The use of portable monitors is increasing among desktop setups and laptops. Even though portable monitors are smaller than standard monitors, they are affordable, easy to connect, and can be easily moved. This feature makes them ideal for students, people working from home, or traveling professionals. However, the portable monitor market is currently overcrowded with unknown brands, making it difficult to find high-quality options. To address this issue, PCWorld has tested various models to identify the best portable monitors available. Here are some of our top picks:
Arzopa A1 Gamut – Best budget portable monitor
Pros:
– Good build quality for the price
– Bright, attractive display
– Two USB-C inputs, plus mini-HDMI
– All cables included
Cons:
– Stand only adjusts for tilt
– Limited image quality adjustments
– Mediocre contrast ratio
The Arzopa A1 Gamut is a well-built 15.6-inch 1080p portable monitor that offers good image quality and useful features at an affordable price. It has a sleek design with a thin display panel and a small bump to house the ports and electronics. The monitor includes a faux-leather cover that functions as a kickstand and provides protection when the monitor is stowed. It offers two USB-C inputs, a mini-HDMI input, and all necessary cables and accessories. Although the menu system has limited adjustments, the monitor’s image quality is impressive for the price, with a maximum brightness of 297 nits and a color gamut spanning 97 percent of sRGB and 74 percent of DCI-P3. The Arzopa A1 Gamut is priced at $170 but is often available at a discount, making it a great value for its performance.
Innocn 15A1F – Best OLED portable monitor
Pros:
– Excellent image quality
– Durable and attractive design
– Versatile clip-on stand
– Unbeatable value for the price
Cons:
– Doesn’t include a protective case
– Disappointing HDR support
The Innocn 15A1F is an OLED portable monitor with exceptional image quality and an elegant design. It features a 15.6-inch OLED panel with a resolution of 1920×1080 and a 60Hz refresh rate. The monitor’s design combines an aluminum rear panel with edge-to-edge glass and includes a versatile clip-on stand for stability and tilt adjustments. Though it lacks a protective case, the Innocn 15A1F delivers a maximum brightness of 378 nits, an infinite contrast ratio, and impressive color gamut coverage, making it suitable for photo and video editing. Priced at $349.99 MSRP, the monitor is often available for $199.99, providing top-tier image quality at an affordable price.
Arzopa G1 Game – Best portable monitor for gaming
Pros:
– Thin, light, and durable
– Good SDR image quality
– 144Hz panel delivers good motion clarity
– Inexpensive
Cons:
– No Adaptive Sync support
– Disappointing HDR support
– Limited menu customization
The Arzopa G1 Game is a lightweight and affordable portable gaming monitor with a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution and a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz, providing improved responsiveness and motion clarity. Though lacking Adaptive Sync support, the monitor delivers a bright and attractive image with good contrast, color gamut, and accuracy. At 1.36 pounds and roughly four-tenths of an inch thick, it’s easy to pack, making it suitable for travelers who game away from home. The monitor is often available for about $150 on Amazon.com, making it a great value for gamers.
When shopping for a portable monitor, it’s essential to consider factors such as image quality, stands, kickstands, covers, connectivity, portability, size, and weight. PCWorld rigorously tests each monitor to provide comprehensive analysis and identify top-performing options.
