The best USB-C monitors have multiple uses, not only do they make it easy to connect your USB-C laptop, meaning you gain an extra display, but they also charge your laptop at the same time. (If you're more worried about charging on the go, then see our best power banks list.)
While easy charging isn't exactly the main point of USB-C monitors, there is a growing need for USB-C compatibility. With the latest MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models making use of USB-C, and many more recent Windows devices also utilising the port, there has never been a better time to grab one of the market's best USB-C monitors.
But which monitor with a USB-C port should you buy? There are a lot of great options out there (see this post for our guide to the best monitors overall), but we've done the hard work for you and gathered them into this guide. Whether you want to go all out on the best 4K USB-C monitor for your MacBook, or a USB-C monitor from a major player like Dell or LG, or even just want the most affordable option you can get, we’ve got you covered…
01. LG 27UD88-W 27-inch 4K USB-C monitor
The best USB-C monitor overall, balancing features and price
Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | HDMI inputs: 2 | Display ports: 1 | Release date: 2018
When it comes to choosing the best 4K USB-C monitor out there, the takes the crown for us. It’s designed for gaming – which means it’s also great for creatives – and it’s the lower-res sibling to the 5K USB-C monitor at number 5 in this list, offering a brilliant balance of features and functionality at a much more affordable price. You’ll get 4K resolution and FreeSync anti-tearing processing, plus three gaming presets, two custom presets, and two calibration presets. And as with all the USB-C options here, it’ll power your laptop while acting as a display.
02. Dell U3818DW UltraSharp 38-inch Curved USB-C monitor
The best USB-C monitor for professionals
Screen size: 38 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 1600 | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | HDMI inputs: 2 | Display ports: 1 | Release date: 2017
If you’ve got a larger budget (and desk) to play with, we’d recommend the big and beautiful . The curved 38-inch InfinityEdge screen is stunning and give you a ridiculous amount of screen real estate, so if you’re prone to working with a lot of windows open this one is worth considering. It’s built for professional work – and aimed in particular at creatives, or anyone who needs the highest colour accuracy possible, and it’s great for gaming too. Contrast could be a little better, but colour accuracy is excellent and images are sharp. Best of all, you get a three-year warranty. (Got even more cash? Try the Asus ProArt PA32UC, at number 7 on this list).
03. Acer H277HU 27-inch USB-C monitor
The best budget USB-C monitor out there
Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | HDMI inputs: 1 | Display ports: 1 | Release date: 2016
The is a more affordable budget USB-C monitor for anyone with less cash to spend. This isn’t a 4K USB-C monitor – and you’re missing the higher-end specs for video editing and graphic design – but it’s an excellent option if you need a display for casual gaming and film-watching, and comes with an HDMI port and a DisplayPort too. (Looking for the best budget USB-C monitor for gaming? Take a look at the Acer XR382CQK 38-inch at number 09.)
04. HP Envy 27-inch 4K USB-C monitor
A good-looking 4K USB-C monitor for creatives
Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | HDMI inputs: 2 | Display ports: 1 | Release date: 2017
Another more affordable option is the – a stunning 4K USB-C monitor with sleek aesthetics, thanks to its micro-thin bezels. It delivers rich colours and excellent image detail, although colour accuracy could be a little better straight out of the box. But if you’re searching for a reasonably priced 4K UHD monitor with wide viewing angles – and that looks great on your desk – it’s worth a look.
05. LG 27MD5KA 27-inch UltraFine 5K USB-C monitor
A stunning 5K USB-C monitor from LG
Screen size: 27 inches | Resolution: 5120 x 2880 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | HDMI inputs: 0 | Display ports: 0 | Release date: 2017
The sits in the high-end monitor market. Pushed by Apple as its MacBook Pro companion of choice, this superb monitor boasts an incredible 14.7 million pixels across its 27-inch screen. Photos and videos are breathtakingly rich in detail, vibrant and lifelike, with 218 pixels per inch and a 60Hz refresh rate. It’s aimed at Mac-users, with four Thunderbolt 3/USB Type-C ports on the back, and absolutely nothing else, save a plug for the power cord. If you don't mind the lack of other ports, this is fabulous option for photographers, designers and videographers.
06. BenQ PV3200PT USB-C monitor
A superior USB-C monitor for video editors and animators
Screen size: 32 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | HDMI inputs: 1 | Display ports: 2 | Release date: 2016
Designed for professional video editors, animators, filmmakers, 3D modellers and CAD designers, the offers rich, very accurate colours and fantastic grayscale reproduction. It covers 100 per cent of the Rec.709 (HDTV) colour gamut as well as 100 per cent of the sRGB colour space, and will even remind you when it's due to be calibrated. Flipping into portrait mode is quick and simple thanks to a spring-loaded rotation mechanism; the only feature it’s missing is blue-light settings. If you work with high-definition video in particular, this is a top performer.
07. Asus ProArt PA32UC USB-C monitor
A pro-level USB-C monitor with a price tag to match
Screen size: 32 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | HDMI inputs: 4 | Display ports: 1 | Release date: 2018
The premium is the most expensive USB-C monitor on our list – and it’s in a different league. Aimed at creative professionals, it boasts a 4K resolution with HDR imaging capabilities, and comes in a sophisticated, USB-C and Thunderbolt 3-equipped package with nearly every feature a creative could want for SDR and HDR work. You get a 100% sRGB colour space coverage, 99.5% Adobe RGB and 95% DCI-P3; plus pro-grade calibration features and a hardware calibration tool in the box. You can do sRGB-accurate work, wide gamut-accurate work, and HDR work with the PA32UC. This isn’t a USB-C monitor aimed at gamers, though – the refresh rate is disappointing; we’d recommend the Acer XR382CQK at number 08 in this list instead. But with strong gamma tracking and colour consistency, but if you’re a professional creative working in anything form film to graphics, this is a mean screen that reproduces content exactly as it’s meant to look.
08. Acer XR382CQK 38-inch curved USB-C monitor
One of the best USB-C monitors for gaming you can get
Screen size: 37.5 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 1600 | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | HDMI inputs: 2 | Display ports: 1 | Release date: 2018
This enormous 38-inch USB-C monitor, the offers AMD’s FreeSync technology and 75Hz, plus an ergonomic stand with height, tilt and swivel, and premium build quality. The curve radius is a gentle 2300mm, which offers an immersive wrap-around effect without image distortion. Colour reproduction is fantastic, while black levels are impressive. And as for gaming – well, it’s wonderful. This is one of the best USB-C monitors for gaming you can get.
09. LG 34UM69G-B 34-inch UltraWide USB-C monitor
The best budget USB-C monitor for gaming
Screen size: 34 inches | Resolution: 2560 x 1080 | HDMI inputs: 1 | Display ports: 1 | Release date: 2018
With 1ms motion blur reduction, FreeSync technology and Dynamic Action sync, the 34-inch is packed with game-friendly features, making it one of the best budget USB-C monitors for gaming you can get right now. Housed in a bezel-free black cabinet, there are three customisable gaming modes: two first-person shooter modes and one pre-set RTS mode. Meanwhile, out-of-the-box colour accuracy is good, with strong grayscale performance. This is a brilliant budget USB-C monitor for the price.
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