Extra space on the move: The best portable monitors of 2024

Aesthetic and light, the ZenScreen monitor is a wonderful all-rounder at an attractive price. The screen quality and colour are impressive thanks to IPS technology, and the brightness is acceptable in indoor environments. Thanks to its slim 8mm thickness and mere 800g weight, it's the ideal travel monitor, and the 15.6-inch screen offers ample space. It features ASUS's Eye Care flicker-free and low blue light tech for comfortable use. For extra money, this monitor can be had with a battery pack that will give it a few hours of runtime, and for those wanting a touchscreen, the ZenScreen MB16AMT is a worthy option.

For those wondering if there is a portable monitor that doesn't stray over £200, this is what you've been waiting for. Yes, there are cheaper to be found, but this comes from a respected brand - AOC. It's almost as light as the ASUS screen and has the same Full HD 1080p screen resolution. The build is a little budget here and there, but not in ways that detract too much. Where the AOC lags behind a little is in contrast ratio so the image isn't quite as crisp, and bright. But in anything other than an outdoor environment, you shouldn't notice. The AOC isn't quite as modern-looking as some of its competitors, but that price tag is indeed very alluring.

The Mobile Pixels Duex Max DS is a 14.1-inch portable laptop monitor designed to boost productivity with its Full-HD resolution and compact size. The monitor attaches to your laptop using a magnetic system, providing extra screen space without creating too much bulk for your laptop bag.

The IPS panel delivers decent viewing angles and image quality, though we think the 300 nits brightness might not match high-end laptop displays. The setup can be a bit fiddly, but its lightweight and flexible design make it a great addition for on-the-go professionals. Overall, it's ideal for multitasking and those who need a secondary window for various apps. One excellent extra feature is that it can be detached and stand up in portrait mode for those who need to work on documents.

In our full review of the Mobile Pixels Duex Max DS monitor, Senior Tech Writer Chris Duffill said "I think this is priced correctly for a 1080p resolution monitor and it delivers just that – Full HD and no more. So, although you’re free to attach this to a 4K or Quad HD laptop, the resolution difference may be a bit jarring.

"For me, however, I found it complimented my 13.3-inch IPS laptop display that runs at the same resolution. If you think of it as a separate Full HD workspace that can contain its own application window, it becomes a highly useful piece of screen real estate."

At a full 16 inches, the ViewSonic va1655 screen offers a generous screen size. It isn't quite as light as the ASUS, but light enough to be practical. With two USB C and a mini HDMI slot, plus a 3.5mm audio jack, the ViewSonic screen is super for versatility. It also has added benefit of having speakers (but these are nothing to shout about) and eye care technology for comfortable use.

And as we're talking comfort, if there's a chance you'll be spending long hours working on a portable monitor, you might want a foldable monitor stand to keep your posture healthy. And again, regarding general usability, this is not a touchscreen version (although, there is one). But, we think touchscreens are more cumbersome than useful in most cases when it comes to a portable screen. After all, that's what tablets are for - any serious work will probably be happening with a mouse or, at a push, a trackpad.

The Mobile Pixels Geminos T Dual 24" FHD monitor revolutionizes workspace efficiency with its dual vertical screens, offering a seamless, clutter-free experience for professionals. Its touchscreen feature, ergonomic design for adjustable viewing angles, and ultra-thin bezels enhance productivity and creativity. Integrated with a webcam, speakers, and microphone, this monitor provides a comprehensive solution for any desktop setup, supported by a USB Type-C 10-in-1 multiport dock for expanded connectivity. Ideal for stock traders, editors, coders, and entrepreneurs seeking a smoother workflow​​. Just note, you could take this with you, but it's heavy and won't fit into a laptop bag. But, if you need two extra monitors but don't want the hassle of loading two screens into your car, this is it.

Of our picks, this is the only screen with a monstrous 144hz refresh rate. It also has better brightness and a higher contrast ratio. Thanks to these upgrades, this monitor has superb clarity and sharpness of colour. There are even flicker-free and Low Blue Light eye care features. Gamers will enjoy the benefit of that high refresh rate, but also Nvidia G-Sync for better motion handling.

A really clever addition that will make all the difference when gaming out in the wild is the innovative tripod stand - making this really feel like a home-from-home gaming setup. Lastly, the battery is great for such a feature-rich monitor - the 7800 mAh battery will last for up to three hours of use at 144 Hz. A brilliant option for gamers and non-gamers alike.

Finding the offerings so far a bit bulky? Check this out, the sub-600g Dell C1422H. At a smaller 14 inches, it doesn't offer quite the spacious screen size of some of the others but the lightweight design makes it perfect for the out-of-office businessperson. You don't get quite the crystal clarity of some of its competitors, but for work, it is very usable. It also offers a slightly better maximum brightness than the ASUS and ViewSonic monitors. Throw this into your laptop bag before you leave for work and you won't know it's there - it's that light to carry.

The Lenovo ThinkVision M15 is a lightweight and slim 15.6" IPS Full HD USB-C portable monitor designed for easy multitasking and portability. It features two USB Type-C ports with power-pass-through capability, allowing for single adapter charging of both the monitor and a laptop. Equipped with easy tilt and advanced height adjustment, this monitor supports a 6ms response time and a 60Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for spreadsheets, presentations, and on-the-go productivity.

With its clever laptop attachment, the little Trio Max screen from Mobile Pixels is ultra-portable and has astonishingly impressive specs. It has one of the smallest screen sizes here, but it outshines most of the competition for brightness and a contrast ratio that's the same as the gaming screen. And speaking of gaming - this new model supports the Nintendo Switch. The screen kickstand is clever because it allows you to attach the monitor to your laptop without putting any actual strain on the laptop itself. It has a full 270-degree rotation which means the screen can be swung around to the other side of the laptop screen - ideal for meetings and presentations.

Even better, and hence the name of the product, using USB-C means two of these can be attached on either side of your laptop screen - for three-monitor perfection.

The only monitor here that comes with a pen, this screen means business. Paired with Wacom's Pro Pen 2, you can get super precise with your work. It only requires a light pressure force for activation, and thanks to the screen's 8,000+ pressure points, it feels exactly like using a regular pen. The Pro Pen 2 is battery-free and draws power directly from the screen using electro-magnetic resonance.

Even better - this is the only 4K screen here, plus it's also the only one that has a fantastic 98% Adobe RGB colour space. So, if you're a creative on the move (or even at your desk) this is a must-have.

As you'll have seen from the others on this list, or from scouring the web, 4K portable monitors are a true rarity. The next best thing is this - the LG +View monitor. It's a great size, sporting a 16-inch screen, and looks professional and refined too. It's USB-C, so you can benefit from a simple laptop setup in terms of power. There's an auto-rotate function which is super-handy for documents and the like. An added bonus for anyone who likes to watch movies or design things is the aforementioned resolution. It's WZQGA (2560 x 1600) and even is DCI-P3 compliant for a wide colour gamut.

Lastly, if you are lugging this around, you probably won't notice - it's less than 700 grams. With the useful folio cover that goes up to just over 900g - but that's worth it for the extra peace of mind. A stunning screen, especially for the money.