You’re out traveling, taking a photo of a lifetime, and only have a 2 to 3 inch LCD to look through your photos. You can’t really tell exactly how great the photo is without seeing it on your laptop, but that just requires even more equipment to be taken out. Well, good thing there are portable monitors. A portable monitor is a great option if you’re a photographer, gamer, or movie enthusiast that travels a lot.
You might ask, “why do I need a portable monitor when I have a laptop?: Well, there are many reasons! You can use a portable monitor as a second monitor for your laptop, you can show off your brand new photos with a high-quality resolution, and you can even connect your phone on the portable monitor. What are you waiting for, check out our list of the best portable monitors?
Best Portable Monitors
Are you looking for the best portable monitors? Here is a list of the best portable monitors that fit each of your different types of needs:
G-STORY 15.6 Inch UHD 4K IPS Portable Gaming Monitor
The G-Story 15.6 Inch portable gaming monitor is easy to set up, has no noticeable input lag, and a great picture. The number one factor if you’re a gamer who is always traveling is input lag. Most portable monitors don’t offer FreeSync (technology that reduces lag time). This is by far the best portable gaming monitor on the market that supports 4k gaming. The G-Story portable gaming monitor has a USB-C and HDMI port so you can display your laptop, phone, or console.
Specs:
| Dimensions | 15.6 x 9.8 x 1 inches |
| Max Resolution | 3840×2160 |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Weight | 2.54 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 6.05 pounds |
| ASIN | B07HF6TLPC |
Lepow 15.6 Inch IPS Portable Monitor
The Lepow 15.6 Inch portable monitor is extremely lightweight at 1.76 lbs and supports 1080p native resolution. If you’re not a fan of using headphones then this portable monitor may be a great option because it has two built-in speakers. For a portable monitor, the Lepow covers everything a traveler needs: high-quality image, priced appropriately, lightweight, supports USB-C, and mini HDMI.
Specs:
| Dimensions | 14.5 x 8.8 x 0.34 inches |
| Resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Weight | 1.7 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 4.3 pounds |
| ASIN | B07V1SQ966 |
Lenovo ThinkVision M14 14 Inch Portable Monitor
The Lenovo ThinkVision M14 is an extremely lightweight portable monitor weighing at 1.26 pounds. For how low weight the portable monitor is it’s surprising that they pack a decent size screen at 14 inches while still supporting high definition at 1080p and a 6 ms response time. It’s pretty easy to transport as it fits a briefcase that holds a laptop and a portable monitor.
Make sure you get a proper cushion to protect the portable monitor screen from getting scratched when you travel with it. You won’t be disappointed if you purchase the Lenovo ThinkVision M14 portable monitor as it’s lightweight, priced well, supports high definition video and has a reasonable response time.
Specs:
| Dimensions | 15.7 x 10.8 x 2.4 inches |
| Max Resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 14 inches |
| Weight | 1.26 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 3.65 pounds |
| ASIN | B07YX5NKK2 |
ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC 15.6 Inch Portable Monitor
If you’re traveling a lot and deal with a lot of time zone changes then you probably go through a lot of fatigue, especially eye fatigue. The biggest advantage that the ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC provides is ASUS’s eye care and flicker free technology that reduces eye fatigue. This is important if you need to work extended hours or get headaches when you’re on the computer.
We’re not medical professionals so we can’t really comment on the benefits, but when using the monitor we absolutely loved the crisp image. The biggest con of the portable monitor is that it doesn’t support many different connection types. Make sure that all your gear supports USB-C before purchasing it and prepare to have adapters if you don’t. The portable monitor does not come with speakers either so it’s a deal-breaker if you don’t have headphones.
Specs:
| Dimensions | 8.9 x 14.2 x 0.3 inches |
| Max Resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Weight | 1.72 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 6.55 pounds |
| ASIN | B071S84ZW7 |
Thinlerain 15.6 inch 4K Portable Gaming Monitor
The best thing about the Thinlerain 15.6 portable monitor is that it supports 4k resolution at a fair price. Most 4k portable monitors are a bit on the high end but if you’re looking for a budget 4k portable monitor then this is the one to go. If you’re a console gamer where resolution is important then this is the monitor for you. The portable monitor also supports many different connection types so you don’t have to worry about buying converters. The monitor comes with USB-C, mini DP, and mini HDMI ports as well as speakers.
Specs:
| Dimensions | 17.1 x 11.1 x 2.4 inches |
| Max Resolution | 3840×2160 |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Weight | 4.37 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 4.37 pounds |
| ASIN | B07TTMRGGZ |
Raspberry Pi Touchscreen Monitor, 7” IPS
The Raspberry Pi Touchscreen Monitor is a very versatile monitor that is perfect for the kinds of out-of-the-box use cases for the Raspberry Pi computer itself. This monitor comes with a 5-point capacitive touchscreen. A stylus is included, but it can also be used with multi-touch gestures. Supporting Plug n Play and widely compatible, the Raspberry Pi Touchscreen Monitor makes a good portable monitor, but can also function as a stationary mounted panel or hub for a smart home. When pairing a portable, touch-friendly monitor with the immense versatility of the raspberry pi computer, the mind is the only limit when considering uses.
