• Output charging: 25W (MagSafe), 15W (Qi2)
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft), 2m (6.6ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: White

The most obvious MagSafe Charger to buy for your Apple iPhone is, of course, the Apple MagSafe Charger. It’s the charger that Apple would have shipped with the iPhone if it did such things anymore. It’s as minimalist a design as you’d expect from Apple–it looks a lot like a giant Apple Watch Charger. You can also use it to charge your AirPods.

Apple’s latest version of this charger offers 15W Qi2 support and, more importantly, a faster 25W charging speed with iPhone 16 and later. It also added a 2-meter length option for $10/£10 more, which is very welcome. At least a 30W USB-C power adapter is required for 25W charging.

In our tests using the Apple MagSafe Charger we wirelessly powered up an iPhone 16 Pro from 0% to 50% in just over 30 minutes.

It can also charge your AirPods case (AirPods 2 or AirPods Pro), although not at the same time as the iPhone—for that, you’ll need at least a 2-in-1 wireless charger.

The standard 1m cable is too short to comfortably charge and use your iPhone at the same time, or maybe stretch from a power socket to a nearby table, so we recommend the 2m upgrade. Don’t forget that this Apple charger still requires a USB-C power adapter—at least 20W if you want 15W charging and at least 30W to enable 25W charging.

• Output charging: 25W (MagSafe), 15W (Qi2)
• Cable: 1.5m (4.9ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Misty Blue

The Ugreen MagFlow Qi2 25W Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad isn’t too dissimilar to the 25W Apple MagSafe Charger except that it’s a fetching shade of what Apple would call Mist or Sky Blue. As such it would perfectly suit the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air of those shades.

Another difference is the length of cable and maybe 1.5m is a Goldilocks length for you if Apple’s 1m cable is too short and 2m cable too long.

Other than that, this simple charger matches the Apple pad for speed (25W for iPhone 16/17 and 15W for iPhone 12-15), and is more likely to be found discounted than the Apple either direct or on Amazon. It’s a solid alternative to Apple if any of these differences take your fancy.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Black, White

Another basic magnetic charger, Anker’s Zolo Magnetic Wireless Charger Pad works just like the Apple pad, and also at a fast 15W—although it’s technology is Qi2 rather than Apple MagSafe. iPhone 16 and 17 owners should consider spending the extra on the Apple charger (reviewed above) for its special 25W charging speed. Owners of iPhone 15 or earlier can rest assured that this charger is as fast as the Apple one.

It works just as well, though, and is one of the cheaper premium magnetic chargers. The cable is a decent length at 1.5m—half again as long as that on the base model Apple MagSafe Charger pad, but not as long as on the top-end 2m Apple charger or the 2m Belkin MagSafe charger reviewed below.

Like Apple’s MagSafe Charger it can also charge your AirPods case (AirPods 2 or AirPods Pro) when the iPhone is removed.

In the U.S. Anker offers this charger only in a two-pack. A spare charger for downstairs, the office, bedroom, car and so on is always useful.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2 25W)
• Cable: 2m (6.6ft)
• Wall charger: Optional
• Colors: Black, White

The 25W Belkin UltraCharge Magnetic Charger Pad is now just as fast as Apple’s charger for the iPhone 16/17 families, and comes with a long cable and handy pop-up stand. The cable is twice as long as Apple’s basic model, which makes using the phone much easier when charging. It’s also thicker nylon-braided cable with a handy integrated silicone cable tie.

Belkin sells two versions, one with a squarer back shape and one rounder—the difference is minimal. There’s also an option to buy with a 36W power adapter (for a very reasonable extra $10) included or just on its own if you already have a wall charger to use.

Again, a straight cable connection will be faster but we like the kickstand, which you don’t get with a standard cable connection.

There are a few very similar Belkin Charger Pads so make sure you get what you’re after. For example, there is a slower but slightly more affordable 15W BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Charging Pad with stand (Amazon or Amazon UK) and 7.5W MagSafe-compatible BoostCharge Charger Pad (Amazon U.S. and Amazon U.K.) that lacks the stand. If you just want a cheap MagSafe-compatible charging pad, this is a decent option. Be warned: Belkin also sells a Qi Wireless Charging Pad that lacks the magnetic connection so is not recommended as it will be picky where the phone is placed and slower to charge as a result.

• Output charging: 7.5W (Compatible)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: White, Black, Blue, Pink

This is a small, simple (but slow) magnetic charging pad that has a kickstand that lets you prop your attached iPhone 12/13/14/15/16/17 up either in landscape or portrait mode for video viewing or hands-free FaceTime calls. It’s a more affordable but slower alternative to the Belkin pad reviewed above.

The detachable cable length is reasonable at 1.5m and matches the four colors, so is wildly more flamboyant than the other magnetic wireless chargers tested here, except for…

• Output charging: 7.5W (Compatible)
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Many cool and/or odd patterns

We picked the English Breakfast pattern for its sheer wanton oddness but there are plenty of other patterns (Acid, Checks, Cherry Blossom) and pictures (Yeti, Harry Potter, Snoopy) to choose from.

Indeed, there are a sometimes baffling 759 different wireless charger designs to choose from. Most are quite random but there are themes such as Street Art and Anime, plus characters such as Doreamon and SpongeBob, and individual artists, with the option to customize a plain charger with text.

This 100% recyclable slim charger has eco sustainability points, too, as it’s made with recycled aluminum and printed with eco-friendly ink.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: White, Black

This simple magnetic charging stand has a rotating charging pad that means you can position your iPhone in landscape or portrait mode for hands-free FaceTime calls. It uses Qi2 so can charge wirelessly at 15W.

While it’s more affordable, if you own AirPods too, you might consider the not-much-pricier 2-in-1 MagGo version, reviewed lower down.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 20W AC power adapter
• Colors: White, Black, Dark Cherry

This magnetic charging nightstand uses Qi2 so can charge wirelessly at 15W. Even though it ships with additional U.K. and E.U. plug adapters that clip on the included mini 20W wall charger it’s probably too heavy for travel, but that heft makes it super stable when in landscape StandBy mode.

It is less of an easy fit in a portrait (vertical) orientation as the bottom of the iPhone pushes the stand up onto its edge. It’s still stable but looks a little odd from the side. On a nightstand landscape makes more sense anyway. It can be laid flat to wirelessly charge your AirPods case, too, at 7.5W.

What really stands out is the gorgeous Dark Cherry color that is available as an Apple Store exclusive.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2 25W)
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Misty blue

While the Satechi 2-in-1 Foldable Qi2 and Belkin 2-in-1 25W wireless charging stands, reviewed above, can fold into a portable package, they are nowhere near as compact and lightweight (7.5oz / 212g) as Ugreen’s 2-in-1 MagFlow magnetic wireless charger, which folds down into a tiny pocketable cube (2.4 x 2.4 x 1.5 inches or 6 x 6 x 4cm).

It’s also as fast as you can get for wirelessly charging an iPhone 16 or 17; older iPhones charge at 15W.

Once open there’s a 5W Qi pad for AirPods and a 25W Qi2 pad for iPhone. A USB-C port on one side allows you to plug in your Apple Watch charging cable for 5W speedy charging, too—so you can almost call it a 3-in-1 except that you need a Watch charging cable to connect.

The iPhone-charging pad can be raised to about 3 inches (8cm), and can be angled to your preference.

Ugreen

Ugreen also sells a slightly cheaper aluminum gray $49 Qi2 2-in-1 Magnetic Charger that looks similar but charges the phone at a slower 15W, and a flatter 15W Qi2 MagFlow 2-in-1, both pictured above, that measures 4.6 x 2.2 x 0.9 inches (11.6 x 5.5 x 2.4cm) and will slip into a pocket easier than the cube shape. That model doesn’t have the side USB-C port, though.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2 25W)
• Cable: 2m (6.6ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Black or White

The Nomad Stand One uses Qi 2.2 wireless charging technology, so offers the super-fast 25W charging speed.

It’s a lovely looking stand that is the sturdiest wireless charging stand we’ve tested, with a real heft and an anti-slip rubber base. It measures 3.2 x 6.3 x 5 inches (8.2 x 16.1 x 12.8cm) and weighs nearly 2lbs (just under 1kg), so could be used as a paperweight if you have your desk fan turned up too high. It’s made of metal with a glass panel that gives it a glossy Apple-like look from the front.

The 21-degree viewing angle works well for comfortable viewing but if you want to customize the angle to your own liking you’ll need to choose one of the more adjustable 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 wireless chargers reviewed below.

Nomad does make a 3-in-1 version, the $159 Stand One Max, which can charge iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time. This also looks great and also charges the iPhone at a rapid 25W.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2 25W)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 45W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black, White, Blue

One of the new breed of Qi2 25W wireless chargers, the Belkin 2-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charger with Qi2 25W folds up to a very pocketable 4.2 x 2.4 x 0.94 inches (10.6 x 6 x 2.4cm) and weighs 5.1oz (146g). It’s available in two forms: one with rounded edges (pictured) and one that’s straighter. Both are smooth but may be a little too plasticky for some tastes. The blue version is rather natty, though.

