Top 10 | Best Portable Monitor For A Laptop And Guide

I love my laptop, it’s a hardy machine that’s accompanied me on many journeys, however, sometimes it needs a little help.

It’s actually ranked as my number one laptop for travel, in case you’re interested.

But, it has limitations of course. Often I have had to travel to do training sessions or make pitches to small groups when projectors or other conferencing facilities were not available and I was just left with my laptop.

Of course, it was OK, but I knew it could have been better.

After a little research, I stumbled across these magic little devices, portable monitors, they were the perfect antidote to the limited display options on my laptop. So in this post, I want to help you find the best portable monitor for a laptop.

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Note – Please know, some of the external links on this page are affiliate links, this means that if you purchase after following one, I make a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to yourself.

The great thing about these little gadgets it’s their usefulness is not restricted to professional settings.  You may be looking for a portable gaming monitor so that new RPG game is the gaming experience you look forward to.

You could even be a graphic designer that desires to maximize your options to manipulate things through that second screen.

Regardless of what you do with your laptops, portable monitors are sure to assist you with your work or leisure and here are some of the best monitors on the market.

10 Best Portable Monitors for Laptops

1. Desklab 4k Dual-screen Attachment for Laptop
2. Duex Pro Upgraded Monitor
3. HP Business S14 14’’ Led LCD Monitor
4. UPERFECT Portable Monitor
5. Asus ZenScreen MB16AC Full HD Eye Care Monitor
6. Lepow Upgraded 15.6-inch Monitor
7. SideTrak Portable Monitor
8. NIUTO 15.6-inch Full HD
9. Lenovo ThinkVision M14
10. Vodzsla Triple Monitor

1. Desklab 4k Best Multi-screen Laptop Attachment

The Desklab 4k portable monitor is a lightweight, high-quality monitor that’s perfect for your laptop without all the extra bulk.

Desklab works with any device you have, including laptops, smartphones (Android* and iOS devices), tablets, or anything else. When connected via USB-C, it will also act as a touchscreen.

The portable display measures just 0.23 inches thickness on its own – less than half as thin as an iPad mini – and still manages to include two Type C ports, one HDMI port, a Micro HDMI port, and a 3.5mm jack.

However, what makes this portable second monitor attached to laptop stand out is the screen. The 4k screen is stunning with high clarity, vibrant color gamut, and wide viewing angles. Whether you are using it for photo or video editing, gaming, or making videos, you’ll love the crisp, bright portable display.

While I’m talking about the screen, I should also mention that the anti-reflective screen protector prevents glare from sunlight or artificial sources, making it more enjoyable to use in outdoor scenarios.

While there are not many things to grumble about, I’d say it’s a shame the magnetic stand is not included as it is pretty essential as the screen will be hard to prop up without it, but at just $20, it’s not a huge deal.

The only other downside is I feel the speakers sound a little tinny. It’s worth mentioning that it’s one of the few monitors with speakers, so it’s not a deal-breaker, I also tend to use it with headphones anyway, but I just thought I’d mention it.

The small and lightweight design makes it perfect for digital nomads and professionals looking to show their work on the go or people who travel often and need something they can use anywhere.

*Some phone brands, by design, do not output any display signal. Unfortunately, this means you will not be able to connect your smartphone to your Desklab. However, you can use devices like the Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, or any other media player attachments to connect wirelessly with the Desklab Portable Monitor.

2. Duex Pro Upgraded Portable Monitor for Laptop

The Duex pro upgrade portable laptop screen extender and monitor from Mobile Pixels sports a 12.5-inch display size with a 1920x1080p IPS full HD display on first sight. As far as the display’s protective measures, there is the Anti-glare Eye Care Brightness.

I love it for its unique and innovative mounting mechanism that is simply an “Append, Slide and Use” mechanism. You simply need to attach this slim (1.8 inches), light (1.7 pounds) and comfortably dimensioned (14.1 x 10.3 inches) monitor that attaches to laptop, slide it through and get to work. For technology Duex tag the best attachable monitor for laptop, money used to get it isn’t too much, just $250.

For workers, studies have shown that using the best portable monitors as an appendage to your laptops, generally, help to increase work efficiency by up to 50%. The Duex pro does not lack in this regard either as it will not only help with that productivity boost but may provide specific help in your field of work.

For instance, the 270°, 180° rotation the Duex pro offers may help with mirroring your screen for presentations during meetings. And, for entertainment advantages is the options for Landscape or Portrait viewing and multitasking on your laptop and Duex pro attachable screen for laptop.

