Whether or not you are engaged on the go, gaming away out of your desk or simply need a second display to spice up your productiveness, a transportable monitor could be a helpful resolution. These light-weight shows are excellent for including extra display area to your setup with out taking over a lot room — particularly helpful if you happen to’re utilizing a compact laptop computer or touring usually.
Lots of the greatest moveable screens now assist USB Sort-C connections for straightforward plug-and-play setups, and a few even run totally on USB energy, so that you don’t want to hold additional chargers. You’ll additionally discover fashions with helpful extras like built-in audio system, touchscreen assist and large compatibility with Home windows laptops and tablets. Whether or not you’re after a laptop computer display extender or a inventive companion for photograph enhancing on the go, there’s a transportable monitor on the market for you.
Desk of contents
Greatest moveable screens for 2025
Picture by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Dimension: 17-inch | Show kind: Moveable touchscreen | Connector kind: USB-C | Decision: 4K | Brightness: 450 nits | Weight: 2.4lbs | Most refresh charge: 60 Hz
Not solely does the Espresso 17 Professional function sturdy brightness (450 nits) and an excellent premium design, however what actually elevates this second monitor are all of its equipment and companion apps. Espresso’s Stand Professional add-on feels downright bulletproof, whereas additionally offering an excellent sturdy magnetic attachment system so that you don’t want to fret about kickstands or tripods. In the meantime, for individuals who want additional juice whereas out and about, there’s a charging station with an enormous 32,000 mAh battery. Alternatively, Espresso’s Jot software program makes it straightforward to attract and markup docs with a stylus, which works nice with the corporate’s display protector and provides a extra textured floor for higher suggestions whereas drawing.
Its standout function is plug-and-play touchscreen assist when related to a Mac, serving to you unleash your creativity. Moreover, with 10-bit coloration accuracy, 100% DCI-P3 protection and twin USB-C connections with energy passthrough, this monitor is full of options. It even contains HDR assist for enhanced visible depth. The one draw back is the worth — beginning at $799 — however after testing it, we predict it’s price it, providing higher picture high quality than many laptop screens in the identical dimension vary.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Dimension: 15-inch | Show kind: Moveable touchscreen | Connector kind: USB-C | Decision: 4K | Brightness: 550 nits | Weight: 1.76lbs | Most refresh charge: 60 Hz
Learn our full Espresso 15 Professional assessment
With the 15 Professional, Espresso has made a smaller model of its flagship 4K moveable monitor that is not solely extra compact, it additionally has larger brightness than earlier than. And as you’d anticipate, it helps all of its greater sibling’s greatest options, together with a smooth design, single-cord setup (with two built-in USB-C ports) and even the power so as to add touchscreen assist to Macs. Plus, there is a wealth of equipment to select from, making the 15 Professional an extremely versatile, although considerably expensive, selection for frequent vacationers or anybody who simply needs a pleasant moveable monitor at house.
Picture by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Dimension: 15.6-inch | Show kind: IPS | Connector kind: USB-C | Decision: 1080p | Brightness: 300 nits | Weight: 1.85lbs (with cowl) | Most refresh charge: 60 Hz
At simply $200, Plugable’s 15.6-inch moveable monitor delivers the whole lot you want in a finances show and extra. That’s as a result of whereas it doesn’t have HDMI or DisplayPort, it options not one however three USB-C connections together with hub performance thanks to 2 10Gbps connections and 85-watt passthrough charging. And since the monitor itself has a low energy draw, you most likely received’t even want to make use of the included brick when related to a laptop computer.
Whereas the panel doesn’t boast larger decision specs, its distinction ratio and coloration accuracy are strong for the worth. The one small disadvantage is that picture high quality goes down when seen from acute angles, although that shouldn’t be an enormous deal as a result of, from head on, colours and sharpness are above common for the cash. Lastly, whereas we don’t anticipate a ton of freebies to come back bundled with finances devices, Plugable does embrace a folding magnetic cowl that doubles as a kickstand and a USB-C 3.2 cable, which is a pleasant contact.
Picture by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Dimension: 17.3-inch | Show kind: IPS | Connector kind: USB-C | Decision: 1080p | Brightness: 300 nits | Weight: 3.88lbs (with stand) | Most refresh charge: 240 Hz
Despite the fact that the ROG Strix XG17AHP has been on the marketplace for some time, it’s bought nice specs together with a 17.3-inch monitor with an anti-reflective coating and full HD decision, a wealth of ports and a blazing quick 240Hz refresh charge (make it among the best gaming monitor choices within the moveable area) — the latter of which is just about as excessive you may get from moveable screens in the present day. I respect that its 7,800 mAh built-in battery makes it straightforward to arrange for brief classes with out worrying a couple of energy supply. This mannequin additionally comes with a boatload of equipment together with a journey bag, folding cowl, a ton of cables and extra. It additionally encompasses a fast disconnect system for attaching its included tripod, which is nice when utilizing it at house or in additional semi-permanent configurations. Although if you happen to choose to journey even lighter, there’s a barely cheaper model that solely comes with a kickstand as an alternative of a tripod.
