The 4 Best 5k Monitors - Spring 2024 Reviews

The best 5k monitor we've tested is the Dell U4025QW. It has a 5120x2160 resolution, otherwise known as 5k2k, and has the same vertical resolution as a 4k screen but with more horizontal pixels. This ultrawide screen is extremely useful if you're working on large spreadsheets or comparing significant amounts of information while writing. It's also an excellent choice for video editing, as you can display far more tools and information on screen while editing. It has very sharp text, so documents and data are clear and easy to read, and its 120Hz refresh rate makes it more responsive than most office monitors when scrolling through documents or data. It also has superb accuracy before calibration and vibrant, life-like colors in HDR, making it a great choice for editing photos or videos.

Though its main feature is the amount of information it can display, it also has several features to enhance productivity. This includes a KVM switch, allowing you to switch between sources and use the same keyboard and mouse connected to the monitor. It also has DisplayPort Alt Mode support with at least 90W of power delivery, so you can connect to the monitor and your laptop with a single cable. However, it's also very expensive. If you're looking for a very similar monitor that costs less, consider the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW. Though it's the same size, it doesn't support HDR, so colors aren't as vibrant, and it only has a 60Hz refresh rate, so it's not as responsive when scrolling through documents or data.

If you find that the screen on the Dell U4025QW isn't wide enough for you, there's a class of 5k monitors with a 5120x1440 resolution known as super ultrawide. The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9/G95NA S49AG95 has a massive 49-inch monitor and 32:9 aspect ratio, equivalent to placing two 27-inch, 1440p monitors side-by-side. It also has an aggressively curved screen that makes it easier to see the entire screen, as the curvature brings the edges closer to you.

It differs from the Dell because it's mainly designed as a gaming monitor with a higher 240Hz refresh rate, variable refresh rate (VRR) support, and good motion handling. However, you can use it for a variety of uses as the large screen provides enough space to multitask, and the pixel density is still high enough that the text clarity is good. Luckily, it has good reflection handling and incredible peak brightness, which are great if you want to use it in a well-lit room. Even if you use it in a dark environment, it displays deep blacks, and the Mini LED local dimming feature helps improve the picture quality in dark scenes.

If you like the super ultrawide format of the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9/G95NA S49AG95 but want something mainly for watching content in dark rooms with outstanding picture quality, check out the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9/G95SC S49CG95. It has the same size and resolution as the Neo G9 but differs in a few ways because it uses another panel technology. Instead of Mini LED backlighting like the Neo G9, it has a QD-OLED panel that displays perfect blacks without any blooming around bright objects, so it's fantastic in dark rooms.

While it doesn't get as bright with most content as the Neo G9, small highlights still stand out against the rest of the image, and the monitor also displays a wide range of bright and vivid colors. This means images look vibrant and realistic, which is ideal for watching the latest shows and movies. However, it's important to know that OLEDs like this risk permanent burn-in with exposure to the same static elements over time; even if you constantly have black bars on the side of the screen, it can be problematic. If that concerns you, it's better to stick with the Neo G9.

All the monitors above are ultrawide displays, but there's another class of 5k monitors that aren't ultrawide, with a higher 5120x2880 resolution that macOS is optimized for. If you have a Mac computer, check out the Apple Studio Display. It's a 27-inch monitor with features you can only use with macOS, like its exceptionally accurate sRGB picture mode. It also supports Thunderbolt 3 on one port, making it easy to connect your computer, but it doesn't support Thunderbolt 4 like the Dell U4025QW. It has other features most monitors don't have, like a built-in webcam and microphone, which are great for video calls.

It's available in different variants, as you can choose which stand or screen finish you prefer. There's one variant with a stand that only offers tilt adjustment, but you can get another variant with a height-adjustable stand. Additionally, you can get it without a stand altogether if you prefer mounting it. As for the screen finish, you can choose between glossy or matte screen coatings, and both handle reflections extremely well. There are other 5k monitors available, like the LG UltraFine 5k, which is slightly cheaper but harder to find as it's an older monitor.