The ASUS ZenScreen MB169CK is the best all-round portable monitor for a laptop. ASUS lists a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS panel, two USB-C ports with DisplayPort Alt Mode, a Mini HDMI port, a 360-degree kickstand and a 0.78 kg weight, and the Amazon listing gives a three-year warranty. If you want speakers at the lowest price, the AOC 16T30 has them. The MSI Pro MP165 E6 comes with the most cables, and the ViewSonic VG1655 has 60W USB-C ports and a three-year warranty.
Before you buy any of them, check that your laptop’s USB-C port can output video. Our USB-C monitor guide explains how to tell, and the portable second screen guide covers size and workspace.
Quick picks
| Monitor | Best for | Ports | Speakers | Weight | Usual price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ZenScreen MB169CK | Most laptops | 2x USB-C (DP Alt), Mini HDMI | No | 0.78 kg | $75-125 |
| AOC 16T30 | Lowest cost with speakers | 2x USB-C (DP Alt), Mini HDMI | 2 x 1 W | 0.7 kg | $50-100 |
| MSI Pro MP165 E6 | Cables in the box | 2x USB-C (DP Alt), HDMI | 2 x 1 W | 0.78 kg | $75-100 |
| ViewSonic VG1655 | Charging pass-through, warranty | 2x 60W USB-C, Mini HDMI | 2 x 0.8 W | 1.8 lb | $175-225 |
| ASUS ZenScreen MB16ACV | Laptops with only USB-A (driver) | 1x USB-C | No | 0.9 kg | $125-175 |
All five are listed as 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 IPS panels with 250 nits of brightness. Four makers list 60 Hz on their pages; AOC’s page lists no refresh rate, though its Amazon title says 60Hz. Specs come from the makers’ pages, and the warranty note for the ASUS MB169CK from its Amazon listing, checked October 29, 2026. Usual prices are bands from the Amazon listings that day and change often.
1. ASUS ZenScreen MB169CK: best all-round pick
ASUS’s spec page lists a 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 panel at 60 Hz and 250 cd/m², two USB-C ports, one Mini HDMI port, a 360-degree kickstand, a tripod socket, TÜV Rheinland low blue light and flicker-free certification and a net weight of 0.78 kg. The box includes a sleeve, a USB-C cable, a power adapter and an HDMI cable. The spec page lists no speakers, so plan on your laptop’s audio or headphones.
The Amazon listing says the monitor has a three-year warranty with advanced replacement and repair. ASUS’s spec page does not state a warranty length, so go by the listing and confirm at checkout.
2. AOC 16T30: best low-cost pick with speakers
AOC’s page lists a 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 IPS panel at 250 cd/m², two USB-C ports (“USB 3.1 (DP ALT) x 2”), one Mini HDMI 1.4 port, two 1 W speakers, a 15 W maximum power draw, 0.7 kg with the stand and a built-in kickstand with a tilt from 0 to 180 degrees. It also lists a 75 x 75 mm VESA pattern. AOC’s page lists no refresh rate or warranty, and the Amazon title calls it a 16-inch model although the panel is 15.6 inches.
It is the least expensive of the five at the Amazon check. Because AOC does not list a warranty, check the length on the Amazon listing before you buy.
3. MSI Pro MP165 E6: best for cables in the box
MSI’s datasheet lists a 15.6-inch FHD IPS panel at 60 Hz with a 4 ms response time, 250 nits and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. Ports are one HDMI 2.0b and two Type-C (DisplayPort 1.2a Alt Mode, 15 W power delivery input). It adds two 1 W speakers, a 0 to 90 degree tilt, a 1/4-inch tripod socket, a 75 x 75 mm VESA pattern and a weight of 0.78 kg.
The accessory list is the most complete of the group: an L-shaped HDMI cable, an L-shaped USB-C cable, a Type-A to Type-C cable and a protection pouch. If you do not want to buy a separate cable, that matters. MSI’s own spec page was not reachable when this page was written, so the figures come from the datasheet PDF.
