The Mac mini is one of the coolest consumer electronics to come to market in recent years. It may not be the smallest mini PC on the market, but it does provide Apple’s sleek and unmistakable design sensibilities in a compact computer case that’s built for helping users get the best productivity and efficiency out of their day.
One potential downside is that the Mac mini doesn’t come with a monitor of its own, but that can be a boon if you do your research. We’ll show you 10 of the best monitors for the Mac mini and help you determine which factors you should pay attention to when shopping for one.
- The 10 Best Monitors For Mac Mini
- LG 24MD4KL-B 24″ Ultrafine 4K UHD IPS LED Monitor
- LG 34WK95U-W 34″ UltraWide 5K2K Nano IPS LED Monitor
- Asus Zenscreen MB16ACM 15.6″ Portable Monitor
- LG 27MD5KL-B Ultrafine 5K 27″ IPS UHD Monitor
- BenQ 32 inch, 4K UHD Monitor
- Dell UltraSharp 27-inch USB-C Monitor
- Samsung (LC32F391FWNXZA) 32″ CF391 Curved Monitor
- ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ 27” Monitor
- LG 34GK950F-B 34″ Ultragear WQHD Nano IPS Curved Monitor
- ViewSonic VX2758-2KP-MHD 27″ WQHD IPS Monitor
- Monitors For Mac Mini Buyer’s Guide
- Panel Type
- Screen Size
- Resolution
- Brightness
- Refresh Rate/Response Time
- Ports
The 10 Best Monitors For Mac Mini
| Award | Design | Monitors | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Screen, Big Color |  | Check Price | |
| A Spacious, Vibrant, and Expensive Monitor |  | Check Price | |
| Highly Compact, Highly Portable |  | Check Price | |
| A Pint-Sized Entertainment Powerhouse |  | Check Price | |
| A Productivity Powerhouse |  | Check Price | |
 | Check Price | ||
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LG 24MD4KL-B 24″ Ultrafine 4K UHD IPS LED Monitor
Small Screen, Big Color
The 24-inch 24MD4KL-B is blessed with incredibly strong color gamut coverage. This is a 4K monitor that also offers full coverage of the P3 wide color gamut. For creative professionals, that level of distinction can be a huge boon. And while the screen size may be small and the monitor itself overly bulky, it offers some of the best and most crisp visuals around. Casual consumers can probably look elsewhere when shopping for a Mac mini monitor, but this 3840 x 2160 display is one of the best options available for people who regularly work with photo or video editing software.
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Screen | 24 inch |
| Resolution | 4K UHD |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits |
Pros
- Full P3 wide color coverage
- Can hit a full 500 nits of brightness
- Sleek and button-free design
- Includes 4 USB-C ports
Cons
- One of the bulkier monitors around
LG 34WK95U-W 34″ UltraWide 5K2K Nano IPS LED Monitor
A Spacious, Vibrant, and Expensive Monitor
Just because the Apple Mac mini is so tiny doesn’t mean that your screen needs to be. This may be the best monitor for Mac mini that you can buy, as long as you can afford the price tag. The 5K2K resolution takes things a step beyond traditional 4K – offering a vertical resolution of 5K and a horizontal resolution of 4K. Take into account the 34-inch display and the ultrawide design format, and you’re left with a monitor that offers perhaps the most immersive experience on our list for watching movies and playing games
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Screen | 34 inch |
| Resolution | 5K2K |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 600 nits |
Pros
- Cutting edge 5K2K support
- Support for High Dynamic Range
- Covers 98% of the DCI-P3 gamut
- Ultra-wide area for better productivity
Cons
- Rather high asking price
Asus Zenscreen MB16ACM 15.6″ Portable Monitor
Highly Compact, Highly Portable
One of the best things about the Mac mini is that it can go with you anywhere, but that can still be a problem if your monitor can’t do the same. ASUS provides a sensible solution with their 16-inch Zenscreen. With its adjustable stand and bright display, this is a compact solution that won’t take up that much more space than a laptop with your Mac. And since it regularly retails for less than $200, it’s a sensible choice for a second monitor that you use when you’re out of the office. It’s backed by ASUS EyeCare tech to ensure your eyes aren’t hurt by harmful blue light.
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Screen | 15.6 inch |
| Resolution | FHD 1080p |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | ~250 nits |
Pros
- Works in portrait and landscape mode
- Portable design weighs under three pounds
- Smart Cover to protect the screen
- Includes blue light filtering
Cons
- Smaller screen won’t suit everyone
LG 27MD5KL-B Ultrafine 5K 27″ IPS UHD Monitor
A Pint-Sized Entertainment Powerhouse
LG’s 27-inch monitor may not be the biggest option available, but it has an incredibly valuable trick up its sleeve: the inclusion of 5K support. The sheer crispness and quality of the image reproduction here make it one of the best options around for photo and video editing. But it’s just as good for watching movies on the go or catching up with friends and family. A camera and speaker both come built-in, and video and images continue to look great from a viewing angle of up to 178 degrees.
