Sensational screens for Mac owners

Size: 32-inch
Resolution: 6K (6016×3384 pixels)
Connections: Thunderbolt 3 (96W PD), 3x USB-C
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Rotation stand extra $999/£949
Orientation: Landscape; Portrait with stand

Apple’s highly specced Pro Display XDR is a stunning piece of engineering, and we found it hard to find fault with the picture quality and colour output, but at that price and with these features this is a display for a very specific audience. 

The XDR is phenomenally well-specced: it’s 32in and 6K, offering 40 percent more screen space than Apple’s 5K displays, and offers a peak brightness of 1,600 nits (or 1,000 sustained). But it comes with a seriously eye-watering price tag, especially if you want to include the Pro Stand for adjustability and pivoting.

While this is an expensive monitor by consumer standards, but it really isn’t a consumer monitor. It’s intended for a professional audience.

Picture quality is maintained at ultrawide viewing angles, thanks to industry-leading polariser technology. This is so that a creative team can gather round a single monitor and evaluate a photo, video or design project without suffering a loss of consistency.

Connected via Thunderbolt, it can charge a MacBook at up to 96W.–Neil Bennett

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 5K (5120×2880 pixels)
Connections: Thunderbolt 3 (96W PD), 3x USB-C
Webcam: 12-megapixel
Stand: Tilt. Height-adjustable stand extra $400/£400
Orientation: Landscape; Portrait with $1,599/£1,499 VESA mount adapter

As a production display, the Studio Display is still expensive but is an affordable alternative to the Pro Display XDR. Buyers will enjoy its handsome design, good image quality, and impressive spatial audio, but you can save a lot of money by going with a non-Apple display.

Apple displays have always produced very good image quality, and the Studio Display continues that tradition. Colors are rich, contrast is good, and the brightness is suitable for most tasks.

The Studio Display has a tilt-adjustable stand, but it does not pivot between landscape and portrait modes, like the Pro Display XDR, although a very expensive WESA mount does add a portrait option. You can get a stand that provides about four inches of height adjustment but it doesn’t come cheap. The price tag for the tilt- and height-adjustable stand is a whopping $400/£400 more.

The Studio Display has six speakers (four force-canceling woofers, and two high-performance tweeters) that sound better than any display we’ve used.

Connected via Thunderbolt, it can charge a MacBook at up to 96W.–Roman Loyola

Size: 32-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Connections: Micro-HDMI (with HDMI adaptor), 1x USB-C (video), 1x USB-C peripherals, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 5, AirPlay, Thread
Webcam: HD
Stand: Tilt and height adjustable (included)
Orientation: Landscape

Samsung’s M8 Smart Monitor has been a popular choice for home users since its launch in 2022, offering a 32-inch monitor with 4K resolution at a lower price than Apple’s expensive 27-inch Studio Display. The M80D model, also known as the fourth-generation update, offers several features that make it an excellent value for money at just $699.99/£549.

The glass panel on the M8 still provides 4K resolution with 400 nits brightness, but the M80D model updates several other features to ensure excellent value for money. The monitor comes in three parts that need to be assembled by hand, and the plastic casing used for the display and the detachable 1080p webcam feels flimsy. However, the M8 is not a mobile device, making it suitable for general day-to-day use when sitting on your desk at home.

The M8 supports HDR content and 99% of the sRGB color standard, which is accurate enough for basic graphics work, photo-editing, and presentations. Professional photographers or video-editors who require the more precise DCI-P3 standard will need to look at more expensive alternatives.

The M80D model has a different set of connectors, with one USB-C port, one HDMI, and two USB-A ports, whereas previous models had two USB-C and one HDMI ports. However, it still supports Bluetooth for connecting additional peripherals, wi-fi, and AirPlay for Apple devices. This allows users to stream audio to the M8’s speakers or mirror the display from their Mac or iPad to the M8 without using a cable.

