Let’s face it; you can’t carry your workstation monitor on flights whenever you need a dual-monitor setup at your remote work location. So, the advantages of a laptop come to naught if you are bound to your workstation simply because you need a multi-monitor setup.
Thankfully, there is a solution. A USB-C Portable Monitor allows you to regain that freedom to enhance your productivity while on the move. They are the ideal solution to the problem as they provide similar specifications to desktop-class monitors. And you can hook this monitor to your portable gaming device and enjoy a more immersive gaming experience than the tiny screen you get on most gaming devices.
These monitors are light and generally weigh a fraction of the weight of a laptop, making them easy to carry. From 4K resolutions to OLED panels, you can find a monitor to take care of your need and provide you with the best setup to work efficiently.
While these monitors provide a brilliant solution, they aren’t devoid of their share of limitations. For instance, most monitors draw power from the USB-C port, which you’ll use to connect to your laptop. Effectively, the power comes from your laptop, which reduces the battery life.
Also, it is difficult to find a monitor that offers a middle ground between the essential 60Hz refresh rate and an extreme of 240Hz. Hence, one needs to choose wisely to select the best monitor.
In this article, we’ve rounded up the best USB-C portable monitors on the market. We’ll review each of these devices and highlight their pros and cons. We’ll close by answering a few frequently asked questions about these monitors. But not before presenting our buying guide in which we’ll identify the key parameters you must keep in mind when buying such a product.
Table of Contents
- Comparison of the Best USB-C Portable Monitor
- Best USB-C Portable Monitor – Our Pick
- 1. ASUS ROG Strix Gaming Monitor (XG17AHPE) – Best Portable USB-C Gaming Monitor
- 2. LG Gram +View (16MQ70.ADSU1) – Portable Monitor with 16:10 Aspect Ratio
- 3. Dell C1422H – Best USB-C portable monitor for office use
- 4. ViewSonic VG1655 – USB-C Portable Monitor with Integrated Speakers
- 5. INNOCN Portable Monitor – USB-C Portable Monitor with 4K OLED screen
- 6. SideTrak Swivel – Attachable USB-C Portable Monitor
- 7. ASUS ProArt (PA148CTV) – Best Touchscreen USB-C Portable Monitor
- 8. KYY Portable Monitor – Best Budget USB-C Portable Monitor
- Best USB-C Portable Monitors – Our Buying Guide
- Resolution
- Best USB-C Portable Monitors – Frequently Asked Questions
Comparison of the Best USB-C Portable Monitor
| Image | Product | Details | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | ASUS ROG Strix Gaming Monitor (XG17AHPE) | Screen Size: 17.3” Resolution: 1920x1080 Panel: IPS Refresh Rate: 240Hz Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Touchscreen: No Weight: 2.3lbs. Power Source: Battery Smart Cover: Included | Buy on Amazon |
 | LG Gram +View (16MQ70.ADSU1) | Screen Size: 15” Resolution: 2560x1600 Panel: IPS Refresh Rate: 60Hz Aspect Ratio: 16:10 Touchscreen: No Weight: 2.18lbs. Power Source: USB-C Interface Smart Cover: Included | Buy on Amazon |
 | Dell C1422H | Screen Size: 14” Resolution: 1920x1080 Panel: IPS Refresh Rate: 60Hz Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Touchscreen: No Weight: 2.42lbs. Power Source: USB-C Interface Smart Cover: Not Included | Buy on Amazon |
 | ViewSonic VG1655 | Screen Size: 15.6” Resolution: 1920x1080 Panel: IPS Refresh Rate: 60Hz Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Touchscreen: No Weight: 1.80lbs. Power Source: USB-C Interface Smart Cover: Included | Buy on Amazon |
 | INNOCN Portable Monitor | Screen Size: 15.6” Resolution: 3840x2160 Panel: OLED Refresh Rate: 60Hz Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Touchscreen: Yes Weight: 2.07lbs. Power Source: Battery Smart Cover: Included | Buy on Amazon |
 | SideTrak Swivel | Screen Size: 14” Resolution: 1920x1080 Panel: TFT LCD Refresh Rate: 60Hz Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Touchscreen: No Weight: 1.50lbs. Power Source: USB-C Interface Smart Cover: Not Included | Buy on Amazon |
 | ASUS ProArt (PA148CTV) | Screen Size: 14” Resolution: 1920x1080 Panel: IPS Refresh Rate: 60Hz Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Touchscreen: Yes Weight: 1.63lbs. Power Source: USB-C Interface Smart Cover: Included | Buy on Amazon |
 | KYY Portable Monitor | Screen Size: 15.6” Resolution: 1920x1080 Panel: IPS Refresh Rate: 60Hz Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Touchscreen: No Weight: 1.70lbs. Power Source: USB-C Interface Smart Cover: Included | Buy on Amazon |
Best USB-C Portable Monitor – Our Pick
1. ASUS ROG Strix Gaming Monitor (XG17AHPE) – Best Portable USB-C Gaming Monitor
The Asus ROG Stix Gaming Monitor offers top-notch gaming specifications that allow you to enjoy your favorite games. You can hook it up with your gaming laptop, phone, or handled gaming console to enjoy that immersive experience gamers seek.
