Portable monitors are trending nowadays, but an array of options can be confusing. Here are some of the best portable gaming monitors to choose from.
Are you a gaming streamer who’s always on the go? Or can you simply not survive without a dose of PUBG or COD, even during vacations?
Either way, we understand that hardcore gamers will always need a few of their favorite games, even if they’re not living in their own house.
This is why owning a portable gaming monitor is a good idea. Take it anywhere with you - it’s slim and light as a laptop - and experiences the seamlessness of professional gaming setups without the hassles.
This post will review some of the best portable gaming monitors 2021 has to offer. With some of the fastest refresh rates and crisp and bright displays, our list has an affordable yet perfectly functional range of portable gaming monitors. So read on to know more.
Portable Gaming Monitors - the 10 Most Affordable Picks
You shouldn’t have to conduct a money heist or break the bank to own a high-quality portable monitor. Here are our top picks that will be light on your pocket:
1. Desklab
With what started as a Kickstarter project, Desklab is now one of the most popular portable monitors a gamer can own. Not just that, but it’s also pretty affordable - less 400 bucks, and you get every high-end monitor’s features.
Desklab brings 4K quality screens into the hands of those on a budget so everyone can experience brilliant and crisp displays. The 178 degrees wide viewing angle and the incredible 1200:1 high contrast ratio also add to the high image quality.
If you want to do justice to games like Final Fantasy or Assassin's Creed, there’s nothing better than the 15.6-inch true LED-backlit, IPS display of this bad boy. Plus, its lightning-fast 10 ms response time will produce the sharpest and most realistic images.
This monitor is also touch-enabled so you can turn your smart, touchscreen devices into a 15-inch display. Just connect the device with the monitor, and voila, your smartphone has a 15-inch screen.
Apart from the screen, the monitor’s various ports (including HDMI and USB-C) will let you connect any device - be it a gaming console, a smartphone, desktop PC, etc. And the best part? The 0.23 inch slick and slim body doesn’t just fit easily in bags but also weighs feather-light.
So overall, you get big bangs for your bucks with the Desklab portable gaming monitor.
Pros
- Lightweight and slim
- High contrast and wide-angle
- 10 ms fast response
- 4K, high-quality display
- Monitor stands doubles as a screen protector
Con
- Monitor stand sold separately.
Also read: 7 Best Wireless Portable PC Monitors to Buy in 2021
Asus has some of the most impressive portable monitors available, and the Zenscreen MB16AC is no exception. With an IPS, led-backlit screen that’s 15.6 inches and 1080P in resolution, you can expect crisp and beautiful images from this monitor.
It may not have the brightest display, with a luminance of 220 cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 800:1. But even so, its super-attractive price tag makes up for this, and if you’ve got a dark gaming room, then you’ll face no issues regarding brightness.
Apart from that, it has the quickest response time of 5 ms, which means you’ll get sharp images even with the most demanding graphics. Not to forget, it weighs almost as light as Desklab, thanks to its 0.3 inch, bezel-less build.
The wide 178-degree viewing angle will allow you to use this monitor for more than just gaming - Zenscreen’s sturdy stand (that doubles as a screen protector) will help make this possible.
Pros
- Lightweight and slim
- Full HD resolution
- 5 ms response time
- Wide viewing angle
- Stand doubles as a protector
Con
- Not very bright
Known for producing affordable monitors, the Lepow Z1 Gamut is under 200 bucks yet offers features that will impress most gamers.
It comes with a full HD 1920*1080p resolution IPS display, and the 320 cd/m2 luminance along with a 1000:1 contrast ratio makes it a perfect fit for gamers looking for high-quality graphics. Plus, the 5 ms response time also enhances the performance.
Along with all that, the Gamut has leveled up with their color game using the Quantum dot enhanced film with a color temperature of 6800K. Also, you get compatibility options of USB-C and mini HDMI ports, enabling you to connect with consoles, laptops, and even smartphones.
Lepow also has loud and clear dual speakers, so you don’t have to worry about external speakers when you’re on the go. And as far as its size and weight are considered, it falls in the same category as Desklab and Asus.
Pros
- Lightweight and slim
- Full HD resolution
- Sharp images with a 5 ms response rate
- Enhanced color quality
- High contrast and bright
Con
- Dual speakers aren’t very dynamic
Asus never fails to impress, as the Zenscreen GO MB16AP is another model that we think is worth investing in.
