COOLHOOD Portable Monitor Review: Worth Buying?

I’ve been lugging the COOLHOOD Portable Monitor between my home office and a mate’s flat for three weeks now, testing it with everything from my MacBook Pro to a PS5. Portable monitors have gotten surprisingly decent lately, but there’s still plenty of overpriced rubbish out there that looks great in product photos but falls apart in actual use.

This 15.6-inch display promises Full HD 1080p, USB-C connectivity, and proper portability at 1.39kg. But does it actually deliver? Or is it another Amazon special that’ll gather dust after a fortnight?

Here’s what you’ll learn: real-world performance for gaming and work, whether it’s genuinely portable enough to bother with, compatibility quirks I discovered, and whether the build quality holds up after weeks of being shoved in backpacks. No marketing fluff – just honest testing from someone who’s used dozens of these things.

• Gaming sessions: Connected to Steam Deck, PS5, and gaming laptop – tested with Elden Ring, Forza Horizon 5, and CS2
• Work setup: Used as second screen for MacBook Pro and Windows laptop – 8-hour days of coding and writing
• Portability test: Carried it in three different backpacks, set up in cafés, kitchen table, and wobbly IKEA desk
• Device compatibility: Tested with USB-C, Mini HDMI, various laptops, consoles, and handhelds
• Build quality: Deliberately rough handling to see what breaks (spoiler: the stand is the weak point)

I compared it directly against the ASUS MB16ACV (£180) and a cheaper no-name portable monitor from Amazon (£90) to see where the COOLHOOD sits in terms of value.

• 15.6-inch portable monitor with attached protective cover
• USB-C to USB-C cable (about 1 metre)
• Mini HDMI to HDMI cable
• USB-C power adapter
• Quick start guide (actually useful, surprisingly)

The bezels are slim on three sides with a slightly chunkier bottom bezel. Nothing offensive. The whole thing measures 35cm x 22cm x 0.6cm, which is proper thin at the edges – about 0.3 inches according to the specs.

But here’s the first niggle: the protective cover doubles as a stand, and it’s glued to the back of the screen. You can’t remove it. COOLHOOD explicitly warns against trying. This means if the cover gets knackered, you’re stuck with it. After three weeks, mine’s showing wear at the corners where it’s been in and out of bags.

The magnets are strong enough for light use but not confidence-inspiring. I wouldn’t use this on a train or anywhere with vibration. For static setups, it does the job.

Windows laptop (Dell XPS 15): Same story. Instant recognition.

PS5 via Mini HDMI: Needed the included Mini HDMI cable plus a separate USB-C power supply (the PS5’s USB ports don’t provide enough power). Took maybe 30 seconds to sort out cables. Worked perfectly once connected.

Steam Deck: USB-C cable only. Worked instantly. This is where portable monitors shine – extending that tiny 7-inch screen to 15.6 inches transforms handheld gaming.

For gaming and general productivity? Absolutely fine. For photo editing or colour-critical work? You’ll want something better. This isn’t marketed as a professional display, and it doesn’t pretend to be.

Brightness is where it gets interesting. The specs don’t list nits, but I’d estimate around 250-300 based on comparison testing. In my office with overhead LED lights, it’s perfectly visible. In a bright kitchen with windows? Still usable, but you’ll want to angle it away from direct sunlight.

I took it to a café with massive windows. Readable, but not ideal. This isn’t an outdoor display. For indoor use – offices, bedrooms, hotel rooms – it’s spot on.

The trade-off is slightly less vibrant colours compared to glossy screens, but I’ll take usability over marginal colour pop any day.

Useful when you’re showing something to a colleague or gaming with someone watching. Not critical for solo use, but nice to have.

Response time isn’t specified, but I didn’t notice significant ghosting in testing. Played several hours of Forza Horizon 5 and Elden Ring – both looked smooth enough. CS2 (Counter-Strike) was playable but not ideal for competitive gaming. The 60Hz limitation is more noticeable than response time.

Testing with HDR content on PS5: It looked slightly better than SDR, but nothing dramatic. Don’t buy this for HDR. Consider it a bonus feature that occasionally makes things look marginally nicer.

• Standard backpack: Fits in the laptop compartment. Protective cover does its job – no scratches after three weeks
• Messenger bag: Bit awkward due to size, but manageable
• Laptop sleeve: Perfect fit in a 15-inch sleeve

The 35cm x 22cm footprint is roughly the size of a closed 15-inch laptop. It’s portable enough that I actually bring it places, which is more than I can say for some “portable” monitors I’ve tested.

But here’s reality: you’re also carrying cables. USB-C cable, Mini HDMI if needed, possibly a power adapter. Factor in cable weight and bulk. Still manageable, but you’re not travelling ultralight.

For maximum brightness and to save laptop battery, COOLHOOD recommends using a separate USB-C power supply. I tested both ways:

• Laptop powered only: Works, but laptop battery drains noticeably faster (roughly 30% quicker in my testing)
• Separate power supply: Monitor stays at full brightness, laptop battery life normal

If you’re working mobile, you’ll want a power bank or access to outlets. This isn’t a true single-cable solution for extended use.

MacBook Pro M1 (2021): Perfect. USB-C cable, instant recognition, scaled properly. macOS handled it as a second display flawlessly.

Windows Laptop (Dell XPS 15): Plug and play via USB-C. Windows detected it immediately. No driver installation needed.

Steam Deck: Brilliant use case. USB-C connection, works perfectly. Transforms handheld gaming. The Deck outputs 1080p happily. Slight battery drain on the Deck, but worth it for the bigger screen.

