Mac Mini 2560 X 1080

Need a new monitor for your Mac Mini?

Wondering whether you should buy a Mac Mini and what kind of monitor you'd need to pair it up with?

Then this is the buying guide for you!

Check out all the best monitors for Mac Mini available right now as well as everything else you need to look out for when buying a new display for your computer!

best overall

LG 34WK95C

lg 34wk95c monitor

34″ 3440×1440, 109 PPI
Ergonomic design
Wide color gamut

budget pick

Dell U2719DX

dell u2719dx monitor

27″ 2560×1440, 108 PPI
Excellent design quality
DeltaE < 2 factory-calibration

premium pick

LG 27MD5KL

lg 27md5kl monitor

27″ 5120×2880, 217 PPI
Excellent design quality
Wide color gamut

There are many monitors that could potentially go well with your Mac Mini, but in this guide, we'll only focus on the ones that would complement it best!

What does that mean? All the monitors we've picked are based on IPS panels for the most consistent colors, widest viewing angles and with a refresh rate that's not higher than the standard 60/75Hz as a higher refresh rate won't be necessary.

We've also ensured that all monitors have excellent color reproduction, good connectivity options and high pixel density for sharp details and text as well as plenty of screen space!

Dell P2418D

Best Budget Monitor For Mac Mini

Size: 24"
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 2560×1440
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Color Gamut: 99% sRGB
Pixel Density: 123 PPI

The Pros:

High pixel density
Ergonomic design and rich connectivity options
Accurate colors and wide viewing angles

About The Monitor

Looking for a small and affordable monitor that has a crisp picture quality? Then look no further than the Dell P2418D.

Image Quality

Now, this 24″ display features an IPS panel with wide 178° viewing angles, accurate colors and 2560×1440 Quad HD screen resolution.

When displayed on a 24″ sized screen, the 1440p resolution results in a pixel density of 123 PPI (pixels per inch). By comparison, the more popular 1080p resolution has a pixel density of 92 PPI on same sized 24″ monitors.

What does this mean for you? With the P2418D, you get significantly sharper details and more screen real estate without breaking the bank.

Other panel-related specifications include a decent 300-nit peak luminance, a standard 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and 8-bit color depth support for 16.7 million colors!

Design & Connectivity

The design of the monitor nicely complements the Mac Mini. You get a robust stand with versatile ergonomics including up to 130mm height adjustment, 90° pivot, +/- 45° swivel, -5°/21° tilt and 100x100mm VESA compatibility.

Connectivity options include HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2 and a quad-USB 3.0 hub (1 upstream + 4 downstream USB ports). There are no built-in speakers or audio jacks, but there's a slot for Dell's soundbar.

You can use either an HDMI to HDMI cable or a USB-C to DisplayPort cable to connect the screen.

Alternatives

If you're looking for something cheaper, check out the Acer VG240YU. It's another 24″ 1440p IPS monitor based on the same panel, but it has a more gamer-inspired design without USB ports and with a tilt-only stand.

In case you just want a cheap 1080p monitor, head over to our best monitors under $100 for the best deals available.

Dell U2719DX

Excellent 27″ 1440p IPS Monitor

Size: 27"
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 2560×1440
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Color Gamut: 99% sRGB
Pixel Density: 108 PPI

The Pros:

Ideal pixel density for designers and developers
Ergonomic design and rich connectivity options
DeltaE < 2 factory-calibration
Wide viewing angles

About The Monitor

First, to clear away the confusion: the Dell UltraSharp U2719D and U2719DX are the same monitors, it's just that the -DX model is sold by retailers while the -D variant is sold directly by Dell.

At the time of this writing, the U2719DX model is sold for less, which is why we recommend it.

There's also the Dell U2719DC model which has a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode and 65W Power Delivery. We don't recommend this one due to its higher price and the fact that you don't need Power Delivery for the Mac Mini.

Of course, if you also happen to have a laptop that has a USB-C port, you should consider getting a fitting USB-C monitor. In that case, be sure to visit our best USB-C monitors buyer's guide.

Image Quality

Just like the Dell P2418D, the U2719DX is based on an IPS panel with wide viewing angles and accurate colors.

However, this model is factory-calibrated at Delta E < 2 for professional-grade color accuracy out of the box! It covers 99% of the sRGB color space (85% DCI-P3) and supports 8-bit color depth.

Other panel-related specifications include a 350-nit peak brightness and a static contrast ratio of 1,000:1.

Now, due to its bigger screen size, the Dell UltraSharp U2719DX has a slightly lower pixel density of 108 PPI. This still results in very sharp details and plenty of screen space. In fact, 1440p is better suited for 27″ sized monitors.

