20 Best Accessories for Apple Mac mini M1 You Can Buy
If you prefer desktop computers over portable laptops, the Apple M1 Mac mini is currently the most value for money Mac that you can buy. The Apple M1 chip is incredible, and it’s giving tough completion even to some of the higher-end iMac models, that too with a starting price tag of $699. There has never been a better time to buy a Mac mini than right now. So, if you are investing in the Mac mini and looking for cool peripherals to enhance your setup, here are the best Apple M1 Mac mini accessories you can buy.
Best Apple M1 Mac mini Accessories to Buy
Apple M1 Mac mini is a hell of an impressive machine. You can use it, not only for day-to-day computing tasks, but also to perform demanding operations like video editing, playing games, and more. Here, we have mentioned 20 best accessories for the Apple M1 Mac mini to help you get the most out of it. You can use the table of content below to switch to the item that you find most interesting.
Table of Content
- Best Display Monitors for Apple Mac mini M1
- Best Keyboards for Apple M1 Mac mini
- Best Wireless Mouse for Apple Mac mini with M1
- Best External Storage Solutions for Apple M1 Mac mini
- Best Wireless Headphones and Earphones for Apple Mac mini M1
- Best Speakers for Apple M1 Mac mini
- Other Interesting Accessories for Apple M1 Mac mini
Best Display Monitors for Apple Mac mini M1
Here, I am listing the three best display monitors you can buy for your Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020). All the monitors feature here have either 2K or 4K resolution. So you can expect crisp images with good color accuracy. These are my favorite M1 Mac mini accessories.
1. LG 24MD4KL-B UltraFine
If you are ready to spend as much money on as display as the baseline Mac mini M1, then this is the display for you. The LG 24MD4KL-B UltraFine brings 24-inch UHD (3840 x 2160) Nano IPS Display with 500 nits of peak brightness. It also supports P3 Wide Color Gamut, which means it perfect for creatives who work with photos and videos.
You can use a single USB-C cable to connect your Mac mini to the display. The display in total has 5 USB-C ports (2 of which support Thunderbolt 3), allowing you to use it as a hub. The ports here, combined with the ports on Apple M1 Mac mini are more than enough to meet all your port requirements.
2. Dell Ultrasharp U2719DX
While LG’s display is excellent, it also commands an exorbitant price. If you can do without a 4K display and live with 2K resolution (which is plenty sharp even the most discerning eyes), you should buy the Dell Ultrasharp U2719DX. I think 4K is overkill for most users, and spending that kind of money doesn’t make any sense.
With Dell Ultrasharp U2719DX, you are getting a 27-inch 2K QHD IPS to display with a resolution of 2560x1440. It is also color accurate as it comes with factory calibration and brings 99% sRGB coverage to an accuracy of Delta-E less than 2.
One major thing that you are going to miss out here is the thunderbolt USB-C port. You will have to connect this monitor using the display port on your Mac mini M1. That said, you get all the regular ports, including 3 USB-A ports, an audio line-out port, an HDMI port, and more.
My favorite thing about this display is that you can use it in both vertical and horizontal positions. This makes it great for coders and writers who like to work with extra vertical space.
3. BenQ EW3280U 32 inch 4K Monitor
If you use your Mac mini not just as a workstation but also as your primary entertainment portal, you should check out the BenQ EW3280U 32 inch 4K Monitor. The monitor sports a large 32-inch 4K UHD IPS panel with a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels. The display covers 95% DCI-P3 wide color gamut, so the color accuracy is going to be excellent. And with the included HDR support, you will get an enhanced experience.
The USP of this monitor is the built-in speakers. It packs 2. 1 channel speakers w/a 5W subwoofer and DSP-powered custom audio options. What that means is that you won’t need an external speaker system to enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows. It also comes with a remote allowing you to adjust the settings from afar.
It offers plenty of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, Display Port, Aux, and more. You can use the remote to easily switch between your Mac mini, your gaming console, and any other video source connected to the display. I think this is the perfect display for users who don’t have a TV for watching content and use their Mac as a primary entertainment device.
