Best of · Monitors
Best monitor for Mac mini in 2026: five picks for the M4 Mac mini
A Mac mini does not need laptop charging, so you can skip expensive USB-C power and spend on pixels. Five picks, plus exactly how many displays the M4 Mac mini drives.
Our pick: ASUS ProArt PA27JCV for most Mac mini owners; Dell S2725QS on a budget
ASUS
ProArt Display PA27JCV
8.7$699 to $799
5K Retina sharpness for half the Studio Display's price.
Pros
- • 27-inch 5K, 218 ppi
- • Factory calibrated
- • USB-C hub
Cons
- • No camera or speakers worth using
Apple
Studio Display (2026)
8.4$1,599
Adds the webcam, mics, and speakers a Mac mini lacks.
Pros
- • 12MP Center Stage camera
- • Improved speakers and mics
- • Thunderbolt 5
Cons
- • $1,599
- • Stand upgrade extra
Dell
UltraSharp U2725QE
8.5$629 to $699.99
4K at 120Hz plus a Thunderbolt 4 hub with Ethernet and front-facing ports the Mac mini lacks.
Pros
- • 4K 120Hz IPS Black
- • Thunderbolt 4 hub, Ethernet, five USB-A
- • KVM
Cons
- • 27-inch 4K is not a clean 2x scale on macOS
Dell
S2725QS
7.8$280
A $280 27-inch 4K IPS at 120Hz: the budget Mac mini pairing.
Pros
- • 4K 120Hz IPS
- • $280
Cons
- • No USB-C
Samsung
ViewFinity S9
7.8$1,599 launch
5K with a 4K webcam and Thunderbolt 4, worth it only when discounted.
Pros
- • 5K, 600 nits matte
- • 4K webcam
- • Thunderbolt 4
Cons
- • 2023 model
The Mac mini is the cheapest way into a desktop Mac, which makes the monitor the biggest part of the budget. Unlike a MacBook, it does not need USB-C charging, so you can spend on resolution instead. These picks use manufacturer specs, Apple's own display-support page, and published reviews; we have not tested them.
How many displays the M4 Mac mini supports
| Displays | Maximum configuration |
|---|---|
| One | 8K 60Hz, 5K 120Hz, or 4K 240Hz |
| Two | Two 6K 60Hz or two 4K 144Hz; or one high-res display plus 5K 60Hz (Thunderbolt) or 4K 60Hz (HDMI) |
| Three | Two 6K 60Hz or two 4K 144Hz over Thunderbolt, plus 5K 60Hz (Thunderbolt) or 4K 60Hz (HDMI) |
Apple notes that a hub or daisy chain does not raise the display count, and recommends connecting the highest-resolution display first.
Best for most people: ASUS ProArt PA27JCV
5K at 218 ppi is what macOS is designed for: a 2560 x 1440 workspace at true 2x sharpness. The PA27JCV delivers it for $699 to $799 with factory calibration.
Best all-in-one: Apple Studio Display
The Mac mini has no camera or microphone. The Studio Display adds a 12MP Center Stage camera and the improved speakers and mics of the 2026 model, plus Thunderbolt 5, for $1,599.
Best hub: Dell UltraSharp U2725QE
The U2725QE's Thunderbolt 4 hub adds Ethernet and seven USB ports within reach, and its 4K panel runs at 120Hz, which the M4 Mac mini supports. Text is a little softer than 5K on macOS.
Budget: Dell S2725QS
BGR's budget office pick is a 27-inch 4K IPS at 120Hz for $280. With no USB-C, connect it over HDMI; it is the cheapest sharp screen for a Mac mini.
Questions we get
How many monitors can the M4 Mac mini run?
Up to three. Apple lists configurations such as two 6K 60Hz displays over Thunderbolt plus a 5K 60Hz display over Thunderbolt, or two 6K displays over Thunderbolt plus a 4K 60Hz display over HDMI. With one display, it drives up to 8K at 60Hz, 5K at 120Hz, or 4K at 240Hz.
Does the Mac mini need a USB-C monitor?
No. The Mac mini has its own power supply, so you do not need a monitor that charges over USB-C. HDMI or a USB-C/Thunderbolt-to-DisplayPort cable works. USB-C or Thunderbolt monitors still help by adding front-accessible USB ports.
Does the Mac mini have a webcam or speakers?
It has a small built-in speaker but no camera or microphone. Apple's Studio Display and Samsung's ViewFinity S9 add a webcam; otherwise budget for a USB webcam.