Being able to play video games anywhere isn't a given for everyone. Some gamers own a laptop and therefore don't know what we're talking about. However, most gaming purists are attached to their desktop PC, but their monitor isn't easy to transport. Rest assured, we offer a buyer's guide to the best 4K monitors , so you can play anywhere with the best possible resolution.
Things to know before buying a 4K portable monitor!
- Portable monitors are screens that can be transported more easily
- This does not necessarily mean that they are more fragile
- Don't focus solely on screen resolution! Size, resolution, and panel specifications are all important factors to consider, as we explain in our buying guide!
Comparison of the best portable 4K monitors
Looking for a high-quality portable screen? We'll share our selection of the best 4K ultra HD portable monitors – an essential accessory for you, mobile and easy to carry!
1. The best 4K portable monitor for the price!
Features and Reviews
This 15.6-inch Ultra HD portable monitor from UPERFECT is the first in our selection. Integrated HDR and FreeSync allow you to work or play games in stunning 4K resolution. Offering an exceptional graphics experience, this portable monitor delivers realistic images and detail. This portable 4K monitor stands out with its 3840 x 2160 resolution in 4K Ultra HD. The screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio.
To connect it to your devices, UPERFECT offers four connectors: VGA, USB, DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, and Thunderbolt. Weighing just 849g and measuring 35.7 x 22.5 x 1.1 cm, you can take it anywhere. It's one of the most compact and lightweight monitors on the market. It comes with a carrying case and a screen protector that reduces eye strain and blue light during extended use.
2. JOHNWILL. 13.3-inch 4K Portable Monitor
Features and Reviews
The JOHNWILL monitor is next in our selection. With its 13.3-inch screen, this monitor has plenty to offer. Made from CNC-machined aluminum alloy, its casing is both durable and lightweight. Two integrated 1.5W speakers allow you to enjoy the sound effects as well. With a 3840 x 2160 Ultra HD 4K resolution, experience unparalleled graphics and stunning image quality. Its greatest strength is its versatility.
You can connect it to your PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One consoles, your car stereo, a drone, or even medical equipment. JOHNWILL offers its users two HDMI ports and two 3.5 mm audio jacks. It's also possible to use the Type-C port to connect it to a smartphone. For power supply , the manufacturer provides a USB port. With its compact design, at only 9.5 mm thick, this monitor is practical and suitable for all uses. It comes with a leather case to protect the screen.
3. 4K touchscreen SUPERFECT!
Features and Reviews
This 4K monitor from UPERFECT is one of the most highly regarded on the market. Its popularity stems from its 4K screen with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 UHD. It features FreeSync and integrated HDR. The images are breathtakingly high quality with over 8 million pixels. The details are incredibly realistic, drawing you right into the heart of the screen. When you connect the monitor to your smartphone, the gravity sensor, which can rotate up to 90°, automatically detects the orientation of your device and adjusts the position accordingly.
In terms of design, this portable 4K touchscreen monitor is only 5 mm thick. It's very lightweight, making it easy to take with you on the go. An adjustable stand is integrated for positioning it as you wish. For added convenience, this UPERFECT monitor features two USB-C ports and a mini HDMI port. This allows you to easily connect it to your computer, smartphone, game consoles, and more. With its highly responsive touchscreen, you can use it immediately without any setup. Simply plug in the USB cable and access the touchscreen functionality.
It's important to know that to use the touchscreen, the connected device must have a USB-C port. It also features two built-in speakers. For your gaming sessions, this monitor offers two gaming modes.
Buying guide and FAQ to help you choose your 4K portable monitor!
What a joy to have a portable 4K monitor at hand! A few years ago, it would have been very difficult to find a mini portable screen… Today, they are suitable for gamers and the general public !
We offer this buying guide to help you make the right choice and select a portable 4K external monitor that suits your needs!
What is the difference between a portable monitor and other PC screens?
What will a portable monitor allow me to do compared to computer screens?
- This small portable PC screen , unlike its desktop counterpart, can be transported anywhere very easily.
- Perfectly suited for gaming, they allow gamers to transport their gaming equipment without adding extra bulk .
- These portable monitors , like a tablet, can be placed anywhere , allowing you to play games, work, or watch a series without any problems.
Is 4K really useful for gaming?
Is 4K screen resolution essential for a portable monitor to get the most out of your screen? Let's face it, playing games in ultra-high definition or watching your favorite series anywhere is a must for all mobile geeks !
4K technology primarily allows for larger screen sizes and a higher pixel count, resulting in exceptional image quality superior to full HD 1080p. Therefore, if you're considering a portable 4K monitor, you should opt for the largest screen size possible !
