Portable monitors are generally designed to be compatible with a wide range of devices, including both Windows and Mac systems. Most portable monitors connect via standard interfaces like USB-C, HDMI, or DisplayPort, which are supported by both operating systems. For Windows, plug-and-play functionality typically allows easy setup with minimal configuration needed. Mac users may also experience seamless integration, although in some cases, additional drivers or adapters might be required, particularly for older Mac models. Overall, modern portable monitors aim to offer broad compatibility, ensuring they work well with both Windows and Mac devices.
Best Portable Monitors of January 2025
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Rating is 5 out of 5
VisionOwl Large Portable Monitor-18.5 Inch Computer Gaming Display 100Hz 125% sRGB FHD 1080P USB-C HDMI IPS Screen for Laptop Mac Surface PC PS4/PS5 Xbox Built-in Kickstand, Speakers, VESA Mountable
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18.5-inch Large Screen, Lightweight: Equipped with an 18.5-inch 1080p FHD IPS large screen, the VisionOwl portable gaming monitor was designed to create a larger viewing experience. Weighing only 2.7 Lb, 0.24-inch in minimum thickness, and 0.55-inch in maximum thickness, the VisionOwl portable monitor can also be easily carried for travel, work, or relocation
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100Hz High Refresh Rate Monitor: Compared to low refresh rate monitors, the VisionOwl external monitor for laptop with a 100hz high refresh rate features 125% sRGB (88%NTSC) and 8-bit color depth with 16.7M colors. It is able to provide a smoother and more exciting gaming experience by displaying more frames per second and reducing lag and motion blur, allowing you to gain an advantage over opponents in the game
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Wide Compatibility, Well Designed: With two USB-C ports and one upgraded standard HDMI port, the VisionOwl portable screen can be easily connected to any major device on the market, such as all Apple MacBooks, Surface, laptops, PC, Xbox, PS5, and more. If your device has a Thunderbolt 3/4 or Full-Featured USB-C port, all you need is a single USB-C to USB-C cable to connect without any hassle
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
ForHelp Portable Monitor 15.6inch,1080P USB-C HDMI Second External Monitor for Laptop,PC,Mac Phone,PS,Xbox,Swich,IPS Ultra-Thin Zero Frame Gaming Monitor/Premium Smart Cover
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Extensive Compatibility - Forhelp portable monitor features 2 full-featured Type-C ports and 1 MINI HDMI port. You can easily access your favorite devices with just one USB Type-C or MINI HDMI cable. NOTE: Your device should support Thunderbolt 3.0/4.0 or USB 3.1 Type C DP ALT-MODE. It is compatible with all devices equipped with HDMI and USB Type-C ports like laptops, PS, XBOX, SWITCH game consoles.
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Full HD Portable Monitor - 15.6inch portable laptop monitor with 1920*1080 resolution, advanced IPS Matte screen support 178° full viewing angle, it renders accurate and bright color, draws you into the video or game with lifelike colors and amazing detail.It can effectively reduce blue light radiation damage, no flickering, eye-care, and make it easier to watch for a long time.
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Ultra-slim Portable Monitor - As a portable external monitor, Forhelp portable laptop monitor's body is made of aluminum alloy, the weight of the whole machine is 1.8lb, 0.3" ultra-thin profile, can easily fit into your bag, so you can carry it with you. With our magnetic smart holster, you can use and store it anytime.
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
VILVA Portable-Monitor-for-Laptop - 15.6'' 1080P FHD IPS Display USB-C HDMI Portable Monitor for Laptop with Cover and Speakers External Monitor for Laptop/PC/Mac/Phone/Xbox Switch/PS4/
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Experience Unrivaled Visuals: Get the ultimate viewing experience with the VILVA Professional Portable Monitor! With its incredibly sharp 15.6 inch FHD IPS Screen, you'll get a 1920 x 1080 resolution that viewing experience. Get it now and start working smarter, not harder and get yourself the professional portable monitor today.
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Truly Wide Compatibility: Lets you connect your laptop, PC, MAC, tablet, phone, XBOX, PS3/PS4/PS5, switches, and more via USB-C or HDMI Port-- deliver a stable connection and steady data transmission. Enjoy great sound with the built-in dual stereo speakers, perfect for your business trip, travel, or home entertainment gaming setup.
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Rating is 4.7 out of 5
ALLVIA Laptop Screen Extender 14" 1080P FHD IPS, Portable Monitor for Laptop 13-17", Triple Monitor Extended for laptops with Dual Speakers, Plug-Play with Type-C/HDMI/USB-A for Wins/Mac/Chrome
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Important Notes: The laptop multiple screens attachment works with Windows, ChromeOS, Linux, and Full-Featured Type-C phones. Note 1: For Mac series or laptops lack sufficient HDMI+USB A/C ports, search "B0CY8CLGYY" for the special cable. Note 2: If one screen displays "No Signal," it means the laptop output power is insufficient, requiring extra power for that screen. Note 3: If you have compatibility concerns with our S2 tri-screen for laptops, contact us before purchasing.