The M8 can be used as more than just a basic computer monitor. It has a built-in ‘entertainment hub’, which includes apps for Netflix, YouTube, Xbox gaming service, and a web browser. Some functions are not available to Mac users, such as the ability to pair the display with a Samsung Galaxy watch for fitness data monitoring, and there’s an Easy Settings app only available for Windows users. Samsung could improve the on-screen menus and controls for the M8 to make them more straightforward.

Despite the build quality not up to Apple standards and the untidy on-screen menu system, the M8 remains an affordable and attractive 4K display for home users, outperforming Apple’s more expensive Studio display–Cliff Joseph.

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 5K (5120 x 2880 pixels)
Connections: USB-C (65W PD), USB-B, 2x HDMI, DisplayPort
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait

The Alogic Clarity 5K Touch offers Mac users a large, premium touchscreen on a monitor that boasts one of the best height-adjustable, tilt and pivot stands that we’ve tested. It’s a precision, 10-point multitouch, One Glass Solution (OGS) touchscreen that combines the monitor’s protective layer with its input layer via a conductive medium keeps the Clarity Pro Touch’s screen as thin as the other Clarity monitors, while maintaining the monitor’s bright picture.

Touchscreens are useful for artists and video professionals, with many pro tools having accurate touch functionality that beats using a mouse. It’s a more intuitive way to fine-tune levels and effects in photo-editing or music mixing, in applications such as Adobe Lightroom and Audition, and Apple Pro Logic.

Alogic has an optional accessory, the $219 Clarity Fold Stand, to better facilitate comfortable drawing or interacting onscreen—the articulating stand securely holds the monitor raised at an angle like a drafting board. It can rotate 360° so that you can share work with colleagues.

We did find the touchscreen setup a little fiddly as you have to install drivers for Mac, but once up and running, the operation was smooth.

The height-adjustable stand offers a versatile swivel and tilt experience, and the screen can be used in either landscape or portrait modes.

Mac touchscreen alternatives: Pro Touch and Max Touch

Size: 27-inch or 32-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Connections: USB-C (65W PD), USB-B, 2x HDMI, DisplayPort
Webcam: 8-megapixel (retractable)
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait

Alogic also offers two 4K touchscreen models, the 27-inch Clarity Pro Touch ($1,399) and 32-inch Clarity Max Touch ($1,599). Aside from the lower resolution and price-tag, the only real other difference is the retractable webcam that automatically raises itself from within the monitor when an app requires it, and then auto-retracts when it’s no longer needed. The 5K Touch lacks a built-in webcam, with Alogic instead recommending its own $189 Illuminate USB-C Light Bar with 4K Autofocus Webcam. Read our Alogic Clarity Pro Touch review and Alogic Clarity Max Touch review–Simon Jary

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 2K (2560×1440 pixels) aka HD
Connections: HDMI, DisplayPort 1.2, USB-C, and the integrated hub offers three USB 3.2 ports and one USB-C port
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt
Orientation: Landscape

The GW2790QT monitor from BenQ is a 27-inch IPS monitor with a maximum resolution of 2K and a brightness of 350 nits. It offers a color gamut of 99 percent of sRGB and can be selected for gaming, M-Book, or film. The monitor’s color gamut is good, but homogeneity decreases towards the edges.

The monitor features Low Blue Light Plus technology, which filters out blue-violet radiation harmful to the eyes, and automatic adjustment of screen brightness. A display coating is designed to reduce glare. The monitor can be rotated 20 degrees in any direction, tilted 5 degrees downwards and upwards, and the entire screen can be rotated 90 degrees into portrait format.

In addition to HDMI, DisplayPort 1.2, the USB-C port provides 65 watts of power delivery for the MacBook, while another DisplayPort is available for connecting a second monitor. The integrated hub offers three USB 3.2 ports and one USB-C port with 5 gigabits per second speed.

The monitor has built-in speakers and a microphone optimized for video conferencing, equipped with noise filter and noise cancellation. A USB-C connection to the Mac is required for use. The monitor has a series of buttons for operation, including the integrated microphone, noise filter, Low Blue Light Plus, menu control, and on/off button.

