It's 2024, and pretty much everyone who uses a computer to get things done is starting to embrace the dual-monitor lifestyle. It's superior for productivity, full stop. While many use dual-monitor workstations at home, finding the right portable monitor for travel and on-the-go use is a bit trickier. Some are way too expensive, and others are available at prices that simply feel too good to be true. The Arzopa monitors I've spent the last few weeks reviewing definitively fall into the latter category. In fact, I was first exposed to them after they went viral on the TikTok Shop of all places, before the company hit my inbox offering a review sample.

To say that I entered this review with a bit of skepticism would be an understatement. I mean, there's no way a TikTok monitor can be good — can it? In the end, I was surprised and impressed by both the 16.1-inch gaming monitor and the 15.6-inch travel monitor I tested. They're not the absolute best portable monitors, but they offer unparalleled value for your money. Plus, there are some features I love, such as a fantastic kickstand, great controls, and superb connectivity. If you want a portable monitor for around $100 or $200, the Arzopa travel and gaming monitors are fantastic options.

About this review: Arzopa sent us two of its portable monitors for review. The company had no input in this article, and did not see its contents before publishing.

Pricing, specs, and availability

Arzopa is a budget monitor, peripheral, and accessory brand that makes a few different kinds of portable monitors. I reviewed the 16.1-inch 144Hz gaming monitor, which retails for $180 and is available at Amazon and on Arzopa's website. There's also the 15.6-inch monitor that I tested, which goes for $120 from Arzopa and Amazon. However, at the time of writing, Arzopa is offering some pretty good discounts. The gaming monitor is down to $100, while the travel monitor is down to just $76.

• 	Arzopa 16.1-inch 144Hz Portable Gaming Monitor	Arzopa 15.6-inch Portable Monitor
  Screen Size	16.1 inches	15.6 inches
  Resolution	FHD 1080p	1080p
  Max. Refresh Rate	144Hz	60Hz
  Brightness	300 nits	300 nits
  Speakers	Built-in Speakers(1W*2)	Built-in Speakers(1W*2)

Design

Somehow, these two portable monitors look virtually identical

Looking at these two monitors side-by-side, it'll be tricky to tell the difference between them. Although the 16.1-inch gaming monitor is larger, you wouldn't know that from the eye test. That model and the smaller, 15.6-inch travel monitor look nearly identical, even close up. They both feature a basic rectangular design made out of black plastic, with a few silver accents. The bezels are largest around the bottom, and they're asymmetrical. There's an Arzopa logo at the bottom center of the portable monitor, and that's arguably the biggest design misstep here. These monitors would've looked better without any visible branding.

It's easy to drag the plastic build of these monitors, as plastic is often associated with lower-quality products. I actually think that the plastic build and large bezels of the Arzopa monitors are a good thing. The plastic display covering means that it won't scratch or crack as easily as glass might, and the large raised bezels keep the screen safe from damage. Let me reinforce this point: I've tested many portable monitors at various price points, and the only one that broke on me was made of aluminum and glass — not plastic.

I'd compare the design of these portable monitors to the Jsaux FlipGo monitor I reviewed earlier this year. It's not flashy, and it won't look as good as more expensive products. However, the Arzopa monitors are thin, light, and they look like they'll hold up well over time. At this price point, I think that's about all you can ask for.

Display

Pretty good, as soon as you account for the price

You'll notice that the display quality of the Arzopa monitors looks different throughout the photos in this review, and that's indicative of real-world performance. The monitors have a matte, anti-glare display covering and an IPS LCD panel with a 300-nit brightness rating. That means they'll look really good in favorable lighting conditions, like in the photo above, which was snapped in a shaded area on a sunny morning.

Now, take a look at this photo of the Arzopa portable monitor. It was taken in more direct sunlight on the same rooftop as the first photo, this time with no shade and off-angle positioning. You can see that the monitor looks noticeably dimmer with a loss of clarity and contrast on the display. This is not something that's unique to the Arzopa portable monitor — most matte LCDs will have this problem. However, you might not want to buy this monitor if you plan to use it outdoors most of the time.

