The best portable monitors allow you that extra bit of screen real estate in places where no other monitors can't. Because these displays are designed to be travel-friendly, you can take them anywhere with you and even use them on trains, at cafes, and even in hotel lobbies, letting you maximise your workflow even without access to a proper office.
Whether you want to work on a design project while you're on the move, present work to a client, or simply watch TV, a light and compact portable monitor is the perfect way to gain some extra screen space. And, the best of them are among the most useful tools if you want to stay productive while you're on a business trip, on a holiday, or even when you're gallivanting around the world long-term.
Before you hit buy, be sure to consider carefully your needs. Believe it or not, there are many types of portable monitors on the market. Some have a 1080p resolution while a handful of them have 4K; many are non-touch, but there are a few that offer touch capability. If you want a single-screen portable monitor, there are plenty of those available; but if you need a dual-screen option, there are a couple out there to consider.
Prefer to keep things light and minimalist when you're traveling? You can also check out the best tablets for video editing. If you're on the lookout for a full-sized monitor, our best 4K monitors and best Dell monitors guides will help you as well. And if you want to mount your display, see our guide to the best monitor arms.
The best portable monitors in 2022
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OLED is a new big thing in monitors at the moment, and portable monitors have thrown their hat in the ring with the Asus ZenScreen OLED MQ13AH. An absolute stunner of a display, this new 13-inch offering from Asus boasts a mind-blowing 100,000:1 contrast ratio and delivers those deep black and rich colours that OLED technology is best known for. That means that this is great for your post-work movie-watching experience.
Of course, it's pretty incredible for actual workflows as well. Its 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut and Delta E < 2 colour accuracy certainly help when you're video editing while on the go. Its box even into a super monitor hood so you don't have to worry about distracting glares. Meanwhile, its auto-rotate capability and portrait mode should lend themselves well when you're coding or writing your latest novel. Finally, to save energy and minimize burn-ins, it comes with a proximity sensor that switches the monitor to a power-saving mode when you're not around and switches it back on when you're back.
The Lenovo ThinkVision M14 might not be the cheapest option out there, but it is the best budget option for people who want a top-quality portable monitor. It might not be the most feature-rich option on the market, but it's great for business professionals who want to travel light because it's ultralightweight and ultrathin at just 598g. And, in an effort to keep things minimal, it also has two advanced USB-C ports that simultaneously that support both video and power.
It has a great kickstand, however; one that's versatile enough to offer users anywhere from -5° to 90° tilt angle. And, while it might not have the best contrast ratio, it has a bright display of 300 nits and vibrant colours that make it excellent for streaming shows and movies as well. This is an amazing, if minimalist, option therefore, if you're looking for an affordable 1080p portable monitor.
PC gaming on the go has never really been easy, but the Asus ROG Strix XG16AHPE does make it a little better. This 15.6-inch gaming monitor allows you to spread out a little, especially when you're in multiplayer mode and need access to other apps like Discord so you can communicate with your teammates.
Of course, being a gaming display, it comes with all the goodies as well, including a 144Hz refresh rate so those fast-paced games are running sharp and smooth, and Nvidia G-Sync so you don't experience screen tearing that will ruin your immersion. It even has a built-in battery so you can use it even when there's no outlet on hand – though it only gives you up to two hours of juice so we wouldn't rely on it too much. It also has front-facing stereo speakers that should do the job, especially if you want to put your laptop aside and game with a controller.
Even the best portable monitors usually draw their power directly from your laptop, which can drain its battery quickly. If you work on the move a lot, you might prefer to get a portable monitor with its own built-in battery, which is where the Asus ZenScreen GO MB16AP stands out. It offers up to four hours of battery life on its own power – it comes with an adapter too.
The screen automatically switches between landscape and portrait modes, and the picture quality is sharp and colour-accurate. It's also very light and portable at just 848g and 8mm thick. It can connect to your laptop via either USB-C or USB-A (using the included adapter). The MB16AP also comes with a foldable case that doubles as a stand and a Zen screen pen too. Yes, this is the most expensive portable monitor on our list, we feel it's still very good value if you need the best portable monitor with its own battery.
Named after one of the best laptops on the market, it's no surprise that the LG Gram +view 16MQ70 boasts bright and stunning picture quality. This is the LG monitor you want with you if you want to stay productive during your travels or work trips, but you don't need to have the LG Gram to use it to its full extent. In fact, this one's a terrific option for MacBook Pro users, thanks to that USB-C connectivity and DCI-P3 99% colour gamut.
Great for video and photo editing workflows, it boasts some pretty nice specs – its 2560 x 1600 resolution and 1200:1 contrast ratio, for instance. However, it's terrific for productivity especially. That 16:10 aspect ratio allows you to spread out or display more of your window – just the ticket when you're coding, writing articles, or doing research. And, while it might not be the thinnest out there, it's certainly among the most lightweight ones, especially considering it's a massive 16-incher.
Another affordable portable monitor is the Dell C1422H, whose back-to-basics approach is something many can appreciate, especially if it allows them to save money. This ultralightweight monitor may be a little slim on extra features (though sadly, not the slimmest in form factor either), but it certainly delivers where it matters – on keeping you productive. That starts with its USB-C cable and power pass-through functionality so you only need one single outlet to charge it and your laptop.
It also comes with a 10- to 90-degree tilt and 300 nits of brightness, even though its contrast ratio isn't anything to write home about. That 1080p resolution is also just right for its 14-inch panel, giving you plenty of extra screen space without making everything look so small and hard to see. And, while it might be light of features, it boasts great colour accuracy and picture quality. Not too shabby for a monitor you need for productivity.
The HP E14 G4 is among the best-looking portable monitors we've tested, and we're not just talking about its panel. Although, with its 400-nits brightness, 800:1 contrast ratio, and vibrant colours, that panel is just as stunning to look at. This 14-inch portable monitor is lightweight and slim, which makes it a great travel companion you'd love to show off, especially with its silver finish.
There are other things to love here as well. It comes with a USB-C port with a 65W power pass-through so you can charge it up using the same cable that transmits data. It's more power-efficient than its predecessor. And, it comes with its own laptop sleeve as well as a kickstand that's stable and easy to use. Of course, its sub-$300/£300 makes it an attractive proposition as
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