Q&A What

What type of screen technology do the less expensive portable devices and desktop monitors use?

It’s no secret that a good monitor can greatly increase work productivity. When used side-by-side with your laptop screen, a monitor can double your screen real estate. But how about when you want to create more flexibility in your mobile work setup without adding a lot of bulk or weight? That’s where portable monitors come in. And whether you’re working from your a hotel room or the corner coffee shop, the best portable monitors make multitasking across screens a breeze.

allows you to multitask and offers plenty of extra on-screen real estate.

ViewSonic

Portable monitors typically come in sizes that pair well with laptop computers—say, 14 to 16 inches—and at a baseline resolution of 1080 pixels. The larger you go in screen size, or the more screens you add, the heavier the portable monitor will be. Some monitors stand apart with 4K resolution, a touchscreen display, a fast refresh rate or some combination of all three. Some cut down on cable clutter by using a USB Type-C port for carrying both the display signal and power.

Some portable monitors use their own rechargeable battery for power, while others are powered by your notebook computer’s battery or an external power supply. Some stand on their own, and others attach to the back of your computer’s existing screen. But all help you do more, in less space, wherever you may be. To guide you in your search, we’ve narrowed down the best portable monitors available in 2022.

Best Portable Monitor Overall

Add An Extra 4K Resolution Touchscreen To Your Laptop

Editor’s Pick

Best for: People who need to view and work with digital images, video, graphics or other content in 4K resolution [3840 x 2160 pixels].

The SideTrak Solo is a free-standing portable monitor, unlike most other models from this company that attach to your computer screen. The Solo is among the priciest models we’ve seen, but it also packs all of the features and you could want in a monitor, with both 4K resolution and a touchscreen. It connects to your computer using a single cable, and also has a built in blue light filter to help reduce eye strain.

With high dynamic range [HDR], dynamic contrast ratio [DCR] and AMD FreeSync modes, switch seamlessly from business to watching movies or gaming—and seeing everything with rich, vivid colors and detailed clarity. You can even connect this monitor to a PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch, in addition to any computer, smartphone or tablet. All of this comes in a package that weighs just 2.9 pounds.

Pros:

Superior 4K resolution
Multiple connectivity ports and options
Built-in stereo speakers

Cons:

Amazon

Best for: Anyone seeking a low-cost, no-frills widescreen portable monitor for easy transport.

The Newsoul MDS-15608 monitor comes in at a budget price, one of the lowest we’ve seen for adding a second screen to your setup—especially for a model with multiple inputs on the monitor itself. It displays content at 1920 x 1080 resolution, with a refresh rate of 60Hz and a 16:9 aspect ratio. This highly affordable monitor comes with a wall mount and a foldable screen cover that doubles as a stand for either horizontal or vertical use. The screen has a 178-degree viewing angle, making it useful for sharing your screen with others.

The monitor connects to the laptop using a USB Type-C port for both power and imaging. It also has a second USB Type-C port, and an OTG Micro-USB port for connecting additional peripherals. Its dual stereo speakers deliver 360-degree spatial audio, unusual for such a compact unit. Whether you use this monitor for everyday computing tasks, viewing photos or videos or playing games, it delivers a second screen at an attractive price and low, 2 pound weight.

Pros:

Low cost
Lightweight
Lots of ports

Cons:

No touchscreen functionality

MOST POPULAR

Dell

Best for: Mobile users who prioritize weight and brightness, as this is one of the lightest and brightest portable monitors available.

All portable monitors are, by definition, easy to tote around. But this Dell 14 Portable Monitor C1422H was designed to take portability to the next level. At a mere 1.3 pounds, it won’t add much weight to your travel bag. And at 14-inches, this ’tweener size pairs well with most laptops 13-inches to 15.6 inches, without adding the extra heft and bulk of larger 15.6-inch portable monitors.

