Best Portable Monitors 2025: Double Your Screen Space Anywhere

Working on a single laptop screen can feel cramped, whether you're juggling spreadsheets, editing videos, or just trying to keep your email visible while you work. But lugging around a full-size monitor? That's not exactly practical.

Enter portable monitors—the game-changing solution that gives you a second (or third!) screen wherever you work. These slim, lightweight displays have evolved from niche accessories into must-have productivity tools, and the 2025 lineup is more impressive than ever.

We've tested dozens of portable monitors to find the ones that truly deliver on their promise of expanded screen real estate without the bulk. Here are our top picks for every use case and budget.

What Makes a Great Portable Monitor?

Before we dive into our recommendations, let's talk about what separates the excellent from the mediocre:

Display Quality: You want crisp text and accurate colors, whether you're coding, designing, or watching content during downtime.

Connectivity: The best models use a single USB-C cable for both power and video—no extra adapters or power bricks needed.

Build Quality: These displays travel with you, so they need to be durable yet lightweight. A protective cover that doubles as a stand is a huge plus.

Compatibility: Your portable monitor should work seamlessly with your laptop, tablet, or even smartphone without driver headaches.

Power Efficiency: Drawing power from your laptop's USB-C port is convenient, but it shouldn't drain your battery in an hour.

Our Top Picks for 2025

Best Overall: ASUS ZenScreen OLED MQ16AH

What we love: This 15.6-inch OLED beauty delivers stunning contrast and vibrant colors that make everything pop—from spreadsheets to streaming content. The single USB-C cable connection is genuinely plug-and-play, and the magnetic smart cover folds into a stable stand at multiple angles. At just 0.3 inches thick and 1.1 pounds, it disappears into your bag.

Other things to know: The 1080p OLED panel offers true blacks and infinite contrast that LCD displays simply can't match. Battery-powered mode available for devices without USB-C power delivery. Touch version available for an extra $50. Works with Windows, Mac, iPad, and even Nintendo Switch.

Best Value: ViewSonic VG1655

What we love: This 15.6-inch IPS display proves you don't need to spend a fortune for a solid portable monitor. The image quality is sharp and color-accurate enough for professional work, and it includes both USB-C and mini-HDMI inputs for maximum compatibility. The slim profile and included protective case make it a no-brainer for budget-conscious professionals.

Other things to know: Requires USB-C power delivery or the included power adapter. The stand case is functional but not as elegant as pricier options. At this price point, it's an absolute steal for anyone who needs extra screen space without breaking the bank.

Best for Creatives: BenQ SW240

What we love: Color accuracy matters when you're editing photos or designing graphics, and this 13.3-inch display delivers factory-calibrated 100% sRGB coverage. The matte finish eliminates glare in bright environments, and the hardware calibration support means you can trust what you see. It's the portable monitor for professionals who can't compromise on color.

Other things to know: Slightly heavier than competitors at 1.8 pounds, but the premium build quality justifies the weight. Includes a color calibration report. USB-C and HDMI inputs. The higher price reflects its professional-grade panel.

Best Large Screen: Espresso 17 Pro

What we love: Sometimes you need maximum screen real estate, and this 17.3-inch display delivers without becoming unwieldy. The larger canvas is perfect for video editing, CAD work, or anyone who needs to see more at once. Despite the size, it's only 0.3 inches thick and weighs 2.2 pounds. The magnetic stand system is brilliantly engineered for stability.

Other things to know: The larger size means it draws more power—you'll want a laptop with robust USB-C power delivery. Portrait and landscape modes both work great. The 1080p resolution is adequate at this size, though some might wish for higher pixel density.

Best Touchscreen: Pepper Jobs XtendTouch XT7

What we love: This 15.6-inch touchscreen transforms your laptop into a touch-enabled dual-screen setup, which is surprisingly useful for certain workflows. The 10-point multi-touch is responsive and accurate, making it great for drawing, annotating documents, or just navigating with your fingers. The slim bezels maximize screen space.

Other things to know: Touch functionality requires a USB-C connection with video and data. The glossy screen can show reflections in bright environments. Includes a stylus slot in the protective case. Works as a drawing tablet with compatible apps.

Best for Gaming: ASUS ROG Strix XG17AHPE

What we love: Yes, portable gaming monitors are a thing, and this 17.3-inch beast is built for it. The 240Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time deliver buttery-smooth gameplay, while the built-in 7800mAh battery means you can game without draining your laptop. The ROG aesthetic isn't subtle, but gamers will love it.

