SideTrak Solo 4K
Display size: 15.6 inches | Resolution: 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) | Connectivity: 2x USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, 3.5 mm audio | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Brightness: 340 nits
Best for:
- Daily, general use
- Media streaming
- Use with MacBooks
Skip if:
- Gaming is a big priority
Of all the monitors I tested, the SideTrak Solo 4K presented the most complementary experience with my 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro because of its size and overall quality— it also looked and performed well with a Windows laptop.
The 4K 15.6-inch LED offers a matte, glare-free view in very bright light. The thin top and side bezels give the impression of a larger viewing area that felt like a natural extension of my MacBook’s display. The 60Hz refresh rate and maximum brightness of 340 nits also kept routine tasks like web browsing and word processing smooth, though the 25-millisecond response time did become obvious with a lot of scrolling. It wasn’t egregious, but I saw a slight dragging on the screen that I don’t see on my MacBook.
Speaking of functionality, the three-button interactions were easy to understand without a user manual (that can’t be said of every portable monitor I spent time with). Also, the SideTrak 4K offers the power to play games and watch movies. I particularly enjoyed Movie mode when watching 4K Apple TV content like Fingernails and Lessons in Chemistry, which looked infinitely better than on other monitors I tested.
Overall, the the SideTrak 4K could be a win-win for portability and picture quality, but it’s also a system-agnostic choice that is versatile enough for Windows, ChromeOS and Macbook users. Forbes contributor Jason R. Rich also reviewed the SideTrak 4K and found it to be the best portable monitor you can get right now.
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Best Mid-Range Portable Monitor
Bold And Bright OLED Appeal
Asus ZenScreen OLED MQ16AH
Display size: 15.6 inches | Resolution: FHD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) | Connectivity: Mini HDMI, 3x USB-C, 3.5 mm audio | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Brightness: 400 nits
Best for:
- Daily computing
- Creative tasks
- Windows users
Skip if:
- You want a touchscreen
- You prefer a kickstand
If you don’t need a 4K display but want top-notch brightness, color quality and a generously sized display, the Asus ZenScreen OLED MQ16AH checks those boxes. A lot of the appeal of this FHD model’s performance is how great colors look, and that’s due to the certified Delta E < 2 color-calibrated OLED technology. In theory, that rating means the ZenScreen can render super accurate colors (beyond what the human eye picks up) and dramatic contrasts with nearly delay-free performance.
When comparing it to my MacBook Pro, it outperformed it on the grayscale spectrum, especially for very dark scenes. Streaming Apple TV+ shows like Ted Lasso or enjoying Apple Arcade games presented a viewing experience very similar to my Mac. Game mode allowed me to enjoy smooth action and punchy colors, and gave games like Sayonara Wild Hearts and Gris an even more arcade-like and immersive look on both a MacBook and PC. Another unique feature of this model is the proximity sensor that conserves energy by turning on a power-saving setting when idle.
When it comes to the Asus ZenScreen, the overall feature set and slim build could be great for those who want a portable OLED. I’d hesitate to recommend it for heavy-duty gaming, but it passed with flying colors for light gaming and all-around creative and general tasks. You can read more in my review of the Asus ZenScreen monitor.
Best Budget-Friendly Portable Monitor
For Affordable Gaming On The Go
Arzopa G1 Game
Display size: 15.6 inches | Resolution: FHD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) | Connectivity: 2x USB-C, Mini HDMI, 3.5 mm audio | Refresh rate: 144 Hz | Brightness: 300 nits
Best for:
- Portable gaming
- Doubling your display real estate without breaking the bank
Skip if:
- You want a monitor with FreeSync
The Arzopa G1 Game is a gaming accessory, but in my testing—which involved some light gaming and a lot of general tasks—like web browsing, media streaming and working in Google Workspace and Apple Pages—I found this model to be a capable, budget-friendly multitasker. Of course, that isn’t without compromises.
The on-screen display itself isn’t as extensive as those of other models. The G1 offers the typical customization of brightness and picture mode, including contrast and brightness levels from 0 to 100. The default Standard mode puts the brightness at 15, which I found to be too low in a room without much ambient light. At night, I found myself increasing its brightness considerably. The picture quality is solid, though I wasn’t as much of a fan of its Standard mode as I was of other models’ like the SideTrak and Asus ZenScreen because of the brightness issue.
That said, everything I played on a laptop (Sayonara Wild Hearts, Gorogoa, Gris and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order) delivered impressive visuals. Viewing these games on the G1 was more appealing than on the built-in 17-inch screen of my Windows laptop, thanks to a wider display and slim bezels. Outside of gaming, I also enjoyed streaming Apple TV+ content (Lessons in Chemistry and Ted Lasso) on my Mac, which looked great, although darker and less vibrant (without some adjustments) compared to other models I tested.