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Let's turn your laptop display into 3 monitors, with the additional 2 screens capable of extension/mirror mode to expand your laptop's multi-screen synchronization and differentiation, enabling multitasking simultaneously and boosting productivity by up to 300%.
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Better Visuals from 14” Screen: ALLVIA laptop monitor extender, with 1920*1080 resolution and 300 nits brightness, ensures clarity even in well-lit environments. The 72% NTSC color gamut offers lifelike colors, while the 1000:1 contrast ratio sharpens images. HDR technology enhances the dynamic range for realistic visuals and immersive viewing. Efficient backlighting boosts brightness overall. The double screen for laptop features anti-vertigo and low blue light to protect your eyes
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
ARZOPA Portable Monitor, 15.6'' 1080P FHD Laptop Monitor USB C HDMI Computer Display HDR Eye Care External Screen w/Smart Cover for Mac Phone Xbox Switch PS5-S1 Table
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Second Monitor: The ARZOPA portable monitor can very well act as your secondmonitor and improve your work efficiency. You can work and perform multiple taskssimultaneously while using this monitor
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FHD IPS Screen: Designed with a 15.6-inch display, the screen features 1080P, FHD,IPS and anti-glare display. The 60Hz high resolution brings excellent richness in color ofpictures, videos, work and screen quality
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Plug and Play: There is no need of app and drivers, you only need one USB-C cable toset the portable monitor for its video signal and power to deliver a full HD resolutionviewing. (Phones need full-featured USB port)
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
ViewSonic VA1655 15.6 Inch 1080p Portable IPS Monitor with a Built-in Stand, Mobile Ergonomics, USB C, Mini HDMI and Protective Case for Home and Office,Black
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ULTRA-PORTABLE MONITOR: 15.6 Inch Full HD (1920x1080p) IPS portable monitor with 60Hz refresh rate
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SMALL AND COMPACT: With a weight of 1.5 lbs and a thickness of 0.7 in, this portable monitor slips easily into backpacks and purses
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LESS CABLE CLUTTER: USB-C connectivity for fast data, audio and video transfer, and 60W charging over one cable
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
CIDETTY Laptop Screen Extender, 14'' FHD 1080P IPS Ultra-Thin Dual/Triple Monitor Display, HDMI/USB-C Plug-Play Portable Monitor for Laptop, Built-in Speakers(Mac, Win, Android)
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【High-quality Screen】CIDETTY portable monitor features a 14-inch FHD 1080P IPS screen that delivers excellent color rendering and provides a bright and high-quality viewing experience. The screen is equipped with blue light filtering and anti-glare technology, ensuring eye protection and a more comfortable viewing experience, even during prolonged use.
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【Broad Compatibility】CIDETTY laptop screen extender is plug-and-play. It is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and works with Laptops, PS, Xbox, and Switch. Please note that it is not compatible with Macbook with M1, M2, or M3 chips or Surface devices with only one Type-C port. If you encounter any connection issues, please contact our customer service for assistance.
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【Ultra-slim Portable Display】CIDETTY USB-C monitor features built-in speakers and has a screen thickness of only 0.24 inches. It comes with a dedicated protective case for easy portability, making it ideal for dual monitor setups during travel or work on-the-go, as well as for extending phone screens for watching movies.
