If you are looking for the best monitor for MacBook Pro under 200$, we are happy to tell you that you have finally landed on the right page. We have found TEN of the best monitors you can use with your MacBook Pro, which won’t cost you over $200. Even though we are on a tight budget, the quality and features of the monitors in this list are of the highest level.
An extra and bigger monitor can be really helpful for a lot of purposes. Especially with this pandemic, online classes and working from home will be easier with a better and bigger display than the MacBook Pro’s display screen. Aside from these uses, binge-watching Netflix on a bigger screen will be a lot more fun.
Almost any monitor will work with your MacBook Pro, but using a low-quality monitor with a low-pixel rate, blown-out contrast, and dull color scheme won’t feel right. The two key features that the best budget monitor for a MacBook pro should have are extravagant color accuracy and image quality. Only then would it be able to transcend the quality and performance of a MacBook Pro to the user.
Table of Contents
Best Monitor For MacBook Pro Under 200$ Reviews and Buying Guide
Just like a MacBook Pro, the monitor should be easy to use, durable, and of top-notch quality as well. Easy, fast, and stable connectivity and an adjustable ergonomic body for easy use while working are just a few of the features you will find in our top TEN best monitors for MacBook Pro under 200$.
So, no matter what your use is. Whether you need the monitor for graphic design, video & photo editing, gaming, or you just want a bigger screen than the MacBook Pro’s, we have got you covered. Here you will find the best budget monitors; some purpose-built and some are just all-around best performers. Make sure to read the full review to get the best idea, and if you are in a hurry, a glance at the pros and cons list will be helpful too.
1. Acer R240HY
The number one monitor on our list for the best monitors under 200$ is certainly worthy of this rank. Backed by the quality and reliability of Acer and loaded with tones of features, this is one of the best monitors for MacBook Pro under 200$. With the high resolution and wide connectivity capabilities, the Acer R240HY will be a great partner for your MacBook Pro.
[amazon table=”880″]Firstly, let’s talk about the display screen itself. The monitor has a 23.8-inches FHD IPS display with 1920×1080 resolutions, mostly known as the 1080p resolutions. If you are planning to use the monitor for work as well as gaming, the 1080p resolution will certainly make for a better and more fun experience.
With the help of IPS technology, you will get the best view, no matter at what viewing angle you use the monitor. And you can see the monitor from all sorts of angles, thanks to the 178-degree wide viewing angle. So, having IPS technology increases the value of this monitor. In short, you won’t have to move it around every time you want to show something to a friend.
The monitor does have an ergonomic tilt design, so it’s not like you can’t move it at all. You can set it at an angle of -5-degrees to 15-degrees, whichever suits your eye line the best.
To provide the maximum screen-to-body ratio, Acer has gone with a zero-frame design for this monitor. The zero-frame design helps in creating a unique visual experience for the user so they can enjoy the bigger picture while gaming, working, or even just watching a movie. The minimal design is also extremely helpful when you join more two or more monitors together.
To make sure you can use this monitor with your PC, MacBook, PlayStation, Xbox, and whatever you want to, it has several connectivity ports as well. You get the option of 1 HDMI, 1 DVI (with HDCP1.4), and 1 VGA input.
[amazon box=”B0148NNKTC”]The monitor also has a few safety features to protect your eyes from suffering too much strain due to continuous use. The Acer flicker-less technology that prevents annoying flickers and the blue light filter make sure you don’t end up feeling nauseous after a long working session on your computer.
[amazon fields=”B0148NNKTC” button_text=”Buy now” value=”button”]
2. HP VH240a
HP is a well-reputed brand that excels not only in laptops and computers but other accessories and computer components as well. They also supply their components to some of the biggest IT manufacturers, so there is a chance that whatever brand computer you are using, there will be at least one HP component in there.
[amazon table=”882″]The quality and durability are what made HP such a reliable brand all over the globe. The HP VH240a also brings the same quality and durability to your computer setup.
With the 23.8 inches IPS LED-backlit screen and 1080p resolutions, you will get the finest picture quality all the time. Furthermore, the 5ms response time makes sure the screen works smoothly in a fluid motion without blurry areas. You are getting 2 million pixels and over 16 million colors with this display, so you can tell that you won’t be disappointed.
Even our cellphones are now going bezel-less, so why shouldn’t our monitor be bezel-less as well. The side and top bezel are so thin it virtually feels like a monitor without a frame. The bottom is where you can see the bezel because the company has to integrate a power button as well. But you are still getting a pretty large viewing area that is more than adequate for all sorts of uses.
