Top 5 Portable Monitors of 2025 Revealed

Adding a second screen to your setup can truly transform your digital experience. The additional screen space is incredibly useful, and once you get accustomed to it, returning to a single screen feels limiting. Selecting the best portable monitor for your laptop, smartphone, or Mac can be daunting due to the vast array of options available. Whether you're seeking a versatile all-around choice like my top pick, the Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE, or the best value for money, such as the Arzopa Z1FC, I've spent years testing monitors to help you spend less time searching and more time enjoying the benefits of a second screen.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Portable Monitors:

Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE

1See it at Amazon!

Arzopa Z1FC 144Hz Portable Gaming Monitor

0See it at Amazon! See it at Arzopa!

Espresso Displays Espresso 17 Pro

0See it at Amazon! See it at Espresso Displays!

ViewSonic ColorPro VP16-OLED

0See it at Amazon!

Wacom Cintiq Pro 16

0See it at Amazon!

Portable monitors may not match the large screen sizes of typical gaming monitors, but their convenience for on-the-go work or gaming is unparalleled. Even the best laptops have compact screens, and smartphones are less than ideal for work or multitasking. An extra display can significantly enhance your productivity. After extensive research and testing, I can confidently recommend these as the best portable monitors for 2025.

*Looking for discounts? Check out our guide to the best gaming monitor deals right now.*

1. Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE

Best Portable Gaming Monitor

Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE

1Game on the go with this 17.3-inch portable monitor featuring a 240Hz refresh rate in 1080p, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, and low input lag. See it at Amazon!

Product Specifications

• Screen size: 17.3-inch
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Brightness: 300-nit
• Refresh rate: 240Hz
• Connectivity: 2 x USB Type-C (1 x video, 1 x PD fast charging), 1 x Micro HDMI, 1 x Headphone Jack
• Weight: 2.34lb

PROS

• 1080p/240Hz refresh rate
• Quick charging battery

CONS

• Built-in speakers could sound better

It's hard to believe that a portable monitor can pack all the features needed for a quality gaming setup from anywhere, but the Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE does just that. Similar to some of our favorite gaming monitors, this portable option boasts a 240Hz refresh rate with Nvidia G-Sync compatibility and low input lag, ensuring smooth, tear-free gameplay. It features a bright 17.3-inch 1080p display with an IPS panel, making it easy to view from any angle.

This display is custom-tuned for gaming, offering a 240Hz refresh rate for improved motion clarity and lower input latency. Asus has also focused on response time, providing 3ms responsiveness compared to 6ms or higher found on others like the Espresso Pro 17. With support for Adaptive Sync (Variable Refresh Rate), your gameplay will be buttery smooth and free of tearing.

But it's not just about gaming; it's about gaming *on the go.* The XG17AHPE is designed for portability, featuring two USB Type-C ports—one for video input and one for quick charging its 7,800mAh battery. It also includes speakers for on-the-go audio, though a dedicated gaming headset will enhance the experience.

While the focus is on gaming, and you're paying a premium for it, the monitor also serves well as a second screen for your laptop or PC. With 17.3 inches of screen real estate, it's spacious enough for watching videos, browsing the web, or working. The built-in battery is a plus, eliminating the need for extra cables. Running at a productivity-friendly 60Hz instead of its native high refresh rate extends battery life, allowing for a full workday of intermittent use.

The Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE is an outstanding portable monitor packed with useful features, regardless of your use case.

2. Arzopa Z1FC 144Hz

Best Budget Portable Monitor

Arzopa Z1FC 144Hz Portable Gaming Monitor

0This affordable gaming monitor offers a high refresh rate and bright picture at a low price. See it at Amazon! See it at Arzopa!

Product Specifications

• Screen size: 16.1-inch
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Brightness: 300-nit
• Refresh rate: 144Hz
• Connectivity: 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB Type-A, 1 x Mini HDMI, 1 x Headphone Jack
• Weight: 1.7lb

PROS

• Good brightness for indoor gaming
• High refresh rate with FreeSync VRR
• Good connectivity options

CONS

• Weak speakers

When I first looked at the Arzopa Z1FC 144Hz portable gaming monitor, I assumed it would be like many others in its price range. However, it proved to be anything but. For around $100, it offers impressive features and has left me pleasantly surprised.

