Portable monitors have been around for years, but their importance has soared during the pandemic. As remote and hybrid job positions continue, they will become staple foods for the foreseeable future. But choosing one is not as simple as it seems. At this point, almost every major PC manufacturer has its own travel-friendly monitor, ranging from $100 to nearly $1,000. So to fix the mess, I tested a lot of options to put together a short list of the best portable monitors today.
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Best Portable Monitors of 2025
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
size: 17 inches | Display Type: Portable touch screen | Connector Type: USB-C | solve:4K | brightness: 450 nits | weight: 2.4 lbs
Not only Espresso 17 Pro With strong brightness (450 Nit) and super quality design, but what really lifts the second monitor is all its accessories and accompanying apps. Espresso’s stance Pro add-on feels completely bulletproof, while also offering a super powerful magnetic attachment system so you don’t have to worry about a cam or tripod. Meanwhile, for those who need extra juice when going out and around, there is a charging station with a 32,000 mAh battery. Additionally, Espresso’s Jot software makes it easy to draw and mark documents with a stylus that works with the company’s screen protector and adds a more textured surface when drawing for better feedback.
Its excellent feature is the plug-in touchscreen support when connected to your Mac, which helps you unleash your creativity. Additionally, with 10-bit color accuracy, 100% DCI-P3 coverage and dual USB-C connection with power access, the display comes with functionality. It even includes HDR support for enhanced visual depth. The only downside is the price (starting at $799), but after testing it, we thought it was worth it, offering better image quality than many computer monitors in the same size range.
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
size: 15.6 inches | Display Type:ips | Connector Type: USB-C | solve:1080p | brightness: 300 nits | weight: 1.85 lbs (with cover)
Only $200, Plugable 15.6-inch portable monitor Give everything you need in your budget display, and more. That’s because while it doesn’t have HDMI or DisplayPort, it doesn’t have three USB-C connections as well as hub functionality thanks to two 10GBPS connections and 85-watt passive charging. And, because the monitor itself has a low-power draw, you may not even need to use the included brick when connecting to your laptop.
Although the panel does not have higher resolution specifications, the price for its contrast and color accuracy is stable. A small drawback is that when viewed from an acute perspective, the image quality will drop, although this shouldn’t be a big deal, as color and clarity exceed the average of money from scratch. Finally, while we don’t want the massive freebies to be bundled with budget gadgets, the pluggable does include a folding magnetic cover that doubles as a stand-alone and USB-C 3.2 cable, which is a nice touch.
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
size: 17.3 inches | Display Type:ips | Connector Type: USB-C | solve:1080p | brightness: 300 nits | weight: 3.88 lbs (with standing)
even though ROG Strix XG17AHP Always Market for a whileits specs are great, including a 17.3-inch monitor with reflective coating and full HD resolution, a large number of ports and a fast 240Hz refresh rate for burning (making it one of the best gaming monitor options in a portable space) – the latter is almost available from today’s portable monitors. I’m grateful for its 7,800 MAH built-in battery for easy short sessions without having to worry about power. The model also comes with a large number of accessories including travel bags, folding covers, a large number of cables and more. It also has a quick disconnect system for connecting its included tripod, which is great at home or in a semi-permanent configuration. Although, if you want to travel easier, there is a slightly cheaper version that comes with only a stand instead of a tripod.
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
size: 14 inches | Display Type:ips | Connector Type: USB-C | solve:1440p | brightness: 300 nits | weight: 1.5 lbs
For those who keep traveling Lenovo’s M14T Gen2 Mobile Monitor Make it easy for you to bring your second monitor anywhere you want. Its 14-inch panel features a higher resolution 1440p display with 100% SRGB color range and a 16:10 aspect ratio in exchange for some extra vertical screen space. It also supports USB-C power passes (up to 65 watts), so it is convenient to share juice with connected devices such as phones or laptops. Thanks to Lenovo’s stylus, you also get sketch support.
But the best part is its built-in stand, which provides a stable tilt from zero to 90 degrees, so it is easy to adjust even in tight spaces. And it weighs only 1.5 pounds, and it won’t add a lot of extra weight to your bag. Lenovo even threw it into a nice sleeve to make sure the panels are not damaged in transit.
Only know how many different versions of the M14T monitor are available; you can choose one $284 directly from Lenovo. If you want to save a few dollars, read the specification list of the model you are purchasing before extracting the trigger.
Things to consider before buying a portable monitor
Before you start looking at a specific product, it is important to consider how and where to use a second monitor as a portable display. The larger panel is great for home use, and you may just need to move it or put it behind the company. Meanwhile, the smaller screen is great for traveling and stirring in a coffee shop or shared workspace. However, if you go too small, you may add extra weight without providing a lot of extra use, especially if you lack a good USB-C cable or Mini HDMI for connection. Screen size and compatibility with your existing device should be the best considerations.
It’s also important to consider your typical workload, as artists may get extra value from monitors with higher maximum brightness, HDR, wider color accuracy and higher contrast. Those who view spreadsheets all day and day will not get great value from a more distinctive monitor or FHD monitor, but have a high refresh rate, but they may still benefit from having a basic plugin for multitasking for the second time.
What to look for in a portable monitor
Apart from price and screen size, the most important specifications in a portable display include panel type, pixels per inch, brightness, refresh rate, and connectivity. Most portable monitors use IPS LCD displays, which usually provide good viewing angles, strong brightness and good power efficiency. However, some high-resolution models now have OLED screens that support a wider range of colors, better color accuracy and contrast, which may be a major benefit for artists and content creators. Some budget models can use TN panels because this can help reduce costs and reduce energy consumption. That said, we usually try to stay away from this situation, as they usually have poorer image quality compared to IPS screens.
For brightness, the minimum 300 columns we recommend is the lowest – even in some indoor environments, anything less can make the monitor difficult to use. Ideally, we look for screens close to 350 or 400 Nit and above for improved accuracy and visibility.
Connectivity is also important because if you can’t easily connect your phone, gaming console, or laptop to your monitor, it will turn into an oversized crackdown. Most travel displays include an HDMI port or a USB-C port (or both) covering most devices. Today, only USB-A is used to find portable monitors, as most devices have moved to USB-C, so portable monitors are rarely found. However, we also like models that support the transfer power to the USB-C connection, reducing the complexity of the setup and reducing the number of ropes and adapters you have to carry.
Finally, most portable monitors have a 60Hz refresh rate, which is OK for most use cases. However, if you are looking for a gaming monitor, there are models with a 120Hz or even 240Hz refresh rate. These are great options for gamers who want to keep their FPS smooth while playing on the go.
