Forget the Apple Studio Display: Here are 3 best value monitors for Mac with similar visual quality

Apple launched a new Studio Display monitor earlier this week
It has many improvements but is missing some features
You can get similar features at lower prices with these alternative displays

Apple released a suite of new monitors this week, which includes a Studio Display that is receiving its first updates since 2022. But despite its new features and improvements, it falls short in a few areas. This means it may not be the right choice for you.

Fortunately, there are many other options. Here we found three monitors that are great alternatives to Apple’s Studio Display.

1. BenQ MA270S

(Image credit: TechPowerUp)

BenQ is renowned for making some of the best monitors on the market, and its new MA270S continues that trend with a range of features that match (and often exceed) what you get from Apple.

For example, it offers the same 5K resolution, a 27-inch bezel, and IPS LED backlighting. Its 70Hz refresh rate is faster than the Studio Display’s 60Hz, and it supports HDR10, which Apple’s offering doesn’t. There is a Nano Gloss texture option, which is similar to Apple’s “nano-textured glass” and eliminates reflections and reflections. And BenQ’s MA270S costs $1,000 / £899, which is $600 / £600 less than Apple’s Studio Display.

That said, there are some downsides. The MA270S’s 450 nits of peak brightness falls short of the Studio Display’s 600 nits, for example. It’s also missing Apple-specific features like True Tone, which dynamically adjusts the screen temperature based on your ambient lighting.

The Studio Display offers Thunderbolt 5 connectivity (BenQ’s MA270S is limited to Thunderbolt 4) and a 12MP camera with integrated Center Stage and Desk View. Finally, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to come close to the audio experience you’ll find on the six-speaker Studio Display, as the MA270S only has half the number of speakers.

Still, for $600/£600 less, these limitations might not bother you. Considering the savings, this is an attractive option.

2. Asus ProArt PA27JCV screen

The Asus ProArt PA27JCV monitor placed on a desk next to a laptop

(Image credit: Asus)

Asus is best known for its gaming products, but it also has a ProArt line aimed at the same creatives who might be interested in what Apple has to offer. The ProArt Display PA27JCV therefore constitutes an interesting alternative to the Studio Display.

You get a 27-inch screen, 60Hz refresh rate, 5K resolution, and an IPS LED backlit panel, just like the Studio Display. Asus’ monitor offers slightly less brightness (500 nits compared to the Studio Display’s 600 nits) but supports HDR10 and is compatible with DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB color spaces – the Studio Display only works with the former, while you’ll have to fork out for the $3,299 / £2,999 Studio Display XDR if you want Apple’s Adobe RGB support.

Like the BenQ MA270S, the Asus screen has its share of drawbacks. There’s no front-facing camera, no True Tone equivalent, and no Thunderbolt 5 (there’s no Thunderbolt support at all, in fact). Then again, it costs $799 / £649 (currently down from the usual £749), which is half the asking price of the Studio Display. There’s nothing to sniff at.

3.INNOCN 40C1U

innocn 40C1u review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

At first glance, you might think that the INNOCN 40C1U is too good to be true. After all, it surpasses the Studio Display in many ways – its 40-inch ultra-wide screen and 100Hz refresh rate are well beyond what you get from Apple – but it only costs $750/£795, less than half of what Apple wants for the Studio Display.

The benefits don’t stop there. For your money, you get 5K resolution, Adobe RGB compatibility, and much more ergonomic freedom (including height, tilt, and swivel adjustments) than the Studio Display. It also offers AMD’s FreeSync Premium in case you want to get in some gaming. All of this led us to give it 4.5 stars in our review.

Of course, INNOCN has to make sacrifices somewhere. For one thing, the 40C1U doesn’t look as good as the Studio Display. On the other hand, there is no support for Thunderbolt or 10-bit colors and it does not have any type of webcam. The peak brightness of 400 nits is bested by Apple’s 600 nits and its dual speakers will be blown away by the Studio Display’s six-speaker system. But for $750/£795 (note that INNOCN doesn’t ship directly to the UK), it still adds a lot.

1. BenQ MA270S

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