With 4K steadily growing in popularity amongst regular PC users, it’s probably time for monitor and screen manufacturers to introduce the next tier. Sadly, we won’t be jumping into the 8k craze yet, that’s too big. For now, we’re in the infancy stage of 5K monitors.
5K, for the uninitiated, stands for 5120 x 2880 which is the pixel count in a digital screen. Actually, the second measurement is open to a different amount depending on the aspect ratio– the more important part is that it reached 5,120 pixels horizontally. But for 16:9 aspect ratios, 5k can be interpreted as 2880p since 2,880 is the vertical pixel count for that ratio.
Regardless, there are only a handful of 5K monitors around and we’re here to help you choose in case you have the hardware to take on this new beast of a resolution tier. It’s certainly more crisp than 4K or UHD and allows for a bigger screen size.
Here are some of the best 5K monitors right now.
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LG 27MD5KL-B 27-Inch UltraFine 5K
PROS
- 16:9 aspect ratio provides the perfect balance and app compatibility
- Good color gamut
- MacOS compatibility
- Built-in camera
- Good brightness
CONS
- Expensive
- Latency is high, not ideal for gaming
- Low refresh rate
Specs:
- Size: 27 Inches
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Color: DCI-P3 99%
- Panel Type: IPS
For a true 16:9 5K experience, LG here has a standard offering. The LG 27MD5KL-B 27-Inch UltraFine 5K aims to please nearly everyone with its Windows and MacOS compatibility. This comes at a compromise of a 60 Hz refresh rate.
The size is also a bit small but that means you get better pixel density and a finer image. As expected, it’s expensive and you probably don’t need it if you’re only playing video games– this thing is made with graphic designers and digital media professionals in mind.
LG 27MD5KL-B 27-Inch UltraFine 5K
LG 40WP95C-W 40” UltraWide Curved WUHD
PROS
- 40-inch display
- IPS display despite the curvature
- Curved for better focus and immersion
- AMD FreeSync
- Good color accuracy
CONS
- Expensive
Specs:
- Size: 40 Inches
- Refresh Rate: 72 Hz
- Color: DCI-P3 98%
- Panel Type: IPS
The LG 40WP95C-W is an ultrawide option just in case you need more of that screen real estate. Granted, it’s not really true 5K, it’s more like a wider version of 4K since the vertical pixel count is still in the 4K territory (2,160). However, it’s still one of the most competitive 5K monitors out there.
For one, it sports an IPS panel despite being curved so you don’t have to worry about viewing angles too much. The refresh rate is also decent enough at 72 Hz though it’s still an expensive piece of hardware that’s also compatible with the MacOS.
LG 40WP95C-W 40” UltraWide Curved WUHD
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 49"
PROS
- Ultrawide
- Curved
- Beautiful OLED screen
- High refresh rate
- FreeSync Premium Pro
- 49 inches of pure OLED bliss
- Minimalist and futuristic design
CONS
- It's EXPENSIVE
- OLED is prone to burn-in issues
Specs:
- Size: 49 Inches
- Refresh Rate: 240 Hz
- Color: 99% (CIE1976)
- Panel Type: OLED
There’s bound to be a 5K Samsung monitor here or one of these days, and while the Samsung Odyssey OLED is not quite true as a 5K monitor, it’s still a gorgeous device. Technically, this is just two QHD (1440p) displays spliced together to make an ultrawide monitor.
However, the horizontal length makes it 5K. And besides, all that screen space will grant you all the immersion you could ever want. It’s perfect for gaming too since the refresh rate is high enough for eSports at 240 Hz. Of course, OLED panels usually need no introduction among those who are familiar with monitors and TVs. It has some of the most accurate blacks out of all panel types.
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 49"
Lenovo ThinkVision P40w-20
PROS
- Ultrawide
- 40-inch screen
- IPS despite the curvature
- Good color accuracy
- Not as expensive as other ultrawide 5K monitors
CONS
- Still expensive though
Specs:
- Size: 40 Inches
- Refresh Rate: 75 Hz
- Color: 99% sRGB, 98% DCI-P3
- Panel Type: IPS
Usually, ultrawide 5K monitors will run you nearly or over 2,000 USD but Lenovo has a particular offering that’s a lot more considerate. It’s the Lenovo ThinkVision P40w-20 and it’s also an ultrawide 4K display stretched horizontally to 5K.
Still, it could be a nice option for everyone who wants to try out this new resolution tier, especially since the screen here is 40 inches. Moreover, it’s an IPS panel with curvature, something that’s quite rare these days.
Lenovo ThinkVision P40w-20
Philips 498P9Z 48.8"
PROS
- 49 inches of screen
- Curved for better immersion
- High refresh rate
- It's actually affordable for a 5K monitor
CONS
- VA panel
- Color accuracy could be better
Specs:
- Size: 48.8 Inches
- Refresh Rate: 165 Hz
- Color: 91% DCI-P3
- Panel Type: VA
Philips thankfully has some budget-oriented gamers in mind when it comes to 5K monitors. Their Philips 498P9Z Curved Monitor is quite a steal. It’s a dual QHD display like the Samsung Odyssey G9 though at a sub-$750 price point, there are some notable compromises.
The panel is VA though it’s curved so you’re less likely to notice the color shift when you’re off-center. Color accuracy is also considerably lower so it’s not the best choice for graphic designers. But with a screen this size and a refresh rate this high at 5K, those compromises are fair, especially for its price.
Philips 498P9Z 48.8"
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Is there a big difference betweek 4K and 5K?
It's not as big of a difference compared to 1440p to 4K, but you'll notice it right away since 5K allows more of the image and the UI elements to fit. Moreover, images are crisper and it's easier to spot the pixels in lower-resolution pictures. -
Why are 5K monitors so expensive?
Because they're relatively new technology and one of the defining factors for a monitor's price tag has always been resolution or how many pixels can fit in the screen.