The best mini PCs of 2025: Expert recommended from Apple, Intel, and more

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PCs no longer have to be the big, ugly beige boxes that devour desk real estate. These giant machines have given way to the mini PC -- a computer no bigger than a hardback book, but capable of handling demanding workloads.

The mini PC market can be somewhat bewildering, so I've done a considerable amount of legwork to distill things down to a handful of choices, from the Intel NUC 13 workhorse to the AceMagician AMD Ryzen 9 Mini gaming PC, to the oftentimes overlooked Apple Mac Mini.

Also: The best power banks: Expert tested

What is the best mini PC right now?

I've tested and researched the current mini PC offerings on the market, examining specs and paying close attention to user reviews, and my top pick for the best mini PC is the Intel NUC 13 Pro Arena Canyon, and it comes in at under $900. Whether you want a mini PC for the home, office, or meeting room, this is a solid choice and a dependable workhorse.

There's also never been a better time to buy, because at the time of update, prices have come down dramatically pretty much across the board.

The best mini PCs of 2025

Why we like it: When it comes to mini PCs, it's hard to beat a machine built to the Intel NUC specs. I've owned and tested a number of them myself and have been very happy with all of them.

With this model, we have a system running a 16-core Core i7 chip that can power up to 3.7 GHz with a built-in Iris Xe GPU. Backing that is 32GB of RAM and 1TB M.2 SSD -- that's quite a spec for a system you can hold in the palm of your hand. As for ports, this system has a multitude of USB ports, along with Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and Ethernet. It's a real powerhouse in a compact space.

Who it's for: This is a no-frills workhorse. No LED lights, no fancy design, just a powerful computer in a box.

Who should look elsewhere: As mini PCs go, this one is likely overkill for most, and that s reflected in the price. There are definitely cheaper mini PCs out there.

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Why we like it: Just when you thought this list would only include Windows systems, we've got the Mac Mini. This was one of the original mini PCs, and with the switch to Apple Silicon processors, it has a new lease of life.

These were once considered the gateway Mac that got people over to MacOS from Windows because they could replace their Windows PC with the Mac Mini and keep using their existing keyboard, mouse, and monitor with their new Mac. It's now a staple of the Mac lineup, and the perfect choice for those who want a compact system.

I've owned a few different Mac Mini systems over the years, and I've been more than satisfied by them. They're reliable, well-built, and run cool and quiet.

Who it's for: This is a great choice for those who want a system they can take out of a box, set up, and start using. I set up a lot of systems, and I'm always impressed by how quick it is to get a Mac up and running. This is also a powerful system that won't disappoint.

Who should look elsewhere: The thing with the Mac Mini is that you're having to use the macOS, and if that's new to you because you've got years on Windows muscle memory under your belt, then this could be a big, frustrating learning curve.

The other downside to this system is upgrading -- bottom line, this Mac will live and die with the same processor, RAM, and storage that it left the factory with. If upgrading is your thing, give Macs a miss.

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Why we like it: This is a tiny mini PC that is a cube measuring 72 x 72 x 44.5mm, weighing only 206g. Inside the cube is a 4-core Intel N5105 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB M.2 SSD running Windows 10 Pro. I had no problem upgrading mine to Windows 11.

Despite the tiny size, this mini PC features a handful of USB ports, two HDMI ports, an audio jack, and an Ethernet port. This system has no problems running two 4K at 60FPS (frames per second) displays for maximum productivity.

And yet given the power, this system is quiet and very energy efficient -- using only 10W -- making it a great choice for someone who wants a PC for the home, office, or meeting room, or even to drive digital signage.

Who it's for: This is for people who want not just a small PC but a tiny PC. A really tiny PC.

Who should look elsewhere: This is a system that definitely puts size -- or the lack thereof -- ahead of power and performance. While this is great for situations where you need a compact PC, if you have more space, you might be better going for something that offers a bit more power.

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Why we like it: It's small, and it's budget friendly. That's a neat combination. The Beelink S12 Pro offers a lot of bang for your buck in a compact design that is at home on a desk or attached to the back of a TV.

Who it's for: This system's price makes it a perfect choice for those who want a cheap yet powerful mini PC. As long as you're not running AAA-title games or other heavy workloads, this system has you covered.

