Portable monitors are hitting their stride in 2025, no longer the semi-clunky or second-class travel / temporary option, or for those without a permanent desk setup. Portable monitors can deliver comparable specs these days, with high refresh rate, adaptive sync, ultra-low latency, and full console/PC support. Laptop second screen, handheld gaming PC, console dock, or maybe you just want some time to play around with work every once in a while; a high quality portable monitor can supercharge your setup. This post will go over what to look for in these monitors, how refresh rate / latency has become even more important than before, then finally we will highlight some of the top picks on the market including a product highlight from UPERFECT at the end.
Why Focus on Refresh Rate & Latency?
Refresh rate
Refresh rate (Hz) refers to how many times per second the screen updates. The higher the refresh, the smoother the motion. Refresh is particularly important in gaming, if you play a lot of FPS, racing or other high speed/action titles. Many “productivity” or “general use” portable monitors have stopped at 60 Hz. True gaming oriented portable monitors start at 120 Hz, 144 Hz, 165 Hz or even more.
One recent hardware review showed that many “portable monitors for gaming” ads now prominently feature 144 Hz or more as a selling point.
Latency & response time
Latency is the overall input-to-screen response time. Response time is the number of milliseconds it takes for a pixel to switch from one colour to another. Low latency and low response time is needed to avoid motion blur, ghosting and input lag. Fast responsiveness is especially important for competitive gamers.
Combined effect
Having a very high refresh rate with poor latency/response time simply leaves you with a sub-par experience. On the other hand a monitor with great latency but low refresh rate feels like its struggling to keep up with your inputs when you move around. Top portable gaming monitors need to have both.
Why portability matters in 2025
A handheld gaming PC is a rising segment, but what about just when you’re travelling? USB-C docks and kiosks are more common too, so a portable monitor is useful if you’re sitting at a hotel for the day or temporary workspace.
Short summary: With the rise of handheld PCs, cross-platform systems, easy USB-C streaming setups (laptop + phone or even console!) and of course travel/portability use cases: gamers now expect high quality screens they can pick up and use elsewhere. Portable monitors fill the gap between full desktop monitors and the ultra light 13″ mobile screens.
Other buying guides: Quotes from:
“As 2025 buying guide , some of the best portable monitors for gaming are putting desktop monitors to shame.”
“What I really like is that some of the best portable monitors for gaming offer features that you’d only typically expect from standard monitor models.”
“Gamers who want to game anywhere with the same fluidity and power as their desktop setups should look at monitors like …”
These buying guides keep repeating: Refresh rate/latency / do not compromise on these specs just because you’re gaming in a portable environment.
What to Look for: Key Spec Checklist
Refresh rate: At least 120 Hz, but 144 Hz or greater is ideal if your computer hardware can keep up with it.
Response time: 1ms or at most 3-5ms (grey-to-grey).
Adaptive Sync: FreeSync or G-Sync (or at least variable refresh rate (VRR) support to prevent tearing.
Connectivity: USB-C with DisplayPort alt mode (Required if you plan to dock to laptops, power delivery (PD) if your are using a battery / laptop), HDMI (2.0+ / 2.1 if you want console-ready) and audio out.
Resolution & panel size: 1080p is often sufficient (especially for many portable scenarios), but 1440p (QHD) is better for added clarity. In terms of portability: 15–18″; or for a more “desk-portable” monitor, 24″ is already within the realm of possibility.
Build & portability: Lightweight, thin profile, carry case or sleeve, VESA / stand/stand-mount options etc.
Latency & gaming calibrations: Look for low input lag specifications and Game / Turbo modes.
Compatibility: Confirmed compatibility with your devices (PC, console, handheld, laptop etc.) ideally with a single-cable, minimal set up.
Cooling / Brightness / Colour: Especially important if you’re streaming from consoles and gaming in bright rooms or outdoors.
The takeaways in these buying guides are consistent: if you travel / game on the go, you should not settle for low refresh rates or high latency with your portable monitor just like you would with a desktop model.
Top Brands & Models To Compare (2025)
There’s no shortage of portable gaming monitors to choose from in 2025, but certain brands come recommended more than others for their display performance, versatility, and extras. If you’re in the market for a double-screen travel setup, mobile esports build, or just a productivity monitor that doubles for light gaming, here are the brands and models you should check out first.
