Better
monitor for mac mini
Me more
2022
If you are looking for the best monitor to match your Mac mini with the amazing M1 chip or the older Intel Mac mini then you are in the right place. Your best bet is the LG 27UN850-W 27 Inch Ultrafine, thanks to super-resolution photos, MacBook charging capabilities, and an affordable price tag. An LG monitor is ideal for most people, but there are other monitors you can consider as well, depending on your situation or budget. Here’s our guide to the best Mac mini monitors.
Better overall: LG Ultra-Smooth 27-inch Ultra HD Monitor
Here’s a 27″ 4K Ultra HD monitor that works perfectly with your Mac mini. Although it doesn’t have the Apple design aesthetic, the good stuff is all inside. The LG27UN850-W fits in the pocket at an affordable price and excellent quality if you don’t mind the two-tone boxy look and large stand.
As for the price, you can have it four LG27UN850-Ws for only one LG UltraFine 5K monitor. UltraFine 4K is also great for MacBooks with USB-C charging capabilities, so you only need one cable to manage it. Other features include two USB-A 3.0 ports, two HDMI ports, and one DisplayPort.
Positives:
- 2 USB-A ports
- 4K picture quality
- Support 60W charging for laptops
- Easy to set up
- Affordable for features
Negatives:
- No camera or microphone
- Only one USB-C port
overall better
LG 27UN850-W Ultrafine UHD
4K and Diversity
LG’s 27-inch UltraFine monitor delivers crisp 4K resolution and convenient MacBook charging capabilities at an affordable price. Connect two for a beautiful, bright and convenient workflow for your Mac.
Best on a budget: ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP
ZenScreen is a favorite for its amazing versatility and low price. It has a 15.6-inch screen with USB-C and micro HDMI connector that works as a desktop monitor or as a portable option. You can switch between landscape and portrait mode, and it’s compatible with Thunderbolt 3. If you need a second monitor, it’ll take up just the right amount of space without burdening your desk.
Despite the small size, this portable monitor is still capable of delivering a high definition resolution of 1080p. This display comes with a ZenScreen stylus – which acts as an easy-to-use stylus – and a foldable Smart Cover that protects the screen when it’s not in use, similar to the Apple Smart Cover for iPad.
Positives:
- Weighs less than two pounds
- Ultra-thin
- Comes with a cap and a pen
- Refresh rate 60Hz
Negatives:
- Smaller 15 inch screen
- Mini HDMI port
The best on a budget
ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP – Portable Full HD . Monitor
Portable as much as it gets
ZenScreen is an easy-to-use ASUS monitor with a USB-C port, a great-looking IPS panel, and more.
Best picture: Apple Pro XDR Monitor – 32 inch
Apple’s Pro Display XDR is the perfect display for the latest M1 Apple Silicon Mac mini (2020) in 6K Ultra HD resolution. This massive 32-inch screen has it all: P3 color, HDR, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, True Tone support, Night Shift support, and it can reach 1,600 nits of peak brightness.
Pro Display XDR has one Thunderbolt 3 port that delivers the best picture possible with Mac mini, and three USB-C ports that add extra flexibility to your desktop. Plus, a unique hinged mount (sold separately) makes adjustments easy and the nanoglass option minimizes glare. While this would be the best screen if you want the best visuals, you should only splurge on it if you’re a video editor or other visual professional.
Positives:
- Resolution up to 6K
- 32 inch screen
- Nano texture option
- Thunderbolt 3 and 3 USB-C ports
Negatives:
- Expensive!
- There are no old ports
- Does not include stand or stand
Best picture
Apple Pro Display XDR 32 Inch with Retina 6K Display – Standard Glass
Absolute best picture quality
Apple’s PRO Display XDR delivers original 6K picture quality with up to 1,600 nits brightness. If you absolutely need the best, Pro Display XDR is the best.
Best Features: Apple Studio Display
Despite the studio in the name, the Apple Studio Display isn’t just for the shiny new Mac Studio. This premium 27-inch display is also a perfect match with the Mac mini, incorporating an ultra-wide 12MP HD camera with Center Stage, six speakers and a three-microphone array built right into it.
