By Robin Owens 4 days ago, Monitors
Top-rated small monitors for all purposes.
If your workspace doesn’t have a lot of space or you need a smaller model to use as a secondary display – a small monitor is definitely the right choice.
Regardless of whether you’re using your computer for work, simple web browsing, or gaming, if you’re going to spend a lot of time in front of it, you’re going to need a high-quality computer screen.
When talking about monitors, most people tend to think that a bigger screen always equals better quality. However, that isn’t exactly the case.
Even though most monitor brands have lost interest in producing models below 24”, the market still offers a couple of high-quality small desktop monitors for users that aren’t interested in large screens and needless features.
We’ve hand-picked several 20-, 15-, and 10-inch models that are suitable for various applications, while also including a TV screen (supplied with an antenna tuner and speakers) and a portable USB-connected display.
Screen size: 15.6-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920X1080 | Brightness: 220 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Response time: 5 ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 800:1 | Color support: 72.4% sRGB
⊕ Ultra-Low Blue Light technology
⊕ Compatible with any laptop
⊕ Great software
⊖ A stand is difficult to use
Being the first portable monitor with a hybrid display ever, it can be connected to any laptop, provided you have a USB-cable.
This small monitor is quite easy to carry around as its weight is 0.78kg. Thanks to an ultra-slim profile of 8mm, you can hide it in your bag.
The Ultra-Low Blue Light technology that ASUS is known for minimizes blue light emissions thanks to four blue-light filters that can be quickly adjusted in the settings.
This small monitor under $300 will be appreciated by those, who travel a lot on business, but it also has some features appealing to gamers, for instance, a timer and crosshairs.
Screen size: 20-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1600x900 | Brightness: 250 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Response time: 60 ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: 99% sRGB
⊕ Great grayscale performance
⊕ Decent screen quality
⊖ Quite average brightness levels
Thanks to the lack of bezels, a user can enjoy a larger viewing area. The design enables one to use the monitor as a part of a dual monitor setup.
If you are on a budget, you won’t find a better deal with strong performance and high productivity.
This 20-inch small computer monitor has 1600x900 resolution, an average response rate of 5ms, and a refresh rate of 75Hz. However, the brightness levels of 250 cd/m2 are quite low.
The monitor works with any laptop or PC that runs on Windows 10. If you don’t have this OS, don’t worry, the monitor works perfectly well with Windows 7, 8, and XP.
Screen size: 15.6-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920x1080 | Brightness: 250 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 75 Hz | Response time: 14 ms | Viewing angle: 160/160 | Contrast ratio: 700:1 | Color support: 75,5% sRGB
⊕ IPS technology
⊕ Sharp image quality at 1080p
⊕ Doesn’t weigh much
⊖ Short and easily detachable USB-cable
⊖ Average dark-grayscale levels
Whether you are one of those, who travel a lot on business or just need to purchase a portable monitor to carry it around, the ASUS MB169B+ is a perfect option to consider.
As its back is made of plastic, it looks just like one of Zenbook’s lids thanks to its metallic color. A matte plastic used for other parts of the monitor gives it a stylish look.
The design makes the monitor look quite distinct as compared to the cheap, low-quality AOC e1659fwu.
Its performance is equally great when you are working with Microsoft Office software or watching a 1080p movie.
Screen size: 15.6-inch | Aspect ratio: 16: 9 | Resolution: 1366x768 | Brightness: 200 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Response time: 10 ms | Viewing angle: 90/65 | ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio (ASCR): 50000000:1 | Color support: 100% sRGB
⊕ Asus Eye Care technology
⊕ HDMI and VGA inputs
⊖ Doesn’t come with built-in speakers
The ASUS VT168H small computer monitor offers high image quality, a full set of inputs, terrific ergonomics, and a multisensory interface.
Thanks to the ability to process multiple finger touches simultaneously (up to 10 presses), the touchscreen UI of this model represents the perfect tool for working with Windows 10 applications that demand gesture controls.
This 15.6” touchscreen is perfect for supermarkets and malls or any other public establishments and can be used for cash registry or checking in. The stand that comes in the package allows you to place the monitor wherever you want and it won’t take up a lot of space due to its small size.
Screen size: 13.3-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920×1080 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Response time: 3-5 ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: 99% sRGB
⊕ Impressive brightness and contrast
⊕ Compatible with DC and USB-C power cables
⊕ Terrific dynamic contrast
⊕ "1920x1080 resolution
⊖ Not found
This is one of the best small LCD monitors for gaming due to the available support of PlayStation 3, 4, and other popular consoles.
It also comes with a lifetime warranty, eliminating most fears you may have about purchasing this model. You can connect the monitor to any of your gaming consoles thanks to the available Type-C input.
The screen offers a viewing angle of 178o, which is good enough for a fun gaming party with your friends. You can also use the monitor’s Type-C input for connecting to PCs that support Thunderbolt 3.0 and smartphones with USB 3.1 compatibility, without having to install any software.
The monitor also has solid integrated speakers, an anti-jamming system, and it even offers HDR support, making it the best small monitor in its class.
Screen size: 14-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920x1080 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Response time: 6 ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 700:1 | Color support: 99% sRGB
⊕ Slim Bezel Design
⊕ Power Passthrough
⊕ Matte coating, terrific color accuracy
⊕ Compatible with Android smartphones
⊖ The thick stand makes it less comfortable to transport
This small LCD monitor has a functional stand that allows rotating the screen from 0o to 90o upright. The ThinkVision can be perfectly aligned with your laptop’s angle to provide a comfortable experience with minimum bezel separation.
