RetinaDesk Reviews 5K and 6K Displays from a Mac Perspective
It took me longer than it should have to upgrade from my 2020 27-inch iMac, partly because the Apple Studio Display felt expensive and I couldn’t easily compare it with other displays. Eventually, I broke down and put a pair of Apple Studio Displays on my desk, connected to an M4 14-inch MacBook Pro (see “Switching from a 27-inch iMac to a 14-inch MacBook Pro: A Fresh Start,” 30 June 2025). They’ve been fine, but would I have made the same decision if Parish Khan’s RetinaDesk review site had existed a year ago? I think so, but my inner maximizer’s need to explore every option would have been happier about it.
Khan, a software developer obsessed with desk and workstation setup, limits himself to 5K and 6K displays that meet Apple’s 218 pixels-per-inch density threshold for “Retina.” Reviewed displays include models from ASUS, BenQ, Dell, and LG, along with the Apple Studio Display and Studio Display XDR, which, as you can imagine, are still the benchmarks. But if you want to pay less than the $1,599 or $3,299 price for those displays, Khan reviews alternatives starting at $799.
Each display gets at least a week of daily driver testing on current Apple silicon hardware, with a consistent focus on text rendering, color profiles and consistency, brightness and backlight bleeding, single-cable behavior, and long-term eye comfort. Included stands, speakers, and webcams also come under scrutiny. The result is a detailed review with pros, cons, who the display is best for, and detailed specifications. Khan then combines all that information into three buying guides:
- The best 5K monitors for MacBook Pro
- The best 6K monitors for Mac Studio
- Apple Studio Display alternatives
Plus, comparison pages put competitive displays head-to-head, and Khan provides tools to calculate pixel density, check cable bandwidth, and determine Mac model support for external displays.
Khan makes money via the Amazon Associates program but doesn’t accept payment for rankings or do “sponsored reviews.”
RetinaDesk is an impressive site, and a must-visit the next time you’re in the market for one of the 5K or 6K displays that make macOS look and work its best.
When Apple made my 27” Retina iMac redundant (it still works well but no software upgrades) I decided on a Mac mini with a 27” monitor. This was three years ago but the range of monitors I considered was not that different from those reviewed here. Like Adam I ultimately bought an Apple Studio Display. The others lacked one or more of a web camera, speakers, useful ports, or management tools.
I have not regretted this choice and would make the same choice today although I subsequently installed a Logitech webcam as the built-in camera is surprisingly inadequate.
Macrumours has juat published a review of a monster display (for those with $1800 and a powerful enough Mac)
The site is missing some of the newer entrants, like the Asus XG27JCG (notable for its gamer-focused 120+Hz refresh) and the Lucky Goldstar 32U990A-S (a 32" 6K panel, a near match in size for the old Pro Display XDR)
But very impressive as a passion product.
I don’t know what to think. The Apple $$$$tudio Display has gorgeous graphics and wonderful sound, but it annoys me on a regular basis that I would have had to pay even more for an adjustable base [didn’t fork out and should have], and more again to replace the inexplicably awful webcam that performs like they took it out of a Fisher-Price phone.
Beautifully presented web site and a great intro to Retina resolutions. Very useful guide to what can be connected to recent Mac models.
But I am a disappointed by the “reviews”. Limited to a subset of the available screens and appears to be based on the vendors specs rather than actual use.
I would like to have seen an evaluation of day to day use covering at least screen treatment (glossy, matte, etc), clarity, colour calibration, build quality and integration with macOS.
Regarding breadth of coverage, there are many more 5K monitors. See: The *COMPLETE* list of 27" 5K Displays? | MacRumors Forums The first post is being kept up to date - no need to read the thread. There is also a 6K list.
My understanding is that the 2026 Studio Display has an improved the camera despite it remaining at 12 MP. It may not be great, but it’s apparently better than before. I got the 2022 model in early 2025 when I got a new Mac mini. Was I a bit frustrated that the camera was not so good? Sure, but the display’s image quality is paramount for me. And I wanted a glossy glass finish to provide a crisp image where colors pop. While some people prefer a matte finish, that’s not something I would consider. And the field was and continues to be pretty narrow with third-party glossy 5K monitors.
There is the Chinese manufacturer Kuycon, but I don’t believe their model has a camera, microphone, or speakers. BenQ recently came out with the MA270S for $999, but I don’t believe it has a camera, and the speakers are supposed to sub-par at best. Not sure about a microphone. Build quality is OK, but not up to Apple standards.
Also, with non-Apple monitors, you move away from the controls being fully integrated into the OS, although I believe there has been some real headway made in that regard. BenQ has done a lot with their software, less so with Kuycon. And there are other negatives with the non-Apple displays.
While I do use the camera on my display and wish it were better, I don’t use it that often where I find it to be a frustration. If I did, I suppose I’d get a separate camera or simply use my iPhone with one of those mounts that connect to the Studio Display. With Apple’s Continuity feature, the phone would just serve as a camera with everything else using the main display.
I got the Studio Display with the height adjustable stand from Amazon for $1799, which was a good price. But even if I were buying it today, I’d get it at full price over other displays. For me, the premium is worth it.
I would like to also suggest that RetinaDesk add the display finish (glossy, matte, etc.) to their comparison charts and search filters.
Next up 8K and 10K (16K?) models, lol! Provided their screen size still makes them 218+ ppi Retina of course. ;-)
You have to wonder what comes after Thunderbolt 5 on Macs?
(AFAIUI, TB5’s 80/120Gb is the last speed TB will be able to offer under its original specs.)