It passed our 25W charging test by getting an iPhone 16 Pro from 0% to 50% in 33 minutes. There’s a side 5W USB-C port that you can plug an Apple Watch charger into.

As a fold-up charger it’s suitably travel friendly. Alternatives include the Satechi 2-in-1 Foldable and the Ugreen MagFlow Foldable 2-in-1, both reviewed below. The 15W Satechi is slower and larger than the two 25W 2-in-1 chargers but we still like its more solid desktop looks. Choose between the Belkin and Ugreen on form factor and price. Note that the Ugreen doesn’t ship with a USB-C charger, while the Belkin does.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Cable: 1.2m (4ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Aluminum gray

With a remarkably small 3.5-inch square (9cm) footprint, this 2-in-1 charger uses the Qi2 wireless charging technology to match MagSafe on 15W speed. The AirPod charging pad charges at 5W and could be used to charge a second phone, although much slower than using the raised magnetic pad.

It even folds up flat to make it travel friendly, although you’ll need to supply your own USB-C wall charger. It’s pretty light at just 9.6oz (272g).

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Black or White

The Anker MagGo range has a version for just about everyone, and this is a 2-in-1 version of the simpler iPhone-only magnetic wireless charger stand reviewed earlier. It is not portable like the Satechi and Ugreen 2-in-1 chargers, also reviewed above, but it is a good-looking stand for your desk or nightstand.

Built to charge both an iPhone 12/13/14/15/16/17 and wireless AirPod case charger, it is reaches the same 15W phone charging heights with its Qi2 technology. The AirPods are charged at 5W, which is standard for all such multi-device magnetic chargers.

You get angled landscape (up to 45 degrees) and portrait modes with this good-looking stand from one of our favorite premium accessory makers. The magnetic link is super strong so you don’t need to worry about the iPhone falling off even during re-angling.

If you’re not in a hurry, you can still find the Anker 7.5W PowerWave model a little cheaper but we like the faster charge on the 15W version. If you’re in a real hurry you’d be better off using a cable than using even a 15W or 25W certified MagSafe charger anyway.

• Output charging: 15W (MagSafe)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 30W AC power adapter
• Colors: Charcoal, Sand

We’ve chosen this fast magnetic charger not because of its heroically long-winded name but for its designer good looks. It’s a minimalist 2-in-1 charging stand that can wirelessly charge an iPhone at 15W and fast-charge an Apple Watch. The top pad can angle at up to 70 degrees.

Steve Jobs and Jony Ive knew that tech should aspire to timeless design, and it’s no surprise that Apple has chosen to stock the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock MagSafe charger in its stores. There are other magnetic wireless chargers reviewed here that can do more and at lower prices, but this is one we’d proudly place on our designer desk to show off rather than hide away.

The dock’s organic looks are complemented by the two available neutral yet naturalistic colors: Charcoal and Sand.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2 25W)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 45W AC power adapter
• Colors: Charcoal, Sand

Although lacking the designer looks of the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1, reviewed above, the UltraCharge Pro 2-in-1 uses the later Qi2.2 technology that means iPhones 16 and later can charge wirelessly at 25W rather than Qi2/MagSafe’s 15W.

It also folds up into an easily pocketable form measuring just 2.7 x 2.7 x 1.5 inches (6.7 x 6.7 x 3.8cm) and weighing 6.5oz (185g). We’ve reviewed more of our favorite portable magnetic chargers for travel lower down in this chart.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Cable: 1.2m (3.3ft)
• Wall charger: Not included (36W required)
• Colors: White, Black, Dark Cherry

This is a smart MacBook or iPad charging USB-C cable that includes a 15W wireless pad for iPhone or AirPods case plus an adjustable 5W Apple Watch charger. Built of aluminum, it’s quite chunky but is probably all you need on your travels alongside at least a 65W USB-C charger, and it folds up on itself for easy transport.

It’s rated at 140W so is up to fast-charging even the 16-inch MacBook Pro, and just as adept at either wired or wirelessly charging Apple’s recent USB-C devices.

If you don’t own an Apple Watch—and have no intention of doing so—Zens has a version (the $49.95 Zens USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable Pro 2) without that module, and just the iPhone/AirPods wireless pad in the middle of the 140W cable.

Both are available from the Apple Store in an exclusive Dark Cherry color.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 30W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black, White

Belkin’s expanding range of fast Qi2 wireless chargers includes a simple pad that can fit an iPhone plus an AirPods case. Although it doesn’t include an Apple Watch charging module, there is a 5W USB-C port that you can connect your Watch-charging cable into and charge all three devices simultaneously.

As a 2-in-1 solution it is cheaper and better suited for those who haven’t succumbed to the Apple Watch.

Being certified as Qi2 means that it can wirelessly charge at the same 15W as official MagSafe chargers but not 25W like the Apple MagSafe Charger or newer Qi2 25W chargers can for the iPhone 16 and later.

The pad is reassuringly heavy so you won’t pull it off your bedside table when you remove your iPhone from the magnetic pad. This makes it less obviously portable, but it’s small and flat enough to slip into a backpack.

As it’s a pad you can’t angle the phone into StandBy mode. If you want to more easily see the time on your nightstand, consider one of the charging stands reviewed above. It ships with a 30W USB-C wall charger and cable.

• Output charging: 7.5W
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 30W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black, White

Unless you own expensive burner iPhones, this charger is made for homes or offices where friends, family and colleagues can charge their iPhones at the same time and in the same place using just one power socket. We didn’t include it in our 3-in-1 roundup (see this immediately below) as it doesn’t charge the Apple Watch, although it can certainly power up three devices at the same time.

It’s the only magnetic wireless charging stand we’ve tested that charges two iPhones on a proper stand, and there’s a 3.5W Qi wireless charging pad underneath for one set of AirPods—your pal’s earbuds will have to wait their turn. The charging pads are not adjustable but the angle is perfect for screen viewing.

The SwanScout 706M is MagSafe Compatible rather than certified MagSafe or Qi2 so its wireless charging speed is limited to 7.5W or 10W shared across the two iPhone pads. That makes it a slow charge but this is fine for a nightstand where you have several hours for charging.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2 25W)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 45W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black, Sand

The first Qi2 25W charger in the Macworld labs was Belkin’s UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock. Not only is this a super-speedy 3-in-1 charger, it’s a striking low-profile design with adjustable charging pad angling off a chrome-finished metal frame. The certified Apple Watch charger is fast, too.

Qi2 25W (sometimes known as Qi 2.2) takes wireless charging from its 15W maximum to a heady 25W. Previously only possible on the latest version of Apple’s own MagSafe Charger, 25W theoretically moves a 50% iPhone refill from 45 to just 25 minutes but environmental conditions such as temperature and the power used by the phone while being charged mean that 30-35 minutes is a more more realistic charging time for 25W. For wireless charging that’s still a big leap forward.

As 25W is achievable only with an iPhone 16 or 17 running at least iOS 26 it’s a new frontier for iPhone users. 25W chargers still work with earlier iPhones (12-15) but are pegged back at Qi2’s 15W maximum. All will feel the benefit of Belkin’s built-in active cooling ChillBoost fan.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2 25W)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 65W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black Stone, Shell White

This Anker Prime 3-in-1 iPhone stand takes speedy Qi2 25W charging to a traditionally elegant arm-based charging station design where the iPhone and Watch charging pads are suspended from the circular base. In our tests it came out fastest of all the 25W wireless chargers we have run through their paces—charging an iPhone 16 Pro to 50% in just 28 minutes.

The iPhone and Watch charging pads are held high on chrome arms that are angled for viewing angle and overall stand stability. We appreciate that the angle of the iPhone pad can be adjusted to your liking. The AirPods Qi pad is in the base beneath the arms and behind a neat and informative 1.65-inch HD smart display that is the first we’ve seen on such a stand. This is combined with app connectivity, so you can view power flow, charging temperature, and more. This where you can set the charging mode and also customize the clock face.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 36W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black, White

More affordable than the Anker 3-in-1 but slower at 15W, Belkin’s wireless charging stand is similarly elegant and with an even more adjustable iPhone pad (90 degrees vs Anker’s 80). The arm placement is different but not functionally, so the design choice at least come down to personal preference.

While the iPhone charging is slower (15W vs 25W) the Watch and AirPods will power up in roughly the same time as you get with the Anker 3-in-1. If you are charging your iPhone overnight or have more time on your hand, the speed difference shouldn’t matter. It also lacks the Anker’s smart display if you like to keep up to date with exactly how fast your devices are charging.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2 25W)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 50W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black

Another Qi2 25W solution, the ESR 3-in-1 25W Charging Station offers fast 25W iPhone wireless charging and 5W Apple Watch fast charging in a small-footprint design (3.4-inch square base) that tucks the Apple Watch charger at the back. The Watch charger is detachable, meaning you can remove it and take it with you to plug directly into any USB-C charging port. This is a useful option missing from most other 3-in-1 chargers, although the opportunity to later mislay it must be considered.

