What’s the Best Portable Monitor? 3 Options Ranked

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Evan Shephard
Updated Apr 24, 2024 4:09 PM
best portable monitor guide that shows the top best computer monitor model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

When choosing the best portable monitor, prioritize image quality and portability. These monitors, under 17 inches, should offer excellent color gamut coverage and a decent contrast ratio to ensure vibrant, dynamic images. Features like blue-light filters, flicker-free displays, and adjustable stands enhance comfort during extended use.

Out of over 196 monitors analyzed and 319,390 reviews, we certified three top models. A staggering 71% of experts produced unreliable reviews, but our rigorous process filtered them out. Our winners excelled in our tests, proving reliable and high-performing for portable use. While our focus here is on portable models, our research also covers a broader range of choices, featuring the top computer monitors and excellent gaming monitor options.

How Did We Rank the Best Portable Monitors?

To bring you the best portable monitors, Gadget Review analyzed data from over 200 websites, including testing methods and customer reviews. Our experts evaluated reviews and distilled the information into our True Score system. This approach identified 2 required test results and 1 essential specification. By focusing on what matters most to users, we created a buying guide that is both precise and practical, ensuring you make an informed decision.

Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Screen size must be 17 inches or less.

? Test Criteria

  • Color Accuracy: At least 95% of the sRGB color gamut, providing rich and vibrant colors.
  • Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 or higher (infinite), offering deep blacks and bright whites for an exceptional viewing experience.

Latest Updates

  • 04/30/2024: Republished the list to include the best portable monitors based on our True Score system.

Top Portable Monitors For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Asus Proart PA148CTV

    For professionals valuing portability, the Asus Proart PA148CTV is a solid investment despite its premium cost and slightly lower contrast and brightness.

    Asus Proart PA148CTV Review →

    True Score

    82
    80
    3

    Experts

    89
    2k

    Customers

    $319.50
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dell C1422H

    For on-the-go professionals and students, the Dell C1422H is a top pick for its compactness, quick response, and solid performance at a great price.

    Dell C1422H Review →

    True Score

    79
    78
    6

    Experts

    86
    126

    Customers

    SAVE $49
    $298.95
    $249.99

    Category Snapshot

    Computer Monitors

    • Total Brands/Products Tested

      27 Brands, 196 Products

    • Top 2 Brands

      Dell, HP

    • Price Range (Budget-Premium)

      $100-$1,500

    • Average True Score

      74.46

    • Important Test Criteria

      Brightness (cd/m2)
      Contrast Ratio (1000:1)

    • Most Trusted Testers

    • Top Monitor Experts

      Samuel Breton, Chris Eberle

    • Typical Warranty

      2 years

    • Covered by Insurance

      Yes – AKKO

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Asus Rog Strix XG16AHPE

    The Asus Rog Strix XG16AHPE delivers unmatched gaming performance for a portable monitor with a high refresh rate, ideal for smooth, tear-free gameplay.

    Asus Rog Strix XG16AHPE Review →

    True Score

    71
    70
    3

    Experts

    76
    204

    Customers

    $449.99

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Portable Monitors?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required), anyone can quickly and easily compare these computer monitors and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase the best gaming monitor!

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Contrast Ratio>1000:1YesThe difference in brightness between the whites (lit sections) and blacks (dim or unlit sections) of a monitor panel.
Color Gamut % (sRGB Coverage xy)> 95%YesHow much of the sRGB color gamut is covered by the monitor, which helps indicate color accuracy for web content and games.

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 110+ computer monitor reviewers and found that 33 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for computer monitors.

  1. Samuel Breton – Rtings, MuckRack
  2. Chris Eberle – Tom’s Hardware, LinkedIn
  3. Tony Hoffman – PC Mag, MuckRack

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every computer monitor review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Computer Monitor Test Data & Results

1. Contrast Ratio (as ratio, x:1) Test Results

Contrast ratio is responsible for making images appear “dynamic” and “dramatic.” By having a good contrast ratio, a monitor is able to recreate dramatic differences between light and dark spots in scenes, images and games accurately.

At a minimum, we recommend a contrast ratio of 1000:1, as this will do a good enough job at allow for detail in dark scenes and images. If contrast ratio gets too low, the picture quality suffers, and the monitor performs worse across the board, no matter the lighting condition. By getting a monitor with a sufficiently high contrast ratio, you can ensure the picture quality doesn’t suffer, and dramatic scenes with stark shifts in lighting, whether they be in games or videos, are created as accurately as possible.

Contrast Ratio (higher is better)

2. Color Gamut % (sRGB Coverage xY) Test Results

Since color gamut comes in a variety of different types, there’s bound to be some confusion as to which is meant for what. sRGB is an extremely common gamut that is used for the vast majority of web content, including how YouTube videos display, and is the primary gamut used for video games.

If you’re looking for accurate colors while web browsing, watching videos or playing games, you’re going to want a coverage of at least 95%. Higher is always better and hitting 100% means that if you correctly calibrate your monitor, you should be seeing content exactly as it was intended. Higher than 100% means that more than just the standard gamut has been covered, which can create more saturated and vivid colors. Coming in under 100% means the colors are less accurate, though this doesn’t become a major issue until you start to fall under 90%.

Color Gamut SRGB (in %; higher is better)

Best Portable Monitors: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring Size and Weight: Portable monitors come in various sizes and weights. Don’t overlook these factors, especially if you’ll be carrying the monitor frequently. Consider your intended use case, like needing a touch screen, and choose a size and weight that are convenient for you.

  2. Not Checking Compatibility: Ensure the portable monitor is compatible with your devices. Check for compatibility with your laptop, smartphone, gaming console, or other devices you plan to connect it to. Look for monitors with a range of connectivity options such as HDMI, USB-C, and DisplayPort. This is a crucial factor to keep in mind because some models, such as the Mobile Pixels Trio, lack HDMI ports, limiting their usability for those who prefer HDMI connections.

  3. Neglecting Display Quality: While the quality won’t be as good as a full size monitor such as the AOC 24G2, don’t compromise on display quality for portability. Look for a monitor with a high-resolution screen, good color accuracy, and wide viewing angles. Consider factors like brightness, contrast ratio, and refresh rate, especially if you’ll be using the monitor for gaming or multimedia content.

  4. Overlooking Build Quality: Pay attention to the build quality of the portable monitor. Look for durable materials that can withstand travel and frequent use. Check user reviews to see if there are any complaints about durability or build issues. Additionally, consider the computer monitor lifespan when selecting a portable monitor, as models built with higher quality materials tend to last longer, providing better value over time.

The Best Portable Monitors Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Brightness
Contrast Ratio
Color Gamut (DCI P3)
Color Gamut (sRGB)
Input Lag
Response Time (ms)
Reflections %

Asus Proart PA148CTV

  • Best for Touch Screen

82
  • 251 nits

  • 985:1

  • 70%

  • 97.35%

  • 9.1 ms

  • 8.7 ms

  • 5%

$319.50
79
  • 266.08 nits

  • 1,145:1

  • 73.1%

  • 98.9%

  • 8.6 ms

  • 6.5 ms

  • 5.2%

$249.99
$299
$49
71
  • 295 nits

  • 1,215.5:1

  • 73.4%

  • 99.3%

  • 9 ms

  • 5.6 ms

  • 5.2%

$449.99

Portable Monitor Questions (FAQ)

What qualifies as a portable monitor?

The easiest way to differentiate between a portable monitor and a standard monitor is that it will be labeled specifically as a portable monitor. The true difference between the two is the fact that portable displays don’t necessarily require wall power and that they are built specifically to be transported easily.

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