However, be careful… For portable monitors used on a gaming PC , make sure your system is compatible with your graphics card . There's no point in buying a 4K LED gaming monitor if your laptop can't run games in 4K!
Good to know : If you are looking for an ultra high-definition desktop monitor, we invite you to see the best 4K PC monitors .
Who are these 4K PC monitors intended for?
A portable 4K gaming monitor can be highly appreciated by gamers due to its portability and ease of use, which will delight seasoned video game players. For example, it can be used as a portable PS4 screen for LAN parties at friends' houses!
4K will allow you to display your games with an extraordinary resolution , guaranteeing total immersion, if they are compatible of course.
If you're one of those rare people who needs an additional screen for your laptop , then a 4K external monitor is for you! It preserves the highest quality of your work, ensuring unparalleled visual comfort.
Criteria for choosing the best 4K portable monitor
Screen resolution
As we briefly mentioned earlier, the resolution of your monitor is one of the main characteristics to consider, as it will determine the visual comfort you will have on your screen.
However, be careful not to fall into the trap of focusing solely on this technical characteristic. As we'll see later, you can very well play in 4K with a refresh rate of 10, which will make your gaming experience a real ordeal. In any case, there are different types of resolution, which we detail below:
- Full HD (the high definition that is very common nowadays)
- QHD or WQHD
- 4K
These are the 3 solutions you can find:
Full HD – The best price
Full HD refers to screens with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels . This is the well-known 1080p HD that you see everywhere. As you can guess, it's a decent resolution that will satisfy everyday users, especially since it allows you to buy one of the cheapest portable monitors on the market .
However, this is not the most optimal option for demanding gamers who want to play in 4K to enjoy the graphics.
QHD, or the resolution for gamers
QHD (or WQHD) refers to computer monitors with a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels . This is the well-known 1440p you may have seen. This screen resolution offers superior gaming comfort and image quality compared to Full HD. Perfect for hardcore gamers!
4K portable monitors, the Rolls-Royce of portable screens
4K resolution corresponds to PC monitors with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels . Needless to say, with that, you're in for a visual treat. This is one of the highest resolutions available on the market.
Be aware that you might find 5K or even 8K , however, unless you work in a specialized industry, no video games are compatible with these high resolutions. That's why we recommend 4K resolution if you're willing to spend a bit more and become the king of the gaming world .
Which screen panel should I choose for a 4K portable monitor?
Of course, if you don't have much computer knowledge, this whole screen might seem obscure. And for good reason! We're getting into technical details that the most hardcore users will appreciate. After this, you'll know absolutely everything about portable 4K monitors!
So what are the differences between all these tiles?
TN panels for the more traditional
TN panels are the most common type found in PC monitors. While they offer lightning-fast display times, this comes at the cost of poor image quality and a low refresh rate .
The chances of finding a 4K portable monitor with a TN panel are slim, or we advise you to avoid it!
IPS panels for a stunning monitor
IPS panels have a lower display speed than TN panels , but this comes at the cost of a much brighter image and resplendent colors.
An IPS screen is ideal for gamers who have prioritized visual quality over performance on their graphics card. This allows them to enjoy a portable screen with high-quality display.
VA panels for those who can't decide
As you gathered from the title above, portable monitors with VA panels are for those who can't quite decide, other than finding a balance. With these PC monitor panels, you get a perfect mix between an IPS and a TN panel .
OLED panels for the perfect portable monitor
If you decide to opt for a 4K portable monitor, there's a good chance you'll want to choose one with an OLED panel. It would be a shame not to be able to enjoy deep colors at such a high resolution as 4K !
Gaming enthusiasts will be well catered for here and will be able to enjoy extraordinary graphics on their monitor with a wide viewing angle and exceptional colorimetry .
The downside of this type of screen? They are very fragile and quite expensive. However, we have no doubt that you will take good care of it!
What do Gsync, Vsync, and Freesync mean?
These technical-sounding names refer to technologies that allow you to synchronize the refresh rate with your graphics card. So, if your card doesn't support a 60Hz display, this technology, present in your laptop , will synchronize (that's what "sync" means) what your screen can display with what your graphics card can produce. This helps prevent glitches, overheating, and excessive battery drain. There are three types:
- Vsync : it can be found on most screens , it is the least efficient of all.
- G-Sync : This technology is only compatible with NVIDIA graphics cards.
- Freesync : it's simply AMD compatible with their own graphics card.
Choosing the right size for your 4K monitor
Screen sizes are measured in inches, which represents the diagonal measurement of your screen. This is how its dimensions are calculated.
Along with resolution, screen size is one of the most important criteria when choosing a portable 4K monitor.