Where this charger excels is wireless charging speed. As with the Belkin UltraCharge Pro, reviewed above, it uses a fan-based cooling technology (ESR’s is called CryoBoost) with advanced heat-dissipation that makes the operation more battery friendly—resulting in significantly faster charging times.

The ESR’s Qi 2.2 pad is not adjustable, although you can position the iPhone in either landscape (StandBy) or portrait orientations. In this way it lacks the front-facing flexibility of the Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe, reviewed further down, but it is available at a significantly lower price and much faster. It comes with a decent-length cable and a 50W USB-C wall charger.

Remember that 25W is only possible for users of the iPhone 16 or 17. Owners of pre-iPhone 16 models can save money by buying the Qi2 15W model ESR 3-in-1 Charger with CryoBoost that’s a little taller but otherwise distinguished only by the 15W maximum speed and a 35W charger compared to the 50W wall charger that ships with the 25W model. In our tests this cheaper Qi2-based CryoBoost 3-in-1 Charger took only 10 minutes longer to charge an iPhone 16 Pro to 50% than the 25W charger. If you can handle waiting that long, you can save some serious money, but those seemingly few minutes do add up over the lifetime of the product.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2.2)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.2m (4ft)
• Wall charger: 45W AC power adapter
• Colors: Aluminum gray

As with the 2-in-1 model, we are big fans of the Satechi Qi2 Foldable 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand.

It has the same small 3.5-inch square (90mm) footprint, and Qi2.2 wireless charging technology to match MagSafe on 25W speed for iPhone 16 and later (older iPhones will charge at 15W). The AirPod charging pad charges at 5W and could instead charge a second phone, although much slower than with the MagSafe pad. Apple Watch charging is fast, with the back-mounted pad providing 5W of power.

It too folds up flat to make it travel friendly, and this time comes with a 45W USB-C chargers that is further boosted with U.K. and E.U. travel adapters. For a 3-in-1, it’s reasonably light at just 14.1oz (399g)—about the same as the cuter and more compact Anker 3-in-1 Cube, reviewed below. If you want a 3-in-1 that fits in your trouser pocket, look to the Kuxiu X40 Turbo, reviewed below in the travel charger section.

It’s not as affordable as ESR’s 15W 3-in-1 Charging Strand ($84.99) so misses our budget recommendation. However, with its foldability and travel plugs, this makes a great charging station choice for at base and on your travels—see lower down for more best MagSafe travel chargers. if you don’t mind the Watch at the back, this charger’s flexibility and fast speeds makes it an easy recommendation.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2) or 25W (Qi2.2)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5 m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 45W AC power adapter (Ultra only)
• Colors: White (Summit), Black/gray (Summit Ultra)

Available in white 15W (Summit) or black 25W (Summit Ultra), this stylish desktop charger has a neat triangular aesthetic. Its nightlight gives out ambient lighting from the center AirPods-charging alcove, making it a great choice for nightstands.

Simon Jary

The iPhone charging module is height but not tilt adjustable, and the Apple Watch charger flips out from the rear when required. The ability to raise the iPhone higher than many stands is appreciated.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2 25W)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft)
• Wall charger: 45W AC power adapter
• Colors: Misty Blue

The most solid of Ugreen’s 25W MagFlow range of wireless chargers, is desktop model is lightweight but feels sturdy due to its grippy rubber feet.

The speedy 25W iPhone charging pad can be angled up to 70 degrees, as well as raising an iPhone in landscape/StandBy mode around 2.4 inches (6cm) from the desk.

The 5W Apple Watch charger pops out from the back so remains hidden when not in use, as does the phone’s face itself when charging.

• Output charging: 15W (MagSafe)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5 m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 30W AC power adapter
• Colors: Gray

The Anker 3-in-1 Cube MagSafe charger is certified by Apple, so offers 15W wireless charging plus 5W for AirPods and 5W for Apple Watch. Although on the heavy side, it’s super-compact and great for travel. The Watch charging part is hidden in the cube until you need it. It comes with a 30W USB-C wall charger with switchable UK and EU plug fittings that slide onto the US plug prongs.

Its tiny footprint means it takes up little space on your desk or bedside cable, too. If you don’t own an Apple Watch, consider the equally dinky Ugreen 2-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand, reviewed in our 2-in-1 roundup above. The stand works in landscape and portrait orientations but isn’t high. It does have adjustable viewing angles up to 60°.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft)
• Wall charger: 45W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black

The flatter Satechi Qi2 Trio Wireless Charging Pad is similar to Nimble’s Podium 3-in-1 Wireless Charger, reviewed below, in its looks and specs but is a little shorter and comes with a slightly more powerful 45W wall charger plus international travel plugs (US, UK, EU).

It has 15W iPhone Qi2 charging, 5W Apple Watch fast charge and 5W AirPods Qi charging pad. The iPhone pad can be raised to create a stand, just like the Nimble.

It measures 8.2-x-3.8-x-0.8 inches (20.9-x-9.7-x-2.1cm) and weighs 12.6oz (358g). Its light enough to be portable, and the international travel plugs cover lot of countries.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 36W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black, White

The Nimble Podium 3-in-1 Wireless Charger, like the shorter Satechi Qi2 Trio Wireless Charging Pad reviewed above, hosts an adjustable iPhone charging pad but its is placed in the center of the three charging points rather than to one side. It measures 9-x-3.4-x-0.8 inches (22.9-x-8.6-x-2cm) and weighs 15.6oz (443g).

The fact that it’s heavier than the Satechi 3-in-1 flat pads shouldn’t be a problem unless you are planning to carry it with you as a portable charger—and we think there are much dinkier and suitable travel chargers to choose from. Its extra weight makes this solid desktop stand a more stable base.

Both iPhone and Watch charging pad can be angled upward. The Podium is available in black direct or from Amazon, and also in white as an Apple Store exclusive.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 45W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black

This 3-in-1 Apple device wireless charger is well made and has one of the smallest desktop footprints we have seen. It can fast charge the Apple Watch and has Qi2 wireless charging technology so hits the top 15W speed when charging an iPhone 12-17.

The charging modules are fixed, which doesn’t give you any flexibility for adjusting the phone position aside from choosing whether to place it in either landscape or portrait orientation.

The 45W charger is more powerful than some we’ve tested, and we like that it comes with plug heads for U.S., U.K. and E.U. sockets.

• Output charging: 15W (MagSafe)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: None
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Black

If you want to properly raise your iPhone in a stand, this Mophie 3-in-1 charging stand is height adjustable between 7.5 to 16 inches (19-40cm). The MagSafe mount is tilt adjustable, too, making this stand great for using FaceTime on the iPhone.

Fully Apple certified, it wirelessly charges an iPhone at 15W and can also fast-charge an Apple Watch. While it feels stable, we’d have preferred a less plasticky stand column.

• Output charging: 15W (MagSafe)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 65W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black

The Zens 4-in-1 Modular Charging Station for iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch and iPad is a MagSafe-certified charging stand made from recycled plastic that can handle not just four Apple devices but more if you buy extra charging modules (up to three at one time) to connect. Any MagSafe iPhone (12-17) can be wirelessly charged at up to 15W, faster than non-certified MagSafe-compatible chargers but not at the possible fastest 25W speed. AirPods and Apple Watch will each charge wirelessly at 5W.

The iPhone can be placed in either portrait or landscape mode. At the back is a stand where you can place an iPad, which can be wired charged via a side-mounted USB-C port at up to 30W. All devices can be charged simultaneously as the power supply has a 65W total output. The Watch module that ships with the 4-in-1 charger can handily be situated on either the right- or left-hand side depending on your preference. Modules attach magnetically. The Apple Watch extension can be disconnected from the main station and charged via a USB-C port to become a standalone wireless charger when traveling.

• Output charging: 15W (MagSafe)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 45W AC power adapter
• Colors: White

This 4-in-1 is the same size as most 3-in-1 charging pads but can wirelessly charge two iPhones at the same time: one via a fast and ultra-adjustable 15W Qi2 charging pad and another via a 10W non-magnetic Qi base that would also work with a second pair of AirPods. The 5W Watch charging pad is certified for fast-charge.

The Hyper Juice Next is the most portable 4-in-1 MagSafe charger we have tested as the iPhone and Watch stand folds down to a flatter, more travel-friendly shape. The 45W power supply also comes with international plug heads for U.S., U.K., E.U. and A.N.Z. There’s also a further USB-C port for input only, but useful if you’d rather not carry the power supply with you on your journey or just want to plug it into an existing multi-port charger at home.

The base is solid but the overall 664g weight might put you off travelling with it in your hand luggage.

• Output charging: 15W (MagSafe)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 65W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black, Aramid Fiber, Walnut

The fourth device is charged via an 18W USB-C port at the back of this otherwise wireless charging set—that could be another phone or your iPad. The 5W Apple Watch charging module is attached magnetically (via a pogo connection) and can be detached.

