Buying Guide
The Best Monitor for Mac mini
From the KYY 15.6 to the S2725QC: five monitors ranked on refresh rate and screen size, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A Mac mini works with any HDMI or USB-C monitor; USB-C with a hub keeps cables tidy. Every pick has USB-C or Mac use.
We sorted these picks by refresh rate, resolution and size, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips refresh rate, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
KYY 15.6-inch PortableThe cheapest way into this group, below the TECLAST 16.
Best for: Getting PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand for the least money.
Check price for KYY 15.6-inch Portable on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
FreeSync Adaptive Sync
TECLAST 16-inch 144Hz PortableA freeSync.
Best for: Buyers who want a freeSync.
Check price for TECLAST 16-inch 144Hz Portable on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
G-SYNC Adaptive Sync
ASUS ROG XG27ACSA G-SYNC.
Best for: Buyers who want a G-SYNC.
Check price for ASUS ROG XG27ACS on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
ASUS ROG Strix XG27WCMS CurvedThe highest refresh rate here (280Hz).
Best for: Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27WCMS Curved on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Dell 27 S2725QC 4K USB-CThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with USB-C with up to 65W power delivery.
Best for: Buyers who want USB-C with up to 65W power delivery and can spend more than the XG27WCMS costs.
Check price for Dell 27 S2725QC 4K USB-C on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
KYY 15.6-inch Portable
KYY's 15.6-inch 1080p IPS portable is the lowest-priced here at the time of writing.
Best for
- Getting PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand for the least money.
Skip if
- Its refresh rate is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It connects over USB-C. Its 15.6-inch IPS screen is 0.3 inches thin and weighs 1.7 lbs, and two USB-C ports plus mini-HDMI connect laptops and consoles. On screen size it trails the group at 15.6 inches, while the XG27ACS comes in at 27 inches.
No other pick in this guide offers a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution; compare the XG27WCMS, which has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. Like the TECLAST 16 and S2725QC, it has an IPS panel, while the XG27ACS uses a fast IPS panel. You also get a PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand and two built-in speakers. It undercut the TECLAST 16 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Resolution
- 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size
- 15.6 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- a USB-C input for laptops
- PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand
- Two built-in speakers
Cons
- No published refresh rate
- Screen size trails the XG27ACS (27 inches)
The catch
The maker doesn't give its refresh rate; if that figure matters, the XG27WCMS offers 280Hz.
FreeSync Adaptive Sync2 of 5
TECLAST 16-inch 144Hz Portable
TECLAST's 16-inch portable runs 1920x1200 at 144Hz with 100% sRGB coverage and FreeSync.
Best for
- Buyers who want a freeSync.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the KYY 15.6 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It combines a taller screen with a high refresh rate. Its 16-inch 1920x1200 panel runs at 144Hz with 100% sRGB, and one USB-C cable carries video and power. HDMI covers consoles.
Its 144Hz refresh rate ranks third of 4 here, behind the XG27WCMS (280Hz) and ahead of the S2725QC (120Hz). On screen size it sits mid-pack at 16 inches: the XG27ACS comes in at 27 inches, and the KYY 15.6 comes in at 15.6 inches. No other pick in this guide offers a 1920x1200 resolution; compare the XG27WCMS, which has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution.
Like the KYY 15.6 and S2725QC, it has an IPS panel, while the XG27ACS uses a fast IPS panel. No other pick in this guide offers a 100% sRGB color gamut; compare the XG27WCMS, which has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper KYY 15.6 and the pricier XG27ACS, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 144Hz
- Resolution
- 1920x1200
- Size
- 16 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Color gamut
- 100% sRGB
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync
- USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 100% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Costs more than the KYY 15.6 at the time of writing
G-SYNC Adaptive Sync3 of 5
ASUS ROG XG27ACS
The XG27ACS stands out for ELMB SYNC motion blur reduction with variable refresh rate.
Best for
- Buyers who want a G-SYNC.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the KYY 15.6 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 180Hz refresh rate and offers a 27 inches screen size. On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 180Hz: the XG27WCMS offers 280Hz, and the S2725QC comes in at 120Hz. It shares a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution with the XG27WCMS; the TECLAST 16 goes with a 1920x1200 resolution.
You get a fast IPS panel here, which sets it apart from the TECLAST 16 and its an IPS panel. It is the only pick here with a G-SYNC; the TECLAST 16 has a FreeSync instead. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. It was priced above the TECLAST 16 and below the XG27WCMS at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 180Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- Fast IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC
- USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- G-SYNC to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Costs more than the KYY 15.6 at the time of writing
Fastest Refresh4 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix XG27WCMS Curved
ASUS's XG27WCMS curves a 27-inch 1440p panel and overclocks it to 280Hz.
Best for
- Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the KYY 15.6 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
USB-C input and a three-year warranty are listed. The 27-inch curved 1440p panel overclocks to 280Hz, lists a 1ms response, covers 95% of DCI-P3 and includes USB-C. On refresh rate it leads this guide at 280Hz, ahead of the XG27ACS (180Hz).
On screen size it ties with the XG27ACS and the S2725QC at 27 inches. Like the XG27ACS, it has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution, while the KYY 15.6 uses a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution. No other pick in this guide offers a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut; compare the TECLAST 16, which has a 100% sRGB color gamut.
You get a G-SYNC Compatible here, which sets it apart from the TECLAST 16 and its a FreeSync. To see 280Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper XG27ACS and the pricier S2725QC, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 280Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- HDR
- HDR
- Color gamut
- 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC Compatible
- USB-C
- Yes
- Warranty
- 3-year
Pros
- a 280Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage
- G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Costs more than the KYY 15.6 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Dell 27 S2725QC 4K USB-C
What the S2725QC brings to the table is USB-C with up to 65W power delivery, plus 4K at 120Hz.
