Ports: We required at least one USB-C port for video and power.

Otherwise, most sizes are similar enough that we prioritized other metrics like color, price, and brightness. If you have specific size requirements or prefer a small backpack meant for 13-inch laptops, then you might want to consider a 14-inch model. When physically comparing models, the size difference between 14-inch and and 16-inch monitors didn’t change how we used or carried them.

Size: Most portable monitors range in size from 14 to 16 inches.

We prefer stands that allow the monitor to be used in either landscape or portrait orientation.

Stand: A stand can make or break a portable monitor.

Price: Portable monitors shouldn’t cost more than a desktop monitor, so we considered models in the $200 to $450 range.

We prefer monitors that have at least a 1000:1 contrast ratio.

Contrast: A monitor with poor contrast will look dull and faded, and images will look flatter.

We looked for displays that output at least 250 nits of brightness.

Brightness: Since portable monitors will be taken out to coffee shops, parks, and beyond, it’s important to have a screen that’s bright enough to be usable in sunny conditions.

Color: A great portable monitor should be color accurate out of the box and have menu options to match the color of the display to your laptop for a more consistent experience.

However, it’s important to also check the visual sharpness of each model, as cheaper 1080p displays can often look fuzzy.

Resolution: We only considered displays with a 1080p resolution or higher.

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