The best small mini PC in 2026 depends on how small you mean. For the smallest Windows box with real performance, the ASUS NUC 15 Pro Slim fits a full Core Ultra processor into about 0.49 litres. For the best graphics in under a litre, the Beelink SER9 Pro is the pick. For a tiny, low-power box that sips electricity, the Beelink EQ14 is the cheapest sensible choice.
How Small Is Small? Volume Is the Honest Measure
Dimensions alone are misleading, so this guide converts every pick to litres by multiplying length x width x height in millimetres and dividing by one million. Under 0.7 litres is genuinely pocket-able. Around 1 litre is the sweet spot for gaming-capable mini PCs. Above 1.5 litres you are close to a small form factor desktop. The table lists real manufacturer or retailer dimensions for each pick.
Quick Comparison of Small Mini PC Picks
| Pick | Best for | Size (mm) | Volume | Processor | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS NUC 15 Pro Slim | Smallest full-power Windows PC | 117 x 112 x 37 | About 0.49 L | Core Ultra 5 225H to Ultra 7 265H | Mid-range to upper-mid |
| Beelink EQ14 | Small and efficient | 126 x 126 x 39 | About 0.62 L | Intel N150 | Budget |
| Beelink SER9 Pro | Best graphics under 1 L | 135 x 135 x 44.7 | About 0.81 L | Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | Upper-mid to premium |
| Minisforum UM890 Pro | Small with the most ports | 127 x 130 x 66.6 | About 1.10 L | Ryzen 9 8945HS | Mid-range |
| Azulle Access (N100) | Pocket-size stick | 114.3 x 50.8 x 20.32 | About 0.12 L | Intel N100 | Budget |
Prices change often, so check current listings. Volumes are rough calculations from the quoted dimensions.
Smallest Full-Power Windows PC: ASUS NUC 15 Pro Slim
The Slim version of the NUC 15 Pro measures about 117 x 112 x 37 mm, which comes to roughly 0.49 litres, and the Tall version is about 54 mm high. ASUS offers Core Ultra 5 225H through Core Ultra 7 265H processors, up to 96GB of DDR5-6400, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, Thunderbolt 4, dual HDMI 2.1 and 2.5Gb Ethernet in a toolless chassis with a 120W adapter. For gaming, the Intel Arc integrated graphics target esports and lighter titles. If small size and quick servicing top your list, start here.
Small and Efficient: Beelink EQ14
The EQ14 is 126 x 126 x 39 mm and uses an Intel N150 quad-core processor with a 6W TDP, up to 3.6GHz, 16GB DDR4-3200, a 500GB-class SSD, two HDMI 2.0 ports, two LAN ports and Wi-Fi 6. The power supply is built in. It suits media centers, home servers, emulation and cloud gaming. It will not run modern 3D games.
Best Graphics Under One Litre: Beelink SER9 Pro
At 135 x 135 x 44.7 mm (about 0.81 litres) and 780g, the SER9 Pro holds a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with 12 cores, 24 threads and Radeon 890M graphics, 32GB of soldered LPDDR5X-7500, dual PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, a USB4 port and 2.5G LAN. It is the most capable gaming PC in this size class on the list. Soldered memory means you must pick capacity at purchase.
Small With the Most Ports: Minisforum UM890 Pro
The UM890 Pro is a bit larger at about 127 x 130 x 66.6 mm, but it fits in two SO-DIMM slots (DDR5-5600, up to 96GB), two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, two 2.5G Ethernet ports, OCuLink, two USB4 ports and four USB-A ports, according to the manufacturer. It also weighs 750g. The extra thickness buys upgradeability and an external GPU option.
Pocket-Size Stick: Azulle Access (N100)
The newer Azulle Access is a fanless stick with an Intel N100 (up to 3.40GHz, 4 cores) that measures 114.3 x 50.8 x 20.32 mm and weighs 58g, according to TechRadar’s review details. It needs wall power, because a TV’s USB port cannot supply enough. It is for office tasks, browsing and media, not games. Avoid confusing it with the older Azulle Access Plus, which uses a Cherry Trail chip and Windows 10.
A Note on the Mac mini
Apple’s Mac mini, at 5.0 x 5.0 x 2.0 inches (12.7 x 12.7 x 5.0 cm) for the M4 generation, is about 0.81 litres, the same as the SER9 Pro. It runs macOS, so choose it only if you do not need a Windows game library.
Worked Example: Volume and Desk Footprint
Take the EQ14. 126 x 126 x 39 mm = 619,164 cubic mm, or about 0.62 litres. Its footprint is 126 x 126 = 15,876 square mm, roughly 159 square cm, about the size of a coaster. The UM890 Pro is 127 x 130 x 66.6 = 1.10 litres, with a footprint of about 165 square cm. The extra 0.5 litres buys a stronger processor and cooling. Use the footprint to decide whether the box fits on a monitor stand shelf, and the height to check whether it fits behind a VESA mount.
Small Mini PC vs Mini Stick: Which Do You Need?
| Use | Best size class | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Office, browsing, streaming | Stick or N150 box | Low power, low cost |
| Emulation and cloud gaming | N150 box (EQ14) | Enough CPU, wired Ethernet |
| PC games at 1080p | 0.8 to 1.1 L Ryzen box | Radeon 780M or 890M graphics |
| Content creation | NUC 15 Pro or SER9 Pro | More cores, USB4 or Thunderbolt |
How to Choose a Small Mini PC
Set a volume budget
Under 0.7 litres cuts performance sharply. Around 0.8 to 1.1 litres supports Ryzen 8000-class graphics.
Check thermals
The smaller the box, the more it depends on fan speed. Keep vents unobstructed.
Check ports against your desk
A tiny PC with few ports forces a dock. Count your USB, video and network needs first.
Check upgrade options
Small boxes often limit memory and storage. SO-DIMM slots add flexibility, while soldered memory fixes capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the smallest mini PC you can buy?
Stick PCs such as the Azulle Access are the smallest, at about 114 x 51 x 20 mm. Among full mini PCs, the ASUS NUC 15 Pro Slim is around 0.49 litres.
Can a small mini PC play games?
Ryzen 780M or 890M models play esports titles and many older games at 1080p with reduced settings. Frame rates vary with game, memory speed and patch.
Do small mini PCs overheat?
Good designs with heat pipes or vapor chambers stay stable. Block the vents, and performance drops as the processor throttles.
How much power does a small mini PC use?
An N150 box draws a few watts at idle. A Ryzen box runs from about 12 to 15W at idle up to 60W or more under load, based on published reviews.
Is a stick PC worth it?
Only for light tasks. The Intel N100 in newer sticks is fine for office work and video but slow for games.
Bottom Line
Choose the NUC 15 Pro Slim for the smallest serious Windows PC, the EQ14 for the cheapest small box, the SER9 Pro for gaming in under a litre, and a stick only for light tasks. Verify the exact dimensions in the listing, as case revisions can differ.
