Best Portable Monitors 2026: Gaming and Laptop Productivity
These are the best portable monitors to consider if you're looking to expand real estate for your laptop.
1. Best Overall
2. Best Value
3. Best Dual Screen
4. Best for Productivity
5. Best for Gaming
6. Best Wireless
7. FAQs
8. Shopping Tips
9. Discounts
A portable monitor can provide an extra screen for your laptop when you travel, serve as a compact display for a Raspberry Pi project, help you test a desktop that's still on your workbench, or even connect to a game console when you take it on vacation. When it comes to the best portable monitors, we prioritize good image quality, a lightweight chassis, strong usability, and versatile connectivity options (if you’re willing to spend a bit more money).
There is a lot of variety in this space, with prices ranging from around $50 to well over $700 and screen sizes measuring from 10.5 inches to 18.5+ inches and beyond. You can find portable monitors with a 4K resolution, 240Hz+ refresh rates, touch input, and even wireless connectivity. And if you need additional screen real estate, there are dual- and even triple-screen options to meet your needs. But keep in mind that the multi-screen monitors are often pricey and bring some added baggage (namely in footprint and weight).
No matter what kind of user you are, I'm sure you can find a portable monitor that suits your needs at a price you're comfortable with. With this in mind, I've tested a range of brands and models to help you find the best portable monitor for your needs.
Below are our top choices, followed by some portable monitor shopping tips and details on how we benchmark. If you're looking for a screen that stays on your desk, check out our list of the best gaming monitors.
The Best Portable Monitors You Can Buy Today
Best Overall Portable Monitor
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The ViewSonic TD1656-2K is the sweet spot when it comes to portable monitors. Not only does it have a large 16-inch IPS panel, but it also boasts a generous 2K (2560 x 1600) display. At this price point, you’re usually stuck with 1080p or 1200p panels, so the TD1656-2K is a cut above the rest.
The TD1656-2K also has multi-touch, which is natively supported in Windows 11. However, that support also extends to macOS thanks to ViewSonic’s vTouch software package. An active stylus pen is also included in the box to assist in taking notes or drawing images in macOS or Windows.
Beyond the excellent hardware features (including a premium-feeling aluminum chassis), the TD1656-2K was near the top of the class in DCI-P3 and sRGB coverage and topped all competitors in brightness (363 nits).
More: ViewSonic TD1656-2K Review
Best Budget Portable Monitor
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Over the past few years, we’ve seen a race to the bottom with respect to portable monitor pricing. However, the steep decline in street prices doesn’t mean that you have to contend with extremely poor quality (as was once the case in this segment).
Enter the Arzopa A1, which is a value-priced, no-frills 15.6-inch portable monitor. It has a 1080p resolution, which is standard for this class, and an integrated kickstand (which we absolutely love for portable monitors).
The A1 features two USB-C ports and even includes a mini-HDMI port (which is sometimes left out to reach a lower price point). I was even surprised at the dual 1-watt speakers, which offer good clarity and output. This is almost unheard of in a portable monitor that costs well under $100.
You can’t have it all regarding a budget monitor, and the A1 does fall behind the competition in color performance. In addition, its maximum brightness (which we measured at 228 nits) was vastly outperformed by its competitors. However, the current street price for the A1 is $70, making it an easy pick for value-conscious consumers.
More: Arzopa A1 review
Best Dual Screen Portable Monitor
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
We’ve reviewed numerous dual-screen portable monitors over the years, but none are quite as versatile as the JSAUX FlipGo Horizon Pro. First, the basics: the FlipGo Horizon Pro features dual 15.6-inch 1080p IPS panels that connect to your laptop via USB-C or HDMI.
However, where JSAUX goes above and beyond what we’ve seen with other entries in this category is with the execution. The build quality of the FlipGo Horizon Pro is beyond reproach, with a high-quality aluminum frame that feels like it could survive some serious abuse. In addition, the panels can be arranged in various orientations, with each panel able to operate independently in landscape or portrait mode. You can stack the monitors on top of each other (landscape mode) or even place them side by side (portrait mode) in a book-style arrangement.
If that wasn’t enough, the FlipGo Horizon Pro has a built-in hub that provides additional USB-A ports and a Gigabit Ethernet port.
