Best Portable Monitors 2025 – Top Picks for Laptop, Switch 2 and Steam Deck

Whether you need a second screen for on-the-go spreadsheets or a 17-inch OLED panel for couch co-op on Switch 2, today’s portable monitors are thinner, brighter and cheaper than ever. We tested 24 models side-by-side and narrowed the list to six that balance resolution, refresh rate, colour accuracy and price as of November 2025.

Quick Look – Best Portable Monitors November 2025

Best 4K Portable Monitor – ASUS ProArt PQ160

Calibrated Delta-E < 2 out of the box, 100 % sRGB and 98 % DCI-P3 coverage make the PQ160 a mobile editing suite. USB-C PD passthrough lets you run it from a single cable while keeping your laptop charged. At 279 g and 9 mm thick it slides into most 15-inch laptop sleeves.

Best OLED Portable – Espresso 17 OLED

Want true blacks for HDR gaming or Netflix in the hotel? The 17-inch 144 Hz OLED panel hits 400 nits peak and covers 100 % DCI-P3. Built-in stereo speakers and a fold-out stand mean you can leave the bulky soundbar at home. Just note the 2.1 lb weight—fine for a carry-on, heavy for a daily commute backpack.

Best Budget Pick – ViewSonic VG1655

For under $150 you get a 15.6-inch IPS screen, mini-HDMI, dual USB-C and a protective sleeve. Colour accuracy is average (Delta-E 3.2) but perfectly fine for Office, Chrome and Switch 2 party games. The wedge-shaped stand also props up your laptop, giving you an instant dual-screen setup without extra accessories.

Best High-Refresh Gaming – Arzopa Z1FC 144 Hz

144 Hz at 1080p for $179 is unheard of in portable-land. AMD FreeSync and HDMI 2.0 mean you can hook up a Steam Deck or ROG Ally and hit 120 fps without tearing. The panel tops out at 250 nits, so stick to indoor use.

Best Touch-Screen – Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 3

10-point multi-touch, 300 nits brightness and a built-in stylus garage make the M14t perfect for digital sketching or annotating PDFs on the go. At 1.3 lb it’s the lightest monitor here and draws power entirely from USB-C—no brick required.

What to Avoid in 2025

• Single-cable monitors without PD passthrough – they drain your laptop battery in under two hours
• Panels below 250 nits – unusable near a window or outdoors
• Mini-HDMI-only models – USB-C is now standard on laptops, tablets and handhelds
• Non-VESA mounts – if you ever want to arm-mount, check for 75 × 75 mm holes

Bottom Line

For most users the ASUS ProArt PQ160 is the sweet spot: 4K clarity, factory calibration and single-cable convenience at $279. Gamers on a budget should grab the Arzopa Z1FC 144 Hz for $179, while OLED lovers can splurge on the Espresso 17 for cinema-grade contrast. Whichever model you choose, a portable monitor is the easiest way to add screen real-estate without adding bulk to your daily carry.

Prices are street averages for November 2025 and may dip during Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales. Always confirm USB-C PD passthrough wattage matches your laptop’s requirement before purchase.