The best portable monitors in 2024

admin November 18, 2024

0 0 6 minutes read

Portable monitors have been around for years, but their importance increases during times of violence. And with the advancement of remote and hybrid workplaces, they will be the foundation for the foreseeable future. But choosing one is not as easy as it seems. At this point, almost every major PC maker has their own take on portable displays, with prices ranging from as little as $100 to nearly $1,000. So to help clear up the confusion, I’ve sifted through dozens of options to compile a short list of the best portable monitors on sale today.

Things to consider before buying a portable monitor

Before you start looking at specific products, it is very important to think about how and where you plan to use the portable display. Larger panels are ideal for home use where you may need to remove or put away when company is over. Meanwhile, small screens are perfect for walking in and out of a coffee shop or shared workspace. But if you’re too small, you might be adding more weight to your bag without giving you a ton of extra utility, especially if we lack a good USB-C cable or a small HDMI connection.

It’s also important to consider your regular work, as artists can get more value from monitors with higher brightness and wider color gamuts. Those who spend all day looking at spreadsheets won’t get as much value from a bright display, but they may still benefit from having a primary secondary display for multitasking.

What you should look for on a portable monitor

Besides price and screen size, some of the most important factors in a portable monitor include panel type, pixels per inch, brightness, refresh rate and connectivity. Most portable monitors use IPS LCD displays, which typically offer good viewing angles, strong brightness and energy efficiency. However, there are a few models of OLED sports screens that support wide color gamuts, which can be a huge advantage for artists and content creators. Some budget models may use TN panels, as that can help reduce costs and reduce energy consumption. That said, we generally try to stay away from those as they tend to have worse image quality compared to IPS screens.

For brightness, 300 nits is the lowest we recommend – anything less can make the monitor difficult to use even in certain indoor environments. Ideally, we’re looking at screens closer to 350 or 400 nits and above for better accuracy and visibility.

Connectivity is also important because if you can’t easily connect your phone, gaming console, or laptop to the monitor, it becomes a huge paperweight. Most travel displays include an HDMI port or a USB Type-C port (or both), covering most devices. It’s rare to find a portable monitor these days that only has USB-A, as most devices have moved to USB-C. However, we also like models that support power transfer over USB-C, which reduces the complexity of your setup and reduces the number of cables and adapters you have to carry around.

Finally, most portable monitors feature 60Hz refresh rates, which is perfect for most use cases. However, there are a few models that go up to 120Hz or 240Hz. Fast panels are especially good for gaming, especially for those who plan to bring a gaming console or gaming PC on the go.

The best portable monitors of 2024

Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget

The Espresso 17 Pro not only has a strong contrast (450 nits) and a super premium design, but what really elevates this second screen are all its accessories and compatible applications. The Espresso Add-on’s Stand Pro feels bulletproof, while offering a super-strong magnetic attachment system so you don’t need to worry about stands or tripods. Meanwhile, for people who need extra juice while out and about, there is a charging station with a large 32,000 mAh battery. Additionally, Jot’s Espresso software makes it easy to draw and mark up documents with a stylus, which works well with the company’s screen protector and adds an overlay for better feedback while drawing.

But the standout feature of the 17 Pro is that when you’re connected to a Mac, it turns on touchscreen support to help unleash your creativity. Finally, with excellent specs including 10-bit color support, 100 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 spectrum and two USB Type-C ports with pass-through capabilities, it has everything you could want in a portable display. Heck, it even comes with built-in speakers. The only downside is that it’s expensive, starting at $799. However, after testing it, it’s totally worth the money while offering better image quality than its similarly sized, chained desktop rivals.

$800 at B&H Photo

Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget

For just $200, the Plugable 15.6-inch portable monitor delivers everything you need in a budget display and more. That’s because although it doesn’t have HDMI, it includes not one but three USB Type-C ports and hub functionality thanks to two 10Gbps connections and 85-watt pass-through 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.

Admittedly, the panel itself doesn’t have flashy specs with a brightness rating of 300 nits and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. But that’s still more than enough for most conditions and better mileage than you usually get in this price range or less. One minor consequence is that the image quality drops when viewed at tight angles, although that shouldn’t be a big deal because, from the top, 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, the Plugable includes a magnetic folding cover that doubles as a kickstand and a USB-C 3.2 cable, which is a nice touch.

$200 at Amazon

Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget

Although ROG Strix XG17AHP has been on the market for a long time, it has excellent specs including a 17.3-inch monitor with anti-reflective coating and full HD resolution, a wealth of ports and a blazing refresh rate of 240Hz – the latter being the highest you can find. for portable monitors today. I appreciate that its built-in, 7,800 mAh battery makes it easy to set up for short sessions without worrying about the power source. This model also comes with a boatload of accessories including a travel bag, rollaway cover, a ton of cables and more. It also has a quick disconnect system for attaching its included tripod, which is great if you’re using it at home or in a less frequent setup. Even if you prefer to go slower, there is a slightly cheaper version that only comes with a kickstand instead of a tripod.

$569 from ASUS

Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget

For people who are always on the go, the M14t Gen2 Mobile Monitor from Lenovo makes it easy to bring a great second display wherever you want. Its 14-inch panel has a 2,240 x 1,400 resolution with 100 percent sRGB color and a 16:10 aspect ratio for more vertical screen space. It also supports USB-C pass-through power (up to 65 watts) so it can easily 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 tilt feature from zero to 90 degrees, so it’s easily adjustable even in tight spaces. And weighing just 1.5 pounds, it won’t add a ton of extra heft to your bag. Lenovo even threw in a nice carrying sleeve to make sure the panel doesn’t get damaged in transit.

Just know that there are several 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 specifications of the model you’re considering buying before pulling the trigger.

$399 at CDW

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admin November 18, 2024

0 0 6 minutes read