Portable and small monitors are compact screens of roughly 13 to 17 inches, made for laptop users, cramped desks, service counters and embedded projects. Our range has over 20 models, from travel displays to fixed business screens, with brands such as Lenovo, iiyama, Acer and Arzopa.
How to choose a portable or small monitor
Screen size. Pick the size by where the screen will be used. A 13 to 14 inch model slips into a laptop bag, while 15.6 inches is the most common size in our range and gives a more comfortable second screen. The 16 and 17 inch models suit a fixed spot on a desk or counter better than a daily commute.
Resolution and aspect ratio. Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels, 16:9) is the usual choice for documents, video calls and spreadsheets, and most models in our range offer it. Some small business monitors use 1280 x 1024 pixels in a 5:4 shape, which suits forms, cash-desk software and older applications. A 1366 x 768 screen is fine for basic status displays but looks coarse for text-heavy work.
Panel type and response time. IPS panels keep colours and contrast steadier from side angles, which matters when a portable screen is not always directly in front of you. TN panels are usually cheaper but fade when viewed off-centre. Response times in our range run from 4 ms to 30 ms. Anything around 4 to 7 ms is smoother for video, while slower panels are fine for static office content. Typical contrast ratios of 1000:1 are common.
Connections and power. Check how the monitor connects before buying. Many portable models take both power and video over a single USB-C cable, but your laptop must support video output on that port. Models for fixed use usually rely on HDMI or VGA and a separate power supply, so match the ports to the device you are connecting.
Portable and small monitor brands we carry
- Lenovo: the largest group in our range, with ThinkVision displays aimed at business users who want a light second screen for a laptop.
- iiyama: a display specialist known for its ProLite monitors for offices and public-facing screens.
- Arzopa: focuses on slim portable monitors that connect to laptops, consoles and phones over USB-C.
- Elo: known for touchscreen displays used in point-of-sale terminals and self-service kiosks.
- Raspberry Pi: best known for single-board computers, which is why its displays suit hobby and embedded projects.
Also in our range: Acer, LG, Siemens, ViewSonic, Samsung, HP and ALLNET.
Frequently asked questions about portable and small monitors
What size is best for a portable monitor?
A 15.6 inch screen is the most practical size for most people. It fits alongside a laptop on a desk and still goes into a backpack. If weight matters more than screen space, a 13 or 14 inch model is easier to carry.
Is Full HD enough on a small monitor?
Yes, Full HD is enough for almost all work on screens between 13 and 17 inches. Text stays sharp at that size, and it is the resolution most models in our range offer. Higher resolutions add little on such small panels and can drain a laptop battery faster.
Can I power a portable monitor from my laptop?
Often you can, through one USB-C cable that carries both power and video. The laptop port must support video output, usually through DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt, so check its specification first. If it does not, you will need an HDMI connection and a separate power source.
Is an IPS panel worth choosing over TN?
For a portable monitor, IPS is usually worth it. Its colours and brightness hold up when you view the screen from an angle, which happens often on a travel desk or shared counter. TN panels can respond quickly but look washed out from the side.