The two very useful features of this monitor are 1) the TWO built-in speakers and 2) 4-way ergonomic viewing. The dual speakers work on a 2-watt channel each to provide a surround sound-like experience to the user. We assure you they are much louder than the MacBook Pro’s speakers.
[amazon box=”B072M34RQC”]Now the 4-way viewing. You can adjust the monitor’s height and tilt it – 5-degrees to 30-degrees. You can also turn the monitor into landscape or portrait mode. So, sometimes when you want to see more of a webpage at the same time, you don’t need to scroll up and down again and again. Just turn to portrait mode.
Aside from all this, this monitor has the required VGA and HDMI ports for vast compatibility. It also supports HDCP, so you can connect it with other monitors for a multiple-screen setup.
[amazon fields=”B072M34RQC” button_text=”Buy now” value=”button”]
3. HP Pavilion 22cwa
The HP Pavilion is another great choice for a monitor for all sorts of use. It not only supports Windows and macOS, but it also fares very well with your PS4. Thanks to the option of VGA, HDMI, and HDCP, you can connect it to your MacBook for work and PlayStation for gaming. The HDCP allows you to connect multiple monitors as well for a truly immersive experience.
[amazon table=”884″]One thing that you might not like as a buyer is that this monitor does not have a Type-C port or a thunderbolt port. So, to connect it with MacBook Pro 2016 or later, you will have to buy a Type-C/Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter separately. The adapter is fairly easy to get and quite cheap, so it’s not a deal-breaker.
Under the $200 mark and considering the quality and the features of this monitor, if you have to buy a couple of extra accessories, we think it’s a pretty good deal.
When it comes to picture quality, this monitor is second to none. The 21.5 inches display might be a few inches smaller than the other, but it still boasts a 1080p FHD screen. Combine that with the IPS display, 2 million pixels, and an 8million to 1 ratio of dynamic contrast; you are sure to get crisp, vivid, and smooth visuals on this monitor.
The monitor is also adjustable, so you can set it at the viewing angle where you feel the most comfortable. It tilts -2-degrees forward and goes up to 25-degree backward. Thanks to the IPS technology, you get the perfect view no matter what angle you set the display at.
[amazon box=”B015WCV70W”]If you are looking for something special, then perhaps this monitor is not for you. However, if you are looking for a solid display screen that is versatile and provides good picture quality, we assure you the HP Pavilion won’t disappoint you at all.
[amazon fields=”B015WCV70W” button_text=”Buy now” value=”button”]
4. BenQ EW3270U
The BenQ EW3270U is our top pick as the best 4K monitor for MacBook Pro. However, just because it is our top pick, it doesn’t mean you should just go with our word. But once you read the full features of this monitor, you will see why it is our top pick for 4K monitors.
[amazon table=”885″]We will start with the resolutions. Of course, it is a 4K monitor, so the resolutions will be pretty good. But just to give you an idea of how good, this BenQ monitor has more than 8 million pixels. This means it has FOUR times the pixels of a 1080p monitor. So, you can guess for yourself how high and clear will the image quality be.
Moreover, this monitor also supports HDR10, which increases the dynamic range between colors to incredibly showcase every detail for the best picture clarity. This will vastly improve your movie-watching experience as you will be able to see every little scene as if it was happening right in front of you.
But that’s not all. It’s not only best for movies; it works pretty well for gaming as well. With the help of the AMD FreeSync technology, gaming on this monitor becomes an absolute treat. No tearing, no break in frames, just fluid and smooth gameplay for you to enjoy. It’s a good thing the monitor has wide compatibility, so it will go perfectly with any gaming console you have.
With a USB Type-C port, an HDMI port, and a DP 1.2 port, you will be able to connect this monitor to whatever you like. Connect it to your Xbox or PS for some gaming, and connect with MacBook Pro using the Type-C for work.
[amazon box=”B078HWBGH5″]Lastly, to make the whole work and entertainment on this monitor easy on the eye, the monitor has the Brightness Intelligence Plus Technology and Eye-Care Technology. With these technologies, the monitor adjusts the display settings according to the environment, so there is minimal stress on your eyes.
[amazon fields=”B078HWBGH5″ button_text=”Buy now” value=”button”]
5. Sceptre C275W-1920RN Curved
Sceptre has been making high-end products for very affordable prices for the last 30 years now. In these 30 years, they developed quite a large customer base, thanks to the quality of their products. This curved display is a testament to their motto of providing superior products at budget-friendly prices.
[amazon table=”886″]You will find very few curved displays in this price range and even fewer that offer the features that the Sceptre display offers. Since curved displays are mostly for gaming, so you can guess that the monitor will have some hardcore features. The most important one is the 75 Hz refresh rate that makes sure you don’t experience any sort of ghosting or blurring during the game.