For an additional $20, the display comes with a practical Yogi Pad set, which serves as an iPhone holder, universal shelf, and studs for stacking building blocks. While not the fastest monitor, it is suitable for general office use and does not require professional editing.–Thomas Bergbold.

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 5K (5120×2880 pixels)
Connections: Thunderbolt 4 (90W PD), Thunderbolt 4 (15W), HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, 10Gbps USB-C, 2x 10Gbps USB-A, audio mini-jack
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait

The BenQ PD2730S 5K Designer Monitor is a 27-inch display that’s a new addition to the company’s DesignVue lineup of displays geared towards designers, graphics professionals, video producers, and anyone else who demands color accuracy and consistency, and top-notch image quality. Its size and resolution make it a direct competitor to Apple’s Studio Display.

The PD2730S was a pleasure to look at daily. The detail it produces is sharp and satisfying; I used the display with an M4 MacBook Pro, which has a mini-LED panel (what Apple calls Liquid Retina XDR) and it looks nice, but the PD2730S is much crisper. The colors produced by the PD2730S are great, too. BenQ promotes the PD2730S as a display that’s “always accurate” and has “consistent colors” thanks to the company’s AQColor technology.

BenQ also offers two software utilities for adjusting color. The Display ColorTalk app helps you set up your MacBook and the PD2730S so that the colors match between the two as closely as possible. The Palette Master Ultimate app works with hardware calibrators and can be used to create custom color profiles. Both apps are free and helpful to photographers, designers, and anyone else who deals with colors on a professional level.–Roman Loyola

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Connections: 2x USB-C PD, 5x USB-A, gigabit ethernet DP-in/DP-out, 1x HDMI, USB-C upstream (for daisy chain)
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Landscape

Dell advertises the U2723QE with “exceptional contrast.” This is made possible by the panel’s IPS Black technology. Indeed, the screen offers an unusually high contrast ratio of 2000:1: black looks like black, and colors are very clearly distinguishable. Thanks to its wide color space support (100 percent Rec.709, 100 percent sRGB, and 98 percent DCI-P3) it is on a par with modern Apple LCDs.

The screen settings can be adjusted using the joystick on the back, or directly from the Mac desktop using the Dell Display and Peripheral Manager software. Here you can quickly adjust the brightness and contrast. There is also the option of defining a schedule for changing the brightness or contrast. If required, users can also define hotkeys for brightness and contrast control. However, the software works on the MacBook, Mac mini, and Mac Pro, but not on the iMac.

The ports on the back are hard to reach and not entirely in logical positions. The two connections at the front are also arranged at the bottom, which makes plugging them in from the bottom a gymnastics exercise every time. A side or rear-facing solution like Apple’s would be better here. But this display does offer a lot of ports, and it’s a complete USB-C docking station for MacBooks and a good extension for the Mac mini or Mac Studio.–Christian Rentrop

Size: 40-inch
Resolution: UltraWide Quad HD (3440×1440 pixels)
Connections: 5Gbps USB-C (90W PD), HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, 2x 480Mbps USB-C (5W), Gigabit Ethernet, audio mini-jack
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape

Two large screens side by side can be a big productivity booster, but one super-wide screen means no screen separation and removes issues with matching specs, meaning you avoid potential color, brightness, and display quality discrepancies if the two monitors have different specifications.

This 40-inch flat ultra-widescreen display—also available in a 34-inch model—saves you from buying two displays, each of which needs a connection to your Mac.

It creates a remarkable amount of convenient and ergonomic working screen space for a single monitor to maximize viewable multitasking apps and documents without the bezel gap and setting complications you get with a dual-monitor setup.

Picky creatives may prefer a higher pixel density but for general productivity users the 34-inch to 40-inch screen is even more spacious than having two monitors side by side.–Simon Jary

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Connections: USB-C (90W PD), 5Gbps USB-C (15W), 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x 5Gbps USB-A, audio mini-jack
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait

The MA270U has a Nano Matte Panel front but it’s not a piece of glass. As the name suggests, it’s not glossy, so glare and reflections are practically non-existent, even more so than with the pricey Nano texture glass on the Apple Studio Display.

