For professionals embracing the digital nomad lifestyle or those simply working remotely, a portable monitor, or as we like to call it, a Travel Computer Screen, has become an indispensable tool. These lightweight displays instantly expand your laptop screen real estate, boosting productivity and making on-the-go work a breeze. We’ve rigorously tested a range of these devices to help you select the perfect travel companion for your digital workspace.
The market offers a diverse array of travel computer screens, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. From basic models that simply extend your display to high-resolution, feature-rich screens, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our tests focused on key aspects like display quality, portability, and features to bring you clear recommendations.
One standout contender we examined was the ViewSonic VG1656-2K. This monitor impressed us with its vibrant color accuracy and exceptional brightness, reaching a peak of 396 nits – the highest we recorded in our tests for portable monitors. While it forgoes touchscreen functionality, it delivers a sharp 2K resolution.
Alt text: ViewSonic VG1656-2K travel computer screen displaying a crisp and bright image, ideal for detailed work on the go.
However, the VG1656-2K comes with a higher price tag. At $300, we questioned whether the 2K resolution justified double the cost of some top-performing, yet more affordable, alternatives, especially for users who might not strictly require the enhanced scaling offered by the higher resolution. For those specifically needing the extra pixel density, though, this ViewSonic model is a strong performer.
In contrast, the Pluggable USB-C Portable Monitor presented a more budget-friendly option. Initial impressions were acceptable, but our lab tests revealed shortcomings in crucial areas like contrast and color accuracy. We consistently measured a contrast ratio of around 460:1, falling significantly short of the 1000:1 benchmark we expect from IPS displays.
Alt text: Pluggable USB-C travel computer screen displaying color test patterns, highlighting its function as an extended display for laptops while traveling.
Despite its shortcomings in display performance, the Pluggable monitor offers notable advantages in power delivery and connectivity. It supports 100W pass-through charging, capable of powering even demanding laptops, and includes an additional USB-C port with up to 10 Gbps data transfer speeds. While these features are valuable, they couldn’t compensate for the subpar image quality compared to its competitors in our evaluation.
We also encountered an issue with the Espresso Displays 15 unit sent for review. The screen repeatedly went black when connected to a source, unless power was supplied through a secondary USB-C port. Espresso attributed this to a firmware problem affecting review units. Until we can thoroughly test a corrected unit, we are hesitant to recommend this model as a reliable travel computer screen.
Ricoh entered the portable monitor arena with the 150 and 150BW models. These 15.6-inch, 1080p OLED touchscreen displays boast impressive slim designs and integrated kickstands. The 150BW further distinguishes itself with wireless video reception over Wi-Fi from Windows computers.
Alt text: Sleek Ricoh 150BW travel computer screen showcasing its slim profile and integrated kickstand, emphasizing its portability for business trips.
However, the premium features come at a steep price. The Ricoh 150 typically retails for $550, and the 150BW for a staggering $850. For a travel computer screen, these prices are prohibitive. These features would need to be available closer to the $400 mark to become truly competitive in the portable monitor market.
The AOC 16T3EA presented a different type of issue. We observed a drop in contrast ratio when brightness was maximized, a recurring problem in budget monitors. The stand design was also less user-friendly compared to other models, making it a less desirable travel computer screen overall.
Our attempt to test the Arzopa S1 Table was thwarted by a high-pitched whine emitted upon powering it on. Online reviews corroborated this issue, suggesting a potential manufacturing defect. Arzopa promptly processed a return and sent a replacement unit, which functioned correctly. Despite the replacement resolving the initial problem, we still favored our top pick due to its superior kickstand design. Long-term testing by a Wirecutter staff member revealed occasional instability with the Arzopa’s case stand, sometimes collapsing when bumped.
The Arzopa Z1C closely resembles our top pick, the Z1FC, but omits the 144Hz refresh rate crucial for gamers. In our direct comparison, the Z1C exhibited noticeably poorer color accuracy than the Z1FC, and subjectively, the Z1FC delivered a more visually pleasing picture.
The Asus ZenScreen MB166CR represents Asus’s entry into the more affordable travel computer screen segment. However, its defining feature—a screw-on kickstand—proved to be frustratingly cumbersome. Adjusting the stand inevitably loosened the screw, requiring constant tightening, which in turn altered the stand’s positioning. The time spent wrestling with this stand made it an impractical option for frequent travelers.
Targeting creative professionals, the Espresso Displays 17 Pro is a larger, 17-inch, 4K touchscreen travel computer screen. Our tests confirmed its impressive color gamut coverage, reaching 97% of the DCI-P3 standard, making it suitable for color-critical creative tasks. It also offers touchscreen and stylus input when paired with a Mac, features typically found in significantly more expensive pen displays.
Alt text: Espresso Displays 17 Pro travel computer screen with stand, designed for creative professionals needing a portable high-resolution display for design work.
Despite its appealing features for creatives, the 17 Pro’s bulk and weight became a concern for portability. The dedicated Pro Stand adds 1.8 pounds, pushing the total portable setup weight beyond 4 pounds, excluding the laptop and power adapters. The absence of physical buttons and reliance on the espressoFlow software for settings adjustments also presented usability limitations, particularly the somewhat restricted color settings within the app.
The ViewSonic VX1655 fell short in sharpness compared to other tested monitors. Furthermore, engaging sRGB mode to assess color accuracy resulted in a significant drop in contrast ratio, down to approximately 630:1. Other budget-friendly travel computer screen options offer a superior overall experience.
The ViewSonic VX1655-4K emerged as a strong 4K contender, almost earning our upgrade pick designation. However, the OLED variant ultimately surpassed it. The VX1655-4K delivers accurate colors and impressive brightness, nearing 500 nits. While highly capable, we favored the OLED version for its even greater brightness and enhanced visual quality attributed to OLED’s superior contrast. However, for users who prefer a matte screen finish over the glossy OLED coating, the VX1655-4K remains a commendable travel computer screen alternative.
The HP E14 G4 presents itself as a solid, albeit smaller, 14-inch, 1080p travel computer screen. It features a sturdy stand and a basic on-screen menu for essential adjustments. However, its higher price point relative to its size and comparable image quality to our top pick make it a less compelling choice.
Similarly, the Dell C1422H closely mirrors the HP E14 G4 in size and image quality but offers fewer image customization options. As an older model, it’s outpaced by newer, more affordable options that deliver superior picture quality, making it less suitable as a modern travel computer screen.
The Lenovo ThinkVision M14d boasts a sharp 14-inch display with a 2240×1400 resolution. While a capable monitor, its $475 price at the time of review positioned it too high for its resolution and IPS display technology compared to competitors in the travel computer screen market.
Finally, we evaluated the Asus ZenScreen Go MB16AWP, a premium model featuring wireless connectivity and an integrated battery. This model can connect wirelessly to phones, serving as a larger display for media consumption. However, testing revealed limitations with wireless streaming due to restrictions imposed by popular streaming services on local wireless video transmission. While Plex streaming worked, the video quality was compromised by choppiness. Wireless connectivity to Windows computers for a secondary display functioned well. For users with this specific need, it might be a viable option. However, the premium price for the battery and wireless features of the MB16AWP appears unjustified given these limitations for most users seeking a travel computer screen.
In conclusion, selecting the ideal travel computer screen depends on your specific needs and budget. Consider factors like resolution, display technology, portability, and desired features to make the best choice for your mobile workspace.
