Best Mini PCs Under $100: 5 Spec-Based Picks

Quick picks

The best fit for you

• You need silent routing and basic home server tasks UDPTCP Fanless Dual LAN Celeron Mini PC It offers dual Gigabit networking and fanless operation for low-draw server tasks.
• You want quad-display setups with dedicated graphics Shuttle XPC Slim Celeron GTX 1050 Mini PC It includes a GTX 1050 GPU and supports four displays in a compact frame.
• You require a barebone platform for industrial firewall appliances UDPTCP Fanless Industrial Mini PC It provides a fanless dual-Ethernet base with legacy serial connectivity for network appliances.
• You need four dedicated gigabit ports for routing Wintertion Celeron N2940 Fanless Firewall Mini PC It features four gigabit ports and passive cooling for dedicated network deployments.

Our 5 picks

1 Best overall

UDPTCP Fanless Industrial Mini PC

Best for: barebone routing and industrial firewall appliances

Processor

Celeron N2840

Installed RAM

No RAM

Storage Capacity

No SSD

Memory Type

DDR3L 1333MHz

Graphics

UHD Graphics

Ethernet Ports

2x 1000M

View on Amazon: UDPTCP Fanless Industrial Mini PC Affiliate link

This UDPTCP model is a fanless industrial mini PC powered by an Intel Celeron N2840 dual-core processor with a 7.5W TDP. It includes two Gigabit Ethernet ports, dual display outputs via HDMI and VGA, and two RS232 COM ports. Sold as a barebone unit without memory or storage, it suits you if you want to build a quiet low-power firewall, network router, or industrial controller using your own DDR3L RAM and drive.

Pros

• Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports via Realtek network controllers
• Fanless industrial build with low 7.5W TDP processor
• Dual video outputs supporting HDMI and VGA displays
• Extensive connectivity with six USB ports and two RS232 COM ports

Cons

• Barebone configuration lacks included RAM and internal storage
• Requires older DDR3L memory and SATA 3Gbps or mSATA storage

Good fit if

• You need dual Gigabit LAN interfaces for firewall or router appliances.
• You have compatible spare DDR3L memory and an mSATA or 2.5-inch drive.
• You need dedicated RS232 serial ports for industrial hardware.

Skip if

• You need a complete system with pre-installed memory and storage.
• You require modern DDR4 or DDR5 system memory.

Verdict: UDPTCP Fanless Dual LAN Industrial Mini PC provides a fanless dual-Ethernet barebone platform built for network appliances and legacy serial connectivity. It is a solid foundation if you can supply your own DDR3L memory and internal storage.

2 Also great

Shuttle XPC Slim Celeron GTX 1050 Mini PC

Best for: quad-display setups needing dedicated graphics

Processor

Intel Celeron 3865U

Installed RAM

Barebone

Storage Capacity

Barebone

Memory Type

DDR4

Graphics

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050

Ethernet Ports

1x Intel Gigabit LAN

View on Amazon: Shuttle XPC Slim Celeron GTX 1050 Mini PC Affiliate link

You get a barebone compact desktop powered by an Intel Celeron 3865U processor paired with dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics. It supports up to 32GB of DDR4 memory across two SODIMM slots and offers quad HDMI 2.0 outputs for four 4K displays at 60 Hz. This system fits setups where you want dedicated graphics and multiple display outputs, provided you have your own RAM, storage drive, and operating system ready to install.

Pros

• Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics
• Four HDMI 2.0 outputs supporting quad 4K displays at 60 Hz
• Supports up to 32GB DDR4 RAM across two SODIMM slots
• Includes both an M.2 2280 slot and a 2.5-inch drive bay
• Rated for ambient operating temperatures up to 50C

Cons

• Ships barebone without RAM, storage, or an operating system
• Features an entry-level Intel Celeron 3865U processor
• Provides only a single Gigabit Ethernet network port

Good fit if

• You need to drive up to four independent 4K displays at 60 Hz.
• You want dedicated NVIDIA graphics inside a slim chassis.
• You already have compatible DDR4 SODIMM RAM, storage, and an OS.

Skip if

• You want an out-of-the-box system with RAM, storage, and an OS preinstalled.
• You require a high-performance multi-core processor for heavy computing.

Verdict: Shuttle XPC Slim Celeron GTX 1050 Mini PC delivers rare dedicated GPU hardware and quad-display capability in a compact form factor. It requires you to supply your own memory, storage drive, and operating system to complete the build.

