Gone are the days when a powerful gaming PC meant a monstrous, full-sized tower dominating your desk. Today, the best mini gaming PCs beautifully balance a tiny footprint with seriously impressive performance. We’ve rigorously tested and reviewed a range of options to bring you our top picks for 2026, proving that big gaming experiences can indeed come in small packages.
Whether you’re battling space constraints or simply prefer a minimalist setup, a mini gaming PC can deliver the punch you need for your favorite titles. This April, we’ve refreshed our selections to include fantastic mini PCs from leading brands like HP, Dell, and even the versatile Raspberry Pi.
The Evolution of Gaming in a Small Form Factor
The journey of personal computers from gargantuan machines to devices the size of a hardback book has been remarkable. Gaming PCs, once notorious for their bulk, have followed suit, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in compact designs. It’s truly astonishing how much raw power and efficient cooling can now be packed into such diminutive enclosures.
This technological leap means you no longer have to compromise on performance to save space. Our expert testing and research delve into every aspect, from CPU and RAM to graphics capabilities and expandability. We also pore over customer reviews to understand what truly matters to real users, ensuring our recommendations are as practical as they are powerful.
Our Top Mini Gaming PC Picks for 2026
We’ve scoured the market to identify the mini gaming PCs that truly stand out in termsof performance, value, and features. From DIY enthusiast dreams to robust pre-built systems, there’s an option for every kind of gamer.
- Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5: Best mini gaming PC overall for its incredible versatility and DIY potential.
- HP EliteDesk 8 Mini G1a: Best AMD mini gaming PC, offering a great balance of power and a tiny footprint.
- Lenovo ThinkCentre M90s: Best Intel mini gaming PC, packed with memory, storage, and a dedicated GPU.
- Asus ROG GR70: Best mini gaming PC with a dedicated GPU, perfect for demanding titles.
- MSI Claw 8 AI Plus: Best handheld mini gaming PC, taking portability to a new level.
- Dell Pro Max Micro: Best configurable mini gaming PC, allowing for extensive customization.
- Sonnet eGPU Breakaway Box 750ex: Best GPU enclosure, ideal for boosting graphics on integrated systems.
Deep Dive: The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5
Our top overall pick for the best mini gaming PC is the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5, lauded for its sheer versatility, truly micro form factor, and thriving modding community. This isn’t just a simple board; it’s a gateway to endless customisation.
The Raspberry Pi CM5 is the ultimate DIY gaming rig, offering nearly endless configuration options and an impressively compact design. You can snag partially pre-built configurations with up to 16GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, giving you a head start on your custom project. Plus, optional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity modules round out your build.
This device is ideal for advanced DIY PC builders who love to tinker. It allows you to create custom emulation machines for retro games or build ultra-portable rigs for casual gaming on the go. The robust hobbyist community is a fantastic resource, making it accessible even for beginners looking to dip their toes into custom PC building.
However, if you’re not keen on extensive technical know-how, the Raspberry Pi might require a bit too much effort to get started. Thankfully, brands like HP, Dell, and Lenovo offer plenty of pre-built mini PC configurations that don’t demand a computer engineering degree to enjoy. The Raspberry Pi CM5 features a custom 2.4GHz ARM processor and user-added graphics.
HP EliteDesk 8 Mini G1a: Power in a Tiny AMD Package
The HP EliteDesk 8 Mini G1a truly embodies the concept of packing immense power into an ultra-tiny build. Measuring a mere 7 x 7 x 1 inches, this PC can effortlessly tuck behind your monitor or even be mounted to your desk, making it perfect for incredibly small spaces.
Powered by an AMD Ryzen AI 5 Pro CPU, complemented by 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, you get a robust rig without the bulk of a full-size tower. This ultra-compact AMD build is perfect for anyone needing a desktop that can seamlessly transition between a workstation and a gaming rig. With four M.2 SSD slots, you’ll have ample room for future upgrades, while Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 support ensure blazing-fast wireless connectivity.
Keep in mind, though, that the HP EliteDesk 8 doesn’t offer a configuration with a dedicated graphics card from AMD, Intel, or Nvidia. Its integrated AMD Radeon 840M graphics engine is powerful enough for casual games and older titles. If you’re aiming to play the latest triple-A releases at high settings, you’ll likely need to invest in an external GPU and enclosure.
Source: ZDNet – AI