The 1080p resolution provides some ultra-HD visuals, so you enjoy clear and sharp pictures whether you are working, attending online classes, or just watching some conspiracy theory videos on YouTube. The curved display provides an immersive experience because the only thing you see all around you is the high-definition screen.
The one thing more important than picture quality when it comes to monitors is connectivity and compatibility. A monitor is only useful if it is compatible with your device and can easily connect to whatever device you want to use. The C275 has a wide range of compatibility thanks to the various ports situated on the backside.
A VGA port and an HDMI port allow you to connect the monitor with a Windows PC, a macOS, and even some of the gaming consoles. You might need to buy some adapters for the latest consoles and laptop models, but you won’t feel any changes even in the performance even with the adapters.
[amazon box=”B07MTRQ6B3″]Along with these major features, this curved display has some minor but very handy features too. Most notably, the Blue Light Shift and the Night Mode reduces the blue light of the screen to make the screen time easy on the eye. In night mode, the blue light gets replaced with a yellowish tint, so you don’t end staying up all night.
[amazon fields=”B07MTRQ6B3″ button_text=”Buy now” value=”button”]
6. AOC G2460PF
This is a dedicated gaming laptop made with powerful hardware to provide the smoothest user experience with the finest picture quality. The resolutions of the AOC monitor are pretty standard 1080p, but the high refresh rate is what makes this monitor so pleasing to the eye. The 144 Hz refresh rate does drive the price a bit higher, but it also vastly improves the user experience.
[amazon table=”887″]If you want a similar performance at a lower price, you can opt to buy the 75 Hz model, which has the same size, same resolutions, and similar features as well. Any gaming monitor is incomplete without the AMD Freesync. The G2460PF does support AMD Freesync to provide lag-free and blur-free gaming and video watching experience.
Aside from the gaming aspect, the monitor gives a solid performance while performing some mundane tasks as well. For instance, with the high brightness levels and the dynamic contrast ratio of 8 million:1, even if you only watch some family photos, the photos will look vivid and more beautiful. The wide color range will truly be able to show the real-life colors.
Since it is a gaming monitor, AOC made sure the monitor had every port a gamer might need. You get several ports, including VGA, DVI, HDMI with MHL, a display port, 4 USB ports, and even a headphone jack. Using all these different types of ports, you can connect it with your PC, MacBook, or any gaming console. You can also connect it to other monitors for a multiple monitor setup.
[amazon box=” B01BV1XBEI”]A very unique feature that not many monitors have is height adjustability. Above in this list, we have a monitor that works swivels, so you can use it in landscape or portrait mode. This not only swivels, but it also allows you to adjust the height. That way, everyone can adjust the monitor according to their eye-line.
[amazon fields=”B01BV1XBEI” button_text=”Buy now” value=”button”]
7. Samsung CF390 Series
Curved monitors have recently developed quite a market. Not only because of the unique design but also due to its optimal viewing experience. The human field of view is also curved, meaning a curved display better facilitates our viewing capabilities, giving us a complete view without having to move our heads around.
[amazon table=”889″]The 1800R ultra-curved display also promotes eye comfort as well. The curved panel helps maintain a more consistent distance between the screen and your eyes, in turn reducing eye fatigue during long working or gaming sessions. Aside from the wide viewing angle, features like Eye Saver Mode and Flicker-Free Technology are also very helpful in making the experience smooth and easy on the eye.
This Samsung monitor also has the required ports that you could need to easily connect it to any of your work, game, or entertainment setup. An HDMI port and a VGA port bring Windows as well as macOS compatibility. There is a headphone jack on the monitor as well. So, you can attach headphones or attach your home theater speakers when planning a movie night.
The reason it is one of the best monitors for MacBook Pro under $200 is the VA panel which minimizes light leakage. A conventional curved panel fails to prevent light leakage at the curves making the picture look too bright on the sides. With the VA panels, light leakage is minimal, so you get a uniform and high-quality view all over the screen.
With the VA panel and the FHD 1080p resolution, you will get a high contrast ratio, vivid colors, and sharp details, which is perfect for gaming, graphics design, and editing work. To further improve your gaming experience, Samsung also integrated the AMD Freesync in this monitor. The next time you play some COD with your friends, your game will be smoother and blur-free.
[amazon box=”B01IPHVFUI”]Lastly, the monitor also supports the VESA mounting, so if you are looking for a monitor only for your Smart TV Box, this will still be a very good choice. After all, what could go wrong with using a gaming monitor to watch CNN?
