A solid display at a tough price

Portable monitors used to be niche devices that were only worn by real power users. These days it's easy to spot a portable monitor in a coffee shop or library. That's because a portable monitor can double your laptop's screen real estate while adding relatively little space to your setup. There are many portable monitors for all types of people. You'll find color-accurate displays for drawing and editing, high refresh rate displays for gaming, and simple displays for productive work.

The Asus ZenScreen 16 falls into the latter camp. Despite its name, the ZenScreen 16 is a 15.6-inch portable monitor with modest specs. You get an IPS panel, a built-in 360-degree stand, and 1080p resolution. It's a good portable monitor and does everything it says on the tin, but I'm not sure that's enough. At $150, the ZenScreen 16 isn't priced competitively enough to beat budget monitors. Meanwhile, it doesn't have the functionality to outperform the best premium portable monitors.

About this review: Asus loaned us a ZenScreen 15.6-inch portable monitor for this test. The company had no influence on this article and did not see its contents before publication.

Prices, specifications and availability

The Asus ZenScreen MB166CR is marketed as a 16-inch portable monitor, but the actual viewable area of ​​the screen is 15.6 inches. It has a USB-C port and connects to host devices in DisplayPort Alt mode. Additionally, this portable monitor is black and is mostly made of plastic. It costs around $150 and is currently out of stock on Asus' website, but can still be purchased on Amazon.

What I like

It has everything you need for basic productivity and nothing you don't

The best part about using the Asus ZenScreen 16 is that it is plug and play. As someone who has tested many portable monitors, this isn't always obvious. Some monitors come with tons of cables, ports, and buttons and may even require drivers to be installed to function properly. For a casual user who isn't particularly comfortable with the technology, this can cause friction and lead to a negative experience.

I dare say anyone could figure out how to set up the ZenScreen 16. It has a connection and comes with a cable. Connect it to your host device and the portable monitor should immediately start displaying your Mac or PC's output. I say should as the USB-C port and cable require a host that supports DisplayPort Alt mode. Most laptops and ports should work fine, but not all.

I dare say anyone could figure out how to set up the ZenScreen 16.

A 360-degree stand is included and distinguishes the MB166CR model from the MB166C version. The former can be positioned either horizontally or vertically and supports auto-rotation, while the latter uses a folio stand that is fixed in horizontal orientation. It should be noted that auto-rotation requires not only a Windows PC, but also the installation of the Asus Display Widget Center app.

A protective cover is also included. While I'm not a fan of the $150 price tag from a pricing perspective, it's hard to ignore the ZenScreen 16's appeal. It's plug-and-play and includes everything you need to get started. In addition, the 1080p IPS panel supports 60 Hz and 250 nits brightness, covering the basics for productive work.

Which I don't like

Other monitors can do this better and at a cheaper price

The biggest disadvantage of the Asus ZenScreen 16 is that it simply doesn't stand out. It is a portable monitor that is mostly made of plastic and has a matte plastic surface that is also glare-free. It's not particularly fancy, with a boxy and PC-like design and an Asus logo on the front. A few buttons help you navigate a relatively unwieldy settings menu. In 2024, at a price of $150, I'll have to charge more.

In 2024, at a price of $150, I'll have to charge more.

Earlier this year, I tested a pair of portable monitors from Arzopa, a brand I only knew from the TikTok store at the time. The company sells a 15.6-inch portable monitor for productive work that goes well with the Asus ZenScreen 16 and is often available for around $100 or less. A 144Hz model for gaming is also available for around the same price. The problem isn't that the ZenScreen is bad; Rather, the budget market for portable monitors is so good that there are cheaper options.

Should you buy the Asus ZenScreen?

You should buy the Asus ZenScreen portable monitor if:

• You want a portable, plug-and-play monitor
• You know Asus products and the Display Widget Center
• All you need is a reliable 1080p 60Hz portable monitor with USB-C

You should NOT purchase the Asus ZenScreen Portable Monitor if:

• You want a portable monitor with a better design and/or a glass and metal body
• You need specs like Thunderbolt or HDMI support, a higher resolution, or a faster refresh rate
• You would do just fine with a cheaper portable monitor with similar specs

There are good reasons to buy the Asus ZenScreen 16 if you're someone who wants an all-in-one kit and values ​​simplicity. You get a stand, a carrying case, and the only cable you need for connection in the box. It's a solid 1080p portable monitor that works as expected, right down to the auto-rotate feature on Windows PCs with the Display Widget Center app. However, it is also worth considering whether a cheaper monitor will meet your needs.