Best Keyboards for Apple M1 Mac mini
Now that we have taken care of the monitor, let’s check out some of the best keyboards you can buy for your brand new Apple Mac mini M1 2020.
4. Apple Magic Keyboard
Apple Magic Keyboard has long been my favorite external keyboard, and I recommend them to everyone. If you are looking for a keyboard for your Apple Mac mini M1, this is the first one you should consider. The keyboard is robust, offers long battery life, and is a delight to type on. You can get this keyboard with or without a number pad.
Buy from Amazon (with number pad)
Buy from Amazon (without the number pad)
5. Keychron K2 Mechanical Keyboard
If you prefer mechanical keyboards over regular keyboards, get the Keychron K2. I own this keyboard and have loved typing on it every single time. Like the Apple Magic keyboard, it is available both with and without number pads. I purchased the number pad-less version as I love the small form factor.
It’s an 84 switch RGB backlight compact Bluetooth mechanical keyboard. It uses Bluetooth 5.1 and can connect to three devices simultaneously. You can use it with both your iPad and Mac mini and switch between them with the press of a button.
The battery lasts for a long time (72 hours continuous typing or 7 days of regular use), and it charges via USB-C. You can also use it in wired mode using the same USB-C port if you want. The best part is that it is made with macOS in mind, so you don’t have to deal with any key remapping.
Personally, I love the typing experience and the sound its keys make. If you want to try mechanical keyboards, this is a good one to buy.
6. Logitech MX Keys
If both the Apple Magic keyboard and mechanical keyboard are not your jam, you should buy the Logitech MX Keys keyboard. It’s a sleek full-size keyboard with an industrial design. The keys are spherically dished, making them both comfortable to type on and durable.
It has a long 10-day battery life, and if you use it without a backlight, it can last up to 5 months. Like the Keychron K2, it charges via USB-C and can connect to multiple devices simultaneously. I think this is the best non-mechanical wireless keyboard that you can buy for your Mac mini.
Best Wireless Mouse for Apple Mac mini with M1
After the keyboard, the next thing in line that you need to buy is a mouse. Again, we have a great selection of mice that are the perfect accessories for Apple Mac mini with M1.
7. Magic Mouse 2
Starting with Apple’s offering, the Magic Mouse 2 is perfect for users who love the built-in macOS gestures. While I hate the awkward charging solution and have been waiting for years for Apple to fix it, I can’t not recommend this mouse. The mouse scrolls perfectly and the gestures work flawlessly. You can swipe between web pages and virtual desktops, scroll through long documents, do so much more.
8. Logitech MX Master 3
If you prefer to click buttons and tactical scroll wheel over the touch surface, Logitech MX Master 3 is the best wireless mouse you can buy for your Mac mini right now. The mouse brings fast and smooth scrolling, precise pointer control, 4000 DPI sensor, and it works on every surface and can last up to 70 days on a single charge.
My favorite thing about this mouse is its ergonomic construction. I never get tired, no matter how long I use it. I also love that I can customize the buttons for app-specific profiles. I have set custom buttons for Luminar 4 - my photo editing app of choice - (check out our list of best photo editing apps for Mac) which reduces my editing time.
Like the Logitech MX Keys, the Logitech MX Master 3 can pair with three devices at once, allowing you to easily switch between them. In fact, the combination of MX Keys and MX Master 3 is preferred by many Mac users. Yes, the mouse is a bit costly, but it deserves every penny of its price tag.
9. Logitech M720 Wireless Triathlon Mouse
If you are looking for a good mouse that doesn’t break the bank, check out the M720 Triathlon mouse from Logitech. Like the Mx Master, it can pair with three devices, has hyper-fast scroll speed, and brings an ergonomic design. It has extra buttons that you can program for different functions.
The main difference between the M720 and its pricer brother is that it is not rechargeable and uses a single AA battery for power. That said, one battery can last you for about 24 months, so you shouldn’t worry about the battery life much.