[amazon fields=”B01IPHVFUI” button_text=”Buy now” value=”button”]
8. GIGABYTE G27Q
At a glance, you might not see anything special with the GIGABYTE G27Q, but you know the saying, don’t judge a book by its cover. The saying couldn’t be any truer in the case of this monitor. It looks like a mid-range monitor, but it packs some very high-end and useful features that make it one of the best budgets monitors for MacBook out there at the moment.
[amazon table=”890″]The QHD wide resolutions of 1440p and the standard aspect ratio of 16:9 makes the screen look gorgeous and vibrant, combine that with the 144Hz refresh rate and the lowest possible response time of 1ms, you get the smoothest display screen. Whether you use it for work, entertainment, or gaming, the performance will be consistently excellent.
It’s not the most stylish monitor you can buy, but GIGABYTE did try their best to make up for that with the features. To make sure the G27Q doesn’t disappoint the gamer in you, GIGABYTE integrated the AMD Freesync Premium into the monitor. The Premium version is the upgrade to the AMD Freesync so the monitor can fully utilize the hardware for the best possible gaming experience.
Aside from these basics, the monitor also has some dedicated gaming features as well that you won’t find in many other monitors at this price range. For instance, the monitor has a Black Equalizer that highlights the details of dark and shaded areas without overexposing bright areas.
There is also an aim stabilizer, a dashboard that shows the CPU performance details, and the OSD Sidekick. The Sidekick features let you change and set the monitor’s display setting using your mouse and keyboard. If you feel like the best work and gaming settings are different, you won’t have to change them using the monitor every time.
[amazon box=”B08CS3X1R9″]Some other common features to protect the users are there as well. The low blue light protects eyes at night, and flicker prevention reduces eye fatigue. These features are especially helpful when you spend long hours working on your computer. You will feel the difference that even after a long screen time, your eyes won’t feel strained.
[amazon fields=”B08CS3X1R9″ button_text=”Buy now” value=”button”]
9. Sceptre E248W-FPT
This Sceptre monitor should already be in your cart if you are strictly looking for a work monitor under $200. Considering the quality and features on offer, even we are surprised that this is selling at such a low price. When we say a work monitor, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to use it for anything else.
[amazon table=”891″]The hardware is powerful enough to entertain some light games and provide a good movie-watching experience. However, you can say that the primary purpose of this monitor is work use, and you might be disappointed if you try and run some heavy-graphic games on this monitor.
The 24-inch monitor has an FHD IPS panel that shows the best image no matter which angle you see it from. With the wide viewing angle of 178-degrees, everything you are doing on the monitor will always be within your sight. The wide-angle and IPS technology marks multitasking very easy.
Moreover, the monitor has tiny bezels on the sides and top as well. It virtually looks like an edgeless design, so you get a bigger screen and a more captivating and immersive viewing experience. The biggest advantage of the edgeless design is that in a multiple-screen setup, the small bezels won’t distort too much of the picture.
If you are into graphic design and photo & video editing, you will fully appreciate the quality of the monitor. The 99% sRGB color gamut shows the most vibrant colors in the best way possible. They won’t feel as artificial as they do on other monitors with a lower color gamut setting. The 300 nits brightness also plays a huge part in enhancing the visuals.
[amazon box=”B087QRW81Z”]In a work environment, you often have to connect all sorts of different devices to your monitor. Even at home, you might attach a Windows laptop, a MacBook, or any of your gaming consoles. The various ports at the back make sure you can easily do all that. Two HDMI ports and a VGA port will let you connect any device to this monitor. There is an Audio In and an Audio Out port as well for you to attach microphones and speakers directly to the monitor.
[amazon fields=”B087QRW81Z” button_text=”Buy now” value=”button”]
10. LG 24MP88HV-S
This is perhaps the most good-looking monitor of all the TEN best monitors in this list of ours. The 2.5mm thin bezels bring a sleek look that you won’t find on many other monitors of this price range. The great thing is that the bezels on each side are the same. Mostly the bezel of the bottom side is thick because the power buttons are situated there.
[amazon table=”892″]However, this LG monitor has the same 2.5mm bezels on each side, which is why it is also known as the Infinity Display. Out of the 24 inches of monitor size, you get all 24 inches of the viewing area, which is a very rare thing. Even the stand of this monitor enhances the outlook. The ArcLine stand not only brings stability, but the smooth curve in the stands looks elegant as well.
A very useful feature that will be extremely handy for the multi-taskers in the Screen Split 2.0. You can select, resize, and display multiple windows at the same time. You get to choose from 14 different layouts so you can select the one that suits your needs the best. Along with the screen split, you also have four PIP(Picture-In-Picture) options too.
