Best mini LED monitor in 2024 – our top picks
We explore some of the best mini LED monitors in 2024
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If you are looking for the best mini LED monitor for gaming, then we have you covered right here.
Now, before we get into the buying guide, let’s quickly understand what mini LED monitors are. In simple words, mini LED monitors are backed by mini LED instead of regular LED backlighting. Compared to regular LEDs, mini LEDs tend to deliver better local dimming, thus resulting in better contrast.
If you take a look at the options available, you will find a bunch of great mini LED options. The monitors come with wide color gamuts, high refresh rates, varying sizes, and various other features that make it great for gaming.
To make shopping easier, our experienced team of monitor experts has hand-selected some of the industry’s most prestigious monitors that utilize Mini LED backlights instead of more generic LEDs. We’re already starting to see an array of mini-LED monitors spanning various price points, opening these displays up to a much wider audience.
Best Mini LED monitor in 2024: in-depth reviews
We can only see mini LED monitors being a huge hit as we make our way through 2024 – even more so with a number of esports-tailored options coming to market. Now let’s go into more detail on our top picks and more below!
- Refresh Rate: 144hz
- Response time: 4ms GTG
- Screen size: 32”
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Aspect ratio: 16:9
- Panel type: IPS
- Brightness: 500cd/m2, 1,400cd/m2 (HDR Peak)
- Contrast ratio: 1000:1
- Color Depth: 10 bits
- Viewing angle: 178°/178°
- Color Gamut: 160% sRGB, 98% DCI-P3
- Backlight technology: W-LED
- Panel Coating: Anti-Glare/Matte (3H)
- Curvature: Flat
- VESA: 100 x 100mm
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 726 x 504 x 305 mm with stand
- Weigth: 10.9 Kg
- Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 DSC, 3 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x 3.5 mm Audio Input, 1 x USB 2.0 (Type-B; upstream), 2 x USB 3.1 (Type-A; downstream)
Overall, the ASUS PG32UQX is the best in class, offering up high-end performance across all areas. That said, it is quite expensive – making more budget-oriented options more attractive for some individuals.
- Great for HDR gaming
- Offers 4K @ 144Hz gaming, for both console and PC gamers
- Great aesthetic design that increase any gaming setup
- Great for immersive gaming thanks to its large 32″ screen size
- Doesn’t offer the speed required for competitive gaming
- Little expensive for non-4K gaming setups
We’ve decided to give our top spot to the ASUS ROG SWIFT PG32UQX, and for a good reason – it really does offer everything you could want for a stunning gaming experience. This is one we had the pleasure of reviewing, with plenty of positives to talk about.
As far as specifications go, the PG32UQX delivers a 4K resolution that features a 144Hz refresh rate, super-bright VESA DisplayHDR 1400 certification, 98% DCI-P3 coverage, and some of the best implementation of mini-LED backlight technology – with a massive total of 1152 LED zones for Full Array Local Dimming. This is more than enough local dimming to provide a stunning HDR experience that doesn’t go unnoticed. As we’d expect for a high-end 4K display, it sits at 32″, so you can really be immersed in the excellent design and high-end IPS panel.
The high-end gaming monitor officially hit shelves with a wild starting price of $2,999, which put it way out of many people’s budgets. Since then, it has dropped in price, but you can still expect to pay a premium. It’s well worth considering, though, if you have the cash to throw around.
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Screen Size: 27″
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440
- Panel Type: IPS
The Cooler Master GP27Q is a great Mini LED monitor that ticks a lot of the right boxes – including value. If you’re looking for great out of the box performance that won’t break the bank, this is the one for you.
- Impressive pricing which opens it up to far wider potential buying audience
- FreeSync & G-Sync compatible
- Impressive build quality ensuring monitor’s longevity
- High peak brightness for daytime usage
- 1440p resolution does put it at a disadvantage when compared to other Mini LED displays
- Lower number of local dimming zones makes for less effective brightness control
When it comes to picking out a Mini-LED monitor that offers the best value for money, the Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q has to be the current winner. We’ve seen it mentioned time and time again as one of the best ‘cheap’ monitors featuring this kind of backlight technology. You aren’t skimping on quality, though, as Cooler Master assures a premium display and great quality control as always.