For instance, if you're working with a certain application that has a tiny toolbar, the icons will be bigger and easier to access on the U2719DX. Of course, with the P2418D, you can alleviate this problem by using scaling, but not all applications scale well.

Design & Connectivity

Dell's gorgeous black/silver design suits any environment, the stand is sturdy and offers a wide range of ergonomics.

Further, you can elevate the screen of the monitor by up to 130mm, tilt it by -5°/21°, swivel by +/- 40°, pivot by 90°, or mount it via the 100x100mm VESA pattern.

Connectivity options are abundant and include HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.4, DisplayPort-Out for MST daisy-chaining, a headphone jack and a quad-USB 3.0 hub (1 upstream + 2 downstream + 2 downstream with fast-charging at the side).

Alternatives

Depending on price and availability, you might also want to check out the Dell UltraSharp U2717D, which is an older model of this monitor with the same image quality and features (ΔE < 2 calibration, USB hub, DP-Out port, etc).

LG 27UL650

Sleek 4K IPS Monitor

Size: 27"
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 3840×2160
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Color Gamut: 99% sRGB
Pixel Density: 163 PPI

The Pros:

High pixel density
Ergonomic design
Accurate colors and wide viewing angles

The Cons:

No wide color gamut support
No USB ports

About The Monitor

Want even sharper details on a 27″ monitor? Then check out the LG 27UL650 with 4K UHD resolution!

Image Quality

On a 27″ monitor, the 4K resolution pushes the pixel density to 163 pixels per inch!

Now, such high pixel density will make everything tiny on your desktop, so you will need to use scaling to make small items such as text and icons readable. Scaling will make these items larger (thus reducing screen real estate), but also sharper!

Note that if you plan on using the monitor for work, you need to make sure that your applications are able to handle scaling; for instance, some apps can only scale by 100% or 200%, which would make your toolbar either too small or too big.

Luckily, most applications don't have this issue, but it is something that you should keep in mind.

But here's the kicker: other panel-related specifications include a 350-nit peak brightness, a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, 99% sRGB color gamut, and 10-bit color depth support for 1.07 billion colors! Note that the monitor is factory-calibrated!

HDR (High Dynamic Range) is supported as well, but due to the monitor's limited color gamut, contrast ratio, and brightness, HDR is just simulated. Basically, you can ignore its 'HDR support' as it can only accept the HDR10 signal and display it, which doesn't really improve the viewing experience, nor does it increase the monitor's price.

Other noteworthy features include advanced image adjustment tools such as gamma, 6-axis hue/saturation and pre-calibrated picture presets for EBU, SMPTE-C and Rec. 709 color spaces.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor provides up to 110mm of height adjustment, 90° pivot, -5°/15° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility, but you cannot swivel the screen to the left/right.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 inputs, DisplayPort 1.4 and a headphone jack.

Alternatives

In case you want something similar but cheaper, check out the Philips 276E8VJSB.

If you don't mind gamer-inspired designs, check out the ASUS VG289Q. It has a slightly larger 28″ screen with integrated speakers and a wider 90% DCI-P3 color gamut.

LG 24MD4KL

Best 24″ Monitor For Mac Mini

Size: 24"
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 3840×2160
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Color Gamut: 98% DCI-P3
Pixel Density: 183 PPI

The Pros:

Very high pixel density
Height-adjustable stand and rich connectivity options
Wide color gamut and wide viewing angles

The Cons:

Design lacks swivel and pivot options

About The Monitor

Looking for even sharper details but on a smaller screen? You can get 4K resolution on a 24″ display.

Image Quality

The LG UltraFine 24MD4KL is the perfect 24″ 4K monitor for the Mac Mini due to its high 183 PPI pixel density and wide 98% DCI-P3 color gamut (equivalent to 135% sRGB) for more saturated and vibrant colors.

As if that's not enough, it also offers a higher-than-average peak brightness of 540-nits and a static contrast ratio of 1,200:1.

Simply put, the monitor packs a fantastic picture quality with plenty of screen space, vivid details, and punchy bright colors — all in its small 24″ form factor, which will nicely complement your Mac Mini!

Design & Connectivity

You can elevate the screen of the monitor by up to 110mm, tilt it by -5°/15°, or VESA mount it (100x100mm).

Connectivity options include two Thunderbolt 3 ports (one for video + 85W Power Delivery, one for daisy-chaining), three additional downstream USB-C ports and two 5W built-in speakers.

Alternatives

If you want a more affordable 24″ 4K monitor without the wide color gamut and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, check out the Dell P2415Q (with DeltaE < 3 factory calibration) and the LG 24UD58 (more suited for everyday use).

Want something even smaller monitor with a higher resolution? Check out the previous-gen UltraFine monitor, the LG 22MD4KA with a 21.5″ screen, and 4096×2304 resolution (218 pixels per inch).

