LG 4KSource: iMore

Best Monitor for Mac mini iMore 2021

If you're looking for a large-screen display to go with your shiny new Mac mini (2020) with Apple Silicon, or an older Intel Mac mini, you've come to the right place. Your best bet is the LG UltraFine 4K display, our best monitor for Mac mini, thanks to its versatility and price. It's perfect for most people, though there are other monitors you can also consider, depending on your situation or budget. Here is our guide to the best monitors for Mac mini.

Best Overall: LG UltraFine 4K

LG Ultrafine monitorsSource: iMore

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.

This 24-inch display 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 the price of one LG UltraFine 5K Display.

The UltraFine 4K is also our favorite USB-C monitor of the year for MacBooks

Pros:

  • Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • Dual-screen full 4K display support
  • Supports 85W charging for laptops
  • Easy to set up

Cons:

  • No camera or mic
  • No legacy ports

Best Overall

LG UltraFine 4K

Dual-screen full 4K support

Hook up two for a beautiful, bright, and convenient workflow for your Mac laptop.

Best Image Quality: Apple Pro Display XDR

Pro Display XDR next to a Mac ProSource: iMore

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. The unique articulating stand (sold separately) makes adjustments a breeze, and a Nano-texture glass option reduces glare down to a minimum.

Pros:

  • Up to 6K resolution
  • 32-inch display
  • Nano-texture option
  • Thunderbolt 3 and 3 USB-C ports

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • No legacy ports
  • Doesn't include a stand or mount

Best Image Quality

Apple Pro Display XDR

The absolute best image quality

Apple's PRO Display XDR offers pristine image quality at 6K with a peak brightness of 1,600 nits. If you need the absolute best, then the Pro Display XDR is the one for you.

Best 5K: LG UltraFine 5K

LG 5KSource: iMore

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, which is 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 big, boxy black base.

Pros:

  • Up to 5K resolution
  • Designed for Apple
  • Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C
  • Built-in speakers, camera, and mic

Cons:

  • No Apple aesthetic
  • No legacy ports

Best 5K

LG UltraFine 5K

Full 5K display plus support for USB-C

If your workflow includes both a Mac mini and an iPad Pro, this is the monitor you want.

Best for Widescreen: LG 34WK95U-W Nano-ISP UltraWide

LG UltraWideSource: iMore

Though we continued to be impressed with LG's UltraFine 5K, it's the 34WK95U-W that wins our hearts. This 5K monitor has a 5120x2160 resolution, 34-inch display, a Thunderbolt 3 port, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort port, and a couple of USB-A ports. It's more versatile than the UltraFine, and that's ultra-fine with us.

Pros:

  • Pro-quality technology
  • Nano ISP color 5K display
  • USB hub
  • Versatile input options

Cons:

  • No built-in camera or microphone
  • Poor built-in speaker quality

Best for Widescreen

LG 34WK95U-W Nano-ISP UltraWide

Another beautiful choice

Use LG's UltraWide monitor with your Mac and daisy chain it with a second 4K monitor.

Best Curved: LG 38WK95C-W Curved UltraWide

LG UltraWide CurvedSource: iMore

The future is curved, and LG is the pioneer of bending the display rules. This 38-inch UltraWide monitor has a 21:9 ratio with split-screen support is perfect for graphic designers and professional photo and video editors. The display has a USB-C data transfer port, two USB-A ports, a couple of HDMI ports, and a DisplayPort port.

Pros:

  • Well-designed
  • Easy setup
  • Versatile ports
  • Good built-in audio

Cons:

  • Not 4K
  • Plastic backside

Best Curved

LG 38WK95C-W Curved UltraWide

Ahead of the curve

If you want a more immersive gaming experience with your Mac mini, the massive 38-inch LG 38WK95C-W is the one for you.

Best on a budget: ASUS ZenScreen

ASUS ZenscreenSource: ASUS

The ZenScreen is a favorite around the iMore office for its incredible portability. It's a 15.6-inch screen with a USB-C connector. 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.

Pros:

  • Weighs less than 2 pounds
  • Ultra-slim at only 8mm thick
  • Comes with a cover
  • 60Hz refresh rate

Cons:

  • Smaller, 15-inch display
  • No HDMI support

Best on a budget

ASUS ZenScreen

As portable as it gets

The ZenScreen is ASUS's space-friendly monitor with a USB-C port, a great-looking IPS panel, and more.

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 UltraFine 4K is our best monitor for Mac mini this year 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 resolution and various ports for connecting all manner of peripherals.

If the LG is just a bit out of your range, the ASUS ZenScreen truly is the next best thing, and it's portable! On the other end, if you need the absolute best, then consider the always impressive Pro Display XDR. The monitor is powerful and beautiful too!

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Bryan M. Wolfe is a dad who loves technology, especially anything new from Apple. Penn State (go Nittany Lions) graduate here, also a huge fan of the New England Patriots. Thanks for reading. @bryanmwolfe

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