The base of the monitor comes with a pair of USB-C inputs that support the Display Port 2.1 and USB-C PD technologies for receiving video and power signals.
This cheap small monitor has a traditional LED power button and a 1-touch night mode. The latter makes the screen more yellow (reducing blue light), making the display more readable in the dark.
Another useful characteristic of this model is the available Kensington lock slot that allows attaching the monitor to your desk, which can be particularly handy for business users, who are worried about the safety of their equipment.
Screen size: 10.1-inch | Aspect ratio: 16: 9 | Resolution: 1920X1080 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Response time: 13/12 (TYP) (Tr/Td) ms | Viewing angle: 170/170 | Contrast ratio: 800: 1 | Color support: 100% sRGB
⊕ IPS matrix
⊕ Works with Windows 7/8/10
⊕ HDMI or VG connection
⊕ Sturdy, metal rack
⊖ Large bezel
⊖ Possible light leaks
This HD screen is only 10.1” thick, providing the most comfortable experience in the world of portable monitors. It is compatible with the entire line-up of Raspberry Pi devices such as the Pi 4,3, 2, and even the B and B+ models.
This is probably the smallest monitor powered by IPS LED technology, which provides revolutionary color performance. The Elecrow Display also comes with integrated speakers that offer decent sound quality.
Being only 255mm by 164mm by 28mm in size, this product is the embodiment of portability. The screen offers great performance in temperatures ranging from 30℃ to +50℃.
Along with the monitor, you’ll also receive a metal rack, 1 HDMI cable, and a 12V/2A power adapter.
Screen size: 19-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1366x768 | Brightness: 200 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Response time: 5 ms | Viewing angle: 90/65 | Contrast ratio: 600:1 | Color support: 100% sRGB
⊕ Lessens eye strain
⊕ Impressive response time
⊖ Insufficient brightness
The ViewSonic VA1901-A is an 18.5-inch monitor, which boasts advanced eye comfort technology helping to reduce eye strain. It has a Twisted Nematic Film display delivering an astonishing detail level and image contrast.
Thanks to the LED technology, it is quite ergonomic. What is more, it provides high-quality visuals.
Be you a business owner or a casual user, the ViewSonic VA1901-a will help you enhance your productivity. Its wide screen has 1366x768 resolution which accounts for a high level of crispness.
Screen size: 15.6-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920x1080 | Brightness: 260 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Response time: 5 ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 800:1| Color support: 100% sRGB
⊕ Thin, lightweight design
⊕ Full HD 1080p resolution
⊖ Poor brightness level
This model is perfectly suited for laptops, PCs, Raspberry pi devices, smartphones, and gaming consoles (PlayStation 4, X-Box One, Nintendo, etc.)
The offered image quality is suitable for business purposes, gaming, watching movies, working with photographs, etc.
You can also use the Virzen small 1080p monitor as a second screen to create an even more convenient and productive environment around your PC or laptop. This way you can easily read an article on the portable screen while viewing videos on the main display.
With a thickness of only 0.3”, this 15.6” product is also the best small monitor for business trips.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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ASUS ZenScreen
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE→ | |
 |
Sceptre E205W
Immersive |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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ASUS MB169B
For traveling |
CHECK PRICE → |
While choosing a monitor for your laptop or PC, it is important to take into account its resolution. There were times when 1080p was considered to be a great deal. However, nowadays you can easily find a better option among 19-inch monitors, provided you have some money to spend.
There are displays without outlining bezels that boast great screen space and breathtaking visuals. If you opt for a smaller monitor under 200 dollars, a high resolution might prove to be not the best choice as all the images will look shrank down and you will have to zoom out constantly.
Before making a purchase, it is worth considering which connectivity option suits you the best. If your GPU has a DPI port, check if a monitor of your choice supports it. If you have already purchased a device and it has no DPI, you can always use an adapter. Be aware that in some cases, for instance, to work with a dual monitor setup, you may need to use only a certain type of port.
It is always important to take into account how you are going to use a monitor and which connectivity type you need before making your decision.
To enhance your productivity, it’s vital to choose a monitor with a wide screen and decent brightness levels as it helps lessen eyestrain if you spend a lot of time working on your PC. Whether you are a designer or an IT-professional, small LCD monitors allowing for a multiple monitor setup might help you work on several tasks at once.
Casual and professional gamers alike might notice that a TN monitor without bezels allows one to widen their field of vision. It might be quite handy while playing shooters or MOBA-games as you will be able to notice your opponents more quickly.
For true movie fans, there is nothing better than going to a movie theater. However, when they need to stay home, a small 1080p monitor with a widescreen ratio can provide a cinema-like experience. It gets even better if this monitor can be connected to your network, NAS storage drive, or DVD-player.
ASUS ZenScreen, Virzen Monitor, UPERFECT 13.3 Inch Display.
If you prefer traveling by car, it is better to put the monitor on the backseat behind the passenger seat. To avoid scratches, it has to be facing the rear snug.
When you recline the passenger seat, the monitor will be firmly locked in place.
There are a lot of small desktop monitors that one can take on a business trip. However, if you want to purchase a real portable device, you need to buy the one that is marketed as such.
They vary in size a lot, starting from 3.5-inch to 22-inch displays.
