What Is a Portable Monitor?
Before we list down the best portable monitor models available, it’s important to understand what portable monitors are. Technically speaking, regular desktop monitors are “portable” in that you can move them anywhere in a space. However, what separates a portable monitor from a regular one is how easily you can bring portable monitors around. Portable monitors offer all the benefits of a second display while staying lightweight and easy to carry. A good portable monitor should easily fit into a bag and stand on its own without difficulty setting it up. Moreover, it should be light enough to carry without too much strain. Think of it as a mobile tablet with a stand, except without a stand-alone OS. Apart from this, portable monitors offer the same functionality as other monitors. They can extend or increase your device’s display size and maximize your work efficiency. You can cascade references on the portable monitor while working on your main device’s display.
15 Best Portable Monitor Models for Your Work-from-Home Setup
Why Buy a Portable Monitor?
Before you purchase the best portable monitor in the market, you might stop to think, “why?” Why is it so important to buy the best portable monitor? Does it truly make an impact on day-to-day life and work? After all, purchasing a separate monitor is an additional expense. Hence, the pros have to outweigh the cons to truly make it worthwhile. So, why is buying the best portable monitor important? Here are at least a couple of reasons we can think of.
– Lightweight – Compact – Foldable and durable stand – Able to control computer settings – Power and video input directly from one cable
– Dull colors – Imperfect menu navigation – Low max brightness
However, this display isn’t the best portable monitor if you’re looking to work outdoors a lot. That’s because the max brightness caps at 220 cd/m2, making it sub-par in bright or direct sunlight. Moreover, while the viewing angles are decent, they’re not exactly ideal. The display’s color output isn’t the most accurate, either, so it’s best for non-creative work and casual entertainment.
– IPS Panel – Sharp image quality – Color-accurate display – Wide viewing angles – Affordable – Rotating stand
– USB 3.0 only – Heavier than other portable monitors – Low max brightness
However, the max brightness of this AOC device also only comes at 220cd/m2. Thus, it’s not ideal for taking with you outside during the peak hours of the day. Moreover, it’s got quite a weight to it so it’s not as portable as thinner and lighter alternatives out there. Lastly, it doesn’t have a USB-C, so your USB-C laptop might need a dongle to get it to work.
– Thin and lightweight – Great viewing angles – Allows the use of several monitors at once
– Needs USB 3.0 to take advantage of it
This monitor provides a solid image resolution at 1080p in its 15.6” size. It also rotates automatically to give you the best possible viewing angles no matter where you are. However, the only downside is that it only connects via a regular USB-A port. Hence, USB-C laptops would need a compatible dongle just to hook it up. Nonetheless, it’s a decent purchase if you don’t mind the USB port. Moreover, because it outsources graphics processing to the main device, you can connect more than one on a single device. Just make sure to use USB 3.0 instead of 2.0 to minimize the latency.
– Huge display – 3ms response time – 240Hz refresh rate – USB-C and mini HDMI connectivity
– Very expensive
In that case, the Asus ROG Strix might be the best portable gaming monitor for you. It has all the necessary specs you might want in a regular gaming monitor. That includes a large, 17.3-inch display, a lightning-fast 240Hz refresh rate, and a 3ms response time. Moreover, the display uses a USB-C and mini HDMI port, making it versatile for various gaming platforms. You can hook it up to your PC or even a compatible console. The only catch is that the Asus ROG Strix is incredibly expensive, costing nearly $500 per unit.
– Foldable smart case/stand – Thin – Auto-rotation – Comes with a stylus and USB-A adapter – Blue-light filter
– Expensive
Moreover, the device comes with a handy stylus to help you navigate your work more easily and quickly. As for the other specs, it provides the basic 15.6-inch size you’d normally expect on portable monitors. The screen also comes in Full HD (1080p) so it should suit both work and entertainment.