The XG17AHPE has a 17-inch IPS panel display, ensuring you get wide viewing angles and realistic color depictions. The wide color gamut offers over 16 million colors and covers 100% of the sRGB color space. The 1000:1 contrast ratio is typical of IPS screens, but you’ll find the 300nits brightness slightly low.
On the performance side of things, the monitor offers up to a 240Hz refresh rate and Adaptive-Sync at the FullHD 1080p resolution. So, you can enjoy fast-paced racing games without experiencing a jumpy video or image tearing during gameplay. You also get a response time of 3ms which prevents ghosting so that you take accurate aim while shooting bad guys playing first-person shooter (FPS) games.
The thin and lightweight monitor makes it convenient to carry alongside your laptop. Asus includes a smart cover that helps protect the screen while traveling and doubles up as a stand while you use the monitor. More interestingly, Asus incorporates two thoughtful features in the XG17AHPE, built-in speakers and a battery.
Unlike most other monitors on the market that draw power from the laptop, the Asus XG17AHPE comes with its power source. So, your laptop’s battery will run longer, and you can focus on work rather than worry about running out of charge. The built-in speakers provide an additional dimension when you connect handheld gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch.
Our Take
The Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE offers a large 17-inch screen with thoughtful features that provide plenty of utility. Its high refresh rate and low response time make it ideal for mid-to-high level gaming, whether on a long-haul flight or at a remote work desk.
- High refresh rate and Adaptive-Sync provide distortion-free gaming.
- The 7800mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 provides plenty of power for the monitor.
- The built-in speakers are perfect for gaming on handheld gaming consoles.
- Additional connectivity option with Micro HDMI and 3.5mm audio port.
- Expensive
- The smart case doesn’t work well enough as a stand.
2. LG Gram +View (16MQ70.ADSU1) – Portable Monitor with 16:10 Aspect Ratio
The 16:10 aspect ratio is a sought-after one because it allows the user greater screen real estate, which provides for enhanced productivity. Thus, the LG Gram +View is an excellent option for working professionals who are used to working on this aspect ratio.
The LG Gram +View has a large 16-inch IPS panel display with a 2560×1600 resolution on a 16:10 aspect ratio. LG offers a wide color gamut with over 16 million colors that cover 99% of the DCI-P3 color space and a peak brightness of 350nits. The IPS panel performs slightly better than others, offering a 1200:1 contrast ratio and wide viewing angles. However, with a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz, the monitor is best suited for working professionals who need the extra screen to enhance productivity.
It bears an anti-glare coating which ensures that your eyes don’t feel the glare while working in a brightly lit room. The display also auto-rotates the image when switching the orientation from landscape mode to portrait, which makes it more convenient to use. And with OnScreen Control software for the screen, you get plenty of flexibility to tweak the setting of the monitor so that you can focus on your work.
Unlike the Asus, this LG portable monitor doesn’t have a battery and draws its power from the USB-C connection to your laptop. And it doesn’t have a built-in speaker, so you won’t truly enjoy gaming on this device. But it shouldn’t be a deal breaker as LG didn’t intend this to be a gaming monitor, instead focusing on utility for the working professional.
Our Take
The LG Gram +View is among the few monitors offering a 16:10 aspect ratio. Thus, it is perfect for users who work on spreadsheets or need added room for more lines of text.
- Excellent color reproduction with a wide color gamut.
- The anti-glare screen is suitable for brightly lit rooms.
- The 16-inch screen and 16:10 aspect ratio provide plenty of screen space for work.
- OnScreen Control software allows you to tweak the monitor’s settings with ease.
- Ideal for use in landscape and portrait modes.
- Only USB-C ports restrict the connectivity options.
- It reduces your laptop’s battery life by drawing power from it.
3. Dell C1422H – Best USB-C portable monitor for office use
The Dell C1422H portable monitor has a 14-inch IPS panel display that offers a resolution of 1920×1080. The screen has a refresh rate of 60Hz and a response time of 6ms. These indicate that the monitor is targeted at the working professional and not for recreational use.