This screen also has a maximum brightness of 300 nits, brighter than some laptops and other portable monitors; to help prevent eye strain, it also has blue-light reduction built in. Without speakers or lots of ports, though, this monitor is all business, making it good for work but not play. It has just two USB Type-C ports, one on each side of the monitor’s adjustable base. The idea is that one port can be used to connect the monitor with your computer, while the other can be used to plug in a power adapter and utilize pass through power—both the computer and monitor simultaneously. This is one of the lightest portable monitors you’ll find anywhere.

Pros:

Lightweight
Dual USB Type-C ports

Cons:

No built-in speakers
No additional ports

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Amazon

Best for: Anyone who wants to be untethered for longer with this battery-powered, 15.6 inch portable display aimed at work tasks.

The Asus ZenScreen MB16AMT 15.6 Inch sets itself apart by having a built-in rechargeable battery inside its slim, 2-pound chassis. This monitor has 1920 x 1080 resolution at a 60Hz refresh rate and a 16:9 aspect ratio, and two 1W internal speakers. The 7800mAh battery lasts for up to four hours per charge.

The monitor adapts automatically to horizontal or vertical orientation. Its touchscreen works with Windows, Android and Chrome OS. The certified flicker-free backlit screen also has blue light filtering; together, these features work to mitigate eye fatigue. The included Smart Case protects the screen during transport, and folds out to create a multi-position tabletop stand.

Pros:

Has its own battery
Slimline design
Built-in speakers

Cons:

Amazon

Best for: Anyone who wants to add a touchscreen monitor to their portable setup at a reasonable price.

The ViewSonic TD1655 is a 15.6-inch touchscreen portable monitor at one of the best prices of any similar model from major manufacturers. This pick is one of the few touchscreen monitors to work with both Macs and PCs, thanks to ViewSonic’s vTouch driver: The driver enables full touch and gesture control on the display when paired with macOS Big Sur, Catalina and Monterey running on Intel and M1 chips. The touchscreen works without the driver on Windows 10 or newer computers with USB Type-C connectivity. While the monitor lacks its own built-in battery, it can either utilize your computer’s power supply or be plugged into an electrical outlet and power both the computer and monitor simultaneously.

The TD1655 has a 16:9 aspect ratio, and comes with a screen cover and a built-in stand for use in either horizontal or vertical orientation. It also comes with a passive stylus for use on the in-cell capacitive LED touchscreen. The screen is flicker-free, and has a blue light filter to reduce eyestrain. And it packs two 0.8W speakers, plus an impressive 250 nits of brightness.

Pros:

Touchscreen, with passive stylus
Includes cover which doubles as a stand

Cons:

Good Value

Best for: Illustrators, photographers or graphics professionals looking for an easy-to-carry, stylish option that’s both a design statement and a productivity tool.

Australian start-up Espresso Displays’ eponymous V2 model comes in 13- and 15.6-inch versions with a touchscreen, and a 13-inch version without touch. Espresso’s prices are a bit more than some competitors, but all models share the same stylish design aesthetic, plus a bevy of features other portable monitors don’t have.

Take the 15.6-inch touchscreen portable monitor, for example: It has a brushed aluminum and glass chassis and a super-slim, 0.2-inch thick design housing a 16:10 aspect ratio display and two USB Type-C ports. The maximum screen brightness is 300 nits, higher than many competitors and even some laptop displays.

This model works with a pressure-sensitive stylus, though the tool doesn’t come with monitor and costs an extra $79. However, the stylus supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity to closely mimic the feel of pen and pencil—making this a great choice for drawing or writing on screen.Other optional accessories include a choice of stands, the coolest one being the espressoStand, a $69 foldable magnetic stand for mounting the monitor for vertical or horizontal viewing. Last but not least, this pick is versatile: Espresso comes with its own software called Duet, allowing you to use the touchscreen on both Mac and PC laptops.

Pros:

Slim and light design
Magnetic attachment on back for a stand
Optional pressure sensitive stylus

Cons:

Accessories [such as stand and stylus] not included
Expensive

Best Features

Best for: Those who want the convenience of an extra screen attached to their laptop.

