7 Best USB Powered Monitors in 2024

Working on complex tasks on a single monitor can be cumbersome. Even if you know all window management shortcuts by heart, juggling multiple applications on a single screen is inconvenient to say the least.  Best USB powered monitors USB-powered monitors in 2024 offer high resolutions, low power consumption, excellent brightness, professional color accuracy, and increasingly more often even USB-C connectivity, which transmits both power and data via a single cable.

Sometimes you need to have an application visible at all times, which may not be possible unless you have a large high-resolution monitor. But instead of spending a small fortune on one, it’s a much better idea to purchase an additional monitor that conveniently plugs into the USB port and provides you with additional screen real estate at a relatively low cost.Best of all, USB-powered monitors are now more affordable than ever, so there’s no reason not to buy one if you believe that you could benefit from an additional screen.

 

Best USB Powered Monitors

1. AOC E1659FWU

This sub-$100 16-inch TN USB-powered monitor with USB 3.0 support and a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels is great for those who would like to permanently display a single app on a second screen or enjoy a movie during a long trip. Despite its low price, the monitor is surprisingly bright, and its integrated stand gives you the flexibility to place it either in landscape or portrait mode. The AOC E1659FWU also comes with a 75 x 75 mm VESA mount included, making it possible to easily mount it on a wall.

Buy it now: here

 

2. AOC I1601FWUX

This Full HD 16-inch IPS panel with wide viewing angles and best-in-class color uniformity connects to your PC or laptop via a single USB-C cable, helping you keep your desk clutter-free. Thanks to AOC’s LowBlue Mode technology, the monitor automatically minimizes harmful blue light, which is known to disturb the natural sleep cycle by suppressing the production of melatonin, a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland in animals and regulates sleep and wakefulness. The AOC I1601FWUX is 8.5 mm thick and weighs only 800 grams.

Buy it now: here

3. LG27UK850-W

If you own a PC or laptop that has USB-C connectivity, the LG27UK850-W will provide you with better brightness, color accuracy, and way more detail than a regular USB powered monitor.

This monitor brings you some pretty close true to life colors with its IPS panel. Additionally, it’s in a 4K resolution, which means that you’re getting some excellent clarity. And at 27-inches, you have plenty of room for watching videos, movies, editing photo and video, programming, and so much more.

Buy it now: here

4. ASUS Designo MX27UC

The ASUS Designo is another excellent choice, featuring that 4K resolution that brings you cutting edge screen clarity. It has that IPS panel as well, which gets your colors as true to life as possible.

One of the features that sets this monitor apart is the ASUS Eye Care tech, which creates a flicker-free environment, thus being a little easier on the eyes. This one actually comes with built-in stereo speakers as well, which means that you don’t need an extra set of speakers to go with these right out of the box.

It has a frameless design as well, which gives you more screen real estate, a cleaner look, and a sharper image.

Buy it now: here

 

5. ASUS MB169C+

The ASUS MB169C+ competes directly with AOC I1601FWUX by offering virtually the same features at a very similar price. Just like the AOC I1601FWUX, this 15.6-inch Full HD IPS monitor from ASUS connects via USB-C with a single cable that delivers both power and video from your host device. The profile of this monitor is only 8.5 mm thin, and the monitor weighs 800 grams. ASUS includes a handy protective sleeve to help you keep the monitor protected when on the move. Also protected will be your eyes because the ASUS Blue Light Filter can effectively lower blue light emissions by up to 70 percent.

Buy it now: here

6. GeChic 1503A

The GeChic 1503A is a perfect USB-powered monitor for multimedia consumption on the go. Just like the two previous monitors, the GeChic 1503A is equipped with a USB-C port, but it also has an HDMI port and a traditional VGA port for analog input. Built into the monitor is a pair of loud stereo speakers with surprising clarity and detail. The 15.6-inch TN display panel has a native resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. You can choose from 5 color modes or individually fine-tune colors separately to get the perfect picture. And because the monitor supports VESA 100, you can easily mount it on a wall with any compatible mount kit.

Buy it now: here

7. GeChic 2501C

Regardless of whether you want to game on the go, turn your Raspberry Pi into a kiosk computer, extend your laptop’s screen onto a second monitor, or view the pictures from your DSLR camera on a bigger screen, the GeChic 2501C offers everything you need to get the job done. This 15.6-inch, 1366 x 768 TN panel resides in slim body that doubles as a stand. The monitor has HDMI and VGA connectivity and buttons for easy adjustment of brightness, contrast, color, and color temperature.

Best USB Powered Monitors Verdict

USB monitors are fairly rare, with HDMI, DisplayPort, and other methods being better ways of displaying video. However, there are USB monitors out there still, as we’ve showed you above. However, there are also USB-C monitors, which have become an excellent, new way to transmit video data to an external monitor.

That said, if you have regular USB-A ports on your PC or laptop, you’ll want to go with a standard USB-A 2.0 or 3.0 monitor. If you have USB-C available to you, definitely pick up a USB-C monitor, as that will be leagues better in terms of quality.