This is mostly due to one sole characteristic that every portable monitor user will appreciate - a four-hour built-in battery life.
Most monitors consume power from other devices they’re connected to. But having a built-in battery gets rid of that problem and lets you connect the device to a low-power device like a smartphone.
As far as the display is concerned, the specs are pretty basic. You get a 15.6 inch IPS screen that has a full HD resolution. However, the brightness and contrast aren’t too impressive, standing at 220cd/m2 and an 800:1 contrast ratio.
Even so, we think it’s a good bargain with its anti-flicker display and the inclusion of auto-rotation. And the Zenscreen has another saving grace - the presence of a USB-A port for older laptops.
So overall, it’s pretty good for the less than 300 bucks price tag, though the model does have room for improvement in terms of design. The bezel isn’t the best-looking, and the whole thing weighs almost 3 pounds, which is far more than the models we reviewed above.
Pros
- 4+ hours built-in battery
- USB A port
- Anti-flicker
- Auto-rotation
- 2-1 in protective stand
Cons
- Not very lightweight
- Not the brightest
Not everyone wants a large monitor screen that costs over $200 bucks. Hence, we decided to include this super affordable, small, and lightweight portable monitor from MageDok.
With a sturdy and solid build, this 11.6-inch portable monitor is perfect for those who want to play mobile games like PUBG on a slightly bigger screen.
The full HD resolution, 16.7 M color TFT-LCD display will produce beautiful images, though we wish its refresh rate was better. Its touchscreen won’t just let you play games, but with its 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity, the T116 makes for an excellent drawing pad for beginners and intermediates.
Though it has a luminance of 300 cd/m2, the 800:1 contrast ratio results in gray blacks and an overall dim display. Even so, we think the T116 is quite a bargain, considering its price point and its sleek, aluminum finish.
Pros
- Slim and very lightweight
- Full HD resolution
- 300cd/m2 luminance
- Stylish and sleek finish
- Very affordable
Cons
- Low contrast
- Low refresh rate
6. GAEMS M155 Portable Monitor
If you’re someone who doesn’t care too much about image quality but is more concerned about laggy gaming experiences, then the GAEMS M155 is the perfect pick for you.
At 60 FPS, you get a pretty decent and smooth gaming experience with almost any console, be it an Xbox or Playstation. Also, the full HD, 15.6 screen offers the perfect display size and pixel density.
The downside of owning this monitor is its 6-bit color images, as it won't give you the kind of color range other models like Desklab and Asus can. And even though the glass screen does enhance the colors a bit, it doesn’t bode well for people who want to use it in brightly-lit rooms.
Despite its low contrast ratio, the monitor has a surprisingly bright display, and features like remote control, multiple ports, and a super lightweight build make up for its shortcomings. So overall, it makes for a pretty nice pick for a lightweight, lag-free gaming monitor.
Pros
- High response time for lag-free experience
- Lots of connectivity options
- Very lightweight
- Bright
- Full Hd resolution
Con
- Low color performance
7. Virzen Touchscreen Portable Gaming Monitor
Although underrated, Virzen’s affordable portable gaming monitors give satisfactory performance, as they’re jam-packed with features.
To begin with, Virzen offers quite many ports, including an OTG port for connecting mouses and keyboards. It also has a dedicated power port to supply power to the device directly from a wall socket.
As far as the screen is concerned, you get all the features you could want. It's got a full HD, 13.3 inch IPS display with a 178 degree wide viewing angle, making it a good option for watching movies as well. However, it lacks in the luminance and contrast department, producing dull images with its 800:1 contrast ratio.
Despite that, it's a good pick due to its 60Hz refresh rates, premium-quality build, and sleek design. Plus, the 10-points capacitive touchscreen unlocks so many gaming possibilities, and we love that at this price range.
Pros
- Capacitive touchscreen
- Lots of ports
- Sturdy and premium build
- Good refresh rates
Con
- Dull display
8. Vissle-M Touchscreen Portable Monitor
Another pretty affordable yet feature-packed touchscreen portable monitor on our list is Vissle-M.
While it has a mediocre level of brightness and contrast, the 15.6 inch full HD IPS display does justice to some of the most graphically demanding games.
Its 60 Hz refresh rates also make this possible, providing a seamless gaming experience. Furthermore, you can connect a Nintendo, Xbox, or PS4 quite easily with the numerous ports on its sides.
