Portable monitors can be a game-changer for gamers, especially if you’re always on the go or want a more immersive experience with handheld consoles like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch.
They’re great for dual-screen setups, streaming, or managing chat while playing, and they fit perfectly in small apartments or shared living spaces. Plus, they’re versatile enough to double as an extra screen for work.
While they might not rival full-sized monitors, some portable displays now offer impressive 4K resolution and 144Hz refresh rates.
To save you the hassle of searching, we’ve rounded up the top 5 portable monitors according to Reddit.
How we Ranked the Monitors
We scoured Reddit for comments sharing their experiences with portable monitors, and then ranked monitors by number of positive comments.
We focused on subreddits related to gaming like r/ROGAlly, r/SteamDeck, r/Switch, r/battlestations etc. or if the comments mentioned gaming.
We only picked comments made in the past year to ensure that the sentiments are up to date.
If you want to dive into more aspects of each monitor, or find the original Reddit discussions, you can visit RedditRecs.com and filter by “Gaming”.
1. ARZOPA 16.1’’ 144Hz Portable Gaming Monitor
Best Value for Money
View on Amazon 13 positive reviews (12 related to gaming)
The ARZOPA 16.1’’ monitor offers excellent value with its 144Hz refresh rate and good picture quality, making it ideal for smooth gameplay. However, it suffers from inconsistent performance and lacks a carrying case, which may be inconvenient for frequent travelers.
Pros
High Refresh Rate (144Hz)
Received high praises for the high refresh rate of 144Hz, which offers buttery smooth gameplay.
“Picture quality is great… and the 144hz refresh rate is buttery smooth.” - Saskatchewon
Pass-Through Charging
Allows charging of connected devices (e.g. Steam Deck) while using, reducing cable clutter.
“It works really well with just the one USB cable going from deck to monitor for power and video.” - barefootbandit8
Value for Money
2nd cheapest of the 5 monitors.
“I bought Arzopa for like 95 EUR shipping included and it claims that is at 144 hz, and it really works like a charm for the bucks…” - Circulation-
Picture Quality
Despite not being 4K, the quality with good color accuracy was highly praised.
“The colors were vibrant and looked even better than my laptop display, so it worked out eventually.” - NimblePasta “Picture quality is great (not 4K, but for a small second monitor, 4K is honestly overkill).” - Saskatchewon
Cons
Inconsistent Performance
Some users experienced connectivity issues, which can disrupt gaming sessions.
“Problem is, it is very inconsistent. Rarely, it will work flawlessly but majority of the time, the screen will flicker constantly…” - xStratus101 “Only downside is the passthrough charging isn’t as robust as the one I went with…” - chrispy513
Mediocre HDR
“I think the HDR and audio aren’t really great. The HDR is just good enough.” - IllogicalRandomWords
No Carrying Case
“The monitor also didn’t come with a bag or cover.” - IllogicalRandomWords
2. UPERFECT 2K 120Hz Portable Gaming Monitor, 16"
Best High Resolution Option
View on Amazon 13 positive reviews (7 related to gaming)
The UPERFECT 16" monitor stands out with its high 1600p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, providing sharp and smooth visuals. Its main drawbacks include brightness limitations when not plugged in and an inability to switch to a 16:9 aspect ratio, which can affect console gaming.
Pros
High Refresh Rate (120Hz)
Several users appreciate the fairly high 120Hz refresh rate.
“Pretty insane considering its 120hz, 1600p, 500 nits, and supports freesync” - skinnywolfe
High Resolution (1600p)
Many users laud the high 1600p resolution.
“The UPERFECT was a little bit sharper than the ASUS monitors due to the increased PPI…” - FriendlySeacow
Freesync Support
The monitor’s compatibility with Freesync helps reduce screen tearing in fast-paced games.
“support with freesync” - skinnywolfe
Cons
Tradeoff Between Brightness & Portability
Some users experienced limitations in brightness when the monitor isn’t plugged into a power source, which could be an issue during gaming.
“Oh yeah and you can’t do 120hz at max brightness unless the monitor is plugged into the wall.” - FLHCv2
Aspect Ratio Limitation
The inability to switch to a 16:9 aspect ratio can be problematic, especially for console gaming.
“The aspect ratio can’t switch to 16:9… the picture on your xbox/ps/switch will be stretched vertically.” - FLHCv2
Color and Contrast Issues
Some complaints about color accuracy and contrast exist.
“Slight color wash, but hey I don’t need the second monitor for anything color accurate…” - ALMOSTDEAD37
3. ASUS ROG Strix 17.3" 1080P Portable Gaming Monitor (XG17AHP)-FHD, IPS, 240Hz
Best for Low Latency Gaming
View on Amazon 5 positive reviews (4 related to gaming)
The ASUS ROG Strix 17.3" monitor excels in low latency gaming with a 240Hz refresh rate and vibrant colors, making it perfect for esports. However, it is expensive, has micro HDMI issues, and lacks passthrough charging, which may be a problem for some.
Pros
High Refresh Rate (240Hz)
The highest of the lot. Highly appreciated for fast-paced gaming and esports titles.
“I’ve had an Asus ROG Strix XG17AHP for over a year now, killer portable gaming monitor, especially for esports titles. It’s a 17” 1080p 240Hz IPS panel…" - Apprehensive-Read989
Low Input Latency
Users noted the low input latency, which is crucial for a responsive gaming experience.
“To me it’s more than sufficient. It’s a good monitor for gaming, low input latency and 240Hz.” - Apprehensive-Read989
Tripod Stand
The included tripod stand provides a better viewing angle and stability compared to folding cover stands.