Who should look elsewhere: The only con to this system is that it runs the older 12th-gen Intel silicon, but for $149, this is still a system that both holds its own and won't break the bank.

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Why we like it: This mini PC describes itself as a gaming system, and with good reason. The combination of AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX and AMD Radeon 680M GPU gives this system a lot of horsepower to tackle a variety of workloads, from work to games.

This system features a power dial on the top to switch it between silent mode, auto, and performance, depending on whether you want power or silence. It also includes a multitude of LED lights, which you might love or hate. If you love them, great, if not, there's an app that turns them off for you.

Who it's for: This is for people who don't want their mini PC to look like little boxes. This one throws away the design rulebook. While most mini PCs are cube-like, this one is an upright tent shape. While that might seem like purely a design choice, it does in fact make opening up the system to carry out upgrades a snap as the side panel is held in place with magnets.

Who should look elsewhere: While I like the design of this mini PC, it's not all that conducive if your outcome is to tuck it behind a TV or under a desk. In these situations, you'd be better looking for a more traditional mini PC.

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What are the tariffs in the U.S.?

The recent U.S. tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.

Also: Tariff war has tech buyers wondering what's next. Here's what we know

Laptops and PCs are also hit hard by the new U.S. tariffs, with import duties potentially increasing prices by up to 35%. Many major brands still rely on Chinese and Vietnamese factories for assembly, meaning consumers could soon pay significantly more for everything from budget Chromebooks to high-end gaming rigs.

These tariffs may accelerate efforts to move production to regions like Mexico or India, but shoppers can expect higher costs and fewer discounts in the short term.

Right now, it looks like some tech may be exempt from the issued tariffs, but since it's always changing and developing, we are keeping an eye on it and will update you on the latest.

Also: Tariff exemptions for electronics offer a break for tech - but not for long

Latest info on mini PC in 2025

I keep hearing whispers -- as well as seeing signs on the benchmarking sites -- of a Minisforum mini PC powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU. This will be an absolute beast.

Choose this mini PC…	If you want…
Intel NUC 13 Pro Arena Canyon	A general-purpose mini PC. The Intel NUC PCs continue to be the best all-around mini PCs on the market. Yes, there are better, faster, cheaper systems out there, but these systems have continually impressed me over the years.
Apple 2024 Mac Mini	To go with MacOS. The Mac Mini used to be the way that Windows PC users would start to make the transition over to Mac. Nowadays, they are all-purpose desktop computers that are perfect for anyone who doesn't want a portable system, from students to developers.
GMKtec Mini PC	A truly tiny PC. This is one of the smallest systems I've seen, but it packs quite a punch, hitting well above its size and weight.
Beelink S12 Pro Mini PC	A great budget mini PC. Cheap and cheerful, yet packing enough power to be a perfectly capable PC for school, work, or for home entrainment..
AceMagician AMD Ryzen 9 Mini PC	A proper mini gaming PC. Here you have a full gaming PC packed into a tiny footprint. Sure, there are going to be desktop systems that are way more powerful than this system, but for the size, you'll be hard-pressed to find anything faster.

In many ways, choosing a mini PC is much like a regular PC. There are all the usual performance, price, and support for all your peripherals to keep in mind. But if you are after a mini PC, then the mini part does come into play, so there is a size issue to bear in mind. The good news is that mini PCs come in a range of sizes, from systems that can fit in the palm of your hand to systems so small you could fit several of them in the palm of your hand.

Do you need a mini PC? This is the top question when choosing a mini PC. Do you actually need one, or do you just need a regular PC?
Size: This really is the differentiator when it comes to mini PCs. Do you want a PC that's the size of a biscuit tin, or something significantly smaller?
Performance: Pretty standard PC consideration here. What do you want your system to do? Do you want to carry out general PC tasks like word processing and spreadsheets and browsing the web, or do you have more specialist needs in mind, such as gaming?
Budget: Small doesn't always mean cheap, but you can save money by choosing a mini PC that suits your needs.
Ports: Most mini PCs come with a decent array of ports, but if you need something like two Ethernet ports or a bunch of USB ports, you need to ensure you're getting the right mini PC for you.

