The best mini PCs and NUCs come in all shapes and sizes. Whatever your needs, there's a compact computer out there to suit you. Mini PCs are an excellent choice for a variety of uses thanks to their relatively inexpensive pricing and ability to pack into small spaces due to their compact sizes. Not to mention, they're great if you need to add a PC covertly to an area in your home like the kitchen or living room.
Our top pick out of all the mini PCs we've reviewed is Beelink's EQR6. The fact that you can get a model with an AMD Ryzen 9 CPU and 1TB SSD for just $419 (discounted at the time of writing) is impressive, and it should suit most users for productivity or light gaming purposes.
I've included a bunch of other mini PCs and NUCs that will appeal to most users, and we've personally tested them or their predecessors here at Windows Central to ensure they're worth your time and money.
The quick list
Beelink's EQR6 offers strong AMD Ryzen performance, upgradeable RAM and SSD, ample cooling, and support for multiple external monitors. Several configurations are available, with prices starting as low as about $419. It all comes together as our top mini PC recommendation.
Geekom's Mini IT13 is a successor to one of our favorite mini PCs, great for those who want an Intel system. It's powerful, it's relatively affordable with prices starting at $599, and it has plenty of ports for easy connectivity. RAM and SSD can be upgraded after purchase.
The ASUS ROG NUC 970 is essentially a gaming laptop without a display, keyboard, and touchpad. Its dedicated NVIDIA RTX 4070 Laptop GPU is the centerpiece for strong performance in your favorite titles, and it's backed up by a Core Ultra 9 CPU with NPU for AI. Expect to pay about $2,200 for a top-tier model.
Many of us grew up with an NES in front of the TV, and that's exactly the nostalgia that AYANEO captures with its AM02 retro mini PC. It's the successor to another one of our favorites, this time with a built-in touch display and new performance hardware. Prices usually start at about $439.
The IdeaCentre Mini (Gen 8) is designed for professionals in an office setting, delivering tons of security and performance in a compact case. Lenovo offers many different configurations, with prices starting at about $650 for a model with 13th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU.
Zotac's Zbox Pico beats all of the other mini PCs collected here in terms of portability. It's small enough that you can slip it into a pocket, yet it has enough power to handle lighter productivity work; just add a screen. Prices start at about $600, and you'll have to add your own OS and storage.
Rebecca reviews laptops, desktops, and gaming handhelds to see how well they function in a variety of different areas. Being a gaming enthusiast, she also always checks to see how well a mini PC can handle video games in addition to basic office tasks.
I love building and testing PCs, and I've tinkered with a fair share of mini PCs along the way. With key points like cooling, performance, upgradeability, and price in mind, I've narrowed things down to six top picks that will appeal to most users.
Our favorite mini PCs in 2024
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Best mini PC
Beelink's EQR6 is a new addition to this collection, and it's so good for most people that I moved it to the top spot. Windows Central Senior Editor Zac Bowden reviewed the Beelink EQR6, saying:
"Overall, the Beelink EQR6 is an excellent all-rounder mini PC that's very capable when it comes to productivity workflows and light video and photo editing. It features a clean design and is small and quiet enough to fit on pretty much any desk in any environment and not be an ear or eyesore."
The configuration I recommend for most people has an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU, 24GB of DDR5 RAM, 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and integrated Radeon 680M graphics. It currently costs about $419 at Amazon after a 16% discount, making it one of the less expensive options in this guide. You can always upgrade the memory and storage after purchase if you feel the included amounts won't be enough.
Port selection is generous, with dual LAN ports, dual HDMI, four USB-A, USB-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It would be nice to have more USB-C, but the dual HDMI ports make it easy to build a multi-monitor setup.
The EQR6 keeps its cool under load, and the built-in PSU means you don't have to deal with extra bulk along the power cable. As long as you aren't looking for a mini PC to focus on gaming, this should be an easy recommendation.
Read our full Beelink EQR6 review
Runner-up
Windows Central's Harish Jonnalagadda loved the Geekom Mini IT11 when he reviewed it, and the company has now arrived at the Geekom Mini IT13 that I'm highlighting here. The big difference? It now sports Intel's 13th Gen Core i9-13900H or Core i7-13620H CPUs for improved performance. Joining the CPU is up to 32GB of DDR4-3200MHz RAM and up to 2TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage, both of which can be upgraded after purchase.
Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 handle wireless connectivity, and there's a generous selection of ports with standout dual Thunderbolt 4 and dual HDMI 2.0. That gets you support for four external monitors, which is ideal for busy professionals.
The compact metal case can be mounted off of your desk, and it has enough room inside to fit a sizable fan that keeps the performance hardware cool even under load.
The Mini IT13 with a Core i9-13900H CPU, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD costs about $849 at Amazon, but you can get a model with Core i7-13620H CPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD for a more modest $599.
Read our full Geekom Mini IT11 review
Best gaming mini PC
The ASUS ROG NUC 970 is our favorite compact gaming PCreleased this year. It's slightly larger than the other options in this guide, yet it's still smaller than most Wi-Fi routers. Why the extra space? It fits in up to a discrete NVIDIA RTX 4070 Laptop GPU to deliver excellent performance in all games.
The mobile GPU is joined by Intel's mobile Core Ultra Series 1 chips, up to a Core Ultra 9 185. You can also get up to 32GB of upgradeable DDR5 RAM and up to 1TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage space, also upgradeable after purchase.
Windows Central Editor Rebecca Spear reviewed the ROG NUC 970, handing it a Recommended Award while remarking:
"The ASUS ROG NUC 970 is a very impressive mini PC with powerful performance and a very convenient range of ports. However, the high cost makes it a bit of a niche device. I like it a lot, but it's hard to recommend unless you are really limited on space and need a very small gaming computer. As it is, there are laptop and desktop alternatives on the market that don't cost this much."
