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. You also have to consider the number of dimming zones the monitor has, as more zones allow for finer control around bright objects, but the number of zones doesn't guarantee good local dimming. 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, there are different options 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. We put each monitor we buy through extensive testing on various elements to help you make that buying decision. For example, 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 355 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.
The 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 an 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, but can be harder to find.
If 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, 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, and highlights truly stand out, so 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.
Some 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, and there isn't too much blooming or black crush.
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 Mini LED display.
The Xiaomi G Pro 27i competes with the AOC Q27G3XMN as it has similar specs, like a 1440p resolution and 180Hz refresh rate. It also has a good local dimming feature with 1,152 dimming zones, and its IPS panel has less smearing than the AOC. However, this monitor is hard to find, and it usually costs more than the AOC.
See our reviewThe Sony INZONE M9 II is a 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 reviewMay 21, 2025: We replaced the INNOCN 27M2V and the Sony INZONE M9 with the Xiaomi G Pro 27i and the Sony INZONE M9 II in the Notable Mentions to better reflect the current monitor market.
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.
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.
What do you think of our picks? Let us know below.
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We’ve just released a new video that mentions the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx and AOC Q27G3XMN here.
Hey, with the recent 4k mini led with dual refresh mode launches from msi and acer XV272K V5 (the acer one is available to purchase) , how soon can we see the reviews?
Or at least any first impression for the Acer XV272K “V5” ? Im going in blindly with this is on order for around 500 dollars, I’m not even sure it has display alt mode capability with type c
We’ve just released a new video that mentions the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx here.
Any chance you will review the Lenovo Legion Y34wz-30 or the Mobile Pixels - 34-In. LED Curved Gaming Monitor? The Mobile Pixels is supposedly a rebadged Innocn 34M1R which doesn’t seem to be available any longer. Thanks and keep up the good work!
No immediate plans unfortunately, but we’ll consider it if there’s enough user interest in the future!
Any chance you will review the Lenovo Legion Y34wz-30 or the Mobile Pixels - 34-In. LED Curved Gaming Monitor? The Mobile Pixels is supposedly a rebadged Innocn 34M1R which doesn’t seem to be available any longer. Thanks and keep up the good work!