Portable monitors have seen a popularity surge in recent years. While the tech isn't new, many professionals, creatives, freelancers, and even students have started to add them to their laptop setups since they are compact and easy to carry around, unlike regular monitors. These smaller displays connect via USB-C and mini HDMI, meaning you can use them with almost any device, from the best gaming laptops and tablets to smartphones and standard work laptops. Some even come with batteries, allowing you to enjoy consistent productivity and media playback without impacting your laptop's battery. You get most of the features you'd find in a typical monitor, and the one advantage that regular monitors don't have - on-the-go flexibility.

Thanks to their increasing popularity, most manufacturers now have at least one portable monitor in their collection. This means you have a lot of options to sort through if you intend to get one. Not to worry, though; we've scoured the market and made a list of the best options. Whether you need the ideal monitor for your creative process, a second screen for your gaming laptop, a display to help you monitor your stocks, or a budget screen to help you research efficiently, you'll find the ideal pick in the list below.

Best portable displays in 2023

ASUS ROG Strix XG16AHPE
ASUS ROG Strix XG16AHPE
Best overall

Perfect secondary monitor for anyone

$330 $350 Save $20

The Asus ROG Strix XG16AHPE is a top-notch portable monitor for gaming and productivity. It has a quality IPS display, versatile connectivity options, and excellent performance with its 144Hz refresh rate.

Pros
  • Offers a high refresh rate
  • Integrated battery included
  • Compatible with NVIDIA G-Sync
Cons
  • A bit pricey for a 15.6-inch display
  • Kickstand could be of better quality

Considered by many to be the perfect small screen for gaming, the Asus ROG Strix XG16AHPE is also one of the top options for increased efficiency and productivity. It features a 15.6-inch 1920x1080 display with a 16:9 aspect ratio, meaning you get enough real estate whether you're working or gaming. Its 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time make it speedy for gamers, providing low input lag and pristine motion with an almost imperceptible blur when encountering fast-moving objects.

You can connect this portable display via USB-C and mini-HDMI, so you don't have to worry about incompatibility when connecting to a laptop, camera, console, or tablet. Also, thanks to its 97.7% sRGB coverage, you'll get beautiful and precise colors, and its G-Sync support allows for an unrestricted gaming experience. And since its brightness peaks at 300 nits, using it outdoors and indoors won't be a problem.

Additionally, this monitor has an integrated battery that lasts about three hours if you activate the 144Hz refresh rate. While the battery power might be on the lower side, it should be good enough for quick gaming or work tasks. To make things better, the monitor's quick-charge feature ensures that it can be used for another 2 hours after charging it for just one hour. The price might be high, but there's no denying the fact that it is one of the best to work with because it features a bit of everything you'll need.

UPERFECT-portable-monitor
UPERFECT 17.3” Portable 4K IPS Monitor
Premium Pick

Detailed color and sharpness

This UPerfect 4K monitor is ideal for content creators, gamers, and creatives looking for the perfect IPS display. With its stunning 4K resolution, 500 nits of brightness, and a three-year warranty, you'll be able to handle your tasks with ease and efficiency.

Pros
  • Ideal for a variety of applications
  • Supports VESA mounts
  • Offers stunning visuals and HDR support
Cons
  • Doesn't have a battery
  • Sound could be better

You'll easily love the UPerfect 17.3-inch 4K display, whether you're a creative, gamer, professional, or content creator. It has a spacious 17.3-inch IPS screen with a 3840x2160 resolution, bringing life and color to every menu, object, and icon projected from your computer. This monitor also supports 100% Adobe RGB, ensuring you can get the utmost accuracy and vibrancy while creating. Pair that with the 500 nits of brightness, and you get a layer of brilliance that makes every scene vivid and clear.

Connecting this monitor to your computer is easy as it comes with the standard HDMI and USB-C ports, ensuring you enjoy excellent stability and better bandwidth than mini HDMI ports. While it isn't the lightest option in the room at 1.9 pounds, it's pretty thin at 0.47 inches, so carrying it around for on-the-go productivity or gaming won't be an issue. Also, it offers great adaptability as you can pair it with a 75x75mm VESA mount for an improved workflow, whether in landscape or portrait modes. You get a PU magnetic cover out of the box, and its three-year warranty ensures your investment is protected.

MNN-portable-monitor
MNN 15.6-inch portable monitor
Best Value

A low-cost game changer

The MNN 15.6-inch portable monitor is a lightweight monitor that offers exceptional performance for its price. It's perfect for productivity and entertainment, so whether you're looking for a cheap work option or a monitor to stream your shows and sports, this MNN portable monitor is worth considering.

