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The best mini PCs of today pack a lot of power into some absolutely tiny cases, and can handle everything from simple tasks like web browsing and office work to more demanding ones like video and photo editing, and even gaming.
Our mini PC expert, Anthony Spadafora, has been using many of the best mini PCs as an alternative to a laptop or a big, bulky desktop for the past seven years, and he's never looked back. Right now, the Mac mini M4 continues to be our top recommendation as the mini PC to get, but if you're a fan of Windows, you'll be happy to know there are plenty of fantastic options to choose from today.
Whether you want a mini PC you can slip in your pocket or bag to travel with, something closer to a game console or as much power as possible in a tiny package, there’s something here for every budget and use case. With years of testing these compact desktops under our belt, we found the best mini PCs you can buy today.
In my six years of testing laptops and desktops, my admiration for mini PCs has only grown. If you thought these tiny desktops were just about saving precious space for a minimalist, clean-looking setup (like me), you'll be impressed to learn they come bursting with power and are more than capable of keeping up with demanding workflows and, yes, even the latest PC games. All that in a compact form factor and with the freedom of choosing your go-to mouse, keyboard and monitor? The mini PC revolution has arrived, and we've done all the testing to pick the finest ones around.
The best mini PCs to buy now
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The best mini PC overall
Besides being the smallest Mac, the Mac mini has always offered excellent value and is the perfect entryway into Apple’s ecosystem. Now with the Mac mini M4, though, Cupertino has outdone itself as this latest entry in the Mac mini lineup is faster and far more capable than its predecessor.
I spent several weeks testing the Mac mini M2 before the Mac mini M4 was released, and the performance and usability difference between the two is night and day. While my workload struggled to keep up with the former’s memory constraints, that’s no longer a problem thanks to the fact that the base model Mac mini M4 now comes with 16GB of RAM as the standard. The jump from Apple’s M2 to M4 chip also makes a noticeable difference, whether you’re browsing the web with loads of tabs open simultaneously or doing some light photo or video editing.
In terms of usability, Apple has made the Mac mini M4 more accessible by putting two USB-C ports up front along with a headphone jack. These new front ports are great for charging your accessories and being able to quickly plug in a pair of wired headphones is a nice touch too. Around back, you get three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port and a Gigabit Ethernet port.
At 5 x 5 x 2 inches, the Mac mini M4 now feels more in line with Windows-based mini PCs in terms of size, and it’s very easy to find a spot on your desk for this computer. However, Apple did do something a bit strange with its design by putting its power button on the bottom left side of the device. Fortunately, there are plenty of accessories like the Satechi Mac Mini M4 Hub & Stand, which not only give you extra ports and the option to add more storage but also come with a workaround for this hard-to-press power button.
If you want even more power, you can always upgrade to the Mac mini M4 Pro, which has a faster CPU with more GPU cores, comes with 24GB of RAM, uses Thunderbolt 5 and has a larger 512GB SSD. Still, for most people, the standard base version of the Mac mini M4 will be more than enough, especially if you’re upgrading from an older version.
Read our full Mac mini M4 review.
The best mini PC on a budget
The Geekom A5 2025 Edition is my new pick for the best budget mini PC, thanks to its surprisingly affordable price and just how much performance you get for $300. While I was very impressed with my previous pick, the Kamrui E3B, this mini PC is $100 cheaper and just as capable for browsing the web, office work and even some light gaming. Just like with the E3B, I used this refreshed version of the Geekom A5 as my daily driver for a month with a dual-monitor setup, and despite my more demanding workload, it held its own even with a less powerful AMD Ryzen 5 chip, Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics and 16GB of DDR4 memory.
In addition to its excellent price-to-performance, I really like how Geekom decided to do something different with the A5 by giving it a rose gold colorway instead of the typical silver and black you see on most other mini PCs. It also has a pattern of lined cutouts on either side for extra ventilation, along with a reflective chrome edge up top, which gives it a more premium look overall. While Geekom does include a VESA mounting bracket so that you can tuck the A5 behind a monitor, its sleek and colorful design makes it much better suited for a well-earned place on your desk.
At 4.61 x 4.41 x 1.94 inches, the Geekom A5 is slightly larger than the A6 but still smaller than Apple’s Mac mini M4. Despite its small footprint, this mini PC comes packed with ports at the front and back, but there’s also an SD card reader on the right side and a Kensington lock on the left side. Up front, you get two USB-A ports and a headphone jack, but it’s around back where things really get impressive, especially for a budget mini PC. The A5 has two more USB-A ports there, along with dual HDMI 2.0 ports, two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ones and something you rarely see at this price, a 2.5 gigabit Ethernet port. Add it all up, and this little mini PC can power a quad-monitor setup. While it comes with a 512GB SSD and 16GB of memory, it’s really easy to open up the case and upgrade its existing components, but you can also add another M.2 SSD as well as a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD.