The LG 22MD4KA specs include a 500-nit peak brightness, a 1,100:1 contrast ratio, 99% DCI-P3 gamut, 8-bit color depth, one USB-C port with DP Alt Mode and 60W PD and three downstream USB 2.0 type C ports.

LG 27MD5KL

Best 5K Monitor For Mac Mini

Size: 27"
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 5120×2880
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Color Gamut: 99% DCI-P3
Pixel Density: 217 PPI

The Pros:

Ideal pixel density for designers and developers
Height-adjustable stand and rich connectivity options
Wide color gamut and wide viewing angles

The Cons:

Design lacks swivel and pivot options

About The Monitor

The LG 27MD5KL is the 27″ version of the LG 24MD4KL, but it also offers some additional features.

Image Quality

To start with, the LG 27MD5KL boasts 5K resolutions, that's 5120×2880 pixels, which results in a stunning pixel density of 217 PPI! This pixel density is great for designers and developers using Retina UI.

The monitor also has a wide 99% DCI-P3 color gamut while the peak brightness amounts to 500-nits and contrast ratio to 1,100:1.

The bottom line is that it's basically the same display as what you'd get with the 27″ 5K iMac.

Design & Connectivity

Just like with the 24″ model, you can tilt the screen, adjust its height and VESA mount it.

It has three downstream USB-C ports, but only one Thunderbolt 3 port for video and 94W Power Delivery; you wouldn't be able to daisy chain another display anyway due to the bandwidth required for the 5K resolution at 60Hz.

The LG 27MD5KL also has a built-in camera + microphone, in addition to two 5W speakers.

Alternatives

Depending on price and availability, be sure to check out the previous-gen model as well, the LG 27MD5KB which has all the same features, but a slightly weaker 85W Power Delivery capacity.

ASUS PA329C

Best Value 32″ 4K Designer Monitor

Size: 32"
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 3840×2160
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Color Gamut: 98% DCI-P3
Pixel Density: 139 PPI

The Pros:

High pixel density
Ergonomic design and rich connectivity options
DeltaE < 2 factory-calibration, wide color gamut
Wide viewing angles

About The Monitor

The ASUS ProArt PA329C offers the best value for the money when it comes to 32″ 4K monitors for the Mac Mini, but depending on your budget and your use case, there are several more 32″ 4K models worth considering.

Image Quality

So, what makes the ASUS PA329C the best 32″ 4K monitor for the money for your Mac Mini?

To start with, it has a wide color gamut covering 98% of the DCI-P3 color space as well as 100% sRGB, 100% Adobe RGB and 84% Rec. 2020.

It gets better: it also supports hardware calibration, has an integrated uniformity compensation technology, 14-bit LUT (Look-up Table), it's factory-calibrated at Delta E < 2 and it supports HDR with DisplayHDR 600 certification.

Other specifications include a 400-nit peak brightness (600-nits for HDR), a 1,000:1 static contrast ratio, 10-bit color depth support and localized dimming consisting of 32 zones that can dim parts of the image for higher contrast ratio.

Now, with a 32″ 4K monitor, you're getting a pixel density of 139 PPI, so the image won't be quite as crisp as that of a 27″ 4K display, but you'll get a much bigger screen and plenty of screen space.

The monitor also offers plenty of additional features including PiP/PbP, QuickFit Virtual Scale (on-screen grid), advanced image adjustment tools (including five gamma modes) and various presets (including five different color spaces).

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor is a bit bulky, but it's robust and versatile with up to 130mm height adjustment, 90° pivot, +/- 45° swivel, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options are abundant and include three HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, USB-C (DP 1.2 Alt Mode, 60W PD), a headphone jack, two 3W built-in speakers and five downstream USB 3.0 ports.

Alternatives

Now, if you don't need Adobe RGB color gamut for your work, check out the more affordable BenQ PD3200U (100% sRGB) or the LG 32UD99 (95% DCI-P3) 32″ 4K IPS monitors.

Another popular 32″ 4K IPS model is the LG 32UL950 with 98% DCI-P3 gamut plus Thunderbolt 3 input and output for daisy-chaining. However, it costs just as much as the PA329C yet it offers inferior color performance.

Finally, if you want an immersive HDR viewing experience, check out the ASUS PA32UC model with a 384-zone full-array local dimming solution or the high-endASUS PA32UCX with an 1152-zone Mini-LED backlight.

LG 34WK95C

Best UltraWide Monitor For Mac Mini

Size: 34"
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 3440×1440
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
Color Gamut: 98% DCI-P3
Pixel Density: 109 PPI

The Pros:

Good pixel density for designers and developers
Height-adjustable stand and rich connectivity options
Wide color gamut and wide viewing angles

The Cons:

Design lacks swivel and pivot options

About The Monitor

Looking for something a bit different? There's the LG 34WK95C ultrawide display!