While this is a smaller size display than most, the SideTrak Swivel Portable Monitor design is very different than other portable monitors. This 12.5-inch monitor has a magnetic mounting frame to attach the screen to your laptop’s existing display, and it pulls out from behind the screen when needed. This approach makes it extremely easy to transport and ensures both displays are at the same height. You can manually adjust the SideTrack’s viewing angle, or rotate the monitor 360 degrees. If you’re looking for some detachment, the Swivel’s collapsible mounting frame also allows the monitor to stand on its own using a built-in kickstand.

This version of the SideTrak Swivel Portable Monitor is compatible with Windows or Mac laptops, with a built-in display between 13 inches and 17 inches. It is not, however, compatible with Microsoft Surface devices that have their own kickstand, or with many 2-in-1 laptops whose screens may be contorted in different positions. The 16:9 monitor’s refresh rate is 50Hz [most portable monitors are at 60Hz], but its brightness is higher than others, at a maximum of 300 nits. The unit comes with the mounting plates needed to attach it safely and securely to your computer.

Pros:

Lightweight and portable
Attaches to laptop

Cons:

No touchscreen or built-in speakers
Small screen size

Best for: Anyone who wants to add two additional displays to their laptop computer that’s sized between 12 and 20 inches.

The Xebec Tri-Screen 2 uses a mounting frame to attach two slide-out 10.1-inch displays to the back of your laptop’s existing screen. Each Xebec display slides out from behind your laptop—one on each side of your laptop’s display—thus creating a highly portable three-display work area. Installing these two monitors and its bracket requires the supplied frame clamps, but nothing extra like magnets or glue.

Each 16:10 aspect ratio display measures 6.5 millimeters thick, with 1920 x 1200 resolution at 60-hertz refresh rate. And each monitor can rotate 180 degrees. This setup is compatible with all Windows PCs, Macs and ChromeOS-based computers, yet it only adds two pounds to what you need to carry around.

Pros:

Easy setup
Lightweight
Simple to transport when attached to computer

Cons:

Some assembly required
Screen size is smaller than other portable monitors

When selecting a portable monitor, consider what how and where you expect to use the device. These details help determine your resolution and screen size requirements, as well as whether an attached screen might be a better choice. Let’s go through the important features and functions to look for in a portable monitor.

The Monitor’s Size And Weight

Consider the overall size and weight of the monitor, especially if you expect to carry it along with your laptop when on the road. Smaller screen sizes are lighter than larger ones, by nature. An attached monitor may make sense for its smaller and lighter size, and the fact that it travels well since it can be attached to your laptop’s screen.

As a secondary monitor used for multitasking, you may find a smaller size display will accommodate your work habits and need for extra portability. Meanwhile, if your work requires photo editing, writing, drawing or annotating, choosing a second monitor with a touchscreen display will be likely be beneficial.

Many portable monitors rely on your laptop’s power, unless they come with their own built-in battery. Some monitors have a second USB Type-C port, through which you can attach your own power source. If you’re using a monitor powered by your laptop, then expect your laptop’s battery supply to run low faster. And the monitor will drain power faster still if it’s 4K, since higher resolution displays require more power. Power might be one reason brightness suffers on a portable monitor, so we advise looking for monitors with LED backlight for a brighter display that’s usable in a well-lit environment.

In-Plane Switching [IPS]

This is technology used by monitors to produce better colors, and widen the display’s effective viewing angle. Especially if you'll be playing games, viewing graphic or video-based content, or working with high-resolution digital images, look for a monitor using IPS, and beware lower-cost models that use less capable display technologies.

Built-In Speakers

While some portable monitors have two tiny, low-powered speakers built-in, chances are the speakers built into your computer offer higher-quality audio. For the best audio experience, consider using headphones or wireless earbuds with noise cancellation, as opposed to relying on the audio that some of these portable monitors can generate. Check out our picks for the best wireless headphones and earbuds.

Price

In general, larger displays cost more. Higher resolution and faster refresh rates also add to the price of a portable monitor. Well-known brand names—like ViewSonic, ASUS, Lenovo or Dell—carry a small premium over some of the generic models you can find at Amazon and other e-tailers.