Nonetheless, the color representation is exceptionally good, with an 8-bit color depth that delivers 16.7 million colors and covers 73% of the NTSC (CIE 1931) color space. The C1422H is a brightness rating of 300nits and a contrast ratio of 700:1. Again, the numbers are low, yet Dell manages to pull off a surprisingly good performance.
Dell follows an unconventional design compared to typical portable monitors. It features a base that also acts as the stand of the monitor. The monitor and the base are attached to a sturdy hinge that allows you to adjust the viewing angles. The base has a power button and a USB-C port on the right. And on the left side, you get brightness control, a second USB-C port, and a switch for ComfortView.
Interestingly, the C1422H offers power pass-through, so you can connect it to an external power source and use it to charge your laptop. Unfortunately, the monitor doesn’t have integrated speakers, so you’ll need headphones when streaming content on your phone.
Our Take
The Dell C1422H is a good choice if you have never used a portable monitor. It is a basic monitor that lacks many features that you can get with other monitors on the market. But it would be best to consider the C1422H as it gets the basics right and the quality you expect from a big brand like Dell.
- The adjustable stand ensures that you get the perfect viewing angle.
- The use of USB-C pass-through means it doesn’t burden the laptop’s battery.
- A surprisingly good display screen that offers vibrant color.
- ComfortView mode prevents eye strain by reducing blue light emissions.
- No integrated speakers for use with phones and handheld gaming consoles.
- It lacks several features you can find on cheaper portable monitors.
4. ViewSonic VG1655 – USB-C Portable Monitor with Integrated Speakers
The ViewSonic VG1655 offers the unmatched advantage of integrated speakers. So, you can ditch the laptop and use the monitor with compatible mobile devices for a large screen or dual-screen experience.
The VG1655 has a 15.6-inch IPS panel display with FullHD 1920×1080 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. It offers brightness levels of 250nits and a contrast ratio of 800:1, which are low compared to the competition. As a result, the color representations look dull and lack vibrancy. This is evident as, despite the 8-bit color depth that generates 16.2 million colors, the color gamut covers only 64% of the sRGB color space.
The design of this ViewSonic portable monitor incorporates an adjustable stand that offers up to 60 degrees of viewing angles. It has an aluminum body that makes it lightweight and durable, so it stays safe even if you accidentally drop it. Further, the magnetic cover protects the screen from nicks and scratches that damage the screen during travel.
ViewSonic offers the VG1655 with one mini-HDMI and two USB-C ports. So, you can use one USB-C for an external power source like an outlet or a power bank and use the other to receive video signals. You also get a 3.5mm audio jack to connect headphones or external speakers.
Our Take
The ViewSonic VG1655 is an excellent choice if you need the additional screen for video conferencing. The FullHD screen provides exceptional image clarity but lacks vibrancy despite the 8-bit color depth making it unsuitable for tasks that depend on color accuracy.
- It has integrated speakers which allow the use of mobile devices.
- The metal body makes the screen durable.
- The magnetic cover protects the screen’s surface from scratches.
- The built-in stand allows you to get the perfect viewing angle
- The low brightness and contrast make the color look dull and unappealing.
- The two USB-C ports do not support power pass-through.
5. INNOCN Portable Monitor – USB-C Portable Monitor with 4K OLED screen
Content creators will love the Innocn Portable Monitor for the 4K OLED display. You get sharper images with vibrant colors, perfect for video and image editing tasks. Of course, these high-end specifications come at a considerably high price.
The Innocn monitor has a 15.6-inch 4K OLED panel that offers unmatched contrast among portable monitor screens. It has a 10-bit color depth that helps to deliver 1.07 billion colors that cover 100% of the DCI-P3 color space and 130% of the sRGB color space.
The OLED panel ensures that you get true blacks, giving you limitless contrast. The peak brightness of 400nits means that the colors look bright and lifelike. While you do get a 1ms response time, the 60Hz refresh rate may limit gaming and isn’t ideal for viewing fast-paced action scenes. And the monitor comes with TUV Rheinland Eye Care certification for low blue light and ensures that your eyes don’t feel the strain.
The design is simple, and the 5000mAh battery delivers up to 4hrs of battery life, so you don’t burden your laptop’s battery. The screen also has a 10-point touchscreen, making it easy to point to things and helping improve productivity. What’s more, you also get integrated speakers, which enhance the overall mobile computing experience. Lastly, it has two USB-C ports and one mini-HDMI port that offer you the flexibility of choice in connectivity.
