Portable monitors simplify your work when you are on the road, immensely. Without much extra weight you can increase your productivity and achieve better results with the help of a portable screen. Also popular are the handy monitors for entertainment during a trip.
Our big portable monitor test 2022 should help you to find the best portable monitor for you. We’ll answer the typical questions you ask before you buy. In order to support you as much as possible in your decision, we present the essential purchase criteria in this article.
The most important in a nutshell
- A portable monitor is basically a second screen for your laptop. different from the more known desk version, this variant is mobile and perfect for traveling.
- the low weight is a special plus point for all digital nomads, whose office can be anywhere in the world and who need to carry their equipment around all the time.
- With the right connections, you can connect a portable monitor to a wide range of control devices. From smartphones to tablets to laptops to xbox, playstation or nintendo switch, everything is possible.
portable monitor test: editors’ favorites
The best portable monitor for office work
202,44 EUR
379,00 EUR
Latest price updates: amazon.De (30.01.22, 21:50), other stores (30.01.22, 16:57]
The asus zenscreen MB16AC is a 15.6 inch portable monitor weighing only 800 g. It requires only a USB type-C cable for power and data transfer. The foldable protective cover allows you to put this monitor down and use it right away.
Due to the fast response times and the IPS panel technology, it is perfectly suited for any kind of office work – including image editing. This makes it a powerful monitor on the road. Customers praise especially the workmanship and quality of this product.
The best portable monitor for gamers
the portable monitor from uperfect is the amazon choice product in this category. Full-HD resolution and HDR support combined with a fast response time make for a great gaming experience. Various connections make the monitor compatible with laptops, cell phones, tablets or game consoles. For transportation, the display is equipped with a protective cover that also serves as a stand. Alternatively, a vesa mount can also be attached.
especially the various application possibilities are well received by the customers. The quality of the display in terms of color reproduction and contrasts are also described as better than average.
The best lightweight portable monitor for frequent travelers
At only 770 g, the M memteq portable monitor is a real lightweight. With a 15.6-inch screen, full-HD resolution, all standard ports and built-in speakers, it’s perfect for presentations, games, videos and computer work.
The simultaneous power supply and data transfer with only one USB cable works very well according to customers. The user-friendliness and the quality of the display are also praised. If you’re looking for a lightweight portable monitor with good picture quality, you should take a closer look at this model.
Also interesting
Guide: questions you should deal with before buying a portable monitor
What is a portable monitor and who is it suitable for?
cable connections provide power and data transfer, allowing a mobile monitor to be quickly and conveniently connected and used anywhere.
The second screen makes it easier to work on the road and can thus improve efficiency. For this reason, portable monitors are particularly suitable for business travelers or digital nomads who do not have a permanent office.
But even for mobile entertainment you can use a portable monitor. Many models can also be connected to the smartphone. Instead of using the small screen of a cell phone, you can enjoy movies or games on a larger display. You can also connect consoles directly to the portable display and play games on the go.
For what purpose do you need a portable monitor??
Usage features
working on the go |
for this purpose, you can basically use all current models. But make sure that the monitor can also be connected to your laptop (or smartphone). |
Image editing |
graphic designers and anyone else who needs to edit images should put an increased focus on the monitor’s color contrasts. IPS panel technologies are recommended in this regard, as they produce a high-contrast and viewing-angle stable display. |
Portable gaming monitor |
one fact to keep in mind when making a purchase decision is that the main focus of these portable monitors is their mobility. So you may have to make some sacrifices in terms of technical performance. Models with TN-panel technology allow for relatively short response times of approx. 25ms. |
Of course, there are no set rules on how you can use which monitor. However, it makes sense to take a look at the relevant technical features before buying. Read more in the buying criteria section.
Where can you buy a portable monitor?
However, you will probably find a much larger selection on the internet. Among others, the following online stores offer a wide selection of different brands and models:
- Amazon.De
- Ebay.De
- Idealo.De
Models from the ASUS and uperfect brands are particularly popular.
How much are portable monitors?
the good news: you can get a decent portable screen for a couple of hundred euro
how expensive a monitor is, depends logically on the technical level. So think carefully in advance what is important to you and where you can perhaps make sacrifices.
What are the alternatives to mobile monitors??
for this you need the app twomon SE on the computer as well as on the tablet. You can download it in the app store. Then you connect the computer to your tablet via a USB cable.
In his youtube video demonstrates tech.Tablets.Com (in english) how exactly this works and what options you have to adjust it.
