SummarySwine monocytes constitute a heterogeneous population of cells which can be divided into four subsets based on the expression of SWC3, CD14, CD163 and swine leucocyte antigen (SLA) DR markers. These subsets appear to represent different maturation stages in a pathway along which these cells up‐regulate the expression of SLA DR and CD163 antigens and reduce that of CD14. Differences in the expression of adhesion and costimulatory molecules are also patent, with a progressive increase in the expression of CD11a, wCD11R1, CD29, CD49d, CD61, CD1a and CD80/86, and a concomitant decrease in that of wCD11R2. Besides, these subsets differ in their capacity for tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) production in response to lipopolysaccharide + interferon‐γ. The CD163+ CD14− SLA DR+ subset produces higher amounts of TNF‐α than the CD163− CD14+ SLA DR− subset, whereas CD163+ CD14+ SLA DR+ and CD163− CD14+ SLA DR+ subsets show intermediate values. CD163+ monocytes also display a higher ability to present soluble antigens to T cells than CD163− monocytes.