If you’re looking to downsize from a bulky desktop or ditch an older laptop, the Geekom A5 is an excellent choice, especially at this price granted your workflow isn’t too demanding. However, if it is, I’d suggest saving up a bit more for the A6, which is significantly faster but also a bit smaller too. For those who want to dive into the world of mini PCs without overpaying or just want a capable device with a pop of color, the A5 is easy to recommend.
Read our full Geekom A5 2025 Edition review.
The best mini PC for power users
The Geekom A9 Max may be small, but don’t let its looks deceive you; this is one of the most powerful mini PCs you can get right now. With its compact aluminum case, it might resemble the Mac mini M4 at first glance. Well, until you see all of its full-sized ports. In fact, you get four USB-A ports and even a headphone jack conveniently located on the front where you’ll actually use them.
In terms of specs, the A9 Max is no slouch either and is more comparable to the Mac mini M4 Pro than the base model. Under the hood, it’s powered by an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU with built-in AMD Radeon 890M graphics. Right out of the box, the A9 Max is fully equipped with 32GB of DDR5 memory and a 2TB SSD. However, since this is a Windows-based mini PC after all, you can add more memory and storage down the line; it supports up to 128GB of RAM and up to 8TB of storage space thanks to the extra M.2 2230 slot inside. Be warned, though: having opened up more than a half-dozen Geekom mini PCs, this one was the trickiest so far.
Besides its wealth of front-facing ports, you also get plenty more around back, including two more USB-A ports, two HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB4 ports, dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports and a barrel power connector. If you aren’t running a quad-monitor setup, you can use the left USB4 port for power instead, though you will need a 100W or higher GaN charger to do so. There’s even an SD card reader on the side to quickly get photos off your camera—a feature I found incredibly handy during testing.
If you want the power of the Framework Desktop but with a much smaller footprint, the Geekom A9 Max absolutely delivers and then some. Having used it as my daily driver for two months, I can easily say it’s the ideal mini PC for power users who want to downsize without compromising on connectivity or performance.
Read our full Geekom A9 Max review.
The best mini PC for gaming
The Minisforum G1 Pro doesn't just look awfully familiar in design to a certain gaming console (the PS5, if that wasn't obvious), it does one better: delivering console-killer performance thanks to its desktop-grade Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 GPU. And from our testing, it outclasses every mini PC in its class when it comes to raw gaming performance.
The G1 Pro is remarkably sleek with its uniform design, and there's no fuss with a bulky power supply to try and hide, thanks to its internal power supply (just like the Mac mini M4). Its compact form factor makes it a great fit on any desk, and easy enough to slip into a living room for some couch-ready gameplay (or productivity!).
Speaking of, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX CPU it holds isn't as strong as others on this list according to our benchmarks, it still offers plenty of performance for workflows that juggle multiple apps and browser tabs, along with editing photos or videos. In fact, while its 32GB of DDR5 RAM is already more than enough for many, it can be upgraded to a jaw-dropping 96GB, along with up to 8TB for storage.
That's great for work during the day, but what about gaming? That's the G1 Pro's true highlight. With the might of a desktop-level RTX 5060 (more capable than any laptop variant), you can expect to play AAA games like Death Stranding 2, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and more at 1440p (or even 4K, as we tried) resolution. In our tests, we saw Cyberpunk 2077 reach 45 frames per second, which is the highest we've seen in a mini PC so far. That's without Nvidia's DLSS 4 and DLSS 4.5, though, so expect games to soar past 60 fps and beyond 100 fps when enabled.
Even better, the GPU is upgradeable, so once a next-gen graphics card arrives, you'll be able to configure the G1 Pro to your liking. It's a shame this mini PC can get quite loud when put under pressure, especially when gaming, despite its multiple power modes to keep the pressure off, including Beast mode. It would have also been nice to see a few more USB-A ports, but know it comes with plenty of display ports, including HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1.
If you're after the ultimate power for PC gaming in a compact design, the Minisforum G1 Pro doesn't just look the part; it delivers on all fronts with the specs it packs.
Read our full Minisforum G1 Pro review.
The best mini PC for portability
The Khadas Mind 2S delivers on its promise of being a pocketable powerhouse, and it's unlike any mini PC I've tested. I was already impressed by the original Khadas Mind, but with the upgrades that the 2 and 2S models manage to fit into their super compact, 5.75 x 4.13 x 0.79-inch size (at just under 1 pound), this PC is now a truly portable workstation.
Featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H CPU, a whopping 64GB of DDR5X RAM and a 2TB SSD, the Khadas Mind 2S got the uplift in power it deserves, and is able to blitz through raw performance and heavy-duty multitasking. That's something power users will appreciate, and even pulls up to 115W for reliable, sustained performance from the likes of a full-blown desktop.
Its port selection is also outstanding, being able to fit two high-speed USB-A ports, Thunderbolt 4, USB4 and HDMI 2.1 in its tiny form factor. That actually beats many laptops! What's more, there's a free M.2 2230 slot hidden away by a magnetic cover, meaning you can instantly expand the mini PC's storage by another 2TB.
Another perk? The Mind 2S's "reserve" battery. Instead of powering down your mini PC while taking it abroad or from room to room, the Mind 2S features a built-in 5.55Wh battery designed to keep the system in standby mode for up to 25 hours. A handy trick for when, well, putting it in your pocket.
The Khadas Mind 2S can be expanded with the Mind Graphics 2, which features an RTX 5060 Ti GPU for gaming and more. That's a lot to love about this mini PC, but be warned, it can get loud when put under pressure from demanding apps, and it comes at a steep price at $1,599 for the 2S (from $799 for the regular Mind 2). Regardless, if you're after portable power, the Khadas Mind 2S is an absolute beast that's worth the investment.
Read our full Khadas Mind 2S review.
The best mini PC for quiet
The Minix Elite EU715-AI lives up to its namesake with a premium, all-metal case and high-end components throughout. However, it's the noise — or lack thereof —that makes it truly exceptional. Typically, the smaller a mini PC is, the louder it gets under load, but that couldn’t be further from the truth here. In fact, the Elite EU715-AI was so quiet at my desk, I almost forgot it was on a few times.
Although it's powered by a slightly older Intel Core Ultra 7 155H chip, this actually works in this mini PC’s favor. Unlike Intel’s Lunar Lake chips, which favor power efficiency over raw processing power, the 16-core processor in the Elite EU715-AI is very powerful indeed. In our lab tests, it actually beat out mini PCs like the Geekom IT15, which use newer Intel chips by a fair margin.
When it comes to ports, you get a good selection at the front and the back of this mini PC. On the front of the Elite EU715-AI, you get two USB-A ports, a microphone/headphone combo jack and even a Thunderbolt 4 port. Then, around back, you get a high-speed USB-C port capable of video out, an HDMI 2.1 port, DisplayPort 1.4 and dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports. However, my favorite rear port is the USB-C power port. The Elite EU715-AI comes with a 100W power adapter, but you can also use a GaN charger instead, say if you want to move this mini PC from one desk to another.
At launch, the Elite EU715-AI could be had for a more reasonable $999. However, due to the ongoing RAM crisis, Minix was forced to bump up its price to $1,300. While that does sting, you’ll be able to use this whisper-quiet mini PC for years to come as it’s outfitted with 32GB of memory and a 1TB SSD. Down the line, when you realize you need a bit more RAM or storage space, though, you can easily open it up and add your own. The Elite EU715-AI can be equipped with up to 96GB of memory and up to 8TB of storage space, thanks to the free M.2 2280 slot inside.
I know what you’re thinking: if noise is such a problem, why not mount your mini PC behind your monitor? Minix does include a VESA mount adapter for this very reason in the box, but I’d argue with a mini PC that looks as sleek as the Elite EU715-AI and is essentially as quiet as the Mac mini M4, why not have it front and center on your desk?
Read our full Minix Elite EU715-AI review.
The best mini PC for customization
The Framework Desktop gives you almost the same experience as building your own PC, but without the hassle. And to top it all off, it's an incredibly fast and powerful mini PC for work, gaming or even running AI models locally. Building on its expertise in creating upgradeable and repairable laptops, Framework decided to create a desktop computer that follows the same formula. After testing it out for the past two weeks, I’m very impressed with not just its excellent performance but also how much fun I had building and customizing it, too.
Unlike some other mini PCs like the MSI Cubi NUC or the Asus Nuc 14 Pro, where you have a ton of different CPU options to choose from, the Framework Desktop only gives you one: the Ryzen AI Max. Sure, you can go with the entry-level Max 385 chip or the more powerful Max+ 395 one, but the biggest choice you’ll have to make is how much memory to equip your machine with. The Framework Desktop starts with 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, but you can also get this mini PC with 64GB or even a whopping 128GB of memory. Besides running demanding AI models locally, you can allocate some of this extra RAM to the Ryzen AI Max’s integrated GPU for better graphics or gaming performance.
Once you decide on your processor and RAM, it’s time for customization options. You can choose a more subtle black side panel or a clear one to show off its internals, which might make more sense if you opt for an RGB-equipped case fan at checkout.
