Portable monitors are usually 14in-17in in size (that’s measured diagonally across the screen). You might want to match the screen size to that of your laptop/tablet, if you’re using one, but otherwise it’s just a question of budget and requirements. Even 17in is small enough to work on the go, however. What other specifications should I look out for? The Asus MB16ACE connects to your laptop via USB-C or HDMI (both cables and a mains adapter are supplied in the box) and comes with a case that props it up at various angles, a bit like an iPad case.

Portable monitors come in all shapes and sizes, but the Mobile Pixels Duex Plus' slide-out mechanism is the most seamless way I've found to integrate a second screen with my laptop," said Wan in his full review. "If you want a dual-screen setup without the hassle of carrying a separate monitor, then this is as good as it gets," he says of its ultimate portability feature. Mobile monitors tend to be dimmer, at their maximum brightness levels, than their desktop counterparts. What is commonly called brightness is actually luminance, or brightness per unit area. Portable monitors tend to cluster around 180 nits (also expressed as "candelas per meter squared") in our testing, even though many are rated at between 230 and 300 nits, which is fine for typical use. The highest we have measured at this writing is 280 nits. Additionally, we place a significant emphasis on the monitor’s reliability and durability. A great display should not only impress in its initial performance but should also stand the test of time. Therefore, we factor in brand reputation, warranty offerings, and customer service responsiveness. A VGA adapter and cable are for video only. Audio will play from your Surface speakers unless you've connected external speakers. For more info, go to Surface sound, volume, and audio accessories. Set up your TV, monitor, or projector Monitors that make use of in-plane switching (IPS) technology are generally preferred for general use over vertical-alignment (VA) and twisted-nematic (TN) panels due to their wider off-axis viewing angles and good color accuracy. Many recent mobile monitors are IPS, but there's a catch. When we test a panel for its color gamut, we first test the sRGB color space, which is the default color space for the web and many other applications. This color space comprises essentially all the colors that can be made by mixing red, green, and blue. Most desktop monitors cover at least 95% of sRGB, and we have seen portable monitors attain similar coverage. However, until a few years ago, most mobile IPS monitors we reviewed showed much more limited overall color coverage (60% to 72% of sRGB) and very similar color profiles—indicating poor red and purple coverage and slightly enhanced blue-greens. Because of their nearly identical "color signatures," we assumed that these panels came from the same or similar sources, although they are on monitors made by a variety of manufacturers. (Credit: Molly Flores)

While I’ve found this new mini-monitor to be a real game changer, let’s face it, I’ll likely swap it out with another device or move things around in a couple of months. Still though, I’m really pleased with how everything turned out. If you’re looking for an additional display to add to your own desk setup but don’t need another full-size monitor, then a mini-monitor like this one could be perfect. At the same time, you can also take it with you if a laptop screen just doesn’t cut it anymore when multitasking. More from Tom's Guide Key specs – Screen size: 15.6in; Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080; Screen technology: IPS; Video inputs: Mini-HDMI, USB-C; Refresh rate: 60Hz; Weight (with case): 800g It has a 15.6in, 60Hz 1080p IPS panel with good viewing angles and an anti-glare, matte finish to keep reflections at bay. And although it doesn’t come with a fully protective folio case, the supplied folding stand can be attached to the front to protect the screen while it’s stowed away. Key specs – Screen size: 17in; Resolution: 2,560 x 1,600; Screen technology: IPS; Video inputs: USB-C; Refresh rate: 60Hz; Weight (with case): 990g The best portable monitor overall with easy and magnetic attachment for slide-out capability. This has served ZDNET's June Wan well during his busy video-editing workflow.

A second display doesn't need to break the bank to provide quality imaging. Whether you are using it for gaming or remote work, the Hongo 16.1-inch portable monitor is a quality portable monitor, that provides a bright and crisp display at a relatively affordable price. Connect one display with up to 4K resolutions at 144 Hz using the HDMI port and one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz using the Thunderbolt ports. Size: It is critical that you find not only the best portable monitor for the type of computer you have but also one for the type of computer size that you have. Most portable monitors range from 13 inches to 16 inches, but you can find some models available outside that range. Ports: Most modern portable monitors use USB-C for power and video transmission, so if your laptop, PC, smartphone or tablet relies on other forms of connector, you’ll have to take that into account. If not USB-C, the monitor may have microUSB or even mini-HDMI ports for video and power transmission.

