How We Ranked The 5 Best Monitors For Mac Mini

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By

Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Apr 30, 2024 12:44 PM

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

When you’re using a Mac Mini, selecting the right monitor is essential for maximizing performance and productivity. Look for monitors with excellent contrast ratios, broad color gamut coverage, and strong brightness to handle various lighting conditions. Features like DisplayPort connectivity, blue-light filters, flicker-free displays, and adjustable stands ensure a seamless and comfortable user experience. High color accuracy and dynamic visuals are crucial, especially for tasks like photo editing, video production, and design.

Our guide identified five top monitors after analyzing 196 models and over 322,035 reviews, with 71% of experts being unreliable. We use True Score to verify and certify monitors as tested, while filtering out fake reviews with our Trust Score. The winning monitors excelled in rigorous testing, delivering outstanding performance and reliability. 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?

After evaluating over 200 websites, Gadget Review has pinpointed the best monitors for your Mac Mini. We analyzed expert reviews, customer experiences, and testing methodologies to identify 2 required test results, 1 nice-to-have test results, and 1 must-have specifications. Our buying guide emphasizes monitors that deliver outstanding clarity, precise color reproduction, and optimal Mac Mini integration. Let our detailed research guide you to the ideal monitor for your 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 Asus

    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

    86
    89
    10

    Experts

    90
    6k

    Customers

    SAVE $60
    $799.00
    $739.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    HP OMEN 27QS

    • Best For 27-Inch

    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

    84
    83
    4

    Experts

    91
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $100
    $299.99
    $199.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dell Alienware AW3423DW

    • Best For Streaming

    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

    87
    2k

    Customers

    SAVE $300
    $1,099.99
    $799.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240

    • Best For Graphic Design

    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
    335

    Customers

    SAVE $400
    $999.99
    $599.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Tempest GP27U

    • Best For Photo Editing

    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

    73
    74
    5

    Experts

    78
    61

    Customers

    SAVE $327
    $871.67
    $545.00

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 Rating). 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 Ratings 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 Asus

86
  • 311.24 nits

  • 311.24:1

  • 94.85%

  • 99.98%

  • 10.8 ms

  • 2.13 ms

  • 2%

$739.00
$799
$60

HP OMEN 27QS

  • Best for 27-Inch

84
  • 389.5 nits

  • 389.5:1

  • 94.35%

  • 100%

  • 8.5 ms

  • 4.2 ms

  • 4.8%

$199.99
$300
$100

Dell Alienware AW3423DW

  • Best for Streaming

83
  • 241.39 nits

  • 241.39:1

  • 99.81%

  • 100%

  • 15.8 ms

  • 1.96 ms

  • 1.4%

$799.99
$1,100
$300

Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240

  • Best for Graphic Design

83
  • 317.53 nits

  • 317.53:1

  • 96.12%

  • 106.96%

  • 13.55 ms

  • 0.79 ms

  • 1.8%

$599.99
$1,000
$400

Tempest GP27U

  • Best for Photo Editing

73
  • 570.22 nits

  • 570.22:1

  • 101.78%

  • 99.8%

  • 16.9 ms

  • 4.61 ms

  • 5.5%

$545.00
$872
$327

Monitor for Mac Mini Question (FAQ)

What factors should I consider when choosing a monitor for my Mac Mini?

When selecting a monitor for your Mac Mini, consider factors such as screen size, resolution, connectivity options (e.g., HDMI, Thunderbolt), color accuracy, and design aesthetics to ensure compatibility and an optimal viewing experience.

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