5 Best Budget Monitors for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro

Apple’s MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are more useful when you hook them to a monitor. As long as you have a USB Type-C adapter or hub along with the right USB Type-C to HDMI cable, you can view the contents of your MacBook on a bigger screen. If you want to keep things simple or it’s the first time you’re getting a larger screen, it’s best to stick to budget monitors for your MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. 

These monitors are far more affordable than their Thunderbolt monitors or 4K counterparts while not making several compromises. We have tried to include as many USB Type-C monitors as possible for seamless connectivity, but there are a couple of non-USB Type-C displays. However, let that not deter you from checking them out because the other features make up for it and ensure you get the best value.

Let’s check some of the best budget monitors for your MacBook. But first,

• Want to get a lot of work done simultaneously? Take a look at some busi­ness mon­i­tors for a dual mon­i­tor setup.
• Carry a large screen wherever you go by getting portable slid­ing mon­i­tors for laptops.
• It’s best to pick up a USB Type-C cable with Power Delivery for fast-charging your Mac.

1. LG 29WN600-W UltraWide Monitor

• Resolution: 2560 x 1080 (Ultrawide) | Size: 29-inch | Panel: IPS
• USB Type-C: No
• Ports: 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x 3.5mm Audio

It’s one of the least expensive monitors on this list, and for the price, it delivers impressive picture quality. At the same time, the IPS screen panel makes sure that you get vivid colors and wide viewing angles. If we talk numbers, the LG 29WN600-W can display 98.5% of the sRGB color spectrum.

At the same time, the panel is bright and can go up to 300cd/m2, which is more than sufficient for regular office work.

The ergonomics are fairly decent. Again it’s a budget monitor, so you will have to give up on features such as height adjustments. It offers minimal tilt adjustments. But the good news is that you can mount it on a monitor arm. You also get a decent amount of ports. The lack of a dedicated USB Type-C port means you will have to use a USB Type-C hub or adapter to connect it to your Mac.

Why you should buy it: The ultrawide screen gives you ample screen real estate. It’s an excellent option if you’re looking for a cheap ultrawide monitor for your MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

2. ASUS ProArt Display PA247CV Monitor

• Resolution: 2560×1440 | Size: 27-inch | Panel: IPS
• USB Type-C: Yes
• Ports: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort Out, 4 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB Type-C

For one, this monitor offers refresh rate of 75Hz. This translates into smooth scrolling while going through long web pages. Plus, you can also expect movies and videos to be smooth.

This 27-inch display is more than sufficient to run multiple windows side by side, provided the app supports it. And on the off-chance that you’d connect it to a Windows laptop, you can reap maximum benefits from the DisplayPort connection. With it, you can daisy chain multiple monitors, thereby reducing cable clutter.

Why you should buy it: This budget monitor brings an interesting mix of features, which includes a USB Type-C PD port, a color-accurate display, and a 75Hz refresh rate.

3. HP E24u G4 USB-C Monitor

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Size: 24-inch | Panel: IPS
• USB Type-C: Yes (100 W)
• Ports: 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 Out, 1 x USB Type-C downstream, 4 x USB 3.1 downstream

Surprisingly, the HP E24u has a wide array of ports. Apart from the USB Type-C ports, there are HDMI and DisplayPort connectors.

As noted earlier, this monitor is designed for regular office work and is not ideal for color-critical work. However, you can dabble with casual photo editing.

Why you should buy it: The HP E24u is an affordable business monitor and is perfect for regular office work.

You can also check out the Samsung SJ55W 34-inch 4K ultrawide monitor, especially if you want a much bigger screen. It’s in the same price bracket as the ones above. It doesn’t have a USB Type-C port, and you will have to get a USB hub to make the connection.

Buy Samsung SJ55W Monitor

4. LG 27UK650-W UHD Monitor

• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Size: 27-inch | Panel: IPS
• USB Type-C: No
• Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x 3.5mm

It has a premium look, all thanks to the slim bezels and the curved monitor stand. The stand is ergonomic, and you will be able to adjust the height by around 100 mm. The viewing angle is decent at 178-angle, and if you have to share your screen with your colleagues from time to time, it shouldn’t be an issue.

The affordable price tag means you will have to give up on some features and in this case, it’s the HDR. Though it supports HDR 10, the resulting picture quality when playing HDR quality leaves a little to be desired. The lack of local dimming and the low brightness ceiling may not deliver dark or deep color like its premium counterparts and can result in washed-out colors at times.

Here too, you do not get a USB Type-C port. Instead, you get to pick from dual HDMI 2.0 ports and a DisplayPort 1.2. Without a dedicated USB Type-C port, you will have to rely on the good old USB Type-C adapter to connect your Mac to the display.

Why you should buy it: Affordable 4K monitor for Apple MacBooks.

Alternatively, you can check out the LG 34WN750-B monitor. It’s an ultrawide QHD IPS monitor with impressive picture quality and a bright display.

Buy LG 34WN750-B Monitor

5. Dell P2720DC Monitor

• Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Size: 27-inch | Panel: IPS
• USB Type-C: Yes, 65W
• Ports: 1 x HDMI, 1 x USB Type-C, 4 x USB-A, 1 x DisplayPort In, 1 x DisplayPort Out

On top of that, the USB Type-C port can deliver 65W of power, removing the hassle of connecting a power cable separately. And the built-in USB Type-C dock eases the process of connecting laptops. At the same time, the build quality is excellent, and you get a robust stand with this Dell monitor. More importantly, it’s highly ergonomic, and you will be able to tilt, swivel, and rotate the monitor as per your requirement.

This new Dell 1440p monitor boasts a sleek design and renders almost a bezel-less design. Apart from productivity-focused work, this monitor for MacBooks can also be used for color-correction work. If we talk numbers, it covers 99% of the sRGB color space and 82.6 percent of the DCI-P color space.

Why you should buy it: Ergonomic and productivity-focused monitor.

FAQs for Budget Monitors for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro

The Second Eye

If you pick up any of the best budget monitors for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro from above, do get a laptop riser to go with it. With both screens at the same level, you will be able to work more efficiently. And trust me, your neck will thank you. Alternatively, you can take the deal further by mounting it on a desk mount (provided the monitor has VESA-compatible mounts).