Buying Guide
The Best 144Hz Portable Monitors
We weighed three monitors on refresh rate and screen size; the ARZOPA Z3FC has the highest refresh rate, and the TECLAST 16 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
144Hz is the line where motion starts to look noticeably smoother for this kind of setup. Every monitor here refreshes at 144Hz or more and is a portable screen of 18 inches or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh refresh rate, resolution and size as the makers state them; we did not test these monitors ourselves, and if a maker skips panel, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
TECLAST 16-inch 144Hz Portable
Undercutting the ARZOPA Z1FC on price when we checked.
Best for: Getting 144Hz with FreeSync for the least money.
Our take Check price for TECLAST 16-inch 144Hz Portable (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ARZOPA Z1FC 16.1-inch 144Hz Portable
A built-in kickstand.
Best for: Buyers who want built-in kickstand.
Our take Check price for ARZOPA Z1FC 16.1-inch 144Hz Portable (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
ARZOPA Z3FC 16.1-inch 2.5K 180Hz Portable
The highest refresh rate here (180Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Our take Check price for ARZOPA Z3FC 16.1-inch 2.5K 180Hz Portable (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the ARZOPA Z1FC on price when we checked. | Getting 144Hz with FreeSync for the least money. | Check price for TECLAST 16-inch 144Hz Portable (opens in a new tab) |
| A built-in kickstand. | Buyers who want built-in kickstand. | Check price for ARZOPA Z1FC 16.1-inch 144Hz Portable (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest refresh rate here (180Hz). | Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates. | Check price for ARZOPA Z3FC 16.1-inch 2.5K 180Hz Portable (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
TECLAST 16-inch 144Hz Portable on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
TECLAST's 16-inch portable runs 1920x1200 at 144Hz with 100% sRGB coverage and FreeSync.
Best for
- Getting 144Hz with FreeSync for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size matters most to you; the ARZOPA Z1FC offers 16.1 inches.
Why we like it
It combines a taller screen with a high refresh rate. Its 16-inch 1920x1200 panel runs at 144Hz with 100% sRGB, and one USB-C cable carries video and power. HDMI covers consoles.
On refresh rate it ties with the ARZOPA Z1FC at 144Hz. Its 16 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the ARZOPA Z1FC leads at 16.1 inches. A 1920x1200 resolution is unique to it among these picks, while the ARZOPA Z3FC uses a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution.
A 100% sRGB color gamut is unique to it among these picks, while the ARZOPA Z3FC uses a 107% sRGB color gamut. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the ARZOPA Z1FC was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1200
- Size: 16 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Color gamut: 100% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 100% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Screen size trails the ARZOPA Z1FC (16.1 inches)
Also Consider2 of 3
ARZOPA Z1FC 16.1-inch 144Hz Portable on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ARZOPA's Z1FC is a 16.1-inch 1080p IPS portable at 144Hz with 106% sRGB coverage.
Best for
- Buyers who want built-in kickstand.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the ARZOPA Z3FC offers 180Hz.
Why we like it
It adds a high refresh rate at a low price. It matches the TECLAST 16 on refresh rate (144Hz). On screen size it ties with the ARZOPA Z3FC at 16.1 inches.
No other pick in this guide offers a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution; compare the TECLAST 16, which has a 1920x1200 resolution. No other pick in this guide offers a 106% sRGB color gamut; compare the TECLAST 16, which has a 100% sRGB color gamut. You also get a built-in kickstand and portrait and landscape modes.
At 1080p, 144Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper TECLAST 16 and the pricier ARZOPA Z3FC, at the time of writing. The trade-off is refresh rate; for more, the ARZOPA Z3FC offers 180Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 16.1 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Color gamut: 106% sRGB
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 106% sRGB colour coverage
- a USB-C input for laptops
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the ARZOPA Z3FC (180Hz)
- Costs more than the TECLAST 16 at the time of writing
Fastest Refresh3 of 3
ARZOPA Z3FC 16.1-inch 2.5K 180Hz Portable on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ARZOPA's Z3FC raises a 16.1-inch portable to 2560x1440 at 180Hz with 400 nits of listed brightness.