10. Apple Magic Trackpad 2
If you prefer the trackpad on your MacBook over the external mouse, then maybe you want to invest in the Magic Trackpad 2 from Apple. It has a built-in rechargeable battery and supports all the macOS gestures that you already know. It even supports the force-touch mechanism, allowing you to look at links, check word definitions, and more. What’s more to say, if you love trackpad, buy it.
Best External Storage Solutions for Apple M1 Mac mini
Even if you have purchased the 1 TB Mac mini M1, chances are that you will run out of storage. If the storage is enough, you will need an external SSD or HDD for creating backups, transferring files, and more. Here, we will see the best SSD, hard drives, and thumb drives you can buy for the Apple M1 Mac mini.
11. SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD
People, including me, recommend the Samsung T5 SSDs (buy on Amazon), but having used the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD, I think my loyalties have shifted. Not only it’s a bit cheaper, but it’s also more compact, lighter, and durable. Inside, there’s an NVMe solid-state performance-featuring drive that gets up to 1050MB/s read and up to 1000MB/s write speeds.
The reason I prefer this over the Samsung T5 is that with this, you get 2-meter drop protection and IP55 water and dust resistance, features which are missing in the former. If you want a durable and fast SSD, you should buy this one.
12. Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD
While SSDs are faster and compact, they are also pricer. If you want an external storage drive to hold large files, you should get a Hard Drive. I prefer to use an SSD for day to day work and use the HDD for keeping archived files. Since HDD failure mostly depends on the usage, this helps me keep my data safe for a long time at a lower cost while getting fast speed in day-to-day usage.
The one I am recommending for your Apple M1 Mac mini is the Seagate Portable drive, which costs just shy of $90 for 4TB storage. That is more storage than most Mac mini users will ever require. If you want more, the HDD goes up to 16TB in size, so you are covered. Apart from the standard warranty, you also get one-year Rescue Data Recovery Services which is a nice thing to have for peace of mind.
13. SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C
If you need to transfer files back and forth between the two computers or share your files with your co-workers or family members, the SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive will come in real handy. You see, the pen drive has both the USB-C and USB-A connectors, allowing you to transfer files between devices without any port constraints.
That means you can use this to transfer files even if the destination machine only has USB-C or USB-A ports. I also like this as this allows me to transfer files between my iPad Pro and the Mac mini. The pen drive starts at 16GB and goes up to 256GB in size. You can buy the one depending on your needs. I prefer the 64GB one as I can use my SanDisk SSD for anything larger.
Best Wireless Headphones and Earphones for Apple Mac mini M1
14. AirPods Pro
Apple AirPods Pro is my favorite in-ear noise-canceling wireless earphones. I purchased a pair when they launched, and I am delighted every time I use them. They offer long battery life, excellent audio quality, and the best noise cancellation and transparency mode of all the in-ear earphones in this price range.
And with the new features introduced with iOS updates such as spatial awareness and music sharing, I think it makes the perfect sense to buy them as both your work and travel earphones. They can be a great accessory for Mac mini M1.
15. Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
If you prefer over the ear headphones, might I suggest the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2. I know the Sony’s WH-1000XM4 are the most popular over the year noise-canceling headphones, but I prefer the Surface Headphones 2 for two main reasons. First is the looks. Most of the wireless headphones, including Sony’s, have the same bland design and personality.
And the subtle but extra personality that Surface Headphones 2 bring to the table is more than enough to win me over. The second reason is the rotating ear-cup control for noise cancellation. The Sony headphones have only two noise-cancellation modes - on and off. On the other hand, Surface Headphones 2 gives you 13 levels of noise cancellation adjustments.
I like this feature a lot, as total isolation is a bit disorienting for me. If you also feel the same way, I think Surface Headphones 2 might be for you. And finally, these are $100 cheaper than Sony’s, so purchasing them also makes good financial sense.
16. AirPods Max
Well, if you want the absolve best audio quality and noise cancellation experience in any wireless headphones, AirPods Max is the way to go. Personally, I cannot justify spending $549 on a pair of headphones, but that’s because I listen to podcasts and audiobooks more than music.