“…for viewing angle the tripod stand kicks the shit out of the folding cover stands that most portable monitors come with.” - Apprehensive-Read989
Picture Quality
The monitor features vibrant colors and good image quality, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
“I currently own asus xg17ahp… great colours? It works great for me!” - aimannorazman
Cons
Expensive
The monitor is on the pricier side, which may not be affordable for all gamers.
“It is expensive, but I spend a lot of time on travel for work and am glad that I bought it.” - Apprehensive-Read989
Micro HDMI Issues
Some users have experienced issues with the micro HDMI port, which may affect connectivity.
“Micro HDMI does not work. I’ve tried two different micro HDMI to HDMI cords but still no luck.” - teonesofle
Lack of Passthrough Charging
The monitor does not support passthrough charging, increasing the number of cables needed.
“I ended up getting the Rog Strix 17” which does not do passthru…" - TriangleMachineCat
Resolution
While the 17-inch monitor size is appreciated, the resolution was considered less than ideal by some users who preferred higher resolutions like 1440p.
“Wish it was 1440p though.” - Ecnassianer
4. ViewSonic VX1755 17 Inch 1080p Portable IPS Gaming Monitor with 144Hz
Best All-Rounder
View on Amazon 5 positive reviews (4 related to gaming)
The ViewSonic VX1755 is a well-rounded option with a 144Hz refresh rate, passthrough charging, and durable build quality. Its main downside is its relatively heavy weight, which could be cumbersome for extended travel.
Pros
High Refresh Rate (144Hz)
High referesh rate is particularly beneficial for fast-paced games like shooters.
“It’s quick and has great clarity for shooters.” - Slight_Tiger2914
Pass-Through Charging
Allows charging of connected devices (e.g. Steam Deck) while using, reducing cable clutter.
“It can pass through up to 65W if an external charger is plugged into the monitor.” - schirmyver “I can then plug a higher wattage charger into a separate usb-c port on the monitor that has PD pass-through” - schirmyver
Durability
The monitor is noted for its sturdy build, which is important for gamers who travel frequently.
“I think it’s pretty darned solidly built.” - whatitisholmes “I believe the shell is all aluminum.” - whatitisholmes
Cons
Heavy for its Size
Although portable, users mention that it is relatively heavy, which could be cumbersome for extended travel.
“But heavy at 2.2lbs.” - whatitisholmes
5. ARZOPA Portable Monitor, 15.6’’ 1080P FHD Laptop Monitor
Best Budget Option
View on Amazon 5 positive reviews (3 related to gaming)
The ARZOPA 15.6’’ monitor is the most budget-friendly option, offering single-cable operation and affordability. However, it has a lower 60Hz refresh rate, mediocre display quality, and a less sturdy stand, which may not be ideal for serious gamers.
Pros
Single Cable for Power and Video
Users appreciate the simplicity of needing just one USB-C cable for both power and video, minimizing cable clutter.
“So I could hook up the Arzopa with a single USB-C cable, and both power and video could be transmitted with one cable - it was great.” - InterestinglyLucky
Affordability
The most budget friendly, especially on offer. Good for gamers looking for an inexpensive solution.
“Picked this up on Black Friday for about $50. It works really well.” - JonesyYouLittleShit
“I’ve got an Arzopa 15” portable HD monitor… I got it on offer at over £100 less than the branded competitors.” - geekmoose
Cons
Display Quality
Some users mentioned that the display quality isn’t great, which might detract from the gaming experience.
“The display quality isn’t that good.” - geekmoose
Small Size
The 15.6" size can be a bit limiting, especially for gamers who prefer larger screens for immersive gameplay.
“Overall it is a good monitor it’s just rather small.” - JpegzOnlyBruh
Inconvenient Stand
The stand that comes with the monitor received mixed reviews, with some users finding it less sturdy.
“But yes the stand it comes with is kinda crappy.” - JpegzOnlyBruh
Low Refresh Rate
With only a 60Hz refresh rate, it might not be ideal for fast-paced gaming which benefits from higher refresh rates.
“60 hz, apparently works well with the Switch… anything higher would just be useless if you’re mainly buying a larger monitor for this specific console.” - ajckorrasami
Multiple Cables Required for Some Devices
Although the monitor supports single-cable operation for certain devices, other setups require additional cables for power and video.
“I have to use a USB-A to USB-C cable (for power) and a (provided) HDMI to Mini-HDMI cable adapter for the video. So there are two cables.” - InterestinglyLucky
Shopping Tips for Choosing the Right Monitor
Check Compatibility
Make sure the monitor connects to your devices. Some use standard HDMI, which works with almost anything, while others use USB-C. A few even offer DisplayLink, letting you plug into any USB 3.0 port, including old-school type-A connectors.
Kickstand Matters
The kickstand can make or break your experience. The best monitors have built-in kickstands for easy angle adjustments. Some come with separate, magnetic covers that double as kickstands, but these are usually not as good and can mess up your viewing experience.
Battery or No Battery?
Most portable monitors get power via USB-C, either from a wall charger or directly from your laptop. Some models, like the Asus ROG XG16AHPE, have built-in batteries, letting you game without being plugged in. If you prefer HDMI, a battery-equipped monitor means fewer cables.
Pass Through Charging?
Passthrough charging enables a portable monitor to receive power from a power source (like a wall outlet) and simultaneously supply power to another device (such as a laptop or gaming console) through a single USB-C connection. This is particularly useful if you want to keep your devices charged during extended play sessions without needing multiple cables.
For a more detailed guide on choosing portable monitors, check out this guide.
More Portable Monitors Ranked by Reddit
Looking for portable monitors for productivity, work, or general everyday use? You can check out RedditRecs.com for more recommendations.