It's great inside and in the shade, though. The 300-nit rating makes the Arzopa displays "bright enough," and the 1080p resolution is good enough too. I think the display quality you get for the price is unmatched when it comes to these portable monitors. One thing to note is that the Arzopa monitors will default to an extremely low brightness level when they're first plugged in. You'll want to crank up the brightness level with the built-in rocker to get the best experience.

I'm lumping the display quality of these two monitors together because they both use the same IPS LCD technology, and they both feature 1080p resolutions. However, the gaming version has a few advantages over the travel version. It comes with a 144Hz display that'll be more responsive, while the travel one has a 60Hz display. The travel monitor should still be fine for productivity, but if you're used to higher refresh rate displays, you might want to spring for the gaming model. Additionally, the gaming model has better color accuracy, so that's something to consider.

Daily use

Connectivity options and the built-in kickstand are game changers

Forgetting about all the specs for a minute, I think the Arzopa portable monitors truly shine in daily use. The kickstand on these screens is perfectly implemented and versatile. Often, portable monitors use a folio cover kickstand or a long kickstand that stretches across the body of the monitor, like a Surface. Arzopa decided to use a thin kickstand instead, which is built into the right side of the back of the monitors. It's a fantastic choice. It means you can use the monitor in either horizontal or vertical orientations with the same inbuilt kickstand. It also means you can have part of the monitor hanging off the edge of a table without losing stability, which is great for coffee shop tables with limited space.

The connectivity options are great, too. There are two USB-C ports on the monitor, which can be used for display input and/or supplying additional power. Connecting the monitor to a power outlet or a power bank is a great way to preserve the life of your laptop, since the monitor itself doesn't have an internal battery. My favorite part is the Mini HDMI port. Normally, my experiences with Mini HDMI have been horrible, because it requires a specialized cable. However, Arzopa gives you one in the box, so you can connect to any HDMI-equipped device with zero hassle.

I still prefer something like the Yoga Book 9i or the Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) as a way to seamlessly experience two portable monitors while out and about. However, after using the Arzopa monitors with a MacBook Air and an iPad Pro, I can say these monitors are easy to integrate with your daily workflow. It's the small things, like the kickstand, connectivity options, and buttons that make these monitors a breeze to use.

Should you buy an Arzopa portable monitor?

You should buy an Arzopa portable monitor if:

• You want more screen real estate on the go
• You need color accuracy or a high refresh rate display (go with the gaming one)
• You want an affordable option

You should NOT buy an Arzopa portable monitor if:

• You'd rather pay more for a better design and more premium features
• You primarily plan to use a monitor outdoors, and need more brightness
• You want a monitor with a built-in battery

There are certain parts of your tech workflow that you don't need to spend a lump sum of cash on. To me, portable monitors are one of those things. You want extra screen real estate, but you don't need to pay extra for overrated features. That's why I can easily recommend the Arzopa gaming and travel monitors. They provide just enough without adding too many needless features, which are always passed onto the consumer, eventually raising the price of a product. If you want a portable monitor for around $100 or $200, these are great options. Grab the travel monitor for the bare essentials, and level up to the gaming one if you need a higher refresh rate and better color accuracy.

• Arzopa 16.1-inch 144Hz Portable Gaming Monitor

  Screen Size

  16.1 inches

  Resolution

  FHD 1080p

  Max. Refresh Rate

  144Hz

  Connectivity

  USB-C, Mini HDMI

  Brightness

  300 nits

  Speakers

  Built-in Speakers(1W*2)

  This is the budget portable monitor to buy if you value a high refresh rate display.

  $170 at Amazon $180 at Arzopa

• Arzopa 15.6-inch Portable Monitor

  Screen Size

  15.6 inches

  Resolution

  1080p

  Max. Refresh Rate

  60Hz

  Connectivity

  2x USB-C, 1x Mini HDMI

  Brightness

  300 nits

  Speakers

  Built-in Speakers(1W*2)

  Want the most you can get for around $100? Grab this portable monitor.

  $120 at Arzopa $130 at Amazon