The Framework Desktop’s magnetic front panel is another area where you can truly make this mini PC your own since it has slots for 21 tiles. These tiles come in a variety of colors, but there are also custom ones, and I’m almost certain you’ll be able to design your own down the line. Then, underneath the front panel, there are two Expansion Card slots, which let you customize the Framework Desktop’s front ports to your liking. For instance, I went with a USB-A port and an SD card reader, but there’s also USB-C, microSD card readers and more.
The Framework Desktop is the only mini PC that I know of that you not only build but also get to customize yourself. It is on the expensive side with a starting price of $1,099, which doesn’t include essential components like a case fan and storage or a Windows license, but this mini PC has plenty of power under the hood. Likewise, if you decide its current design isn’t working for you anymore, it’s incredibly simple to mix things up as well as to add extra storage or swap out its case fan.
The Framework Desktop is certainly on the large size for a mini PC, but compared to a traditional desktop or even most small form factor PCs, it’s quite compact and portable too.
Read our full Framework Desktop review.
Meet our expert
Anthony Spadafora prefers desktops to laptops, and when you're short on space, a mini PC is the perfect solution. After building his own small form factor PCs for years, he started testing and reviewing pre-built mini PCs as part of his work at Tom's Guide. Anthony also covers standing desks, office chairs and other home office furniture, and his work with mini PCs ensures he's able to put together brand-new desk setups to show off all the tiny computers that he goes hands-on with.
Other mini PCs we've tested
Mini PCs are experiencing a surge in popularity, and we here at Tom's Guide test and review as many of the latest tiny desktops as we can get our hands on. That means finding all-new top recommendations, but that doesn't mean the others we've put through our testing process aren't worth considering.
Here are the other mini PCs we've reviewed, which may suit your style despite their flaws. It's important to note that some of these machines aren't in stock anymore (which is a shame), but its a good idea to have a look to compare them to a one you have your eye on.
How we test the best mini PCs
We put every mini PC we review through a number of benchmark tests and weeks to months of real-world use to get the clearest picture we can of how well it performs, what use cases it's best suited to and what sort of capabilities you get for the price.
For performance, we use the Geekbench processor test to measure a system's overall capabilities. We then test a device's file transfer speeds, copying large files to see how long it takes to copy multimedia files, documents and other content.
To test graphics capabilities, we run several benchmark tests from 3DMark. If a system is properly equipped, we'll also run individual game tests to see how capable a particular mini PC is at handling the demands of modern gaming at a variety of resolutions and graphics settings.
Most importantly, we spend a lot of time simply using each mini PC for everyday activities. We do work, browse the web, transfer files, play games and more, all to get a better sense of which ones are really worth your money.
For more information on our testing process, check out our how we test page for Tom’s Guide.
How to choose the best mini PC for you
Mini PCs range from small project PCs for under $50 (£50/AU$75) to compact desktops that can cost anywhere between $500 to $1,500 or even more.
Stick PCs are the most versatile, and generally cost between $100 (£100/AU$150) and $200 (£200/$AU300), and will work with most TVs or monitors, though we don't normally recommend them.
Mini PC prices vary considerably based on their hardware and come in all sorts of different form factors, but for the most part, the small, rectangular-shaped ones are the most popular, and you won't have a hard time finding one to fit your own particular needs.
Know what you want
Finding the right mini PC for you starts with knowing what you're looking for. Do you want something small enough to tuck behind a TV as a dedicated streaming box, or are you looking for something with gaming capabilities? Do you want a basic internet-browsing machine, or do you need serious processing and graphics capabilities?
Our best picks above do a good job of highlighting the use cases different systems are best suited to, and that should help you narrow down your choices.
Find the right size
Then there's the question of form factor. Mini PCs are all small, but there is a range of options within the category, from PCs small enough to slip into your pocket to desktop towers that are still compact enough to stow out of sight.
You'll sacrifice power for a smaller system, but you can still get a capable desktop that's small enough to carry in a backpack, even if you're after one well-suited for gaming or workstation performance.
Make sure you like your configuration and upgrade options
Finally, you want to look at configuration options and upgradability.
Many mini PCs have two or three configuration options, which can change everything from the amount of included storage to the presence of high-end processors and discrete graphics cards.
There's also the question of upgrades. Many of the smallest mini PCs leave no room for future hardware changes, but others are designed to let you add memory or storage, or even come outfitted with ports that allow you to attach an external GPU for better graphics and gaming performance.
When in doubt, check our reviews, which include configuration details and will discuss the potential for future upgrades.
Check out everything else you'll need for your new mini PC setup:
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