Best Lightweight Portable Monitor
Nimble Touchscreen Convenience And Creative Power
Asus ProArt Display PA148CTV
Display size: 14 inches | Resolution: FHD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) | Connectivity: 2x USB-C, Micro HDMI, 3.5 mm audio | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Brightness: 300 nits
Best for:
- Creative tasks on a Windows machine
- Those who need extra ports
Skip if:
- You’re an exclusive Mac user
- You want a touchscreen
The Asus ProArt Display PA148CTV is by far the most portable option I tested. This 14-inch monitor is light at 1.6 pounds and still feels substantial despite being less than 13 inches long. I could very comfortably fit my 14-inch MacBook Pro and this ProArt monitor in the internal laptop sleeve of a backpack while leaving plenty of room in the main compartment.
Aside from the ultra-portable design, the PA148CTV’s main draws are its outstanding color accuracy (performed by Calman, a definitive name in the game when it comes to color calibration software), a touchscreen and integration with Adobe products. It’s a creative powerhouse in a small build, which was limited to an extent on a Mac but less so on a PC—the kind of machine you need to enjoy the touchscreen and software integration.
Overall, my testing showed this monitor to be a really enjoyable accessory, regardless of OS. While Windows offers more creative power, it was helpful as a general-use second display on a Mac. I also reviewed the Asus ProArt Display PA148CTV.
Other Portable Monitors I Tested And Liked
When selecting my top choices, my testing favored more general-use models with strong all-around performance. These three portable monitors fell a bit short but presented some appealing niche solutions:
NexPad Portable Monitor ($199): I appreciate the NexPad’s potential as an ergonomic companion to a MacBook, but I wasn’t a fan of the execution. The display wasn’t very bright (nits aren’t disclosed on the manufacturer’s site), colors looked a bit oversaturated and I noticed some text blockiness.
Asus ROG Strix XG16AHPE ($412): The Asus Strix XG16AHPE is the only model I tested with an onboard battery, and it delivered the performance Asus said it would. The battery lasted through about 3.5 hours on both a MacBook Pro and on a Windows gaming laptop. However, it’s pricier than other gaming options like the Arzopa G1, which has a more solid, metal feel compared to the Strix’s plastic construction.
Xebec Tri-Screen 2 ($499): The Xebec Tri-Screen 2 offers a worthy multi-screen option for workers on the go if your machine is compatible and you don’t care about having large displays. However, with all the ports on the bottom, accessing everything via adapters is a little clunky. Plus, the bezels on the slim display are a bit distracting, and the reflective screens tend to catch a glare and easily get smudged.
How I Tested The Best Portable Monitors
As a tech writer with years of experience covering the category, I spent six weeks testing eight portable monitors. To do this, I used each portable monitor as a dedicated external screen for daily word processing, browsing, streaming a variety of media, light Apple Arcade gaming on a MacBook Pro and gaming on a PC. In addition to that, I also dove into these features.
I used Photo Friday, Online Screen Test and W4zt Screen Color Test to compare the monitors’ brightness, contrast, clarity and gamma value to my primary testing machine, an M3 14-inch MacBook Pro. I also tested on a 12-inch MacBook running VenturaOS, a 13-inch HP laptop running Linux as well as a Nintendo Switch and an Acer Gaming Laptop running Windows 11.
I tested the portability of each model by gauging how well it fit in the laptop sleeve of a 20-liter backpack, my most petite and portable travel pack. I used the provided carrying cases and covers and played with various configurations of built-in kickstands and smart covers.
I primarily used a USB-C setup, but I also tested HDMI and USB-A to USB-C connections, where applicable.
I tested all the configurations available per model: on-screen display options, contrast, brightness, onboard and passthrough audio, touchscreen interactions (when available) and special features like FreeSync and dynamic contrast ratio. I spent more time testing the gaming quality of monitors aimed at gamers, the creative tasks (Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Express) of creative-focused monitors like the ProArt Display, and spent a roughly equal amount of time online browsing, media streaming and word processing on every model, using each as a supporting character in my daily work and leisure computing routine.
- Forbes Vetted contributor Yoona Wagner has been writing about technology for five years as a product reviewer and tech commerce editor. For this guide, she spent six weeks testing eight different monitors to find the best portable options.
- Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs oversees this guide and its iterations. Isaacs has been a tech journalist and product reviewer for over four years and regularly attends trade shows to learn about the latest innovations.