A stand is included with the MA270U. Some displays sell the stand separately so there’s an additional cost consideration, but that’s not the case here. The stand offers a great range of adjustment: -5 to 20 degrees of tilt, swivels 15 degrees left or right, and 115 mm of height. The display can also pivot 90 degrees, a far greater range of motion than the Studio Display.

The MA270U can connect to a Mac through HDMI or USB-C. The USB-C connection offers 90 watts of power so it can charge your MacBook at the same time. If you want to use the display as a connection hub, you need to connect to the Mac via USB-C.

The one thing that’s immediately noticeable with the MA270U is its impressive image quality. Colors are full of life and the detail is excellent. One standout aspect of the image quality is how sharp text appears. This is great for production and design work, but it can even make it more enjoyable to read and write.

The BenQ MA270U offers image quality that could satisfy users in a production environment–that’s one way of saying that its quality is better than what general users usually get. You might be able to find a 27-inch 4K display that’s a little cheaper, but it won’t look this good.–Roman Loyola

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 2K (2560×1440 pixels) aka HD
Connections: 4x USB-A, USB-C, HDMI 1.4, 2x DisplayPort 1.2
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Joint (Rotation)
Orientation: Landscape

It’s a common criticism of Apple’s own displays that they don’t allow you to adjust the height of the screen unless you pay a ridiculous amount for an optional adjustable stand. Most rival displays do allow you to adjust the height, of course, but BenQ’s 27-inch PD2706UA goes even further. Rather than having a conventional stand, the PD2706UA includes an ergonomic arm that attaches to your desk and allows you to freely adjust the height, tilt and swivel, and even rotate it into the upright portrait mode with just a tap of your finger. You don’t have to pay a fortune for this flexibility either, as the PD2706UA provides an attractive 4K display for just $629.99/£549.99.

The ergonomic arm is designed to either clamp onto the edge of a desk or table, or attach to the circular grommets found on many pieces of office furniture. It does require a little patience to assemble properly, but the free movement of the screen will be a blessing for people who may have problems with their neck or shoulders, or simply for quickly swiveling the display into position to show your work to clients or colleagues.

The display provides 4K resolution with support for HDR10, which is good value at this price. Connectivity is good too, with HDMI and DisplayPort interfaces, along with one USB-C connector that handles video and provides 90W output for charging a laptop. It also includes a built-in USB hub that provides three USB-A ports and one USB-C (for data transfer only), as well as BenQ’s ‘hotkey puck’, which sits on your desk and provides a quick dial control for selecting display settings without using the traditional on-screen menus.

As always, BenQ keeps Mac users in mind by providing a Mac version of its DisplayPilot app, which provides features such as an ‘M-book’ mode that is designed to match the color settings on a Mac. The display also supports 100% of the sRGB color space, and 95% of DCI-P3, so it can handle a wide range of graphics and design tasks. Our only real complaint is that the display only provides modest levels of brightness – 350nits or 400nits with HDR – compared to 500nits for my office iMac. It also works with Benq’s Display ColorTalk and  Palette Master Ultimate color calibration tools.

The built-in speakers are pretty feeble too, but the PD2706UA does have a 3.5mm audio connector so you can use headphones or external speakers if you want to.

Some professional users might prefer a more expensive display that supports 100% of DCI-P3, but the PD2706UA will be a good, affordable option if you just need a 4K display for use at home or in the office, with the added bonus of the versatile ergonomic arm thrown in for good measure.–Cliff Joseph

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Connections: USB-C (90W PD), USB-B, 2x HDMI, DisplayPort
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait

The Alogic Clarity is a stunning 27-inch display with built-in hub and a fantastic height-adjustable, tilt and pivot stand. It will appeal to Mac users with its Apple looks and is even, in some ways, a superior monitor to Apple’s own Studio Display, although its 4K resolution isn’t as sharp as Apple’s 5K screen.