It’s certainly a great pick for gaming with a smooth 165Hz refresh rate, snappy 1ms response time and the assurance of FreeSync & G-Sync on board. Overall, there isn’t much to say against the Tempest GP27Q – it’s an incredible display, considering how much cheaper it is compared to other Mini-LED monitors on the market.
This 1440p monitor features a suitable 27″ screen and ultra-speed IPS panel, which looks great. The Mini-LED tech makes for an HDR peak brightness of 1200 nits, so it’s perfect for all kinds of media consumption – not just gaming. It features 576 local dimming zones to improve the contrast ratio – an extremely impressive figure for this price point. Overall, it is a premium monitor without the premium price tag. If you’re looking for another Cooler Master pick that offers lots of value, you can also opt for their Cooler Master Tempest GP27U 4K monitor, which is priced around the $800 mark.
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 3ms GtG
- Screen Size: 32″
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Panel Type: IPS
ViewSonic’s XG321UG is a great pairing for anyone looking to up the picture quality of their gaming setup. It offers high-end specifications but comes at a cost.
- Stunning image quality in both gaming and general use situations
- Excellent HDR performance and super wide color gamut
- Deep contrast levels and superior backlighting
- High 4K screen resolution increases overall image quality
- High price may steer many people away from this one
Coined our current best mini-LED pick, and one we’d love to get a hands-on review of, the ViewSonic ELITE XG321UG really impresses. Of course, we’re talking about an expensive display here, but if you want a truly stunning mini-LED experience, then this does the job nicely. The impressive backlight technology is the key focus for this ViewSonic display, and it is a perfect choice for those who want accurate colors and an excellent HDR rating that makes the most of mini-LED.
One of the stand-out features of the XG321UG has to be the massive amount of backlighting zones – 1152, to be exact. Combined with the true 10-bit color depth and VESA DisplayHDR 1400 specs, the monitor really displays a crystal-clear picture with accurate colors and contrast levels. All of this is packed into a high-resolution 4K display and stunning IPS panel to give you a truly high-end and bright monitor.
The large 32″ screen size is perfect for 4K and makes this a great choice for immersive gameplay, which looks its best. This ViewSonic monitor features a smooth 144Hz refresh rate, although the 3ms response time does mean there are smoother options out there for fast-paced competitive titles. Either way, it features Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate and Nvidia Reflex technologies for optimized gaming performance.
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Response time: 1ms GTG
- Screen size: 48.8″
- Resolution: 5120 x 1440
- Aspect ratio: 32:9
- Panel type: VA (CSOT)
- Brightness: 2000cd/m2
- Color Depth: 10-bit
- Viewing angle: 178°/178°
- Color Gamut: 125% sRGB / 95% DCI-P3
- Backlight technology: Mini LED (2048 dimming zones)
- Panel Coating: Anti-Glare (Matte)
- Curvature: 1000R
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 1147.6 x 363.5 x 291mm (without stand) 1147.6 x 550 x 416mm (Stand at max height) 1147.6 x 423 x 416mm (Stand at lowest height)
- High 240Hz refresh rate makes for smooth gameplay
- Impressive VESA DisplayHDR2000 certification creates stunning HDR content
- Immersive 1000R curvature is almost unrivalled in today’s market
- Low 1ms response time
- Some desks won’t be strong enough to accommodate this massive monitor
- Stand can be characterized as wobbly
- Not optimized for competitive gaming
The new refresh of Samsung’s popular Odyssey G9 really does add performance in the right places. Instead of wasting time on increasing refresh rates, Samsung has opted to increase the backlight technology used – not only adding more immersion and better colors but a huge boost in HDR, too. We got a full review of the 49″ Neo G9, and it’s five stars for good reason.
The new Samsung G9 Neo comes equipped with all the latest high-end features you could imagine, including a brand new CSOT VA panel and Mini-LED backlight technology. Like its predecessor, the G9 Neo offers up a wide 5120 x 1440 screen resolution, low 1ms response time, and 240Hz refresh rate – the perfect combination of specs for a truly immersive gaming experience.
As far as colors go, users can expect a 125% sRGB gamut (equivalent to 95% DCI-P3) – meeting HDR’s WCG requirements. Furthermore, with VESA DisplayHDR 2000 certification, you’ll be blown away by the color recreation of this panel. Of course, price is always a large factor in these monitors, and the Samsung Neo G9 is no different. It comes to shelves for north of $2500 dollars, so be prepared to fork out for this beast of a panel.
