What Size Portable Monitor Should I Get?

Quick Answer

For most people, 15.6 inches is the right size. It balances usable screen space with genuine portability: large enough for comfortable two-window multitasking, small enough to fit in most bags that carry a 14-inch or larger laptop, and light enough (700 to 900g) for daily carry. Choose 13.3 to 14 inches if you prioritise minimum weight and travel constantly. Choose 16 to 17.3 inches only if screen space matters more than portability and you carry a dedicated case. Match the monitor size to your laptop size where possible: a 13-inch laptop pairs naturally with a 13 to 14-inch monitor, while a 15 to 16-inch laptop pairs best with a 15.6-inch monitor.

Size Class 01 — Ultra Compact

10 to 12.5 Inches

Weight: 400 to 600g | Typical resolution: FHD | Best for: niche mobility needs

The smallest class of portable monitors serves specific niches: field technicians who need a diagnostic display, photographers wanting a compact preview screen, Raspberry Pi and single-board computer users, and console gamers who want a dedicated small screen for a Switch or Steam Deck dock. At this size, two-window productivity multitasking is impractical; the windows are too small to read comfortably.

Verdict: Only choose this class for a specific single-purpose use. For general productivity as a laptop second screen, it is too small.

Size Class 02 — Travel First

13.3 to 14 Inches

Weight: 550 to 750g | Typical resolution: FHD or 2560x1600 | Best for: frequent travelers, minimalists

Duex DS portable monitor

PCWorld notes that a 13.3-inch panel is great for frequent fliers and travelers looking to pack light, typically weighing a quarter to half a pound less than a 15.6-inch model with the downside that the smaller display can feel cramped. This class fits in almost any bag, adds barely noticeable weight, and is the natural pairing for 13 to 14-inch ultrabooks like the MacBook Air.

At 13.3 inches and 1080p resolution, pixel density reaches 166 PPI, workable for text, though the size limitation is noticeable when multitasking with two windows side by side. Display guides recommend 1440p at this size, where the 220 PPI density makes text noticeably crisper and compensates for the smaller physical dimensions.

Verdict: The right choice when minimum weight is the priority, and your work is primarily single-window reference use rather than heavy multitasking. Pair with a 13 to 14-inch laptop for a matched setup.

Size Class 03 — The Sweet Spot

15.6 to 16 Inches

Weight: 700 to 900g | Typical resolution: FHD or 2560x1600 | Best for: most users

Duex Float 2 Pro portable monitor

PCWorld describes 15.6-inch portable monitors as the better choice in many situations: viewing the display for long periods is more comfortable, they still fit in most bags that carry a 14-inch or larger laptop, and the larger size makes it easier to view small details in videos, photos, and digital art.

At 15.6 inches, FHD resolution produces approximately 141 PPI. As PCWorld puts it, a 15.6-inch portable monitor at 1080p looks nearly as sharp as a 27-inch monitor at 4K, because the smaller physical size concentrates the pixels. This is why FHD remains the right default at this size rather than a compromise.

Display guides consistently name 15.6 inches as the default recommendation: roughly the size of a standard laptop, it fits easily into a backpack or messenger bag without adding too much bulk, and is light enough to carry all day. Two full-size windows sit side by side comfortably, video calls display at a natural size, and the market offers the widest selection of models at every price point in this class.

Verdict: The default recommendation for most buyers. If you are unsure which size to get, get 15.6 inches.

Size Class 04 — Screen Space First

17.3 Inches and Above

Weight: 1.1 to 1.4kg | Typical resolution: FHD or QHD | Best for: stationary mobile setups

A 17.3-inch monitor offers approximately 25% more screen area than a 15.6-inch model, enhancing productivity for multitasking. That additional space is genuinely useful for spreadsheet-heavy work, timeline editing, and detailed design review. The cost is portability: at 1.1 to 1.4kg and typically 14 to 16 inches wide, a 17.3-inch display does not fit in a standard laptop sleeve and requires a dedicated carrying case.

Verdict: Choose this class only if you set up in one location for extended sessions (a hotel room for a week, a seasonal workspace) and screen area matters more than daily carry convenience. For daily commuting and frequent location changes, it is too large.

Relative Screen Area by Size (15.6 inch = 100%)

Screen area calculated from diagonal measurements at 16:9 aspect ratio. Source calculations: Accio Size Comparison Guide

Practical check before buying: Always check the actual physical dimensions of a monitor, not just the screen size. A 15.6-inch monitor with thick bezels might be larger than a 16-inch monitor with slim ones, and even an extra pound adds up when carried daily. Compare the monitor's stated width and height against your bag's laptop compartment before ordering.

Documents, Email, and General Productivity

15.6 inches

Two windows side by side work is the core productivity pattern, and 15.6 inches is the smallest size at which two windows are genuinely comfortable rather than cramped. FHD resolution at this size delivers 141 PPI text clarity that stays sharp through a full workday.

Constant Travel and Minimum Weight

13.3 to 14 inches

If the monitor lives in your bag every day across flights, trains, and commutes, the half pound saved by dropping to 13.3 or 14 inches is worth the reduced screen area. Choose a 1440p panel at this size if budget allows; the 220 PPI density keeps small text crisp and partially compensates for the smaller window sizes.

