5 Best Portable Monitor for Macbook Pro 2023
Are you constantly on the go and need a reliable portable monitor for your Macbook Pro? Do you want something lightweight, compact, and multifunctional to take with you when you’re out and about? Look no further—we’ve got the perfect solution!
We’ll be reviewing the top 5 best portable monitors currently available on the market that are compatible with all MacBook Pros.
From crystal clear displays to multiple connection ports, each one of these monitors has its own mix of impressive features that will fit your needs. So buckle up, and grab a snack (or two!)—it’s time to explore our list!
Affiliate Disclaimer: As an amazon affiliate I may make a commission on sales via links at no additional cost to you.
What are portable monitors?
Portable monitors are essentially extra screen space while you’re on the go. They are the perfect solution for those looking to extend their screen space in a convenient way.
Not only can you take this handy technology with you practically anywhere, but it also provides a great way to improve convenience and productivity at the home or office.
You can use a portable monitor to read documents or work on projects easily, which makes it perfect for collaborating with others online.
Additionally, with many options like power sources, built-in speakers, and extra visual ports available, these monitors add essential features to any workspace.
Whether you need more screen space while teleworking or want the flexibility of taking it with you on the go, investing in a portable monitor is a great idea.
What to look for when purchasing a portable monitor for MacBook Pro
Correct display cord
When buying a portable monitor for your MacBook pro, make sure the cord it comes with has thunderbolt or USB-C on one end and the other can be HDMI, DVI, VGA, etc. This is because most MacBook pros (depending on the year of your MacBook pro) will only have thunderbolt/USB-C ports for displays. Some can come with HDMI ports, but it’s best to check to see what ports you have before purchasing a monitor. All the displays on this list will obviously be compatible with MacBooks pros but do keep this in mind if you’re looking around at other portable monitors.
Price
Figure out what your budget is. Portable monitors can go as low as $100 or even $500+ for high-end premium brands.
Do I want a touchscreen?
As we know, Macbooks are not touch screens, but some portable monitors are. Some useful touchscreen features could include note-taking, drawing, or even marking for presentations.
Design
Macbooks are known for their sleek and elegant designs. When choosing, do you want a portable monitor to match?
Best portable monitor for MacBook pro
Best overall
ASUS ZenScreen MB14AC
The ASUS Zenscreen is a great option for a reliable and brand-name monitor. Its sleek design compliments a MacBook pro nicely with a foldable smart case. The monitor comes in full HD resolution (1080p) with an antiglare surface. It also features an autorotation so that you can use the monitor in portrait mode and it will automatically switch orientations.
Overall a good pick for extra work space and office use.
Be sure to get the “USB Type A & C” option to make sure it is compatible with your MacBook pro.
Screen Size: 14″ and 15.6″
Touch Screen: No
Speakers: No
Display Cord: USB-c to USB-c (also available in usb3.0)
Pros:
-Sleek design
-Auto rotation
-Anti-glare surface
-Between $150-$200
Cons:
-No speakers
-Not touchscreen
The one I use
Cocopar USB-C Portable Monitor
This is the screen I use personally and from months of having it, I have no complaints aside from the stand being a bit unstable. Very simple and easy to use with plenty of screen space and thin bezels. It comes in 2 colors: Silver and Black. The monitor uses USB-C to USB-C which is what initially drew me to make the purchase in the first place. With high ratings and reviews, sleek design, and large screen space, it was ultimately why I made this purchase in the first place.
Overall a great pick for creatives and multitasking purposes.
Screen Size: 15.6″ FHD
Touch Screen: No
Speakers: Built-in 3.5MM audio jack
Display Cord: USB-c to USB-c (also has a mini HDMI port)
Pros:
-Thin bezels
-Easy to use
-Super portable (less than half an inch thick)
Cons:
-Flimsy foldable stand
-Wouldn’t recommend for gaming (best for laptop work)
Best all-around use
KYY Portable Monitor
The KYY portable monitor is a great all-around monitor for MacBook pro users. With built-in dual speakers, an audio jack, a mini HDMI port, and 2 USB-C ports, this portable monitor has it all. It comes with a foldable smart cover/stand and only weighs 1.7 pounds. The monitor is highly ranked and has tons of 5-star reviews making it quality and reliable.