UPERFECT
The king of portable monitors in 2025 is still UPERFECT in our view. UPERFECT monitors have a reputation for combining next-gen gaming performance with thin and lightweight design, making them perfect for carrying around. One of their latest models is the 18 inch 2K FreeSync 144Hz portable gaming monitor, which we like for its balance of portability, screen size, and raw performance:
- Display: 18-inch 2K (2560×1440) IPS panel
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz (support for FreeSync)
- Connectivity: Dual USB-C ports (DisplayPort Alt Mode) + HDMI
- Design: Ultra-thin chassis, great for desktop and travel use
UPERFECT has a huge ecosystem of related add-ons (stands, magnetic covers, adapters, docking options) making its monitors one of the most feature-complete portable options for both gamers and creative professionals. The screens work with PCs, consoles, and gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck. They’ve earned our seal of approval for their low latency, color accuracy, and the ease of going mobile with laptops, consoles, or Steam Deck.
Lenovo / Acer / HP / ASUS – Hybrids Push Portability
Lenovo, Acer, HP, and ASUS are names traditionally focused on desktop and laptop monitors. However, 2025 is the year where all four brands have started making major inroads into portable, gaming, and hybrid monitor markets.
Lenovo just announced a line of curved OLED gaming monitors that push their cinematic contrast ratio and inky blacks to travel setups.
Acer and HP now have a portfolio of lightweight USB-C portable displays aimed at office workers and casual gamers.
ASUS is a power-house in gaming monitors, but its technology is also found in professional and productivity displays.
These brands are particularly strong for mainstream users who don’t want to veer from reliable, well-known monitor brands. A Lenovo or ASUS portable monitor will be more expensive, but support more extensive warranties and local service options. They also tend to be widely available in brick-and-mortar stores.
Their models don’t typically reach the same heights in niche areas like extreme customization and portability – you can’t get a 240Hz UltraWide portable monitor from these brands (yet) – but for everyday gaming and office use, they’re worth considering.
1. UPERFECT – The Travel Champion
UPERFECT doesn’t release single flagship portable monitors – rather it has a full stable of products in the portable gaming monitor, productivity, and content creation space.
The lineup includes:
- 4K HDR displays for professional creatives and editors
- 144Hz portable gaming monitors
- 240Hz options for high refresh rate enthusiasts
- Dual portable monitor setups for content creators and streamers
UPERFECT’s differentiators are:
- Modularity in its accessories – stands, magnetic cover options, adapters
- Wide selection of connectivity (USB-C, HDMI, Mini DP, etc.)
- Cross-platform compatibility for Windows, macOS, Android, Linux and game consoles
UPERFECT is the only portable monitor brand with the comprehensive library of products for professionals and power-users.
2. ASUS ROG Series – For Hardcore Gamers
ASUS’ ROG (Republic of Gamers) line of products is already well-established in the dedicated gaming market, and that strength extends to their selection of gaming portable monitors.
A 2025 favorite, the ASUS ROG XG16AHPE, has:
- 15.6-inch FHD display
- 144Hz refresh rate (support for Adaptive-Sync)
- In-built 7800mAh battery for up to 3 hours of play
- Smart folding stand (ergonomic angles)
ASUS portable monitors are praised for premium build, aggressive RGB accents, and their extensive after-market accessory support. Reviewers in 2025 put them at the top for one reason – they are the few portable monitors on the market that can handle competitive gaming.
3. G-Story and Other Esports Brands
For those seeking the highest refresh rates in the tiniest package possible, G-Story and other like-minded brands are bringing the energy of esports into the portable monitor market.
An example would be the G-Story GSV56QM:
- 15.6-inch panel
- 165Hz refresh rate
- 1ms response time
- Clip-on, ultra-portable form factor
Console gamers, laptop warriors, and mobile streamers wanting a low-latency, fast refresh rate second screen will all benefit from monitors like G-Story’s. As one popular hardware site’s review in early 2025 put it, G-Story’s portable monitors have “performance punch to rival desktop monitors” – something hard to say given their size.