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Screen Size: 27″
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440
- Panel Type: IPS
- Rapid 240hz refresh rate for immersive gaming
- G-Sync compatible for tear-free gameplay
- Excellent ergonomics for full positional control
- Average number of dimming zones reduce brightness control
We’ve had the pleasure of testing a ton of AOC monitors in recent times, and it’s safe to say we’ve never seen anything like this. Like other leading monitor manufacturers, AOC’s AGON department has also vouched to bring us a new line-up of high-speed panels – one of which is being coined the AGON Pro AG274QZM.
As far as esports-grade monitors go, this one is right up there – not only offering a blistering 240Hz refresh rate but stunning 1440p clarity too. This is backed up by the low 1ms response time, making it great for all kinds of action-packed and fast-paced games. If you want excellent gaming performance combined with stunning Mini-LED quality, this is the pick for you.
The stunning flagship 1440p panel from AOC will also feature NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility to ensure smooth gameplay at all times. One of the benefits of Mini-LED displays is the excellent HDR performance. As such, the AG274QZM is DisplayHDR 1000 certified, making for a bright display that looks great for games and general media viewing.
Mini LED monitor list
Mini LED backlight technology has been featured more heavily in gaming monitors in recent times, offering up greater colors, better contrast ratio, and much higher HDR reproduction than your run-of-the-mill LED monitor.
We keep on top of all the latest mini-LED monitor releases, updating frequently so you can always compare the market’s best mini-LED monitors available.
| Monitor | Size | Resolution | Panel technology | Backlight | Refresh rate | Peak Luminance | Local Dimming Zones | VRR Support | Product Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer X27 S | 27″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 160Hz | 1200 | 512 | FreeSync Premium | Amazon |
| Acer X32 S | 32″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 160Hz | 1200 | 512 | FreeSync Premium | Amazon |
| Acer X32 FP | 32″ | 3840 x 2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 160Hz | 1200 | 512 | FreeSync Premium | Amazon |
| Acer X32 | 32″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 144Hz | 1400 | 1152 | G-SYNC Ultimate | Amazon |
| AOC AG274QXM | 27″ | 2560×1440 | IPS | Mini LED | 170Hz | 1000 | 576 | FreeSync Premium | Amazon |
| AOC AG274QZM | 27″ | 2560×1440 | IPS | Mini LED | 240Hz | 1200 | 576 | FreeSync Premium | Amazon |
| AOC AGON PRO AG274QGM | 27″ | 2560×1440 | IPS | Mini LED | 300Hz | 1000 | 576 | G-SYNC Ultimate | Amazon |
| Apple Pro Display XDR | 31.5″ | 6016×3384 | IPS | Mini LED | 60Hz | 1600 | 576 | None | Amazon |
| ASUS PA32UCG | 32″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 120Hz | 1600 | 1152 | FreeSync Premium | Amazon |
| ASUS PA32UCR | 32″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 60Hz | 1000 | 576 | None | Amazon |
| ASUS PG27UQX | 27″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 144Hz | 1000 | 576 | G-SYNC Ultimate | Amazon |
| ASUS PG32UQX | 32″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 144Hz | 1600 | 1152 | G-SYNC Ultimate | Amazon |
| ASUS ProArt PA27UCX-K | 27″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 60Hz | 1000 | 576 | None | Amazon |
| ASUS ProArt PA27UCX-P | 27″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 60Hz | 1000 | 1152 | FreeSync | Amazon |
| ASUS ProArt PA32UCX | 31.5″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 60Hz | 1400 | 1152 | None | Amazon |
| Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q | 27″ | 2560×1440 | IPS | Mini LED | 165Hz | 1200 | 576 | FreeSync Premium | Amazon |
| Cooler Master Tempest GP27U | 27″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 160Hz | 1200 | 576 | FreeSync Premium | Amazon |
| Dell UP3221Q | 32″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 60Hz | 1000 | 2000 | None | Amazon |
| Evnia 34M2C7600MV | 34″ | 3440×1440 | VA | Mini LED | 165Hz | 1400 | 152 | FreeSync Premium | Amazon |
| INNOCN 27M2V | 27″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 160Hz | 1000 | 1152 | FreeSync | Amazon |
