One of the latest emerging technologies in the monitor market is Mini LED displays. This is a type of backlight behind the LCD panel that includes many small LED lights. Combined with a proper local dimming feature, it helps the monitor display deeper blacks with brighter highlights and less blooming compared to edge-lit backlighting. Although OLEDs deliver better picture quality, they're also more expensive. Getting a cheaper Mini LED monitor is an alternative to this if you want premium picture quality, as they get brighter than OLEDs, and there's no risk of burn-in with them either.
While the Mini LED monitor market is still fairly limited, different options are available. Most have a 4k resolution for detailed images, and there are lower-end 1440p options, too. When looking for a new monitor, consider how you'll use it and how it performs, which we test for through extensive testing. A monitor with good picture quality with bright highlights and vivid colors is important for most uses, and if you're a gamer, you'll also want a fast response time for sharp motion with quick-moving objects.
We've bought and tested more than 340 monitors, and below are our picks for the best Mini LED monitors available. See our recommendations for the best HDR monitors, the best multimedia monitors, and the best HDR gaming monitors.
Quick Look
Best Mini LED Monitor
Brightness7.7HDR Picture7.8SDR Picture8.2Color Accuracy8.8PC Gaming8.2Console Gaming8.7Editing8.2Contrast8.5Local Dimming7.0Size32"Pixel TypeVAMax Refresh Rate240 HzNative Resolution3840 x 2160The best Mini LED monitor we've tested is the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85. It's a premium 32-inch, 4k monitor that's great for a variety of uses. It has 1,196 dimming zones, more than most monitors, but the number of zones doesn't guarantee good performance either. Regardless, it has a decent local dimming feature that helps deepen blacks and makes highlights pop against the rest of the image, but very small highlights are muted, and it has black crush. Still, it has great picture quality and displays a wide range of colors for a great HDR experience.
In terms of gaming, it has a fast response time for sharp motion at any refresh rate. It has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, and there aren't any compatibility issues with the Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PS5 Pro. It also offers a high 240Hz refresh rate that's great even for competitive gamers, but you need a powerful graphics card to take full advantage of it. However, if you don't want something with such a high refresh rate, you can also check out the Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 S32BG75, which performs similarly and costs less but can be harder to find.
Best Mid-Range Mini LED Monitor
Brightness8.8HDR Picture7.2SDR Picture7.2Color Accuracy9.0PC Gaming7.7Console Gaming8.5Editing8.1Contrast6.3Local Dimming7.0Size27"Pixel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate160 HzNative Resolution3840 x 2160If the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85 is too expensive for you, you can often find the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx for a lower cost, and it's worth getting when it goes on sale. It's a 4k monitor that's different in a few ways from the Samsung because it has a lower 160Hz refresh rate, so it doesn't feel as smooth, and it has a smaller 27-inch screen. It also has a lower native contrast ratio, which negatively impacts the test results, but this isn't something to worry about once you enable the local dimming feature. It has 576 zones and displays deep blacks against bright highlights, and there's minimal black crush. That said, one of the drawbacks is that there's some blooming around bright objects, like subtitles.
On the plus side, this monitor gets much brighter than the Samsung, so highlights truly stand out, and it's a great choice if you want to use it in a well-lit room. Additionally, motion looks sharp, thanks to its fast response time. However, while it works well with gaming consoles, it has increased input lag with 60Hz signals. This doesn't affect the Xbox games if you set it to 120Hz, but it does impact PS5 games running at 60Hz.
Best Budget Mini LED Monitor
Brightness8.3HDR Picture8.0SDR Picture8.2Color Accuracy8.8PC Gaming8.2Console Gaming7.4Editing7.9Contrast8.8Local Dimming7.5Size27"Pixel TypeVAMax Refresh Rate180 HzNative Resolution2560 x 1440Some Mini LED monitors are becoming accessible at budget-friendly prices, like the AOC Q27G3XMN. The main trade-off of getting this versus the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx is that it has a lower 1440p resolution, so images are less detailed. That said, if you're after pure picture quality, this monitor punches above its weight, as it includes a good local dimming feature, even better than the monitors mentioned above, despite having 336 dimming zones. It displays deep blacks with very bright highlights, blooming is minimal, and there isn't too much black crush either.
It has a slightly higher 180Hz refresh rate than the Acer, but although it has a fast overall response time, there's some smearing with fast-moving objects. It also lacks extra features like HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to take full advantage of gaming consoles and doesn't have any USB ports either. Still, you have to expect fewer features with a budget monitor. If you can't find this monitor available in your region, consider the Acer Nitro XV275U P3biipx, a similar monitor that costs less if it's on sale but has worse motion handling.