Picture by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Dimension: 14-inch | Show kind: IPS | Connector kind: USB-C | Decision: 1440p | Brightness: 300 nits | Weight: 1.5lbs | Most refresh charge: 60 Hz
For people who find themselves always on the go, Lenovo’s M14t Gen2 Cell Monitor makes it straightforward to carry a pleasant second show wherever you need. Its 14-inch panel encompasses a larger decision 1440p show with a 100% sRGB coloration gamut and a 16:10 side ratio for a bit additional vertical display area. It additionally helps USB-C energy pass-through (as much as 65 watts) so it will probably conveniently share juice with a related gadget like a cellphone or laptop computer. You additionally get sketching assist due to Lenovo’s included stylus.
However one of the best half is its built-in stand, which gives a steady tilting function that goes from zero to 90 levels, so it’s simply adjustable even in tight areas. And weighing in at simply 1.5 kilos, it received’t add a ton of additional heft to your bag. Lenovo even tossed in a pleasant carrying sleeve to make sure the panel doesn’t get broken in transit.
Simply know that there are a couple of completely different variations of the M14t monitor; you possibly can choose one up for as little as $284 immediately from Lenovo. For those who’re seeking to save a couple of {dollars}, learn the spec record of the mannequin you are pondering of shopping for earlier than pulling the set off.
Issues to think about earlier than shopping for a transportable monitor
Earlier than you begin taking a look at particular merchandise, it’s tremendous vital to consider how and the place you intend on utilizing a second monitor as a transportable show. Bigger panels are nice for house use the place it’s possible you’ll solely want to maneuver it or put it away when you’ve gotten firm over. In the meantime, smaller screens are nice for journey and whipping out at a espresso store or shared workspace. However if you happen to go too small, it’s possible you’ll be including additional weight to your bag with out offering a ton of additional utility, particularly if it lacks a very good USB-C cable or mini HDMI for connectivity. Display screen dimension and compatibility along with your present units must be prime issues.
It’s additionally vital to think about your typical workload, as artists could get additional worth out of screens with larger most brightness, HDR, wider coloration accuracy and a better distinction ratio. Those that spend all day taking a look at spreadsheets received’t get as a lot worth from extra vibrant shows or FHD shows with excessive refresh charges, however they could nonetheless profit from having a fundamental plug-and-play second monitor for multitasking.
What to search for in a transportable monitor
Apart from worth and display dimension, a few of the most vital specs in a transportable monitor embrace panel kind, pixels per inch, brightness, refresh charge and connectivity. Most moveable screens use IPS LCD shows, which usually provide good viewing angles, sturdy brightness and good energy effectivity. Nevertheless, some larger decision fashions now function OLED screens that assist wider coloration gamuts, higher coloration accuracy and distinction ratio, which could be a main profit for artists and content material creators. Some finances fashions could use TN panels, as that may assist minimize prices and cut back vitality consumption. That mentioned, we usually attempt to steer clear of these as they usually have worse picture high quality in comparison with IPS screens.
For brightness, 300 nits is the bottom we advocate — something much less could make the monitor exhausting to make use of even in some indoor environments. Ideally, we search for screens which are nearer to 350 or 400 nits and above for higher accuracy and visibility.
Connectivity can be vital as a result of if you happen to can’t simply hook your cellphone, gaming console, or laptop computer to a monitor, it turns into an outsized paperweight. Most journey shows embrace an HDMI port or USB-C port(or each), which cowl the big majority of units. It’s uncommon to discover a moveable monitor nowadays with solely USB-A, because the majority of units have moved over to USB-C. Nevertheless, we additionally like fashions that assist passthrough energy over USB-C connections, which reduces the complexity of your setup and reduces the variety of cords and adapters you must carry round.
Lastly, most moveable screens function 60Hz refresh charges, which is ok for many use circumstances. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re in search of a gaming monitor, there are fashions with 120Hz and even 240Hz refresh charges. These are wonderful selections for avid gamers seeking to keep easy fps whereas taking part in on the go.
Moveable monitor FAQs
What are the disadvantages of a transportable monitor?
The principle drawback of a transportable monitor compared to an everyday monitor is dimension. Most moveable screens sit within the 14- to 17-inch vary to permit them to be as moveable as their title suggests. Whereas you could find some moveable screens sized at 20 inches or bigger, they turn into much less and fewer handy to tackle the go the bigger they get.
What’s the distinction between a pill and a transportable monitor?
A pill is basically a transportable laptop that may run apps, video games and extra with out a supporting gadget. Moveable screens are certainly supportive units designed to broaden your display actual property; to ensure that them to have any use, they should be related to a laptop computer or pill.
What ports ought to I search for in a transportable monitor?
Crucial port to search for on a transportable monitor is the one with which you will join the monitor to your laptop. Most moveable screens may have both an HDMI or USB-C port to do that. After that, it is helpful for a transportable monitor to produce other connectors reminiscent of a USB-A port, additional USB-C ports and others so that you can hook up further equipment.