BestUSB-C Monitors for MacbooksiMore2019
Portable Gaming 10.1 inch 2K Monitor Dual HDMI Display Resolution 2560x1600 LCD Screen IPS USB Powered for PS3 PS4 Xbox Ns xbox360 PC MAC Raspberry Pi. Like most portable USB monitors, the MB168B+ is powered by a DisplayLink chip, so EZlink just installs either the Mac or Windows DisplayLink drivers for you. However, we preferred downloading the.
If your daily-use Mac is a MacBook and you need a bigger display than the 13 or 15-inch laptop screen, your best bet is LG's 27-inch 4K display for its versatility and price. It's perfect for most people, though there are other monitors better suited to different needs.
Black Friday is a terrific time to score deals on USB-C monitors and since Apple just launched the brand new 16-inch MacBook Pro, you're going to want to save a few dollars when searching for the prefect external display. Our deals team is actively looking for the best deals possible and are updating our buyer's guides whenever deals are found, so you are better informed when the time comes to make a purchase.
Best Overall: LG 27UK850-W
LG's latest 4K display is perfectly sized for most people at 27-inches. It supports a wide range of peripherals, including USB-C, USB-A, DisplayPort, HDMI, and standard headphones.
The best part of this monitor is its ability to power your MacBook while acting as a display so that your battery does not limit you. It can even power the 13-inch MacBook Pro with ease (though it struggles to keep the 15-inch MacBook Pro juiced up more than a trickle during use).
Pros:
- Built-in USB hub for all your peripherals
- Easy setup
- 4K display
- 60Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time
- IPS 3-side borderless display
Best Overall
LG 27UK850-W
The best USB-C monitor for most people.
This 4K monitor is perfectly situated between price and features with a variety of ports, high-speed data transfer, and more.
Source: iMore
The 27-inch Envy has a great display that looks as good as its hardware. It's ultra-thin with a 'micro-edge' bezel, meaning it has a 3-sided nearly bezel-less edge, so you see more on the screen than, say an iMac's 27-inch screen. The USB-C connector powers up to the 13-inch MacBook Pro (it'll trickle charge the 15-inch MacBook Pro, too) so you won't have to worry about battery drain.
It's got a small base for minimal desktop footprint and can be mounted on a wall. With two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, and support for AMD FreeSync, it's the perfect gaming display, movie-watching screen, and everyday monitor.
Pros:
- 4K display
- Fast 60Hz refresh rate
- Zero lag for gaming
Best Value
HP Envy 27
An affordable option that looks as great as it performs.
The HP Envy 27 is a quality model monitor for this price. You're getting the biggest bang for your buck.
Source: iMore
The price tag on the LG UltraFine 4K is very appealing. You can have a quality 4K monitor that works seamlessly with your Mac. Though it doesn't have the Apple design aesthetic, the good stuff is all on the inside. Just like an Apple brand monitor, all of the monitor's controls are available in the settings section of your Mac.
This 24-inch display fits right into the pocket of reasonably priced and excellent quality if you don't mind the boxy black look. As for the price, you can get two of them for almost the price of one LG UltraFine 5K Display.
Pros:
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Dual-screen full 4K display support
- Supports 85W charging
- Easy to set up
Best for daisy-chain
LG UltraFine 4K
Dual-screen full 4K support.
Hook up two for a beautiful, bright, and convenient workflow for your Mac laptop.
Source: iMore
Though LG's UltraFine 5K was designed specifically with Apple's MacBook Pro in mind; it's the 34WK95U-W that wins our hearts. This 5K monitor has a 5120 x 2160 resolution, 34-inch display, a Thunderbolt 3 port, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort port, and a couple of USB-A ports. It's more versatile than the UltraFine, and that's ultra-fine with us.
Pros:
- Pro-quality technology
- Nano ISP color 5K display
- USB hub
- Versatile input options
Cons:
- No built-in camera or microphone
- Poor built-in speaker quality
Premium option
LG 34WK95U-W Nano-ISP UltraWide
From MacBook to iMac with LG and Thunderbolt 3.
