Buying Guide
The Best Portable Monitors Under $200
Four monitors ranked on refresh rate and screen size, where the ARZOPA Z3FC has the highest refresh rate; the TECLAST 16 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Under $200, the trade-offs are sharper, so it helps to know which spec you can give up. Every monitor here cost $200 or less when we checked and is a portable screen of 18 inches or less, ordered by refresh rate.
Rankings weigh refresh rate, resolution and size as the makers state them; if a maker skips panel, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
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)
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)
Strong Alternative
cocopar 15.6-inch Portable
VESA mounting holes.
Best for: Buyers who want VESA mounting holes.
Our take Check price for cocopar 15.6-inch Portable (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| 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) |
| VESA mounting holes. | Buyers who want VESA mounting holes. | Check price for cocopar 15.6-inch Portable (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Refresh1 of 4
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
- Skip it if price comes first: the TECLAST 16 cost less when we checked.
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 cocopar 15.6 has a 1920x1080 (1080p) 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 cocopar 15.6.
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
Lowest Price Here2 of 4
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
- Pass on it if refresh rate of 144Hz, behind the ARZOPA Z3FC (180Hz rules it out for your setup.
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 ranks third of 4 here, behind the ARZOPA Z3FC (16.1 inches) and ahead of the cocopar 15.6 (15.6 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 Z1FC uses a 106% sRGB color gamut. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the ARZOPA Z1FC was closest. What it gives up: refresh rate of 144Hz, behind the ARZOPA Z3FC (180Hz); by contrast, the ARZOPA Z3FC offers 180Hz.
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
- Refresh rate of 144Hz, behind the ARZOPA Z3FC (180Hz)
Also Consider3 of 4
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 price comes first: the TECLAST 16 cost less when we checked.
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.
Like the cocopar 15.6, it has a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution, while the ARZOPA Z3FC uses a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. No other pick in this guide offers a 106% sRGB color gamut; compare the ARZOPA Z3FC, which has a 107% 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 4, between the cheaper TECLAST 16 and the pricier cocopar 15.6, at the time of writing.
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
- Costs more than the TECLAST 16 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 4
cocopar 15.6-inch Portable on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The cocopar 15.6 stands out for VESA mounting holes, and it adds built-in speakers.
Best for
- Buyers who want VESA mounting holes.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: a 60Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games.
Why we like it
It also offers a 60Hz refresh rate and offers a 15.6 inches screen size. Two full-featured USB-C ports and an HDMI port connect laptops, PS4 and Xbox, and one USB-C cable can carry video and power. The 1080p IPS panel covers 85% of the color gamut with 178-degree viewing angles, and it can be VESA mounted.
Its 60Hz refresh rate is the lowest in this group; the ARZOPA Z3FC leads at 180Hz. On screen size it trails the group at 15.6 inches, while the ARZOPA Z3FC comes in at 16.1 inches. Like the ARZOPA Z1FC, it has a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution, while the ARZOPA Z3FC uses a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper ARZOPA Z1FC and the pricier ARZOPA Z3FC, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- 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
- VESA mounting holes
- Built-in speakers
Cons
- a 60Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games
- Refresh rate trails the ARZOPA Z3FC (180Hz)
- Screen size trails the ARZOPA Z3FC (16.1 inches)
How We Chose These Portable Monitors Under $200
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up four 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 4, from the ARZOPA Z3FC to the cocopar 15.6, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share USB-C.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ARZOPA Z3FC gives no panel; the cocopar 15.6 gives no color gamut.
- 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 Portable Monitor Under $200
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much refresh rate you need
Here refresh rate runs from 60Hz on the cocopar 15.6 to 180Hz on the ARZOPA Z3FC. The TECLAST 16 comes second for less money.
Screen size
Here screen size runs from 15.6 inches on the cocopar 15.6 to 16.1 inches on the ARZOPA Z3FC. For less, the ARZOPA Z1FC is the runner-up at 16.1 inches.
Color gamut
The ARZOPA Z3FC lists 107% sRGB; the TECLAST 16 lists 100% sRGB; the ARZOPA Z1FC lists 106% 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 cocopar 15.6: built-in speakers.
Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the TECLAST 16 and the ARZOPA Z1FC; $100 to $150 buys the cocopar 15.6 and the ARZOPA Z3FC at our last check.
How to Choose a Portable Monitor Under $200
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | ARZOPA Z3FC | The highest refresh rate here (180Hz) |
| 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 |
| Buyers who want VESA mounting holes | cocopar 15.6 | VESA mounting holes |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARZOPA Z3FC | 180Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 16.1 inches | Not listed |
| TECLAST 16 | 144Hz | 1920x1200 | 16 inches | IPS |
| ARZOPA Z1FC | 144Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 16.1 inches | IPS |
| cocopar 15.6 | 60Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 15.6 inches | IPS |
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 | cocopar 15.6, ARZOPA Z3FC |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest refresh rate: the ARZOPA Z3FC or the TECLAST 16?
The ARZOPA Z3FC leads at 180Hz, with the TECLAST 16 at 144Hz. The cocopar 15.6 is at the other end of this group with 60Hz.
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 ARZOPA Z3FC and the TECLAST 16 differ on resolution?
The ARZOPA Z3FC uses 2560x1440 (1440p); the TECLAST 16 uses 1920x1200; the ARZOPA Z1FC and the cocopar 15.6 use 1920x1080 (1080p).
What extras do the ARZOPA Z3FC and the TECLAST 16 include?
The ARZOPA Z3FC: 400 nits brightness. The TECLAST 16: 144Hz with FreeSync. The ARZOPA Z1FC: a built-in kickstand.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ARZOPA Z3FC. Look at the TECLAST 16 for undercutting the ARZOPA Z1FC on price when we checked, the ARZOPA Z1FC for a built-in kickstand and the cocopar 15.6 for VESA mounting holes if those matter more to you.
Set the refresh rate in Windows display settings; many screens start at 60Hz.