Whether you’re working on the go, gaming away from your desk or just want a second screen to boost your productivity, a portable monitor can be a handy solution. These lightweight displays are perfect for adding more screen space to your setup without taking up much room — especially useful if you’re using a compact laptop or traveling often.
Many of the best portable monitors now support USB Type-C connections for easy plug-and-play setups, and some even run entirely on USB power, so you don’t need to carry extra chargers. You’ll also find models with handy extras like built-in speakers, touchscreen support and wide compatibility with Windows laptops and tablets. Whether you’re after a laptop screen extender or a creative companion for photo editing on the go, there’s a portable monitor out there for you.
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Best portable monitors for 2025
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Size: 17-inch | Display type: Portable touchscreen | Connector type: USB-C | Resolution: 4K | Brightness: 450 nits | Weight: 2.4lbs | Maximum refresh rate: 60 Hz
Not only does the Espresso 17 Pro feature strong brightness (450 nits) and a super premium design, but what really elevates this second monitor are all of its accessories and companion apps. Espresso’s Stand Pro add-on feels downright bulletproof, while also providing a super strong magnetic attachment system so you don’t need to worry about kickstands or tripods. Meanwhile, for people who need extra juice while out and about, there’s a charging station with a huge 32,000 mAh battery. Alternatively, Espresso’s Jot software makes it easy to draw and markup docs with a stylus, which works great with the company’s screen protector and adds a more textured surface for better feedback while drawing.
Its standout feature is plug-and-play touchscreen support when connected to a Mac, helping you unleash your creativity. Additionally, with 10-bit color accuracy, 100 percent DCI-P3 coverage and dual USB-C connections with power passthrough, this monitor is packed with features. It even includes HDR support for enhanced visual depth. The only downside is the price — starting at $799 — but after testing it, we think it’s worth it, offering better image quality than many computer monitors in the same size range.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Size: 15-inch | Display type: Portable touchscreen | Connector type: USB-C | Resolution: 4K | Brightness: 550 nits | Weight: 1.76lbs | Maximum refresh rate: 60 Hz
Read our full Espresso 15 Pro review
With the 15 Pro, Espresso has made a smaller version of its flagship 4K portable monitor that’s not only more compact, it also has higher brightness than before. And as you’d expect, it supports all of its bigger sibling’s best features, including a sleek design, single-cord setup (with two built-in USB-C ports) and even the ability to add touchscreen support to Macs. Plus, there’s a wealth of accessories to choose from, making the 15 Pro an incredibly versatile, though somewhat pricey, choice for frequent travelers or anyone who just wants a nice portable monitor at home.
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Size: 15.6-inch | Display type: IPS | Connector type: USB-C | Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 300 nits | Weight: 1.85lbs (with cover) | Maximum refresh rate: 60 Hz
At just $200, Plugable’s 15.6-inch portable monitor delivers everything you need in a budget display and more. That’s because while it doesn’t have HDMI or DisplayPort, it features not one but three USB-C connections along with hub functionality thanks to two 10Gbps connections and 85-watt passthrough charging. And because the monitor itself has a low power draw, you probably won’t even need to use the included brick when connected to a laptop.
While the panel doesn’t boast higher resolution specs, its contrast ratio and color accuracy are solid for the price. The one small drawback is that image quality goes down when viewed from acute angles, though that shouldn’t be a huge deal because, from head on, colors and sharpness are above average for the money. Finally, while we don’t expect a ton of freebies to come bundled with budget gadgets, Plugable does include a folding magnetic cover that doubles as a kickstand and a USB-C 3.2 cable, which is a nice touch.
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Size: 17.3-inch | Display type: IPS | Connector type: USB-C | Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 300 nits | Weight: 3.88lbs (with stand) | Maximum refresh rate: 240 Hz
Even though the ROG Strix XG17AHP has been on the market for a while, it’s got great specs including a 17.3-inch monitor with an anti-reflective coating and full HD resolution, a wealth of ports and a blazing fast 240Hz refresh rate (make it one of the best gaming monitor options in the portable space) — the latter of which is pretty much as high you can get from portable monitors today. I appreciate that its 7,800 mAh built-in battery makes it easy to set up for short sessions without worrying about a power source. This model also comes with a boatload of accessories including a travel bag, folding cover, a ton of cables and more. It also features a quick disconnect system for attaching its included tripod, which is great when using it at home or in more semi-permanent configurations. Though if you prefer to travel even lighter, there’s a slightly cheaper version that only comes with a kickstand instead of a tripod.
