Whether you're working on the go, gaming away from your desk or just want a second screen to boost your productivity, a portable monitor can be a handy solution. These lightweight displays are perfect for adding more screen space to your setup without taking up much room — especially useful if you're using a compact laptop or traveling often.
Many of the best portable monitors now support USB Type-C connections for easy plug-and-play setups, and some even run entirely on USB power, so you don’t need to carry extra chargers. You’ll also find models with handy extras like built-in speakers, touchscreen support and wide compatibility with Windows laptops and tablets. Whether you’re after a laptop screen extender or a creative companion for photo editing on the go, there’s a portable monitor out there for you.
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Best portable monitors for 2025
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget Best portable monitor overall Espresso 17 Pro Size: 17-inch | Display type: Portable touchscreen | Connector type: USB-C | Resolution: 4K | Brightness: 450 nits | Weight: 2.4lbs | Maximum refresh rate: 60 Hz Not only does the Espresso 17 Pro feature strong brightness (450 nits) and a super premium design, but what really elevates this second monitor are all of its accessories and companion apps. Espresso’s Stand Pro add-on feels downright bulletproof, while also providing a super strong magnetic attachment system so you don’t need to worry about kickstands or tripods. Meanwhile, for people who need extra juice while out and about, there’s a charging station with a huge 32,000 mAh battery. Alternatively, Espresso’s Jot software makes it easy to draw and markup docs with a stylus, which works great with the company’s screen protector and adds a more textured surface for better feedback while drawing. Its standout feature is plug-and-play touchscreen support when connected to a Mac, helping you unleash your creativity. Additionally, with 10-bit color accuracy, 100 percent DCI-P3 coverage and dual USB-C connections with power passthrough, this monitor is packed with features. It even includes HDR support for enhanced visual depth. The only downside is the price — starting at $799 — but after testing it, we think it’s worth it, offering better image quality than many computer monitors in the same size range. $800 at B&H Photo Explore More Buying Options $800 at Espresso
Sam Rutherford for Engadget 86 100 Expert Score Best portable monitor overall - runner up Espresso 15 Pro Size: 15-inch | Display type: Portable touchscreen | Connector type: USB-C | Resolution: 4K | Brightness: 550 nits | Weight: 1.76lbs | Maximum refresh rate: 60 Hz Read our full Espresso 15 Pro review With the 15 Pro, Espresso has made a smaller version of its flagship 4K portable monitor that's not only more compact, it also has higher brightness than before. And as you'd expect, it supports all of its bigger sibling's best features, including a sleek design, single-cord setup (with two built-in USB-C ports) and even the ability to add touchscreen support to Macs. Plus, there's a wealth of accessories to choose from, making the 15 Pro an incredibly versatile, though somewhat pricey, choice for frequent travelers or anyone who just wants a nice portable monitor at home. $699 at Espresso
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget Best budget portable monitor Plugable 15.6-inch USB-C Portable Display (USBC-PDMON) Size: 15.6-inch | Display type: IPS | Connector type: USB-C | Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 300 nits | Weight: 1.85lbs (with cover) | Maximum refresh rate: 60 Hz At just $200, Plugable’s 15.6-inch portable monitor delivers everything you need in a budget display and more. That’s because while it doesn’t have HDMI or DisplayPort, it features not one but three USB-C connections along with hub functionality thanks to two 10Gbps connections and 85-watt passthrough charging. And because the monitor itself has a low power draw, you probably won’t even need to use the included brick when connected to a laptop. While the panel doesn’t boast higher resolution specs, its contrast ratio and color accuracy are solid for the price. The one small drawback is that image quality goes down when viewed from acute angles, though that shouldn’t be a huge deal because, from head on, colors and sharpness are above average for the money. Finally, while we don’t expect a ton of freebies to come bundled with budget gadgets, Plugable does include a folding magnetic cover that doubles as a kickstand and a USB-C 3.2 cable, which is a nice touch. $240 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $240 at Best Buy$240 at Lenovo
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget Best portable monitor for gaming ASUS ROG Strix XG17AHP Size: 17.3-inch | Display type: IPS | Connector type: USB-C | Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 300 nits | Weight: 3.88lbs (with stand) | Maximum refresh rate: 240 Hz Even though the ROG Strix XG17AHP has been on the market for a while, it’s got great specs including a 17.3-inch monitor with an anti-reflective coating and full HD resolution, a wealth of ports and a blazing fast 240Hz refresh rate (make it one of the best gaming monitor options in the portable space) — the latter of which is pretty much as high you can get from portable monitors today. I appreciate that its 7,800 mAh built-in battery makes it easy to set up for short sessions without worrying about a power source. This model also comes with a boatload of accessories including a travel bag, folding cover, a ton of cables and more. It also features a quick disconnect system for attaching its included tripod, which is great when using it at home or in more semi-permanent configurations. Though if you prefer to travel even lighter, there’s a slightly cheaper version that only comes with a kickstand instead of a tripod. $428 at Amazon
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget Best portable monitor for travelers Lenovo Thinkvision M14t Gen2 Size: 14-inch | Display type: IPS | Connector type: USB-C | Resolution: 1440p | Brightness: 300 nits | Weight: 1.5lbs | Maximum refresh rate: 60 Hz For people who are constantly on the go, Lenovo’s M14t Gen2 Mobile Monitor makes it easy to bring a nice second display anywhere you want. Its 14-inch panel features a higher resolution 1440p display with a 100 percent sRGB color gamut and a 16:10 aspect ratio for a little extra vertical screen space. It also supports USB-C power pass-through (up to 65 watts) so it can conveniently share juice with a connected device like a phone or laptop. You also get sketching support thanks to Lenovo’s included stylus. But the best part is its built-in stand, which offers a stable tilting feature that goes from zero to 90 degrees, so it’s easily adjustable even in tight spaces. And weighing in at just 1.5 pounds, it won’t add a ton of extra heft to your bag. Lenovo even tossed in a nice carrying sleeve to ensure the panel doesn’t get damaged in transit. Just know that there are a few different versions of the M14t monitor; you can pick one up for as low as $284 directly from Lenovo. If you're looking to save a few dollars, read the spec list of the model you're thinking of buying before pulling the trigger. $399 at CDW
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