Excellent display quality is essential for the creative professional, and the best monitor for the Mac Mini demonstrates why Apple computers have long been a cornerstone in the industry.
Designers and videographers flocked to the Mac because of its simple, beautiful design, but these creative workers also need great monitors to make their projects possible. Macs have pioneered high-resolution retina displays with a wide color gamut in the portable space.
The Mac Mini brings the Apple experience to users who couldn't afford a MacBook or a Mac Pro. The Mac Mini features Apple's latest M1 silicon, bringing superfast unified memory to boost overall performance and support for display connections using Thunderbolt and HDMI. If you are searching for a monitor for the Mac Mini, it makes sense that it would also be of the same impressive quality as the one it's connected to.
In compiling this list, we've considered many aspects when choosing. In addition to critical specs like screen size and resolution, we've considered connectivity options, ergonomics, and general aesthetics.
Read our review of the best monitors for every budget
The best monitor for the Mac Mini in 2023 in full
The best monitor for the Mac Mini in full
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The two most critical things you want for a Mac Mini are pixel density and connectivity. The Dell S2722QC gives you both at a very decent price. It's a 4K 27-inch panel, which translates into roughly 160DPI. That's not as good as Apple's own 5K studio display or the Pro Display XDR. But then those monitors are massively more expensive.
Moreover, you still get really nice, sharp fonts from MacOS on a 27-inch 4K monitor. The S2722QC also offers decent image quality from its IPS panel. OK, there's only very basic HDR support with no local dimming and just 350 nits peak brightness. Likewise, color gamut coverage is pretty limited. So, this is not remotely a pro-grade display for content creation.
But in usability and broad productivity terms, it still has nice colors and characteristically great IPS viewing angles. As for connectivity, the highlight is USB-C with 65W of power delivery. More expensive monitors can offer over 95W of charging over their USB interfaces. But with a Mac Mini display, that's far less critical given the Mini will be powering itself.
What does matter is that the S2722QC has a USB hub, so you can decide what works better for you in terms of connecting peripherals like keyboard, mouse and external storage - hooking them up to the Mini itself or connecting them to the display.
Of course, the USB-C connectivity also means that this is a great choice if you're using this display with both a Mac Mini and a MacBook. And for MacBooks, rather than the most power hungry PC notebooks, 65W of power delivery is just fine.
The S2722QC also doesn't have a dedicated DisplayPort interface. But, again, that's really only of concern for PC usage. For Mac Mini and other Apple computers, it's USB-C all the way. All told, this is a very nice little 4K panel for general Mac Mini productivity.
The BenQ PD2725U is a top choice for those searching for the best monitor for their Mac mini. This monitor delivers stunningly clear and vibrant visuals with its 4K UHD resolution and 100% sRGB color accuracy.
One of the standout features of the PD2725U is its dual-view function, which allows users to split the screen into two parts and display different content on each half. This is particularly useful for professionals working with design or video editing software, as it allows them to preview their work in different color spaces or screen sizes.
Regarding connectivity, the PD2725U has a range of ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C, making it easy to connect to various devices. It also has a built-in KVM switch, allowing users to easily switch between their Mac mini and other computers using a single keyboard and mouse.
The PD2725U also has a flexible stand that can be adjusted for height, tilt, and pivot, allowing users to find the most comfortable viewing angle. Its slim bezel design makes it a stylish addition to any desk setup.
Overall, the BenQ PD2725U is a versatile and high-performing monitor that is well worth considering for anyone needing a top-quality display for their Mac mini.
In 2019, Apple made headlines for its release of the Pro Display XDR as it delivered the best resolution, causing Mac users to raise eyebrows. Although Liquid Retina 6 held the throne for a long time, technology has moved on, with some 8K monitors from Dell and ViewSonic on the product catalogs. However, those are hard to find and still beyond the capabilities of the M1 Mac Mini.
Apple's new Mac Mini can support up to two displays (one with a resolution up to 6K at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt and one with a resolution up to 4K at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0), so there is no point in connecting a display that goes over 6K. Most PC monitors have skipped 6K in favor of 5K ultrawide monitors and 8K, the expensive monitor from 2019 offers the best viewing experience in terms of display resolution.
