Best monitor for Mac mini 2021

Best monitor for Mac mini iMore 2021

• Best overall: LG 24MD4KL-B UltraFine 24" IPS LED 4K UHD Monitor
• Best image: The Apple Pro Display XDR
• Best 5K: LG 27MD5KL-B 27 Inch UltraFine 5K
• Best ultrawide: LG 34BK95U-W UltraFine 34-inch
• Best curved: LG 38WN75C-B 38-Inch Class 21:9 Curved UltraWide
• Best on a budget: ASUS ZenScreen 15.6" 1080P Portable Monitor (MB16AHP)

Best overall: LG 24MD4KL-B UltraFine 24" IPS LED 4K UHD Monitor

Here's a workhorse 4K monitor that works perfectly with the Mac mini. Though it doesn't have the Apple design aesthetic, the good stuff is all on the inside. Just like an Apple brand monitor, all of the monitor's controls are available in the settings section of your Mac.

The LG 24MD4KL-B UltraFine fits right into the pocket of reasonably priced and excellent quality if you don't mind the boxy black look. As for the price, you can get two of them for almost one LG UltraFine 5K Display. Plus, the UltraFine 4K is also great for MacBooks with its USB-C charging capabilities, making it one of our picks for best USB-C Monitors for Mac.

Best image: Apple Pro Display XDR

Apple's Pro Display XDR is the ultimate monitor for the latest M1 Apple Silicon Mac mini (2020) with ultra-high-definition 6K resolution. This massive 32-inch monitor has it all: P3 color, HDR, a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, True Tone, Night Shift support, and it can reach up to a whopping 1,600 nits of peak brightness.

The Pro Display XDR has a single Thunderbolt 3 port that offers the best image possible with the Mac mini, as well as three USB-C ports that add additional flexibility to your desktop. In addition, the unique articulating stand (sold separately) makes adjustments a breeze, and a Nano-texture glass option reduces glare down to a minimum.

Best 5K: LG 27MD5KL-B 27 Inch UltraFine 5K

This LG monitor supports USB-C and Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt 3 gives the Mac mini the best image quality possible, and the three USB-C ports offer 5Gbps downstream. It's 27 inches big, about the size of Apple's larger iMac, and has a similar P3 wide color gamut with 500 nits brightness. For full 5K resolution on a larger display, the UltraFine 5K is your perfect choice.

Its biggest downfall is that it doesn't quite have that Apple aesthetic. LG has designed an attractive Edge-Arcline base for some of its monitors, which looks better with Apple products. The UltraFine 5K, unfortunately, still has that dated, boxy black base and thick bezels.

Best ultrawide: LG 34BK95U-W UltraFine 34-inch

Though we continued to be impressed with LG's UltraFine 5K, it's the LG 34WK95U-W that wons our hearts with its massive ultrawide display. This 34-inch 5K HDR monitor has a resolution of 5120x2160 and sports a Thunderbolt 3 port, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort port, and a couple of USB-A ports.

The ultra-wide screen aspect ratio is excellent for multi-taskers and content creators, with ample room for plenty of windows and lengthy timelines. The extra real estate makes it more versatile than LG's UltraFine 4K and 5K models, and the thinner bezels give it a modern look that matches the Mac mini perfectly.

Best curved: LG 38WN75C-B 38-Inch Class 21:9 Curved UltraWide

If you like the idea of having an ultrawide display but want to keep everything within your field of view, then the LG 38WN75C-B 38-Inch Class 21:9 Curved UltraWide may be the one for you. This 38-inch WQHD UltraWide monitor has a 21:9 aspect ratio with sRGB 99% Color Gamut and HDR 10, perfect for graphic designers and professional photo, video editors, and gamers.

Although it lacks a built-in speaker, the display has two USB-A ports, a couple of HDMI ports, headphone out, and a DisplayPort port, allowing for plenty of accessory options. Other highlights include a slick split-screen mode, 75-hertz refresh rate, 300 nits of brightness, and a sleek, virtually borderless design.

Best on a budget: ASUS ZenScreen 15.6" 1080P Portable Monitor (MB16AHP)

The ZenScreen is a favorite for its incredible versatility and low price. It sports a 15.6-inch screen with a USB-C connector and micro HDMI that functions as a desktop monitor or a portable option. You can rotate between landscape and portrait mode, and it's compatible with Thunderbolt 3. If you need a second screen, this takes up just the right amount of space without being a burden on your desk.

Despite the petite size, this portable monitor is still plenty capable with 1080p full high-definition resolution. This monitor even comes with the ZenScreen pen — a handy stylus, and a folding smart cover that protects the screen when not in use, similar to Apple's Smart Cover for iPads.

Bottom line

Picking the right second screen for your Mac mini is a difficult one. It's important to consider how much room 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 24MD4KL-B UltraFine 24-inch IPS LED 4K UHD Monitor is our pick for the best monitor for Mac mini since it's the perfect fit for most people. At 24-inches, it's big, but not too big. It's got an incredible 4K screen, charges your MacBook, and has various ports for connecting all manner of peripherals.

If the LG is just a bit out of your range, the ASUS ZenScreen 15.6-inch 1080P Portable Monitor (MB16AHP) truly is the next best thing, and it's portable! On the other end, if you need the absolute best image quality possible, then consider Apple's impressive Pro Display XDR. The monitor is powerful, bright, and of course, beautiful too!

Credits — The team that worked on this guide