This monitor features a standard 1080p resolution on a 16.1-inch screen. It comes with an IPS panel for rich color reproduction and slightly better than average contrast with a 1200:1 ratio. It covers 100% of the sRGB color space, ensuring accurate colors, though the color temperature is a bit cool, so adjusting settings may be necessary.

More than most monitors on this list, it's well-suited for use with consoles like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, or even your PS5 or Xbox, thanks to its 144Hz refresh rate, which significantly reduces input latency for more responsive gameplay.

Connectivity is a strong point, supporting USB Type-C video or mini-HDMI and including all necessary cables. It also features a USB Type-A port for connecting a controller or other accessory. When it's time to pack up, a folio cover protects the screen.

At 300 nits of peak brightness, it's brighter than many other monitors in its price range. While not recommended for outdoor use, it performs well indoors, with some users reporting satisfactory outdoor use.

The caveat at this price is minor: the speakers aren't great. They lack volume and have a tinny quality. For better audio, using headphones is recommended. Overall, the Arzopa Z1FC is an excellent budget pick that proves "affordable" doesn't mean "bland."

3. Espresso 17 Pro

Best 4K Portable Monitor

Espresso Displays Espresso 17 Pro

0Elegantly offering a true monitor experience, this display looks great and performs better while also offering incredibly simple setup. See it at Amazon! See it at Espresso Displays!

Product Specifications

• Screen size: 17.3-inch
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Brightness: 450-nit
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Connectivity: 2 x USB Type-C
• Weight: 2.4 pounds

PROS

• Crisp 4K resolution
• Bright and vibrant
• Excellent included stand
• Simple setup, elegant design

CONS

• No included case

The Espresso 17 Pro is a premium high-performance portable monitor for those needing a full 4K experience on the go. Hailing from Australia, Espresso is known for its elegant, Apple-esque products that are simple to use, easy to carry, and consistently high quality.

What I loved about this monitor during testing is how close it comes to offering a full computer monitor experience. This is largely due to its magnetic folding stand, which offers both height and tilt adjustments. It connects to your laptop or computer with a single high-bandwidth USB-C cable, making setup as simple as unfolding the stand, attaching the display, and plugging it in.

The real highlight is its screen. It's incredible, covering 100% of the DCI-P3 color space, with 450 nits of brightness and 4K resolution, delivering a crisp, colorful, and accurate viewing experience. It's perfect for creative work without needing post-purchase calibration. It also features an accelerometer for automatic orientation switching between portrait and landscape modes.

While the Espresso 17 Pro isn't cheap, it feels the most premium of all the portable monitors I've tested. From the unboxing experience to the fit and finish of its design, it exudes a boutique, lasting quality. It's built around simplicity without forcing you to make sacrifices.

However, there are a couple of critiques. It doesn't come with a case, which should be included at this price point. For gamers, it's not ideal, as it's locked to 60Hz and has a 9ms response time, which can lead to ghosting. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Espresso 17 Pro stands out in the 4K market.

4. ViewSonic ColorPro VP16-OLED

Best Portable OLED Monitor

ViewSonic ColorPro VP16-OLED

0Grab this 15.6-inch OLED display offering an impressive 100,000:1 contrast ratio and up to 400 nits of brightness for deep blacks and easy viewing. See it at Amazon!

Product Specifications

• Screen size: 15.6-inch
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Brightness: 400-nit
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Connectivity: 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x Micro HDMI, 1 x Headphone Jack
• Weight: 2.2lb

PROS

• Impressive contrast
• Excellent color performance
• Great connectivity and passthrough charging
• Pantone validated

CONS

• Limited to 60Hz

The best OLED monitors are known for their high contrast and brightness, and the ViewSonic ColorPro VP16-OLED brings that technology into a lightweight, ultra-thin full HD monitor. This portable monitor focuses on professional quality, with a Pantone-validated display ideal for editing photos, videos, and creating digital art at industry standards. At $399, it offers great value for its features.

Its 15.6-inch screen matches most laptops' screen real estate and offers similar, if not better, brightness at 400 nits. The OLED panel provides infinite contrast for true blacks and a wider dynamic range, with fantastic color coverage including 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. While limited to 60Hz, it's still suitable for gaming due to its high-quality screen.

