A portable monitor adds a second screen to your laptop anywhere — a hotel room, a coffee shop, a client’s office or a small apartment desk. Most are thin 14–16-inch panels that run from a single USB-C cable. They’re not as bright or sharp as a desk monitor, but for productivity on the move they’re a big upgrade. Here’s how to choose one and which options are worth a look.
Quick answer
- Best overall: ASUS ZenScreen (15.6-inch USB-C models).
- Best image: an OLED portable monitor for deep contrast.
- Best for Mac design: espresso Displays, with magnetic stands and optional touch.
- Best budget: well-reviewed 15.6-inch 1080p IPS models from brands like Arzopa.
First, check your laptop’s USB-C port
Single-cable portable monitors need a USB-C port that supports video output (DisplayPort Alternate Mode, Thunderbolt or USB4). Look for a small DisplayPort or Thunderbolt icon next to the port, or check the laptop’s specs. If your port only supports data and charging, you’ll need HDMI plus a separate power cable, or a monitor that uses DisplayLink software.
Mac users: base M-series chips support a limited number of external displays. A MacBook Air M4 supports two, but some older base-chip Macs support only one. DisplayLink-based monitors can work around this with a software driver, at some cost in smoothness.
What to look for
| Spec | Good choice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 15.6 inches | Matches most laptop screens; 13–14″ is lighter, 17–18″ is more immersive |
| Resolution | 1080p for 15.6″; 1440p+ for 16–18″ | 4K on a portable monitor drains battery with little benefit |
| Panel | IPS or OLED | OLED has perfect blacks; IPS is cheaper and brighter on average |
| Brightness | 300 nits or more | Many budget models are too dim near windows |
| Connections | Two USB-C ports + mini HDMI | A second USB-C port lets you add power for the monitor |
| Stand | Built-in kickstand | Folding covers are less stable than a real stand |
The picks
ASUS ZenScreen — best overall
ASUS has one of the broadest portable monitor lines, from basic 15.6-inch 1080p USB-C models to OLED and touch versions. They’re thin, reliable and come with protective covers; some include a hole for a tripod mount. Pick the model with the stand and panel type you prefer.
espresso Displays — best design for Mac users
Premium, ultra-thin displays with magnetic mounting accessories, optional touch and software that integrates nicely with macOS. They cost more than typical portable monitors, but they look and feel like an extension of a MacBook.
Budget 15.6-inch IPS monitors
Brands like Arzopa offer 15.6-inch 1080p IPS portable monitors at low prices, often with a kickstand and both USB-C and mini HDMI. Quality control varies more than with major brands, so read recent reviews about brightness, dead pixels and cable quality.
Tips for using one well
- Raise your laptop on a laptop stand and place the portable monitor beside it at a similar height.
- Lower brightness when running from laptop power to save battery, or connect a charger to the monitor’s second USB-C port.
- Use a short, video-capable USB-C cable; many phone cables don’t carry video.
- Portrait mode is excellent for code, documents and chat alongside your main screen.
Setting up a permanent desk instead? A full-size monitor is sharper and more comfortable — see monitors for MacBook and 34-inch ultrawide picks.