Pros
  • Offers good brightness levels
  • Comes with a lifetime warranty
  • Very affordable
Cons
  • Doesn't have a battery
  • Resets brightness levels once disconnected

This MNN portable monitor is worth considering because it's portable, colorful, lightweight, and easy to use. Best of all, it's affordable. It has a 1080p 15.6-inch IPS display that supports up to a 178-degree viewing angle, ensuring that you can view your content from multiple angles with no issues. Setting up the monitor is easy; all you have to do is plug it into your laptop via one of its USB-C ports, and you're good to go. However, your device should support Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.1 Type C DP for excellent video playback on this monitor.

This monitor offers HDR support, so you can enjoy excellent color representations when streaming, gaming, or working. You get a smart PU leather cover to help keep the monitor safe from daily mishaps and act as a stand to view content in landscape and portrait modes. It weighs 2.1 pounds and is 0.3 inches thick, so you won't have a problem carrying it in your laptop sleeve or backpack.

Once you're used to a dual-monitor setup, it can be hard to go back, so a portable monitor is a great way to get a similar experience anywhere. This 15.6-inch monitor has Full HD resolution and built-in speakers. It connects using a single USB-C cable so it's easy to set up, though it also has Mini HDMI.
Lepow Z1 Portable Monitor
Best for entertainment

Superb text clarity and multitasking capabilities

$130 $160 Save $30

The Lepow Z1 is a mid-range portable monitor that works with various devices and also has built-in speakers, a 3.5mm audio jack, and different connectivity options. You'll love having this display as your portable office monitor.

Pros
  • On-screen display menu is intuitive and easy to navigate
  • Features mini-HDMI and USB-C connectivity options
  • Great price
Cons
  • Image quality is substandard
  • Colors are dull

If you're looking for a low-cost office portable monitor, then the LePow Z1 is one of the most optimal choices. It has a large 15.6-inch display with relatively small bezels, providing enough space for work and entertainment. The 1080p resolution ensures that you can get great colors, though that won't match a lot of our other picks in terms of image quality. However, you can use the OSD menu to recalibrate the colors.

The brightness here peaks at about 240 nits, even though Lepow says it's 300 nits. Either way, you might find it difficult to use it in direct light. But the Z1 supports HDR, which translates to better video versatility. You can connect your devices via the mini-HDMI port and two USB-C ports. One of the two USB ports supports 5W power delivery, so you can use your monitor to charge small devices like your smartphone. It also has built-in speakers, which will get the job done for video watching even if the sound is thin.

Weighing just 1.76 pounds and having a slim 0.3-inch profile, carrying this monitor with you on your business travels won't be a problem. Keep in mind that you'll be sharing power from your device with this monitor since it doesn't come with a built-in battery. But overall, this portable monitor is a good deal for the wallet-friendly cost.

New Project-53
Lenovo ThinkVision M14d
Best for productivity

The model for an improved workflow

Boost your productivity with the Lenovo M14d's 14-inch display, lightweight design, 16:10 aspect ratio, and 2440x1400 high resolution. It's the ideal monitor for your presentations and meetings.

Pros
  • High 2440x1400 resolution
  • Portable and lightweight
  • 16:10 aspect ratio makes it perfect for productivity
Cons
  • No touch support
  • High price tag
  • No built-in speakers

The Lenovo M14d is a top-of-the-line portable monitor that's built for productivity. This external display provides enough room and clarity to do as much work as you'd like, featuring an uncommon 16:10 aspect ratio and a high resolution of 2440x1400. The screen boasts 300 nits peak brightness, which should be fine for many lighting conditions.

The M14d is a slim and lightweight display. It's actually thinner than most modern smartphones when closed and weighs just 1.3 pounds. Thanks to this portability, you can travel with your secondary monitor without worrying about adding too much weight to your backpack. And to make things better, Lenovo added a carrying case to the mix for easy travel.

On the port side, the M14d has only two USB-C ports, so you may want to choose an alternative if you need a mini-HDMI port, which you can find on other options. It also doesn't have built-in batteries or speakers, making it a bummer for video watching. Also, the refresh rate peaks at 60Hz, so gamers might want to look at other monitors with better refresh rates. Despite its downsides, the Lenovo M14d is still a great productivity display thanks to its aspect ratio, bright and vivid display, color accuracy, and portability.

LG Gram +View
LG Gram +View
Best 2K monitor

Quality display meets excellent build

The LG Gram +View has a 2560x1600 resolution, a 16-inch screen, and a 16:10 aspect ratio. If you're a professional who's always on the go, you won't be disappointed with this monitor's clarity.