Moreover, the premium, super-thin bezel on this model looks stunning, especially considering the price point. Its magnetic protective cover isn’t bad either, as it turns into a grippy yet flexible monitor stand.
However, there’s just one catch - this touchscreen model only works for Windows and Android devices.
Pros
- Full HD resolution
- Various ports for all types of consoles
- Ultra-thin bezel and sturdy build
- Cover doubles as a stand
- touchscreen-enabled
Con
- Touchscreen only works for android/windows
9. Planar Helium PCT2235 Touchscreen Monitor
Not feeling up to the 15.6-inch screen size of most portable monitors in the budget range? Enter Planar Helium PCT2235, a 21.5 inch giant with a capacitive touchscreen.
This large screen is a Full HD IPS display, which can be turned into a 10-point touchscreen for an immersive user experience. And while it’s not the brightest (with 250cd/m2 luminance), it does have a high-contrast ratio of 1000:1.
With a multitude of ports, including VGA, HMDI, and Displayport, you can connect the PCT2235 with virtually any device and gaming console.
However, gaming with this monitor isn’t the smoothest, as it has a slower response time. But if you’re using this for some light gaming, editing, or drawing, then there’s nothing better than the wide-angle, edge-lit, large screen of this monitor. The best part? It’s all for just over $200.
Pros
- 21.5 inch, full HD screen
- High contrast ratio
- Lots of ports
- Multi-touch screen
- Can be mounted on a wall
- Flexible stand
Con
- Not suitable for heavy-duty gaming
This 13.3-inch bad boy does a spectacular job when it comes to gaming with its 60 Hz fast response rate and a plethora of ports. Seriously - it has every port you could ever want, including support for Thunderbolt and USB 3.1.
Alongside that, it features a full HD IPS display with virtually no bezel - it’s that thin. The wide viewing angle of 178 degrees and its support for 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios allow you to use it for much more than just gaming.
Plus, it also has a built-in speaker, but just like most brands, this isn’t a very dynamic one. Overall, it’s an excellent choice with its lightweight build and affordable price tag.
Pros
- Huge variety of ports
- Ultra-thin bezel
- Full HD, sharp images
- Can be mounted on a wall
Con
- Not very bright
Conclusion
Gaming on the go doesn’t have to come at a high price - our list of affordable portable options makes sure of that. Plus, almost all of these monitors are super lightweight, so you can easily slip them into your laptop bag.
Gaming in your favorite vacation spot is a reality now, thanks to these nifty portable gaming monitors.
Are you a gaming streamer who’s always on the go? Or can you simply not survive without a dose of PUBG or COD, even during vacations?
Either way, we understand that hardcore gamers will always need a few of their favorite games, even if they’re not living in their own house.
This is why owning a portable gaming monitor is a good idea. Take it anywhere with you - it’s slim and light as a laptop - and experience the seamlessness of professional gaming setups without the hassles.
This post will review some of the best portable gaming monitors 2021 has to offer. With some of the fastest refresh rates and crisp and bright displays, our list has an affordable yet perfectly functional range of portable gaming monitors. So read on to know more.
Portable Gaming Monitors - the 10 Most Affordable Picks
You shouldn’t have to conduct a money heist or break the bank to own a high-quality portable monitor. Here are our top picks that will be light on your pocket:
With what started as a Kickstarter project, Desklab is now one of the most popular portable monitors a gamer can own. Not just that, but it’s also pretty affordable - less 400 bucks, and you get every high-end monitor’s features.
Desklab brings 4K quality screens into the hands of those on a budget so everyone can experience brilliant and crisp displays. The 178 degrees wide viewing angle and the incredible 1200:1 high contrast ratio also add to the high image quality.
If you want to do justice to games like Final Fantasy or Assassin's Creed, there’s nothing better than the 15.6 inch true LED backlit, IPS display of this bad boy. Plus, its lightning-fast 10 ms response time will produce the sharpest and most realistic images.
This monitor is also touch-enabled so you can turn your smart, touchscreen devices into a 15-inch display. Just connect the device with the monitor, and voila, your smartphone has a 15-inch screen.
Apart from the screen, the monitor’s various ports (including HDMI and USB-C) will let you connect any device - be it a gaming console, a smartphone, desktop PC, etc. And the best part? The 0.23 inch slick and slim body doesn’t just fit easily in bags but also weighs feather-light.
So overall, you get big bangs for your bucks with the Desklab portable gaming monitor.
