Top 5 Portable Monitors of 2025

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We reviewed the best portable monitors for business, gaming, and extending your laptop screen

Based on our extensive testing, I’ve compiled a list of the top portable monitors. As with our in-depth assessments, I’m looking for a reasonable screen size, good resolution, and a wide variety of ports for connecting additional devices. Bonus points are also awarded for devices that have an integrated battery or power supply for charging phones, tablets, and laptops. I’ve looked for fast refresh rates for games, and for the most accurate reproductions, I always search for a wide color gamut and great color accuracy for creative workers.

All things considered, the Arzopa Z1RC is the greatest choice for the majority of people. This 16-inch display has a 2.5K resolution and, in our tests, produced clear, detailed images with brilliant colors.

I suggest either the 27-inch (yet surprisingly portable) Asus ZenScreen MB27ACF or the Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 2 as portable business monitors. I really prefer the KYY K3 and the AOC 16T3EA for inexpensive portable monitors; they have drawbacks, but that’s not one of them.

My team and I have thoroughly examined each model in this round-up, and I’ve included high-quality portable monitors for a variety of tasks, such as content creation, gaming, and streaming movies and presentations. Additionally, I’m currently keeping track of all the top Prime Day portable monitor offers that you should take advantage of, as the Amazon sales are quickly approaching.

Table of Contents

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1. Arzopa Z1RC

For the majority of people, the Arzopa Z1RC is the ideal portable monitor because of its affordable pricing, USB-C and small HDMI connectivity, and clear 16-inch, 2.5K display.

Arzopa’s line is generally well-reviewed and is reasonably priced, portable, and sufficiently powerful. Although a display like the Z1RC may not have all the features, it is reasonably priced and appropriate for the majority of tasks, including working, streaming, presenting, and light gaming, just like the majority of the company’s lineup.

The Z1RC’s IPS panel has two USB-C connectors, a tiny HDMI port, a resolution of 2560 x 1600, and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. It weighs 763g and measures 356 x 240 x 9mm. We recorded 100% sRGB, 89% AdobeRGB, 95% P3, and 69% of Rec 2020, with fair color coverage. At 85 degrees, we did think the viewing angle was a little too small. It is also not the brightest portable screen that we have examined. Our own tests revealed that the backlight hit about 337 nits with a contrast of 1060:1, which may be closer to 400 nits than the 500 nits claimed for peak brightness. We also believed that if you intend to use this portable monitor while traveling, a protective case is essential.

All things considered, there might be more affordable portable monitors available. The gaming-focused Arzopa Z1FC and the 15.6-inch Arzopa S1 Table are two of our favorite alternatives.

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2. KYY K3

The KYY K3 may not be the greatest portable monitor available, but considering its incredibly low cost, it offers all the features we would anticipate from a low-cost, lightweight display, plus a few more. Given the price, the few defects we discovered can essentially be ignored.

The design is good—nothing revolutionary, but straightforward, useful, and incredibly user-friendly. On the left are an audio jack, a power button, and a menu choose wheel. Even a set of built-in speakers are included, but the sound quality is poor, as one could anticipate from a low-cost gadget. The choice of port is acceptable. With two USB-C ports and a small HDMI input on the right side, connecting a laptop, smartphone, or game console is quite simple. A variety of cable adapters are also included for increased connection.

The full OSD menu, which allows you to adjust things like color temperature, contrast levels, and Eco modes, is something we truly appreciated. Since not all portable monitors have this feature, seeing it on a cheap display is a welcome touch. However, when it comes to color, this gamut is rather awful. For use by creative professionals, this is ruled out based on our measurements of 64% sRGB and 49% for both AdobeRGB and P3. Even so, this little screen meets several requirements for a portable monitor under $100 that has a 1080p resolution, a power source, connectors, and a stand-in enclosure.

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3. Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 2

The M14t Gen 2, a 14-inch touchscreen portable business monitor from Lenovo’s Think line, is ideal for working, watching, and light photo and video editing.

We have used many ThinkPads over the years, and although the keyboard and construction are excellent, the screens have never been particularly good when compared to devices like the Apple MacBook Pro. What is the ThinkVision M14t Gen 2’s performance?

This version features a 1500:1 contrast ratio, 100% sRGB color gamut, 16:10 aspect ratio, and 1440p resolution. At $400 or £400, it’s about $100 less expensive than the Gen 1 when it was first released (it’s definitely less expensive today, being an older model). Therefore, it resolves all of the problems we had with the otherwise excellent predecessor.

We had no trouble watching YouTube videos or editing pictures or videos, and the image quality is superb. The text was clear, the colors were vivid and realistic, and the blacks were deep. Although it won’t be your preferred sketching tablet, using the touchscreen and built-in stylus was quick and easy. Its significant input latency will also prevent it from meeting demanding gaming requirements. The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 2 is among the greatest portable computer displays available, if that is not a problem.

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4. Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE

With a 17.3-inch full HD display and a refresh rate of 240 Hz, the Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE has an advantage. The most concentrated, uncompromising portable gaming monitor we’ve ever experienced, it’s ideal for the most devoted gamers.