Mous also sells the modules separately. You can buy the iPhone and AirPods dual charging module (U.S. or U.K.), or just the Apple Watch module (U.S. or U.K.). All are available in Mous’s unique walnut color, pictured here, as well as in black and aramid fiber.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5 m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 40W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black, White, Green, Pink

Power specialist Anker was one of the first companies to release Qi2-compatible chargers, and the foldable Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station is a great example of what the technology can offer.

It charges the iPhone (iPhone 13 and later) at 15W, and is also certified by Apple to fast-charge the Apple Watch, as well as Qi charge AirPods in a wireless charging case–all at the same time.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

It is super compact and folds up into a round pocketable shape that won’t take up much space in a bag or tidied away on your nightstand. It measures 2.36 x 2.36 x 1.4 inches (6 x 6 x 3.6cm) when folded and weighs just 3.8oz (108g). The 5W Watch-charging module folds on the top. The iPhone mostly lays flat, but it can be placed into a more useful StandBy mode as a stand with some folding wizardry.

There are other 3-in-1 foldable charger contenders—for example, the faster 25W Kuxiu X40 Turbo, reviewed below. Anker has a squarer model, the identically named Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1), also reviewed below, which folds more easily into a traditional stand.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2 25W)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft)
• Wall charger: 45W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black, Gray, Wood Grain, Cosmic Orange

The Kuxiu X40 Turbo 3-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charging Stand is a neat, portable way to charge all your Apple mobile devices—Watch, iPhone, AirPods—at the same time and at 25W is as fast as wireless chargers can go.

Simon Jary

It’s special because it folds up into such a compact aluminum alloy package—measuring 2.5 x 2.5 x 0.7 inches (6.4 x 6.4 x 1.8cm). It weighs a mere 5.23oz (148g). It even comes with its own travel case and powerful 45W wall charger.

Kuxiu has another similar 25W foldable 3-in-1, the X55 Turbo, pictured below, which is a smidge larger in size (and much deeper when folded) but a little cheaper. Read our Kuxiu X55 Turbo review for a closer comparison.

Simon Jary

Owners of the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max will love the Cosmic Orange models of the X40 Turbo and X55 Turbo.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Aluminum

With a similar but smaller form, the Twelve South ButterFly SE is an easily pocketable 2-in-1 charger that can handle iPhone and Apple Watch or iPhone and AirPods, charging two devices simultaneously.

It is Qi2 certified, so wirelessly charges the iPhone at 15W and the Watch at 5W. You can get faster 25W wireless charging, but the Butterfly is such a delightful design that we still love it.

It’s a really clever, compact foldable size and offers MacBook-like styling. Unfurl the charger and the two wireless charging pads are revealed. You can fold 180 degrees and place the Watch in Nighstand mode. Flip it round, and you can set the iPhone in landscape StandBy mode. If you want to charge an Apple Watch too, you should instead consider the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Folding Wireless Charging Station, reviewed above.

It’s available in a range of colours at Amazon and is also on sale at the Apple Store in a more exclusive set of colors.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2.2)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft)
• Wall charger: 45W AC power adapter
• Colors: Misty Blue

Not as super-compact as the Kuxiu X40 Turbo, the foldable version of the Ugreen MagFlow 3-in-1 is still slight compared to most chargers. Folded it measures 4.7 x 2.4 x 0.8 inches (12 x 6 x 2cm) and weighs 7.5oz (211g)—that sounds heavy when compared to the numbers of the X40 (148g) but it’s a barely noticeable difference in hand.

It features the same super-fast Qi2 25W iPhone charging and also charges the Watch and AirPods at top speed.

• Output charging: 7.5W
• Apple Watch fast charge: No
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Black

While it won’t win any prizes for its wireless charging speeds, this 3-in-1 iPhone/Watch/AirPods charger is almost unbelievably small and lightweight, making it a great traveling companion.

Folded, the Mous 3-In-1 Wireless Portable Charger measures just 3.5 x 2.4 x 0.5 inches (9 x 6.2 x 1.3cm). That’s about the length and width a standard playing card, and in depth around the size of half a pack. It should fit in your trouser or jacket pocket without you noticing.

It unfolds to a width of 5.4 inches (13.6cm), and less than a third of an inch (8mm) deep, with a faux leather folding hinge between.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2 25W)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 50W AC power adapter
• Colors: Misty Blue

Although it looks big next to the tiny Mouse 3-in-1 charger (reviewed above) ESR’s Foldable 3-in-1 is much faster at 25W and actually quite dinky itself at 4.3 x 2.4 x 0.63 inches (11 x 6.2 x 1.6cm).

It’s more plasticky than Ugreen’s equally speedy 25W MagFlow 3-in-1, reviewed above, which might sound unattractive but it means that it’s lighter and therefore much more portable for travel or commuting purposes: 148g compared to 210g for the more metallic Ugreen.

ESR is proud of its CryoBoost active-cooling system, and so it should be as the fan is whisper-quiet but keeps the wireless charging as close to maximum 25W as long as possible.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 40W AC power adapter
• Colors: Black, White

We love Anker’s more circular folding Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station, reviewed above. The company also makes a squarer 3-in-1 15W Qi2 foldable charger with, as far as I can work out, exactly the same name and much the same charging features.

It measures about the length and width of a credit card (3.5×2.36 inches; 8.9×6cm) and an inch (2.5cm) deep, weighing 6.9oz (195g). The 5W Watch-charging module is tucked away on the underside and can lie flat or sit up at an angle for Nightstand mode.

The Qi2 pad raises to create a stand for your iPhone, in either portrait or landscape mode for StandBy mode. You can also charge an iPhone with the charger folded and the Qi2 pad on top. You need to unfold it only if you want to charge some AirPods or use the Qi2 pad as a stand.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: Optional
• Colors: Black, White, Brown

The ESR 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set is certified by Apple for Apple Watch and Qi2 for 15W iPhone charging. ESR sells a faster 25W model (the 25W CryoBoost Foldable 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Station, see above) but we rather like this plush 15W Travel Set.

The Watch charging part is separate but plugs in once the stand is unfolded; make sure you don’t lose it, though. When folded the charger can be used as a wireless charging pad. The iPhone can be set in either landscape or portrait orientation when the charger is doubling up as a stand.

It’s lightweight and foldable, which makes it a great travel solution if you own iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch. The faster Kuxiu X40 Turbo is a more compact package for Apple Watch and iPhone owners because their Watch-charging modules are built-in. The Journey SWIV is about the same weight as the ESR but without the detachable nature of the Watch charger.

It measures 4.5-x-2.6-x-0.63 inches (11.3-x-6.6-x-1.6cm). There’s an optional smart travel case included that fits the charger, cable, Watch attachment and folding charging stand.

• Output charging: 15W (MagSafe)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: White

The stylish SWIV 3-in-1 iPhone/Watch/AirPods charger folds up extremely neatly into a compact and lightweight package that you wouldn’t really notice in a coat pocket. Of course, despite being wireless when charging your devices it still requires a wall charger (not included); it does comes with a USB-C cable.

The MagSafe charger has been updated to 15W Qi2 but is beaten is speed by the 25W chargers, although the Watch does offer 5W fast-charging for your wearable. The Watch module can lie flat or flip up for Nightstand mode—perfect for a bedside table. If you want a 3-in-1 travel charger with a stand, consider the Kuxiu X40 Turbo, reviewed above.

• Output charging: 15W (MagSafe)
• Apple Watch fast charge: No
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: White

Coming in its own hard-shell travel case, the Zens 2-in-1 MagSafe and Watch travel charger is a portable delight for owners of iPhone (12-17 series) and Apple Watch.

It is officially certified as Made for MagSafe, so charges at wireless 15W. Sadly the Watch doesn’t fast charge, too, but its arm folds out to create a kickstand for the iPhone in either portrait or landscape orientation.

• Output charging: 7.5W
• Apple Watch fast charge: No
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft)
• Wall charger: 20W AC power adapter included (U.S. and E.U.)
• Colors: White, black, pink, purple, blue and light blue

This fun charger has a light around its edge that glows a warm white when charging the Watch and/or AirPods and blue when charging the iPhone. It’s compact when folded and weighs 5.7oz (162g), so works well as an affordable travel accessory.

What it’s not is fast: while some of the chargers we’ve reviewed support iPhone charging at up to 25W, this 3-in-1 is merely MagSafe-Compatible, meaning it charges at a reduced 7.5W. The 3W Apple Watch charger isn’t the requisite 5W for fast Watch charging either.

• Output charging: 7.5W
• Apple Watch fast charge: No
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft)
• Wall charger: 18W AC power adapter included
• Colors: White, black, pink, purple

From the same company as the glowy 3-in-1 charger reviewed above, the PaktVault is an affordable and foldable charger that can handle your iPhone, AirPods and Watch, albeit quite slowly at 7.5W compared to some faster options reviewed here.

It might not glow when it charges but its suitcase looks make it a cute travel companion, and it comes in a range of colors too.