3 Best premium

UDPTCP Fanless Dual LAN Celeron Mini PC

Best for: silent routing, firewalls, and basic home servers

Processor

Celeron N2840

Memory Type

DDR3L 1333/1600MHz

Graphics

UHD Graphics

Ethernet Ports

2 x 1000M

Use

Home, Business, Office, Industrial, Firewall

View on Amazon: UDPTCP Fanless Dual LAN Celeron Mini PC Affiliate link

This UDPTCP unit is a fanless barebone mini PC powered by a dual-core Intel Celeron N2840 processor with a 7.5W TDP. It features dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, dual-band Wi-Fi, and support for dual displays via HDMI and VGA. You supply your own DDR3L memory and mSATA storage. It suits you if you need a quiet, low-power networking box, basic home server, or dedicated firewall.

Pros

• Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports powered by Realtek RTL8111H controllers
• Fanless, silent operation with a low 7.5W TDP processor
• Six USB ports, including two USB 3.0 and four USB 2.0
• Dual display support via HDMI and VGA interfaces

Cons

• Ships without memory or internal storage included
• Relies on legacy DDR3L memory rather than DDR4
• Features an older dual-core processor with two threads

Good fit if

• You plan to set up a dedicated firewall, router, or light network server.
• You have spare DDR3L SO-DIMM RAM and an mSATA SSD ready to install.
• You need silent, passive cooling for continuous 24/7 operation.

Skip if

• You want a fully configured machine that runs directly out of the box.
• You require multi-threaded processing power for modern desktop multitasking.

Verdict: UDPTCP Fanless Celeron Dual LAN Mini PC provides dual Gigabit networking and silent, fanless operation for dedicated routing and low-draw server tasks. Its barebone design requires you to supply memory and storage, making it an efficient platform if you prefer custom hardware setups.

4 Best budget

Wintertion Celeron N2940 Fanless Firewall Mini PC

Best for: Dedicated multi-port network routing and firewall setups

Processor

Intel Celeron N2940

Installed RAM

Barebone

Storage Capacity

Barebone

Ethernet Ports

4 x I210 1GbE

Operating System

No OS (Barebone)

Use

Firewall

View on Amazon: Wintertion Celeron N2940 Fanless Firewall Mini PC Affiliate link

The Wintertion Celeron N2940 Fanless Firewall Mini PC gives you four dedicated Intel I210 1GbE LAN ports in a compact aluminum body measuring 126 x 134 x 40.6 mm. Powered by a 7.5W quad-core Celeron N2940 chip, it runs silently with zero fan noise. You will need your own memory, storage drive, and operating system, making it an efficient platform if you want a custom home firewall or routing appliance.

Pros

• Four Intel I210 1GbE Ethernet ports
• Fanless aluminum chassis with silent passive cooling
• Low 7.5W TDP quad-core Celeron N2940 processor
• Dual video outputs with HDMI and VGA ports

Cons

• Barebone configuration requires separate RAM and storage installation
• Does not include a preinstalled operating system

Good fit if

• You want a multi-port network appliance for routing or firewall setups.
• You prefer a silent, passively cooled aluminum enclosure.
• You plan to supply your own compatible memory and storage drive.

Skip if

• You need a complete system with RAM, storage, and software preinstalled.
• You require high-performance desktop processing beyond an entry-level Celeron.

Verdict: Wintertion Celeron N2940 Fanless Firewall Mini PC provides four dedicated gigabit ports and silent passive cooling for home routing tasks. Its barebone design requires you to supply memory and storage, but delivers dedicated hardware for network deployments.

5 Also great

TUOPUONE Dual Ethernet CM5 Mini PC

Best for: Raspberry Pi CM5 DIY networking builds

Ethernet Ports

Gigabit / 2.5G Dual RJ45

Weight

1.76 pounds

View on Amazon: TUOPUONE Dual Ethernet CM5 Mini PC Affiliate link

This TUOPUONE unit is a compact carrier board and enclosure built for a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5, which you must supply separately. It features dual RJ45 Gigabit and 2.5G Ethernet ports, an onboard M.2 M-key slot for NVMe storage, and triple independent display support. You can power it via USB Type-C. This device suits you if you plan to build a custom network appliance.

