The Best Mini PCs for a Powerful Computer That’s a Fraction of the Size of Your Desktop Tower
Free up your space with these tiny machines that pack some real power.
Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?
Mini PCs bridge the gap between laptops and desktop PCs—they’re portable enough to chuck into a backpack as you hot desk from home or work, and require less power (nevermind less cash) for modest energy savings and minimal noise.
They also take a fraction of the real estate a behemoth desktop tower would occupy, so they’re great for tiny offices or dorm rooms where space is a premium. Despite their diminutive size, the best mini PCs are surprisingly powerful, too, ideal for everyday word processing and web browsing, and even video streaming and light gaming.
Though they aren’t suitable for high-end computing, there’s a lot to love about the convenience of mini PCs. We’ve selected our favorite models to share in this buying guide, which includes expert advice on how to decide which is the best mini PC for you.
Best Mini PCs
- Best Overall: Apple Mac Mini (M2)
- Best Budget: ASUS PN41-S1 Mini PC
- Most Powerful: HP Z2 Mini G9 PC
- Best for Creatives: Mac Studio Mini Computer
- Best for Business: HP Pro 400 G9 Mini Desktop Computer
What to Consider
Whether for work, gaming, or web browsing, how you plan to use your mini PC should determine what specs to look out for. These include the machine’s processor, RAM, and storage. Ports are also especially important if you want the flexibility of connecting accessories and peripherals.
If you need a machine for processor-intensive tasks, such as triple-A gaming, video editing, or running simulations, you may be better served by a powerful desktop, dedicated gaming PC, or a spec’d out laptop that offers more power. That said, mini PCs are somewhat customizable: You have the option of adding a dedicated GPU to enhance gaming graphics power, for instance.
Size
While it can be tempting to get the most compact machine, size can limit your processing power and flexibility, so it’s important to aim for that sweet spot between portability and performance. Mini computers vary from about the size of a hardcover book to slightly larger than a flash drive—so small you can slide it into your pocket.
Heat is another factor to ponder. The more processing power you use, the hotter your PC (of any size) will get. In smaller machines, this can compound the issue, since most mini PCs don’t have internal fans. Thankfully, you can usually upgrade with a fan, and some machines come with a heatsink function to keep your components cool. Heatsinks carry warm air away from important components and out of the computer, typically through a vent.
Upgradability
Like other desktop computers, most mini computers offer the ability to add components like additional RAM and memory or a graphics card. If you’re technically inclined, opt for a kit that lets you customize CPU, RAM, and storage. In such cases, make sure the available slots can accommodate your choices.
While most people prefer the simplicity of a ready-to-use mini PC, which comes with everything except a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, some are sold as barebones units for you to fill. These typically include only the case, power unit, processor, and motherboard. It’s up to you to buy and install the operating system, RAM, storage, and any other peripherals.
What you get in return is the freedom to incorporate your own components in your build and tinker to your heart’s content. While it’s often cheaper than a complete system, putting together a barebones PC can get complicated and should be reserved for confident hardware enthusiasts. We only recommend a few—most of the options on our list are ready to use out of the box.
How We Selected
We used our expertise in PCs and consumer tech to determine the best mini PCs on the market. While there are mini computers specifically designed for tinkerers to build desktop machines from scratch, we looked for computers that most people would be able to get up and running easily. We also looked for computers that are versatile enough for most everyday uses and opted not to include tiny computers suitable only for specific uses and not powerful enough to handle the needs of the average user.
Matt Ng is a writer and editor who specializes in gaming, tech, and movies, so he’s usually writing about the next shiny gadget or triple-A PS5 title. He also has experience as a copy editor within the healthcare sector. When he’s not fawning over the latest MCU release, he can be found on a softball pitch chasing after flyballs.
Watch Next
The 4 Best Smart Bird Feeders for Your Backyard
Amazon Warehouse Milwaukee Sale: Up to 42% Off
The Best Wireless Security Cameras for Your Home
The Best Amazon Gaming Week Deals