4. ViewSonic and Other Mainstream Brands
ViewSonic has a portfolio of smart, well-balanced portable monitors in 2025, namely the VX1755 and VX1655-4K. ViewSonic’s latest have focused on a balanced approach that could fit a “jack-of-all-trades” consumer.
- VX1755 – Gaming model with 144Hz refresh rate and FreeSync
- VX1655-4K – Content creation/professional model with 4K resolution
ViewSonic’s monitors prioritize cross-industry versatility, solid performance across the board, and can handle work or entertainment modes. Plus, their build quality, stability, and calibration are also great for professionals who want a reliable 2-in-1 device to play games on.
The portable gaming monitor market of 2025 is a more crowded field than ever. For building a dual-screen travel setup, mobile esports setup, or just a portable productivity monitor that can double as a gaming display, check out our recommendations. It’s clear to us that brands like UPERFECT and ASUS are blazing a trail, while ViewSonic, Lenovo, Acer, HP, and G-Story produce excellent alternatives.
Don’t buy a portable gaming monitor before checking our main features you need for productivity (144Hz+, USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode), gaming (FreeSync/G-Sync), and other use cases like professional editing (4K or UHD support).
What Makes UPERFECT’s Offering Stand Out
UPERFECT’s model options were already mentioned at the start so lets now dive into why the 18″ 2K FreeSync 144 Hz and 24″ portable options (linked and highlighted at [Anchor Text 3] ) are worth putting on your shortlist.
Screen size & resolution: 18″ is a good compromise size for portability while still being a substantial and comfortable size for gaming. Paired with 2K (2560×1440) resolution, you get much sharper and detailed visuals compared to 1080p, and that extra clarity comes in handy when playing games, but also when you use it for other activities.
Refresh & FreeSync: The 144Hz refresh rate provides super-smooth motion, this is a big deal for any action titles, racing games or if you have a portable rig that is capable of outputting high frame rates. FreeSync support is important since it allows the screen to dynamically adjust to the frame rate output from your system (GPU) which prevents tearing and stutter.
Connectivity: The UPERFECT design (desktop-style casing with the screen hinged at one end, USB-C etc.) means it has support for USB-C alt mode, USB-C power, HDMI, and of course is cross-compatible with most laptop, console and handheld scenarios. So you’re not locked into a single device.
Versatility / dual-screen support: If you opt for the 24″ portable model, you can setup a full dual portable monitor rig on the go.
Travel-friendly build: It’s lighter and thinner than a full 27″ desktop monitor and much more so compared to say, a 24″ or 21.5″ curved gaming monitor. So when you’re weighing backpack options or slipping into a corner of your side-desk setup it’s more realistic.
Brand-dedicated focus: UPERFECT focuses just on portable monitors (including gaming uses) they therefore tend to optimise their monitor designs for these trade-offs (weight, power draw, connectivity, travel use case) versus other brands which have more resources but adapt a desktop monitor into a travel one rather.
So the takeaway is that UPERFECT’s offering is more specialised in the travel + gaming setup than the mainstream monitors which just call themselves “desktop portable”.
Comparative Summary: How the Top Picks Stack Up
Here’s a side-by-side style summary of the key models mentioned:
| Model | Size & Resolution | Refresh & Gaming Features | Best For |
| UPERFECT (18″ 2K 144Hz) | 18″, 2560×1440 | 144Hz, FreeSync | Balanced travel + gaming with clarity |
| UPERFECT (24″ option) | ~24″ size, portable category | High refresh; large screen portable | Bigger portable display for semi-desk use |
| ASUS ROG portable series | ~17″ smaller portable size | Up to 144Hz+, strong gamer features | Brand-driven gamer tech, premium |
| G-Story GSV56QM | 15.6″, 1920×1080 | 165Hz, 1ms response | Competitive gamers on the go, smaller size |
| ViewSonic portable models | 15.6–17″, 1080p or QHD | 144Hz options, good connectivity | Multi-use portability (gaming + productivity) |
Key takeaways
- Maximum refresh rate / lowest latency / smallest size = G-Story is strong, but you sacrifice screen size and resolution for it.
- Biggest portable size without screen size compromise = UPERFECT’s 24 inch portable monitor.
