Whether you are editing video, touching up photos, or creating documents, a single screen can streamline your productivity. When working remotely or on the go, it is important to be able to work from wherever you are. Working from a laptop is not the most productive and is where a portable monitor is beneficial. Usually the same screen size as a laptop, portable monitors make working on the go easier and provide extra screen space to work. Most products support USB-C connectivity, so images can be displayed as soon as they are turned on. There are some drawbacks, however, and these include lower peak brightness and poorer color than regular desktop monitors, which means that the image quality is not as good on most portable monitors and they are better used as secondary screens. We have purchased and tested portable monitors and below you will find our recommendations for the best portable monitors for laptops for use on the go.
Here is the list of Best Portable Monitors For Laptops
ASUS ProArt PA148CTV
The best portable monitors for laptops we tested is the ASUS ProArt PA148CTV. It’s a so-so choice if you want to use it for productivity and office work, and like other portable monitors, it doesn’t give you the same picture quality as a desktop monitor. But it’s still good enough overall to have as a second display for a laptop, and its 1080p resolution and 14-inch screen give you plenty of room for a full window, and the text clarity is excellent due to the high pixel density. It also has excellent accuracy after calibration, better than most portable monitors, and is adequate for any job that requires accurate color. Fortunately, the monitors are solidly built, with kickstands for adjusting the screen angle. Connectivity is easy with two USB-C ports, each with DisplayPort Alt Mode support, plus a Micro-HDMI input, which is ideal if your laptop does not support USB-C. It also has a touch screen, but unfortunately it is not very responsive and does not work with macOS devices, making it not that useful.
NexiGo 300Hz NG17FGQ Portable Monitor
When one thinks of a display with a 300 Hz refresh rate, one usually thinks of a desktop monitor with full HD resolution. However, Nexigo offers something on a smaller scale in the form of the NG17FGQ. This is a 17.3″ portable monitor with a 300 Hz refresh rate that connects to a laptop or desktop via HDMI or USB-C To take advantage of the fast 300 Hz refresh rate, you need a full bandwidth feature-enabled The NG17FGQ’s gaming performance is excellent overall, and with panel calibration, it can produce amazing color. The NG17FGQ’s overall gaming performance is excellent and can produce stunning colors when the panel is calibrated. Its overall quality means it can be tossed in a bag while traveling, and the Nexigo also comes with a handy remote control for operating the on-screen display (OSD). With stereo speakers to listen to music, the NG17FGQ will be a great travel companion for gamers and productivity-minded individuals.
SideTrak Solo 4k Portable Monitor
Easily one of the best portable monitors for laptops available on the market, the SideTrak Solo is a standalone portable monitor, unlike most other models from this company that attach to your computer screen. The Solo is one of the most expensive models we have seen, but it also has all the features you need in a monitor Packs – 4K resolution, with touchscreen and built-in speakers. It connects to your computer with a single cable and has a built-in blue light filter to reduce eye fatigue. High Dynamic Range (HDR), Dynamic Contrast Ratio (DCR), and AMD FreeSync modes allow you to seamlessly switch from business to movies and games and see everything in rich, vibrant colors and detailed clarity. You can even connect this monitor to any computer, smartphone or tablet, plus console games, like Sony PlayStation or Microsoft Xbox. All this comes in a package that weighs 2.9 pounds – which is the same as some lightweight laptops.
Intehill Portable 4K monitor
The Intehill 4K Portable Monitor is a well-made monitor with plenty of ports. It may come as a shock, however, that there is no power supply in the box. There is no kickstand, but the magnetic support and cover make up for it, allowing this monitor to be used as is and not necessarily require additional accessories. This 13.4-inch screen boasts 4K resolution and has accurate IPS hardware. You will need to procure a 30-45W USB-C charger to power this display (if not running via a single Thunderbolt), but once that is taken care of, this monitor works fairly easily.
ASUS ROG Strix XG17AHPE
Portable gaming monitors are not as common as portable monitors for work, but you can still find some choices. If you are interested in one, the ASUS ROG Strix XG17AHPE is a great choice. It is mainly used for gaming on the go or when your main display is too small and you need something on the side. It is a great gaming monitor, especially considering its size, because its extremely fast refresh rate of 240 Hz and excellent response time make it clear with almost no noticeable blur behind fast-moving objects. It also stands out for its low input latency, which makes for a highly responsive gaming experience. Support for variable refresh rate technology FreeSync and support for NVIDIA’s G-SYNC ensure a tear-free gaming experience from almost any source. if you don’t think you need a 240Hz refresh rate, the ASUS ROG Strix XG16HPE is 144Hz refresh rate and is cheaper and better suited for gaming, but the XG17AHPE still has a faster response time and is better suited for use as a portable gaming monitor. Overall, it is one of the best portable monitors for laptops that you can buy.
Asus ZenScreen Go MB16AWP
Asus has pulled out all the stops with its 15.6-inch Full HD portable monitor ZenScreen Go MB16AWP. At first glance, it looks like a run-of-the-mill entry in this segment with its Full HD IP panel and 60Hz refresh rate, but Asus has included a number of features that make this product unique. For starters, it has a built-in 7,800mAh battery that can run for three hours before needing to be recharged. Another feature of the ZenScreen Go MB16AWP is its built-in Wi-Fi connectivity; with Wi-Fi enabled, you can connect the device’s screen without the need for a USB-C or HDMI cable. When Wi-Fi is enabled, the screen of the device can be mirrored on the ZenScreen Go MB16AWP without the need to connect a USB-C or HDMI cable. Combine this with the built-in battery and you have a completely wireless experience with this portable monitor, which Asus offers broad compatibility with support for Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Android, and iOS operating systems. Overall, this is one of the best portable monitors for laptops that you can buy right now.
Innocn 15A1F Portable monitor
The 15A1F is one of the least expensive OLED portable monitors you can buy, with an asking price under $400. What you get for that money is a beautifully designed, lightweight screen that offers very punchy colors and excellent levels of contrast. However, every inch of the screen is 15.6 inches and has a resolution of 1920 x 1080. This may not be large enough for designers or colorists. If these limitations are not a problem, it is certainly an excellent design, with a magnetic stand that can be used in both portrait and landscape mode, and inputs that support both HDMI and USB-C connections. Ideally, we would have liked to see a region-independent USB-C power supply included, a soft carry case, and a less glossy finish on the screen. All of these, however, would have undoubtedly made the 15A1F more expensive.
Newsoul MDS-15608
The Newsoul MDS-15608 is one of the lowest-priced budget monitors available for a multi-input model, capable of displaying content at 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, 60 Hz refresh rate, and 16:9 aspect ratio. It comes with a wall mount and a foldable screen cover for both vertical and horizontal placement. The screen has a 178-degree viewing angle, useful for sharing what is displayed on the screen with others, as in a PowerPoint presentation. The connection between the monitor and laptop uses a USB Type-C port for power supply and image transfer. A second USB Type-C port and an OTG Micro-USB port are also provided for connecting additional peripherals. Dual stereo speakers provide 360-degree spatial audio, a rarity for such a compact unit.
Final Words
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best portable monitors for laptops use currently available. They are adapted to be effective for most people in each price range. The ratings are based on our reviews, price considerations, and feedback from our visitors. If you prefer to make your own decision, here is a list of all of our portable monitor reviews. Be careful not to get caught up in too much detail. Most monitors are good enough to satisfy most people, and those on the monitors we fault are often not remarkable unless you are really looking for them.