Pros
  • Great color performance
  • Excellent build quality
  • Display is better than most competitors
Cons
  • Low refresh rate and slow response time
  • Pricey for a portable monitor

The LG Gram +View is a portable monitor you'll love at first sight just by looking at its display and build quality. It's a 16-inch screen with minimal bezels that provide enough room for productivity and creativity. Carrying it around won't be a hassle as it only weighs 2.18 pounds and measures about 0.3 inches in thickness. And it features a folio cover that works as a stand when folded in a triangle.

Connecting this portable monitor to a laptop is as easy as pie; all you have to do is plug in a USB-C cable, and you're good to go. Unfortunately, the +View only comes with a 60Hz refresh rate and 30ms response time, which are substandard for gaming. Plus, there's no built-in speaker either.

However, the 2460x1600 WQXGA resolution, 350 cd/m2 brightness, and 1200:1 contrast ratio compensate for its shortcomings by offering excellent text clarity, brightness, and contrast. Since it supports 100% sRGB, 99% DCI-P3, and a deltaE average of 1.99, you can get some content creation and editing work done without problems. If you're a professional who is keen on getting a secondary display that is beautiful, functional, and has a sharp screen with top-notch image quality, then the +View is an option to consider.

Viewsonic's 15.6-inch IPS portable monitor
Viewsonic 15.6-inch IPS portable monitor
Best no-frills option

Affordable and easy to setup

$125 $150 Save $25

The Viewsonic VA1655 is the ideal productivity accessory for anyone who wants a lightweight, portable, plug-and-play monitor at a reasonably low price. You can carry this monitor with you to expand your workspace or create more room to enjoy some movies and gaming on the go.

Pros
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Relatively cheap
Cons
  • Speakers are too thin
  • Slow reaction time

For many freelancers, it's crucial to find computing accessories that are functional and on budget. The Viewsonic VA1655 is one accessory that achieves the perfect balance, providing excellent functionality at a low cost. This monitor features a 1920x1080 display and 250 nits of peak brightness, so it's easy to read texts, view pictures, and watch videos. It is a versatile 15.6-inch display that works with Mac, Windows, and Android 10+, so you can use it almost anywhere. Hooking this display up to your computer is simple; just connect both devices via one of the two USB-C ports or the mini-HDMI port, and you're good to go.

While the monitor does have touchscreen support, its touch functionality isn't reliable; you may experience difficulties using touch inputs when you connect this monitor to a MacBook. The VA1655 also has integrated speakers, but they are not of the best quality. Unfortunately, the reaction time on this monitor is also slow, so gamers should consider selecting a different monitor. Additionally, the volume controls are not easily accessible; you'll need to open your settings menu to control the speakers' volume.

However, despite its downsides, the VA1655 is still a good option for the price. You'll get a protective sleeve, 60W charging over one of its USB-C cables, and a durable kickstand to view your content in portrait and landscape modes. It's also lightweight at 1.5 pounds and has a thickness of 0.7 inches, so taking it with you on your travels, picnics, and sleepovers, won't be a problem.

Nexigo NG17FGQ 300Hz
Nexigo NG17FGQ 300Hz
Best for gaming

Provides a more responsive and smoother experience

The Nexigo NG17FGQ is the portable monitor you'll want if a quick response time and high refresh rate are critical for your daily routine. Gamers will love having this display as their secondary monitor.

Pros
  • Superb gaming performance and video processing
  • High refresh rate and low input lag
  • Excellent color accuracy
Cons
  • Doesn't have an internal battery
  • Expensive

When most people decide to purchase monitors with a 300Hz refresh rate, they immediately start browsing through desktop monitors. Nexigo intruded on that notion and created the NG17FGQ, a smaller, portable monitor with a 300Hz refresh rate. This display is a 1080p 17.3-inch screen that connects to laptops and other devices via USB-C and HDMI, providing enough real estate for your games and work and the most suitable connection for your computer type (new-gen and older laptops).

However, to get the full 300Hz, you'll need USB-C connectivity and full bandwidth capabilities. But if you use HDMI connectivity, you'll get a 240Hz refresh rate instead, which is still superb for a portable monitor. This refresh rate and its 3ms response time are excellent for gaming, and the monitor can even get great color accuracy once properly calibrated. Also, since it comes with 300 nits of peak brightness, you'll be able to see your opponents, maps, and other in-game properties easily.