- We consulted president and lead analyst of Techsponential Avi Greengart for this guide He answers which features matter most for a portable monitor in the buyers guide below.
- This guide is routinely updated to make sure it remains current and accurate. It was last updated in May 2024 by tech updates writer Alexandra Garrett to expand our buyer’s guide.
What To Consider When Buying A Portable Monitor
Since portable monitors offer the flexibility of portability, weight and size are chief buying considerations. Some other top factors include resolution and connectivity specs that match the device(s) you’ll be using.
Mobility should be a main priority when selecting a portable monitor, especially if you’re regularly using it on the go. “Weight is a top consideration—remember that you may be carrying this in addition to your laptop,” says Avi Greengart, consumer tech analyst and founder of Techsponential. That said, look for an option that can comfortably pair with your laptop and fit in your travel bag. In most cases, a screen that measures between 12 and 16 inches is a safe bet.
4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) displays aren’t as common in portable monitors but tend to come in larger options like 16-inch displays and cost more. Most portable monitors worth considering have at least a FHD (full high definition) resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. Both these resolutions deliver high-definition images, but 4K options are generally sharper and more detailed and might be better for video or photo editing. More importantly, you should select an option that mirrors your laptop’s resolution. “Portable monitors are used alongside laptops, so you will want to match the resolution of your laptop’s display so that there aren’t wild differences in text sizes,” says Greengart.
Portable monitors express brightness in nits, which means one candela per square meter. The higher the nits rating, the brighter the display is. The typical nits range of the monitors I tested is around 300, and that seems to be within the general 200 to 300 range you’ll find in most monitors from big names like ViewSonic, Lenovo and Asus. “You also need to ensure that brightness and color saturation doesn’t drop off-axis, since by definition you will almost always have your secondary display off to the side,” says Greengart.
A portable monitor won’t do you much good if it can’t connect to your laptop, so it’s important to check that it offers the right number of USB-C, USB-A and HDMI ports to fit your needs. USB-C connectivity makes connecting most portable monitors simple by using one cord to power the monitor and connect to it. If you don’t have USB-C ports on your laptop, HDMI inputs and USB-C to USB-A converters supplied by the manufacturer can bridge the gap. It’s also worth double-checking whether a USB-C port on a portable monitor is used only for charging or can be used for both display and charging.
Some portable monitors can switch between a landscape (horizontal) and portrait (vertical) orientations. This feature boosts the overall versatility of the screen and is especially useful when photo editing. Keep in mind, though, that seamless transitions between orientations can sometimes be limited to either Mac or Windows laptops. According to Greengart, another option to consider, especially if you plan to use your portable monitor in one spot, is multi-screen configurability. “For example, Xebec’s latest SNAP system is wildly flexible and allows different screen rotations so you can have, say, a script on your right, your presentation on the left, and the conference software in the middle,” says Greengart.
A portable monitor shouldn’t cost more than a desktop monitor, but they can still run you a few hundred dollars. Most quality options are priced between $150 and $450, and the higher price tag is typically associated with more premium features, such as higher resolutions and multiple screens, and a sturdier construction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is The Best Portable Monitor?
The best portable monitor is one that works well with your existing laptop, is lightweight and offers excellent resolution. That’s why we recommend the SideTrak Solo for most people. It features a high resolution 4K display, built-in speakers and multiple viewing modes that allow you to switch between working and streaming.
Are Portable Monitors Worth It?
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 beneficial for increasing their productivity and making workflow easier. “It is also worth noting that many people buying portable monitors don’t take them on the road,” says Greengart. “They use them at home in semi-permanent setups where space and flexibility are prized.”
However, a portable monitor is a must-have accessory if you’re a remote worker who needs to be highly productive from airports, hotels, at home or even from a coffee shop. “Portable monitors require space in your bag and an extra minute or two to set up, but if you’re going to be in one spot for any significant amount of time—in a hotel room, or shared office space—the added productivity can easily justify it,” says Greengart. But not everyone needs a 4K portable monitor; the most reasonably priced models are typically 15.6-inch 1080p monitors.
Can You Connect To A Desktop PC With A Portable Monitor?
Yes. Portable monitors usually come with several cables, such as a USB-C to USB-C cable, a Mini-HDMI to HDMI cable and a USB-C to USB-A cable. However, if you choose to use an HDMI cable for the display, you will have to use another cable to provide power, typically a USB connection. Regardless of the connection options based on your device, Greengart emphasizes that “the fewer cables, the better.” Luckily, many monitors connect and charge via a USB-C cable, which means if your computer has at least one of these ports you can easily plug in with one cord.