Use LG's UltraWide monitor with your Mac laptop and daisy chain it with a second 4K monitor.
Source: iMore
With LG's latest update to its UltraFine 5K monitor, you can use it along with your 2018 (or later) iPad Pro with USB-C. That's because the monitor now supports USB-C and Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt 3 charges the MacBook Pro, and the three USB-C ports offer 5Gbps downstream. Its 27 inches big, which is about the size of Apple's larger iMac, and has a similar P3 wide color gamut with 500 nits brightness. For full 5K resolution on a larger display, the UltraFine 5K is your perfect choice.
Its biggest downfall is that it doesn't quite have that Apple aesthetic. LG has designed an attractive Edge-Arcline base for some of its monitors, which looks better with Apple products. The UltraFine 5K, unfortunately, still has that big, boxy black base.
Pros:
- Up to 5K resolution
- Designed for Apple
- Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C
- Built-in speakers, camera, and mic
Best for iPad Pro
LG UltraFine 5K
Full 5K display plus support for USB-C.
If your workflow includes both a MacBook Pro and an iPad Pro, this is the monitor you want.
Source: iMore
The future is curved, and LG is the pioneer of bending the display rules. This 38-inch UltraWide monitor has a 21:9 ratio with split-screen support and is perfect for graphic designers and professional photo and video editors. The display has a USB-C data transfer port, two USB- A ports, plus a couple of HDMI ports and a DisplayPort port.
Pros:
- Well-designed
- Easy setup
- Versatile ports
- Good built-in audio
Best Curved
LG 38WK95C-W Curved UltraWide
Ahead of the curve.
If you need to charge your Mac laptop and transfer data at the same time, you're in luck.
Source: ASUS
The ZenScreen is a favorite around the iMore office for its incredible portability. It's a 15.6-inch screen with a USB-C connector. You can rotate between landscape and portrait mode, and it's compatible with Thunderbolt 3. If you need a second screen when you're headed for the coffee shop, this takes up just the right amount of space without being a burden on your portability.
Pros:
- Weighs less than 2 pounds
- Ultra-slim at only 8mm thick
- Comes with its own cover
- 60Hz refresh rate
Best on a budget
ASUS ZenScreen
As portable as it gets.
The ZenScreen is ASUS's very portable monitor with its own USB-C port, a great-looking IPS panel, and more.
Source: iMore
Graphic designers, photographers, and videographers win big with BenQ's DesignVue 4K Display. It's built for you. The variety of display modes are useful, and the incredibly easy way to switch between them, including split-screen, is an absolute pleasure to use.
The screen meets all your high-quality resolution needs. The blacks are deep, the reds are bright, and the whites are so bright you almost need sunglasses. I actually worked in Dark mode for a while, which reduced the brightness a bit, while still keeping the screen clear.
Pros:
- Sharp picture
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Legacy ports
- Multi-angle stand
- Supports daisy-chain monitors
- Comes with its own hotkey controller
- Variety of screen filter options onboard
Cons:
![Usb powered monitor for mac mini Usb powered monitor for mac mini](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125853287/214593841.jpg)
- Connection ports are terribly positioned
- Not as Mac-friendly as LG's UltraFine 4K display
- Poor quality speakers
Best for creatives
BenQ PD2720U DesignVue 4K
Space saver.
If you're a graphic designer, photographer, or videographer, you're going to love the variety of display modes here.
Bottom line
Picking the right second screen for your MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro is a difficult one. It's important to consider how much room you have on your desk, what you plan to use your Mac laptop for, and how much you can afford. That's why the LG 27UK850-W is the perfect fit for most people. At 27-inches, it's big, but not too big. It's got an incredible 4K screen resolution and a variety of versatile ports for connecting all manner of peripherals.
If the LG 27Uk850 is just a bit out of your range, the HP Envy 27 truly is the next best thing. With 4K resolution and USB-C support, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles that the LG model does, but it's got everything you need to make your second screen work for you. Your most significant compromise is that there are fewer ports than the more expensive model, and the base isn't as sturdy.