Aside from these, the portable adjustable laptop dual screen monitor relieves you of connection stress as it makes use of USB C port/Type-A and is compatible with Windows, Chromebook laptops and Macbooks as well.

Ultimately, the quality of the Duex pro is relatively high and worthy of its $250 price tag.

You may also want to check out the Mobile Pixels Trio Max Portable Monitor where you can buy two to turn your laptop into a triple screen beast!

3. HP Business S14 14’’ Led LCD Monitor

This USB portable monitor from HP dons a 14-inch display, poised with an LED backlight from an IPS display panel that is 1920 x 1080 resolution-wise and sports a refresh rate of 60-Hz. In layman terms, the display looks great, with vivid colors and great response time.

The structural design of the HP business or EliteDisplay does follow suite with the efficiency of its display. The dimensions for the screen exactly measure 12.91 x 8.24 x 0.34 inches accompanied with a compact weight of 2.2 lbs making is a great ultra portable choice.

These values are just about perfect for products in the portable monitors industry as the word “portable” is candidly descriptive of the product. 

This portable screen will not only fit in your laptop bag but also fit in different professional and leisure settings. This is especially evident as you do not need a power cable or battery to use it but a simple Type-C USB will do the connectivity trick nicely. Simply unfold the strong, easel folding cover it comes with and prop it up next your laptop, connect with your Type-C cable and you’re good to go. 

Furthermore, the performance of the HP Business S14 Monitor, is effortless for gaming, watching movies and color intensive activities on your laptop. This is all done with your eye safety in mind as there is an option for low the Blue light (BL) mode to shift the color spectrum to a somewhat warmer one, filtering the BL emission, thereby protecting your eyes.

4. UPERFECT Portable Monitor

This stunning portable monitor absolutely outclasses all the best portable monitors on this list when it comes to display quality. The 15.6-inches dulls a full HD resolution display for a UHD display that flaunts a 3200 x 1800-pixel 4k display on its in plane switching panel with a rapid response time. The IPS panel also displays images in a dynamic way that provides for wide-angle viewing while providing an enhanced luminosity level – a respectable recipe for great image quality.

The 10-point capacitive touch screen capability of the laptop second screen attachment makes the 3840 x 2160 resolution of the screen even more worth it. Specifically, the dimensions of the UPERFECT portable monitor is 13.9 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches with a compact weight of just about 2.05 pounds, making it just about right for a travel companion.

To top the display quality of is its gravity sensor rotation that automates transition between landscape and portrait orientation easily and built-in speakers offer super high-quality stereo output. I also love the frameless bezel to maximize the screen real estate.

Many professional in-depth reviews have quoted the UPERFECT portable touch screen as the best portable gaming monitor especially because of the ease to which it connects to laptops, phones, Switch, Raspberry Pi, and the major gaming consoles like the Xbox One, PS3 and PS4, to name a few. But it is not limited to the use of just gamers as digital nomads and photographers have commented on its efficiency in aiding their work.

Connectivity is quick and simple with a single USB cable cord or via the Mini HDMI port.

5. Asus ZenScreen MB16AC Full HD Eye Care Monitor

While the Asus ZenScreen is relatively not as bright or vivid screen as some others in this list, it is still an excellent choice as a second screen for your laptop.

The lightweight, 1.7 pounds portable monitor, sports a 15.6-inch, Full HD display size of 14.6 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches, accompanied with a wraparound cover that protects it while it’s in your bag or suitcase and a neat little pen hole for your digital writing tool.

The customization options the Asus Zenscreen provides is one of its major selling points with the ability to go through four tiers of blue-light emission filter as well varying modes, specific for watching movies, reading, or gaming.

I also love the auto-rotate feature to easily switch between portrait and landscape views so it is ideal for both working and presenting.

Connectivity is simple and ranges from a USB-C port to Type-A cord to other adapters if you have downloaded the DisplayLink driver from the Asus website.If you want a similar screen just a little more compact the ASUS MB169B+ is also a great choice.

6. Lepow Upgraded 15.6-inch Portable Monitor

the Lepow portable monitor is a cheap portable monitor that overperforms based on it’s pricetag.

The 15.6-inch display is a thing of beauty with its 1920 x 1080 resolution full HD resolution screen. This monitor bests many of the others on this list especially with its selection of OSD menu and controls to better customize it to your usage. However, studying and comparing the Lepow has shown its lack in color reproduction or generally, image quality. 

