MacBook Air or Mac Mini M1, a curved monitor, is the best option for watching movies or playing games. We recommend this HP curved display from HP as one of the best-curved displays. It is feature-rich and budget-friendly.
We believe it’s among the best-curved monitors for MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs available currently on the market. This curved HP 34f monitor for MacBook Air is affordable, has decent specifications, and delivers excellent performance with no sacrifices made.
A curved 34″ ultra-wide QHD monitor boasts a 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and a razor-sharp Ultra-Wide QHD resolution. With its three-sided micro-edge bezel, you’re assured of a comfortable viewing angle when you watch movies or television.
Additionally, the monitor produces crisp images and the most accurate colors from an ultra-wide viewing angle. This stylish and affordable Mac Mini M1 monitor offers smooth, tearing-free gameplay thanks to AMD FreeSync technology.
8. Lenovo Q27h-10 – Best Monitor for Mac and PC
There is no lag in performance or specifications with Lenovo Q27h-10’s monitor for the M1 MacBook Air. The 27-inch NearEdgeless Monitor offers more screen space with a contemporary design and four edgeless corners.
There’s nothing better than an IPS QHD display on MacBook Air! It’s a beautiful display that offers clear, flawless visuals from any angle. Featuring true-to-life images that display 1.07 billion colors within a 99% sRGB color gamut, the device’s processor delivers an immersive visual experience.
Integrated speakers with 3W power round out the monitor’s features. In addition to handling your work needs, it can double as a gaming monitor as well.
Its low price and gaming-centric features like 4ms response time, AMD FreeSync, and 75Hz refresh rate make it an excellent budget monitor. A seamless gaming experience is delivered when all of these features are combined.
To hook up external devices to this monitor, it has HDMI 1.4, DP 1.2, and audio-out ports. Furthermore, the tablet has a USB Type-C 3.1 port that offers data, audio, and video capabilities.
This monitor features an aluminum bottom that makes it easy for you to place devices like a hub or hard drive in a neat and space-saving manner. Lenovo QHD displays are the best affordable monitors for MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros alike, so you won’t be disappointed with this display.
9. Dell UltraSharp U2720Q – Best Budget External Monitor for MacBook Air
You should definitely check out the Dell UltraSharp 4K Monitor if you’re looking for the best 4K monitor for your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Featuring high-end specs, the 4K display delivers outstanding image quality.
Slim and contemporary design, a 27-inch 4K UHD IPS display, and a vibrant 3840 x 2160 resolution are prominent features. Dell UltraSharp 4K Monitor for MacBook Air holds up well to color-intensive tasks such as imaging and graphic design, so it is perfect for video editors and creators of other multimedia content.
Besides being adjustable, swivel, pivot, and tilt, this 4K monitor offers many other useful features. Consequently, this display can be comfortably used vertically. For coders who need extra vertical space, the Dell UltraSharp 4K monitor is a perfect choice.
A number of ports are also included on the display, including two USB Type-C ports, three USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort port, and an audio line out port. Multiple USB devices are therefore easily connected.
10. LG Ultrafine – Best Budget Monitor for MacBook Air M1
As a complement to Apple’s lineup of laptops, Apple should make 5K monitors themselves. The situation is not as expected. LG, the maker of the 5K monitor, instead of the iPhone maker.
When you have the budget to pick one up, this LG UltraFine 5K Display 27-inch with 5-120×2880 resolution and P3 wide color gamut would be a great choice. This 27RD5KL motherboard includes a Thunderbolt 3 cable along with a USB-C cable, including a Thunderbolt 3 (input) port as well as three USB-C (USB 3.1, 5Gbps) ports.
Our overall pick costs more than double what this monitor does, so that should not be surprising. The monitor’s biggest fault isn’t the price, but rather the fact that it looks boring and boxy, like dozens of other displays available.
One look at LG’s OLED televisions will convince you that the company is capable of design work. Another concern is whether spending so much money on a monitor is really worth it. The decision is yours.