With prices hovering around $2,200 for a top-tier model, I don't blame you if you take a look at some of our favorite gaming laptops instead. Nevertheless, those who don't need a built-in display and keyboard can save space with the ROG NUC 970.
Read our full ASUS ROG NUC 970 review
Best budget mini PC
AYANEO's first-gen retro PC blew us away with its design, performance, and price. In her AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 review, Windows Central's Rebecca Spear gave it a Best Award and said:
"With its adorable design, compact shape, and impressive performance, the AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 makes for a great light gaming device or simple work computer. It can't multitask well when running more demanding programs and struggles with more graphically intensive games, but it's perfect for surfing the web or working with typical software."
AYANEO has returned with the AM02, and it's been completely redesigned to look more than an NES console. The top of the case includes a built-in four-inch touch display controlled by the included AYASpace software. Front ports are hidden behind a pop-up panel (where the NES cartridge would usually be inserted), and the back has a generous selection including USB-C, dual Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and more. You should have no problems connecting your favorite PC accessories.
The AM02 is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS with integrated Radeon 780M graphics, as well as up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM and up to a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. Memory and storage can both be upgraded after purchase. AYANEO also sells a barebones kit, allowing you to add your own RAM and SSD; prices start at just $439.
Like the AM01, the updated version can handle lighter gaming and will excel at productivity work. It supports up to three external displays, it has chunky cooling, and it offers Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.
Read our full AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 review
Best office mini PC
For those specifically on the market for a simple computer that's ideal for student work or office tasks, the Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini (Gen 8) is a fantastic option. This mini PC comes from a trusted computer brand and either has an Intel Core i7-13700H or an Intel Core i5-13500H that works with the integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. On top of that, the IdeaCentre Mini provides all of the ports you need to connect your various accessories and devices.
During our own Ben Wilson's Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini (Gen 8) review, he found that this mini PC did have some bloatware and pop-ups that you'll want to get rid of to keep it running smoothly. However, it also comes with the Lenovo Vantage app. which makes it easy to keep tabs on the system and ensure it is on the latest updates. Once updated, the IdeaCentre Mini can boot up programs quickly, but don't expect it to handle graphically intensive tasks like intense gaming or creative software.
It's worth noting that this is the slimmest mini PCs on this list, but it's also wider than some of the other options. To make things easier, it comes with a stand, so you can position it vertically to save room on your desk if needed.
Prices start at a modest $650 for a model with a 13th Gen Core i5-13500H CPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. There are plenty of other configurations available at Lenovo.
Read our full Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini (Gen 8) review
Best portability
Zotac's mini PC is the smallest option in this list, and it's perfect for anyone who wants to travel with an entire PC that's not much larger than an external SSD. Windows Central's Harish Jonnalagadda reviewed the Zbox Pico PI430AJ, handing it a Recommended Award while noting:
"The Zbox Pico PI430AJ is the smallest mini-PC I've ever used, and that's down to the futuristic thermal management solution. It eschews a conventional fan in favor of Frore Systems's AirJet solution, and the result is an unbelievably thin chassis that's quiet even under load. You still get a Core i3-N300, and it has good performance — it holds up well for routine home and office use cases."
A unit with an Intel Core i3-N300 CPU, integrated Intel UHD graphics, and 8GB of LPDDR5 soldered RAM costs about $600, and you have to add in the cost of supplying your own OS and M.2 SSD.
Despite the PC's tiny size, it has enough ports to handle a triple-display setup with lots of connections left over. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 are included for wireless connectivity.
Read our full Zotac Zbox Pico PI430AJ review
How to choose the best mini PC for you
Despite their size, all these mini PCs are capable Windows computers that are attractive alternatives to the best Windows laptops. With options for general use, professional environments, and gaming, all types of users should find something suitable.
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My top choice right now is Beelink's EQR6 thanks to its attractive starting price of around $419 (with a discount). It has an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU, 24GB of DDR5 RAM, AMD Radeon 680M integrated graphics, and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. That's a ton of power for the asking price, and it should suit anyone from productivity masters to those who enjoy light gaming.
Geekom's Mini IT13 is an upgrade to the Mini IT11 we reviewed here at Windows Central, and it continues the tradition of offering strong Intel performance at a modest price. Units start at about $599.
If you'd rather land a mini PC that's made specifically for gaming, the ASUS ROG NUC 970 is a top choice that starts at about $2,200. It's expensive, but the Core Ultra 9 185H CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD will handle any title you want. It can also be considered an AI PC thanks to the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) contained in the Core Ultra chip.
Mini PC FAQ
What is an NUC when talking computers and mini PCs?
Next Unit of Computing (NUC) is something that the tech company Intel specifically named its mini PCs. It's also important to know that Intel NUCs can also refer to the company's small motherboards customizable chassis, and certain laptop kits. Still, in most situations, NUC means mini PC. It's also worth noting that although Intel was the original creator and manufacturer of the Intel NUC, that Asus is now the company that sells them.
What is the point of a mini PC?
Mini PCs are extremely small and compact computers compared to laptops and desktops, so they are easier to fit into limited spaces. What's more, they also tend to cost a whole lot less than laptops and desktops, making them far more affordable while still being able to handle office tasks and even some gaming depending on the configuration of the mini PC.
Is a mini PC better than a laptop?
That really depends on what you intend to use the mini PC or laptop for. Depending on the configurations, both types of devices can be used to handle office work, a variety of programs, and even some gaming. Laptops are easier to take on the go since a monitor is included, but mini PCs don't take up much room and they tend to be more affordable.