– Thin and light – USB-C + micro-HDMI port
– 250 nits max brightness – Expensive
On the other hand, the device also comes with multiple connection options such as micro-HDMI and USB-C. Thus, you should be able to connect it to almost anything you want. It’s also thin and light enough to carry around wherever you go. However, don’t expect it to perform well outdoors as it can only go up to 250 nits in brightness. Moreover, you should prepare to cough up a bit of money for this one as it costs nearly $300.
– Touchscreen – Thin and light – Up to 4 hours battery life – USB-C and micro-HDMI – Foldable stand case – Blue light filter
– Very expensive – Limited support for Mac – No support for iOS
Moreover, the device also comes with a 7,800mAh battery that can last up to four hours on a charge. It’s also compatible with USB-C and micro-HDMI, although not every device is supported. More specifically, there’s very limited support for Mac devices and none at all for iOS. Nonetheless, if you have a Windows or Android device, this one’s a keeper. That is if you can afford the $400 price tag.
– Slim and light – Multiple USB-C ports – HDMI port – Affordable – 75Hz refresh rate
– Subpar speakers – Stand not ideal – Low max brightness
Moreover, it comes in your standard 15.6-inch screen size with a 1080p resolution. The screen produces high-contrast images with vibrant colors, although the max brightness could be better. On the other hand, its built-in speakers are certainly convenient, but they do need some work as well.
– 4K display – USB-C for power and display – Touchscreen
– Heavy (with kickstand) – Very expensive
As the name implies, the device outputs in 4K, is slim, and has touch capabilities. Hence, it’s the perfect device that incorporates beauty, versatility, and power without sacrificing portability. However, it is a little on the heavier side with the stand/case attached. Nonetheless, it’s still a great device, especially for creators that value great visual output. However, you should be ready to empty your pockets as it costs $400 — and that’s on sale.
– 4K resolution – 2 USB-C ports + mini HDMI – Great viewing angles
– Very expensive – No high refresh rate
However, apart from its 4K resolution, it also has many good things going for it. For example, it has a nice selection of ports that can accommodate any device you have. Moreover, the device also has a 300cd/m2 max brightness with a wide color gamut and HDR support. Hence, it’s the best portable monitor for photographers and creative professionals. The only downside with this device is that it’s still stuck at 60Hz. For a 4K portable monitor that costs over $300, we would have wanted more.
– Anti-glare screen – Relatively affordable – Smaller screen for portability
– No speaker – Low max brightness – Heavy
However, the device is a little lacking in the brightness department so it isn’t ideal for outdoor lighting. Moreover, it doesn’t have any other output options or built-in speakers. Hence, it’s largely just for presentations and office workers that don’t require anything but visuals. It is relatively affordable, though, so it’s still a good investment.
– Ultra-light – Two USB-C ports – Blue-light filter – Great color – Unnoticeable stand
– Very expensive
– Affordable – HDR IPS panel – Multiple device connectivity – Dual speakers – Light and thin – USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI – Vibrant colors
– Speaker quality – Colors not as vibrant
Lepow’s Z1 Pro also offers multiple ports options like USB-C, USB-A, and even HDMI. Hence, it’s the best portable HDMI monitor Best Buy can offer for all-around connectivity. It’s also extremely light and thin, so you’ll have no problems working — or gaming — anytime, anywhere.
– Attachable monitor – Great portability – Compact
– Small screen size – Expensive – Slow response time
Of course, to do this, SideTrak did sacrifice the screen size in favor of compactness and portability. Hence, you’ll only get 12.5 inches of screen real estate, unlike the normal 15.6 inches on alternatives. Nonetheless, its innovative design doesn’t sacrifice in terms of viewing quality. With ample max brightness, a 1080p resolution, and an IPS panel, you’re guaranteed a satisfactory viewing experience. However, there are a few cons to this device such as the disappointingly slow response time. Moreover, the actual device is pretty expensive for the screen size you get. Nonetheless, it’s a great option if you lack desk space while traveling.