There are a lot of mini PCs on the market from a variety of different vendors, and I've tested and used mini PCs from all the vendors listed here, I've based my selections on my experience using these brands, as well as current model user reviews.

Product specs and price also come into play, but being able to draw on dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of other people's views allows me to get a broad sense of how well-received a selected mini PC is. I've paid particular attention to reports of performance, stability, how quiet or noisy the PC is, and weeded out many that seemed to have a poor lifespan.

What we're left with is the best of the best, in a broad selection of categories that are applicable to mini PCs.

A mini PC is a compact yet fully functional computer that offers many, if not all of, the capabilities of a desktop PC, but is packaged into a smaller size. Mini PCs are designed to save space and can be used for a variety of tasks, from basic computing to more demanding applications such as programming or even gaming.

People often choose to invest in a mini PC for these reasons:

Space-saving: The top benefit of going for a mini PC is that it takes up significantly less space than traditional desktop PCs.
Portable: Mini PCs are lightweight and easy to move, making them ideal for users who need computing power on the go.
Energy efficiency: Most mini PCs consume significantly less power than a similarly-specced desktop system, which can lead to cost savings on electricity.
Quiet: Some models are fanless, resulting in quieter operation, and even those that still have a fan are far quieter than a standard desktop system.

It depends on the model. Some mini PCs allow for upgrades -- sometimes very easy upgrades -- to components like RAM and storage, while others have fixed configurations.

On the whole however, like laptops, mini PCs are better aimed at those situations where you buy the PC with the spec that you need rather than relying on an upgrade down the line.

Choose this mini PC…	If you want…
Intel NUC 13 Pro Arena Canyon	A general-purpose mini PC. The Intel NUC PCs continue to be the best all-around mini PCs on the market. Yes, there are better, faster, cheaper systems out there, but these systems have continually impressed me over the years.
Apple 2024 Mac Mini	To go with MacOS. The Mac Mini used to be the way that Windows PC users would start to make the transition over to Mac. Nowadays, they are all-purpose desktop computers that are perfect for anyone who doesn't want a portable system, from students to developers.
GMKtec Mini PC	A truly tiny PC. This is one of the smallest systems I've seen, but it packs quite a punch, hitting well above its size and weight.
Beelink S12 Pro Mini PC	A great budget mini PC. Cheap and cheerful, yet packing enough power to be a perfectly capable PC for school, work, or for home entrainment..
AceMagician AMD Ryzen 9 Mini PC	A proper mini gaming PC. Here you have a full gaming PC packed into a tiny footprint. Sure, there are going to be desktop systems that are way more powerful than this system, but for the size, you'll be hard-pressed to find anything faster.

Do you need a mini PC? This is the top question when choosing a mini PC. Do you actually need one, or do you just need a regular PC?
Size: This really is the differentiator when it comes to mini PCs. Do you want a PC that's the size of a biscuit tin, or something significantly smaller?
Performance: Pretty standard PC consideration here. What do you want your system to do? Do you want to carry out general PC tasks like word processing and spreadsheets and browsing the web, or do you have more specialist needs in mind, such as gaming?
Budget: Small doesn't always mean cheap, but you can save money by choosing a mini PC that suits your needs.
Ports: Most mini PCs come with a decent array of ports, but if you need something like two Ethernet ports or a bunch of USB ports, you need to ensure you're getting the right mini PC for you.

What we're left with is the best of the best, in a broad selection of categories that are applicable to mini PCs.

People often choose to invest in a mini PC for these reasons:

Space-saving: The top benefit of going for a mini PC is that it takes up significantly less space than traditional desktop PCs.
Portable: Mini PCs are lightweight and easy to move, making them ideal for users who need computing power on the go.
Energy efficiency: Most mini PCs consume significantly less power than a similarly-specced desktop system, which can lead to cost savings on electricity.
Quiet: Some models are fanless, resulting in quieter operation, and even those that still have a fan are far quieter than a standard desktop system.

It depends on the model. Some mini PCs allow for upgrades -- sometimes very easy upgrades -- to components like RAM and storage, while others have fixed configurations.

On the whole however, like laptops, mini PCs are better aimed at those situations where you buy the PC with the spec that you need rather than relying on an upgrade down the line.