Products at a Glance
How We Picked
Choosing the right portable monitor for you and your needs can be tricky when there are so many different products to select from. With so many different types of monitors available on the market, it can be hard to know which ones are better suited for what you need them for. Especially if you’re not particularly tech-savvy, too.
There’s no need to worry – we’ve done all the hard work for you. We’ve researched and reviewed hundreds of products to narrow it down to the best portable monitors available. We’ve looked at factors such as size, portability, compatibility, and many more to help you find the right portable monitor for your needs. So you can rest assured that any of these portable monitors will be a great pick for you and your laptop!
Product Reviews
- 15.6 inch portable monitor
- USB powered
- Perfect for laptops
- Built-in stand
- Doesn’t operate with USB 2.0 ports
The AOC I1659FWUX is a 15.6 inch USB powered portable monitor that is ideal for expanding your work station. This particular portable monitor is ideal for use with both Windows and Mac laptops. It is compatible with a USB 3.0 cable, which you plug into your laptop. It even comes with the USB cable you need, so all you need to do is plug it in and you’re ready to go!
What’s great about this particular portable monitor is that it comes with a built-in stand. So you won’t need to worry about balancing the screen against something to stop it from falling over. The stand also works in both portrait and landscape mode, so that you can optimize your screen to suit your working style.
The AOC I1659FWUX supports full HD resolution as well as dynamic contrast ratio. The resolution of this particular monitor is 1920 x 1080 pixels. This makes for vivid colors and superb image clarity that will help you to get the crisp, detailed images that you need.
This particular portable monitor has been designed to be lightweight and slim for easy portability. This makes it a great choice if you’re looking for a portable monitor to take with you on business trips. It even comes with a handy carry case to protect it when the monitor isn’t in use.
Overall the AOC I1659FWUX is a great choice for fulfilling your portability needs.
- 15.6 inch portable monitor
- Lightweight design
- Touch screen
- ASUS eye care technology
- More expensive than competitive products
The Asus ZenScreen Touch (MB16AMT) is a 15.6 inch portable monitor that comes with a touch screen feature, setting it apart from other screens. This intuitive fingertip control allows you to easily interact with the portable monitor for smoother operation. Perfect if you want to quickly select something instead of fussing with your mouse or trackpad.
This particular portable monitor is lightweight and slim for easy portability. Weighing 2 pounds and measuring 0.3 inches, it makes the perfect fit with Asus phones, laptops, or tablets. The slim and lightweight design makes it a great choice for taking on business trips.
Another great feature of this particular portable monitor is the built-in integrated speakers. Ideal if you like to stream videos or want to use it to play games on your phone. The portable monitor has a built-in 7800mAh battery, too, for ultimate compatibility. It also features Asus eye care technology and TUV Rhineland-certified flicker-free backlighting and a blue light filter to minimize eye fatigue. Ideal if you plan on using the portable monitor for extended periods of time.
The Asus ZenScreen Touch (MB16AMT) can be used either portrait or landscape. It comes with an auto rotation feature to make it even easier for you to use. There is also an included smart cover to help you prop it up to suit you. It also features a pen hole so that you can use your biro to keep it stable.
This is a great choice if you’re looking for a versatile portable monitor with many high specifications.
- 15.6 inch portable monitor
- Designed for business and gaming use
- Mini HDMI and USB Type-C connectors
- Bezel screen design
- No touch screen feature
The MSI Optix MAG161V is the perfect choice for both business needs and gaming. This powerful portable monitor gives you everything you need for work and play, with a refresh rate of 60Hz and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The portable monitor has a response time of 25ms, which is how long it takes the monitor to change from color to color.
The screen itself measures 15.6 inches to give you all the workability you need for expanding your workspace. A great feature of this particular portable monitor is the thin three-sided bezel design. This gives you more screen for an immersive experience, which is a handy feature for gaming.
MSI has designed this portable monitor for greater functionality. It features both mini HDMI and USB Type-C connectors so that you can use it with a variety of devices. Ideal if you need a portable monitor that’s suitable for work use as well as for unwinding with some gaming.
This particular portable monitor comes with an adjustment smart cover to protect the screen. The smart cover also makes it easy to adjust the portable monitor as you see fit while in use. Ideal if you don’t want to have to fuss around with propping it against books or mugs to get the right angle for you to use it!
Overall, the MSI Optix MAG161V is the perfect choice if you want a portable monitor for gaming and business use.
- 14 inch portable monitor
- Slim and lightweight
- Full HD display
- Easy to setup and use
- Only features USB Type-C connector
The HP EliteDisplay S14 USB portable monitor is a great choice if you’re looking for a smaller, slim model for ultimate portability. This particular portable monitor measures 14 inches, is 9mm thick and weighs 2.2 pounds. Ideal for fitting in with your laptop case without adding extra weight or bulk.
Don’t be fooled by its size – the HP EliteDisplay S14 might be small, but it’s mighty. This portable monitor is able to offer you a full HD display with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and has a fast response time of 5ms gray to gray (GTG). So you’ll have everything you need for creating an efficient working environment either at home, work, or on business trips.