Best for
- Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the TECLAST 16 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is the sharpest and fastest portable here. Nothing else here matches its 180Hz refresh rate; the TECLAST 16 comes closest at 144Hz. On screen size it ties with the ARZOPA Z1FC at 16.1 inches.
It is the only pick here with a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution; the TECLAST 16 has a 1920x1200 resolution instead. It is the only pick here with a 107% sRGB color gamut; the TECLAST 16 has a 100% sRGB color gamut instead. It also offers two USB-C ports and mini HDMI and a listing that names PS5, Xbox and Steam Deck. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ARZOPA Z1FC.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 180Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 16.1 inches
- Color gamut: 107% sRGB
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- 107% sRGB colour coverage
- a USB-C input for laptops
Cons
- Costs more than the TECLAST 16 at the time of writing
How We Chose These 144Hz Portable Monitors
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up three monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the TECLAST 16 to the ARZOPA Z3FC, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share USB-C.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ARZOPA Z3FC gives no panel.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the TECLAST 16 ($50 to $100) to the ARZOPA Z3FC ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a 144Hz Portable Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate across these picks
Here refresh rate runs from 144Hz on the ARZOPA Z1FC to 180Hz on the ARZOPA Z3FC. Start with the ARZOPA Z3FC if refresh rate decides it.
How much screen size you need
Here screen size runs from 16 inches on the TECLAST 16 to 16.1 inches on the ARZOPA Z1FC. The ARZOPA Z1FC is the pick for screen size.
Color gamut
The TECLAST 16 lists 100% sRGB; the ARZOPA Z1FC lists 106% sRGB; the ARZOPA Z3FC lists 107% sRGB. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Extras that separate them
The TECLAST 16: USB-C single-cable video and power. The ARZOPA Z1FC: portrait and landscape modes. The ARZOPA Z3FC: two USB-C ports and mini HDMI.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the TECLAST 16 and the ARZOPA Z1FC; $100 to $150 buys the ARZOPA Z3FC at our last check.
How to Choose a 144Hz Portable Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 144Hz with FreeSync for the least money | TECLAST 16 | Undercutting the ARZOPA Z1FC on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want built-in kickstand | ARZOPA Z1FC | A built-in kickstand |
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | ARZOPA Z3FC | The highest refresh rate here (180Hz) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ARZOPA Z3FC leads on refresh rate at 180Hz, ahead of the TECLAST 16 at 144Hz. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TECLAST 16 | 144Hz | 1920x1200 | 16 inches | IPS |
| ARZOPA Z1FC | 144Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 16.1 inches | IPS |
| ARZOPA Z3FC | 180Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 16.1 inches | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The TECLAST 16 was the lowest-priced pick and the ARZOPA Z3FC the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | TECLAST 16, ARZOPA Z1FC |
| About $100 to $150 | ARZOPA Z3FC |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the TECLAST 16 compare with the ARZOPA Z3FC on refresh rate?
The ARZOPA Z3FC leads at 180Hz, with the TECLAST 16 at 144Hz.
What does the ARZOPA Z3FC add over the TECLAST 16?
On paper it adds refresh rate (180Hz against 144Hz) and screen size (16.1 inches against 16 inches). The TECLAST 16 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the ARZOPA Z3FC our Fastest Refresh pick?
It earns the label for the highest refresh rate here (180Hz). It suits esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Do the TECLAST 16 and the ARZOPA Z1FC differ on resolution?
The TECLAST 16 uses 1920x1200; the ARZOPA Z1FC uses 1920x1080 (1080p); the ARZOPA Z3FC uses 2560x1440 (1440p).
What extras do the TECLAST 16 and the ARZOPA Z1FC include?
The TECLAST 16: 144Hz with FreeSync. The ARZOPA Z1FC: a built-in kickstand. The ARZOPA Z3FC: 400 nits brightness.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the TECLAST 16, chosen for undercutting the ARZOPA Z1FC on price when we checked. Look at the ARZOPA Z1FC for a built-in kickstand if those matter more to you.
Use the cable in the box; older cables can cap the refresh rate.