Best 5K monitor in 2024 – our top picks for gaming and creative work

5K could be the next step up for gamers, but let's see what's out there so far

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If you are looking for the best 5K monitor for your setup, then we have you covered right here. 

Now, a “true 5K” resolution is a 5120 x 2880 – where the aspect ratio is 16:9. There are pure 5K monitors on the market that stick to this format, so you can pick these if you want. However, you will also find “5K” monitors that offer different combinations – like 5K2K monitors that offer 5210 x 1440p resolution. These monitors may not have the pure 5120 x 2880 resolution, but they get the job done well – and with stunning clarity. 

With that being said, our team has done the research and found out 5K monitors – pure 5K as well as other types. Plus, we are always looking for new products to add to our list, so be sure to check here again. 

Best 5K monitor: Samsung ViewFinity S9

SAMSUNG ViewFinity S9

Screen size

27″

Refresh rate

60Hz

Response time

5ms

Panel type

IPS

Resolution

5120 x 2880 (5K)

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Pros

• Thunderbolt 4 & DisplayPort connectivity
• Excellent IPS panel color accuracy
• Matte display and Eye Care features
• Smart TV features & apps built-in

Cons

• Sub-par build quality for this price
• Reports of power issues on Mac

The Samsung ViewFinity S9 is the well-known brand’s answer to the Apple Studio Display and similar creative-focused displays. It features a stunning full 5K IPS panel, with both DisplayPort and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity to make it easily compatible with both PC and Mac computers. Where the ViewFinity S9 really shines is its image quality (while the matte display ensures it doesn’t literally shine by minimizing glare and reflections). The 5K resolution offers 218 PPI (pixel per inch) and a 99% DCI-P3 rating that guarantees accurate color representation and accuracy. Perfect for design work.

There is a little bit of a twist with this monitor, too, as it doubles up as a smart TV with all the features and apps you’d expect from a Samsung smart TV with Tizen OS. The quirk to this is that you’ll require software updates for this OS, and the interface is primarily controlled via a remote TV of sorts. This is great if you’re looking for a hybrid option for media consumption, with shows and movies easily accessible.

Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks with the ViewFinity S9, which can definitely be detrimental to Apple-focused users. We’ve seen reports of connectivity and power issues for some Mac users, and it’s only compatible with Apple Silicon (M1 chip onwards) devices. Other critiques include the plastic build quality and poor camera adjustability.

Best 5K monitor for Mac: Apple Studio Display

Apple Studio Display

Size

27″

Refresh Rate

60Hz

Response Time

N/A

Panel

Retina Display

Maximum Resolution

5120 x 2880 (5K)

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Pros

• Perfect 5K option for Mac users
• Accurate colors and 600 nits brightness
• Built-in ultrawide camera
• Studio-quality microphone built-in

Cons

• Expensive, especially with extras
• Likely need adapter/cable to use on PC

The Apple Studio Display is one of the go-to options for creative users – especially those with a Mac or MacBook of course. As one of the best monitors for MacBook Pro, its 5K screen is super impressive, fitted with Apple’s own Retina Display panel, which features 600 nits of brightness and excellent color support with between 95%-98% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut (Apple hasn’t specified the exact percentage).

For Mac users, there are plenty of features built-in, such as the ultrawide camera with Center Stage tech, a six-speaker setup with Spatial Audio, and three additional USB-C ports beside the Thunderbolt 3 to connect your peripherals. If you do plan to use this on a Windows PC, though, then you’ll miss out on the macOS features like Center Stage, Hey Siri, and, sadly, Spatial Audio. If you’re just focused on the display quality itself, though, it’s a great option – though you will have to pick up a bi-directional DisplayPort 1.4 to USB-C cable if your PC doesn’t have a Thunderbolt port (not too many do).

Overall, as a Mac user, it’s hard to go wrong with the Apple Studio Display. If you are using a Windows PC instead, then it’s still a viable option if stunning 5K visuals are your main focus. Expect to pay a premium price, though, especially if you want the adjustable stand and Nano-Texture glass extras.