The Apple Studio Display connects to your Mac mini via USB-C or Thunderbolt 3, and with up to 96W host charging, you can charge and connect your MacBook with just one cable. Once connected, the Studio Display displays 5K Ultra HD resolution, 600 nits of brightness, True Tone, and Wide color P3 that supports 1 billion colors.
Positives:
- 5K . resolution
- Stunning design
- Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C
- Built-in speakers, camera and microphone
- Phase Center Capabilities
Best Features
Apple Studio Display – Display for Mac
full package
Apple’s Studio’s Monitor is the perfect Mac mini companion with its built-in 12MP webcam, six speakers and a three-microphone array.
Best ultrawide: LG 34BK95U-W UltraFine LED UltraWide Monitor – 34″
While we’re still fans of LG’s UltraFine 5K display, it was the LG 34WK95U-W that won our hearts with its massive, ultra-fast screen. The 34-inch 5K HDR monitor has a resolution of 5120 x 2160 and features a Thunderbolt 3 port, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, and two USB-A ports.
The ultra-wide screen aspect ratio is excellent for multitaskers and content creators, with plenty of room for lots of windows and long schedules. The extra real estate makes it more versatile than LG’s UltraFine 4K and 5K models, and slim bezels give it a modern look that fits perfectly in your Mac mini.
Positives:
- Professional quality technology
- 5K Color Nano ISP Display
- USB hub
- Diverse input options
Negatives:
- No built-in camera or microphone
- The quality of the built-in speaker is poor
Best ultrawide
LG 34BK95U-W UltraFine – Nano IPS LED UltraWide Monitor
Another nice choice
Use the LG UltraWide Monitor with your Mac, and the Daisy Series with a second 4K display for maximum productivity.
best curve: LG UltraWide Curved WQHD + IPS HDR10 Monitor – 38-inch
If you love the idea of having an ultra-wide screen but want to keep everything in your field of view, the LG 38WN75C-B 38-Inch Class 21:9 Curved UltraWide might be the right choice for you. The 38-inch WQHD UltraWide monitor features a 21:9 aspect ratio with 99% sRGB color gamut and HDR 10, making it ideal for graphic designers, professional photo and video editors, and gamers.
Although it lacks a built-in speaker, the monitor has two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, and a headphone output, allowing for plenty of accessory options. Other highlights include split screen mode, a refresh rate of 75Hz, a contrast ratio of 1000:1, a peak brightness of 300 nits, and a sleek, nearly borderless design.
Positives:
- clean design
- Split screen option
- HDR10 support
Negatives:
- Not 4K
- plastic construction
best curve
LG 38WN75C-B . Monitor
at the top of the curve
If you want a more immersive gaming experience or a widescreen photo editing experience with your Mac mini, the huge 38-inch LG 38WN75C-B with HDR 10 and sRGB Color Gamut is the right choice for you.
Upgrade your experience with the best Mac mini monitors
It’s hard to choose the right monitor for your Mac mini. It’s important to consider how much space you have on your desk, what you plan to use your Mac mini for, and how much you can afford. That’s why the LG 27UN850-W is our pick for the best monitor for Mac mini because it’s a perfect fit for most people. It measures 27 inches, which is large but not too big. It has an amazing 4K display, charges your MacBook, and has different ports that connect all the peripherals.
If an LG monitor is a little out of your range, the ASUS ZenScreen 15.6 Inch 1080P Portable Monitor (MB16AHP) is the next best thing – and it’s portable! Conversely, if you need the best possible image quality, consider Apple’s impressive Pro Display XDR. Apple’s professional monitor is powerful, bright, and beautiful, too!
Credits – The team that worked on this guide
Brian M Wolf He is a father who loves technology, especially anything new from Apple. She graduates Penn State (go to the Nittany Lions) here, and is also a big fan of the New England Patriots. Thanks for reading. Tweet embed
Christopher Close He spends most of his time writing and dreaming about all things HomeKit. If you’d like to join him in his quest to automate everything, you can follow him on Twitter at @itschrisclose.
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