Apple’s 32-inch 6K Pro Display XDR is one of the best displays for Macs, but it’s not for everyone — it’s not even for most of us, and there are great alternatives to Apple’s Pro Display XDR on the market. Well, the best USB-C monitors for Mac are great for most people; Having two Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C ports is what makes it the best Pro DIsplay XDR alternative from Apple. If you are looking for an external monitor for your Mac that is easier to pocket, here is a list of monitors that won’t disappoint you.
Our pick of cheaper and better alternatives to Apple’s Pro Display XDR
LG UltraFine 4K Monitor for Mac
Multiple Thunderbolt 3 Ports
With two Thunderbolt 3 ports on this 23.7-inch monitor that can simultaneously handle 4K video, audio, and data, as well as delivering up to 85W of charging power, it’s the perfect monitor for connecting your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. . In addition, three USB-C ports allow you to connect other peripherals such as a USB-C hub or hard drive, and LG’s beautiful IPS Panel with large color gamut P3 has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 for flawless clarity.
LG UltraFine 5K Display for Mac
grandeur 5K
If you love resolution more than anything else, the LG UltraFine 5K Display for Mac is perfect. Although it only has one Thunderbolt 3, it has a total of four USB-C ports to work with. Plus, it comes with a built-in webcam, microphone, and speakers, so it really can be the only monitor you need.
BenQ PD3220U 32 Inch 4K Monitor
Great value for the size
The BenQ PD3220U is not only a Thunderbolt 3 display, which means you can connect sequential displays together but it also has quite a few ports. This monitor has plenty of connections to connect all your favorite devices with a single Thunderbolt 3 port, USB-C port, USB-A port, HDMI port and DisplayPort. Plus, the screen’s 60Hz refresh rate, beautiful P3 wide color gamut, and HDR compatibility make this monitor look amazing right out of its packaging.
Samsung Business Monitor S65UA Series 34″
Curved Without 4K Resolution
If you prefer going the ultra-fast track and don’t mind a bit of a dent in your screen, the Samsung Business S65UA has a 100Hz refresh rate — which looks great. This screen isn’t flabby when it comes to ports either. It’s easy to connect your accessories with a USB-C port, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, two USB-A ports, and a headphone jack.
LG 38WK95C-W UltraWide WQHD+ Curved Monitor
4K Ultra Wide Curved Screen
This 4K Ultra HD curved monitor features one Thunderbolt 3 port, two HDMI ports, two USB-A ports, a DisplayPort and a headphone jack. It gives you access to multiple ports every time you connect your Mac! In addition, a 60Hz refresh rate, a DCI-P3 color gamut of 98%, and a brightness of 600 nits make this Nano IPS LED display full of rich and beautiful colors.
BenQ PD3200Q DesignVue – 32″ Monitor 1440p QHD VA
A great budget USB-C option
If you’re on a tight budget, the Ben Q is the way to go with a 32-inch LED-lit monitor. It features a resolution of 2560 x 1440, which rivals any of the best screens in its class, and the IPS panel also gives it excellent viewing angles. If you’re jumping back and forth between desks and need to go back to the screen constantly, you’ll have a much better time without having to look at it head-on.
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How to Choose Thunderbolt 3 Monitors vs. USB-C
USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 both use the same reversible port, which leads to a lot of confusion about the two protocols. While the USB-C port and the Thunderbolt 3 port look similar, Thunderbolt 3 has some extra hardware compared to the more reliable USB-C port. The biggest and most important difference is that Intel developed Thunderbolt 3. It provides high-bandwidth data transfer between devices, with maximum transfer rates of 40Gbps — on a regular USB-C connection, you won’t get transfer rates that fast.
If your workflow needs the fast transfer speeds or the serialization capabilities of Thunderbolt 3, I’d suggest the LG UltraFine 4K Monitor. It has 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports and 3 additional USB-C ports, giving you plenty of room to connect your favorite accessories.
If you prefer an ultrawide screen, the LG 38WN95C-W is one of the best outdoor monitors we’ve used. It comes with USB-A and HDMI ports, has a great-looking display, and can also deliver up to 94W of power, meaning most MacBooks will still charge when connected to the display. Heck, it’s such a good show that even our Windows-loving friends gave it a great review on Windows Central.