When it comes to gaming, the higher your screen resolution, the more you want to enjoy it, right? Therefore, it's a shame to have 4K resolution on a small screen , and a low resolution on a giant screen could be painful to look at. As you can see, it's important to consider these two factors to ensure a truly enjoyable gaming without any unpleasant surprises.
A portable monitor has its size limitations! You'll obviously have to rule out an 85-inch screen. Your choice will therefore be between 19 and 32 inches , which is already a good size. If you want 4K, the bigger the better. However, you'll get a good alternative with a 17-inch portable monitor , which is ideal for gaming.
Good to know : If you're looking for ultrawide computer screens, you'll love our comparison of Ultrawide monitors !
Choose responsiveness: response time
There's a factor more important than your computer screen's image quality: response time, or latency . This is what will allow you to achieve high performance.
It characterizes the time between when you press a key and when the action occurs on the screen. Needless to say, for a portable gaming monitor, a very low response time is essential, otherwise its performance and gaming comfort will be significantly reduced.
This is something that is very well known to gamers, as it is similar to the lag ( latency ) that a bad connection can cause in a game.
In all cases, ensure that the response time, indicated in ms (milliseconds), of your 4K monitor is as low as possible.
To give you an idea, in order for it not to be noticeable, the response time of your PC screen should be between 0.5 (absolute 0 does not exist) and 5ms .
Scan rate, or how to play at 60 FPS every time
This is something that PC gamers know well, as it depends on the performance of their computer (and the optimization of the game in question): the scan rate.
This is traditionally given in FPS (frames per second) or Hz (Hertz). In France, you might also find it abbreviated as IPS (Image par seconde), both meaning the same thing. So when you watch a YouTube video in 720p60fps, you're watching a video with 60 frames per second.
As you've probably gathered, the refresh rate is an indicator of how smooth the image will be on screen. To give a smooth impression, the minimum acceptable frame rate is 30 fps; therefore, all 4K portable monitors are equipped to handle this type of refresh rate.
Generally speaking, we advise you to keep an eye on the maximum refresh rate your monitor can reach, knowing that beyond 144 Hz , you won't notice the difference with the naked eye. For high-quality 4K gaming, we recommend starting with a minimum of 120 Hz.
However, focus more on your PC's technical specifications, as it will do most of the work. For more details, we invite you to read our article on graphics cards and, further back, read our section on G-Sync, V-Sync, and FreeSync technologies.
Good to know : If you're looking for the best PC monitors based on refresh rate, check out our comparison of 144Hz and 240Hz monitors for gamers !
FAQs about 4K portable monitors
It's understandable that you might still have some questions about portable 4K monitors. Whether they're about gaming or other uses, we'll answer them in this FAQ!
Am I likely to have compatibility problems?
It's certain that before buying your mini PC screen, you checked all the features of your new 4K portable monitor so that you wouldn't have any unpleasant surprises!
And this unpleasant surprise could be the connectivity . Make it a point to choose a PC monitor with a connector that is compatible with your computer. There are several types of connectors, including:
HDMI (with an HDMI cable) and DisplayPort are the most common ports on the market today. Be aware that these come in several subcategories. For example, an HDMI port from 2010 won't be able to display 4K on your portable monitor, which would be a shame.
VGA and DVI ports : present on older models, they are gradually disappearing from the market, there is little chance that you will encounter them.
Take the time to check if the 4K monitor and your computer are compatible . If so, all you have to do is plug in your screen and enjoy the new resolution!
What do I gain by paying the price?
Price differences will primarily depend on resolution, followed by details such as response time and refresh rate . Furthermore, the ergonomics of the portable monitor also drive up the price (for example, whether it's a touchscreen, flat screen, etc.).
Keep in mind that a 4K gaming monitor will cost you! But it comes at the price of exceptional game fluidity and breathtaking resolution, in addition to greater durability and lower power consumption.
It's in your best interest to clearly define your budget and needs. If you're not a gamer, there's probably no need for a 144Hz refresh rate on your 4K monitor, right? Conversely, don't deprive yourself of good quality computer equipment that will last you a long time.
Now you have a choice!
What is the difference between LED and LCD?
Regarding 4K portable monitors, you have probably seen that there are LED and LCD .
It's simply the type of bulb present in your screen . These are what provide the pixels and image quality through brightness and color palette.
An LED PC monitor is likely to be more expensive than its LCD counterpart. While LEDs are more expensive to buy, they will save you energy and offer a more robust monitor!
As for an LCD monitor , it is more fragile to shock that could occur but guarantees to save your wallet in the present moment.
We recommend you choose a 4K LED portable monitor!