Featuring futuristic aesthetics and brushed aluminum with giant heat sinkholes, the PRO Display XDR is a large, heavy monitor. In addition to the 6K resolution, the device can be turned 90 degrees to function in portrait mode. If you stay within the brand ecosystem, you don't have to mess with the OS regarding Apple products. Since Mac OS controls everything, you won't find any buttons on it for adjustments.
Regarding connectivity, it's modest: Thunderbolt 3.0 and three USB-C ports. Nothing more, nothing less. Despite Apple owning Beats, this monitor lacks speakers. The separately-sold stand commands a $999 price tag that has attracted scorn from competitors that quickly pointed out you're paying for a stand the same price others charge for a whole monitor.
You might want to consider the Apple Pro Display XDR if money is not your primary concern, or if it is, but you need the highest resolution you can get on an M1 Mac Mini right now, nonetheless.
Dell knocked it out of the park with their highly featured 6K monitor. Dell has managed to delicately perch this beautiful display right between Apple's Studio Display and the Pro Display XDR. The subsequent result is a more affordable, gorgeous 6K display with color accuracy to go to bat against the Pro Display XDR and the features of the Studio Display, all with better port options for the masses. Our review of this display resulted in a perfect score, which rarely happens.
The U3224KB UltraSharp 6K monitor features an integrated 4K HDR webcam, Thunderbolt connectivity up and downstream, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, USB-A, RJ45, and USB-C ports. Essentially, this monitor is designed to not only be an additional display for your Mac Mini, but also be a Thunderbolt Dock. Granted, a handful of those ports are available on the Mac Mini, but having additional ports for power users is always welcomed, especially when it doesn't clutter your desk.
Dell also built an auto KVM switch that allows the ports to switch between connected computers seamlessly. In practice, you can have your Mac Mini and MacBook connected to this display (and perhaps a few other devices), and with a simple input switch, your mouse and keyboard, external storage, and even an internet connection could follow you between computers.
As an Apple product, it's no surprise that the Apple Studio Display is well optimised for use with Mac Mini. The most obvious upside is the 5K panel itself. With 5,120 by 2,880 pixels on a 27-inch panel, you're getting fully 218 pixels per inch. That's enough for MacOS to do its beautiful, high-DPI thing with fonts. Text really does look gorgeous on this monitor.
As a straight SDR monitor, the Studio Display is pretty sweet. It's rated up to 600 nits brightness, which is plenty, the colors are accurate and the viewing angles are fab. However, there's no HDR support of any kind, no local dimming or any of the other trick stuff that some monitors, including Apple's own Pro display XDR, have to increase dynamic range.
Still, connectivity is absolutely on point for using with Mac computers, including the mini. WIth three USB-C ports, it can act as a powerful hub for connecting peripherals and features likes the web cam are properly integrated with MacOS, so it supports Center Stage tracking technology. Nice. In typical Apple fashion, the speakers are also a zillion times better than any comparable screen.
The main downside is price. This thing is megabucks for a 27-inch monitor with no HDR support. What's more, you have to pay extra if you want a stand with height adjustability. As standard, it only offers tilt. Ouch. The anti-reflective nano-texture screen cover is another pricey option. Oh and the bundled Thunderbolt cable for primary connectivity to the Mac Mini is only 1m long. Longer cables are very pricey. All of which means the value argument for the Studio Display is tough to make. But if you can afford it and don't need HDR capability, this is still a very nice solution for the Mac Mini.
With the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CV, Mac Mini users will have a reliable workhorse. Video and photo editing will be a breeze, and the graphics will be stunning. This 4K monitor is an upgrade from the PA278CV, a QHD monitor. Due to its perfect coverage of the sRGB color space provides a sharp image and accurate colors for content creators. Compared with the PA278CV, it comes with twelve preset modes, making it an excellent option for photo editors using a Mac Mini.
In addition to thin bezels and a simple design, it has a metallic finish plastic stand and a clip on the back for cable management. Its power and OSD buttons are at the bottom of the device, where it sports a built-in ruler on the bottom bezel to assist content creators and photo editors. Its matte anti-reflective coating provides vibrant colors with 100% sRGB color accuracy, which is excellent for most work purposes, and it tops this with impressive 178-degree viewing angles.
In addition to DisplayPort over USB-C, it has two HDMI v2 ports, one DP, and four USB 3.1 type-A downstream ports. Its USB-C with Power Delivery comes in handy if you share your Mac Mini monitor with a MacBook Pro as the monitor can deliver 65W of power.
