Best Apple Studio Display alternatives of 2024: top picks from 4K to 8K
Here are our top picks for the best Apple Studio Display alternative
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
We tested the bestAppleStudio Display alternatives, and these are our top 6 recommendations.
The Apple Studio Display is a very good display for content creators - but we know it has its faults, however beautiful the image quality (see ourApple Studio Display reviewfor more).
Our recommendations include some of thebest monitors for photo editingandbest 5K and 8K monitorswe personally tested, with Apple experts comparing screen and specs to the 27in 5K Studio Display. The round-up includes support for both Mac and Windows systems for those who would love a Mac Studio Display alternative without owning a Mac.
For more Apple displays, we tested and reviewedbest monitors for MacBook Pro.best monitors for Mac Studio, and thebest monitors for the Mac mini.
Quick list
Best overall
The best Studio Display alternative overallThe Pro Display XDR has a 32-inch screen and an impressive 6K resolution, with two options for standard or Nano-texture glass. It boasts a peak brightness of 1600 nits, with some of the widest color gamut coverage going. But it is not cheap by any means, so be prepared to make an investment here.
Read our fullApple Pro Display XDR deep dive
Best Dell 6K
The best Dell 6K monitorThis well-reviewed Dell monitor, which connects via USB Type-C, may be a better option than the Apple Pro Display XDR and costs much less. It boasts a 31.5-inch viewable screen size and 450-nit brightness, making it perfect for video and photo editing work, as well as more general use.
Read our fullDell U3224KB review
Best 8K
The best 8K monitorAnother winner from Dell, this 32-inch 8K meets major industry standards, including 100% Adobe, 100% RGB, 100% rec. 709, and 98% DCI-P3. The result is a vivid and consistent color spectrum that is perfect for creative pros for whom color fidelity is paramount.
Read our fullDell UltraSharp UP3218K review
Best ultrawide 5K
The best 5K ultrawide Studio Display alternativeThis 49-inch display is truly impressive, with exceptional color accuracy that covers 91% of Adobe RGB and 103% of NTSC color gamut. It also has a maximum brightness of 450 nits and features various ports, a webcam, and built-in speakers. As an ultrawide, this monitor is ideal for video editing.
Read our fullPhilips Brilliance 499P9H review
Best everyday
The best everyday Studio Display alternativeThe 40-inch Dell UltraSharp U4021QW boasts a curved screen that delivers an immersive viewing experience. It offers crisp and clear visuals with a resolution of 5K (5120 x 2160) and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The monitor supports 99% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3 color gamut but has a peak brightness of only 300 nits.
Read our fullDell UltraSharp U4021QW review
Best 4K
The best 4K Studio Display alternativeThis highly-regarded 4K monitor comes in two sizes: 27 inches and 32 inches. It boasts a color coverage of 95% P3 and 100% sRGB with a Delta E ≤ 3. You can use it with a wall mount or keep it stationary. However, it’s important to note that its peak brightness is only 400 nits, which may not be sufficient for some users.
Read our fullBenQ PD2725U review
How to choose the best Studio Display alternative
Choosing the best Studio Display alternative for your setup goes beyond just screen size. For design, photography, and videography professionals, the 5K and8Kmonitors provide enhanced clarity, color fidelity, and intricacy that thebest 4K monitorscan’t match.
Yet, a top-tier4Kdisplay often strikes an optimal balance of cost and performance for everyday creative tasks. When delving into 5K resolutions, options range from standard 16:9 to wider 21:9 ultrawide screens.
Thebest ultrawide monitorsare ideal for tasks that demand a broad visual workspace, like editing videos or using multiple applications at once, whereas standard ratios are better suited for design tasks, thanks to their high-DPI scaling that sharpens images and text. Opting for an 8K monitor brings unmatched resolution but also involves considerable investment and limited availability.
By selecting a 5K or 8K monitor that matches up well against the Apple Studio Display’s capabilities, you can get closer than you might think to Apple’s latest display in terms of quality and functionality.
How we test the best Mac Studio Display alternatives
Our seasoned review team, skilled in evaluating a diverse range of displays from elite Mac mini and graphic design monitors to cutting-edge gaming and photography screens, adopts an exhaustive evaluation approach specifically designed for Studio Display alternative monitors.
We conduct detailed assessments of all facets of monitor performance, including MacBook Pro display refresh rates and the luminance of curved screens, maintaining consistent standards throughout our tests.
Our analysis of 5K and 8K monitors goes beyond mere specifications, putting them to the test in scenarios they’re built for, whether it’s executing top-tier games at their highest settings, editing ultra-high-resolution photos, or other specialized tasks. We thoroughly examine each monitor for color accuracy, brightness, response times, and refresh rates to gauge its overall performance.
But our review process doesn’t stop at technical evaluation. We also engage in prolonged real-world usage of each monitor, making them part of our daily workflows. This immersive strategy helps us gain insights into practical usage, evaluating everything from the comfort of viewing and impact on productivity to the ergonomics of the stand, benefits of the screen curvature, variety of connectivity options, and power efficiency.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
John (He/Him) is the Components Editor here at TechRadar and he is also a programmer, gamer, activist, and Brooklyn College alum currently living in Brooklyn, NY.
Named by the CTA as a CES 2020 Media Trailblazer for his science and technology reporting, John specializes in all areas of computer science, including industry news, hardware reviews, PC gaming, as well as general science writing and the social impact of the tech industry.
You can find him online on Threads @johnloeffler.
Currently playing: Baldur’s Gate 3 (just like everyone else).
Adobe’s decision to eliminate perpetual licensing for its Elements software has stirred controversy among consumers
VIPRE Security Group says its new endpoint protection tools can stamp out even the latest cybersecurity threats
GoPro Max 2 hit by further delays – 2025 is the earliest we’ll see the 360-degree action cam