Some additional features include the Black Stabilizer, the Reader Mode, and the OnScreen Control. With the Black Stabilizer, you get to see the details of dark images and videos with better clarity. This is especially helpful while gaming. The OnScreen Control is also handy while gaming and working. You can change the monitor settings with ease using the mouse without having to use the monitor buttons.
[amazon box=”B01BX3FCJG”]Lastly, the reader mode is for those who like to read a lot of online articles and books. In reader mode, the monitor settings reduce things like brightness and blue light to create optimal reading conditions. This way, you won’t feel fatigued in the eyes, even reading for a long time.
[amazon fields=”B01BX3FCJG” button_text=”Buy now” value=”button”]
Buying Guide
Buying something available in various options with different features from some of the best brands in the world can be a difficult decision. Thankfully, something more technical like a monitor makes that decision a bit easier. Because we kind of already know what we are looking for. For instance, in this article, we have the best monitors for MacBook Pro under $200.
However, if you want to explore more options, we would like to leave you with a bit more information. Here are a few things you should look for before you decide to buy a monitor for your MacBook Pro in 2021.
Compatible
The first and the most important thing is to make sure the monitor you are buying is compatible with the majority of devices you own. Since you are looking for a MacBook monitor, macOS compatibility is a must. However, having Windows compatibility and being able to connect different gaming consoles is not a bad feature to have.
Some monitors might not have a USB-C port, but that’s not a problem. You can easily get adapters for that. However, if the monitor isn’t compatible with macOS, that’s a deal-breaker.
Size
The most probable reason that you are looking for a monitor for your MacBook is that you want a bigger screen size. The biggest and latest MacBook Pro has a 15-inch display screen, whereas a standard $200 monitor has at least a 24-inch big display screen. Some expensive models are more than 30-inch big. So, if the screen size is a primary concern, buy the one with at least a 24-inch screen.
Resolution
If you aren’t too concerned with the picture quality, you might as well skip this point. However, if you will be using the monitor for entertainment and gaming purposes, this might be the most important point for you. You can buy an FHD 1080p display screen monitor or, if you have the budget, go for a 4K UHD monitor for the best experience.
But we suggest that even if you are only buying a work monitor, having at least a 1080p monitor is a must nowadays. This will allow you to enjoy the occasional YouTube video with the best quality.
Extras
Some added features are always useful at some time in some way, even if they don’t feel like it at the time of buying. For example, having some extra USB ports or having TWO HDMI ports will allow you to make a multiple-screen setup. Another useful port will be an Audio In/Out or even just a headphone jack. Some built-in speakers aren’t too bad as well.
Two very useful features that every monitor should have are 1) Blue Light Shift and 2) Flicker-Free Technology. The Blue Light Shift reduces the blue light emission of the screen to protect the eyes. The Flicker-Free technology reduces eye strain and fatigue, so you can pull off all-nighters with ease, not that we endorse them.
FAQs
What Is The Best Monitor To Use With MacBook Pro?
Your preference might differ, but our top pick for the best monitor for MacBook Pro is the Acer R240HY. The monitor has a 23.8-inch screen size and an FHD IPS display with 1080p resolutions. It also has all the ports you would ever need and the zero-frame design makes it one of the best-looking monitors. In our opinion, the Acer R240HY ticks every box.
Do All Monitors Work With MacBook Pro?
Some older models aren’t compatible with macOS anymore, so you won’t be able to connect them to your MacBook Pro. However, all of the monitors that we chose for you are compatible with macOS and work fines with all MacBook Pro models.
Can You Use A Non-Apple Monitor With A MacBook Pro?
Yes, you can use a non-apple monitor with your MacBook Pro. In fact, there are TEN monitors in this article alone that are compatible with a MacBook Pro. All you need is a cable and in some cases an adapter to connect your MacBook Pro to any monitor you want.
Can You Use A Samsung Monitor With A MacBook Pro?
Thankfully, monitors don’t run on either Android or iOS, so yes, you can use a Samsung monitor with a MacBook Pro. In number 8, you will find the Samsung CF390 monitor that is compatible not only with macOS but with plenty of other devices as well.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this review and buying guide of the best monitors for the MacBook Pro was of some help. Even though they are ranked in descending order, that doesn’t mean they lack anything. All these monitors will work perfectly with your MacBook and perform to the fullest capability. We think making the final decision is just a matter of preference, so choose the one you think will be the better fit for your needs. If you need anymore help, feel free to contact us for any guidance.
Relevant post