Beyond the display, it's well-equipped with two USB-C ports on its versatile folding stand, supporting both power and video through one port and passthrough charging for your laptop. It also features a micro HDMI port for compatibility with a wide range of Windows and Mac computers.

Its portability is notable, weighing only 2.2lbs and folding down to 0.8 inches thick, making it easy to carry alongside a laptop without feeling weighed down.

The ViewSonic ColorPro VP16-OLED is an excellent monitor at a good price, perfect for creative professionals looking to enhance productivity on the go.

5. Wacom Cintiq Pro 16

Best Portable Monitor for Artists

Wacom Cintiq Pro 16

0A sharp 16-inch display with pen support that's perfect for creatives. See it at Amazon!

Product Specifications

• Screen size: 16-inch
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Brightness: 300-nit
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Connectivity: 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB Type-A, 1 x HDMI, EMR Stylus
• Weight: 3.3lb

PROS

• 4K resolution
• Etched glass screen
• Wide color gamut

CONS

• Competing options are more affordable

If you're a digital artist looking to elevate your craft without breaking the bank, the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 is the obvious choice. Though a few years old, its performance remains top-notch, cementing its status as a staple in the digital art community.

The Cintiq's appeal lies in its display and pen experience. It features a bright 4K resolution screen with wide color gamut support (up to 98% of Adobe RGB). The etched screen provides a tactile feel similar to drawing on paper. The pen offers 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and is customizable with integrated buttons and an eraser.

It enhances your workflow with eight programmable Express Keys and supports multi-touch and gesture control for easy navigation.

The only downside is its price. Competition has increased since its 2021 release, but it remains hard to find anything that matches its quality, reliability, and feature set, making it a fantastic choice for artists.

How to Choose the Best Portable Monitor for You

Although they may not have all the features of a full-fledged desktop monitor, portable monitors offer numerous benefits. While the cheapest or simplest option might work, other factors might better meet your specific needs. Here are key factors to consider:

Size: Size matters when choosing a portable monitor. Our picks range from 13 inches to 17 inches. Consider what you'll use the monitor for and how much space you need, balancing that with portability. Larger displays often come with carrying cases, while smaller ones fit easily in a backpack. The most common size, 15.6 inches, strikes a balance between size and portability. For use in smaller spaces like airplanes, consider a 12.5- or 14-inch screen. Though portable monitors are lighter than laptops, weight is still a factor to consider.

Resolution: Pay attention to the screen itself. Most monitors on our list offer a standard 1080p resolution with an IPS panel. For gaming or digital art, a higher resolution might be necessary. Most portable monitors run at a standard 60Hz refresh rate, but for gaming, a 120Hz or 144Hz panel can enhance the experience.

Brightness: Many affordable portable monitors offer middling brightness. For indoor use, 250 nits may suffice, but for a more vibrant experience, aim for 300 to 400 nits. Be cautious of lesser-known brands overstating brightness on platforms like Amazon.

Connectivity: This is crucial. Ensure the monitor works with your devices. All our picks offer USB-C connectivity, which is both speedy and provides power. However, verify that your laptop can output video through its USB Type-C port. Older laptops might require HDMI or micro HDMI, and some monitors need a second USB cable for power, while others can use a single connection for both.

Overall, these are some of the most important features to note when choosing a portable monitor. Always read reviews to understand lesser-known qualities like picture customization options, which are often limited on budget displays. Also, check if the monitor comes with a sleeve or folio case for protection during transit. If not, factor in the cost of purchasing one separately.

Portable Monitor FAQ

Who are portable monitors for?

Portable monitors benefit almost everyone. Travelers and remote workers who rely on laptops or tablets will appreciate the productivity boost from an extra compact screen that easily fits in a bag. They're useful for presentations, and those with limited desk space can opt for a portable monitor over a larger desktop model. Even gaming phone or handheld gaming PC users can enjoy a larger screen with a high refresh rate for better gameplay.

What size portable monitor should I buy?

Portable monitors are typically smaller than full-size displays, designed for portability. The right size depends on your intended use and desired portability. For displaying a second window, a smaller screen may suffice, while digital artists might benefit from more screen real estate to work on fine details.

How much do portable monitors cost?

Portable monitors vary widely in price, with many available for under $200. Budget models may lack brightness and advanced features like high refresh rates. Higher-performance portable monitors cost more, typically ranging from $100 to $300.