If you don’t have time for a video, we have summarized the advantages and disadvantages of this variant here for you:
- You don’t have to buy a new device
- Own battery
- Touchscreen
- (usually) quite small screen
- Quality
Buying criteria: you can compare and evaluate portable monitors based on these factors
In the next part, we will show you which aspects you can use to decide between the many possible portable monitors.
Criteria you can use to compare mobile screens include:
In the next paragraphs we will explain what you should look for in each criterion.
Size and weight
The most common portable monitors have a screen size between 11 and 17 inches. But there are also smaller as well as larger variants. Think about how big the monitor can be, so that it still fits in your bag.
the big advantage of portable monitors is their light weight. Many models even weigh less than 1 kg. of course, weight and size are always related to each other. So it’s a matter of finding the optimal compromise between compactness and utility for you.
According to the principle: small and light as possible, but as big as necessary.
These two criteria are especially important if you travel light and fly often. of course you want to have to carry as little weight around with you as possible.
power supply
Generally, portable monitors draw their power from the laptop to which they are connected. However, there are also some models that have an integrated battery.
This has the advantage that you can basically use them longer without charging the laptop. However, the weight of the battery is noticeable, which can be inconvenient. So if you have a laptop with a strong battery, you can do without a battery in your second screen.
Resolution of the display
The current models are HD capable, which corresponds to a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This should normally be enough for most work. If you are looking for a very affordable option and a lower resolution is enough for you, take a look at models with 1366 x 768 pixels.
If you need a particularly good resolution, look for 4K-capable devices. These are also available, but they are quite expensive. But you will also be rewarded with great pictures. The high resolution is especially suitable for gamers or graphic designers.
Connections and compatibility
Most portable monitors have only two or three ports. this means that before you buy, you should consider what you need to make your device compatible with the monitor. Common connections include type-C USB, (mini) HDMI as well as mini DP. most of the devices also have headphone sockets.
especially if you plan to connect a game console to the mobile monitor, you should find out which connections are used for the video signals.
it is best to read which connection cables are included in the delivery, so that you can do without an adapter if possible.
another aspect of compatibility is your laptop’s operating system. Find out about the system requirements in advance to avoid negative surprises.
Trivia: facts worth knowing about portable monitors
Why does my portable monitor have no signal?
There are several reasons why a portable monitor doesn’t get a signal.
source of error what to do
Incorrect connection |
since most connectors are "mini" or "micro", you can easily get them mixed up. For example, the micro DP also fits into the micro HDMI port, but this cannot make a connection. Make sure you have connected the right cable to the right connector. |
loose contact |
if you are using the right cable and still can’t connect, check if the cable is tight in the socket or if it is wobbly. Try to place it in a position where you can connect to it. |
defect |
also a defective cable or broken connectors prevent transmission. In these cases, unfortunately, you will need to get a new cable or have your screen repaired. |
Setting |
apart from the wrong or defective cable or connection, a missing signal can also be due to the setting of the portable monitor. in some cases you have to change the input source in the settings. Either you use the automatic search or you switch directly to the desired connection. |
What accessories and additional equipment are available for portable monitors?
to be able to use your portable monitor, it should of course have a stand or something similar. Make sure that it is stable and does not fall over at the slightest movement.
If you want to use the portable monitor at home, you can consider buying a wall mount to go with it. Many models are compatible with the known mounts from vesa. The advantage of this is that these mounts have joints and thus allow ergonomic work.
Many manufacturers combine a protective cover with a holder
An additional screen protector can be useful if you are really on the road a lot and also often work outside. More effective than the usual integrated cases, are custom-fit protective cases for transport, in which the screen is optimally protected.
For real gaming fans there are for example portable monitors that are already integrated in a case. In this case is then additional space for your game console and its accessories.
How can I build a portable monitor myself?
Diys are currently very trendy. So why not build a portable second screen for your laptop yourself?
With a little bit of technical and craftsmanship skills and the right instructions, you can build your own custom mobile monitor of choice. On the internet you can find different instructions for portable monitor diys. This is one way to keep old laptops from being junked and another way to get a cheap alternative for a second monitor. But be careful: even though it may sound simple at first glance, you are working with electronics. Any part that is not cleanly finished is a potential source of danger!
The following list should give you a rough idea of what you will need for such a project. For a detailed list of the materials and where you can buy them, it is best to follow the relevant instructions:
- An (old) screen
- A controller board with all the connections you need
- Connection cable
- materials of your choice for the frame and covers
- Also tools to (de)assemble the individual parts
in this video you will learn how to convert an old laptop screen into a functional mobile monitor.
There are several ideas, so feel free to look around for a while until you find something that suits you. Also in terms of design there are some creative ideas and your imagination is the only limit.