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Screen | 27 inch |
| Resolution | 5K |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits |
Pros
- Support for 5K
- Includes camera and speaker
- Display settings optimized for Mac
- Very wide viewing angles
Cons
- 5K on 27″ might be overkill for some
BenQ 32 inch, 4K UHD Monitor
A Productivity Powerhouse
If you want a monitor built for the needs of pros, BenQ is a solid name to turn to. This 32-inch 4K monitor is all about productivity. DualView allows you to view multiple files side by side, and you can even quickly swap out displays from multiple devices through the use of the Keyboard Video Mouse switch. There are even specific display modes for specialized tasks like AutoCAD or animation. And BenQ’s impressive (and proprietary) AQColor technology provides some of the best and most expansive color coverage available today.
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Screen | 32 inch |
| Resolution | 4K UHD |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 350 nits |
Pros
- Above-average color reproduction
- Multiple eye care technology safeguards
- Specialized and professional display modes
- Tons of ergonomic adjustment options
Cons
- Controls can be a bit finicky to navigate
Dell UltraSharp 27-inch USB-C Monitor
If you want to tidy up the clutter on your desk, the Dell UltraSharp presents an enticing option. The presence of a single USB-C cord means that you can handle power, data, video, and audio transfer through a single cable. And with most modern devices being USB-C compatible, you can connect it to a lot more than just your Mac. While it’s not the biggest stunner on the block, the 1440p resolution is nothing to sneeze at. Then there’s the Dell Display Manager platform which gives you a ton of ways to organize your screen and boost productivity
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Screen | 27 inch |
| Resolution | WQHD |
| Refresh Rate | 50 Hz |
| Brightness | 350 nits |
Pros
- Tons of multitasking tools
- Uses a single USB-C cable
- Screen auto-restore function
- Swivel, pivot, and tilt adjustable
Cons
- No speakers built in
Samsung (LC32F391FWNXZA) 32″ CF391 Curved Monitor
If you want the most immersive experience around, there’s nothing quite like a curved monitor. This Samsung monitor offers a decent curvature of 1800R and a display size of 32 inches. For many, it will be the best fusion of portability, price, and immersion available. Samsung has employed Active Crystal Technology to provide exceptional coverage of the wide color gamut and an Energy Saving Plus mode for keeping your power consumption to a minimum. And with dedicated motion blurring technology at work here, you can even use this monitor for some gaming in your spare time.
| Panel Type | Curved |
| Screen | 32 inch |
| Resolution | FHD 1080p |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 250 nits |
Pros
- Nicely sized and curved screen
- Uses Active Crystal Technology
- Solid motion blur reduction
- Supports AMD FreeSync tech
Cons
- A bit washed out in brighter rooms
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ 27” Monitor
Given Apple’s poor reputation for gaming, the ASUS TUF might not seem like a best-fit monitor for a Mac mini at first blush. But once you dig into the specs, you’ll find a monitor that you’ll really love. ASUS has done a great job of pairing a 1440p resolution with some seriously peppy refresh rates, and the motion blur technology at work here is truly phenomenal. High Dynamic Range is also supported by this monitor, and you’ll find that it offers ASUS Eye Care tech for better productivity even during longer marathon productivity sessions.
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Screen | 27 inch |
| Resolution | WQHD 1440p |
| Refresh Rate | 165 Hz |
| Brightness | 350 nits |
Pros
- A great choice for gaming
- Uses proprietary motion smoothing tech
- Supports HDR 10 format
- Comes with dual HDMI ports
Cons
- Below average contrast ratio
LG 34GK950F-B 34″ Ultragear WQHD Nano IPS Curved Monitor
Nano IPS may be one of the biggest buzzwords in monitors today, but it’s actually one that produces results. LG’s monitor matches a curved display with an above-average 1440p resolution, but it also sports a curved design that makes it easier to read everything on your screen. And it looks great, too. This monitor is especially borderless, so it will work well in more cramped spaces and particularly if you want to create a dual monitor setup for your office. The stand itself is highly adjustable, so you can find a great angle regardless of the environment you’re working in.
