Buying Guide
The Best Portable Monitor for Laptop Gaming
We weighed three monitors on refresh rate and screen size; the ARZOPA Z1FC has the largest screen size, and the AHXJKA 16 portable costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
A portable monitor gives a gaming laptop a second screen for chat or guides. Every pick is 18 inches or smaller, ordered from the lowest listed 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 refresh rate, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
AHXJKA 16-inch portable gaming monitor 144HzThe lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $100.
Check price for AHXJKA 16-inch portable gaming monitor 144Hz on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
KYY 15.6-inch PortableA PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand.
Best for: Buyers who want PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand.
Check price for KYY 15.6-inch Portable on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Screen Size
ARZOPA Z1FC 16.1-inch 144Hz PortableThe largest screen size here (16.1 inches).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size first.
Check price for ARZOPA Z1FC 16.1-inch 144Hz Portable on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Keeping the cost under $100. | Check price for AHXJKA 16-inch portable gaming monitor 144Hz on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand. | Buyers who want PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand. | Check price for KYY 15.6-inch Portable on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest screen size here (16.1 inches). | Buyers who put screen size first. | Check price for ARZOPA Z1FC 16.1-inch 144Hz Portable on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
AHXJKA 16-inch portable gaming monitor 144Hz
The AHXJKA 16 portable stands out for built-in speakers and VESA mounting, and it adds support for variable refresh rate.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $100.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: screen size of 16 inches, behind the ARZOPA Z1FC (16.1 inches).
Why we like it
It also offers a 144Hz refresh rate and offers a 16 inches screen size. On screen size it sits mid-pack at 16 inches: the ARZOPA Z1FC comes in at 16.1 inches, and the KYY 15.6 comes in at 15.6 inches. No other pick in this guide offers a 1920x1200 resolution; compare the KYY 15.6, which has a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
Worth noting: 133% sRGB colour coverage. Worth noting: FreeSync to reduce screen tearing. It makes the most sense for keeping the cost under $100, since it offers the lowest price of the group at our last check. It undercut the KYY 15.6 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 144Hz
- Resolution
- 1920x1200
- Size
- 16 inches
- Color gamut
- 133% sRGB
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 133% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync to reduce screen tearing
- Built-in speakers and VESA mounting
Cons
- Screen size of 16 inches, behind the ARZOPA Z1FC (16.1 inches)
Also Consider2 of 3
KYY 15.6-inch Portable
KYY's 15.6-inch 1080p IPS portable is the lowest-priced here at the time of writing.
Best for
- Buyers who want PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its refresh rate before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It connects over USB-C. Its 15.6-inch IPS screen is 0.3 inches thin and weighs 1.7 lbs, and two USB-C ports plus mini-HDMI connect laptops and consoles. Its 15.6 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the ARZOPA Z1FC leads at 16.1 inches.
It shares a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution with the ARZOPA Z1FC; the AHXJKA 16 portable goes with a 1920x1200 resolution. It also offers a PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand and two built-in speakers. You also get this: an IPS panel with wide viewing angles. When we checked, only the AHXJKA 16 portable cost less, and the ARZOPA Z1FC cost more.
Key specs
- Resolution
- 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size
- 15.6 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- a USB-C input for laptops
- PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand
- Two built-in speakers
Cons
- No published refresh rate
- Screen size trails the ARZOPA Z1FC (16.1 inches)
- Costs more than the AHXJKA 16 portable at the time of writing
The catch
If you want a confirmed refresh rate, look to the AHXJKA 16 portable instead: it offers 144Hz, while this one gives no figure.
Largest Screen Size3 of 3
ARZOPA Z1FC 16.1-inch 144Hz Portable
ARZOPA's Z1FC is a 16.1-inch 1080p IPS portable at 144Hz with 106% sRGB coverage.
Best for
- Buyers who put screen size first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the AHXJKA 16 portable cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It adds a high refresh rate at a low price. Nothing else here matches its 16.1 inches screen size; the AHXJKA 16 portable comes closest at 16 inches. Like the KYY 15.6, it has a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution, while the AHXJKA 16 portable uses a 1920x1200 resolution.
