The best part of portable monitors is their portability. Thanks to their lightweight nature, you can easily cram them in your laptop book, and get going. So whether you are working from a coffee shop or a busy airport cafe, you can extend your laptop’s screen without much difficulty. Another advantage of portable monitors with HDMI connection is that you do not need to download drivers usually associated with USB-C monitors. Since most portable monitors pack only mini-HDMI ports, you might have to get your hands on HDMI to mini-HDMI cable for a seamless connection. So here we are with our recommendations for the best portable monitors with HDMI input. But first,
Here are the best computer monitors with dual HDMI portsUp the functionality of your laptop with these nifty USB-C hubs and adapters
1. ASUS Zenscreen Go MB16AHP
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Panel: IPSSize: 15.6-inch | Weight: 1.9 pounds
ASUS bundles an ink-pen with this portable monitor, and as noted earlier, it helps prop up the monitor into a readable position. And the lightweight form factor is the bonus. Just for the record, the Zenscreen Go MB16AHP is not a touch screen monitor (see top touch screen monitors). The 15.6-inch display of the Zenscreen Go MB16AHP is adequate for most jobs. The OSD options are quite flexible and let you tweak the sharpness or contrast as per your preference. Speaking of the picture quality, this display can get bright, and the adequate screen-real estate adds to your convenience (and productivity). However, the colors are not up to the mark, meaning this Zenscreen Go screen is not one for color-sensitive jobs like photo editing. The folks at PC Mag tested this and found it to display around 72% of the sRGB color gamut. The connection options are decent. Apart from the mini-HDMI input, there’s a USB-C connection, making it flexible to upgrade your laptop in the future. Overall, if you want a bigger screen real estate and do want to waste time in finding a power outlet in a cafe, this Asus monitor will be up for its job.
2. ViewSonic TD2230 Portable Monitor
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Panel: IPSSize: 22-inch | Weight: 7.9 pounds
The FHD screen is sharp and renders a good image quality. The TD2230 has a short Dot Pitch for the price, making text and image appear sharper compared to its peers. For those uninitiated, Dot Pitch refers to the distance between two adjacent pixels. A shorter pitch translates to sharper image quality. When it comes to connection, this Viewsonic monitor has plenty to offer. Apart from the HDMI connection, it bundles a DisplayPort connection as well as a USB 3.0 connection. All the ports are aligned to one side of the monitor, translate into ease of access, especially if you are looking to prop this monitor in a tight space. The ViewSonic TD2230 comes with a neat kickstand at its back. At 22-inches, it offers a wider screen space. But at the end of the day, this portable monitor won’t win any prizes when it comes to design. You will find the same slim bezels, and the case doesn’t allow flexibility. At 7.9-pounds, it’s a tad heavy compared to its counterparts. But at the end of the day, this one is not one for long-term usage, as quite a few users have complained of the touch-screen failing in the long run.
3. Lepow Z1-Silver Portable Monitor
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Panel: IPSSize: 15.6-inch | Weight: 1.76 pounds
Unlike the Viewsonic monitor, the Lepow Z1-Silver has a lightweight design and weighs just about 1.9 pounds, thus making it easier on your shoulder (or your back). It’s has a decent build and the leather case adds both to its looks and build. The Lepow Z1-Silver also boasts of HDR, however, it’s not the original stuff and is more of an emulation. When it comes to connection, the Lepow Z1-Silver boasts of quite a few ports. You get to pick between mini-HDMI to USB-A and USB-C ports. If you have an older laptop without a USB-C port, the USB-C to USB-A cord and the mini-HDMI takes care of the issue. But you will need to connect the power adapter. As per Fakespot’s estimates, around 71.3% of the reviews are reliable and can be trusted. If you are looking solely to extend your laptop’s display and of color & picture quality is not a major concern, this should be on your buying list.
4. Elecrow SF133 Portable Monitor
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Panel: IPSSize: 13.3-inch | Weight: 1.4 pounds
It also brings a couple of interesting features. For one, it bundles a set of speakers. Secondly, there VESA mounts at the back should you want to mount it to a monitor arm or a stand. Above all, the ample number of ports make it compatible across several laptops. However, you will need to use a power adapter if you are looking to connect to an HDMI-only laptop. This Elecrow portable monitor is priced considerably less than the monitors above and you will have to trade off some features for the price. While these monitors render a decent picture quality, they can’t be compared to premium portable screens or desktop monitors. Nevertheless, several users have appreciated this screen for its decent picture quality, ability to connect to most peripherals, and lightweight nature. This one comes with a dual HDMI connection, thereby letting you connect up to two displays and switching between them minus the hassle of connecting and disconnecting cables. Plus, the company also ships a metal rack to prop it up. Another affordable portable monitor with HDMI is the Lasitu Portable Monitor. This one is slim and lightweight and also comes with an FHD resolution. However, it’s not the most durable product out there. Buy Lasitu Portable Monitor
Two’s a Party
While portable monitors bring convenience to the foyer, they shouldn’t be compared to the ones designed specifically for desktops, especially when it comes to picture quality, OSD, and color accuracy. On the upside, the lightweight and compact form factor means they are not much of a burden, and you can cry them with you anywhere, as long as you can find a power outlet.