The stand is one of the best we’ve seen, and easily beats Apple’s standard monitor stand.

It features multiple display connections and can power your MacBook at up to 90W via either USB-C or USB-B.

There is also a Clarity Pro model that features a built-in retractable webcam, although we prefer a standalone webcam (check out our favorite Mac webcams), as well as a touchscreen version reviewed above.–Simon Jary

Size: 34-inch
Resolution: WQHD (3440 x 1440 pixels)
Connections: Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.0, 2 USB-A ports (and a USB service port for servicing), a DisplayPort (version 1.2), an ethernet port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Curved landscape

The Samsung VIewFinity S65TC is a 34-inch display but it’s more wide than tall, so it’s like working on two displays side by side. The S65TC also offers a high refresh rate, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and easy-to-use controls. It’s a nice display at a reasonable price.

The ViewFinity S65TC supports Thunderbolt 4 and you can use it to connect to a Mac. One of the Thunderbolt 4 ports delivers 90 watts of power (it’s labeled with a laptop and Thunderbolt icons), so you’ll want to use that port to connect to a MacBook so it can charge the laptop while connected. If you prefer, you can connect it via the HDMI 2.0 port. The display also has 2 USB-A ports (and a USB service port for servicing the display), a DisplayPort (version 1.2), an ethernet port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

The S65TC’s contrast is quite good, but the color reproduction feels watered down, especially if you put it next to an iMac, for example. Brightness is also in the lower spectrum at 350 nits–the Apple Studio Display’s brightness is 600 nits. Even a MacBook Air has more screen brightness at 500 nits.–Petter Ahrnstedt

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Connections: USB-C (100W PD), 2x HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, 2x 10Gbps USB-A, USB-B, audio mini-jack, Gigabit Ethernet
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait

The Spectrum One with Gorilla Glass is worth a look if you’re in the market for a display and cringe at the $1,599 starting price of the Apple Studio Display.

There are a few trade-offs: it’s 4K resolution rather than 5K, and it lacks speakers, a microphone, and a webcam. The height-adjustable stand costs an extra $99.

Its overall image quality isn’t as good as the Studio Display, but it’s still very good for even professional-level image work.

A Mac can also use one of the two HDMI 2.1 ports, but by connecting through USB-C you’ll also be able to use the display as a hub and its other USB-C port (15 watts), the two USB-A ports, and the 3.5 mm audio jack.

It has a few advantages over the Studio Display, such as a variable refresh rate to a maximum of 144Hz, a higher maximum brightness, and it can connect to game consoles at 120Hz. Overall, it’s a display that’s worth the investment.

This model is sold on Amazon in the U.K. but with a delivery estimation of more than three months and the European sales are in Euros, so not really one for the U.K. market.–Roman Loyola

Size: 2x 24-inch
Resolution: HD 1080p (1920-x-1080 pixels)
Connections: 2x HDMI, 2x USB-C (65W PD), 2x USB-A, Gigabit Ethernet, Audio In/Out
Webcam: Yes
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Rotation
Orientation: Stacked landscape

The Mobile Pixels Geminos is a monitor curiosity that might take your fancy. Instead of having two screens side by side, the Geminos stacks two on top of each other, with the ability to fold the whole thing down flat if you want to.

Having two screens stacked on top of each other will save your neck from frequent twisting plus a bunch of freed-up desk space too.

The two joined 24-inch screens are HD rather than 4K so won’t suit those who want the deepest, richest colors, but as a productivity option, we applaud Mobile Pixels for the idea and comfortable dual-screen alternative.

Setup is a little complicated, and you can buy two separate monitors cheaper, although not stacked vertically, for which you would need a special mount.

There’s even a version, Geminos T, with a touchscreen for the lower monitor.–Simon Jary

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)
Connections: USB-C (65W PD), 2x HDMI, DisplayPort
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Landscape

The Asus ProArt PA279CV is a 4K monitor that offers accurate color and important “pro” features such as accurate gamma presets. It even has USB-C connectivity, making it an excellent choice for creators looking to upgrade from their laptop display.