I love the dual built-in stereo speakers that deliver loud and immersive 360-degree sound with deep and accurate bass.

Aside from that, the monitor meets all you may require for a second screen you can move around with its 1.7-pound weight and thickness of 0.34 inches. Not to mention its stable and can be simply connected to other devices since does not require a technical driver and add-on installations to get to enjoy.

7. SideTrak Portable Monitor

The SideTrak USB portable computer monitor is a somewhat technical option to choose but reading this, you should have no problem. The simple technicality lies in the size range of laptops to which the monitor can attach to. The SideTrak monitor is only advisable for users with laptops above the 11.25 x 8.25 inches size range, typically fitting into laptops within the 13 – 17.5-inch screen size bracket.

The SideTrak portable monitor comes in a metal frame (with the SideTrak monitor measures 12.8 x 8.5 x 0.7) that you attach to your laptop by means of four metal squares appended to the back of your laptop. You will be able to deploy your monitor once you attach the monitor to the four metal squares and it securely attaches itself through embedded magnets in the monitor frame.

The frame, aside from aiding the attachment process, helps to aid rotation as well because you can easily rotate the monitor up to 270° round for engaging presentations. It is however advisable to watch out for the Type-c cable when rotating to not damage the cable or the port. It does therefore support a USB-C to USB-C cable connection but usually comes with a single USB-A adapter.

8. OFIYAA P2 Pro Portable Triple Monitor

The OFIYAA P2 Pro Portable Triple Monitor is a great choice for business professionals who need extra screen real estate while on the go. This triple monitor is easy to install and use, and it’s portable so you can take it with you wherever you go.

The screen is 13.3 inches with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, and it’s LCD so you know the colors will be true-to-life.

The unit is very stable so your laptop won’t be jostled around while you’re working. This is especially thanks to the newly designed adjustable bracket that can be set to any height. A nice upgrade on the previous model.

Each monitor can be rotated 207 degrees, so you can share your work with others or present it in 180-degree mode. You can also use all three screens in a 45-degree inverted triangle for a unique viewing experience.

When it comes to size, the OFIYAA P2 Pro triple monitor is 13.5 inches by 8.5 with a 1.5-inch depth and weight of just 3.7lbs, which isn’t too bad considering you’re getting 2 screens.

If you’re looking for a portable triple monitor solution that is easy to use and won’t weigh you down, the OFIYAA P2 Pro is a great option and comes highly recommended.

9. Lenovo ThinkVision M14

The Lenovo ThinkVision M14 is a secondary portable monitor. It is a lightweight monitor for travel, home, and offices. It comes with low blue light technology, with a lightweight of about 1.26 pounds. The Lenovo ThinkVision M14 has only two USB-C inputs, which makes it best suitable for laptops that support Display Port Alt Mode.

The high pixel density of the Lenovo ThinkVision M14 creates a dynamic and clear image on the screen, with a 1080p resolution. It doesn’t have so many features like an actual desktop monitor. However, it is portable and perfect enough for most users.

The Lenovo ThinkVision M14 may not be the perfect screen for manufacturers or designers as some other portable monitors, as it has a low 60Hz refresh rate. The low refresh rate gives it a slow response time, which in turn creates slightly blurry motion on the screen. If you’re looking to have a portable monitor with added touch sensitivity, then the Lenovo ThinkVision M14 is for you.

The screen can be adjusted between -5 and 90 degrees; the hinges are flexible. The stand also comes with rubber feet that keep it firmly placed. The display is impeccable as it offers a 14inch with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It has a full HD resolution and an IPS panel.

10. Vodzsla Triple Portable Monitor

The Vodzsla Triple Portable Monitor for Laptop is a Tri-screen laptop monitor by Vodzsla. It comes with three 11.6 full HD LCD IPS monitors with the capacity to create dynamic, detailed and immersive visual experience. The three screens are easily adjustable and each comes with USB C connectivity/Mini HDMI ports. The Vodzsla Triple Monitor for Laptop gives its users simultaneous display on multiple screens and different displays on the screens.

If you have heavy tasks then the Vodzsla Triple Monitor is guaranteed to make it a lot easier. The Vodzsla Triple Monitor for Laptop has a 235 degrees rotation capability and a 180 degrees display mode. All these features allow you to successfully share the laptop screen or rotate either side of the screen to any viewing angle you choose.