| Lenovo Creator Extreme P27 | 27″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 60Hz | 1000 | 1152 | None | Amazon |
| MSI MEG 271Q | 27″ | 2560×1440 | IPS | Mini LED | 300Hz | 1000 | TBA | G-SYNC Ultimate | Amazon |
| MSI MEG ARTYMIS 341 | 34″ | 3440×1440 | VA | Mini LED | 144Hz* | 1000 | TBA | TBA | Amazon |
| Philips 279P2MRX | 27″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 60Hz | 1000 | 2304 | None | Amazon |
| Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 | 32″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 240Hz | 2000 | 1196 | FreeSync Premium | Amazon |
| Samsung S49AG95 Odyssey Neo G9 | 49″ | 5120×1440 | VA | Mini LED | 240Hz | 2000 | 2048 | FreeSync Premium | Amazon |
| Samsung Odyssey ARK | 55″ | 3840×2160 | VA | Mini LED | 165Hz | 2000 | 1056 | FreeSync Premium Pro | Amazon |
| ViewSonic XG321UG | 32″ | 3840×2160 | IPS | Mini LED | 150Hz | 1400 | 1152 | G-SYNC Ultimate | Amazon |
| ViewSonic ELITE XG272G-2K | 27″ | 2560×1440 | IPS | Mini LED | 300Hz | 1000 | 1152 | G-SYNC Ultimate | Amazon |
| ViewSonic ELITE XG341C-2K | 34″ | 3440×1440 | IPS | Mini LED | 200Hz | 1400 | 1152 | G-SYNC Ultimate | Amazon |
How we test & choose
While mini-LED monitors might be fairly sparse in today’s market, we’re still bang up to date with the latest news regarding the technology. With few monitors to choose from that actually support this exciting backlight technology, it wasn’t too hard picking the best of the bunch available today. However, as time goes by and more Mini-LED panels become available, we’ll be running our own in-house tests to see which is truly best.
For this article, we’ve rounded up the best mini-LED monitors, researched them meticulously, and have concluded with the following list as our best.
Check out our complete in-house review process here.
How to get the best Mini-LED monitor
When it comes to purchasing a new monitor – regardless of price or performance – there are always considerations to be made. By having a greater understanding of the intricate features of mini-LED technology, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision on your next monitor purchase.
In this section, we’ll be highlighting all the main features of mini-LED tech so you know exactly what to look for.
Price – are Mini-LED monitors affordable?
The first thing you must realise when it comes to mini-LED monitors is they won’t be cheap. The technology is relatively new in the monitor industry and, like most new technologies that offer a large performance boost, a premium is naturally applied to monitors that utilize it.
For a while, there were only a few mini-LED monitors out there – all of which lie in the upper echelons of the market. Of course, other specifications play a major role in the price of a monitor, but on average, a Mini-LED monitor will set you back over $1,000. As time passes, more and more Mini-LED monitors are making their way to the market, so we can see the price dropping below that $1,000 relatively soon, if not already.
HDR performance
One of the big differences that separates Mini-LED and LED monitors is the HDR performance they provide. To experience ‘true’ HDR, a monitor must meet strict requirements (FALD, WCG, high contrast ratio). While only a handful of LED monitors feature these core aspects, all Mini-LED monitors should adhere to these specifications.
The design of the mini-LED backlight means that FALD is always a feature on these displays. Furthermore, users can expect a much wider color gamut (98% DCI-P3), higher overall peak luminance, and greater contrast ratio – thanks to the additional local dimming zones it provides.
See our complete HDR10 vs Dolby Vision guide here.
What is FALD? Mini LED monitor technology
FALD stands for full-array local dimming and refers to the number of zones in which the backlight can dynamically change brightness. If a monitor has a limited number of dimming zones, you’ll often see annoying screen artifacts like haloing around bright objects. With that in mind, it’s easy to understand why a normal LED with a lack of FALD performs poorly in HDR scenes.
Many modern Mini-LED monitors will feature a minimum of 1,152 local dimming zones, enabling the display to support much higher levels of HDR performance when compared to the 16 dimming zones (average) of LED. It also allows the panel to display bolder, more vibrant colors in both gaming and general use situations.