Best budget 5K monitor: LG 27MD5KL-B

LG UltraFine 27MD5KL-B

Screen size

27″

Refresh rate

60Hz

Response time

14ms

Panel type

IPS

Resolution

5120 x 2880 (5K)

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Pros

• Good value for money
• DCI-P3 99% color gamut coverage
• Full 5K IPS panel
• 500 nits brightness

Cons

• Stand build quality is poor

Now, moving on to an impressive 5K monitor from LG. Thunderbolt support will become a recurring theme with these high-resolution displays, as they are definitely geared towards creatives, a group of users that Mac is popular with. This monitor features a Thunderbolt 3 port and a ton of positives, which makes it a solid competitor to the Apple Studio display and other alternatives. Especially when you see the price, which is quite a cut below the current competition. One drawback though is that you can only connect via USB-C or Thunderbolt, so those of you on a Windows PC will need a cable or adapter to convert to DisplayPort, just like Apple’s own display.

Despite the lower price, you aren’t really compromising on quality, as the IPS panel will offer a wide viewing angle and has an impressive DCI-P3 rating of 99% for beautiful color support and accuracy. While not quite as bright as the Studio Display, this LG UltraFine monitor boasts 500 nits brightness to work well in a number of lighting conditions and really stand out against your average monitor.

While this display, like most true 5K monitors, isn’t really designed for gaming with a 60Hz refresh rate and slow 14ms response time, it’s a top performer for creative design work (photography, video editing, etc.), productivity, and media consumption.

Best 5K monitor for gaming: Samsung 49″ Odyssey Neo G9

Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 (S49AG95NC)

Refresh rate

240Hz

Response time

1ms GTG

Screen size

48.8″

Resolution

5120 x 1440

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Pros

• Horizontal 5K resolution
• 240Hz refresh rate & 1ms response time
• Stunningly bright Mini LED display
• Height adjustment, swivel, tilt, and standard VESA mounting

Cons

• Not ‘true 5K’
• High retail price

The Samsung Neo G9 is the brand’s current flagship gaming monitor, with this 49″ G9 being the predecessor to the newer dual-4K 57″ model – and while it might not be ‘true 5K’, it certainly offers one of the best visual experiences out there. Yes, unfortunately, the Neo G9 only offers a 5,120 x 1440 screen resolution, but it’s still one of the highest-resolution panels in today’s market – especially for gaming. Samsung dubs this a 5K monitor due to reaching over 5,000 pixels horizontally, but its overall pixel count is closer to 4K in reality.

Even more impressive, however, is the mini-LED backlight technology used in this monitor – allowing it to showcase HDR content in a stunning fashion. You can learn all about that and more in our Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 review.

Other specifications include a 1ms GTG response time, 240Hz refresh rate, and VA (CSOT) panel – all working together to provide one of the best gaming experiences money can buy. Of course, this monitor comes with one downside – it’s price. It typically retails for north of $2,000, so you may have to dig deep if you plan on buying this monitor. On the plus side, we’ve seen a few deals involving this monitor drop the price considerably, especially since the release of the new Neo G9.

There is also Samsung’s OLED G9, which offers much of the same but with an OLED panel instead, which is actually superior for gaming. This is an excellent option with the same horizontal 5K resolution, but the Neo G9 is the better all-rounder if you aren’t solely focused on games.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are 5K monitors good for gaming?

The technology and sheer graphics computing power isn’t quite there yet for gaming smoothly at a full 5K resolution.

On the plus side, super ultrawide monitors have already passed the 5K pixel mark horizontally, and these are great for gaming with high refresh rates and quick response times.

Are 5K monitors expensive?

Yes, you can expect to pay a premium price for these high resolution monitors. Many of the current selection are designed for professional creative work, so the specs cater to that and drive the price up further.

Are 5K monitors worth it?

5K monitors provide you with an impressively high resolution to boost productivity and add even more clarity to your display. If you’re a creative professional, or even just a enthusiastic hobbyist, then they are definitely worth it for that visual upgrade. For gaming, you won’t find any full 5K displays right now with high refresh rates – but there are some ultrawide alternatives which reach over 5K pixels, albeit horizontally only.

You can expect to pay a hefty price for these high-end monitors. More competition is arriving though, so this means that something like the Apple Studio Display isn’t hogging up the entire limelight, giving way for more ‘budget-friendly’ options that could be worth it to you.

Final words

If you want to buy the best 5K monitor on the market, then we’d recommend getting the Samsung ViewFinity S9 model that we have listed here. The monitor comes with a 27-inch screen, which makes it suitable for creative work and games. Plus, it has a matte surface, which keeps the glare away. The ViewFinity monitor offers pure 5K resolution, so you should get high picture quality. The monitor is compatible with Windows as well as Mac, so you shouldn’t be too worried about connectivity issues.