• Output charging: 15W (K1) or 25W (K1 Ultra)
• Apple Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Black, Gray, Desert Titanium, Cosmic Orange

The Kuxiu K1 is a power bank with a sturdy stand and so can double up as a desktop charger as well as a portable. It comes in two models, the 15W Kuxiu K1 and faster 25W K1 Ultra. Each folds up into a neat pack-of-card size that will fit in your pocket (a large pocket for the 10K models) and twists into a versatile and high-performance multi-Apple-device charger when you need it on your travels or act as a handy iPhone charging stand back at base or in the café.

If you can stretch to the K1 Ultra you’ll future-proof your purchase for iPhones that support 25W charging, although the Ultra is available with the larger 10K battery only.

• Output charging: 15W (MagSafe)
• Watch fast charge: Yes
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: 36W AC power adapter
• Colors: White

The Alogic Matrix Ultimate is multi-talented. It can charge an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods wireless charging case at the same time, plus you can detach the iPhone charging pad and take it with you as a power bank. You can also detach the Apple Watch charger and slot that into any charging USB-C port, including that on the power bank.

On top of all that, you can fold the whole thing up and pack it in its own carry case.

Fully certified, it boasts 15W wireless iPhone charging, and can fast-charge a Watch at the same time.

The power bank’s battery capacity is 5000mAh, which in our tests gave us nearly a three-quarter recharge. There are alternatives, such as the OneAdaptr OneGo, reviewed above, that feature a 10000mAh power bank with much higher recharge potential—but none are rated as fast at charging as the Matrix Ultimate, which also now comes with international plug adapters (U.S., U.K., E.U., AU/NZ).

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2 25W)
• Cable: Built-in
• Car charger: 45W car charger included
• Colors: Gray

This is a neat and tidy wireless car charger and vent mount that is the fastest we’ve tested at 25W (for iPhones 16 1nd 17) and charges older iPhones at a still-rapid 15W. 25W should in practice get your iPhone up to a 50% charge in just over half an hour, compared to 45 minutes for 15W, and well over an hour for the older and cheaper chargers at 7.5W.

A ball joint holder’s tail hook clips onto an air vent—you spin the body to determine how much of the clip you need protruding—that can be angled at a 32-degree adjustable tilt.

It has comes with a 3.3-foot (1m) cable, which itself is powered by the included 45W dual-port charger that plugs into the power outlet (aka cigarette lighter port) in the car. The other port is legacy USB-A that can output at 12W.

• Output charging: 25W (Qi2 25W)
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft)
• Car charger: 58W dual-port charger
• Colors: Black

This fast 25W Qi 2.2-certified charger features CryoBoost active-cooling technology to ensure more reliable charging at that top speed. It is compatible with 10-32mm vents.

The charger itself feels robust and stable when its reinforced aluminum hook is securely locked into the car’s air vent blades with a shock-absorbing silicon pad between the charger and the vents, and the strong N52 magnets keep your phone securely in place. That means a less jumpy screen on bumpier roads.

The 360° rotating arm features a precision ball joint that allows for 60° of up-and-down movement, as well as side-to-side adjustability.

• Output charging: 15W (MagSafe)
• Cable: Built-in
• Car charger: 12V car charger included
• Colors: White

Use your iPhone for satnav directions or to have easy access to your playlists in the car with this MagSafe-certified wireless charger and car vent mount, which works in both landscape and portrait modes.

It has an integrated USB-C cable, and a 12V car charger adapter for cars that come with USB-A ports.

The magnetic link is strong, which should mean that it can cope with any big bumps in the road. It works best with straight, horizontal vent slats up to 3mm in thickness and 20mm in depth. It does work with vertical slats, but there might be slight movements if the mount is overloaded with weight, says Belkin.

As a dedicated MagSafe-certified 15W car mount, it is expensive compared to some. If you can handle a lower charger rate, the Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Car Charger 10W does pretty much the same job for a lot less. Or you can buy Spigen’s Mag Fit Phone Holder Car Mount and add Apple’s MagSafe Charger (reviewed above) for pretty much the same 15W result. That product is also available in black, like most car vents.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Cable: Built-in
• Car charger: Not included
• Colors: White

The MagEZ Car Mount Pro 2 impresses across the board: fast charging, strong hold, and integrated NFC function. No competitor offers a comparable range of functions.

What makes the MagEX Car Mount Pro 2 unique is its built-in NFC support and ability to work with iOS’s Shortcuts app. The NFC chips can trigger a short command when the iPhone is held over them. For example, when getting into the car, the NFC can trigger the iPhone to set the focus to “Do not disturb” and play your favorite music. 

Pitaka also offers a version for Tesla Model 3 and Y cars.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Cable: 1m (3.3ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Black

While still able to charge at a fast 15W Qi2 chargers are mostly cheaper than the Apple-certified MagSafe—but as Qi2 is based on MagSafe you have nothing to fear choosing this cheaper option.

It comes with a 1m USB-C cable, with USB-A adapter if your car still has that older standard.

You can clip it into the slats on your car’s air vent (ESR says it is compatible with 99% of all cars, which we can’t verify) or you can use the included 3M adhesive mount for a semipermanent attachment to your car’s dashboard—don’t use this on a nice leather or fabric (or curved) dash.

• Output charging: 15W (Qi2)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Black, Beige Gray

This smart desk mat includes a detachable side strip that includes an adjustable magnetic wireless charging arm for phone and a non-magnetic section to charge your AirPods. Not only is the mat reversible, with smooth, wipeable vegan leather on one side and warmer-feel felt on the other, but you can pull back the mat to stow paper and notes to help reduce clutter. It’s quite a large mat, measuring 28.7 x 14.6 inches (73 x 37cm). The Beige Gray color is actually more of a warm stone tone.

Journey has a range of ALTI charging desk mats but the 15W ALTI Lift is the first to feature a fully rotational flip-up phone stand. The non-Lift basic ALTI—available in four colors—can charge the iPhone only laid flat and at a slower 7.5W. Although costing a little more, we recommend the faster and more adjustable Lift model.

The charging panel connects to the mat with a light magnetic snap, and can be positioned on either side simply by flipping the mat round 180 degrees, depending on whether you are left or right handed. AirPods can be charged at up to 5W. The magnetic fit is strong so you can’t knock it off its charging position with a stray flick of an arm.

Journey

Journey also offers a faster and fancier version of the Alti. The Journey Alti Play offers 15W wireless iPhone charging and cool button-controlled ambient nine-color RGB lighting effects with that will attract gamers or anyone who wants to add some effects to their workspace.

As with the original Alti the magnetic charging panel can be attached to either the right or left side. It does differ in having just one non-reversible side but its fine-weave microfibre lycra cloth surface is designed for a more precise mouse action that will also please gamers. The rubber anti-slip underside keeps the mat firmly in place.

All Alti wireless charging desk mats come with a USB-C cable but require a charger; recommended 30W or higher.

• Output charging: 7.5W (Compatible)
• Cable: 1.5m (5ft)
• Wall charger: Not included
• Colors: Black, Light Gray

The premium-quality, vegan leather Journey NEXA laptop sleeve bills itself as a “4-in-1”, and it certainly is multi-functional.

As well as protecting your laptop during travel, it includes two wireless chargers (one MagSafe compatible at 7.5W; one 5W for AirPods or a second phone) and can work as both a desk mat and mousepad to free your workspace of clutter.

The most recent NEXA Lift model features an iPhone charger that raises into an adjustable stand.

While it comes with a USB-C cable, you’ll need to add your own charger (check our roundup of the best iPhone chargers) to connect with the USB-C port in the sleeve. Alternatively you can charge the MacBook itself while it sits protected in the sleeve—for this you’ll need a more powerful MacBook charger.

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Connections: USB-C (90W PD), 5Gbps USB-C (15W), 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x 5Gbps USB-A, audio mini-jack
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait

There are two screen options with this affordable 4K display: matte (MA270U) and glossy (MA270UP). If you want the most vivid radiant picture with deeper blacks and brighter whites, go for the Nano Gloss screen. If you want to banish glare and reflections more so than with the pricey Nano texture glass on the Apple Studio Display, got for Nano Matte.

Some displays sell the stand separately so there’s an additional cost consideration, but that’s not the case here as the stand is included. It offers a great range of adjustment: -5 to 20 degrees of tilt, swivels 15 degrees left or right, and 115 mm of height. The display can also pivot 90 degrees to Portrait mode, a far greater range of motion than the Studio Display.

The MA270U/P can connect to a Mac through HDMI or USB-C. The USB-C connection offers 90 watts of power so it can charge your MacBook at the same time. If you want to use the display as a connection hub, you need to connect to the Mac via USB-C. Its built-in spare USB-C port offers 15W of power output and the USB-A 7.5W. There are two HDMI ports so you can connect to another device for multitasking.

The one thing that’s immediately noticeable with the MA270U/P is its impressive image quality. Colors are full of life and the detail is excellent. One standout aspect of the image quality is how sharp text appears. This is great for production and design work, but it can even make it more enjoyable to read and write.

