>>> How we tested Things to consider

The image rendering and fidelity of these displays is critical. We tested each one using a Datacolor Spyder5Elite colorimeter, using it to assess the color accuracy in particular. We also assessed how easy it is to use the on-screen controls to make adjustments. Features such as speakers are nice, but accuracy of the display itself is the bottom line.

>>> The big question: IPS or VA?

IPS (In Plane Switching) panels are more expensive to make than VA (Vertical Alignment), but they handle wider viewing angles. With large VA panels, looking from the center to sides can show contrast shifts.

>>> 60Hz connect ion challenge

Running at 60Hz gives a smoother experience. Sadly, at 4K this needs HDMI 2.0, which Macs still don’t have, or DisplayPort 1.2. Use a Mini DisplayPort cable, or a USB-C to HDMI 2.0 adapter with the latest MacBook.

>>> More space or more visibility

You can adjust your display to run in pixelfor-pixel “more space” mode, where there’s acres of room but everything looks fairly small, or with macOS scaling things smoothly so that they render at normal size but in greater detail. It’s up to you.

>>> 10 bits are better than 8

Monitors that work internally with 10 bits per color, rather than the standard 8 bits, are able to render subtle color gradients without visible banding – over 1 billion colors, in fact. All three displays featured here process 10-bit color.

>>> Personal speakers

While all of these monitors have built-in speakers, don’t expect too much from them in terms of audio quality. They’ll do at a push for simple audio feedback or perhaps dictated text, but they’re really not built for hi-fi purposes such as playing music.