Despite having a large screen, the device is only 0.4 inches thin, weighs about 1 kg, and has miniHDMI and USB-C connectors on the side. This sturdy ROG Strix XG17AHPE did not bend or flex in our hands. It has a case and a little tripod, which is a considerate addition.

The huge portable display is clear and vibrant when in use. Colors were bursting off the screen in games like Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Valorant without being overdone, and they remained noticeable even in the game’s darker sections. Additionally, we adored the smoothness—free of ghosting and blur—that accompanied a greater refresh rate. The audio is also clear and loud.

Yes, even while it’s totally capable of doing so, it’s a little excessive if you’re presenting or watching Netflix all night. Additionally, the refresh rate here gives built-in future-proofing, and the Switch and PlayStation still felt fluid during our gameplay tests, even if current-generation consoles can only handle 120Hz.

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5. AOC 16T3EA

Although the AOC 16T3EA is reasonably priced for a portable full HD display, it may have a few small drawbacks, most notably color accuracy.

We found it to be a very useful multi-tasking partner for workers who are constantly on the road because of its slim, lightweight design and 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display. Even with two integrated kick-stands hidden around the back for portrait and landscape orientation, the 14mm profile and 870g weight amazed us. The addition of a single USB-C port contributes to keeping it small. Simply connect it to any Mac or Windows laptop that is compatible, and you’re ready to go.

This could be the first thing that breaks the deal. The monitor has no additional ports. Not even a jack for audio. We also observed that the color coverage is practically nonexistent (56% sRGB, 41% Adobe RGB, and 41% DCI-P3), and the brightness was poor at only 250cd/m². Furthermore, we are unable to suggest this to photographers and content producers due to the absence of any controls beyond OSD. However, there is much to enjoy for anyone searching for a cleverly constructed portable second screen.

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How can I link my gadget to a portable monitor?

Portable monitors typically connect to devices via USB-C, which is more portable because it only requires one cable to carry power and output. To make other customizations, such as mirroring, plug one end into your device and the other end into the display. Then, navigate to the display settings in your operating system.

Additionally, some portable displays provide USB-A, mini-HDMI, micro-HDMI, and VGA ports for connecting to devices. For complete information, consult your handbook.

Do all gadgets work with portable monitors?

The best portable monitors work with game consoles like the Nintendo Switch, laptops, and tablets. Although it would be feasible to connect a portable monitor to a desktop computer, if you have the room for a second full-sized monitor, this is typically the best choice for increasing productivity.

Are there built-in speakers on portable monitors?

Built-in speakers are a characteristic of some of the top portable monitor models. On the other hand, we discover that the audio quality of internal speakers varies widely. Cheaper portable monitors frequently lack bass and have a thin, shrill sound. These speakers will work well for presentations or in an emergency, but they are not quite as well as those with external speakers or specialized audio systems.

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The device you are connecting to and your use case will determine the portable monitor you should get.

Connections and hardware

Most people choose a portable monitor and a laptop with USB-C when choosing the finest displays for a dual setup. These are typically the best choice for plug-and-play simplicity, guaranteeing compatibility and ample bandwidth for any resolution that a portable monitor is likely to provide. Nevertheless, a lot of mobile screens also support VGA, USB-A, micro-HDMI, and mini-HDMI. Just be advised that depending on your device to drive the display, it can require software and drivers, which could cause issues.

Resolution and screen size

A key deciding factor is screen size: it should be both large enough to finish tasks and portable. Despite the growing popularity of 4K portable monitors, which offer superior color accuracy and color space coverage for creatives, the majority of the best portable monitors are 15.6-inch panels with a 1080p resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. However, for actual portability, displays ranging from 10 to 13 inches are available.

Response time and refresh rate

With the exception of the top gaming monitors, the majority of the portable displays we assess have a refresh rate of 60 Hz, which is typical for most monitors. Find a screen that refreshes the on-screen image more quickly if gaming is your first priority and every millisecond matters. Seek for 240Hz or 120Hz. Response times are measured by how quickly a pixel on your screen changes; the faster, the better, particularly in gaming.

A battery

Another crucial question is whether a battery is necessary. Portable screens with or without built-in power are available. Low-cost portable monitors are typically lighter and don’t require a battery. On the other hand, they will quickly deplete your laptop’s battery if you’re using a mobile screen away from the mains.

Luminance

Brightness is important, especially for gaming and creative activities. You want as much of that as you can if you intend to use your portable display outside. The majority have a cap of just slightly more than 200 nits. Although brighter screens can drain your laptop’s battery even more, try to attain the brightest, highest brightness you can. A device’s brightness is always tested to evaluate how well it performs in comparison to the manufacturer’s claims.

Spending limit

Finding a portable monitor that meets all of your needs at an affordable price is simple because the top models range in price from as low as $50 to hundreds of dollars for high-end displays. When the seasonal sales are happening, don’t forget to look for deals on portable monitors on Black Friday and Prime Day.

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