It offers image quality that could satisfy users in a production environment–that’s one way of saying that its quality is better than what general users usually get. You might be able to find a 27-inch 4K display that’s a little cheaper, but it won’t look this good.–Roman Loyola

Read the full BenQ MA270UP Monitor review.

The 27-inch BenQ MA270U/P provides a very affordable alternative to Apple’s expensive 5K Studio Display. The BenQ 32-inch MA320U is slightly more expensive, but as well as providing a larger screen it produces a brighter display with bolder, crisper colors, although also at 4K. Read our review of the 32-inch Ben-Q MA320U.

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 5K (5120 x 2880 pixels)
Panel: IPS LCD
Connections: Thunderbolt 5 (96W PD), 2x USB-C (10Gbps)
Webcam: 12-megapixel Center Stage camera with Desk View
Stand: Tilt. Height-adjustable stand costs extra $400/£400
Orientation: Landscape; Portrait with VESA mount adapter

As a production display, the Studio Display is still expensive but looks affordable compared to the Apple Studio Display XDR. Buyers will enjoy its handsome design, good image quality, and impressive spatial audio, but you can save a lot of money by going with a non-Apple display.

Apple displays have always produced very good image quality, and the Studio Display continues that tradition. Colors are rich, contrast is good, and the brightness is suitable for most tasks.

The Studio Display has a tilt-adjustable stand, but it does not pivot between landscape and portrait modes—a WESA mount beings you a portrait option with the right monitor arm or stand. You can get a stand that provides about four inches of height adjustment but it doesn’t come cheap. The price tag for the tilt- and height-adjustable stand is a whopping $400/£400 more. That Apple stand on its own is about half the price of a comparable third-party 5K monitor with its own height-adjustable stand, such as the BenQ MA270S, reviewed below.

The Studio Display has six speakers (four force-canceling woofers, and two high-performance tweeters) that sound better than most displays we’ve used but are no match for a decent independent speaker.

There’s nothing wrong with this display. Brightness uniformity is good, and color accuracy is excellent. It’s just an old panel, with poor motion clarity from a slow pixel response and a complete lack of modern expected display properties. It’s 2026, and all but the very cheapest monitors have refresh rates over 60Hz, adaptive refresh, HDR, or all of the above.

For a monitor being sold new in 2026, the Studio Display looks like what a nice $999 5K display should. But it costs $1,000 more than that (with a decent stand), and the addition of the webcam, speakers, and Thunderbolt ports doesn’t make up the difference..–Jason Cross

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 5K (5120 x 2880 pixels)
Panel: IPS LED
Connections: Thunderbolt 4 (96W PD), 1x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A (10Gbps), 2x HDMI
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Landscape; Portrait

BenQ has been doing a great job with its displays geared towards Mac users. I’ve reviewed the MA270U and the MA270UP (see above) and recommend them. But those 27-inch displays do have one specific feature that may be a no-go for some customers: They are 4K displays, not 5K like the Apple Studio Display. Most people will be fine with 4K, but for others, that’s a deal breaker.

Good news: BenQ now has a 5K offering, the new MA270S. It basically looks the same as the others, except it’s now a direct competitor to the high-resolution Studio Display. More good news: the MA270S lives up to the standard set by its two predecessors, with a great combination of image quality, features, and price. The 70Hz refresh rate might not satisfy gamers but it’s a touch better than most monitors’ 60Hz maximum.

If you’ve been holding out for a 5K 27-inch display, take a look at the BenQ MA270S. It’s a good alternative to the super-expensive Apple Studio Display. If color accuracy is a must-have, BenQ’s PD2730S 5K Designer Monitor (reviewed below) is one of the company’s DesignVue lineup of displays geared towards designers, graphics professionals, video producers, and anyone else who demands color accuracy and consistency, and top-notch image quality.

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 5K (5120 x 2880)
Panel: IPS LED
Connections: 2x Thunderbolt 5 (140W PD), 2x USB-C
Webcam: 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View
Stand: Tilt- and height-adjustable stand
Orientation: Landscape; Portrait with VESA mount

Apple has replaced its 32-inch 6K Pro Display XDR with a new version of its 27-inch 5K Studio Display but with the higher XDR specs.

The XDR version has a mini-LED backlight array with up to 2304 dimming zones that can crank the brightness up to 1000 nits for SDR content and a peak of 2000 nits for HDR content. It supports resolutions up to 120Hz and variable refresh rates, too. (A note on 120Hz support: Macs with M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, and M3 will only drive the display up to 60Hz. You still get HDR and all the other display features, though.)

While both Studio Display models support P3 wide color, the XDR model adds a host of additional color reference modes, including P3 + Adobe RGB, and even DICOM medical imaging.

The webcam is Apple’s 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View. The image quality is vastly improved on previous Studio Displays. White balance, clarity, resolution, and smoothness are all so much better.

Connected via one of the two Thunderbolt 5 ports, it can charge a MacBook at up to 140W—enough to fast-charge even the top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro.

For well-heeled Mac (and only Mac) users, this is just the display to make your content shine. It should cost a lot less, and should be 32 inches (like the old XDR) instead of 27, but there’s no denying that the color gamut and accuracy are top-notch, HDR picture quality is fantastic, and even the webcam is really good this time.

it’s hard not to criticize the price. At $3,299 it’s three times what it should cost, even for an Apple product. At least the price includes the tilt-and-height adjustable stand, a whopping $400 upgrade for the regular Studio Display.–Jason Cross

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 5K (5120 x 2880 pixels)
Panel: IPS LED
Connections: USB-C (65W PD), USB-B, 2x HDMI, DisplayPort
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Landscape

The Alogic Clarity 5K Touch offers Mac users a large, premium touchscreen on a dedicated stand that enables the 27-inch screen to tilt down flat for drawing or sketching and can be lifted to a more comfortable upright angle for viewing, much like a drafting board. It creates a sturdy, wobble-free surface for tablet-like stylus use in a downward-angled workspace. It can rotate 360° so that you can share work with colleagues.

The Clarity Touch is a precision, 10-point multitouch, One Glass Solution (OGS) touchscreen that combines the monitor’s protective layer with its input layer via a conductive medium keeps the Clarity Pro Touch’s screen as thin as the other Clarity monitors, while maintaining the monitor’s bright picture.

Touchscreens are useful for artists and video professionals, with many pro tools having accurate touch functionality that beats using a mouse. It’s a more intuitive way to fine-tune levels and effects in photo-editing or music mixing, in applications such as Adobe Lightroom and Audition, and Apple Pro Logic. We did find the touchscreen setup a little fiddly as you have to install drivers for Mac, but once up and running, the operation was smooth.

Alogic had offered the Fold stand as a $219 optional accessory but it is now the default stand for the touchscreen monitor. One drawback is that you can’t adjust it to a portrait orientation without remounting the display.

Alogic has a new 32-inch Clarity 6K Fold Touch Monitor ($2,499.99) offering 6016 x 3384 pixels and 216ppi pixel density for the finest work.

Mac touchscreen alternatives: Pro Touch and Max Touch

Alogic also offers two 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) touchscreen models, the 27-inch Clarity Pro Touch ($1,399, on a non-fold stand) and 32-inch Clarity Fold Touch ($1,599). Aside from the lower resolution and price-tag, the only real other difference is the retractable webcam that automatically raises itself from within the monitor when an app requires it, and then auto-retracts when it’s no longer needed. The 5K Touch lacks a built-in webcam, with Alogic instead recommending its own $189 Illuminate USB-C Light Bar with 4K Autofocus Webcam. Read our Alogic Clarity Pro Touch review and Alogic Clarity Max Touch review–Simon Jary

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 2K (2560 x 1440 pixels) aka HD
Panel: IPS LCD
Connections: HDMI, DisplayPort 1.2, USB-C, and the integrated hub offers three USB 3.2 ports and one USB-C port
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt
Orientation: Landscape

The GW2790QT monitor from BenQ is a 27-inch IPS monitor with a maximum resolution of 2K and a brightness of 350 nits. It offers a color gamut of 99 percent of sRGB and can be selected for gaming, M-Book, or film. The monitor’s color gamut is good, but homogeneity decreases towards the edges.

The monitor features Low Blue Light Plus technology, which filters out blue-violet radiation harmful to the eyes, and automatic adjustment of screen brightness. A display coating is designed to reduce glare. The monitor can be rotated 20 degrees in any direction, tilted 5 degrees downwards and upwards, and the entire screen can be rotated 90 degrees into portrait format.

In addition to HDMI, DisplayPort 1.2, the USB-C port provides 65 watts of power delivery for the MacBook, while another DisplayPort is available for connecting a second monitor. The integrated hub offers three USB 3.2 ports and one USB-C port with 5 gigabits per second speed.

The monitor has built-in speakers and a microphone optimized for video conferencing, equipped with noise filter and noise cancellation. A USB-C connection to the Mac is required for use. The monitor has a series of buttons for operation, including the integrated microphone, noise filter, Low Blue Light Plus, menu control, and on/off button.