Image Quality

This 34″ 3440×1440 ultrawide monitor has an aspect ratio of 21:9. What does this mean for you? It's a 27″ 2560×1440 monitor that's just 33% wider for extra horizontal screen space!

Think about it: the ultrawide format is especially useful for video editors due to the better overview of the timelines. Still, movies and games also look more immersive, and you get more screen space for productivity work!

As for the monitor itself, it has a screen resolution of 3440×1440, so you hit that pixel density sweet spot of ~109 PPI where you don't have to use any scaling, yet you get sharp details and a lot of screen real estate.

The LG 34WK95C also supports a wide 98% DCI-P3 color gamut (factory-calibrated) for a vibrant picture quality while other specs include a 400-nit peak brightness, 10-bit color depth support and a 1,000:1 static contrast ratio.

You also get HDR support (though just entry-level DisplayHDR 400, which is a minor improvement) and PiP/PbP.

Design & Connectivity

You can elevate the screen by up to 110mm, tilt it by -5°/15°, or VESA mount it, but you cannot pivot or swivel it.

Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 2.0 ports, USB-C (DP 1.2 Alt Mode, 60W PD), a headphone jack, two 5W built-in speakers and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.

The monitor also has a noticeable 1800R curvature for added immersion!

Alternatives

If you don't need a wide 98% DCI-P3 color gamut or USB-C with Power Delivery, check out the cheaper LG 34UC80.

The LG 34WK95C is also available with a higher 5120×2160 (2160p ultrawide or 5K2K) resolution as the LG 34WK95U model which has DisplayHDR 600 in addition to the wide color gamut and USB-C.

It's available as a 38″ variant too as the LG 38WK95C with a 3840×1600 resolution (110 PPI) and 99% sRGB color gamut.

LG 49WL95C

Best Super-UltraWide IPS Monitor

Size: 49"
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 5120×1440
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
Color Gamut: 99% sRGB
Pixel Density: 108 PPI

The Pros:

Good pixel density for designers and developers
Ergonomic design and rich connectivity options
Accurate colors and wide viewing angles

The Cons:

No wide color gamut

About The Monitor

Still not convinced and looking for something even more exotic? Check out the LG 49WL95C, a super ultrawide 32:9 monitor!

Image Quality

The LG 49WL95C pushes the ultrawide format even further to the 32:9 aspect ratio with a stunning screen resolution of 5120×1440. Simply put, that's equivalent to two 27″ 2560×1440 monitors put side by side, just without the bezels in-between.

What's the bottom line? This is the perfect monitor for multitasking, productivity work and video editing.

Other specifications include the standard 1,000:1 contrast ratio, a peak brightness of 350-nits, 10-bit color depth support and 99% sRGB color gamut.

But that's not all, the monitor also supports Dual Controller, which allows you to connect two devices to the monitor and have control over them via just one set of keyboard/mouse using the Picture by Picture mode.

HDR is also supported, but due to the lack of local dimming and wide color gamut, it's just software-emulated.

Design & Connectivity

As long as you can fit the monitor on your desk, it will suit any environment. The stand is sturdy and offers decent ergonomics, including up to 110mm height adjustment, -5°/15° tilt, +/- 15° swivel and VESA mount (100x100mm).

Connectivity options are versatile as well and include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C (DP 1.4 Alt Mode, 85W PD), a headphone jack, dual 10W integrated speakers and a quad-USB 3.0 hub.

Note that the HDMI ports are limited to 3840×1080 at 60Hz. For 5120×1440 at 60Hz, you will need to use DisplayPort or USB-C inputs.

Alternatives

Dell U4919DW – Based on the same panel as the LG 49WL95C, however, it doesn't have built-in speakers or HDR support. Its stand also doesn't swivel to the left/right. The U4919DW does have three extra USB ports (7 in total, 5 downstream, 2 upstream — with a built-in KVM switch) and better DeltaE < 2 factory-calibration. So, it all depends on your personal preference and budget as well as pricing and availability.

Conclusion

Did you find the perfect monitor for your Mac Mini?

Feel free to leave us any questions you might have in the comment section below!

Overall, if you're on a tighter budget, both the Dell P2418D and the Dell U2719DXwill ensure that you get an excellent image quality and smooth performance with a premium feel for a reasonable price!

In case you can afford something pricier, one of the 4K monitors will provide you with significantly sharper picture quality while the ultrawide format of the LG 34WK95C offers a more immersive viewing experience — plus, it's great for work!

Want the absolute best display? You won't be disappointed with the LG 49WL95C, the ASUS PA329C, or the LG 27MD5KL! Deciding between these three just depends on what you personally prefer or need from a monitor.