The Mac Mini is a favorite with many graphic designers, video editors, gamers and music producers on a budget because it’s one of the cheapest Macs on the market.
In fact we think the M2 Mac Mini is the best value Mac on the market in 2024.
Apple even dropped the price of the M2 Mac Mini by $100 compared to the previous M1 Mac Mini making it an even more attractive machine.
However, since this little pocket rocket doesn’t come with a display included, you need to buy an external one separately.
We’ve got you covered though as we reviewed and tested a range of excellent 4K and 5K monitors from 27 inches and above to go with the Mac Mini in 2024.
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Can You Use Any Monitor With The Mac Mini?
You can use virtually any monitor with a Mac Mini, whether it’s an Intel model or one with the M1, M2, or M2 Pro chip, as long as the display has a USB-C/Thunderbolt port (marked with a lightning bolt) or an HDMI port.
This flexibility means you don’t have to invest in the high-end Apple Studio Display; any compatible non-Apple monitor will work just fine.
Why Choose Thunderbolt or USB-C?
Thunderbolt and USB-C connections are often preferred over HDMI due to their stability, ease of use, and faster image transfer speeds. They support higher resolutions, including 5K, 6K, and even 8K displays.
Additionally, if you connect a MacBook Pro to a monitor using Thunderbolt or USB-C, these connections will also charge your laptop.
Upgraded HDMI Capabilities
The latest M2 and M2 Pro Mac Minis feature an advanced HDMI 2.1 port, offering significantly more power than the HDMI 2.0 port on the older M1 Mac Mini.
While HDMI 2.0 on the M1 Mac Mini could handle only one 4K display at 60Hz, the HDMI 2.1 port on the M2 and M2 Pro supports up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K at up to 240Hz.
Connecting a TV
You can easily connect a TV to your Mac Mini using the HDMI port. For a wireless connection, if your Mac Mini is linked to an Apple TV, you can use AirPlay to connect to a TV.
Network and Connectivity:
Mac Minis also come with an Ethernet port, which allows for network connections. Some monitors, like the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE, support this feature, providing additional connectivity options.
For more, check out our guide on how to connect a display to a Mac Mini.
Here then is our roundup of the best displays to use with Mac Minis in 2024.
1. BenQ PD3225U (4K)
The BenQ PD3225U is our top monitor pick for the Mac Mini thanks to its amazing color depth, out-of-the-box calibration for Macs and overall quality.
BenQ has made this monitor extremely Mac-friendly with a special “M-book” mode, ensuring it works seamlessly with Macs compared to many other monitors.
An upgrade from the older BenQ PD3220U, the PD3225U offers significantly improved brightness (400 nits vs. 250 nits), deeper blacks, and greater color depth.
For designers and photographers, the PD3225U is perfect for editing images thanks to its crystal-clear sharpness and color accuracy, supported by BenQ’s ColorTone software.
The monitor supports a DCI-P3 99% color gamut, making it suitable for professionals working with Adobe RGB profiled images and RAW photos.
Despite its 140 ppi pixel density, the display remains crisp and clear.
There’s lots of connectivity options including two Thunderbolt 3 ports, USB-C ports, HDMI, and DisplayPort.
Additional features include an external HotKey puck for control, a KVM switch, and the ability to hot-swap color profiles.
While the internal speakers are basic, they are sufficient for general use, though external speakers are recommended for better sound quality. Although not designed for gaming, it performs adequately at 60Hz.
You can read our full BenQ PD3225U review for more.
Pros:
- Mac mode for seamless connection to all kinds of Macs
- Quick access via HotKey Puck
- Excellent color depth and blacks with wide P3 color gamut
- Thunderbolt 3 ports for daisy-chaining
- Brightness control from Mac keyboard
- Superb ColorTone software
- Multiple port connections
Cons:
- Poor internal speaker quality
- No integrated webcam
- Only 4K resolution
2. Asus ProArt PA279CV (4K)
If the BenQ is out of your price range, then the Asus ProArt Display PA279CV is ideal for those seeking excellent color accuracy on a budget.
At just under $400, the PA279CV is an absolute bargain compared to other displays although that is just for the 27 inch display not the bigger versions.
Available in sizes from 27 to 34 inches, the PA279CV supports 4K HDR UHD with an IPS 178° wide viewing angle panel.
The display offers a wide color gamut of 709 and Delta E < 2 color accuracy.
Connectivity includes two HDMI 2.0 ports and a USB 3.1 hub. Adaptive-Sync technology ensures smooth performance for video editing and gaming.