A word about Black Friday deals
Apple's laptops come with USB-C ports only now. Because of this, USB-C monitors have grown in popularity. When looking for a monitor, decide on the size you want and the display quality. From there, find the best one for the price. When it comes time to buy, stick to your goals. And make sure not to overbuy.
This year we expect to see plenty of Black Friday deals on USB-C monitors, including those for the biggest names in the business, including LG, HP, and ASUS. Hopefully, we'll see great deals with some of our favorites, like the ones mentioned above.
Our deals team is on the lookout for the best Black Friday discounts on monitors for your favorite Mac laptops, whether it's a new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or legacy MacBook. As deals are found, we'll let you know!
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Lory Gil is iMore's managing editor and spends more time in front of her monitors than she does anywhere else. She's constantly switching between desktop and mobile for work and knows how important an easy setup is.
Luke Filipowicz is iMore's gaming guru and knows how important a great monitor with zero lag is. If he had the room on his desk, he'd surround himself with 360-degrees of 4k displays.
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BestUSB-C MonitorsWindows Central2019
USB-C is becoming more and more popular in newer PCs; it's backed up by super-fast data transfer in the form of USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt 3. Through the one single cable and connector, you can power an external display, hook up to USB peripherals, and even charge your laptop. If you're looking to use a USB-C display with your laptop or desktop PC, then get yourself something like the LG 27UD88.
Better still, with Black Friday around the corner now is a great time to shop for a top-quality new PC monitor. There will be deals aplenty on these and other top choices that will be well worth taking advantage of. We're hoping to see deals from the brands featured here, including LG, HP, BenQ and ASUS. And we're frequently updating our buyer's guides to ensure we're offering the best buying advice and featuring the best deals to help you save money.
Latest Black Friday USB-C Monitor Deals
Best overall - LG 27UD88
Source: LG
About the very best USB-C monitor you can buy right now, LG has put together a stunning package with a 27-inch 4K panel. Via one cable, you can power a laptop, send video, and use the monitor as a USB hub, with the ability to interface with peripherals plugged into the two built-in USB 3.0 ports.
You also have 14 options for layout, so you can view multiple windows simultaneously, so while you've got a laptop plugged in via USB-C, you can also attach an HDMI device like a desktop PC or even an Xbox One.
![Usb c monitors Usb c monitors](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125853287/264321782.jpg)
The best part is its ability to power a laptop while acting as a display. If you regularly plug a laptop into a monitor, this is the one to do it with.
Pros
- Great looking display
- USB-C power to charge laptop
- 4K display
- Multi-window tool
Best Overall
LG 27UD88
All the monitor you ever need.
This is particularly good for laptop users, thanks to its ability to charge your notebook over USB-C while also giving you a big, gorgeous screen.
Source: HP
HP makes some of the finest looking PC hardware around right now, and the Envy 27 is no exception. Its elegant style will make any setup stand out.
With 178-degree viewing angles and minimal bezels, the Envy 27 is perfect for multi-monitor setups. The panel is 4K resolution and also has support for AMD FreeSync when connected to compatible PCs, which means you can game on it and have silky, tear-free images.
It also has the all-important USB-C connection for video connection from a laptop and is capable of delivering enough power to keep it charged while connected.
Pros
- Great looking display
- USB-C power to charge laptop
- 4K resolution
- AMD Freesync for gaming
Best for gaming
HP Envy 27
Game away with one or more of these
A sizeable 4K display with AMD Freesync for silky smooth, tear-free gaming.
Source: ASUS
The ASUS ZenScreen GO is a portable 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display that you can hook up to your laptop over a single USB-C cable. It also has a built-in battery for four hours of use where it won't drain your laptop's power. That on its own makes this worth packing along with your notebook.
You get a full HD 15.6-inch display to use alongside your laptop or Android smartphone, and thanks to the USB-A adapter included, older laptops can also come to play, but it's that USB-C port that really makes the magic happen. One single cable is all you need, and the chances are it's the same one you also charge your laptop or phone with.