Best for
- Buyers who want USB-C with up to 65W power delivery and can spend more than the XG27WCMS costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the XG27WCMS offers 280Hz.
Why we like it
It also offers a 120Hz refresh rate and offers a 27 inches screen size. On refresh rate it trails the group at 120Hz, while the XG27WCMS offers 280Hz. A 3840x2160 (4K) resolution is unique to it among these picks, while the TECLAST 16 uses a 1920x1200 resolution.
It shares an IPS panel with the KYY 15.6 and TECLAST 16; the XG27ACS goes with a fast IPS panel. A 99% sRGB color gamut is unique to it among these picks, while the XG27WCMS uses a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut. It also comes with 1500:1 contrast.
At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. At our last price check it topped the group, with the XG27WCMS the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 120Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 4ms
- Color gamut
- 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync Premium
- USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the XG27WCMS (280Hz)
- Costs more than the KYY 15.6 at the time of writing
The catch
Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the XG27WCMS covers it better at 280Hz.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We lined up five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out refresh rate.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the KYY 15.6 to the S2725QC, state resolution, screen size and USB-C and share USB-C.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The KYY 15.6 gives no refresh rate; the XG27WCMS gives no panel.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the KYY 15.6 ($50 to $100) to the S2725QC ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Monitor for Mac mini
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Screen size
Across these 5 picks screen size spans 15.6 inches (the KYY 15.6) to 27 inches (the XG27ACS). If screen size is your first filter, the XG27ACS sets the ceiling at 27 inches.
How much refresh rate you need
Here refresh rate runs from 120Hz on the S2725QC to 280Hz on the XG27WCMS, a 133% spread. The XG27ACS comes second at 180Hz, in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 for the XG27WCMS. The KYY 15.6 gives no refresh rate figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
A white desk with two monitors and a laptop Panel
The KYY 15.6, the TECLAST 16 and the S2725QC list IPS; the XG27ACS lists Fast IPS. Settling panel first narrows 4 picks to 3 or 1.
Response
The XG27ACS lists 1ms; the S2725QC lists 4ms. Sort out response before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 1 and 1.
A monitor showing a desktop app in a dim room Features beyond the spec table
The XG27ACS: ELMB SYNC motion blur reduction with variable refresh rate. The XG27WCMS: USB-C input. The S2725QC: 4K at 120Hz.
How to Choose a Monitor for Mac mini
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand for the least money | KYY 15.6 | The cheapest way into this group, below the TECLAST 16 |
| Buyers who want a freeSync | TECLAST 16 | A freeSync |
| Buyers who want a G-SYNC | XG27ACS | A G-SYNC |
| Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most | XG27WCMS | The highest refresh rate here (280Hz) |
| Buyers who want USB-C with up to 65W power delivery and can spend more than the XG27WCMS costs | S2725QC | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with USB-C with up to 65W power delivery |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The XG27ACS leads on screen size at 27 inches, ahead of the XG27WCMS at 27 inches. "Not listed" marks refresh rate where the KYY 15.6 leaves the figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KYY 15.6 | Not listed | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 15.6 inches | IPS |
| TECLAST 16 | 144Hz | 1920x1200 | 16 inches | IPS |
| XG27ACS | 180Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| XG27WCMS | 280Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Not listed |
| S2725QC | 120Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the KYY 15.6, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the S2725QC at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | KYY 15.6, TECLAST 16 |
| About $150 to $250 | XG27ACS |
| About $250 to $500 | XG27WCMS, S2725QC |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest refresh rate: the XG27WCMS or the XG27ACS?
Between the top two, it is 280Hz on the XG27WCMS against 180Hz on the XG27ACS, a 56% difference. The S2725QC is at the other end of this group with 120Hz. The KYY 15.6 doesn't state a refresh rate figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the S2725QC worth paying more than the KYY 15.6?
The spec sheets show screen size (27 inches against 15.6 inches) in its favour. The KYY 15.6 sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the S2725QC in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if screen size decides your purchase.
What makes the XG27ACS the G-SYNC Adaptive Sync?
The label rests on a G-SYNC. The KYY 15.6, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who wants a G-SYNC.
Do the KYY 15.6 and the TECLAST 16 differ on resolution?
The KYY 15.6 uses 1920x1080 (1080p); the TECLAST 16 uses 1920x1200; the XG27ACS and the XG27WCMS use 2560x1440 (1440p); the S2725QC uses 3840x2160 (4K).
Beyond the specs, what sets the KYY 15.6 and the TECLAST 16 apart?
The KYY 15.6: a PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand. The TECLAST 16: 144Hz with FreeSync. The XG27ACS: ELMB SYNC motion blur reduction with variable refresh rate.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the KYY 15.6, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the TECLAST 16. Look at the TECLAST 16 for a freeSync, the XG27ACS for a G-SYNC and the S2725QC for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with USB-C with up to 65W power delivery if those matter more to you.
Check the refresh rate your Mac mini model supports over each port.
Related Guides
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- Related guideThe Best 1440p Gaming Monitors to Buy
- Related guideThe Best OLED Gaming Monitors
- Lower budgetThe Best Monitor Under $100
- Similar guideThe Best Mini LED Monitors
- ExplainerHow to choose a monitor for your PC
- Explainer24 vs 27 vs 32-Inch Monitor
- Also see: monitor arms and accessoriesThe Best Monitor Mount for Desk
- Similar guideThe Best Monitors for Dual Monitor Setups
- Topic hubAll monitors for work and everyday use guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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