For those on a budget, the Asus ProArt PA279CV is easily the best value external display you’ll find for the Mac Mini.
For more check out our full Asus ProArt Display 4K review.
Pros:
- Excellent color accuracy
- 4K HDR support
- Excellent value for money
- High brightness levels
- Available in multiple sizes
- Various presets for artists and designers
Cons:
- No Adobe RGB support
- Not suitable for fast gaming
- Low PPI and brightness
3. Apple Studio Display (5K)
If your budget stretches, then you really can’t do much better than stick with Apple and plump for the Apple Studio Display.
As you’d expect, the 27-inch 5K Apple Studio Display offers seamless compatibility with Macs and excellent automatic color calibration with macOS.
Released in March 2022 as a more affordable version of Apple’s $5,000 Pro XDR Display, the Studio Display supports 5K2K resolution with 218 PPI.
It features a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage, a three-mic array, and a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio, making it ideal for music production.
The adjustable stand is included, but you’ll need to purchase a VESA mount adapter for swivel functionality.
For more you can check out our full Apple Studio Display review.
Pros:
- Made by Apple
- 5K resolution
- 3 Thunderbolt ports
- Automatic sRGB color calibration
- 12MP ultra-wide camera
- Three-mic array
- Six internal speakers
Cons:
- Expensive
- Maximum size is 27 inches
4. LG 34BK95U-W (5K)
The LG UltraFine 34-inch monitor is the best ultrawide monitor for the Mac Mini, offering stunning 5K resolution and 163 ppi.
LG collaborated with Apple to develop the UltraFine series, featuring a panel similar to the 27-inch 5K iMac display.
The 34BK95U-W supports 5K2K resolution (5120 x 2160), HDR, and wide viewing angles, making it ideal for desktop publishing and video editing. It includes an adjustable stand and a VESA mount option.
Connectivity options include HDMI, Thunderbolt 3, and three USB-C ports. The 60Hz refresh rate is adequate for most gaming needs.
You can read our full LG 34BK95U-W review for more.
Pros:
- 5K resolution with 5K2K support
- 163 ppi
- Multiple ports including HDMI and Thunderbolt
- Large screen estate
- HDR support
Cons:
- Sound and brightness control not available from Mac keyboard
- Swivel requires a VESA stand
- No integrated webcam
5. Samsung ViewFinity S9 (5K)
The 27 inch Samsung ViewFinity S9 is a strong alternative to the Apple Studio Display although unfortunately, it costs the same as Apple’s monitor too.
Priced similarly at $1,599, it offers a 5120 x 2880 resolution and a 10-bit color gamut covering 99% of the DCI-P3 spectrum.
The S9 features HDR600 support, 600 nits of brightness, a 4K webcam, one Thunderbolt 4 port, three USB-C ports, and a mini DisplayPort.
It includes a remote control and Smart TV functionality with preinstalled apps like Netflix and YouTube.
The display also supports wireless Bluetooth connectivity for speakers, keyboards, and game controllers, as well as AirPlay. The sound system features two 5W stereo speakers, and there’s split screen support with Samsung MultiView.
For more details, check out our comparison of the Samsung ViewFinity S9 and Apple Studio Display.
You can check out our look at the Samsung ViewFinity S9 vs Apple Studio Display for more.
Pros:
- Similar specifications to Apple Studio Display
- 218 PPI
- 5K resolution
- HDR600 support
- Remote control and Smart TV functionality
Cons:
- Large external power supply
- Same price as Apple Studio Display
6. Dell UltraSharp U2720Q (4K)
The Dell UltraSharp U2720Q is a great budget-friendly 27-inch 4K monitor for the Mac Mini. Priced at under $600, it offers excellent value with HDR support, which enhances image contrast.
It features two USB-C ports and one HDMI port, although it lacks a Thunderbolt port.
The adjustable stand allows for swivel, pivot, and vertical adjustments.
If you need an Ethernet connection for your monitor, you should also check out the newer Dell UltraSharp U2723QE which is an upgraded version of this model and allows you to connect the display directly via Ethernet to the Mac Mini.
You can read our full Dell UltraSharp U22720Q review for more.
Pros:
- Crisp 4K quality images
- Excellent color gamut
- Great value for money
- HDR support
Cons:
- Poor brightness controls
- No internal speakers
- No internal webcam
- No Thunderbolt port
Pricing & Specs Comparison Table
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the top six displays from our list including specs and pricing.
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