5k monitors are a set of niche monitors with 5120 horizontal pixels, and aren't very common. However, they come in various shapes and sizes with different vertical resolutions, and the market for each type of 5k monitor is different. One type of a 5k monitor is a screen with a 5120x2880 resolution, which is ideal for macOS because the operating system is optimized for displays with such high pixel density.
However, if you aren't a macOS user, you can also consider super ultrawide 5120x1440 monitors that are useful for playing atmospheric games, as you get a ton of screen space. 5k2k ultrawide monitors are yet another type that offer sharp image and text clarity, and usually have big screens, so these can help with productivity. Choosing which type of 5k monitor is right for you depends on your usage and budget, but it's important to remember that most 5k monitors are costly, so you won't find any budget-friendly models with this resolution. We complete nearly 400 tests on every monitor we buy and test to also evaluate how the monitor performs to help you make a buying decision.
We've bought and tested more than 355 monitors, and below are our recommendations for the best monitors with a 5120 horizontal resolution that we've tested. See our recommendations for the best monitors for video editing, the best monitors for photo editing, and the best work monitors.
The best 5k monitor we've tested is the Dell U4025QW. It has a 5120x2160 resolution, otherwise known as 5k2k, making it an ultrawide display. This 21:9 aspect ratio is extremely useful if you need a ton of screen space while working, like if you have multiple windows open. It delivers 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 your work. It also has superb accuracy before calibration in SDR, making it a great choice for editing photos or videos.
Though its main feature is its size, it also has several perks 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 Thunderbolt 4 support with 140W of power delivery, so you can easily connect your laptop to the monitor and charge it with one cable. However, it's also very expensive, so if you want a cheaper 5k2k monitor, check out the LG 40WP95C-W. It performs similarly, but it has fewer features like a smaller USB hub.
If you find that the screen on the Dell U4025QW isn't wide enough, there's a class of 5k monitors with a 5120x1440 resolution known as super ultrawide. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9/G95SC S49CG95 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 your field of vision.
It differs from the Dell because it's mainly designed as a gaming monitor with a higher 240Hz refresh rate, VRR support, and incredible motion handling. It also has much better picture quality, as its QD-OLED panel displays deep and inky blacks in dark rooms with bright highlights and vivid colors, which is great for watching content. However, it has a lower resolution, and text isn't as sharp, so it's not as good for productivity. Additionally, QD-OLEDs like this are prone to burn-in, which is problematic if you need something only for office work, but it isn't so much of a concern if you vary your usage.
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 that interests you and you want to complete your Apple ecosystem, 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 useful 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 it gets bright enough to fight glare in any environment.
Also check out the best monitors for Mac Mini and the best monitors for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
The LG 45GX950A-B is a 5k2k monitor like the Dell U4025QW, with the main difference being that it has more gaming features. It has a 165Hz refresh rate with a Dual-Mode that switches it to a 2560x1080 resolution and 330Hz refresh rate. Combined with its OLED panel's near-instantaneous response time, it's a fantastic gaming monitor. However, it has fewer productivity features than the Dell and costs more.
See our reviewThe ASUS ProArt Display PA27JCV is a 5k monitor that's a cheaper alternative to the Apple Studio Display. While it has fewer features, as it lacks a built-in webcam and microphone, it has a bigger USB hub and a KVM switch. That said, text is less clear due to its aggressive matte coating, and it's harder to find.
See our reviewMay 30, 2025: We replaced the ViewFinity S90PC S27C900P with the ASUS ProArt Display PA27JCV and the LG 45GX950A-B in the Notable Mentions to better reflect the current 5k monitor market.
Feb 19, 2025: We introduced a new format to the article and updated the text to reflect these changes.
Dec 04, 2024: We removed the Apple Pro Display XDR from the Notable Mentions because it has a 6k resolution and is outside the scope of the recommendation.
Sep 17, 2024: We removed the 'Best For Multimedia' category because it doesn't fit into the article's scope, and we replaced the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9/G95NA S49AG95 with the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9/G95SC S49CG95 in the 'Best 5k Super Ultrawide' category because the S49AG95 is becoming hard to find. In Notable Mentions, we removed the Samsung Odyssey G9 and LG 40WP95C-W and added the Samsung ViewFinity S9/S90PC S27C900P.
Jun 26, 2024: Ensured our selections are accurate and consistent.
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best monitors with a 5k resolution that are currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people in each price range. The rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you would prefer to make your own decision, here is the list of all of our 5k monitor reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.
What do you think of our picks? Let us know below.
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We’ve just released a new video that mentions the Apple Studio Display and Dell U4025QW here.