Minimal wave is a genre of electronic music mainly developed during the years 1979-85, especially in France, Belgium and Germany. The genre name was coined in retrospect, making reference to the most electronic and minimal forms of new wave, post-punk, coldwave and synthpop. In its most purely electronic and synth-driven form, it is called minimal synth.

The sound of minimal wave is sparse, amateurish, stripped down and lo-fi, using analog synthesizers, drum machines and pre-MIDI electronics. The singing is unconventional, with detached and cold vocals. Most artists kept a low profile and a DIY ethic, sometimes releasing self-published cassettes or limited editions by private labels.

Since the mid-2000s, the interest in the genre has become more widespread, with several reissues and new releases by labels such as Minimal Wave and Anna Logue Records.