Pros
- Lightweight and slim
- High contrast and wide-angle
- 10 ms fast response
- 4K, high-quality display
- Monitor stands doubles as a screen protector
Con
- Monitor stand sold separately
Asus has some of the most impressive portable monitors available, and the Zenscreen MB16AC is no exception. With an IPS, led-backlit screen that’s 15.6 inches and 1080P in resolution, you can expect crisp and beautiful images from this monitor.
It may not have the brightest display, with a luminance of 220 cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 800:1. But even so, its super-attractive price tag makes up for this, and if you’ve got a dark gaming room, then you’ll face no issues regarding brightness.
Apart from that, it has the quickest response time of 5 ms, which means you’ll get sharp images even with the most demanding graphics. Not to forget, it weighs almost as light as Desklab, thanks to its 0.3 inch, bezel-less build.
The wide 178-degree viewing angle will allow you to use this monitor for more than just gaming - Zenscreen’s sturdy stand (that doubles as a screen protector) will help make this possible.
Pros
- Lightweight and slim
- Full HD resolution
- 5 ms response time
- Wide viewing angle
- Stand doubles as a protector
Con
- Not very bright
Known for producing affordable monitors, the Lepow Z1 Gamut is under 200 bucks yet offers features that will impress most gamers.
It comes with a full HD 1920*1080p resolution IPS display, and the 320 cd/m2 luminance along with a 1000:1 contrast ratio makes it a perfect fit for gamers looking for high-quality graphics. Plus, the 5 ms response time also enhances the performance.
Along with all that, the Gamut has leveled up with their color game using the Quantum dot enhanced film with a color temperature of 6800K. Also, you get compatibility options of USB-C and mini HDMI ports, enabling you to connect with consoles, laptops, and even smartphones.
Lepow also has loud and clear dual speakers, so you don’t have to worry about external speakers when you’re on the go. And as far as its size and weight are considered, it falls in the same category as Desklab and Asus.
Pros
- Lightweight and slim
- Full HD resolution
- Sharp images with a 5 ms response rate
- Enhanced color quality
- High contrast and bright
Con
- Dual speakers aren’t very dynamic
Asus never fails to impress, as the Zenscreen GO MB16AP is another model that we think is worth investing in.
This is mostly due to one sole characteristic that every portable monitor user will appreciate - a four-hour built-in battery life.
Most monitors consume power from other devices they’re connected to. But having a built-in battery gets rid of that problem and lets you connect the device to a low-power device like a smartphone.
As far as the display is concerned, the specs are pretty basic. You get a 15.6 inch IPS screen that has a full HD resolution. However, the brightness and contrast aren’t too impressive, standing at 220cd/m2 and an 800:1 contrast ratio.
Even so, we think it’s a good bargain with its anti-flicker display and the inclusion of auto-rotation. And the Zenscreen has another saving grace - the presence of a USB-A port for older laptops.
So overall, it’s pretty good for the less than 300 bucks price tag, though the model does have room for improvement in terms of design. The bezel isn’t the best-looking, and the whole thing weighs almost 3 pounds, which is far more than the models we reviewed above.
Pros
- 4+ hours built-in battery
- USB A port
- Anti-flicker
- Auto-rotation
- 2-1 in protective stand
Cons
- Not very lightweight
- Not the brightest
Not everyone wants a large monitor screen that costs over $200 bucks. Hence, we decided to include this super affordable, small, and lightweight portable monitor from MageDok.
With a sturdy and solid build, this 11.6-inch portable monitor is perfect for those who want to play mobile games like PUBG on a slightly bigger screen.
The full HD resolution, 16.7 M color TFT-LCD display will produce beautiful images, though we wish its refresh rate was better. Its touchscreen won’t just let you play games, but with its 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity, the T116 makes for an excellent drawing pad for beginners and intermediates.
Though it has a luminance of 300 cd/m2, the 800:1 contrast ratio results in gray blacks and an overall dim display. Even so, we think the T116 is quite a bargain, considering its price point and its sleek, aluminum finish.
Pros
- Slim and very lightweight
- Full HD resolution
- 300cd/m2 luminancy
- Stylish and sleek finish
- Very affordable
Cons
- Low contrast
- Low refresh rate
If you’re someone who doesn’t care too much about image quality but is more concerned about laggy gaming experiences, then the GAEMS M155 is the perfect pick for you.
At 60 FPS, you get a pretty decent and smooth gaming experience with almost any console, be it an Xbox or Playstation. Also, the full HD, 15.6 screen offers the perfect display size and pixel density.