Overall a great pick for all-around uses.
Screen Size: 15.6″ FHD
Touch Screen: No
Speakers: Yes (dual speakers and audio jack)
Display Cord: USB-c to USB-c (also comes with USB-c to USB-a and mini HDMI to HDMI)
Pros:
-Perfect All-around monitor
-Dual Speakers
-Plenty of ports
-Thin (.3 inches thick)
Cons:
-Thicker bezels
-Not touchscreen
Best Touchscreen
ASUS ZenScreen MB16AMT
One of the more premia on this list of portable monitors, the MB16AMT has it all. It is significantly more pricey than the MB14AC but comes with the same features and more. This portable monitor comes touch screen and built-in speakers compared to the MB14AC. It also has a 7800mAh battery that doesn’t drain the device it’s connected to whether it’s your phone or laptop.
Overall a great all-around pick with some nice added features like the touchscreen and built-in speakers.
Screen Size: 15.6″ FHD
Touch Screen: Yes
Speakers: Yes
Display Cord: USB-c to USB-c
Pros:
-Touchscreen
-Built-in speakers
-Thin bezels
-Extremely portable (.3″ thick and 2 pounds)
-Brand name
Cons:
-Over $300
Best Touchscreen
Szory Portable Monitor
As always, we like to include a more budget-friendly option. The Szory portable monitor is currently under $120 making it the most affordable portable monitor on the list. It comes with thin bezels and a standard smart case similar to the cocopar. There’s nothing over the top about this monitor aside from the price, but it comes with everything you would hope for with portable monitors.
Overall a great budget-friendly choice for someone wanting portable screen space.
Screen Size: 15.6″ FHD
Touch Screen: No
Speakers: Yes
Display Cord: USB-C to USB-C (also comes with USB to Type-C and Mini HDMI to HDMI)
Pros:
– Most affordable
-Built-in speakers
-Slim and Lightweight (.3″ thick and a little over 1 pound)
Cons:
-Not a well-known brand
Benefits of using portable monitors
Having a portable monitor holds many benefits. Some of the benefits include:
More screen space
This is the most common reason for an additional monitor. With larger monitors, you have the ability to open multiple windows at once and view them side-by-side without having to switch between windows or have them overlap one another.
Increased productivity
Having more screen space can help you multitask and reduce having to constantly switch between tabs. Staying organized can help prevent distractions.
Portable set up
Unlike a normal second monitor, portable monitors are slim and can fit in a backpack alongside your laptop. So if you want to change your work environment, it’s super easy to have the same setup everywhere you go.
Touchscreen functionality*
(*If the portable monitor you have has touchscreen functionality)
Save desk space
After you’re done working, you can store your portable monitor away, or even on top of your laptop to save desk space and eliminate unwanted clutter.
Tips for getting the most out of your portable monitor
Here are a few ways to use your portable monitor in a productive and effective way to get work and or studying done.
For Students
On one monitor you can have a video, slideshow, or article to look over while taking notes on the other screen.
For Creatives
On one monitor you can have your creative software like Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator, etc., and the other can be a tab for reference images, tutorials, or google chrome tab.
For Work
On one monitor you can have the zoom call or whatever video software and the other display can be you taking notes or exploring to pass the time.
These are just a few common ways to use your portable monitor, but with more screen space you’ll have plenty of room for whatever you need to do.
Final Thoughts
A portable monitor is a great investment whether you are looking to increase your productivity or want an extra screen for entertainment. With so many options on the market, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you and your MacBook Pro.
We hope our list of the best portable monitors for MacBook Pro helped you make a decision. Now that you have picked out the perfect portable monitor, what are you going to use it for?
