One of the latest emerging technologies in the monitor market is Mini LED displays. This is a type of backlighting 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 haloing compared to edge-lit backlighting. More dimming zones allow for finer control around bright objects, resulting in less haloing, but the number of zones doesn't guarantee good performance.
Although they don't deliver the same deep blacks as OLEDs, Mini LED monitors tend to cost less, get brighter, and don't risk burn-in, so they're good alternatives to getting an expensive OLED. While the Mini LED market is still fairly limited, there are different options available. Most have a 4k resolution for detailed images, and there are also lower-end 1440p models. When looking for a new monitor, consider how you'll use it and how it performs. For example, having bright highlights and vivid colors is important for most uses, like HDR. 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 390 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.
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.
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Best Mini LED Monitor
HDR PictureSDR PictureBrightnessColor AccuracyPC GamingConsole GamingEditingSize32"Panel TypeLCDSub-TypeVAMax Refresh Rate240 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution3840 x 2160The best Mini LED monitor we've tested so far is the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85. It's a premium 4k, 32-inch monitor that features 1,196 dimming zones. Its local dimming feature helps improve contrast by deepening blacks against bright highlights, but it also causes black crush, resulting in a loss of detail in dark scenes. On the plus side, it has minimal haloing around bright objects when viewed directly from the front, but more haloing when viewed from the sides. Another advantage of getting this Mini LED monitor is how bright it gets. Small highlights pop in HDR, and it fights glare well in bright spaces. It also displays a wide range of vivid colors in HDR for a punchy and vivid viewing experience.
Besides that, it's a great gaming monitor thanks to its 240Hz refresh rate and consistently fast response time for sharp motion, but there's smearing in dark scenes. Plus, it supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to take advantage of gaming consoles. Its 4k resolution also helps deliver sharp and detailed images for any type of gaming. Despite having some issues when gaming, like visible VRR flicker, its pros outweigh its cons.
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Best Mid-Range Mini LED Monitor
HDR PictureSDR PictureBrightnessColor AccuracyPC GamingConsole GamingEditingSize27"Panel TypeLCDSub-TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate320 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution3840 x 2160If the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85 is too expensive for you, the KOORUI S2741LM is a good mid-range alternative that you can often find for less. It's another 4k option with a ton of dimming zones, but it performs differently from the Samsung. For example, it has different gaming features as it has a lower native 160Hz refresh rate, so 4k gaming feels less smooth. However, it has a dual-mode feature that boosts the refresh rate to 320Hz with a lower 1080p resolution, giving you the versatility for playing different types of games. It also has a quick response time, and there's less black smearing than on the Samsung.
Like the Samsung, it has 1,152 dimming zones with an effective local dimming feature that improves the picture quality by deepening blacks and making highlights pop. It also has black crush like the Samsung, but it has minimal haloing as well. Plus, it gets brighter than the Samsung, making it the better choice to use in well-lit rooms. Lastly, it displays a wide range of vivid colors, helping provide an impactful HDR viewing experience.
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Best Budget Mini LED Monitor
HDR PictureSDR PictureBrightnessColor AccuracyPC GamingConsole GamingEditingSize27"Panel TypeLCDSub-TypeVAMax Refresh Rate180 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution2560 x 1440Some Mini LED monitors are becoming accessible at budget-friendly prices, like the AOC Q27G40XMN. The main trade-off of getting this versus the KOORUI S2741LM 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 great local dimming feature, even better than the KOORUI, and it has 1,152 zones. It displays deep blacks with very bright highlights, with little haloing or black crush.
Its local dimming feature does have some bugs, though, as content looks oversaturated depending on the combination of settings you use with it. If this bothers you, you can also consider the similar AOC Q27G3XMN instead. However, it has fewer zones, as it's limited to 336, and its local dimming feature isn't as good overall because of this. That said, the Q27G40XMN is still a fantastic Mini LED monitor that provides great value.
Notable Mentions
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Apple Studio Display XDR:
The Apple Studio Display XDR is a premium Mini LED display with over 2,000 zones and great local dimming performance. It displays deep blacks thanks to this, and it's fantastic if you have a Mac. However, it has worse gaming performance and costs a lot more than other high-end options, like the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85.
See our review -
Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 S32BG75:
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 S32BG75 is a lower-end model than the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85. It has the same number of dimming zones as the Neo G8 and performs similarly. However, the main difference is that the Neo G7 has a lower refresh rate. It's worth considering if you don't need the high refresh rate and want to save money.
See our review -
Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx:
The Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx competes with the KOORUI S2741LM, as it has many of the same features and specs. The Acer is worth considering if you can find it for cheaper, but it's less well-rounded, and you can't use its local dimming in SDR.
See our review
Recent Updates
May 22, 2026:
We replaced the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx with the KOORUI S2741LM, which has better overall local dimming. In the Notable Mentions, we replaced the MSI MPG 274URDFW E16M with the Acer XV275K.
Apr 14, 2026:
We added the Apple Studio Display XDR as a Notable Mention.
Mar 20, 2026:
We verified that the monitors are still available to purchase and updated the text for clarity throughout.
Feb 24, 2026:
We removed the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX from the Notable Mentions because it's hard to find.
Feb 02, 2026:
We moved the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX to the Notable Mentions because it's hard to find, and we renamed the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85 to the 'Best Mini LED Monitor.' We added the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx as the 'Best Mid-Range Mini LED Monitor.' In the Notable Mentions, we also removed the Xiaomi G Pro 27i and the Sony INZONE M9 II and added the MSI MPG 274URDFW E16M.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best Mini LED monitors 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.