4. ViewSonic VG1655: best for charging pass-through and warranty
ViewSonic’s page lists a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS panel at 60 Hz and 250 cd/m², two 60W USB-C ports with pass-through power, one Mini HDMI port, two 0.8 W speakers and a weight of 1.8 lb. The stand is built in with a tilt of 0 to 60 degrees, a detachable magnetic cover is included and the warranty is three years limited.
ViewSonic’s page lists pass-through power on its USB-C ports, which is the feature you pay extra for. It is the most expensive of the five at the Amazon check, so it makes sense when charging at the desk and a long warranty matter more than price.
5. ASUS ZenScreen MB16ACV: for laptops with only USB-A
ASUS’s spec page lists one USB-C port (DP Alt Mode and USB 3.2), no speakers, a net weight of 0.9 kg, a tilt stand from +15 to +35 degrees and a 1/4-inch tripod socket. ASUS’s model page describes a “USB-C hybrid-signal connection” and says a driver “enables support for USB Type-A connectors,” with the footnote “DisplayLink driver required for hybrid-signal connections via USB Type-A.”
That makes it the pick for an older laptop with USB-A only, if you are allowed to install the driver. If your laptop has a video-capable USB-C port, the MB169CK above has more ports for less money at the Amazon check. Our MB16ACV review walks through the native and driver paths.
How to choose
- Check the laptop’s port first. The USB-C monitors here list DisplayPort Alt Mode, so a USB-C port that does not output video will not drive them. Four of the five also list an HDMI input (Mini HDMI on the ASUS MB169CK, AOC and ViewSonic).
- Decide on speakers. AOC, MSI and ViewSonic include small ones. ASUS lists none on either model.
- Think about power. Four of the five list two USB-C ports, and ViewSonic lists pass-through power, which is meant for charging the laptop through the monitor. Check the adapter’s wattage before relying on that. The MB16ACV has one USB-C port, so it cannot pass power through.
- Look at the stand. The ASUS MB169CK lists a 360-degree kickstand, the AOC a 0 to 180 degree tilt, the MSI a 0 to 90 degree tilt, the ViewSonic 0 to 60 degrees and the MB16ACV +15 to +35 degrees. The MB169CK, MSI and MB16ACV list a tripod socket, and the AOC and MSI list a 75 x 75 mm VESA pattern.
- Want two panels in one case? The ASUS ZenScreen Duo OLED review explains why one cable can mean different layouts on different computers.
FAQ
Will a portable monitor work with any laptop?
Only if the laptop can send video over the cable you use. The USB-C monitors here list DisplayPort Alt Mode, so the laptop’s USB-C port must support video output, and a USB-C port that only charges or moves data will not work. Check the laptop’s port labels or spec sheet first.
Do portable monitors need their own power?
Not always. AOC lists a 15 W maximum power draw for the 16T30 and ASUS lists 6.64 W for the MB16ACV, and ASUS describes the MB16ACV’s USB-C connection as carrying both power and video. In that setup the laptop supplies the power, so check what its USB-C port can provide. The ASUS MB169CK’s box includes a power adapter, and the MSI datasheet lists a 15 W power delivery input.
Do these portable monitors have speakers?
Three do. AOC lists two 1 W speakers, MSI lists two 1 W speakers and ViewSonic lists two 0.8 W speakers. ASUS lists no speakers on either the MB169CK or the MB16ACV.
Sources
- ASUS ZenScreen MB169CK specifications
- ASUS ZenScreen MB16ACV and its specifications
- AOC 16T30
- MSI Pro MP165 E6 datasheet (PDF)
- ViewSonic VG1655
- Amazon listing text, warranty notes and price bands for all five monitors, through the Amazon Creators API on October 29, 2026. All five were new and in stock at that check.
Sources checked October 29, 2026.
See Also
If you want to pressure-test this shortlist, read Best USB-C Docking Stations for Two Monitors, How to Choose a Portable Second Screen for Your Laptop, and Best Budget Laptops for Everyday Use in 2026 next.
For more context beyond the main ranking, iPad (10th Generation) Review: A Sharp, Affordable Tablet With Trade-Offs and AMD Ryzen 5 vs. Intel Core i5 Laptop: Which Should You Buy? add useful comparison detail.