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Size: 14-inch | Display type: IPS | Connector type: USB-C | Resolution: 1440p | Brightness: 300 nits | Weight: 1.5lbs | Maximum refresh rate: 60 Hz
For people who are constantly on the go, Lenovo’s M14t Gen2 Mobile Monitor makes it easy to bring a nice second display anywhere you want. Its 14-inch panel features a higher resolution 1440p display with a 100 percent sRGB color gamut and a 16:10 aspect ratio for a little extra vertical screen space. It also supports USB-C power pass-through (up to 65 watts) so it can conveniently share juice with a connected device like a phone or laptop. You also get sketching support thanks to Lenovo’s included stylus.
But the best part is its built-in stand, which offers a stable tilting feature that goes from zero to 90 degrees, so it’s easily adjustable even in tight spaces. And weighing in at just 1.5 pounds, it won’t add a ton of extra heft to your bag. Lenovo even tossed in a nice carrying sleeve to ensure the panel doesn’t get damaged in transit.
Just know that there are a few different versions of the M14t monitor; you can pick one up for as low as $284 directly from Lenovo. If you’re looking to save a few dollars, read the spec list of the model you’re thinking of buying before pulling the trigger.
Things to consider before buying a portable monitor
Before you start looking at specific products, it’s super important to think about how and where you plan on using a second monitor as a portable display. Larger panels are great for home use where you may only need to move it or put it away when you have company over. Meanwhile, smaller screens are great for travel and whipping out at a coffee shop or shared workspace. But if you go too small, you may be adding extra weight to your bag without providing a ton of extra utility, especially if it lacks a good USB-C cable or mini HDMI for connectivity. Screen size and compatibility with your existing devices should be top considerations.
It’s also important to consider your typical workload, as artists may get extra value out of monitors with higher maximum brightness, HDR, wider color accuracy and a higher contrast ratio. Those who spend all day looking at spreadsheets won’t get as much value from more vibrant displays or FHD displays with high refresh rates, but they may still benefit from having a basic plug-and-play second monitor for multitasking.
What to look for in a portable monitor
Aside from price and screen size, some of the most important specs in a portable monitor include panel type, pixels per inch, brightness, refresh rate and connectivity. Most portable monitors use IPS LCD displays, which generally offer good viewing angles, strong brightness and good power efficiency. However, some higher resolution models now feature OLED screens that support wider color gamuts, better color accuracy and contrast ratio, which can be a major benefit for artists and content creators. Some budget models may use TN panels, as that can help cut costs and reduce energy consumption. That said, we generally try to stay away from those as they often have worse image quality compared to IPS screens.
For brightness, 300 nits is the lowest we recommend — anything less can make the monitor hard to use even in some indoor environments. Ideally, we look for screens that are closer to 350 or 400 nits and above for better accuracy and visibility.
Connectivity is also important because if you can’t easily hook your phone, gaming console, or laptop to a monitor, it becomes an oversized paperweight. Most travel displays include an HDMI port or USB-C port(or both), which cover the large majority of devices. It’s rare to find a portable monitor these days with only USB-A, since the majority of devices have moved over to USB-C. However, we also like models that support passthrough power over USB-C connections, which reduces the complexity of your setup and decreases the number of cords and adapters you have to carry around.
Finally, most portable monitors feature 60Hz refresh rates, which is fine for most use cases. However, if you’re looking for a gaming monitor, there are models with 120Hz or even 240Hz refresh rates. These are excellent choices for gamers looking to maintain smooth fps while playing on the go.
Portable monitor FAQs
What are the disadvantages of a portable monitor?
The main disadvantage of a portable monitor in comparison to a regular monitor is size. Most portable monitors sit in the 14- to 17-inch range to allow them to be as portable as their name suggests. While you can find some portable monitors sized at 20 inches or larger, they become less and less convenient to take on the go the larger they get.
What is the difference between a tablet and a portable monitor?
A tablet is essentially a portable computer that can run apps, games and more without a supporting device. Portable monitors are indeed supportive devices designed to expand your screen real estate; in order for them to have any use, they must be connected to a laptop or tablet.
What ports should I look for in a portable monitor?
The most important port to look for on a portable monitor is the one with which you’ll connect the monitor to your computer. Most portable monitors will have either an HDMI or USB-C port to do this. After that, it’s handy for a portable monitor to have other connectors such as a USB-A port, extra USB-C ports and others for you to hook up additional accessories.