For the Mac Mini owner, having a monitor of the same high quality and specs is essential. While you can technically connect a Mac Mini to a big-screen TV via HDMI, if you plan on using your Mac Mini for work, you will need a monitor that will become the center of your workspace. Dell delivers just that with the P3222QE, aptly named a "docking monitor."
To begin with, it comes with USB-C to easily connect to the Mac mini. Additionally, it includes a USB hub, so you can plug a mouse, trackball, webcam, keyboard, and USB flash drives into the monitor and only have to plug a single cable into your Mac Mini.
With a 31.5-inch 4K IPS display, a matte black chassis, and a silver metal stand, the Dell P3222QE boasts modern aesthetics. Using a single joystick, the OSD menus can be calibrated or switched between different display modes. Using the stand, you can adjust the display's height, tilt, swivel, pivot, and rotate to portrait. If you do not wish to be limited by the stand, you can attach the monitor to a wall mount or a monitor arm using the provided VESA mount (100x100).
For Mac Minis equipped with the latest M1 silicon, up to two displays can be connected: one up to 6K resolution at 60Hz connected via USB-C/Thunderbolt and one up to 4K over HDMI 2.0. You can use the Dell P3222QE as the primary or a secondary monitor on your Mac Mini because it has three video inputs: DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, and DP Alt mode via USB-C.
The monitor supports USB-C charging, so you can use it with a MacBook if you have one and can charge it from the same cord you use for video. Furthermore, the monitor includes four USB 3.0 ports and an RJ45 network port, ensuring that all fixed cabling, including high-speed Gigabit Ethernet networking, is routed to the monitor.
Note that Dell has taken the step of making speakers optional. The Dell mini soundbar is a separate purchase that attaches magnetically below the bottom bezel, and there is no headphone jack on this model. As a result, if you decide not to purchase the Dell SB521A Slim Soundbar, you will be forced to either use speakers directly connected to your Mac Mini or Bluetooth-enabled speakers/headphones.
Read our full Dell P3222QE USB-C Hub Monitor review.
It's difficult to have everything in a single monitor, especially at the more affordable end of the market. Take the LG 34WN80C. It's got a lot going for it. There's the 34-inch ultrawide panel that offers lots of desktop space for comfortable multi-tasking.
It also has decent color accuracy thanks to an IPS panel, plus HDR support, albeit it's of the basic HDR10 variety and there's no local dimming or eye-popping brightness. This monitor tops out at 300 nits.
Then there's good connectivity, including USB-C, which is ideal for the Mac Mini, plus additional DisplayPort and HDMI options ensuring all your possible needs are covered. What you don't get is terribly high pixel density.
LIke all but a few 5K2K 34-inch ultrawide monitors, the LG 34WN80C runs 3,440 by 1,440 pixels. That's good for providing lots of desktop elbow room. But it only works out to 110DPI. That simply isn't enough to allow MacOS to render really clean, sharp fonts.
How much that bothers you is a subjective call. At this price point, you simply can't have but a large format ultrawide monitor and sufficient pixel density to do MacOS full justice. So, it's a question of taking your pick. But if multi-tasking muscle on a fairly moderate budget is your bag, you could do an awful lot worse.
Really big monitors usually aren't a great fit with Mac computers. That's because of pixel density, as in not enough of it. Take a typical 4K 42-inch mega monitor. Sounds great, but that only works out to 110DPI, Which just isn't enough for nice, crisp fonts in MacOS.
Enter the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW. It's a 40 incher, so it's a pretty big old thing. But it runs a 5K2K resolution or 5,120 by 2,160 pixels. That translates into just under 140DPI. That may not sound like a huge upgrade, but it's the same as a 32-inch 4K panel and just enough for MacOS to work its magic on text properly.
The 40-inch 21:9-aspect proportions also make for fantastic desktop space. For multi-tasking, this monitor is awfully hard to beat. The 2500R curve is likewise gentle enough that it shouldn't be a deal breaker for those who aren't totally sold on screens with a really tight radius.
The connectivity is great, too, thanks to USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 which is ideal for the Mac Mini, plus DisplayPort and HDMI if you also want to connect other computers and devices. There's even an integrated ethernet port for networking passthrough, albeit the Mini does have its own gigabit port.
