A portable monitor isn’t necessarily about travel. More often, people get one for a second screen that can be tucked away in a closet or moved to another room. We’ve compiled five portable monitors for Mac from AliExpress — from a compact 10.5-inch display for 3,600 rubles to a 23.8-inch 4K screen for 19,000 ₽. If you have a new MacBook, you can connect multiple monitors with a single cable — and portable screens from AliExpress work for this too.
Portable monitors can help with work on the go and are great for home use
Why You Need a Second Screen for Your MacBook
There are two scenarios. The first is a screen that actually travels with your laptop in a backpack: for working in cafes, business trips, and presentations. The second is a monitor that lives at home or in the office, but is easy to carry from room to room or hide away when not needed. In practice, most of these monitors rarely leave the home or office — people buy them for flexibility, not for the road.
For MacBook users, this is especially relevant: on a 13-inch screen, it’s hard to work with spreadsheets or multiple windows, and carrying a full-size monitor is impossible. Below are specific models from AliExpress with clear use cases, arranged from smallest to largest.
The Smallest Portable Monitor for MacBook
Let’s start with the smallest option. This is a 10.5-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1920×1280 (15:10 aspect ratio), 420 cd/m² brightness, 1200:1 contrast ratio, and 100% sRGB coverage. The refresh rate is 60 Hz, and the viewing angle is 178°.
The smallest monitor in our roundup
The monitor weighs about 260 grams — you won’t even notice it in your backpack. It has two USB-C ports for connection and power, Mini HDMI, built-in speakers, and VESA support (75×75 mm). A foldable stand, cables, and a USB-A adapter are included.
Obviously, 10.5 inches isn’t meant for a full workstation setup. But for messengers, chats, monitoring, or quick tasks on the go — it’s ideal. This is the lightest and cheapest option in the entire roundup.
Price on AliExpress — about 3,600 ₽.
13.5-Inch Portable Monitor with High Resolution
If 10.5 inches is too small but a 15-inch screen in your backpack feels like overkill, the 13.5-inch XIAN WEI monitor is the sweet spot. The resolution is 3K (3000×2000) at a 3:2 aspect ratio — practically like a Surface. This gives a noticeably higher pixel density than typical portable Full HD screens.
A slightly larger display. If connected to a MacBook Air 13, you’ll get two identical displays
IPS panel with 480 cd/m² brightness, 1800:1 contrast ratio, 100% sRGB, and 3 ms response time. Refresh rate — 60 Hz. The body is made of CNC-machined aluminum alloy, weighing 533 grams. It features two USB-C ports, Mini HDMI, PD pass-through charging, and VESA mounting (75×75 mm), as well as built-in speakers.
The 3:2 aspect ratio is the main advantage: the screen fits more text and spreadsheets vertically than a standard 16:9. For working with documents and code, this is one of the best options in a compact size.
Price on AliExpress — about 4,880 ₽ (with coupon).
14-Inch Monitor for MacBook with USB-C Connection
One of the bestsellers on AliExpress — over 24,000 purchases and a 4.9 rating. This is a 14-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1920×1200 (16:10), 400 cd/m² brightness, 1200:1 contrast ratio, 100% sRGB coverage, and a 60 Hz refresh rate.
AliExpress bestseller: a monitor with a huge number of reviews and an excellent rating
Weight — about 680 grams. Aluminum alloy body, built-in flip-out kickstand, two USB-C and Mini HDMI ports, speakers, and VESA mounting. There’s a version with a 10-point touchscreen (for Windows and Android, single touch for macOS) and one without.
The 16:10 aspect ratio is the same as the MacBook’s. This format is more convenient for work than the usual 16:9, and 14 inches is a noticeable addition to a 13-inch MacBook Air screen. If you’re choosing a MacBook for study or work, a portable monitor makes an excellent companion.
Price on AliExpress — about 5,600 ₽.
18.5-Inch Portable Monitor with 120 Hz — For Home and Office
Now we move on to large-format portable monitors. The UPERFECT 18.5″ is closer to a desktop monitor, but weighs only 1.1 kg and is 12 mm thick. The resolution is Full HD (1920×1080), with a 120 Hz refresh rate and FreeSync support.
An option for those who need a full-fledged second screen without size limitations
IPS panel with 350 nits brightness, up to 2000:1 contrast ratio, 125% sRGB and 72% NTSC coverage. The body is made of aluminum alloy with a borderless design.