It’s not a great-looking monitor, with larger than average display bevels on the plasticky chassis. It’s not luxurious but it’s fine for an office or workstation.

Asus’ ProArt PA279CV is a sensible choice for content creators who want a color accurate 4K monitor but don’t want to clean out their savings account.

Connected via USB-C, it can charge a MacBook at up to 65W—enough for a MacBook Air or 14-inch MacBook Pro.–Matthew S.Smith

Read a full Asus ProArt PA279CV review.

Size: 31.5-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Connections: Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 3, 3x USB-A ports, 1x USB-C port, 1x USB-B port, 2x HDMI 2.0 ports, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, audio jack
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Landscape

The BenQ PD3225U 4K display offers high display quality and many practical functions. It’s ideal for design, desktop publishing, and photo and video editing–it’s a good all-around display. Thanks to the Thunderbolt connection, it is ideal as a Mac docking station.

Using Thunderbolt, the display offers four USB ports and an additional Thunderbolt socket into a practical docking station. The second Thunderbolt port also serves as a daisy-chain connection, which can be used to connect a second monitor. The rest of the ports are located on the rear of the display. The PD3225U also offers two HDMI 2.0 ports and DisplayPort 1.4.

Content on the PD3225U is always clearly recognizable thanks to a peak brightness of 400 nits and a contrast ratio of 2,000:1. The PD3225Q is also an exceptionally evenly illuminated panel with no halos or similar display problems. The matte screen is coated with an anti-glare coating that largely prevents reflections from light sources. It also works with Benq’s Display ColorTalk and  Palette Master Ultimate color calibration tools.

The PD3225U also supports BenQ’s own Display Pilot software. This tool allows you to conveniently control the PD3225U from the Mac via the menu bar.–Christian Rentrop

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 2K (2560×1440 pixels) aka HD
Connections: 4x USB-A, USB-C, HDMI 1.4, 2x DisplayPort 1.2
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel Floor, Joint (Rotation)
Orientation: Landscape

Apple’s Studio Display and Pro Display are seriously expensive, and they’re very much designed for professional and creative users who need 5K or 6K displays for graphics and video work. Not everyone needs such a high-res display though, and I’ve always found that a QHD (quad-HD) display with 2,560×1,440 resolution is the affordable sweet spot that works well for both general office work and off-duty entertainment. HP’s somewhat clumsily named E27u G4 is a good option here, providing an attractive QHD display with a variety of connectivity features for just $424/£286.80.

You’re not going to get a top-of-the-range display for that price, and the E27u does lack a few added extras, such as a built-in webcam or speakers. It gets all the basics right, though, with good image quality, multiple video inputs, and a useful built-in USB hub. The display’s 250 nits brightness may be relatively modest, but we found that the E27u looks bright and sharp enough for working with productivity software such as Microsoft Office, and also for streaming video from the BBC iPlayer and Apple TV+. And while Apple charges an extra £400 for an upgrade that allows you to adjust the height of its Studio Display—which is more than the entire cost of the E27u—you can tilt, swivel and adjust the height of the E27u, and even rotate it into upright (portrait) mode at no extra cost.

The E27u includes HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C interfaces for connecting to your Mac, with the USB-C port also providing 65W power to charge a MacBook or other laptop if required. When using the USB-C connection you can also use four USB-A ports to connect devices such a keyboard, mouse or hard drive, and there’s also a second DisplayPort interface that will allow you to daisy-chain a second monitor if required. Our only complaint is that there’s no audio connector that would allow you to connect headphones or a set of external speakers to the display – although HP does sell a special ‘speaker bar’ that bolts onto the bottom of the screen if you want to add audio ($43.00/£40.00).–Cliff Joseph

Size: 15.6-inch
Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD
Connections: 3x USB-C
Webcam: No
Stand: Foldable
Orientation: Landscape

This 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display doubles most laptops’ screen space and is simple to setup and connect, and then disconnect and lightweight enough to carry away when you’re done.

