Top pick
This portable monitor offers impressive image quality for the price and is also good for gaming.
In our tests, the Arzopa Z1FC outperformed monitors costing more than twice its typical price tag of $100, and it has a few extra features that the others don’t. We found its image to be sharp, its colors accurate, and its kickstand sturdy and functional in both landscape and portrait orientations. Like more expensive models, the Z1FC has pass-through USB-C charging, so you can attach a single USB-C cable to your laptop for data and power. It also has a 144 Hz refresh rate, which makes motion on fast-moving games look much smoother when it’s paired with a capable computer or game system. Did we mention that it’s frequently just $100?
Upgrade pick
This ViewSonic model has a vibrant, sharp OLED display that offers the best contrast of any portable monitor we’ve tested.
The ViewSonic VX1655-4K-OLED has a 15.6-inch OLED display that’s sharper, brighter, and more visually appealing than what we’ve seen on any of the other monitors we’ve tested. In our tests, colors looked full and saturated, skin tones appeared natural, and text rendered sharply on screen. The kickstand is a small square that flips out from the back of the monitor, and it’s best used in a landscape orientation, though you can put it in portrait mode if you tilt it back far enough. That kickstand also hides the monitor’s ports, so you don’t have to look at cables jutting out from the sides.
Also great
With 10-point touch capability and highly adjustable picture settings, this Asus model is great for creative uses.
Not many portable monitors add features to your computer, but Windows users can add a touchscreen to their laptop with the Asus ProArt PA148CTV. This 14-inch, 1080p portable monitor also has a great menu for adjusting color performance and a well-placed tripod mount for use in studio setups. And its software integrations with Adobe Creative Cloud allow you to use touch controls while editing your photos and videos.
