In 2024, there are extra Thunderbolt screens than ever. Whereas Apple at the moment gives two choices, its shows at $1,600-$5,000+ gained’t be the fitting match for everybody. Fortunately, there are extra reasonably priced, strong selections from LG, BenQ, and Samsung. Beneath, we’ll cowl the most effective Thunderbolt screens 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 gives a 4K decision with helpful options like Mac coloration syncing, Magic Keyboard brightness management, and extra.

Try all the small print beneath.

Thunderbolt screens vs USB-C screens

Thunderbolt (3 and 4) use the identical bodily connector as USB-C, which gives single-cable connectivity and charging for Macs with screens. Whereas Thunderbolt 4 is offered, 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 screens? The first distinction for the end-user is the flexibility 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 help hasn’t arrived in screens at this level. Thunderbolt may additionally imply you possibly can keep away from a hub or dock. If these options should not an enormous deal, it can save you an excellent amount of cash by going for a USB-C show as a substitute 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.

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

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

Finest Thunderbolt screens for Mac

Samsung ViewFinity S9

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 is the latest Thunderbolt 4 show in the marketplace. It includes a 27-inch 5K panel, metallic construct, 99% DCI-P3, Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, and extra and is straight 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 fee
• 5ms response time
• 1000:1 distinction
• Matte show end
• Constructed-in coloration calibration engine
• Common Delta E ≦ 21 coloration 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
• Value: $1,599 (usually accessible for much less)

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

Try 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 coloration, 85W energy supply for MacBooks, quite a lot of skilled modes, hotkey puck, Mac coloration 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 fee
• Brightness: 400 typical, 400 nits HDR peak
• 98% DCI-P3
• 99% sRGB
• 99% Rec. 709
• Shade modes: Animation, B+W, CAD/CAM, Darkroom, DCI-P3, DICOM, Show P3, HDR, Low Blue Mild, M-Ebook, 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
• Value: $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 assessment) is a compelling choice for an Apple-endorsed show for these okay with the smaller measurement. With an MSRP of $700, it gives 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 fee
• 98% DCI-P3
• 85W energy supply through 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 offered from Amazon and extra (now discontinued at Apple).

Apple Studio Show

Apple’s Studio Show marked the return to prosumer screens after letting LG’s UltraFine sequence function its official advice 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 actually skilled Professional Show XDR.

Whereas it has a spread of advantages, the Studio Show doesn’t provide 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 fee
• 600 nits brightness
• P3 broad coloration 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 broad digital camera with Heart 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
• Value: $1599-$2,299 (relying on the stand and display screen end)

Studio Show is offered from Apple, Amazon, Adorama, Finest 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 for those who worth the bigger 32-inch display screen, 6K decision, metallic 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 choice

In the event you’re prepared to forgo Thunderbolt and among 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 Good Monitor M8 gives a compelling bundle for many who need a 4K decision, USB-C, and a big 32-inch display screen for $700 (often on sale). It even options an iMac-like design with 4 coloration selections.

Specs:

• USB-C with as much as 65W charging
• 4K 3840 x 2160 decision
• 32-inch panel
• 16:9 facet ratio
• 60Hz refresh fee
• HDR10 help
• Included magnetic SlimFit webcam with face monitoring
• 400 nits brightness
• 99% sRGB
• 4ms response time
• Constructed-in 2.2 channel audio system
• Obtainable 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
• Value: MSRP $699-$729 (often goes for much less)

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

Finest Thunderbolt Screens for Mac wrap-up

Hopefully, now you perceive the variations between USB-C and Thunderbolt screens together with the highest choices in the marketplace – notably for those who don’t wish to spend a number of thousand {dollars} on Apple’s shows.

And for those who’ve realized you’d somewhat spend someplace between $200-800 on a monitor, try our round-up of reasonably priced USB-C shows:

Thanks for studying our information on the most effective Thunderbolt screens for Macs!