The best 4K portable monitors

Portable monitors are growing in popularity, particularly as there are more devices that can take advantage of the extra screen real estate. For example, portable monitors are of particular interest to laptop users but are also just at home connected to a mini PC or desktop computer. Similarly, compatible handheld gaming consoles, mobile phones and tablets are a great fit for a portable monitor.

The catch is a lot of portable monitors max out at a 1080p resolution. For fans of higher resolutions, though, 4K portable monitors are a versatile option that are as at home connected to less powerful devices as they are to those capable of outputting at 4K. In terms of costs, expect to pay at least $400 for a cheap 4K portable monitor, with prices that extend beyond $1,000 if you want to go all out.

Scroll on for the best 4K portable monitors you can buy in Australia.

The product name may not be particularly inspired, but the Cocopar Portable Monitor 4K is a versatile place to start comparisons. Why? For starters, it boasts a comparatively affordable $600-ish price with features to spare. On the screen front, you’ll get a 17.3-inch UHD IPS display. It’s great to see that almost every connection option is covered, too: from multiple USB-C-type ports to a full-sized HDMI port and a mini-DisplayPort. There’s also extended versatility via two USB 3.1 ports, which support fast charging. This Cocopar 4K portable monitor comes with a smart case that acts as a screen protector, but it’s also VESA mountable if you want it as a fixed addition to a desktop workstation.

For 4K portable monitor alternatives, consider any of the picks below alongside the Upperizon U156UH.

It costs around $200 to buy one of the cheapest 1080p portable monitors. But for 4K resolution, you’ll need to at least double that amount. Case in point, the Intehill U16NA, which you can pick up for just under $500. That’s a reasonable price to pay for a 16-inch 16:10-ratio 4K IPS display with a 60Hz refresh rate. Despite the comparatively cheap price, you’ll get a 4K portable monitor, a magnetic folio screen protector, a 20W power adaptor, plus an HDMI and USB-C cable. Practically speaking, you’re ready to connect the U16NA to a wide range of devices, including laptops, mini PCs and desktop computers, as well as games consoles.

For cheap 4K portable monitor alternatives, consider the 15.6-inch MagicRaven MGPM-15606 or the 13-inch Bewinner otmk15dfzs.

Touch-screens can be particularly handy for laptop users who aren’t fans of trackpad clunkiness and who also don’t want to lug around a mouse. It makes sense, then, to add a touch-screen portable monitor. While it’s a pricey investment, the Espresso Display 17 Pro is a feature-rich option. For starters, you get a 4K screen with great image quality, plus custom touch-screen drivers for more than just generic touch inputs. There’s also an included Espresso Stand Pro, which is the best magnetic stand I’ve ever used. There are two USB-C ports, so you can use one for plug-and-play display output with thousands of compatible devices, and the other for charging a connected device.

For 4K touch-screen alternatives, consider the pricier Magedock PI-X90 (below), otherwise there’s the cheaper Magedok T156K or DroiX PM14T.

For other portable gaming monitors, higher refresh rates are an important consideration. But for 4K portable monitors, refresh rates tend to tap out at 60Hz. That’s still a very playable refresh rate for most 4K games, and we recommend the Magedok PI-X9 as a pricy-but-worthy starting point for comparisons. The 16-inch 4K OLED touch-screen has a 100% colour gamut, 400-nit brightness and a speedy 1ms response time. There’s support for a stylus if you’re into digital doodling or scribing, and a VESA mount if you want to give the PI-X9 a more permanent home. The PI-X9 also has a full range of practical ports, which makes this portable monitor compatible with thousands of devices, including plenty of gaming options.

For alternatives, consider the cheaper non-OLED MagicRaven MGPM-15606 or one of the console-specific versions of the G-Story 4K portable gaming monitors.

Like with computer monitors or 4K TVs, you can expect to pay a premium for an OLED portable monitor. Set your budget at the $700+ mark, but you can also up the budget for a more premium option. Take the ViewSonic VX1655-4K-OLED, for instance. That extra investment is in a great-looking OLED portable screen. This ViewSonic 4K portable monitor is practically sized at 15.6 inches and boasts an OLED panel with inbuilt dual speakers. There’s also a 3.5mm audio jack, alongside two USB-C ports and a single mini-HDMI port, so plenty of connectivity for gaming laptops, mini PCs and handheld gaming PCs. It’s also great that ViewSonic includes the relevant cables and a protective cover in the box, too.

For 4K OLED alternatives, consider the cheaper ViewSonic VX1655-4K-OLED (above) or the C-force CF-15 Next.