💻 Best Mini PCs 2025 (Under $300)

I’ve always had a soft spot for small computers. There’s something magical about hiding all the power of a desktop in a box that fits in your hand. In 2025, mini PCs have finally reached the point where they’re not just cute gadgets — they’re genuinely powerful, reliable machines.

That’s why I decided to spend time with three different models to find the best mini PC under $300. I didn’t just look at specs; I lived with them. I used one as my office computer, tucked another away as my home firewall, and kept the third as my “fun” box for gaming and editing.

The three contenders for best mini PC 2025:

• A fanless firewall appliance — completely silent, perfect for networking and home labs.
• The MINIX NUC150 — a polished, business-ready mini PC for work and school.
• The GEM12 MAX (Ryzen 7 + Radeon 780M) — a shockingly capable mini PC for gaming and creative work.

Each one had moments where I thought: this might be the best mini PC I’ve ever tried. But depending on your needs, the winner will be different. Let’s dive in.

💡 Note: Prices shift with sales. Always check live listings. And just so you know: none of this is sponsored. My hunt for the best mini PC is based on real use, not ads.

🔝 Top Mini PCs Under $300

🧩 Deep-Dives: Which One Fits Your Setup?

🔒 Fanless Firewall Appliance — Silent Network Workhorse

The first contender I tested wasn’t flashy at all — the fanless firewall mini PC. But sometimes the best mini PC isn’t the one with the highest graphics score, it’s the one that does its job quietly and never lets you down.

I slotted this box into my home network cabinet to replace my old router. Within an hour, it was running OPNsense and handling my internet like a champ. The two Intel i226 2.5GbE NICs are the real stars here. They’re widely supported and make this unit perfect for firewalls, VLANs, and multi-WAN setups.

And the silence — I can’t stress this enough. With no fans, the entire chassis is just one big heatsink. It sits there, 24/7, and I never hear a thing. For me, that’s what makes it one of the best mini PC choices for networking.

What I used it for:

• Running OPNsense as my firewall/router
• WireGuard VPN so I could connect securely while traveling
• AdGuard Home for ad-blocking DNS
• Lightweight Docker containers (Grafana + Pi-hole dashboards)

It handled all of that while sipping power. My energy bill didn’t even notice.

What it’s not good at: gaming, video editing, or anything GPU heavy. This isn’t the box you put on your desk for creative work.

👉 Verdict: If you want the best mini PC for firewall or networking, this is it. Quiet, efficient, reliable. But skip it if you want a desktop replacement.

🧾 MINIX NUC150 — Office & Classroom Champ

The MINIX NUC150 feels like the “all-rounder” of this group. If someone asked me, what’s the best mini PC for work or school in 2025? I’d hand them this one.

When I unboxed it, I loved that it came ready to go: Windows 11 Pro preinstalled, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB NVMe SSD. No tinkering needed — I plugged it in and was on a Teams call within 10 minutes.

I used it for a full week as my work computer. Two external 4K monitors plus my laptop screen, all running at once. Dozens of browser tabs, Slack, Excel, Photoshop — and it didn’t break a sweat. For office productivity, this was the smoothest experience I’ve had from a mini PC.

Why it feels like the best mini PC for business:

• Triple-display support (2× HDMI + 1× USB-C)
• Wi-Fi 6 and Gigabit Ethernet keep connections stable
• Windows 11 Pro features like BitLocker and Remote Desktop
• Compact, quiet, and easy to hide behind a monitor

Of course, it’s not perfect. The integrated graphics aren’t gaming material, and you won’t be rendering 4K video edits here. But that’s not the point. For email, spreadsheets, video calls, and light creative tasks, it’s perfect.

👉 Verdict: If you’re after the best mini PC for productivity, the MINIX NUC150 is my pick. Plug-and-play, polished, and dependable.

🎮 GEM12 MAX (Ryzen 7 8745HS + Radeon 780M) — Tiny Gaming & Creative Starter

This was the fun one. The GEM12 MAX made me rethink what a $300 mini PC can actually do. If I had to crown a best mini PC for gaming in 2025, this would be it.

Inside is an 8-core Ryzen 7 8745HS paired with Radeon 780M integrated graphics. That combo shocked me. I fired up Rocket League, CS:GO, and even some lighter AAA titles at 1080p — and they ran smooth. No, you won’t max out Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing, but for esports and indie games, this is more than enough.

And it’s not just for games. I tested it as a light creative workstation. Editing RAW photos in Lightroom was fast, and exporting 1080p video clips didn’t make me want to pull my hair out. The fact that this all comes from a box smaller than my lunch made me grin every time.

Why I think it’s the best mini PC for gamers on a budget:

• 8-core CPU gives headroom for multitasking
• Radeon 780M iGPU plays esports at 1080p easily
• USB4 and HDMI make multi-monitor setups simple
• You can even experiment with eGPUs later

It does run a little warmer and louder under load compared to the fanless or NUC options, but that’s expected.

👉 Verdict: If you want the best mini PC for casual gaming and creative work, the GEM12 MAX is the clear winner.

📊 Comparison of Compact PCs

Best for Networking

Firewall Appliance Mini PC

• Silent fanless design
• Great for networking & firewalls
• Energy efficient

4.3•≈ $299

See price on Amazon→

Best for Business

MINIX NUC150

• 16GB DDR5 RAM
• Windows 11 Pro included
• Multi-display support

4.8•≈ $299

See price on Amazon→

Best for Gaming

GEM12 MAX (Ryzen 7 8745HS)

• 8-core CPU power
• Radeon 780M iGPU
• Casual gaming capable

4.6•≈ $299

See price on Amazon→

*Prices are approximate and may change. Always check the live price on Amazon before buying.

⭐ Best for Different Needs

• Best mini PC for Networking: Fanless Firewall Appliance — silent, efficient, OPNsense-ready.
• Best mini PC for Business: MINIX NUC150 — Windows 11 Pro, multi-display productivity, compact.
• Best mini PC for Gaming: GEM12 MAX — Ryzen 7 + Radeon 780M gives the most headroom.

⚖️ Why Choose a Mini PC in 2025?

I used to think mini PCs were just toys. But after living with these three, I get it: the best mini PC isn’t a compromise anymore.

• They’re compact & silent, perfect for small apartments or tidy desks.
• They’re energy efficient, saving real money compared to desktops.
• They’re versatile — one can be a router, another a workstation, another a gaming rig.
• And they’re affordable. Getting one of the best mini PCs for around $300 still amazes me.

🛠️ Setup Tips (From My Experience)

• Update BIOS/firmware right away. I got better performance and cooler temps.
• Keep a recovery USB handy — saved me when I messed up an OPNsense update.
• Tune power profiles: I used “Quiet” for office work, “Performance” for games.
• Leave breathing room: Especially for fanless models — don’t shove it in a drawer.
• For firewall builds: Plan VLANs, VPNs, and backups before moving everything over.

❓ FAQ

Are mini PCs powerful enough for daily use?
Yes. The best mini PCs 2025 handle office work, browsing, video calls, and media without breaking a sweat.

Which mini PC is best for business?
The MINIX NUC150 — 16GB DDR5, 512GB NVMe, and Windows 11 Pro make it business-ready.

Which mini PC works best as a firewall?
The fanless appliance — silent, dual Intel i226 NICs, OPNsense/pfSense compatible.

Can you game on a mini PC under $300?
Yes. The GEM12 MAX with Ryzen 7 and Radeon 780M handled 1080p esports and indie games easily.