- Best overall balance (size, refresh, clarity, portability) = UPERFECT’s 18″ 2K 144Hz hits a sweet-spot.
If you care about broader brand ecosystem, extra gamer-specific features (RGB, stands, community accessory support, look and feel) ASUS ROG is the top tier product to consider.
Use-Case Scenarios: Choosing the Right Monitor for Your Setup
Portable monitors let you customise your setup for different use cases, you may have more than one such scenario to consider. Let’s look at some of the common scenarios in your choice process.
- Scenario A: Laptop + Travel Gamer
You are a frequent traveller and also a laptop gamer. You want something which easily fits into your bag, has USB-C connectivity so you can connect to your laptop and still get a good refresh and visual experience when you’re playing in a hotel or at a café.
Recommendation: UPERFECT’s 18″ 2K 144Hz or a 15–17″ ASUS ROG portable model. The decision here is mainly based on how it fits the trade-offs you’re willing to make between portable + performance.
- Scenario B: Handheld PC or Console Dock Setup
You own a handheld gaming PC or gaming console (eg Steam Deck style device) and want a larger screen while away from home but also want it to be transportable/portable. You will connect to a power bank or USB-C hub when on the go.
Recommendation: Something like UPERFECT, with 144Hz+, USB-C alt mode and HDMI. You’re no longer constrained by a system in this scenario. High refresh rate helps to reduce visible motion blur on action titles.
- Scenario C: Semi-Desktop Portable Setup
You work or work/play at different locations, often switch between home, coworking spaces or travel to places and want a monitor which acts as a gaming display AND productivity screen. You have some space for a slightly bigger panel and want to use it alongside a console/PC/laptop or something.
Recommendation: UPERFECT’s 24″ portable monitor . The bigger screen size now makes desktop work feasible while the gaming specs offer flexibility. If “portable” for you means: something that’s “desk-portable” then it can work as a great replacement for your main monitor.
- Scenario D: Competitive eSports Player on the Move
You are an active participant in LANs and travel tournaments etc. and so need the fastest possible display while on the go. Size is secondary in this scenario. Refresh rate (165Hz+), 1ms response time, ultra-low input lag etc. are your top priorities.
Recommendation: G-Story GSV56QM, or a high-end ASUS ROG portable model. Size is secondary but you get a ton of speed.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Portable Gaming Monitor
Some specific quick tips for portable monitors:
- Power delivery: If you use USB-C monitor connection, ensure your laptop/handheld actually delivers enough wattage and video bandwidth via it.
- Quality cables: Cheap USB-C alt mode and HDMI cables can throttle your refresh rate or resolution.
- Monitor stand / mount: Portable monitors still benefit from a good stand or desk clamp. Many portable monitors have a built-in kickstand but check weight/portability / desk clamp options.
- Latency calibration: Make sure “Game” or “Turbo” mode is enabled if available. Disable unnecessary scaling or post-processing that may add latency.
- Adaptive sync: Enable FreeSync or G-Sync (if your GPU supports it). Adaptive sync eliminates screen tearing, smoothing out the motion when frame rates are changing.
- Set refresh rate in OS: Many such portable monitors will default to 60Hz, check that you have set 120/144Hz in your OS settings, and in-game settings too.
- Resolution match to your hardware: Can your laptop/GPU match 1440p and 144 Hz smoothly? If not, you might be better at 1080p and 144 Hz for true fluidity in competitive games.
- Cooling & Placement: Portable monitors can still generate heat. Ensure good airflow if you connect the monitor to your console/laptop in a tight hotel kiosk.
- Transport-case: As you move the monitor around more, you want to avoid scratches on the screen or crushing. Invest in a good transport case.
- Productivity multitasking: Many portable monitors also double as a second screen you can use for work too. The high refresh rate of these screens are a nice bonus for productivity use cases like smoother scrolling, moving windows around, etc.
Final Thoughts
Portable gaming monitors are no longer the “just in case” accessory you brought with you in an emergency or bought off the shelf as a cheaper second monitor. In 2025, the gaming portable monitor has arrived, and they can offer high refresh, adaptive sync, ultra-low latency and full console/PC support that work for not just travel / working setups, but actively gaming too.