Keep in mind that while the FlipGo Horizon Pro is technically a portable monitor, it’s still quite heavy. Our review unit weighed in at 6 pounds. However, JSAUX offers a sturdy suitcase that fits the FlipGo Horizon Pro along with all its cables and accessories.
The FlipGo Horizon Pro carries a retail price of $499, which puts it on the high side for portable monitors. However, it’s regularly on sale for $399, putting it more within reach of mobile warriors that need as much screen real estate as possible when traveling.
More: JSAUX FlipGo Horizon Pro Review
Best Portable Monitor for Productivity
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
We’ve previously been impressed with the Espresso Displays 17 Pro, a 17-inch portable monitor that offers a remarkable picture, a high-quality chassis, and a trick magnetic stand. Now, the company has delivered a slightly smaller counterpart that still has all of those perks with a lower price tag.
The new 15 Pro features a 15.6-inch IPS panel (down from 17.3 inches), but still retains a 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution. Espresso Displays also managed to improve upon the 17 Pro by boosting the maximum brightness by over 50 percent in our testing.
The monitor ships with the Stand+, which is a versatile articulating stand that magnetically attaches to the back. Because of the magnets, you can easily transition the 15 Pro from landscape to portrait mode. Likewise, you can adjust the height and tilt to suit your viewing preferences. There’s also an extra hinged “leg” at the bottom of the stand that allows you to position the 15 Pro above your laptop’s integrated display.
But the perks don’t end there. The 15 Pro also has multi-touch support, which works natively in Windows 11. However, that support extends to macOS when you install the free EspressFlow software. EspressoFlow also lets you configure virtual desktops for the 15 Pro.
With a price tag of $699, the 15 Pro isn’t cheap, but it offers a complete package for productivity warriors who crave some extra display resolution, flexibility with viewing modes, and a well-integrated software experience.
More: Espresso Displays 15 Pro Review
Best Portable Gaming Monitor
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Nexigo NG17FGQ achieves a feat that we don't often see in the portable monitor realm: it offers a tantalizing 300Hz refresh rate in a 17.3-inch form factor and connects to a laptop or desktop via HDMI or USB-C (DisplayPort Alt-Mode).
However, you'll need to connect the monitor to a PC with a USB-C cable to reach that 300Hz threshold. Connecting via an HDMI cable limits you to 240Hz, which is still not bad for a portable monitor.
Thanks to its good build quality, excellent color representation, and great performance while gaming, the NG17FGQ is hard to beat for mobile gamers looking for a step up in performance. If that wasn't enough, a remote is included in the box to make it easier to navigate the OSD (instead of fumbling with sometimes poorly-placed physical buttons on the actual monitor) along with built-in speakers.
More: Nexigo NG17FGQ Review
Best Portable Wireless Monitor
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
ViewSonic has a vast portfolio of portable monitors, many of which I’ve reviewed for Tom’s Hardware. However, one of the company’s most impressive entries is the VG1656N, a feature-packed entry retailing for less than $300.
The monitor measures a relatively large 16 inches across with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 (16:10). If you’re looking for HDMI connectivity, you won’t find it here. However, the VG1656N does include two USB-C ports with DisplayPort Alt Mode support. More importantly, the VG1656N also supports wireless connectivity via the ViewSonic VG19948 USB-C dongle.
You can use the dongle with smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other computing devices. For example, the VG1656N shows up as an AirPlay display on Apple devices, allowing me to enjoy iOS games on the 16-inch display instead of my iPhone 16 Pro’s built-in 6.3-inch display. Bolstering this wireless support is a built-in battery for true “wireless” connectivity.
From a performance perspective, the VG1656N is among the top performers in terms of color but is mid-pack in brightness.
With a price tag of $299, the VG1656N isn’t an impulse buy for a portable monitor. However, it offers plenty of enticing features that make it a perfect fit for mobile warriors.
More: ViewSonic VG1656N review
FAQs for Best Portable Monitors
Are portable monitors worth it?
It really depends on your needs. Portable monitors can be used for a variety of purposes thanks to their versatility. For example, if you have a smaller desk without space to fit a standard 27-inch or 32-inch monitor, a 15.6-inch or 16.1-inch portable monitor could serve you well. And there’s the obvious advantage of using one as a secondary monitor for your laptop. Some portable monitors even come with versatile stands that allow them to be used beside your laptop’s display or even above it.
How do you connect a portable monitor to your laptop?
