<em></em></strong><strong><em><br></em></strong></p><h2 class=”body-h2″><strong>What to Consider</strong> </h2><h3 class=”body-h3″>Compatibility</h3><p>Check your portable monitor’s inputs and ports to see if it’ll work with your laptop, smartphone, or gaming console.</p><p>Most portable monitors link to laptops via a USB-C, HDMI, or Thunderbolt cable. Some portable monitors are powered by the laptop via the USB-C or Thunderbolt cable, while others require a separate power source like a wall outlet.</p><p>HDMI connections smoothly output video with a steady frame rate, making them great for game consoles and working. USB-C rivals the quality of HDMI with the added benefit of power, but note that only USB-C 3.1 and above can output video as well. USB-C 3.0 and earlier will require a separate video cord, such as an HDMI or mini HDMI.</p><p>Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 connections are the fastest of the bunch—the latter can transfer at speeds as fast as 40 gigabytes per second, which is twice as fast as the typical USB-C.</p><p>Some premium options, like those from Asus, use rechargeable batteries for a few hours of use without the need for a power cable. Consider grabbing a rechargeable portable monitor if you plan on using your monitor without a power source nearby.</p><figure><img src=”https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/arzopa-portable-monitor-0034-6489d9ce119c7.jpg?format=jpg” data-image=”4xl11kdhvjfa”><figcaption>Trevor Raab</figcaption></figure><p>Always refer to your laptop’s port specs when searching for a portable monitor. Some USB-C ports, for example, may not provide a video signal or support pass-through charging, which charges your device while plugged in. Just because a portable monitor supports a specific feature doesn’t mean it will work on your laptop.</p><p>Although you can find portable monitors that connect via USB-A or VGA, we recommend avoiding them because they have slow transfer speeds that lead to low resolution. UCB-C, Thunderbolt, HDMI, and mini-HDMI provide the fastest transfer speed between your device and portable monitor.</p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Resolution</h3><p>The standard portable monitor size is 15.6 inches, with a 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution, though size and display vary between products and brands. If you’re looking for a seamless portable monitor, find one with the same size and resolution as your laptop screen. If your laptop’s native resolution is 1080p, find a portable monitor with the same output to keep your connection simple and easy on your eyes.</p><p>Theoretically, you’ll only run into issues when mismatching aspect ratios. Stick with the basic 16:9 widescreen ratio to avoid having to adjust your device’s settings. </p><p>If you’re using a portable monitor for gaming, consider reaching for one with a high refresh rate. Refresh rate refers to how frequently the display draws a new image each second, measured in hertz. We recommend a monitor with a refresh rate of at least 120 hertz for smooth, uninterrupted gaming. </p><h2 class=”body-h2″><strong>How We Selected</strong></h2><p><strong></strong>To find the best portable monitors, we consulted reviews from expert sources as well as customers. We also called in a few portable monitors for hands-on testing, using them as second monitors for our laptops at home and work. We considered factors like price, resolution, refresh rate, and use cases to find a balanced list of portable monitors. Whether you’re looking for a second screen for gaming or smoothing your workflow, these are the best out there.</p>” />