The 7 Best Portable Monitors for Working and Gaming on the Go

ProsFactory-calibrated OLED that’s great for color gradingStand adjusts for height, tilt, and portraitViewSonic’s ColorPro VP16-OLED features a quality panel and a versatile stand, which is why it’s our top overall pick. The 15.6-inch OLED display offers self-lit pixels, giving it the deep blacks and saturated colors that make photos, video, and games pop.ViewSonic calibrates every units at the factory and certifies it Pantone Validated to a Delta E under 2, so colors look as accurate and lifelike as possible. Photographers and video editors can actually grade on it and trust the result.Meanwhile, its stand features a double-hinged base that raises the screen to eye level, tilts, folds flat, and even turns vertical for reading long documents. A tripod thread underneath means you can easily mount it, and you can connect a camera over mini-HDMI for a large preview screen to check your shots on set. The magnetic hood can block daylight glare and then fold down, making it easy to pack up.Two 40-watt USB-C ports move video and power in both directions, so the monitor can charge your laptop or run off it. There’s also a headphone output and speakers. The refresh rate tops out at 60 Hz, which is enough for everyday work but falls short for fast-paced gaming. Still, the ColorPro VP16-OLED is a well-rounded option for just about anything you need to do on the go.Key SpecsDisplay Type & Resolution15.6-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) OLED panel, Pantone ValidatedRefresh Rate60 HzConnectivityTwo 40W USB-C ports, mini-HDMI, standard audio jackWeight2.2 lbOtherHeight-adjustable stand, tripod mount, light-blocking hood, stereo speakersProsTop-notch picture quality and wide viewing anglesDoubles as a connectivity hub with passthrough chargingDedicated button for color modes is super convenientConsRefresh rate tops out at 60 HertzThis portable monitor by Plugable is the best alternative to my top pick from ASUS. The value-packed accessory trades a less vivid IPS display panel with the same size and resolution for a more elaborate set of connectivity features and a considerably lower price tag. The recently launched product costs $200 before additional discounts.Impressively, the Plugable monitor is also a highly capable connectivity hub. Its trio of high-speed USB-C connectors includes two high-speed ports and one that supports passthrough charging. The latter ensures that the monitor can power up your notebook while serving as a second screen. Considering its maker’s solid reputation in making connectivity hubs, I wasn’t surprised to encounter these features.I like the monitor’s dedicated key for changing the color mode (e.g., cool, warm, etc.) depending on the content and workflow. The device comes bundled with a protective case that also doubles as a viewing stand.Key SpecsDisplay Type & Resolution15.6-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) IPS panelRefresh Rate60 HzConnectivityTwo high-speed USB-C ports, USB-C hub with passthrough chargingWeight1.9 lbOtherBuilt-in color mode switchAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsAffordable without lacking in brand cachetGreat picture quality for the moneyMultiple mounting optionsConsRefresh rate tops out at 60 HertzThis portable monitor from MSI is a great budget pick that covers all the essentials. Its 15.6-inch Full HD IPS panel is sharp and easy on the eyes, making it a solid fit for everyday work, streaming, and casual gaming. Eye-friendly features like anti-flicker, blue light reduction, and an anti-glare finish help keep long sessions comfortable.Despite the low price, the monitor features a slim, lightweight design that slips easily into a backpack, and the built-in kickstand supports both landscape and portrait modes for more flexible setups. MSI also provides a standard 75 mm VESA pattern plus a 1/4-inch tripod socket on the back, so it’s just as at home on a monitor arm or tripod as it is propped on a table.The monitor has USB-C for simple plug-and-play hookups to compatible laptops and tablets, as well as a mini-HDMI port for consoles and other devices. To top things off, the monitor features built-in speakers and an included protective sleeve.Key SpecsDisplay Type & Resolution15.6-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) IPS panelRefresh Rate60 HzConnectivityTwo USB-C ports, mini-HDMIWeight2 lbOtherIntegrated viewing stand, tripod mount, 75mm VESA, stereo speakersProsBright and vibrant OLED screenExcellent gaming performanceImpressively slim designConsBundled cover stand makes it bulkierAvid gamers looking for a portable monitor should have this one on their radar. Its compact display offers an excellent amalgam between a sleek, impossibly thin design and a high-resolution OLED panel with excellent picture quality, high refresh rate, and super low response times. The product is an equally perfect match for a high-performance gaming console or PC.I like that the monitor’s 3K resolution is considerably higher than Full HD without being too taxing on the GPU of a gaming laptop — one of the likely companions for it. Translation? You won’t need to have an expensive rig with a range-topping graphics chip to enjoy stunning visuals.Gaming aside, the portable monitor is also great for work, including image and video editing or graphic design and watching videos. Its high refresh rate, in addition to smooth gameplay, makes mundane tasks like scrolling through webpages and social media feeds, as well as parsing through documents, more enjoyable.