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Rating is 4.3 out of 5
ARZOPA 16.1'' 144Hz Portable Gaming Monitor, 106% sRGB 1080P FHD Kickstand Portable Monitor with HDR, Ultra Slim, Eye Care, External Second Screen for Laptop, PC, PS5, Mac, Xbox-Z1FC
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16.1" 144Hz Display: Arzopa Z1FC 16.1" portable monitor has 144Hz ultra-high refresh rate for higher motion clarity and smoother gaming visuals. The 144Hz high refresh rate brings lower input latency and higher videos, work and game screen quality（no adaptive sync or freesync）
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Portable Monitor with Kickstand: The portable gaming monitor comes with a built-in stand that allows for easy adjustment of the tilt angle to accommodate different usage needs. Lightweight and easier to carry
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106% sRGB IPS Screen: The 16.1" portable monitor features 1080P FHD high-definition resolution and 106% sRGB gamut brings clear picture quality, immerse yourself in vibrant colors and crisp details
9
Rating is 4.2 out of 5
UPERFECT 2K 120Hz Portable Gaming Monitor, 16" 2560x1600 QHD Portable Monitor HDR FreeSync Laptop Monitor w/VESA & Smart Case Matte IPS Eye Care External Second Screen for PC Phone Game Console
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Optimized for Portable Gaming: 2K QHD resolution and amazing 120 Hz refresh rate give you the edge in all your gaming quests; Equipped with FreeSync technology and HDR function to eliminate image tearing and stuttering for higher motion clarity and smoother gameplay
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16" 2K Portable Laptop Monitor: UPERFECT 16 inches portable monitor with 2560 x 1600p resolution, clearer than 1080P; Provide you with a clearer, more realistic and more vivid image for the ultimate experience; Slim at 0.4" and weighing 1.7lbs, easy to carry and helps you be productive on the go or connect your gaming device to play anytime, anywhere; Four-side ultra-narrow bezel design brings you an immersive visual experience
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IPS Matte Screen with 100% sRGB: Compared with ordinary LCD screens, the IPS screen has a wider viewing angle - 178°, higher contrast ratio - 1200:1, wider color gamut - 100% sRGB, color depth - 8 bits/16.7 million color support; Compared with the glossy screen, the matte screen eliminates the trouble caused by reflection and protects the eyes to a certain extent; Anti-fingerprint, the best choice for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
10
Rating is 4.1 out of 5
ASUS ZenScreen 16” (15.6 inch viewable) 1080P USB-C Portable Monitor (MB16AHV) - Full HD, IPS, Blue Light Filter, Anti-glare, Mini HDMI, Kickstand, Tripod Mountable, Protective Sleeve, 3 year warranty
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15.6-inch Full HD portable anti-glare IPS display with an ultraslim and thin design helps you get things done more efficiently when you’re on the go
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Kickstand design prop the monitor up in either portrait or landscape mode easily
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Standard tripod socket allows the display to be easily mounted for comfortable eye-level viewing
11
Rating is 4 out of 5
Laptop Screen Extender Monitor Portable: 14" Triple Screen Laptop Monitor Extender, 1080P FHD IPS Laptop Monitor Extender with Stand Compatible, Plug & Play Laptop Screen Extender for Wins/Mac/Chro
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Wide Compatibility for Multiple Devices: The laptop screen extender works with 13"-16" laptops and is compatible with Windows, Mac (excluding M1/M2/M3 chip models), Chrome, and Switch. It adapts seamlessly to home office setups, business travel, online meetings, and more.
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Triple Screen Sync for 3x Productivity: This triple screen laptop monitor extender instantly transforms your laptop with two additional screens, enabling extended and mirror modes to manage multiple tasks at once. Ideal for busy professionals, developers, designers, or anyone who needs multiple windows open, it significantly boosts productivity.
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Plug and Play, Easy Setup: No drivers needed—this portable laptop screen extender supports USB-A/C and HDMI connections for a simple, fast setup. The plug-and-play design lets you expand your screens effortlessly, saving time and hassle with no complex setup required.
How to troubleshoot connectivity issues with portable monitors?
Troubleshooting connectivity issues with portable monitors involves several steps. Here's a guide that can help you identify and solve the problem:
- Check Connections:
Ensure that all cables (USB, HDMI, DisplayPort) are securely connected to both the portable monitor and the primary device (laptop, desktop, tablet).
If the monitor uses a USB-C connection for both power and display, make sure the cable is capable of data transfer and not just charging.
- Verify Compatibility:
Confirm that your device supports the type of connection you are using. Some USB-C ports, for example, might only support charging and not data/video transfer.
Make sure that the portable monitor is compatible with your operating system and device specifications.
- Try Different Ports and Cables:
Test the connection with different ports on your device, if available.
Use a different cable to rule out a faulty cable as the cause of the connectivity issue.
- Check Power Supply:
Some portable monitors may require an external power source or a dual USB connection for power. Ensure that the monitor is receiving adequate power.
If the monitor has an external power adapter, ensure it is properly connected.
- Adjust Display Settings:
On your computer, go to display settings and see if the portable monitor is detected. It might be listed but not enabled as a display.
Extend or duplicate the display settings as needed.
- Update Drivers:
Ensure that your graphics drivers are up to date, as outdated drivers can cause connectivity issues.
Check if any specific drivers need to be installed for the portable monitor itself.
- Restart Devices:
Reboot both your primary device and the portable monitor to clear any temporary issues that might have occurred.
- Test with Another Device:
Connect the portable monitor to another computer or device to see if it functions correctly. This helps determine if the problem lies with the original device or the monitor itself.
- Check for Physical Damage:
Inspect the monitor and cables for any signs of physical damage that could affect connectivity, such as bent pins or frayed wires.