This particular portable monitor is simple and quick to set up. Simply plug into your laptop or tablet using the USB Type-C cable, and you’re ready to go! This cable keeps the HP EliteDisplay S14 monitor powered, too. Ideal if you’re looking for a portable monitor that’s going to make your life easier.
What’s really great about this portable monitor is that it’s fully adjustable for your needs. You can easily control the brightness, contrast, response time, and many other features to create the perfect working environment for you. It even comes with HP Low Blue Light mode to be kinder on your eyes and prevent fatigue after long periods.
If you’re looking for a smaller portable monitor that packs a powerful punch, the HP EliteDisplay S14 is the one for you.
- 16 inch portable monitor (15.6 viewable)
- Lightweight and slim
- Suitable for USB Type-C to DisplayPort
- Low-blue light mode
- No HDMI input
The AOC I1601FWUX USB-C portable monitor is another great choice if you’re looking for a second screen for work or play. This 16 inch (15.6 viewable) monitor is just the thing you need in your laptop bag for helping you to stay productive. The portable monitor features an IPS screen with full HD display. IPS monitors give you the best image quality over other inferior monitors, making this a great choice for both business and personal use.
This particular monitor is super simple to set up and use. Simply connect to your laptop or tablet and it will be ready to go. It is worth noting that the AOC I1601FWUX needs to be connected to a device that supports DisplayPort Alternative Mode, as it isn’t suitable for USB 2.0 or 2.0 adapters. The DisplayPort is similar to the HDMI output that you’re probably more familiar with, but is able to offer higher specs in terms of visuals.
What’s really great about this particular portable monitor is that it’s lightweight and super slim. It weighs under 1.8 pounds and the screen’s thickness measures 0.35 inches, making it the perfect addition to your laptop bag.
The AOC I1601FWUX also comes with a smart cover to protect the screen when it’s not in use. The cover also helps you to support the portable monitor in either portrait or landscape positions to suit your working style. It features an auto-pivot function to detect when the orientation of the screen has changed.
Another great feature is the low-blue light mode. This helps to minimize eye fatigue by protecting your eyes from the potentially damaging blue spectrum of lights that monitors display. Perfect if you tend to use your screens for long periods of time.
The AOC I1601FWUX is another great choice in terms of portable screens, but might be better suited for those who are after high quality graphics.
Portable monitor buying guide
There are a few considerations you’ll want to make when it comes to selecting the best portable monitor. Let’s take a closer look…
Resolution
Since portable monitors are often quite small, you don’t need something 4K to get a crisp image. That’s because of how pixel-density works, which basically means if the screen is smaller even 1080p looks good. 1440p portable monitors are a good call if you want to save some money, but still get crisp image for watching movies or even design work.
Portable monitor function
Some portable monitors can be a little ‘over-designed’, meaning that you may find some which attach to your laptop screen via magnets, fold out, or slide. Generally speaking, we’d say it’s best to go for a display that props itself up with a build in stand/ case. These are often the most versatile and actually look the best too.
Price
Portable monitors aren’t that expensive, but if you’re heading towards the $400 mark it’s worth noting that you can get amazing 4K monitors for around that price too. A good portable monitor, even a 4K one, should cost around the $300 mark.
Audio
Audio is often an afterthought when it comes to monitors, but you’ll actually find some portable displays which pack a decent punch in the audio department. If that’s important to you, look closely at what the speakers are like – especially if you want to watch movies with it.
Are portable monitors worth it?
If you’re on the move and need a second screen, yes. They’re also quite affordable, with many 1080p options coming in at under $200. However, for a more stationary setup, we’d recommend going for one of the best 4K monitors instead, especially as many are priced below $350 nowadays.
Are portable monitors good for work?
Yes, especially if you’re traveling. Many portable monitors have high resolutions now too, which makes them excellent for most types of work, from design to writing.
Our Verdict
Overall, the AOC I1659FWUX USB Monitor comes out on top. This particular portable monitor features a slim, lightweight design that makes it perfect for taking with you on business trips. It comes with everything you need to get working; all you need to do is plug it into your laptop.
The Asus ZenScreen Touch (MB16AMT) is another great pick. This particular portable monitor has everything you need for effective working, streaming, or portable gaming. It even features a touch screen for easier usage, as well as built-in speakers and battery.
The MSI Optix MAG161V is a great pick for both business and gaming use. The high-quality graphics lend itself well to a multitude of uses, even if it doesn’t come with a touch screen feature. If you’re serious about your gaming, this is the portable monitor we’d recommend.
The HP EliteDisplay S14 USB Portable Monitor is another great choice. This particular portable monitor is a great pick if you’re looking for a smaller monitor that can easily fit in your laptop or tablet bag without taking up too much space or adding too much weight. It also packs a punch with its high specs.
Last but not least, the AOC I1601FWUX USB-C Portable Monitor rounds up our portable monitor guide. This is another great option for those looking for an extension of their working space. It’s worth bearing in mind that this particular monitor needs to be matched with a device suitable for DisplayPort Alternative Mode, so might be better suited for higher spec graphics.
And so our best portable monitor guide comes to an end! You should now know everything you need to know about choosing the best portable monitor for you. Got any questions for us? Let us know in the comments and we’ll be happy to help!