The downside of owning this monitor is its 6-bit color images, as it won't give you the kind of color range other models like Desklab and Asus can. And even though the glass screen does enhance the colors a bit, it doesn’t bode well for people who want to use it in brightly-lit rooms.
Despite its low contrast ratio, the monitor has a surprisingly bright display, and features like remote control, multiple ports, and a super lightweight build make up for its shortcomings. So overall, it makes for a pretty nice pick for a lightweight, lag-free gaming monitor.
Pros
- High response time for lag-free experience
- Lots of connectivity options
- Very lightweight
- Bright
- Full Hd resolution
Con
- Low color performance
Although underrated, Virzen’s affordable portable gaming monitors give a satisfactory performance, as they’re jam-packed with features.
To begin with, Virzen offers quite many ports, including an OTG port for connecting mouses and keyboards. It also has a dedicated power port to supply power to the device directly from a wall socket.
As far as the screen is concerned, you get all the features you could want. It's got a full HD, 13.3 inch IPS display with a 178 degree wide viewing angle, making it a good option for watching movies as well. However, it lacks in the luminance and contrast department, producing dull images with its 800:1 contrast ratio.
Despite that, it's a good pick due to its 60Hz refresh rates, a premium-quality build, and sleek design. Plus, the 10-points capacitive touchscreen unlocks so many gaming possibilities, and we love that at this price range.
Pros
- Capacitive touchscreen
- Lots of ports
- Sturdy and premium build
- Good refresh rates
Con
- Dull display
Another pretty affordable yet feature-packed touchscreen portable monitor on our list is Vissle-M.
While it has a mediocre level of brightness and contrast, the 15.6 inch full HD IPS display does justice to some of the most graphically demanding games.
Its 60 Hz refresh rates also make this possible, providing a seamless gaming experience. Furthermore, you can connect a Nintendo, Xbox, or PS4 quite easily with the numerous ports on its sides.
Moreover, the premium, super-thin bezel on this model looks stunning, especially considering the price point. Its magnetic protective cover isn’t bad either, as it turns into a grippy yet flexible monitor stand.
However, there’s just one catch - this touchscreen model only works for Windows and Android devices.
Pros
- Full HD resolution
- Various ports for all types of consoles
- Ultra-thin bezel and sturdy build
- Cover doubles as a stand
- touchscreen-enabled
Con
- Touchscreen only works for android/windows
Not feeling up to the 15.6-inch screen size of most portable monitors in the budget range? Enter Planar Helium PCT2235, a 21.5 inch giant with a capacitive touchscreen.
This large screen is a full HD IPS display, which can be turned into a 10-point touchscreen for an immersive user experience. And while it’s not the brightest (with 250cd/m2 luminance), it does have a high-contrast ratio of 1000:1.
With a multitude of ports, including VGA, HMDI, and Displayport, you can connect the PCT2235 with virtually any device and gaming console.
However, gaming with this monitor isn’t the smoothest, as it has a slower response time. But if you’re using this for some light gaming, editing, or drawing, then there’s nothing better than the wide-angle, edge-lit, large screen of this monitor. The best part? It’s all for just over $200.
Pros
- 21.5 inch, full HD screen
- High contrast ratio
- Lots of ports
- Multi-touch screen
- Can be mounted on a wall
- Flexible stand
Con
- Not suitable for heavy-duty gaming
This 13.3-inch bad boy does a spectacular job when it comes to gaming with its 60 Hz fast response rate and a plethora of ports. Seriously - it has every port you could ever want, including support for Thunderbolt and USB 3.1.
Alongside that, it features a full HD IPS display with virtually no bezel - it’s that thin. The wide viewing angle of 178 degrees and its support for 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios allow you to use it for much more than just gaming.
Plus, it also has a built-in speaker, but just like most brands, this isn’t a very dynamic one. Overall, it’s an excellent choice with its lightweight build and affordable price tag.
Pros
- Huge variety of ports
- Ultra-thin bezel
- Full HD, sharp images
- Can be mounted on a wall
Con
- Not very bright
Conclusion
Gaming on the go doesn’t have to come at a high price - our list of affordable portable options makes sure of that. Plus, almost all of these monitors are super lightweight, so you can easily slip them into your laptop bag.
Gaming in your favorite vacation spot is a reality now, thanks to these nifty portable gaming monitors.