This Nexigo monitor also has dual speakers, allowing you to enjoy some quality tunes on the go. The OSD menu is easy to navigate thanks to the remote included in the package. It doesn't feature an integrated battery, so you will need an external power source. While it isn't the lightest monitor on this list, its thickness of 0.39 inches and weight of 2.13 pounds shouldn't be a problem when you're taking it to game with friends. Whether you're an avid gamer or a productivity aficionado, you will find this monitor useful for your games and tasks.

Asus ProArt portable monitor on a transparent background
ASUS ProArt PA148CTV 14-inch Portable Monitor
Best for creatives

Your photo and video editing companion

The Asus ProArt PA148CTV is the best portable monitor for creative professionals thanks to its color accuracy, sharp pictures, touch support, and good battery life.

Pros
  • Features quality touchscreen calibration
  • Excellent color reproduction
  • Intuitive menu controls
Cons
  • 60Hz refresh rate makes it subpar for gaming
  • Expensive

The PA148CTV has a peak brightness of 300 nits; combine that with its anti-glare technology and reflection handling, and you get a monitor that can be used anywhere, even in well-lit scenarios. It's 0.47 inches thick and weighs just 1.43 pounds, which means that you can carry it with you for on-the-go creation and idea generation. On the connectivity front, this monitor has two USB-C ports and one micro HDMI port, allowing it to be used with modern laptops or older computers. While the 60Hz refresh rate doesn't make it a good option for hardcore gamers, it's still perfect for casual players.

But you're here because you use Adobe products like Photoshop or Premiere Pro, and for that, the ProArt PA148CTV is excellent. This monitor is actually integrated with Adobe products, making it the ideal control panel for software like Photoshop. It also promises excellent color accuracy, with 100% sRGB/Rec.709. We've used other ProArt monitors and found they're great at producing color, so that should still be the case with the portable option.

However, there's no integrated battery here, and Mac users may have a hard time using this model since its touch input is often deactivated once it's connected to a Mac computer, and some properties, such as fonts, may load poorly.

Finger on ASUS Zenscreen MB16AMT touchscreen monitor
ASUS ZenScreen MB16AMT
Best battery-powered

Great for on-the-go entertainment and productivity

$350 $379 Save $29

If longer battery life, good brightness, touch support, and 60Hz refresh rate are what you're looking for, the Asus MB16AMT monitor should be at the top of your list.

Pros
  • High-capacity battery
  • 10-point touch support
  • Excellent brightness and contrast ratio
Cons
  • Colors are somewhat dull
  • Touch support not precise for creatives

The Asus ZenScreen MB16AMT is a popular portable monitor for two reasons. The first is that it features a multi-touch screen that supports interactive pen inputs, allowing you to be precise when working. The second is its gigantic 7,800mAh battery, which can last up to four hours at full brightness and over five hours at moderate brightness.

This 15.6-inch display features a 1080p resolution with a peak brightness of 250 nits, providing enough screen space to work smoothly and an excellent viewing experience, although you may have some difficulty using this monitor in direct sunlight. Connection-wise, this monitor has one micro-HDMI connector and a hybrid-signal USB-C connector that'll connect to many devices. It works with cameras, gaming consoles, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Consider that while the touchscreen is excellent for general-purpose use, creatives may not like it since it doesn't feature the precision needed for such tasks. The monitor also has limited color coverage, which means that some colors, such as red and purple, will likely look dull. It's also a tad heavy for a portable monitor at 1.9 pounds, even though its thickness of 0.4 inches makes it easy to slide into backpacks and purses. That said, this monitor is still a great option, even though the price is a bit high.

Best portable monitors in 2023: Wrapping up

This list contains many great portable monitors that should fill your needs and budget. However, if you're looking for the ideal model, the Asus ROG Strix XG16AHPE is it. It caters to gamers, professionals, and regular users and is widely available. From a 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time to a quality 1080p display and accurate touch support, the XG16AHPE has a lot going on and is sure to please just about anyone.

ASUS ROG Strix XG16AHPE
ASUS ROG Strix XG16AHPE
Best overall

The ASUS ROG Strix XG16AHPE is a top-notch portable monitor for gaming and productivity. It comes with a quality IPS display, versatile connectivity options, and excellent performance with its 144Hz refresh rate.

If you are big on efficiency and want a monitor that focuses on productivity, the MNN portable monitor is a good option for those with task-oriented needs and who are on a budget. But let's not forget the creatives out there. The ASUS ProArt PA148CTV fills their secondary monitor needs, providing the best color accuracy, color reproduction, and touch accuracy. So, there really is a monitor option out there for everyone.