Pros

• Dual RJ45 Ethernet ports with Gigabit and 2.5G support
• Onboard M.2 M-key slot supports NVMe SSDs or PCIe AI modules
• Supports triple independent displays
• USB Type-C port functions for power input and firmware flashing

Cons

• Raspberry Pi CM5 module is not included and must be purchased separately
• Total USB power delivery is limited to 2A across both onboard USB ports
• Hardware changes other than USB and HDMI cannot be performed while powered on

Good fit if

• You plan to build a networking appliance using a Raspberry Pi CM5.
• You need dual Ethernet connectivity with 2.5G throughput.
• You want high-speed local storage via an M.2 NVMe SSD.

Skip if

• You want a turnkey computer that includes a processor, RAM, and pre-installed OS.
• You need to power high-draw USB accessories exceeding 2A total.

Verdict: TUOPUONE Dual Ethernet CM5 Mini PC delivers dual-speed networking and M.2 expansion for your Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 hardware. It serves as a focused foundation for DIY routers and compact storage servers.

Specifications side by side

Trade-offs in the Under $100 Mini PC Segment

You receive barebone chassis only. Every listed model lacks pre-installed RAM and storage drives. You must source DDR3L memory and SSDs separately to complete the build. Most units run Linux or no OS, requiring your own installation. Cooling is typically fanless for silence, limiting sustained high loads. Networking varies from dual to four Gigabit ports. These platforms prioritize specific roles like routing or industrial use over general-purpose computing.

• You supply your own RAM and SSD
• Most models lack a pre-installed operating system
• Fanless cooling limits sustained high-performance tasks
• Processors are modest Celeron or Compute Module units

How We Selected These Mini PCs

We gathered products from Amazon listings that match the Under $100 price range. Our selection process prioritizes availability, placing in-stock items first. We then ordered the remaining options by overall rating weighted by count, followed by how well the published specs meet our criteria. We only include one size or variant per product family to keep the list clear. All details come from the specifications and feature lists on the product pages. We do not handle or test these units physically. Prices and stock status are live data refreshed daily. This guide updates as listings change. A product stays here only while its current price remains under $100. You can trust this list reflects current market data.

Check Specs Before Buying

1. Match RAM to Model

   Every unit in this guide is a barebone platform. You must supply your own DDR3L memory. The UDPTCP Fanless Industrial Mini PC specifically requires you to provide compatible RAM. Check the manufacturer’s listing for the exact type and speed supported. Buying the wrong memory will prevent the system from booting. Ensure you purchase the correct module before assembling your network appliance or home server. This step is critical for all listed models.

2. Select Internal Storage

   Storage drives are not included with any of these mini PCs. You need to buy an internal SSD separately to install an operating system. The UDPTCP Fanless Dual LAN Celeron Mini PC ships with zero gigabytes of SSD capacity. Verify the available drive bay type, such as M.2 or 2.5-inch SATA, for your chosen model. Adding storage is essential for running Linux or other software. Plan your budget to include these components for a fully functional device.

3. Verify Network Ports

   Networking capabilities vary significantly across these barebone units. The Wintertion Celeron N2940 offers four dedicated gigabit ports, ideal for complex routing setups. In contrast, the TUOPUONE Dual Ethernet CM5 provides dual-speed networking for Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 hardware. Check the specific port count and speed for your use case. If you need multiple connections for a firewall, prioritize models with higher port density. This spec directly impacts your network flexibility.

4. Choose Cooling Method

   Fanless designs ensure silent operation for home or office environments. The UDPTCP Fanless Dual LAN Celeron Mini PC uses passive cooling for low-draw tasks. The Shuttle XPC Slim Celeron GTX 1050 also features a compact frame. Consider thermal output if you place the device in a confined space. Passive cooling eliminates noise but may limit sustained performance under heavy loads. Select a fanless model if silence is a priority for your specific deployment scenario.

5. Confirm Graphics Needs

   Most listed units rely on integrated graphics suitable for basic tasks. The Shuttle XPC Slim Celeron GTX 1050 is the exception, featuring a dedicated GPU. This model supports quad-display setups, making it unique for multi-monitor requirements. If you only need basic display output, integrated graphics are sufficient. However, for specialized visual tasks or multiple screens, verify if a dedicated card is available. This distinction separates general-purpose barebones from specialized graphical workstations.

Frequently asked questions

See also

• best mini PCs under 150
• best mini PCs under 200