– Touchscreen – Lightweight – High-contrast display
– Low max brightness – Not as thin as others – Slightly expensive
Moreover, ViewSonic’s monitor checks all the boxes for what you might want in the best portable monitor. For example, it has the usual 15.6-inch screen with a 1080p panel for a pleasurable viewing experience. Furthermore, it also has a touchscreen for easy navigation. The display also boasts a high-contrast image quality, leaving nothing to be desired in terms of sharpness. However, the max brightness, like its alternatives, could use a bump up. Moreover, despite its lightweight build, it’s not as thin as its competitors. It’s a decent choice for the price, nonetheless. Imagine cascading chat and email apps to one monitor while working on your current task on your main screen. This would undoubtedly make you more efficient because you wouldn’t need to switch apps as frequently. Hence, purchasing the best portable monitor model is a great way to save time. Moreover, this type of workflow can also increase productivity because you can look at all your references at once. Apart from regular work, purchasing the best portable monitor also offers some benefits for creators. That’s because portable monitors can also act as a preview screen when you’re presenting ideas to clients. You can present anything, whether you’re working on graphic designs, image editing, or anything that needs visual presentation. Photographers and artists, in particular, can take advantage of its portability. That’s because they can easily display media files from their camera straight to a compatible portable monitor. What better way to present your work than through a high-quality display with proper scale and quality? On the other hand, regular workers can also use this feature to conduct more immersive meeting presentations. It becomes easy to visualize ideas and present them with a portable extended display. This is especially useful when you work at a company that conducts meetings and gives presentations regularly. Mobile devices are the future of technology as they become more powerful than even full-fledged desktop computers. However, the one disadvantage smartphones have is that their screens are pretty tiny. That is unless you can use the best portable monitor to maximize your smartphone’s power. With just a portable monitor and a Bluetooth keyboard, you can easily turn your smartphone into a computing powerhouse. Moreover, if you have a compatible Samsung phone, you might even be able to use DeX, Samsung’s desktop-like Android OS. With it, you can even turn your smartphone into a full-fledged computer without needing a laptop. Lastly, everybody can agree that having the best portable monitor is great for entertainment. With just a compatible, high-quality screen, you can turn your mobile device into an entertainment powerhouse. You can say goodbye to watching movies and shows on a tiny screen. Moreover, it’s the perfect solution for traveling, so you can have your entertainment anytime, anywhere.
How to Care for Your Portable Monitor
Like any kind of consumer technology, portable monitors require great care to maintain. Everything from how you store, clean, and carry your portable monitor can increase its lifespan. So, how can you care for your portable monitor so you can use it for longer? Here are the best tips we can offer.
Use a Hard Case for Travel
In health, prevention is better than cure — and the same is true for portable monitors. If you want to care for your device, make sure to use a reliable hard case for travel. The case should be amplified, sturdy, and have ample padding to make sure it’s safe. This goes for whatever form of travel you may use, whether it’s your commute, a train, or a plane ride.
Ensure Proper Cooling
Unfortunately, lithium batteries don’t last, regardless of what device you’re using. Hence, we can’t do anything to prevent battery damage — we can only delay it. That’s why it’s important to keep your portable monitor cool at all times. Make sure it doesn’t overheat and use the battery only when it’s necessary. Moreover, it’s important to turn off your PC, take out the battery, and work without it while using AC control.
Keep Food and Drinks Away
Technology is incredibly vulnerable to grime, dirt, dust, crumbs, and especially liquids. Hence, it’s important to exercise caution whenever you’re eating or drinking near your portable monitor. Even better: try not to eat or drink anywhere near your portable monitor.
Clean It Regularly
Lastly, keeping your portable monitor clean is one of the best ways to preserve its quality. You can do this by doing a deep clean when you find that your monitor’s buttons begin to become sticky. On the other hand, you can also keep it in its case to keep the grime away.