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. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the KYY 15.6 and the rest.
Key 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
- Costs more than the AHXJKA 16 portable at the time of writing
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side three monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 6 fields compared are stated for every pick, while refresh rate and panel have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the AHXJKA 16 portable to the ARZOPA Z1FC, state resolution and screen size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The KYY 15.6 gives no refresh rate; the AHXJKA 16 portable gives no panel.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the AHXJKA 16 portable ($50 to $100) to the ARZOPA Z1FC ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Portable Monitor for Laptop Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Screen size
The ARZOPA Z1FC tops screen size at 16.1 inches and the KYY 15.6 sits lowest at 15.6 inches. The AHXJKA 16 portable comes second at 16 inches, in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 for the ARZOPA Z1FC.
Color gamut
The AHXJKA 16 portable lists 133% sRGB; the ARZOPA Z1FC lists 106% sRGB. Settling color gamut first narrows 2 picks to 1 or 1.
Two monitors side by side on a desk Extras that separate them
The AHXJKA 16 portable: support for variable refresh rate. The KYY 15.6: two built-in speakers. The ARZOPA Z1FC: portrait and landscape modes.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the AHXJKA 16 portable and the KYY 15.6; $100 to $150 buys the ARZOPA Z1FC at our last check.
A desk with a main monitor and small extra screens beside it Start from what matters most
Keeping the cost under $100: the AHXJKA 16 portable. Buyers who put screen size first: the ARZOPA Z1FC.
How to Choose a Portable Monitor for Laptop Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $100 | AHXJKA 16 portable | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand | KYY 15.6 | A PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand |
| Buyers who put screen size first | ARZOPA Z1FC | The largest screen size here (16.1 inches) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ARZOPA Z1FC leads on screen size at 16.1 inches, ahead of the AHXJKA 16 portable at 16 inches. "Not listed" marks refresh rate where the KYY 15.6 leaves the figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHXJKA 16 portable | 144Hz | 1920x1200 | 16 inches | Not listed |
| KYY 15.6 | Not listed | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 15.6 inches | IPS |
| ARZOPA Z1FC | 144Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 16.1 inches | IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The AHXJKA 16 portable was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the ARZOPA Z1FC the highest ($100 to $150) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | AHXJKA 16 portable, KYY 15.6 |
| About $100 to $150 | ARZOPA Z1FC |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ARZOPA Z1FC ahead of the AHXJKA 16 portable on screen size?
The ARZOPA Z1FC leads at 16.1 inches, with the AHXJKA 16 portable at 16 inches. The KYY 15.6 closes the ranking at 15.6 inches.
What does the ARZOPA Z1FC add over the AHXJKA 16 portable?
On paper it adds screen size (16.1 inches against 16 inches). On our last price check the AHXJKA 16 portable was in the $50 to $100 tier and the ARZOPA Z1FC in the $100 to $150 tier, with 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if screen size decides your purchase.
Why is the ARZOPA Z1FC our Largest Screen Size pick?
The label rests on the largest screen size here (16.1 inches). On screen size it leads the AHXJKA 16 portable, 16.1 inches against 16 inches, a 1% margin. The AHXJKA 16 portable, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts screen size first.
Do the AHXJKA 16 portable and the KYY 15.6 differ on resolution?
The AHXJKA 16 portable uses 1920x1200; the KYY 15.6 and the ARZOPA Z1FC use 1920x1080 (1080p).
What extras do the AHXJKA 16 portable and the KYY 15.6 include?
The AHXJKA 16 portable: built-in speakers and VESA mounting. The KYY 15.6: a PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand. The ARZOPA Z1FC: a built-in kickstand.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the AHXJKA 16 portable, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the KYY 15.6 for a PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand and the ARZOPA Z1FC for the largest screen size here (16.1 inches) if those matter more to you.
Check that your laptop's USB-C port carries video before relying on one cable.
Related Guides
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- Also see: monitors for work and everyday useMonitor Size, Resolution and Pixel Density: Sharp Text at Your Distance
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- Topic hubAll portable monitors guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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