Color accuracy & color gamut (WCG)
Another key feature in the arsenal of Mini-LED is the color accuracy and WCG (wide color gamut) they offer. Again, to perform HDR to a high standard, monitors must be able to reach certain gamut requirements – 95% DCI-P3 for true HDR.
Mini-LED monitors will be able to support a wider color gamut thanks to the higher peak brightness they produce – mainly thanks to 0.2mm design of the LED diodes.
Of course, color accuracy normally comes down to some form of factory calibration. However, with Mini-LED featuring strong HDR performance, we’ll likely see most with some form of calibration (to an average deltaE <2).
Monitor ports
You can also take into consideration the monitor ports or outputs that are available on your Mini-LED monitor. Depending on the type of ports available on your graphics card or what kind of cables you have available, you need to know how you’re going to connect your monitor to your PC. Two of the common display interfaces these days are HDMI and DisplayPort.
Both HDMI and DP are excellent connection types, and many Mini-LED monitors will support both inputs. Be sure to check which is better supported, as 4K 120Hz performance can only be achieved by HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 1.4 or higher; especially important to note if you’re looking for a high refresh rate 4K monitor (like 4K 144Hz).
Many monitors these days also include a USB hub to provide plenty of support for your peripherals and external devices. This includes the likes of a USB-C port, which is great for charging your laptop, tablet, or phone – power delivery straight from your monitor.
Refresh rate
The next thing you should look out for, especially in a gaming monitor, is the refresh rate. To put it simply, the higher the refresh rate, the smoother the visuals. Many of the Mini-LED monitors we feature are high refresh rate monitors. This means they are ideal for gaming at high framerates and making the most of your PC’s in-game performance while avoiding ghosting. Importantly though, you want to avoid effects like screen tearing by matching your refresh rate to your framerate. This is achieved by variable refresh rate (VRR) tech like AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro or Nvidia’s G-Sync.
Mini LED vs LED vs OLED
With such a large price increase over generic LED panels, you might be struggling to see the value in the new technology. Furthermore, we’ve not even touched upon OLED and how it compares to mini LED either.
Below, we’ve made a rough graph showcasing some of the more important features and differences between Mini-LED, LED, and OLED technologies.
| LED | Mini-LED | OLED | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local dimming zones | Edgelit-16zones | up to 2048 local dimming zones (FALD) | Pixels operate independently |
| Color Gamut | 100% sRGB | 135% sRGB (98% DCI-P3) | 135% sRGB (98% DCI-P3) |
| Contrast Ratio | Up to 3000:1 | Up to 3000:1 | Infinite Contrast ratio |
| Viewing angles | Good (depending on panel technology) | Good (depending on panel technology) | Excellent |
| White luminance | < 500 nits | 1000 nits | 500-600 nits |
| Black depth | >0.05 | 0.05 | True black (0.00) |
| Price | Varies massively (can be super cheap) | Mid-high pricing | Highly priced |
While Mini LED monitors do offer some benefits over OLED alternatives, they still can’t match the infinite contrast and perfect blacks that OLED monitors offer. That said, they do feature far higher peak luminance and are considered more stable that OLED technology. Both of them are better than more basic LED panels, but this of course comes at a cost.
Best Mini LED monitor FAQs
What is a Mini LED monitor?
Mini LED monitors are monitors that utilize mini LED backlights. Unlike generic LED backlights, Mini LED backlighting offers up a more efficient design which allows for greater levels of localized dimming and contrast ratio.
Officially, Mini LED monitors are panels that utilize a backlight with diodes no bigger than 0.2mm – but, like most things, take the word “mini” with a pinch of salt.
Is Mini LED good for gaming?
Thanks to the qualities that mini LED backlight technology brings to the table, mini LED monitors are excellent options for gaming.
Not only do they offer greater peak brightness and localized dimming but they also provide far greater contrast ratio – allowing the panel to display better detail in extreme dark and light regions.
Final word
If you want the best mini LED monitor for your gaming setup, then we think that the Asus ROG SWIFT PG32UQX is a good choice. The monitor comes with a 32-inch 4K display, so you can expect high-quality visuals and an immersive experience. Then, this display is backed by a mini LED panel and a super-bright VESA DisplayHDR 1400 certification, which means you can expect high contrast and realistic-looking visuals. As far as gaming goes, the monitor offers a 144Hz refresh rate and G-Sync support, which should deliver a smooth gaming experience.