- Consult Manufacturer's Support:
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, consult the manufacturer’s support for specific troubleshooting steps or warranty service.
Following these steps should help you identify and potentially resolve connectivity issues with your portable monitor.
How to prevent screen tearing on portable monitors?
Screen tearing on portable monitors can be particularly frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to mitigate this issue:
- Enable V-Sync: V-Sync (Vertical Synchronization) helps synchronize the frame rate of your graphics card with the refresh rate of your monitor. This can reduce screen tearing significantly, but it may introduce latency or reduce performance in some cases.
- Use Adaptive Sync Technologies: If your portable monitor and graphics card support it, consider using adaptive sync technologies like AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-Sync. These features dynamically adjust the monitor's refresh rate to match the frame rate of the content, minimizing tearing and stuttering.
- Adjust Refresh Rate: Check that your monitor is running at its optimal refresh rate. Sometimes, adjusting the refresh rate to a value that matches well with your typical frame rate (e.g., 60Hz, 75Hz) can help.
- Graphics Card Settings: Experiment with the settings in your graphics card's control panel. Both NVIDIA and AMD offer options to address screen tearing, such as tweaking V-Sync or setting a frame rate cap.
- Frame Rate Limiting: Use software tools or in-game settings to limit the frame rate slightly below your monitor’s refresh rate. This can help prevent screen tearing, as it reduces the mismatch between frame rates.
- Update Drivers: Make sure that both your graphics card drivers and your monitor's firmware are up to date. Sometimes, driver updates include fixes for tearing and other display issues.
- Switch to a Different Cable: Sometimes, the issue might be related to the quality or type of cable you’re using. Ensure you are using high-quality cables such as HDMI or DisplayPort, and try different cables if necessary.
- Check Connections: Ensure that all connections are secure and that there are no loose ports or cables, as poor connections can sometimes lead to display issues like tearing.
- Test with a Different Device: If possible, connect the portable monitor to a different device to determine if the issue lies with the monitor, the graphics card, or the cable.
- Reduce Graphics Settings: In some cases, lowering the graphics settings of demanding applications can help ensure smoother performance, reducing chances of screen tearing.
Implementing these strategies should help reduce or eliminate screen tearing on a portable monitor. If the problem persists despite these efforts, it may be worth consulting the manufacturer's support team to check for known issues or defects.
What is the price range for portable monitors?
As of the latest information available, portable monitor prices can vary widely based on factors such as size, resolution, brand, and additional features. Here's a general guideline:
- Budget Options ($100 - $200): These typically come with basic features, smaller sizes (usually around 13 to 15 inches), and lower resolutions (such as 720p or 1080p). They are good for basic use and travel.
- Mid-Range Options ($200 - $400): These monitors often have better build quality, higher resolutions (Full HD 1080p), and may include features like USB-C connectivity, slim bezels, and slightly larger sizes.
- High-End Options ($400 and above): These monitors can offer 4K resolution, touchscreen capabilities, enhanced color accuracy, larger sizes (over 17 inches), premium materials, and additional features like built-in battery or advanced connectivity options.
Prices can fluctuate based on sales, retailer pricing, and availability, so it’s always a good idea to compare options across different sellers.
How to connect a portable monitor to an iPad?
Connecting a portable monitor to an iPad can expand your workspace and enhance productivity. Here’s how you can do it:
- Check Compatibility:
Ensure your iPad supports external display connections. Most modern iPads, including iPad Pro models, support external monitors.
- Identify the Connection Port:
USB-C Port: Newer iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini models come with a USB-C port, which can directly connect to many portable monitors that also have a USB-C port.
Lightning Port: Older iPad models might feature a Lightning port, requiring a different adapter.
- Select the Appropriate Adapter:
For iPads with USB-C, a USB-C to USB-C cable may be sufficient.
For iPads with a Lightning port, you will need a Lightning to HDMI or VGA adapter, depending on your monitor’s input options.
- Connect the Devices:
Connect one end of the cable or adapter to your iPad and the other end to the portable monitor.
If using an adapter, plug the cable into the adapter and then connect to the monitor.
Ensure that the portable monitor is powered on.
- Configure Display Settings:
If your monitor doesn’t automatically display the iPad’s screen, go to your iPad’s settings to configure the external display settings.
Some iPads may automatically mirror the display once connected.
- App Compatibility:
Some apps may have specific display options or enhanced functionality when used with an external monitor. Check app settings if needed.
When using a portable monitor, consider using a stand or mount to position it in a comfortable viewing location, and ensure your iPad has sufficient battery life or is connected to power, especially if the external monitor also requires power.
If problems arise, verify that all cables and adapters are working correctly and compatible with your devices.