For an additional $20, the display comes with a practical Yogi Pad set, which serves as an iPhone holder, universal shelf, and studs for stacking building blocks. While not the fastest monitor, it is suitable for general office use and does not require professional editing.–Thomas Bergbold.

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 5K (5120 x 2880 pixels) at 60Hz or QHD (2560 x 1440) at 120Hz
Panel: IPS LCD
Connections: USB-C (65W PD), HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, 2x 5Gbps USB-A, audio mini-jack
Webcam: No
Stand: Tilt
Orientation: Landscape

The KTC 5K2K is very well priced at a retail price of $669.99, and expect to see lower prices on Amazon.

It’s silly to compare this display to the $1,599 Apple Studio Display but the KTC’s screen measures up pretty well on the specs front. Its stand is certainly basic but then so is Apple’s default. A better comparison is the $999 BenQ MA270S, reviewed above, which has a better stand than both of them and is an excellent all-round choice—but it’s hard to walk away from the KTC’s super low price-tag.

It isn’t the very cheapest 5K monitor on the market but it does offer more-than-decent P3 color accuracy and tone on a budget. Its dual-resolution option that turns it from 5K/60Hz to 2K/120Hz will appeal to gamers who want a well-balanced screen for mid-range color work and another for gaming.

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 5K (5120 x 2880 pixels)
Panel: IPS LED
Connections: Thunderbolt 4 (90W PD), Thunderbolt 4 (15W), HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, 10Gbps USB-C, 2x 10Gbps USB-A, audio mini-jack
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait

The BenQ PD2730S 5K Designer Monitor is a 27-inch display that’s a new addition to the company’s DesignVue lineup of displays geared towards designers, graphics professionals, video producers, and anyone else who demands color accuracy and consistency, and top-notch image quality. Its size and resolution make it a direct competitor to Apple’s Studio Display.

The PD2730S was a pleasure to look at daily. The detail it produces is sharp and satisfying; I used the display with an M4 MacBook Pro, which has a mini-LED panel (what Apple calls Liquid Retina XDR) and it looks nice, but the PD2730S is much crisper. The colors produced by the PD2730S are great, too. BenQ promotes the PD2730S as a display that’s “always accurate” and has “consistent colors” thanks to the company’s AQColor technology.

BenQ also offers two software utilities for adjusting color. The Display ColorTalk app helps you set up your MacBook and the PD2730S so that the colors match between the two as closely as possible. The Palette Master Ultimate app works with hardware calibrators and can be used to create custom color profiles. Both apps are free and helpful to photographers, designers, and anyone else who deals with colors on a professional level.-

The newer MA270S (reviewed above) is a more affordable version but lacks the designer-level color tools of the PD2730S.–Roman Loyola

Size: 32-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Panel: IPS LED
Connections: Micro-HDMI (with HDMI adaptor), 1x USB-C (video), 1x USB-C peripherals, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 5, AirPlay, Thread
Webcam: HD
Stand: Tilt and height adjustable (included)
Orientation: Landscape

Samsung’s M8 Smart Monitor has been a popular choice for home users since its launch in 2022, offering a 32-inch monitor with 4K resolution at a lower price than Apple’s expensive 27-inch Studio Display. The M80D model, also known as the fourth-generation update, offers several features that make it an excellent value for money at just $699.99/£549.

The glass panel on the M8 still provides 4K resolution with 400 nits brightness, but the M80D model updates several other features to ensure excellent value for money. The monitor comes in three parts that need to be assembled by hand, and the plastic casing used for the display and the detachable 1080p webcam feels flimsy. However, the M8 is not a mobile device, making it suitable for general day-to-day use when sitting on your desk at home.

The M8 supports HDR content and 99% of the sRGB color standard, which is accurate enough for basic graphics work, photo-editing, and presentations. Professional photographers or video-editors who require the more precise DCI-P3 standard will need to look at more expensive alternatives.

The M80D model has a different set of connectors, with one USB-C port, one HDMI, and two USB-A ports, whereas previous models had two USB-C and one HDMI ports. However, it still supports Bluetooth for connecting additional peripherals, wi-fi, and AirPlay for Apple devices. This allows users to stream audio to the M8’s speakers or mirror the display from their Mac or iPad to the M8 without using a cable.

The M8 can be used as more than just a basic computer monitor. It has a built-in ‘entertainment hub’, which includes apps for Netflix, YouTube, Xbox gaming service, and a web browser. Some functions are not available to Mac users, such as the ability to pair the display with a Samsung Galaxy watch for fitness data monitoring, and there’s an Easy Settings app only available for Windows users. Samsung could improve the on-screen menus and controls for the M8 to make them more straightforward.

Despite the build quality not up to Apple standards and the untidy on-screen menu system, the M8 remains an affordable and attractive 4K display for home users, outperforming Apple’s more expensive Studio Display–Cliff Joseph.

Size: 40-inch
Resolution: Wide Ultra High Definition (5120 x 2160 pixels)
Panel: IPS LCD
Connections: 5Gbps USB-C (90W PD), HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, 2x 480Mbps USB-C (5W), Gigabit Ethernet, audio mini-jack
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape

Two large screens side by side can be a big productivity booster, but one super-wide screen means one cable connection, no screen separation and removes issues with matching specs, meaning you avoid potential color, brightness, and display quality discrepancies if the two monitors have different specifications.

This 40-inch flat ultra-widescreen display saves you from buying two displays, each of which needs a connection to your Mac.

It creates a remarkable amount of convenient and ergonomic working screen space for a single monitor to maximize viewable multitasking apps and documents without the bezel gap and setting complications you get with a dual-monitor setup.

Picky creatives had issues with the (still available) lower-resolution 40-inch QHD (3440 x 1440) Edge on its lower pixel density so the 120% more pixels in this 5K version is a noticeable improvement. It might still not be for the more exacting graphics professional but for general productivity users this 40-inch screen is even more spacious than having two monitors side by side.–Simon Jary

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 2K (2560 x 1440 pixels) aka HD
Panel: IPS LCD
Connections: 4x USB-A, USB-C, HDMI 1.4, 2x DisplayPort 1.2
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Joint (Rotation)
Orientation: Landscape

It’s a common criticism of Apple’s own displays that they don’t allow you to adjust the height of the screen unless you pay a ridiculous amount for an optional adjustable stand. Most rival displays do allow you to adjust the height, of course, but BenQ’s 27-inch PD2706UA goes even further. Rather than having a conventional stand, the PD2706UA includes an ergonomic arm that attaches to your desk and allows you to freely adjust the height, tilt and swivel, and even rotate it into the upright portrait mode with just a tap of your finger. You don’t have to pay a fortune for this flexibility either, as the PD2706UA provides an attractive 4K display for just $629.99/£549.99.

The ergonomic arm is designed to either clamp onto the edge of a desk or table, or attach to the circular grommets found on many pieces of office furniture. It does require a little patience to assemble properly, but the free movement of the screen will be a blessing for people who may have problems with their neck or shoulders, or simply for quickly swiveling the display into position to show your work to clients or colleagues.

The display provides 4K resolution with support for HDR10, which is good value at this price. Connectivity is good too, with HDMI and DisplayPort interfaces, along with one USB-C connector that handles video and provides 90W output for charging a laptop. It also includes a built-in USB hub that provides three USB-A ports and one USB-C (for data transfer only), as well as BenQ’s ‘hotkey puck’, which sits on your desk and provides a quick dial control for selecting display settings without using the traditional on-screen menus.

As always, BenQ keeps Mac users in mind by providing a Mac version of its DisplayPilot app, which provides features such as an ‘M-book’ mode that is designed to match the color settings on a Mac. The display also supports 100% of the sRGB color space, and 95% of DCI-P3, so it can handle a wide range of graphics and design tasks. Our only real complaint is that the display only provides modest levels of brightness – 350nits or 400nits with HDR – compared to 500nits for my office iMac. It also works with Benq’s Display ColorTalk and  Palette Master Ultimate color calibration tools.

The built-in speakers are pretty feeble too, but the PD2706UA does have a 3.5mm audio connector so you can use headphones or external speakers if you want to.

Some professional users might prefer a more expensive display that supports 100% of DCI-P3, but the PD2706UA will be a good, affordable option if you just need a 4K display for use at home or in the office, with the added bonus of the versatile ergonomic arm thrown in for good measure.–Cliff Joseph

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Panel: IPS LCD
Connections: USB-C (90W PD), USB-B, 2x HDMI, DisplayPort
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait

The Alogic Clarity is a stunning 27-inch display with built-in hub and a fantastic height-adjustable, tilt and pivot stand. It will appeal to Mac users with its Apple looks and is even, in some ways, a superior monitor to Apple’s own Studio Display, although its 4K resolution isn’t as sharp as Apple’s 5K screen.

The stand is one of the best we’ve seen, and easily beats Apple’s standard monitor stand.

It features multiple display connections and can power your MacBook at up to 90W via either USB-C or USB-B.