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter and the cable that came with your Thunderbolt 2 display Plug one end of the video cable into the port on the external screen. Make sure that your TV, monitor, or projector is turned on. As with the Asus, don’t expect professional-grade colour accuracy here. The screen only covers 52.9% of the sRGB colour gamut and peak brightness is a mere 203cd/m². However, images look punchy and crisp and it does the job in an unfussy way. I don’t believe there really is a perfect desk setup though, as the best desk setups are constantly evolving. Whether this involves adding that cool new device to your desk or just mixing things up to be more productive, there’s always something you can change or improve. It’s really about finding what works for you at the current moment.

Customisation: Most portable monitors don’t have an on-screen display (OSD), so you won’t be able to play with any settings other than adjusting the brightness. How much should I spend? Tip: For best results when using your Surface with a high-resolution monitor, we recommend using an active HDMI cable. After going hands-on with the Duex Plus portable monitor, we can say that its lightweight build, surprisingly easy set-up, and slide-out mechanism make it June Wan's "productivity secret weapon." These foldable stands often double as protective covers for the display when it's not in use. Some protect just the front of the monitor, while others are larger, wraparound covers that sandwich the entire monitor. Connect one display with up to 4K resolution at 60 Hz using the HDMI port and one display with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz using a Thunderbolt port.

What screen sizes do portable monitors come in?

The native resolution on panels suitable for use with a laptop ranges from 1,366 by 768 pixels up to 3,200 by 1,800 pixels (QHD+). Most of the recent laptop-appropriate screens sport a native resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels (aka 1080p, or "full HD"), but a few go higher. (Credit: Zlata Ivleva) As you can see in the picture above, this portable mini-monitor is a bit different from some of the other portable monitors you’ve seen or might have used in the past. For starters, it has a 12.9-inch screen along with speakers on either side. These visible speakers are what drew me to this mini-monitor in particular as they really remind me of my first ever smart display. However, the 10-inch Lenovo Smart Display has just one speaker grill on the left side while this mini-monitor has two. Refresh rate: This is unimportant for portable monitors (as you won’t be gaming on them) but you should expect a refresh rate of 60Hz. Duex Plus by Mobile Pixels specs: Size: 13.3 inches | Panel type: IPS | Resolution: 1080p | Touchscreen: No | HDR: No | Refresh rate: 60 Hz| Power: USB-C

Construction: Durability is a must when you are taking your portable monitor on the go with you. Look at the materials used to construct each portable monitor so you can be sure that your new monitor will be able to withstand regular travel. Brightness: One of the few things you’ll be able to tweak on a portable monitor, brightness is measured in candela per metres squared (cd/m²) or nits, so keep an eye out for those. If you’re on the go a lot you’ll want something that can exceed 300 nits to counteract sitting in direct sunlight. As I alluded to earlier, the mobile-monitor world is undergoing a convergence of power and connectivity thanks to USB Type-C connectivity. Many USB-C ports support both DisplayPort over USB and USB power delivery, letting both data/video and power flow through the port from a computer over a single USB cable. Most new mobile monitors have at least one USB-C port, and some connect solely via USB-C. While this simplicity has its appeal, be sure that your laptop's USB-C port supports data, video, and power transfer, because some early-generation USB-C ports don't. (Thunderbolt ports should also work fine; their functionality encompasses all of that of USB-C.) (Credit: Zlata Ivleva) Like many portable monitors, the Acer PM161Q isn’t much to look at, but this one happens to deliver where it counts. It connects to your devices via USB-C and has a micro-USB port for additional power delivery if you’re connecting to an older phone. Both cables are included in the box alongside a USB-A power adapter.Colour reproduction is disappointing with sRGB coverage of 57.5% but otherwise, this is a fantastic solution for those who don’t have space for a full-size desktop monitor. As female HDMI connectors are usually recessed into the body of TVs, games consoles, projectors, computers, and monitors - and because they tend to be more susceptible to deforming under excessive strain than male connectors - they’re more widely sold as standalone replacement parts. While shopping for a portable monitor, you should keep in mind what screen size, refresh rate, resolution, and connectivity works best with your setup as well as keep mindful of the monitor's power source. Portable monitors with integrated batteries have varying charging and battery life times while those that get power via USB-C connections can drain your laptop battery faster. Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE specs: Size: 17.3 inches | Panel type: IPS | Resolution: 1080p | Touchscreen: No | HDR: No | Refresh rate: 240 Hz| Power: Integrated battery