Notable Mentions
- INNOCN 27M2V:
The INNOCN 27M2V is a mid-range monitor that's a competitor to the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx, and you can sometimes find it for less. Its Mini LED local dimming feature performs similarly, but it has some bugs and has worse build quality.
See our review - Sony INZONE M9:
The Sony INZONE M9 is a mid-range 4k monitor that doesn't actually use Mini LED backlighting, but it still has an okay full-array local dimming feature. However, it doesn't get as bright as the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx. That said, the Sony monitor is something to consider if you're gaming with the PS5, as it has lower input lag at 60Hz with that console.
See our review
Recent Updates
Feb 19, 2025:
We introduced a new format to the article and updated the text to reflect these changes.
Jan 08, 2025:
Removed the Acer Nitro XV275U P3biipx as 'Best Cheap,' as it's not on sale now and costs considerably more.
Dec 13, 2024:
We added the Sony INZONE M9 to the Notable Mentions and updated text for clarity throughout.
Nov 25, 2024:
Added the Acer Nitro XV275U P3biipx as 'Best Cheap,' as its price is now below $200.
Nov 01, 2024:
We removed the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9/G95NA S49AG95 from the Notable Mentions because it's hard to find.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best monitors with Mini LED backlighting currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people in each price range. The rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you'd prefer to make your own decision, here's the list of all our monitors with full-array backlighting. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.
Suggested Reads
Recommended Articles
Best Monitors For Gaming
Comments
Best Mini LED Monitors: Main Discussion
What do you think of our picks? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying recommendation from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.
- 21010
So from what i understand, you cant have expert picture mode with game optimizer, is that correct? Like if i didnt care about 4:4:4 chroma and only wanted high peak brightness and low input lag. I read both reviews and i understand you are trying to keep things as short as possible but honestly it becomes confusing whats possible or not when you dont tell exactly how picture modes and inputs interact with eachother.
Hey, sorry for the confusion, but yes you can’t use the Expert Picture Mode if you’re using the Game Optimizer setting. You can see more details of the settings here.
- 21010
So from what i understand, you cant have expert picture mode with game optimizer, is that correct? Like if i didnt care about 4:4:4 chroma and only wanted high peak brightness and low input lag.
I read both reviews and i understand you are trying to keep things as short as possible but honestly it becomes confusing whats possible or not when you dont tell exactly how picture modes and inputs interact with eachother.
- 21010
Does this act like a regular monitor with regards to powering off when used with a PC?
Hey there! The monitor will react differrently depending if you power off the monitor or the PC. If you power off from the monitor, it’ll go back to being flat and go black screen. If you turn the PC off it’ll stay curved and go into ‘picture art’ mode unless you disable it in the settings!
- 21010
Does this act like a regular monitor with regards to powering off when used with a PC?
Update: Added a mention of the Corsair XENEON FLEX 45WQHD240 in Style to clarify that the curving mechanics are manual.
- 21010
I have had this screen for two months now, I encountered problems with it such as WIFI problems that until now, even after I was replaced with a new LG screen, the WIFI shows me NG even though the WIFI works both on the computer and on the TV and in general works wonderfully with any smartphone that is connected to it. Also, I also encountered Bluetooth problems with the remote, the magic remote’s cursor suddenly disappears and wakes up again after a few seconds, sometimes a lot and sometimes a little, I discovered that after I connected the screen directly to the router with cable, this problem does not exist with the remote and works perfectly!!! But still the WIFI shows NG even in this situation. Also, I have more problems with the WEBOS that it works really slowly sometimes when I’m connected to my computer via HDMI in PC mode It’s really annoying, a very expensive screen and full of problems I have with it and it’s a shame because the potential here is wonderful and the panel is spectacular in its beauty! I would be happy if you have a solution to these problems, especially to the slowness problem that I mentioned when connecting to my computer, it should be noted that after I do Multiview, the problem suddenly gets better, but it still annoys me that I have to deal with problems all day instead of enjoying the screen itself! It should also be noted that the problem of slowness in the WEBOS operating system disappears while the HDMI is connected to the computer but in HDMI or console mode, I switch it to computer mode so that the text is more readable but then the problem of slowness returns, I’m really at a loss =/
- 21010
Strange, I have a similar warp issue on my OLED Flex. However my sides are flat, but on the top of the screen mine is warped; also can only be seen from the side.
Update: Added in Ergonomics that the Samsung Odyssey Ark S55BG970 is another curved monitor that can be rotated into portrait mode.