All non-touchscreen portable monitors can work with a Mac or a PC. Some models can work with other operating systems, such as ChromeOS or Linux, so double check the specs if you want to use the monitor with one of those operating systems. Touchscreen portable monitors are a bit trickier. All support have Windows, and some support additional operating systems including ChromeOS and Android. If you want to use the monitor with a Mac, look specifically for monitors with a dedicated driver or software to enable touch on the Mac. ViewSonic, Espresso and SideTrak all come with some variation of Mac software.

MacBook or iMac thanks to the SideCar feature.

Apple

If you’re a MacBook [or iMac] user and have an iPad tablet, the latest MacOS and iPadOS 15 operating systems have a Sidecar feature so you can use your iPad tablet as a second monitor for your computer—either with or without a cable.

What Is A Portable Monitor?

Portable monitors are small, compact and lightweight computer screens designed to be connected to your laptop computer to greatly expand the on-screen real estate available to run your favorite applications.

Most portable monitors rely on your laptop computer’s battery power to function, and require just one cable to link it with your computer, but this option will reduce your laptop computer’s battery life between charges. However, some portable monitors have their own built-in rechargeable battery. All are easy to transport and will likely fit within your existing laptop case or carry-on bag.

How Big Is A Portable Monitor?

The best portable monitors come in a wide range of sizes. The size you choose is a matter of personal preference and should be based on your work habits and needs, as well as how much you want to spend.

of your laptop computer's existing screen and provides a second screen.

SideTrak

Some portable monitors are extremely compact and provide an extra 12- to 14-inch display, although it’s more common for a portable monitor to offer at least a 15.6-inch display. A few displays go up to 17 inches. Displays larger still are more cumbersome to travel with and typically need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to function, making them less portable and more like a smaller desktop monitor.

As for thickness, most portable monitors are less than 0.5 inches and the monitors themselves weigh less than two pounds. Most come with a travel case or cover—making them very easy to transport with your laptop computer. Of course, this varies based on the screen size and model you choose.

Can You Connect A Desktop PC To A Portable Monitor?

Yes. Depending on the portable monitor, it will likely include a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable, a Mini-HDMI to HDMI cable and a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable, so you’ll have no trouble connecting it to either an HDMI or USB port that’s built into your PC. As soon as you plug a portable monitor into your computer, Windows or Mac identifies it as a display and it should work immediately. In some cases, however, you may need to download a free driver or adjust the System Display Settings [Windows] or Display System Preferences [Mac] on your computer for the portable monitor to function properly.

Do Portable Monitors Work With Any Laptop Computer?

With the proper drivers installed, almost any portable monitor will work with almost any Windows PC or MacOS-based laptop computer. For the best user experience, position the additional monitor directly to the side of your laptop computer’s existing monitor, making sure they’re both at the same height. Or, choose a vertical portrait orientation, so you can see a document in a longer length, just as you can on a tablet.

What Are The Benefits Of A Portable Monitor?

A portable monitor adds screen real estate, either doubling or tripling your screens [if you get a multi-screen model as from Xebec]. This makes multitasking much easier—allowing you to view multiple applications at once. The extra screen space can be particularly useful if you’re using a laptop computer that has a smaller built-in display, such as a 13-inch ultraportable laptop.

It all comes down to what you use your computer for, whether being able to multitask is important to you and how much physical space you have to set up your equipment on a desk or flat surface. Most people discover that having two or even three screens can be extremely beneficial to increasing their productivity and making their workflow easier. However, not everyone needs a 4K resolution portable monitor or one that’s 15-inches or larger. You’ll typically save money going with a smaller display that offers 1080p resolution.

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Editorial StandardsCorrectionsReprints & Permissions

Best Portable Monitor Overall

Add An Extra 4K Resolution Touchscreen To Your Laptop

The Monitor’s Size And Weight

In-Plane Switching [IPS]

Built-In Speakers

Price

What Is A Portable Monitor?

How Big Is A Portable Monitor?

Can You Connect A Desktop PC To A Portable Monitor?

Do Portable Monitors Work With Any Laptop Computer?

What Are The Benefits Of A Portable Monitor?

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