Creative Work: Photo, Video, Design

15.6 to 17.3 inches

Detail visibility scales with screen area. For reviewing photos, editing timelines, and design work, 15.6 inches is the working minimum and 17.3 inches is meaningfully better when the carrying trade-off is acceptable. Prioritise resolution (2560x1600 or higher) and colour accuracy (100% sRGB minimum) alongside size for this use case.

Gaming on the Go

15.6 to 17.3 inches, high refresh

For console or laptop gaming, screen immersion favours the larger classes. A 15.6 or 16.1-inch panel at 144Hz or 180Hz is the current sweet spot for portable gaming monitors, balancing visual immersion with the practicality of travel. At 17.3 inches, gaming feels closest to a desktop experience, but the carry weight approaches that of a second laptop.

Presentations and Client Sharing

15.6 inches or larger, wide viewing angle IPS

When the second screen faces a client or colleague across a table, size directly affects legibility at distance. A 15.6-inch IPS panel with 178-degree viewing angles is the practical minimum for shared viewing; 17.3 inches presents more comfortably to small groups. Touchscreen models add interactivity for collaborative sessions.

What size portable monitor should I get?

For most people, 15.6 inches is the right answer. It is the smallest size at which two windows sit side by side comfortably; it fits in most bags that carry a 14-inch or larger laptop, and at 700 to 900g it is light enough for daily carry. Choose 13.3 to 14 inches if you travel constantly and prioritise minimum weight. Choose 16 to 17.3 inches only if screen space matters more than portability and you are comfortable carrying a dedicated case. When in doubt, match or slightly exceed your laptop screen size.

Is a 13-inch portable monitor too small?

Not too small, but limited. At 13.3 inches, a single reference window, documentation, a chat panel, and a video call display comfortably. Two windows side by side feel cramped because each window becomes quite narrow. For users whose second screen use is primarily single-window reference material, 13.3 inches works well and saves meaningful weight. For users who split the second screen into multiple windows, 15.6 inches is the better choice. If choosing 13.3 inches, prefer a 1440p panel where available: the higher pixel density keeps small text crisp and makes the limited space more usable.

Is a 17.3-inch portable monitor too big to carry?

For daily commuting, usually yes. A 17.3-inch portable monitor weighs 1.1 to 1.4kg and does not fit in a standard laptop sleeve, requiring a dedicated carrying case. That combination makes it impractical for daily carry alongside a laptop. Where 17.3 inches works well: extended stays in one location (a week in a hotel, a seasonal remote work base), home setups that occasionally move between rooms, and users whose screen space needs genuinely outweigh carrying convenience. As a rule, if you set up and pack down more than once per day, stay at 15.6 inches or below.

Should my portable monitor be the same size as my laptop?

Matching or going one step larger is the most reliable approach. A matched pair (15.6-inch laptop with 15.6-inch monitor) renders windows and text at consistent scale across both screens and aligns the displays at similar heights. Going one size larger (13-inch laptop with 15.6-inch monitor) adds workspace without creating an awkward mismatch. Going smaller than the laptop is rarely satisfying: the second screen feels like a downgrade every time a window moves to it. For laptop-attached monitors that physically mount to the laptop lid, size compatibility with your specific laptop model matters even more; check the manufacturer's compatibility guidance before buying.

Does a bigger portable monitor need a higher resolution?

Yes, as size increases, resolution should follow to keep pixel density comfortable. At 13.3 inches, FHD produces 166 PPI (sharp). At 15.6 inches, FHD produces 141 PPI (still sharp for normal working distances). At 17.3 inches, FHD drops to 127 PPI, where text begins to soften slightly at close range; a 2560x1600 or QHD panel is the better pairing at this size. The general rule: FHD is the right resolution up to 15.6 inches, and 2560x1600 or higher earns its premium at 16 inches and above.

How much do portable monitors weigh at each size?

Typical weights: 10 to 12.5 inch models weigh 400 to 600g; 13.3 to 14 inch models weigh 550 to 750g; 15.6 to 16 inch models weigh 700 to 900g; and 17.3 inch models weigh 1.1 to 1.4kg. Build materials shift these ranges: aluminium-bodied premium models sometimes weigh less than plastic budget models of the same size. Always check the specific product weight rather than assuming from screen size, and remember to include the cover, stand, and cables in your carry calculation, which typically add 150 to 300g.

Will a 15.6-inch portable monitor fit in my laptop bag?

In most cases, yes, if your bag is designed for a 14-inch or larger laptop. A typical 15.6-inch portable monitor measures roughly 35 to 36cm wide and 22 to 23cm tall, similar to the footprint of a 15-inch laptop. Most backpacks and messenger bags with a 15-inch laptop compartment accommodate both the laptop and the monitor in separate slots or together in the main compartment. Before buying, check the monitor's actual physical dimensions against your bag: bezel thickness varies between models, and a slim bezel 16-inch monitor can be smaller than a thick bezel 15.6-inch one.