Specs:
| Dimensions | 6.5 x 4.8 x 0.5 inches |
| Max Resolution | 1024×600 |
| Screen Size | 7 inches |
| Weight | 0.52 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 1.6 pounds |
| ASIN | B07VNX4ZWY |
UPERFECT 4K 15.6 Inch Portable Monitor
The second you turn on the UPERFECT 4K portable monitor you will notice the incredible image and color quality. By far the best image quality we’ve seen of any portable monitor we’ve tested. The contrast ratio is 1:000 to 1 and has over 16.7 million colors. The technology that UPERFECT provides with their portable monitor is absolutely incredible. Depending on how you hold your phone, the monitor will switch from vertical to horizontal view or vice versa. The biggest disadvantage of the UPERFET 4k portable monitor is the cost, but if you’re looking for image quality and technology then this is a great choice.
Specs:
| Dimensions | 13.9 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches |
| Max Resolution | 3840×2160 |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Weight | 2.05 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 4.4 pounds |
| ASIN | B083ZFG1PF |
AUZAI 15.6-Inch 1080P Full HD Portable Monitor
The Auzai Full HD Portable Monitor is a great monitor for those with a keen eye. Displaying 1920 x 1080 Full HD content and supporting High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, this monitor offers a broad spectrum of colors at a high-limit contrast ratio. It also comes with IPS technology that allows for a wider viewing angle. Flickering is eliminated with this portable monitor, giving your eyes a rest from the flicker of some competitors.
Specs:
| Dimensions | 13.9 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches |
| Max Resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Weight | 4.05 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 4.05 pounds |
| ASIN | B07YTNYT11 |
Thinlerain 18.4 inch Portable 4K Gaming Monitor
If you don’t have a large budget but still want a screen larger than most laptops while maintaining portability then the Thinlerain is the right portable monitor for you. The portable monitor has an incredible response time of 2 ms, and supports 4k resolution.
Not only does it have built in speakers, it also has many connection port options: USB-C, mini DP, and dual mini HDMI. With just a 0.3 inch profile, this ultra-portable monitor will be very easy to carry alongside a laptop. Made of aluminum alloy, the Thinlerain Portable Gaming Monitor features a high 800:1 contrast ratio for a super vivid picture.
Specs:
| Dimensions | 21.3 x 13.3 x 3.4 inches |
| Max Resolution | 3840×2160 |
| Screen Size | 18.4 inches |
| Weight | 5.51 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 5.51 pounds |
| ASIN | B082ZZBH31 |
ASUS MB169B+ 15.6 inch
The Asus MB169B+ is a very sleek monitor. It has a metallic finish and comes with a 2-way adjustable stand and protective sleeve to prevent scratches. The MB169B+ only needs a single USB 3.0 cable for power and data transmission, keeping your desk free from additional power cables that other monitors need. This monitor also includes a blue light filter to reduce eye strain and prevent from disrupting the user’s circadian rhythm.
Specs:
| Dimensions | 18.3 x 9.29 x 0.33 inches |
| Max Resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Weight | 1.76 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 4.28 pounds |
| ASIN | B013XFJKGI |
What is a Portable Monitor?
A portable monitor is just what it sounds like: a monitor made portable. This usually entails a collapsible stand, as opposed to the bulky stands protruding from normal monitors. Depending on the monitor, it may be battery or cable powered. These monitors can support computers, phones/tablets, or potentially both. They have a variety of uses ranging from providing a larger primary display for mobile devices, to enable a second monitor for presentations or collaboration.
Related: Best Laptop Docking Stations
What Makes a Good Portable Monitor?
Weight – The portable monitor isn’t so portable if it’s heavy. Weight plays an extremely important factor when choosing a portable monitor. The lighter the portable monitor the easier it is to take around which is arguably the most important reason why anyone would choose a portable monitor.
Size – Similar to weight, size plays an important factor in portability. The dimensions of the portable monitor determine what kind of container it should be transported in – whether a purse, laptop bag, or backpack. This also depends on if you’re using the monitor as a display for your phone vs your laptop.
Resolution – Just like with regular monitors, you want a high resolution as it allows for more desktop space for computers. Increased video resolution and video game resolution also translate into better visual quality.
Color – There are a variety of factors related to color. The contrast ratio is the ratio of luminance of the brightest color (white) to the darkest color (black). A higher contrast ratio is generally more desirable as it means a more vivid display. Brightness is another, fairly straightforward factor. There’s also color gamut, which refers to the range of colors that can be displayed by the monitor.
Response Time – Response time refers to the time it takes for the monitor to change a pixel from one color to another – typically from black, to white, back to black again.
Connections – There are many different connection types: HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, DVI, Mini USB-C, etc. Everyone owns different types of electronics and these electronics are not always universal. If your technology doesn’t support HDMI, then a portable monitor that carries HDMI may not be of value to it. Typically the good portable monitors will have multiple connections like USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort.
Related: Best Gaming Mouse Pads
Final thoughts
Choosing the right portable monitor seems like a simple task but there’s many parts you might overlook. We put a list of portable monitors that we think are the best that fit a diverse amount of needs. To some, money isn’t an issue so if they would prefer quality and portability. To others, they just need the most affordable option without worrying too much about other factors such as resolution, and screen size. If you love gaming, and you have an ultrawide monitor or a monitor you can’t carry around then a portable gaming monitor would be the right option for you.
