Your stars are in the ascendant if you’re hunting for a travel-friendly display that understands your needs: creating, presenting, gaming, etc. Multiple top brands have designed external monitors for travel, catering to different user groups and budgets.
Keeping a second screen handy is becoming increasingly common as the need for content sharing goes up. You might have to give a last-minute presentation to a client or need to complete a sketch while traveling on public transport. Second screens are also terrific for working on two programs in parallel and experiencing a larger, more engaging work environment.
The Perfect Portable Monitor: Let’s define it
What you consider the ideal second screen may not be everyone’s idea. It is essential to judge the screen size that will suit you and the features you demand in everyday activities. You can find monitors ranging from 3.5” to over 17”, although many opt to match the display with their laptop’s primary screen. You want at least an FHD resolution with provisions to minimize glare, flicker, and blue light. You should consider getting G-SYNC to avoid pesky delays and lags if you invest in a monitor for gaming.
Most companies offer foldable stands with monitors that can also serve as protective covers. Do you live a travel-intensive life? You might want something to wrap the whole monitor and repel scratches if you are clumsy. A kickstand is another common design element to improve the ergonomics of your experience when you connect the second panel.
Battery backup and charging options are crucial when buying a portable monitor. Some choices have inbuilt batteries that can deliver 3-4 hours of unplugged use. It is wise to look out for USB Type-C ports, HDMI ports, and audio jacks to guarantee you get sorted while working from anywhere.
Some mobile monitors include speakers and amplifiers. However, audio is unlikely to become a prime consideration unless you pair it up with a phone or gaming console.
9 Best Portable Monitor for Laptop 2023: Take your Canvas Wherever you Go
Typically, you can find a decent second monitor in the $200-$300 range. Wireless options and panels with customization options like dials can cost more. Siding with an established brand like ASUS or Lenovo is a safe choice in performance, durability, and after-sales support.
Newer manufacturers have also emerged to address the rising demand for screen extensions among gamers and working professionals. Some encompass brilliant ergonomics, protective screen guards, and HDR support. We have consolidated the best alternatives in the market that offer a good mix of clarity, dependability, and ease of use.
ASUS monitors for gamers & creative folks
We heartily recommend something like the 15.6″ ASUS ROG Strix monitor if your budget can go up over $300. It targets gamers, so expect a high refresh rate (144Hz), adaptive sync, and several connections. It has portability-boosting features like a kickstand, auto-rotation, and a three-year warranty. It even sports an inbuilt battery that lasts up to three hours and supports quick charging. Gaming-special monitors frequently offer immersive audio with minimum distortion and DAC converters.
Alongside its reputation for excellent gaming laptops, ASUS has carved a niche for engaging portable monitors like the 15.6″ ASUS ZenScreen ($249). It is an FHD touch display with multiple supported connections, like USB Type-C and HDMI. ASUS includes intuitive design elements like a kickstand and a tripod to improve portability. The company also ensures eye-safe displays that can last long, particularly with the 3-year warranty.
Although the pricing is affordable, these displays have premium specs like flicker-free experiences and auto transition between landscape and portrait modes. Plus, multimedia professionals opting for ASUS monitors can benefit from free access to Adobe Creative Cloud Subscription (for up to a month).
ASUS also has premium monitors for creative professionals like artists and illustrators. The 14″ ASUS ProArt is a color-accurate pick (Calman Verified) with 100% sRGB/100% Rec. 709 and Delta E < 2 precision. It ensures vivid, clear, and strain/flicker-free imagery to let you unfurl your creative best from anywhere.
Multimedia connoisseurs may demand monitors that share their love for accuracy and customization, whether it pertains to hue, saturation, color modes, etc. ASUS integrates helpful features like a physical dial for compatible software and a kickstand for added flexibility.
Sleek and stylish monitors by espresso
Bright, upbeat, and active like a morning cup of coffee –that seems to be the deal with espresso displays. These luxurious but hardworking monitors work with multiple devices and have a sturdy, travel-friendly aluminum design. You can find great-looking LED screens, energy efficiency, and a design that turns heads – all under one umbrella.
These monitors can also work as whiteboards during business meetings or help you work on PDFs and Photoshop.
