5 of the Best Monitors for the Mac Mini in 2024

Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard

(ISF Certified)

True Score Methodology

v1.5

286,489

Reviews Analyzed

Updated Apr 30, 2024 12:44 PM

Our concise best monitors for Mac Mini buying guide cuts through the clutter of fake reviews and insufficient expert analysis by digging into data and real-world testing. We scrutinized 286489 reviews (customer & expert) from 196 computer monitors, evaluating essential performance aspects like input lag and contrast ratio. Our research revealed that 71% of experts fall short in their testing, but we’ve identified the credible few. This meticulous process has allowed us to curate a list of 5 top-performing monitors for the Mac Mini, providing you with the confidence to make an informed decision based on reliable test data and genuine insights.

Below is our list of the 5 best monitors for Mac Mini. In addition to these recommendations, we also feature great monitors that are versatile across various devices. For those with Apple laptops, our guide includes the best monitors for MacBook Pro, ensuring seamless compatibility and enhanced display performance for professional and creative work.

How Did We Rank the Best Monitors for Mac Mini?

We’ve redefined computer monitor buying guides, setting us apart from any other site on the planet. Our unique approach leverages a comprehensive dataset from 200+ trusted sites, focusing on key testing metrics (2 required, 1 nice to have) and 1 specification to rank the top-rated computer monitors for Mac Mini and ensure our recommendations meet your specific needs. Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

🛠️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must have a display port.

🧪 Test Criteria

  • Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 or higher (infinite), offering deep blacks and bright whites for an exceptional viewing experience.
  • Color Accuracy: Covers at least 90% of the DCI P3 color gamut, providing rich and vibrant colors.

👍 “Nice To Haves”

  • Reflections: A reflection percentage of less than 6% of the total light emitted ensures optimal performance across a wide range of lighting environments, enhancing overall viewing pleasure.

Latest Updates

  • 04/30/2024: Republished the list to include the best monitors for Mac Mini based on our True Score system.

Top Monitors for Mac Mini For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Asus ROG PG27AQDM

    • Best For Mac Mini

    The Asus ROG PG27AQDM excels for creatives and gamers, blending smooth performance with high-end features, superior colors, and effective glare reduction.

    Asus ROG PG27AQDM Review →

    True Score

    87
    89
    10

    Experts

    90
    6k

    Customers

    $899.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    HP OMEN 27QS

    • Best For Macbook Pro

    The HP OMEN 27QS blends affordability with performance, offering crisp visuals, high responsiveness, and vibrant colors for a top-tier viewing experience.

    HP OMEN 27QS Review →

    True Score

    85
    84
    4

    Experts

    91
    874

    Customers

    $229.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dell Alienware AW3423DW

    • Best For Dell

    Dell Alienware AW3423DW excels in color accuracy and minimal glare, ideal for design and editing in any light, focusing on immersive viewing experiences.

    Dell Alienware AW3423DW Review →

    True Score

    83
    85
    14

    Experts

    86
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $100
    $899.99
    $799.99

    Did you know 71% of computer monitor reviewers are untrustworthy?

    Our research found only 33 of 110+ computer monitor reviewers as of May 2024 can be trusted. This is why Gadget Review is committed calculating the most accurate product scores on the web.

    To do this, we give every computer monitor review site a Trust Score, which measures how trustworthy the site and their testing claims are. We then leverage AI & a machine learning model to combine and calculate the Trust Score with data from experts and consumers to deliver the True Score, the web’s most accurate product quality rating.

    286,489

    Monitor Reviews Analyzed

    196

    Total Products Analyzed

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240

    • Best For Business

    The Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 offers unmatched response time and high refresh rates for crisp, smooth visuals, perfect for gaming and color-critical work.

    Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 Review →

    True Score

    83
    83
    10

    Experts

    88
    330

    Customers

    SAVE $100
    $999.99
    $899.99

    DON’T SEE WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?

    For film enthusiasts seeking an immersive experience, the best monitor for watching movies should combine a large screen with crisp resolution, ideally featuring HDR technology for vibrant colors and deep contrasts.

    Gamers looking for high-speed performance should consider the best 240 Hz gaming monitor, known for ultra-smooth frame rates, while console gamers can find specialized displays like the top gaming monitor PS4. For those needing multifunctionality, the monitors with a webcam provide excellent convenience for video conferencing, and the top vertical monitor is perfect for coding or reading lengthy documents.

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Tempest GP27U

    • Best For Vertical

    The Tempest GP27U excels in bright rooms with high brightness and color accuracy, ideal for creative work and casual gaming.

    Tempest GP27U Review →

    True Score

    74
    74
    5

    Experts

    78
    61

    Customers

    SAVE $232
    $799.99
    $567.83

    Category Snapshot

    Computer Monitors

    • Total Brands/Products Tested

      27 Brands, 196 Products

    • Top 2 Brands

      Dell, HP

    • Price Range (Budget-Premium)

      $100-$1,500

    • Average True Score

      74.46

    • Important Test Criteria

      Brightness (cd/m2)
      Contrast Ratio (1000:1)

    • Most Trusted Testers

    • Top Monitor Experts

      Samuel Breton, Chris Eberle

    • Typical Warranty

      2 years

    • Covered by Insurance

      Yes – AKKO

Our Approach to Testing the Best Monitors for Mac Mini

We’ve redefined computer monitor buying guides, setting us apart from any other site on the planet. Our unique approach uses a comprehensive dataset from trusted sites, focusing on key testing metrics like contrast ratio, color gamut, and input lag.

We aggregate and analyze this data, ensuring our recommendations meet the specific needs. Specifically, when it comes to monitors for the Mac Min, it should have a color gamut of 90%. Discover our data-driven methodology for precise, reliable monitor for a Mac Mini recommendations.