There is also a Clarity Pro model that features a built-in retractable webcam, although we prefer a standalone webcam (check out our favorite Mac webcams), as well as a touchscreen version reviewed above.–Simon Jary

Size: 34-inch
Resolution: WQHD (3440 x 1440 pixels)
Panel: VA
Connections: Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.0, 2 USB-A ports (and a USB service port for servicing), a DisplayPort (version 1.2), an ethernet port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Curved landscape

The Samsung VIewFinity S65TC is a 34-inch display but it’s more wide than tall, so it’s like working on two displays side by side. The S65TC also offers a high refresh rate, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and easy-to-use controls. It’s a nice display at a reasonable price.

The ViewFinity S65TC supports Thunderbolt 4 and you can use it to connect to a Mac. One of the Thunderbolt 4 ports delivers 90 watts of power (it’s labeled with a laptop and Thunderbolt icons), so you’ll want to use that port to connect to a MacBook so it can charge the laptop while connected. If you prefer, you can connect it via the HDMI 2.0 port. The display also has 2 USB-A ports (and a USB service port for servicing the display), a DisplayPort (version 1.2), an ethernet port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

The S65TC’s contrast is quite good, but the color reproduction feels watered down, especially if you put it next to an iMac, for example. Brightness is also in the lower spectrum at 350 nits–the Apple Studio Display’s brightness is 600 nits. Even a MacBook Air has more screen brightness at 500 nits.–Petter Ahrnstedt

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Panel: IPS LED
Connections: 2x USB-C PD, 5x USB-A, gigabit ethernet DP-in/DP-out, 1x HDMI, USB-C upstream (for daisy chain)
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Landscape

Dell advertises the U2723QE with “exceptional contrast.” This is made possible by the panel’s IPS Black technology. Indeed, the screen offers an unusually high contrast ratio of 2000:1: black looks like black, and colors are very clearly distinguishable. Thanks to its wide color space support (100 percent Rec.709, 100 percent sRGB, and 98 percent DCI-P3) it is on a par with modern Apple LCDs.

The screen settings can be adjusted using the joystick on the back, or directly from the Mac desktop using the Dell Display and Peripheral Manager software. Here you can quickly adjust the brightness and contrast. There is also the option of defining a schedule for changing the brightness or contrast. If required, users can also define hotkeys for brightness and contrast control. However, the software works on the MacBook, Mac mini, and Mac Pro, but not on the iMac.

The ports on the back are hard to reach and not entirely in logical positions. The two connections at the front are also arranged at the bottom, which makes plugging them in from the bottom a gymnastics exercise every time. A side or rear-facing solution like Apple’s would be better here. But this display does offer a lot of ports, and it’s a complete USB-C docking station for MacBooks and a good extension for the Mac mini or Mac Studio.–Christian Rentrop

Size: 2x 23.8-inch
Resolution: 2x HD 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Panel: IPS LCD
Connections: HDMI, USB-C
Webcam: No
Stand: Tilt, Swivel, Rotation
Orientation: Stacked landscape or portrait

The UPerfect Delta Mega is a monitor curiosity that might take your fancy. Instead of having two screens side by side, the Delta stacks two on top of each other, with the ability to fold the whole thing down flat when you want to. It comes with a carry bag so is portable, but you wouldn’t want to take it down to the coffee shop with you—and more would the other customers or café owner.

Having two screens stacked on top of each other will save your neck from frequent twisting plus a bunch of freed-up desk space too.

The two joined 24-inch screens are HD rather than 4K so won’t suit those who want the deepest, richest colors, but as a productivity option, we love the Delta Mega for the comfortable dual-screen alternative.

If you want other monitors stacked vertically, you would need a special mount. The flexibility of simply folding up the screens is a game-changer if your home-office setup needs tidying away at night.

There’s a smaller (18.5-inch) but still stacked touchscreen version, the UPerfect Delta Max, with a touchscreen option.

Another stacked option is the Mobile Pixels Geminos Dual Vertical FHD Monitor–Simon Jary

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Panel: IPS LED
Connections: USB-C (100W PD), 2x HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, 2x 10Gbps USB-A, USB-B, audio mini-jack, Gigabit Ethernet
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Rotation
Orientation: Landscape and portrait

The Spectrum One with Gorilla Glass is worth a look if you’re in the market for a display and cringe at the $1,599 starting price of the Apple Studio Display.

There are a few trade-offs: it’s 4K resolution rather than 5K, and it lacks speakers, a microphone, and a webcam. The height-adjustable stand costs an extra $99.

Its overall image quality isn’t as good as the Studio Display, but it’s still very good for even professional-level image work.

A Mac can also use one of the two HDMI 2.1 ports, but by connecting through USB-C you’ll also be able to use the display as a hub and its other USB-C port (15 watts), the two USB-A ports, and the 3.5 mm audio jack.

It has a few advantages over the Studio Display, such as a variable refresh rate to a maximum of 144Hz, a higher maximum brightness, and it can connect to game consoles at 120Hz. Overall, it’s a display that’s worth the investment.

This model is sold on Amazon in the U.K. but with a delivery estimation of more than three months and the European sales are in Euros, so not really one for the U.K. market.–Roman Loyola

Size: 31.5-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Panel: IPS LCD
Connections: Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 3, 3x USB-A ports, 1x USB-C port, 1x USB-B port, 2x HDMI 2.0 ports, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, audio jack
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Landscape

The BenQ PD3225U 4K display offers high display quality and many practical functions. It’s ideal for design, desktop publishing, and photo and video editing–it’s a good all-around display. Thanks to the Thunderbolt connection, it is ideal as a Mac docking station.

Using Thunderbolt, the display offers four USB ports and an additional Thunderbolt socket into a practical docking station. The second Thunderbolt port also serves as a daisy-chain connection, which can be used to connect a second monitor. The rest of the ports are located on the rear of the display. The PD3225U also offers two HDMI 2.0 ports and DisplayPort 1.4.

Content on the PD3225U is always clearly recognizable thanks to a peak brightness of 400 nits and a contrast ratio of 2,000:1. The PD3225Q is also an exceptionally evenly illuminated panel with no halos or similar display problems. The matte screen is coated with an anti-glare coating that largely prevents reflections from light sources. It also works with Benq’s Display ColorTalk and  Palette Master Ultimate color calibration tools.

The PD3225U also supports BenQ’s own Display Pilot software. This tool allows you to conveniently control the PD3225U from the Mac via the menu bar.–Christian Rentrop

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Panel: IPS LED
Connections: USB-C (65W PD), 2x HDMI, DisplayPort
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel
Orientation: Landscape

The Asus ProArt PA279CV is a 4K monitor that offers accurate color and important “pro” features such as accurate gamma presets. It even has USB-C connectivity, making it an excellent choice for creators looking to upgrade from their laptop display.

It’s not a great-looking monitor, with larger than average display bevels on the plasticky chassis. It’s not luxurious but it’s fine for an office or workstation.

Asus’ ProArt PA279CV is a sensible choice for content creators who want a color accurate 4K monitor but don’t want to clean out their savings account.

Connected via USB-C, it can charge a MacBook at up to 65W—enough for a MacBook Air or 14-inch MacBook Pro.–Matthew S.Smith

Read a full Asus ProArt PA279CV review.

Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 2K (2560×1440 pixels) aka HD
Panel: IPS LED
Connections: 4x USB-A, USB-C, HDMI 1.4, 2x DisplayPort 1.2
Webcam: No
Stand: Height, Tilt, Swivel Floor, Joint (Rotation)
Orientation: Landscape

Apple’s Studio Display and Pro Display are seriously expensive, and they’re very much designed for professional and creative users who need 5K or 6K displays for graphics and video work. Not everyone needs such a high-res display though, and I’ve always found that a QHD (quad-HD) display with 2,560×1,440 resolution is the affordable sweet spot that works well for both general office work and off-duty entertainment. HP’s somewhat clumsily named E27u G4 is a good option here, providing an attractive QHD display with a variety of connectivity features for just $424/£286.80.

You’re not going to get a top-of-the-range display for that price, and the E27u does lack a few added extras, such as a built-in webcam or speakers. It gets all the basics right, though, with good image quality, multiple video inputs, and a useful built-in USB hub. The display’s 250 nits brightness may be relatively modest, but we found that the E27u looks bright and sharp enough for working with productivity software such as Microsoft Office, and also for streaming video from the BBC iPlayer and Apple TV+. And while Apple charges an extra £400 for an upgrade that allows you to adjust the height of its Studio Display—which is more than the entire cost of the E27u—you can tilt, swivel and adjust the height of the E27u, and even rotate it into upright (portrait) mode at no extra cost.

The E27u includes HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C interfaces for connecting to your Mac, with the USB-C port also providing 65W power to charge a MacBook or other laptop if required. When using the USB-C connection you can also use four USB-A ports to connect devices such a keyboard, mouse or hard drive, and there’s also a second DisplayPort interface that will allow you to daisy-chain a second monitor if required. Our only complaint is that there’s no audio connector that would allow you to connect headphones or a set of external speakers to the display – although HP does sell a special ‘speaker bar’ that bolts onto the bottom of the screen if you want to add audio ($43.00/£40.00).–Cliff Joseph