Our Take
The Innocn 4K OLED portable monitor is a premium product that offers plenty of benefits. It is an excellent choice if you are in the content creation business and need a high-performance screen to do your work. You must consider the Innocn monitor if you want a brilliant viewing experience and don’t mind paying the premium price.
- The 4K OLED screen delivers excellent picture quality.
- The integrated speaker allows you to use any mobile device for streaming videos.
- The 10-point touchscreen provides added benefit.
- The wide color gamut displays vibrant colors thanks to a 10-bit color depth.
- Expensive
- Considering the price, the 60Hz refresh rate is relatively low.
6. SideTrak Swivel – Attachable USB-C Portable Monitor
The SideTrak Swivel offers a unique design compared to other portable monitors. The monitor has a magnetic holder that you can attach to the back of your laptop’s monitor, giving you the impression of a dual monitor setup. And to handle the added weight, SideTrak integrates a kickstand that ensures that your laptop remains firmly planted on the work desk.
The SideTrack Swivel has a 14-inch TFT LCD screen that offers a FullHD 1920×1080 resolution. You also get a 60Hz refresh rate and a 30ms response time. Hence, it is clearly designed keeping the typical office use case in mind.
The screen offers a contrast ratio of 1000:1 and a brightness of 250nits. It has an 8-bit color depth that gives it 16.7 million colors, which are good enough to make your presentations look attractive, but gaming can be challenging.
The fixed design of the monitor restricts the movement a bit. However, once you attach the monitor to your laptop’s lid, you can rotate the monitor’s screen up to 270 degrees. So, you can even use the monitor to make presentations to small groups.
Unfortunately, the design doesn’t incorporate speakers, and it is the best monitor to use with mobile devices like tablets and phones. You get one USB-C which allows you to connect the monitor to your laptop using just one cable. But it also means that the monitor will burden the laptop’s battery to draw power from it.
Our Take
The SideTrak Swivel offers a unique take on the portable monitor by providing an attachable holder. Hence, you get an authentic dual-monitor setup with your laptop. The swivel design allows you to flip the monitor 270 degrees making your laptop the perfect tool to deliver a presentation to a small group.
- The attachable holder helps save space on your work desk.
- The swivel design allows you to give a presentation to a small group.
- USB-C and mini-HDMI ports give you the flexibility of connections.
- It is compatible with all devices and doesn’t require device drivers.
- Very expensive considering you get only a TFT screen.
- It draws power from the laptop and burdens the laptop’s battery.
7. ASUS ProArt (PA148CTV) – Best Touchscreen USB-C Portable Monitor
The Asus ProArt PA148CTV offers the best touchscreen experience on a portable monitor. Asus pairs this with a brilliant screen that provides a stunning color display.
The monitor has a 14-inch IPS panel display that offers a resolution of 1920×1080 and a refresh rate of 60Hz. The Calman Verified screen provides a wide color gamut that covers 100% of the sRGB and Rec. 709 color space. It also delivers accurate colors with Delta E<2, which is factory calibrated, and with 300nits brightness, the colors look vibrant and lifelike.
The 10-point touchscreen display offers Asus’s Flicker-Free and Ultra-Low Blue Light technology to prevent eye strain. Further, the Non-Glare screen ensures that you can work long hours, even in a brightly lit room without the lights reflecting off the screen.
The monitor’s design incorporates two USB-C and one Micro HDMI port, providing the added flexibility of choice of connections. The use of two USB-C ports allows you to connect an external power source. For this, Asus includes a power adapter and the appropriate cables with the monitor.
Asus integrates the Asus Dial, which allows you to control the monitor’s setting with a single click-dial controller located on the rear panel of the monitor. It also incorporates a dedicated stand which you can adjust to get the perfect viewing angle.
Our Take
The Asus ProArt PA148CTV is an excellent choice for photographers and graphics designers. It offers a wide color gamut that the content creator in you will appreciate, and the use of two USB-C ports ensures that you don’t burden your laptop’s battery.
- The wide color gamut delivers a vibrant range of colors.
- The 10-point touchscreen offers unmatched convenience.
- TUV Rheinland certified Flick-Free and Low Blue light certification ensures that your eyes don’t feel the strain.
- The Calman Verified screen provides excellent color accuracy and realistic colors.
- The Asus Dial is tricky to use, and dedicated buttons would be better for navigating the OSD.
- Low refresh rates for some video editing tasks.
8. KYY Portable Monitor – Best Budget USB-C Portable Monitor
While the feature-packed high-performance models are expensive, the budget options cut corners by omitting critical features like built-in speakers and batteries. This is where the KYY Portable Monitor shines through and offers you a practical yet pocket-friendly option.