And the last neat trick to know about is the hole on the bottom right. You can pop even just a pen in there as a handy stand if you don't have the case.
Pros:
- Light and portable.
- Can use Type-C or Type-A ports.
- Doesn't drain laptop battery.
- Works with Android smartphones, too.
Cons:
- Origami cover is just OK.
- No touch support.
- Build quality is questionable in places.
Best portable
ASUS ZenScreen GO
A second screen you can pack in a laptop bag
USB-C enabled, an internal battery, and a great looking display make up this nifty portable monitor.
Source: LG
Ultrawide monitors are more popular than ever, and this affordable 34-inch one from LG has USB-C with power delivery for a laptop alongside a huge 21:9 panel.
The resolution is limited to full HD, but as it's wide, not tall, it still looks great and helps keep the cost down. Getting a good Ultrawide with both USB-C and an attractive price is nothing to be sniffed at.
With a 75Hz refresh rate, FreeSync and 1ms response time, it's also good if you like to game. There are limitations like only supporting HDMI 1.4 and not 2.0, and there aren't a heap of display inputs, but for the price, there's little to be genuinely disappointed with.
Pros:
- Huge Ultrawide display
- AMD Freesync
- Height adjustable
- 1ms response time
Best Ultrawide
LG 34UM69G-B
Work wider and smarter
An affordable, high-quality monitor with a vast Ultrawide display, USB-C, and gamer-friendly features makes this a real catch.
Source: BenQ
For those chasing the ultimate image quality for multimedia or professional work, this 4K HDR 32-inch display from BenQ is just the ticket. It's big, beautiful, and color accurate, which makes it an excellent choice for photo and video editing in particular.
It also has USB-C, HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 among its box of tricks, as well as a striking design. This is a monitor that will look fantastic in any home or office scenario.
BenQ also built in a low blue light mode to help keep your eyes feeling fresh during those longer sessions.
Pros:
- Large 4K display
- HDR
- HDMI 2.0
- 95% DCI-P3 color gamut
Best HDR
BenQ EW3270U
Big, bright and beautiful
This big HDR monitor not only packs USB-C but the latest HDMI 2.0 and a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut support for accuracy.
The bottom line
It's hard not to be impressed by the 4K LG 27UD88 which looks excellent and is a perfect companion if your laptop is your main PC since it can keep it charged up while connected.
The display is high quality, the monitor design is pretty sleek, and while it's a little pricey, it's worth every penny. It's especially useful if you want to use more than one device with it since the innovative multi-window feature can put both your laptop and another device like a console on screen at the same time.
How to shop for the best Black Friday deals on a new PC monitor
Black Friday is an excellent time to buy a new PC monitor, but it's also a time to shop smart and ensure you don't jump on the wrong deal. Just because something is reduced, doesn't automatically make it a good buy. The primary considerations for choosing a new PC monitor on Black Friday should remain the same as they would if you were shopping at any other time of the year. Consider first the size you're looking for, whether it's for work, creative needs, or gaming, and then assess features such as input lag, response time, refresh rate, and even whether it has an adjustable stand or VESA mount.
You can expect to see Black Friday deals on monitors from leading players, such as LG, AOC, Dell, and HP, and there will be chances to get some truly great deals. Look out for substantial discounts on older models potentially at a significant saving to your wallet. PC monitors age much better than PC components, and last year's model for less is still going to be an excellent buy compared to a mild refresh that costs more.
Our deals team's mission is to deliver the best deals on laptops as we enter one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year, and you'll find them all here on Windows Central.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Richard Devine Richard Devine is an Editor at Windows Central. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Central. Currently, you'll find him covering all manner of PC hardware and gaming.
Rich Edmonds is a staff reviewer at Windows Central, which means he tests out more software and hardware than he cares to remember. Joining Mobile Nations in 2010, you can usually find him inside a PC case tinkering around when not at a screen fighting with Grammarly to use British words. Hit him up on Twitter: @RichEdmonds.
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