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsOLED touchscreen with outstanding picture qualityElegant design and premium buildConsUnderwhelming built-in speakersConsider this portable monitor for working on graphic design and photo editing projects, paired with a high-powered console like the Sony PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Series X. Its OLED panel with millions of self-lit pixels produces infinite contrast and vivid colors, which combine to treat me to a stunning and detail-rich viewing experience.The product’s picture quality is the best on this list. Its aluminum alloy housing has a premium feel that’s worthy of its picture quality, too. The hardware maker also offers a more affordable portable monitor with a Full HD panel sans touch sensitivity. A more compact iteration with a 13.3-inch touchscreen is also available, as is a lower-priced 15.6-inch Full HD touch variant.Key SpecsDisplay Type & Resolution15.6-inch 4K (3,840x2,160 pixels) OLED touchscreenRefresh Rate60 HzConnectivityTwo USB-C ports, mini-HDMIWeight2 lbOtherStereo speakersProsBig screen with super thin bezelsSturdy and convenient viewing standGreat picture quality and gaming performanceConsSize is approaching desktop monitor territoryEquipped with an 18.5-inch display panel, this portable monitor from VisionOwl is the biggest on this list, legitimately blurring the lines between a compact and a desktop monitor. That said, unlike its standard-size counterparts, the product is easy to move around and fits into a (bigger) laptop backpack. Better yet, the device weighs less than three pounds, despite being much larger than the 17-inch CRT monitor I used at the turn of this century.The VisionOwl portable monitor has an impressively slim design, a versatile built-in viewing stand, and a full-size HDMI port. The last two features set the gadget apart from all other options on this list. The product’s anti-glare, HDR-compatible screen has stellar picture quality and a high maximum refresh rate, so it’s equally good for conquering your workflow and go-to video game.When it comes to bundled accessories, the VisionOwl covers all the essentials. Its retail package includes a protective case and a standard HDMI cable to go with the mandatory USB-C cord and power adapter.Key SpecsDisplay Type & Resolution18.5-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) IPS panelRefresh Rate100 HzConnectivityTwo USB-C ports, HDMI, standard audio jackWeight2.7 lbOtherIntegrated viewing stand, VESA mountAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsPeerless multitasking capabilitiesBuilt-in stand and mount are super versatilePlenty of connectivity featuresConsconsiderably heavier than standard portable monitorsThis dual-panel portable monitor is the one to get if you prioritize multitasking above anything else. With a pair of 15-inch displays, the accessory will allow you to create a triple-screen workstation by connecting it to your computer via USB-C. Having so many displays at your disposal makes conquering any workflow (or two) easy by allowing you to run multiple full-screen apps or view, say, a duo of additional desktops, to name a couple of scenarios, super easy. And thanks to a pair of mini-HDMI ports, you can even connect and view content from two sources on the accessory.When it comes to picture quality, the gadget’s dup of Full HD IPS screens delivers a stellar, if far from class-leading, experience with accurate colors. Similarly priced single monitors in this price range rock OLED panels, but they are nowhere near the multitasking capabilities of this VisionOwl offering. In addition, the latter also has an option to flip the panels to collaborate with or present to other viewers.I like that the monitor has an adjustable viewing kickstand and a standard VESA mount. The bundled storage sleeve and multiple cables in the retail package are also impressive.Key SpecsDisplay Type & ResolutionTwo 15.6-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) IPS panelsRefresh Rate60 HzConnectivityTwo USB-C ports, two mini-HDMI portsWeight5.9 lbOtherIntegrated viewing stand, VESA mountStefan is an award-winning consumer technology editor with over a decade of experience in reviewing gadgets, particularly smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, desktop and laptop computers across multiple form factors and platforms, as well as accessories for them. He also covers televisions and audio equipment, including headphones, earbuds, wireless speakers, and soundbars. Since joining Hearst in 2015, Stefan has contributed to BestProducts, Popular Mechanics, and numerous other publications. Prior to his current role, he served as the US Editor for GSMArena.com.