The monitor has a 15.6-inch IPS panel display with a FullHD 1920×1080 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. Brightness levels measure 300nits, and you get a contrast ratio of 1000:1, which is typical of good IPS panel displays. Further, the 8-bit color depth helps produce 16.7 million colors, making it perfect for creating attractive presentations.
The monitor’s design integrates dual speakers, so you can connect your Nintendo Switch and enjoy gaming on a large screen. You don’t get a battery with this monitor, but the dual USB-C ports allow you to connect an external power source so that your laptop’s battery doesn’t feel the burden. And if your laptop doesn’t have a USB-C port, you can use the mini-HDMI port to connect the video source. KYY includes all the accessories, including a power adapter and a durable smart cover, with the package so that you don’t have to buy them separately.
Our Take
The KYY portable monitor is a pocket-friendly option that offers all the essential features. It is thin and lightweight, making it easy to carry wherever you go. The dual USB-C ports won’t drain your laptop’s battery, and the integrated speakers make gaming on mobile devices a pleasurable experience.
- The FullHD display delivers clear and crisp image quality.
- The integrated speaker allows you to use any mobile device for streaming videos.
- The mini-HDMI port gives you flexibility.
- Pocket-friendly price
- The color reproduction could be better.
- No built-in battery means you need to be connected to a power source.
Best USB-C Portable Monitors – Our Buying Guide
Here are some vital considerations to keep in mind when buying a USB-C portable monitor.
Screen Size
Portable Monitors come in a wide range of screen sizes, starting from 14-inches and going up to 21-inches. Unless you have a specific requirement for a large screen, you should remember that you’ll be carrying this monitor everywhere you take your laptop. So, look for a convenient size that won’t be unwieldy to lug around. The most appropriate size would be the size of your laptop, as you can place the monitor in the laptop bag you carry.
Resolution
The resolution is vital for the level of detail you see in the picture. Portable USB-C monitors offer a variety of resolutions from FullHD to 4K. While the 4K resolution is perfect for content creators, the FullHD resolution is better suited for typical office work like working on spreadsheets, emailing, and presentations.
Panel Type
When it comes to the choice of panel type, the most commonly used panel is the IPS panel. It offers wide viewing angles and excellent color representations and a considerably cheaper than OLED panels.
Another option is the OLED panel, which offers unmatched contrast ratios, so the colors appear far more vibrant. But OLED panels are incredibly expensive and hence better suited for more specialized tasks like video editing and content creation.
The third option is the TFT panel, an outdated technology rarely found in most modern portable monitors. On our list of picks, the SideTrak Swivel offers a TFT panel which is almost as good as an IPS panel.
Power Source
Every monitor needs to have a power source. USB-C portable monitors come with multiple options, including built-in batteries, a dedicated USB-C port for power, or they draw power from the laptop.
Built-in batteries give you freedom as you are not dependent on a power source. But these devices tend to be heavier, and ensuring that your monitor is always charged adds to the monotony.
A dedicated USB-C power port does away with the need to keep track of the charge, but you’ll need to ensure that you are close to a power outlet each time you want to use it. However, some of these monitors offer power pass-through, which allows you to charge your laptop via the monitor’s power source.
Monitors that draw power from the laptop are the most convenient to use, but you’ll have to sacrifice a bit of your laptop’s battery life for this convenience.
Weight
You are going to be carrying these monitors wherever your work takes you. Hence, it would be best to choose the lightest monitor to lessen the burden on your shoulder. Remember, you’ll most likely already be carrying a laptop, so this monitor will add to that weight.
Best USB-C Portable Monitors – Frequently Asked Questions
How are Portable monitors powered?
A portable monitor can draw power from three possible sources a built-in battery, a dedicated power source, or the Power Delivery of the USB-C connection you use for video signals.
Can I use a power bank to power my USB-C portable monitor?
In most cases, it is possible to do so. However, you must compare and match the power bank’s output current to the monitor’s input current.
Can I use a USB-C portable monitor with a Thunderbolt 4 port?
The Thunderbolt 4 uses a USB-C connector and offers similar specifications to USB-C 3.2 Gen 2/2×2, albeit higher. Thunderbolt 4 is backward compatible with earlier versions of Thunderbolt and USB-C 3.2 Gen 2/2×2, so you won’t have a problem using a USB-C monitor with a Thunderbolt 4 port.
What is Power Pass-Through?
Power Pass-Through is a power transmission mechanism that allows multiple devices to be connected to the same power source in parallel. It does away with the need to have numerous wires connecting each device to the power source individually.