Weighing just 1.85lb (840g) with its cover/stand or 1.35lb (615g) without, it is barely noticeable alongside your laptop in your backpack or briefcase

On the back of the display is a detachable PU vinyl cover that can protect the screen in transit or storage and doubles up as a foldable stand that is easy to setup.–Simon Jary

Size: 24-inch
Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD
Connections: USB-C or HDMI to host
Webcam: No
Stand: Foldable
Orientation: Landscape

Portable monitors are usually associated with travel but, in reality, most never leave the home or office they’re shipped to. Many purchase portable monitors not for their portability but instead their versatility and ease of use—so it can be moved across a home or corporate office. At home, it could let you have two home office setups without two monitors, or simply be stored out of sight in a cupboard when not in use. In an office, it could be carried to meetings if you need to lead a presentation or study a large spreadsheet.

The Asus ZenScreen MB249C pairs a 24-inch screen with several stand options including a kickstand/handle that makes it easy to tote around a house or corporate office. It provides excellent image quality for its intended purpose. It’s bright enough and scores well in contrast, color gamut, and color accuracy, all while avoiding notable problems or pitfalls.

The MB249C is a great choice for a second decent-sized monitor, too, as it offers multiple ways to mount and orient it alongside your primary monitor.–Matthew S. Smith

Read a full Asus ZenScreen MB249C review on PCWorld.

Size: 14-inch
Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD
Connections: USB-C or HDMI to host
Webcam: No
Stand: Connected
Orientation: Landscape

If you need a bigger screen you can plug a display into your Mac laptop, but if you want multiple screens without the giant extra monitors, a better option is to buy a portable external display. These displays tend to not be much larger than the display on your laptop, but they don’t add a much more weight and can more than double your screen space.

The Limink LK14 portable Tri-screen Monitor is a screen extender that your MacBook fits into and adds a 14-inch screen either side of the laptop’s own. It is compatible with 13-16-inch MacBooks, and connects via either USB-C or HDMI cables (included).

Setup is easy and you can attach and detach this extender to your MacBook in about a minute.

It’s HD rather than 4K and so is not as sharp and clear as the MacBook’s own. But it’s fine for spreadsheets, browsers and other mainstream applications. It’s great for adding supplementary screen estate when you’re on a video call, or for presentations.

At $699, it is expensive, but you are paying for portability and two decent screens. The whole package, which comes with a leather protective cover, can be folded up and placed in a drawer when not in use, and is light enough (3.3lbs; 1.5kg) to take with you on your travels.–Simon Jary

Size: 24.5-inch
Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD
Connections: HDMI to host
Webcam: No
Stand: Foldable
Orientation: Landscape

This clever display is actually an LED Pico projector that can transform into a fold-out 24.5-inch monitor via a collapsible shroud that surrounds the projector as it projects the image from your computer via the HDMI connection. The price is high but this portable all-environment, 2-in-1 screen might solve your display needs away from a standard desk setup.

Setup is easy and there’s a useful video available for teaching you all its tricks. When collapsed the whole thing fits into a small box a bit larger than an iPad mini or over-ear headphones case (see our photo above), albeit quite a fat one, at 9.5 x 9.5 x 3.5 inches. It weighs 2.5lbs (1.1kg), so combined with the foldability it’s more portable than traditional fixed and firmer monitors.

The 24.5-inch screen displays a native 1920 x 1080 resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio, with a max brightness of 760 nits in display mode.

While the nanomaterial screen is flexible, it is taut and wrinkle-free. You adjust focus and brightness via controls on the top of the projector body. Comapred to a standard hard monitor it’s not as great for reading a lot of small text on the screen but its target function for viewing from distance.

The Splay is marketed at on-the-road presentations and trade shows, videos, but it would work as well for showing videos at home or on a camping trip when a laptop just isn’t large enough. The 44Wh battery should keep the screen bright for up to four hours and handily can triple-up as a power bank to top up your phone or laptop via USB-C. It has stereo speakers built-in, with volume controls on the projector.

A 35-inch version of the Splay is planned for launch in August.