| Panel Type | Nano IPS |
| Screen | 34 inch |
| Resolution | WQHD 1440p |
| Refresh Rate | 144 Hz |
| Brightness | 400 nits |
Pros
- Highly immersive curved display
- Support for HDR10 tech
- Highly adjustable monitor stand
- Supports AMD FreeSync 2 tech
Cons
- Blacks look a little faded
ViewSonic VX2758-2KP-MHD 27″ WQHD IPS Monitor
ViewSonic is a manufacturer that’s eager about producing results suited to the needs of serious professionals, and while this monitor may be tailored towards the needs of gamers, you’ll find a lot of value suited to more traditional computer users too. The response time, refresh rate, and resolution are all above average here, resulting in some of the best overall quality for those looking for a balanced monitor. And with a host of different connectivity options, you aren’t just restricted to connecting your Macintosh mini. If you need monitors with a great sense of balance, it’s a hard choice to resist.
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Screen | 27 inch |
| Resolution | WQHD 1440p |
| Refresh Rate | 144 Hz |
| Brightness | 400 nits |
Pros
- AMD FreeSync Premium included
- Supports multiple gaming visual modes
- Blue light filter for extended comfort
- Backed by a three-year warranty
Cons
- HDR doesn’t shine as well as it might
Monitors For Mac Mini Buyer’s Guide
To a large extent, shopping for the best monitor for an Apple Mac mini isn’t going to be very different from shopping for any monitor, but the focus on a single PC model means that we can help you look through the prism of what your Mac mini can do. We’ll talk specifics here, but if you want a more detailed analysis of the specs and features that the best Mac monitors offer, you may want to hustle over to some of our other monitor guides.
For Mac users, great graphics and strong functionality in photo and video editing programs have become a given, but if you need gaming, you still aren’t going to find a whole lot of options. That means a monitor for Apple will focus more on high resolution than on performance specs like refresh rate and response time. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be a consideration, but it does mean that color reproduction is going to be significantly more important. With that in mind, let’s start by looking at the specs on monitors for Mac so you can get a better understanding of what you can expect.
Panel Type
Given the Mac mini’s sensibilities, an IPS panel is going to be the standard for most monitors. They may be more expensive, and you may see a VA panel or two on the list – but the generally wide color gamut reproduction of an IPS panel makes them some of the best monitors to attach to a new Mac.
Screen Size
Picking the screen size comes down to finding the balance between screen real estate, pricing, and the space available on your desk. Bigger screens are obviously going to cost more, but creatives and other professionals may need monitors with a bigger display to properly get their work done and expand their productivity. We suggest at least 25 inches for most customers, but we’ve also highlighted both petite size portable models and especially large size monitor models for the mini.
Resolution
Resolution is king when shopping for a new monitor for your Mac mini. After all, it’s one of the things Mac does especially well. Modern monitors tend to vary between Full HD and 5K resolution. The former will be just fine for the average consumer, while the latter will be too expensive for all but the most serious creative professionals. 4K occupies a great middle ground between price and performance and should be enough for most customers.
Brightness
How much the brightness of your display matters is going to be highly situational. If you have your display in a dark room without much variation, the average brightness of 250 to 350 nits should work plenty. But if you want to make the most of HDR, you’re going to need one that offers a peak brightness of at least 600 nits. High brightness is also good for portable monitors that you may need to use in less than ideal outdoor lighting conditions.
Refresh Rate/Response Time
Refresh rate and response time are important for gamers, but not for the majority of users. 60 Hz or higher and 10 ms or less should be more than generous enough for anyone who doesn’t need the best monitors for serious gaming performance.
Ports
When looking to connect a Mac mini to a monitor, you have two options – HDMI or Thunderbolt 3. All of the monitors on our list will include Thunderbolt 3 ports, though not all will come with HDMI support. This is primarily a feature you should look at when gaming and Macs aren’t exactly notorious for their strong gaming presence. A Thunderbolt 3 cable alone should be enough for most customers.
That said, also keep an eye out for the presence of at least one USB-C port. A USB-C port can be used to easily connect devices, but if you have a lot of peripherals and hard drives, you may want to aim for a monitor that has a more generous selection of ports.
Wrapping Up
When looking for monitors, Mac mini users have a whole lot of options to pick from. That said, what you need will vary depending on what you want to use your computer for. We’re confident with the quality of the monitors on our list, and we’ll continue to update the products on this list as new products arrive and we need to keep pace with our customers.
If you want to figure out how to more fully make the most of your Mac mini (or any computer, miniature or otherwise), we encourage you to dig a little deeper. Whether you’re looking to build your own gaming rig, find a cheap multimedia screen for streaming, or bolster your productivity in the workplace, you can always count on us to provide you with models that cover all of the most important bases.
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