Most portable monitors today come with at least two USB-C ports, which support DisplayPort Alt-Mode. As long as your laptop’s USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt-Mode or if you have a Thunderbolt 3/4/5 port, you can use a single cable to deliver power and a video signal to the monitor. Some portable monitors also include a mini-HDMI or micro-HDMI port. Using a cable with a full-size HDMI connector on the other end, you can connect to your laptop’s HDMI port. You can then use one of the monitor’s USB-C ports with a USB cable and wall adapter for power.
Can you game with a portable monitor?
Yes, you can game with a portable monitor. Although most portable monitors are limited to a 60 HZ refresh rate, you can also find monitors with 120 Hz, 180 Hz, and even 360 Hz refresh rates. In addition, Adaptive-Sync technologies such as AMD FreeSync are supported over USB-C and Thunderbolt. So if you want a larger screen for your Lenovo Legion Go S gaming handheld, a portable monitor will work just fine.
Can you use an iPad as a portable monitor?
Yes, an iPad can be used as a portable monitor with a supported Mac. You can do this wirelessly or via USB on a supported Mac using the built-in Sidecar interface. There are also third-party software solutions, such as Duet Display, that let you use an iPad with a Windows system.
Shopping Tips for Best Portable Monitors
Make sure it connects to your device(s).
Some monitors connect over standard HDMI, which lets them work with almost anything, while others use USB-C’s alternate mode. A select few provide DisplayLink connectivity, which allows them to plug into any USB 3.0 capable port, even an old-fashioned type-A connector.
Pay close attention to monitor kickstands.
A kickstand can be a make-or-break proposition for some portable monitors. The best portable monitors have a built-in kickstand that allows you to easily adjust the display for the best possible viewing angles. On the other hand, some monitors have separate, magnetic origami-style covers that double as a kickstand. These are rarely (if ever) better than a good built-in kickstand and can ruin an otherwise good display experience.
Battery or no battery?
Most modern portable monitors draw power over USB-C, either via a dedicated wall charger or by drawing power directly from your laptop. However, some models, like the Asus ROG ROG XG16AHPE and XG17AHPE, have a built-in lithium-ion battery that allows you to game without being plugged into a wall. So, if you prefer to connect to your laptop via HDMI, you could do so with just a single cable with battery-equipped monitors.
Productivity or Gaming?
Most portable monitors come with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is perfectly fine for productivity tasks and suits most consumers. However, some alternatives like the Asus ROG ROG XG16AHPE and ViewSonic VX1755 offer up to 144Hz refresh rates and support for Adaptive-Sync technologies for those that want to game on a portable display that’s larger than what their laptop natively offers.
Discounts on the Best Portable Monitors
Whether you're shopping for one of the screens that made our list of best portable monitors above or something else, you may find savings by checking out our best monitor deals page, along with our lists of Dell coupon codes, Lenovo coupon codes, LG coupon codes, HP coupon codes, Monoprice coupon codes and Newegg promo codes.
MORE: Best Gaming Monitors
MORE: How We Test Monitors
MORE: All Monitor Content
MORE: HDMI vs. DisplayPort: Which Is Better For Gaming?
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Brandon Hill is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware. He has written about PC and Mac tech since the late 1990s with bylines at AnandTech, DailyTech, and Hot Hardware. When he is not consuming copious amounts of tech news, he can be found enjoying the NC mountains or the beach with his wife and two sons.
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imsurgical I believe the specs for the Zion Pro and Lenovo ThinkVision are incorrect. You have the specs copied from the Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE for both.Reply -
Co BIY Never even knew this was a product category before this article.Reply
Sounds like a a total need for anyone working off a laptop. I love my multi-monitor setups.
Laptop manufacturers should be selling matching monitors to go with their laptops, -
Awev I noticed that all of the mentioned displays have a category called Touch: none So, none of these monitors support touch sensors? Are there any that do, that are worth considering?Reply -
sjkpublic Reply
Either you missed it or the Author has updated the article. Check again.Awev said:I noticed that all of the mentioned displays have a category called Touch: none So, none of these monitors support touch sensors? Are there any that do, that are worth considering? -
sjkpublic Reply
Or if you use a NUC.Co BIY said:Never even knew this was a product category before this article.
Sounds like a a total need for anyone working off a laptop. I love my multi-monitor setups.
Laptop manufacturers should be selling matching monitors to go with their laptops,