If you are in the market looking for a good budget monitor for your Apple M1 Mac Mini, here are our top recommendations. But before that,
Here are the best HDMI adapters for the MacBook ProWhich USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type‑C cables should you buy and why
1. Acer SB220Q Zero Frame Monitor
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (21.5-inch) | Refresh Rate: 75Hz | Panel: IPSPorts: 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x VGA
For its price, the screen is bright. And if we talk numbers, it can go up to 250 cd/m2. At the same time, the pixel density is decent at 102PPI, and it can display content without any visible pixelations. The colors are accurate and the IPS panel brings a wide viewing angle to the foray. Being a budget monitor, you will have to compromise on some aspects – it’s the number of ports. The Acer SB220Q bundles only an HDMI port and a VGA port. Thankfully, you will be able to make the most out of the HDMI port on the Mac Mini. However, you won’t be able to connect your PC or console to it. If you want to do a simple setup and the screen size doesn’t matter much, then the Acer SB220Q is a clever pick.
2. ViewSonic VP2458 1080p Monitor
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (24-inch) | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Panel: IPSPorts: 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x Mini-DisplayPort, 1 x DisplayPort Out, 1x USB In, 4 x USB 3.0 Out
The Viewsonic VP2458 bundles an IPS screen and boasts a wide viewing angle like the one above. The screen is bright and can go as far as 250 cd/m2. For a monitor which costs less than $300, this feature is a bonus. The Viewsonic monitor has a slightly better edge when it comes to connectivity options. It bundles two HDMI ports, two DisplayPort inputs, a single USB 3.0 upstream port, and four USB 3.0 downstream ports. Now, that’s something. You can either use the Thunderbolt USB port on your Mini or the humble HDMI to establish the connection. And if you plan to use this monitor on a Windows system, you can reap the full advantage of the DisplayPort Out port to daisy-chain multiple monitors. Cool, right? It’s not without its issues. For instance, the Viewsonic VP2458 comes with optional hardware-based calibration software called Calibration+. Unfortunately, this software is not compatible with the M1-based Mac Mini.
3. LG 24MP88HV-S Neo Blade III Monitor
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (24-inch) | Refresh Rate: 75Hz | Panel: IPSPorts: 2 x HDMI, 1 x VGA
Above all, the LG 24MP88HV-S pairs brilliantly with the Mac Mini M1, and several users have pointed this in their reviews. It delivers accurate colors and has a high contrast ratio, and that’s perhaps one of the best things about this budget monitor. Connectivity-wise, things are pretty basic. Apart from the dual HDMI ports, it comes with a legacy VGA port and a mini-joystick controller. Interestingly, they pack a duo of 5W speakers and deliver considerably loud noise.
4. ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV
Resolution: 2560×1440 (27-inch) | Refresh Rate: 75Hz | Panel: IPSPorts: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort Out, 4 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB-C
The latter means you will enjoy smooth scrolling and navigation, while the high resolution means crisp and sharp visuals. The ProArt Display PA278CV is meant for creatives for it delivers rich and accurate colors. It can display 100% of the sRGB color gamut. Furthermore, this budget monitor has ample ports. It comes with one each of DisplayPort and HDMI port. Then there’s the DisplayPort Out port, 4 USB 3.0 ports, and a USB-C port. It’s worth noting that the USB-C port can supply power up to 65W. So if you have a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro, you can connect the USB-C cable to the laptop directly.
A Bigger Screen
While there are quite a few budget options available for the Mac Mini M1, the best fit would probably be the one by LG. It pairs up well with the Mini and has an excellent balance of features. Besides, it’s not expensive either. If you want a slightly high-resolution, the Asus ProArt Display is worth every cent. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