Other things to know: The built-in battery adds weight (2.4 pounds) but provides 3.5 hours of untethered gaming. Adaptive-Sync technology prevents screen tearing. Includes a tripod mount for creative setups. The premium price reflects its gaming-focused features.

Key Features to Consider

Screen Size: Finding Your Sweet Spot

Most portable monitors range from 13 to 17 inches. 13-14 inches are ultra-portable and perfect for travel, though the smaller workspace might feel limiting. 15-16 inches hit the sweet spot for most users—enough space to be useful without being cumbersome. 17+ inches maximize productivity but sacrifice some portability.

Resolution Matters (But Maybe Not How You Think)

At portable monitor sizes, 1080p (1920x1080) is perfectly sharp for most uses. Higher resolutions like 4K look amazing but drain more power and cost significantly more. Unless you're doing detailed photo editing or 4K video work, 1080p is the practical choice.

Panel Technology: IPS vs. OLED

IPS panels are the standard—they offer good colors, wide viewing angles, and reasonable pricing. OLED panels deliver superior contrast and true blacks but cost more and have potential burn-in concerns with static images. For most users, IPS is the smart choice.

Connectivity: The USB-C Revolution

Single-cable USB-C connectivity is the gold standard. It carries video, power, and sometimes touch data through one cable, eliminating adapter chaos. Make sure your laptop supports USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode and power delivery. Some monitors include HDMI as a backup option for older devices.

How We Use Portable Monitors

The versatility of portable monitors extends beyond just mirroring your laptop screen:

The Productivity Setup: Main laptop screen for your primary work, portable monitor for email, Slack, or reference materials. This side-by-side arrangement is a game-changer for multitasking.

The Content Creator Setup: Edit on your main screen while keeping your timeline, tools, or preview on the portable display. Video editors and designers especially appreciate the extra canvas.

The Presentation Setup: Share your portable monitor with clients or colleagues while keeping your notes and controls on your laptop screen. Much more professional than huddling around a single laptop.

The Gaming Setup: Keep your game on your laptop's high-refresh screen and use the portable monitor for Discord, guides, or streaming software.

The Travel Office: Transform any hotel room, coffee shop, or airport lounge into a proper dual-screen workspace. Your productivity doesn't have to suffer on the road.

Pro Tips for Portable Monitor Users

Invest in a good stand: While most monitors include a case-stand combo, a small adjustable stand can provide better ergonomics and more positioning options.

Check your laptop's power output: Not all USB-C ports deliver enough power to run a portable monitor. Check your laptop's specs—you typically need at least 15W output, though 30W or more is ideal.

Consider a USB-C hub: If your laptop is short on ports, a powered USB-C hub can provide both monitor connectivity and additional ports without compromising performance.

Adjust your display scaling: In your OS settings, you can adjust each monitor's scaling independently. This is crucial for comfortable viewing on different screen sizes.

Use landscape or portrait: Most portable monitors support rotation. Portrait mode is fantastic for reading documents, coding, or social media management.

Making the Right Choice

The best portable monitor for you depends on how you'll use it:

For frequent travelers: Prioritize weight and build quality. The ASUS ZenScreen OLED's slim profile and protective cover make it ideal for life on the road.

For budget-conscious buyers: The ViewSonic VG1655 delivers solid performance without the premium price tag.

For creative professionals: Color accuracy matters—the BenQ SW240's calibrated display is worth the investment.

For maximum productivity: Bigger is better—the Espresso 17 Pro gives you the most screen real estate in a portable package.

For interactive work: Touch functionality adds versatility—the Pepper Jobs XtendTouch excels at annotation and drawing tasks.

For gaming: High refresh rates matter—the ASUS ROG Strix delivers smooth gameplay with built-in battery freedom.

The Bottom Line

Portable monitors have matured from novelty accessories into genuinely useful productivity tools. Whether you're a digital nomad, a coffee shop worker, or someone who just wants more screen space without a permanent desk setup, there's a portable monitor that fits your needs.

The single USB-C cable revolution has eliminated most of the hassles that plagued early portable monitors, and current models offer image quality that rivals traditional displays. At their best, they make you forget you're not at your desk—and that's the highest compliment we can give.

Your laptop's screen doesn't have to be your only screen, even when you're away from your desk. With the right portable monitor, you can take your full productivity setup anywhere.