Lenovo monitors for business
Unsurprisingly, some of the best choices in this category come from Lenovo. Its ThinkVision M14 is a veritable beauty packed with ergonomics and mobility features to simplify your workday. The display is FHD and meticulous, and the build is tilt-friendly and lightweight.
Lenovo guarantees multiple ports, like USB Type-C, and an adjustable foot for fine-tuning the height. Best of all, these displays usually suit both left- and right-handed people well.
Lepow all-rounder monitors
An essential criterion while looking for a portable monitor in any price range is device compatibility. You should be able to plug it into your chosen device, like macOS, iOS, Windows, etc. The 15.6″ Lepow monitor can connect to various consoles, like Xbox, PS, and Switch. Another advantage of the Lepow lineup is its multi-mode operation – reading, working, etc.
The brand provides a screen protector and uses PU leather outside for a snug, comfortable, and long-lasting feel. Not many portable displays offer HDR modes, but the 15-inch portable Lepow monitor is perfect for HDR transmission.
Pocket-friendly portable displays
It won’t make sense to overspend on a monitor if you aren’t into gaming or multimedia creation/editing. Day-to-day activities like business meetings or travel-time entertainment can work well on affordable monitors like a 15.6″ ViewSonic VG1655. It covers all the crucial bases: USB connections, an eye-safe display, decent sound, and a convenient stand. This $179 monitor has a reliable aluminum design and a detachable screen cover. You only get a 60Hz refresh rate, but that shouldn’t be a problem for some casual gaming.
ARZOPA is also a portfolio to consider; it has some worthy portable monitors at around $120. A 14-inch version will offer you a satisfying FHD display with speakers. These monitors work well with PCs and gaming consoles, which extends their usability for varied audiences. They also have a bracket mode for adaptable use and a scratch-resistant cover.
Students can find plenty to love in Acer monitors – they are super-sleek, cheap, and well-suited to the grind of daily life. For instance, the 15.6″ Acer PM161Q ABMIUUZX has a neat FHD screen and can connect to the required device via USB or HDMI. It uses a good-looking cover and extends the ease of tilting things per your comfort. Whether you need to do screen mirroring during a meeting or present a deck to your college professor, this second screen is value for your money.
FAQs
Who can benefit from a portable monitor?
It is a misconception that external displays are necessary only for gamers and business people. Entertainment seekers and professionals can reap multiple advantages: more engaging gameplay, hassle-free presentations, etc. But portable monitors also work well for creative people like artists and content creators who don’t want to be limited by a cramped screen. Students can also benefit from these monitors for assignments, content sharing, and entertainment. It becomes possible to save money by purchasing a smaller laptop – say, 11 or 12 inches – and making up for the lost real estate through a second screen.
Other benefits of using an external monitor include:
- Easier multitasking
- Lower risk of neck and back pain
- Streamlined workflows during creative projects
- Productivity boost for professionals who refer to multiple apps, documents, etc., like developers, lawyers, and designers
What is the best screen size for a portable monitor?
You will find most options in the 14 to 15.6-inch range. This size is best for maintaining portability while offering an engaging visual experience. It also keeps the build light; most external displays in this bucket weigh 2 to 4 lbs.
Do all portable monitors come with speakers?
Getting a portable monitor with speakers is a value-oriented decision, especially for gamers and multimedia lovers. The ASUS ROG Strix provides excellent audio. However, not all options will come with inbuilt speakers. You should check this carefully if included sound matters, perhaps because your PC doesn’t have great speakers or you want to use a gaming console.
What else should I look for in a portable display for my computer?
The screen resolution, brightness, and color accuracy are critical for selecting a portable display. But priorities will change by the user group. For instance, college students may emphasize the price, weight, and available connections. Look for user-friendly design elements like a kickstand, support for tilt, height adjustment, and screen protectors. The build quality and sustainability are also vital factors since you will be traveling with the monitor and wouldn’t want transit damage.
Do external monitors drain the laptop battery?
Yes. Most of these displays will need to connect to an external power source. A few, like the ASUS ROG Strix, have inbuilt batteries and support quick charging. You might witness more drain on your laptop battery. But it depends on your usage, charging habits, integrated graphics/GPU, and overall power efficiency of the device.