If you love music and want the best money can buy, go for it. You will get all the refinement of Apple’s hardware engineering, along with the software benefits that come with the tight integration of the Apple ecosystem. If there’s anything that I can point to as a problem, it’s the flimsy case, which is of no use.
If you are buying the Max, I suggest that you invest another $89 into the Waterfield AirPods Max Shield Case. Not only it looks premium and offers drop protection, but it also has built-in magnets to activate the ultra-low-power mode. That means you won’t need to use flimsy Apple’s case ever again. You can throw that in the trash, where it belongs.
Best Speakers for Apple M1 Mac mini
17. HomePod mini - Stereo Pair
I think the new HomePod mini is an excellent accessory for Mac mini M1. First of all, it costs only $99, so it’s a good bang for your buck. It also packs a surprisingly good audio punch. Don’t get fooled by its small size. I think most people will be happy with its audio quality. I would suggest that you buy two of them and use them as a stereo pair. This will greatly enhance your movie and music experience. I use them as a stereo pair on my desk, and I love them.
I also like that the speakers are smart and work with Siri. This allows me to use voice commands to play songs, execute Siri shortcuts, control HomeKit devices, and ask for day-to-day information. I also love the handoff feature on the new iPhones, which allows me to transfer songs to HomePod mini by just pointing my phone at it. And since they are wireless, there’s one less cable to clutter your desk.
18. Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers
The Mac mini comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack, so it makes sense if you want to use a wired speaker system. And for that purpose, I recommend the Bose Companion 2 Series III speakers. They offer excellent audio quality and sound clear even at the highest volume. And since there are two speakers, you get wide stereo separation, something you will enjoy while watching a good movie or playing songs. For this price, I consider them to be the best speaker systems on the market.
Other Interesting Accessories for Apple M1 Mac mini
Till now, we have discussed the needed accessories for Mac mini M1. You need a keyboard, mouse, monitor, speaker system, and earphones to use your Mac mini to its full potential. In this section, I am going to mention two Mac mini accessories that you don’t necessarily need, but can be a great addition to your setup.
19. Luna Display
If you own an iPad Pro (or any other iPad for that matter), this is a must-have accessory for your Mac mini M1. It allows your iPad Pro to act as a display for the Mac mini, essentially letting you run macOS on iPad. I know it’s not technically true, but you won’t see a difference when running it.
This is not a half-baked implementation like Sidecar. In fact, you can even run the Mac mini M1 in a headless mode and use your iPad Pro as the only display. The best part is that the touch inputs remain functional so, you can use macOS with a touch interface. Luna Display works both wired and wirelessly. That said, for wireless work, you will need to have a super-fast inherent connection, or you will see the lag.
If you have an extra iPad that you want to use a secondary display or just expense macOS in touch-mode, I think this is the perfect Mac mini accessory for that purpose.
20. Cxmount Desktop Stand for Mac Mini
All the ports in the Apple M1 Mac mini are at the back, making it harder to reach. They are okay to use if you want to plug-in and forget, but that does make it hard to detach and attach peripheral frequently. To solve this problem, I recommend the Cxmount stand. It props up the Mac mini in a vertical position. You can keep the Mac mini facing at an angle that gives you easy access to all the ports.
If you want something a bit more premium, you should buy the Alloy stand from Amazon, which uses aluminum instead of plastic. And if you like the Mac mini in a horizontal position and want to keep all the wire tucked away at the back, consider buying the Elecife USB Type C Hub from Amazon. It sits at the base of the Mac mini and connects via a single USB-C wire.
However, unlike Mac mini, it has all the ports in the front, allowing you to connect pen drives, card readers, and more with ease. Not only that, but it also has a built-in slot for SATA SSD and a hard drive. That means you can use it to expand the storage capacity of your Mac mini M1. Check out all three, and choose the solution you like.
Best Apple Mac mini (M1 2020) Accessories: Final Thoughts
I hope you were able to find the best accessories for your Apple Mac mini M1. I have included all the essential peripherals along with some quirky ones which will enhance your workstation. Do check them out and let us know on Twitter, which were your favorite accessories from the list.
Comments ()