On the downside, there's no HDR support at all. Plus, at 300 nits this isn't the brightest display. So, it's not ideal for use in really bright ambient conditions. And it's not exactly cheap, though priced at around the same level as Apple's 27-inch Studio Display, you sure do get a heck of a lot more monitor for your money.
This isn't liquid retina, but it's as close as you can get from a third-party monitor manufacturer. MSI's Prestige PS341WU delivers 5,120 by 2,160 resolution at 60Hz for stunning image quality featuring bright colors and high contrast. Its LG nano IPS panel provides excellent image quality for content creation and design work.
The new segment of "5K2K" monitors combines the horizontal resolution of a 5K display with the vertical resolution of a 4K display. In the end, this produces a larger screen area, a higher pixel density, and, as a result, better image quality and sharpness. In addition, it has excellent connectivity, including a USB Type-C port with charging capability, a DisplayPort port, and an HDMI port, the latter being restricted by the HDMI bandwidth limit to 3,840 by 2,160 at 60Hz.
Compared to what you are getting for the current market price, it is a remarkable bargain, making it the best value for the money as far as 5K displays go for the Mac Mini.
Read our full MSI Prestige PS341WU review.
Best Monitor for the Mac Mini: Frequently Asked Questions
How to choose the best monitors for the Mac Mini for you
Besides price and connectivity, ideally, you want a monitor that supports USB-C, Thunderbolt, or HDMI. Still, you must also consider other factors, like resolution and color accuracy, if you are a creative professional and display size. You will also want above-average display sizes if you frequently use your Mac Mini for entertainment or gaming.
There are no limitations to what you can choose unless you have limited space. Monitors with a 27-inch or larger screen are an excellent choice for work and entertainment. Monitors with a screen size under 24 inches usually do not offer 4K resolution. Therefore, if you wish to have excellent resolution and pixel density, a 24-inch monitor is the minimum for desk-based monitors. If you use your Mac Mini for office work, you might go the extra mile or inches in this case and choose a 32-inch display size. An ultra-wide might be your best option for a Mac Mini for entertainment and gaming.
Regarding resolution, a 4K monitor is the sweet spot these days. You can save money by going with a 2K, also known as QuadHD, which is an appropriate option, but you won't get the crisp text that your Mac Mini is capable of. With Mac OS, DPI is everything, so HiDPI mode is essential. Luckily the Mac Mini supports most monitors. It's just Mac OS which sometimes is finicky about enabling HiDPI mode on monitor resolutions that are not the Apple defaults. If you run into problems enabling HiDPI, we suggest you try BetterDummy, a free and open-source application that allows all M1-based Macs to enable HiDPI modes on all displays.
Finally, on connectivity, Apple's Mac Mini with M1 silicon can connect one external display with a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port at up to 6K resolution and one external display with its HDMI 2.0 port to a maximum of 4K. If your monitor has a DP connector, you'll need an inexpensive Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C to DisplayPort (DP) adapter.
The best monitors for the Mac Mini: How we test
The Mac Mini is capable of driving one monitor at 6K. A secondary monitor at 4K, meaning any monitor below 4K (UHD - Ultra High Definition), is a poor investment because your monitor will get old very quickly. You won't be able to use the maximum resolution your Mac Mini can deliver fully. We included a 2K Quad-HD option for thin wallets and small budgets, but anything below 2K is already semi-obsolete.
Nowadays, a 27-inch screen is an excellent entry-level monitor for all purposes. Above that, a 32" (technically 31.5 in some models) adds some extra screen real estate for increased clarity and productivity, particularly for those working with spreadsheets or complex applications. However, 34 inches is the current sweet spot for ultrawide monitors where you can work in a generous 5:9 area and simultaneously watch a 16:9 video.
While there are monitors over 40 inches, we believe the best monitors for the Mac Mini require a considerable viewing distance and too much space, making them less than ideal. We included a 31.5-inch monitor for productivity, a 34-inch ultrawide for those who prefer a screen with the extra room of "5K2K" resolution (5120 x 2160), and those who use their Mac Mini for multimedia and entertainment.
Based on the requirements above, we researched the market options and selected the best monitors in a wide range of prices, from Apple's own Pro Display XDR at the top with its 6K beauty and the same price as a motorcycle down to a decent yet workable QHD 2K workhorse that costs 20 times less yet delivers excellent results. All but one supports USB-C, and most support HDMI 2.0, allowing you to use them as your primary or secondary display on the Mac Mini.
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