The display also allows you to choose horizontal or vertical viewing experience. The Vodzsla Triple Monitor for Laptop comes with functionalities that allow you to adjust the brightness and contrast of the screen. It is best suitable for laptops with 13.3 – 16 inch displays and with a thickness of about 7mm.

Buying Guide

What Is A Portable Monitor?

You must have already been able to guess obviously that a monitor is just a secondary display that you can make use of with your laptops to operate on-the-go comfortably, enhance your gaming system, deepen your designs with a stylus pen and a variety of other leisure and professional options. However, you may be wondering why exactly portable monitors are different and apparently, better, than their preceding large-sized counterparts. 

There are several factors that undoubtedly outdo standard monitors and to name a few; the simplicity and ease to which you can set up most portable monitors (you can do the whole thing with one cable compared to standard monitors that require their own power source before connecting to your other devices).

Also, monitor manufactures, usually produce them to consume far less power because the monitor display is less dependent on the hardware and more on the software, thereby saving significant amount of power.

Most importantly, however, is the mobility capability the it offers as you can stuff it nicely in your backpack, suitcase, laptop bag and basically anywhere you’d keep your laptop in. This will make you able to work or entertain yourself, wherever and whenever.

What Makes A Good Portable Monitor?

Laptop Screen Display size

All you need in this regard is a monitor that’s large enough to work on but small enough to fit in your bag. A tip for individuals using a 11 to 13-inch laptop would be to buy a bigger-sized monitor. 

Weight 

Except you simply wish to just get your regular desktop on the road with you, your monitor should be no more than 3lbs. If you need a large-sized monitor, then the weight is sure to exceed that and it’s always advised you simply get a slim regular monitor instead.

Connectivity

A portable monitor connection should be quick and simple (preferably through a USB cable). There are HDMI and micro HDMI options, but those are sometimes impractical for use unless necessitated. Also, check if your laptop has the required connection port e.g. multiple USB-C ports if you are connecting other accessories. A good cable will also ensure a fast response time for the screen.

Resolution

Depending on what exactly you are using your monitor for as well as preference, you can choose from a wide variety of resolution options. Specifically, for writing codes or articles, you probably don’t need that much of it while if your usage is more of gaming, photography and the likes, high resolutions will be key, no matter how affordable the low-resolution options are.

Blue-light filters

Not only the best portable monitors come with the blue light filter feature and it is quite important to have it especially for those of us with eye defects.

Viewing angles

Wide viewing angles are only especially important for entertainment purposes with most portable monitors having their viewing angles at about 178° which is sufficient.

Device compatibility

This is basically the most important thing to take note of before buying one as some portable monitors may not support specific laptops. So, ensure to compare if your laptop is incompatible with the portable monitor.

When Will I Use A Portable Monitor?

Client Presentations

For those of us who don’t have a laptop dedicated to work alone, the gift the best portable monitors provide is invaluable. Since you may have other things on your laptop you wouldn’t want your client seeing, you would appreciate the fact that your portable monitor would usually toggle to extended mode (basically a blank background). This allows you to simply set up your presentation from your laptop with the monitor faced to the client and go about it easily.

Work demands multiple screens

If your work space demands it or you are accustomed to the use of a second screen for laptop in your office, portable monitors will do just the trick. This is especially evident in this period where remote working is common because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

To watch a movie

Yes, you can use your laptop for that. But in a case where you want to multitask your laptop, watching a movie on the monitor while working with your laptop. Besides, watching movies on portable monitors might be better because of the casual high-quality little bezels on it. It can also be more convenient if you are using your laptop in bed and want to lay back and relax your back for a while.

Play Mobile Games

For you gamers, mobile games had never been as enjoyable before the integration of portable monitors which gives that bigger display. You could even connect your controller via Bluetooth to your phone and have an even more enhanced experience.

As a sketchpad

For designers and artists, having a portable monitor may prove to be additionally helpful as you can use the portable monitor, together with a stylus to design or draw something beautiful.

FAQs

Final Thoughts On The Best Portable Monitor For a Laptop

Ultimately, portable monitors are generally stylish, fascinating, and efficient for work and leisure, so getting any one of them is a huge plus if it combines well with your laptop. Nevertheless, what I’d consider to the best option of all would be the Asus ZenScreen MB16AC  simply because it dons all the factors it takes to be a good portable monitor. It just doesn’t come any better.