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Monitors for Mac Mini?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 1 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these computer monitors and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase the best monitor for a Mac Mini.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Contrast Ratio>1000:1YesThe difference in brightness between the whites (lit sections) and blacks (dim or unlit sections) of a monitor panel.
Color Gamut (DCI P3 xy)> 90%YesHow much of the DCI P3 xy color gamut is covered by the monitor, which helps indicate color accuracy for HDR content, which includes certain movies.
Reflections< 6%No (Nice to have)The total amount of light, in percentage, your monitor reflects.

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 110+ computer monitor reviewers and found that 33 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Score). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for computer monitors.

  1. Samuel Breton – Rtings, MuckRack
  2. Chris Eberle – Tom’s Hardware, LinkedIn
  3. Tony Hoffman – PC Mag, MuckRack

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every computer monitor review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Scores from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Computer Monitor Test Data & Results

1. Contrast Ratio (as ratio, x:1) Test Results

Contrast ratio is responsible for making images appear “dynamic” and “dramatic.” By having a good contrast ratio, a monitor is able to recreate dramatic differences between light and dark spots in scenes, images and games accurately.

At a minimum, we recommend a contrast ratio of 1000:1, as this will do a good enough job at allow for detail in dark scenes and images. If contrast ratio gets too low, the picture quality suffers, and the monitor performs worse across the board, no matter the lighting condition. By getting a monitor with a sufficiently high contrast ratio, you can ensure the picture quality doesn’t suffer, and dramatic scenes with stark shifts in lighting, whether they be in games or videos, are created as accurately as possible.

Contrast Ratio (higher is better)

2. Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 xy) Test Results

Color gamut is responsible for making a monitor produce accurate colors when displaying a variety of content. The DCI P3 xy gamut is considered a “standard” gamut of sorts, and is used to help color grade films. Most HDR content will use this gamut at the very least (though other gamut exist) and it’s a commonly used gamut for films.

When it comes to a computer monitor, having a panel that covers at least 90% of the DCI P3 gamut means it’ll output accurate colors when watching HDR content and movies that use the gamut. If a monitor doesn’t cover enough of the gamut, it causes color inaccuracies and shifts the image quality. If you care about maintaining accuracy in the movies you watch so they look the way they were intended, this gamut needs to be properly covered.

Color Gamut P3 XY (in %; higher is better)

3. Reflections % (Total Reflections) Test Results

When using a monitor in any kind of room outside of one that’s pitch black, the screen is going to reflect light. As the light becomes strong, you’re likely to see more light and more glare reflect off it, but depending on the coating and screen type, this can be mitigated. Good screen coatings will keep ambient light and direct light managed by reducing the impact they have on the screen. Bad reflections handling means even weak light sources will create glare that makes it hard to use the monitor.

That’s why we recommend your monitor reflect no more than 6% of the total light shining on it. This keeps glare in check, prevents image quality from being ruined, and allows you to actually see what you’re working on when using your monitor. Lower is always better, but 6% is enough to work without issue.

Reflections % (lower is better)

Best Monitors for Mac Mini: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring Compatibility: Ensure the monitor is compatible with your Mac Mini’s ports and connectivity options. Most Mac Minis feature HDMI, Thunderbolt 3/USB-C, and sometimes DisplayPort outputs. Verify that the monitor has corresponding input ports to ensure seamless connectivity. For users looking to maximize their Mac Mini’s capabilities, selecting the best Thunderbolt monitor can provide not only high-resolution displays but also serve as a hub for additional peripherals, enhancing your setup with streamlined connectivity.

  2. Not Considering Resolution and Size: Choose a monitor with an appropriate resolution and size for your needs. While a larger screen size offers more real estate, consider your workspace and viewing distance. Opt for a resolution that provides crisp text and images without straining your eyes, such as 1080p monitors (Full HD) or higher, like the top 4K gaming monitors, depending on your preference and budget.


  3. Neglecting Display Quality: Pay attention to display quality factors such as panel type (e.g., IPS, TN, VA), color accuracy, brightness, contrast ratio, and viewing angles. Mac Mini users often prioritize color accuracy and sharp visuals for creative tasks like graphic design, photo editing, and video production.

  4. Disregarding Design and Aesthetics: Consider the monitor’s design and aesthetics to complement your Mac Mini setup. Look for a monitor with a sleek, modern design and slim bezels for a seamless and stylish look. Additionally, consider factors like adjustable stands, cable management, and VESA mount compatibility for flexibility and customization.

The Best Monitors for Mac Mini Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Brightness
Contrast Ratio
Color Gamut (DCI P3)
Color Gamut (sRGB)
Input Lag
Response Time (ms)
Reflections %

Asus ROG PG27AQDM

  • Best for Mac Mini

87
  • 311.24 nits

  • 311.24:1

  • 94.85%

  • 99.98%

  • 10.8 ms

  • 2.13 ms

  • 2%

$899.99

HP OMEN 27QS

  • Best for Macbook Pro

85
  • 389.5 nits

  • 389.5:1

  • 94.35%

  • 100%

  • 8.5 ms

  • 4.2 ms

  • 4.8%

$229.99
83
  • 241.39 nits

  • 241.39:1

  • 99.81%

  • 100%

  • 15.8 ms

  • 1.96 ms

  • 1.4%

$799.99
$900
$100

Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240

  • Best for Business

83
  • 317.53 nits

  • 317.53:1

  • 96.12%

  • 106.96%

  • 13.55 ms

  • 0.79 ms

  • 1.8%

$899.99
$1,000
$100

Tempest GP27U

  • Best for Vertical

74
  • 570.22 nits

  • 570.22:1

  • 101.78%

  • 99.8%

  • 16.9 ms

  • 4.61 ms

  • 5.5%

$567.83
$800
$232

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