PS5: Requires Mini HDMI connection plus separate USB-C power. Works perfectly once set up. The PS5 doesn’t support video over USB-C, so HDMI is your only option. Played several hours of Elden Ring – looked great.

Nintendo Switch: Didn’t test personally (don’t own one), but based on specs, you’d need a USB-C to HDMI adapter or use the Switch dock with the Mini HDMI cable. Not ideal for portable Switch gaming.

iPhone 15: According to specs, it should work with iPhone 15’s USB-C port. Didn’t test this myself. If you’re buying specifically for iPhone use, check return policy first.

Older Laptops (USB-A only): You’ll need the Mini HDMI connection plus USB-A to USB-C power adapter. Slightly more faff, but works.

Tinny, quiet, and lacking any bass whatsoever. Fine for system sounds or emergency video calls where you forgot headphones. Not fine for anything you actually want to enjoy.

Use headphones or external speakers. Always. The speakers are an emergency backup, nothing more.

Counter-Strike 2 (PC): Playable, but not ideal for competitive gaming. The 60Hz refresh rate is the limiting factor here, not the panel quality. For casual CS2? Fine. For ranked grinding? You’ll want your main monitor.

Elden Ring (PS5): Perfect use case. Elden Ring runs at 60fps on PS5, so the 60Hz panel matches perfectly. Looked gorgeous. Dark areas were properly dark without crushing blacks. Spent several evenings playing – no complaints.

No noticeable delay between controller input and on-screen action. For a portable monitor, that’s exactly what you want. I’d estimate it’s low enough for all but the most competitive esports use.

1080p at 60Hz is perfect for most PS5 games. Obviously, you’re not getting 4K or 120Hz, but for a portable setup? This is brilliant. I’ve used this at a mate’s flat for several gaming sessions – beats crowding around a laptop screen.

The matte screen helps in typical living room lighting. No glare issues like glossy portable monitors suffer from.

Single USB-C cable connection. The Deck outputs 1080p perfectly. You can dock the Deck and use it like a proper console with this monitor.

Battery consideration: The Deck will drain faster when outputting to an external display. For extended sessions, you’ll want the Deck plugged in too. But for 2-3 hour gaming sessions? Perfectly manageable.

Why does this matter? After three weeks of being shoved in bags, the corners are showing wear. The PU leather is starting to look tatty. In six months, it’ll probably look proper rough. And you can’t replace it or remove it.

The cover also adds thickness. The monitor is 0.6cm thick, but with the cover folded, you’re carrying something closer to 2cm thick. Not massive, but worth knowing.

The magnets aren’t strong enough for confidence. I found myself constantly checking it hadn’t slipped. For desk use, fine. For mobile use, you’ll want a very stable surface.

Two angle options is limiting too. Sometimes I wanted it flatter or more upright. You get what you get.

The on-screen menu is basic. You can adjust brightness, contrast, colour temperature, and a few other settings. It works, but don’t expect sophisticated colour calibration options.

Most people will set it once and forget it. But if you’re constantly tweaking settings, the interface will annoy you.

The included cables are decent quality but not particularly long. The USB-C cable is about 1 metre, which is fine for laptop use but limiting for console gaming from a sofa.

I ended up buying a 2-metre USB-C cable separately for more flexibility. Factor that into your budget if you need longer cables.

• Higher refresh rate: 60Hz is fine, but 75Hz or 90Hz would’ve been brilliant for gaming
• Built-in battery: Some portable monitors have batteries. This doesn’t. You always need external power
• Removable stand: The glued cover is a long-term durability concern
• Better speakers: The current ones are basically useless
• Touchscreen: Not essential, but would’ve been nice for certain use cases

None of these are deal-breakers at this price point, but they’d elevate it from decent to excellent.

ASUS wins on: Build quality, stand stability, brand reputation
COOLHOOD wins on: Price (when available), matte screen finish

If budget isn’t a concern, the ASUS is the safer choice. But the COOLHOOD offers similar performance for less money (when in stock).

• Better colour accuracy
• More stable stand (relatively speaking)
• Better build quality
• Included cables are higher quality

The cheap monitor had terrible backlight bleed and a glossy screen that reflected everything. The COOLHOOD justifies the price difference.

For professional use where you need reliability, the Lenovo makes sense. For gaming and casual productivity, the COOLHOOD offers better value.

This is frustratingly common with smaller brands on Amazon. Products go in and out of stock regularly. If you’re reading this and it’s available, check the price carefully. Based on similar portable monitors, I’d expect this to retail around £110-£140 when in stock.

Is that a good price? If it’s under £130, yes. At that price point, it competes well with generic alternatives whilst offering better quality. Above £150, you’re getting close to ASUS territory, where the better build quality might be worth the extra.

Check current availability:

2. Hotel room productivity: Remote workers staying in hotels will love having a proper second screen. Fits in carry-on luggage easily.

3. Console gaming at friends’ houses: Much more practical than hauling a TV or monitor. PS5 gaming worked brilliantly.

4. Coffee shop work: The matte screen handles café lighting well. Just need a stable table and power access.

But I wouldn’t pay over £150. At that price, the ASUS alternatives offer better build quality and peace of mind. And I’d want to see it back in stock consistently before recommending it strongly – availability is a concern.

The COOLHOOD Portable Monitor sits in that sweet spot of good enough for most people without the premium price tag. It’s not perfect – the stand could be more stable, the speakers are useless, and the attached cover is a long-term durability question mark.

But for gaming and general productivity? It does the job well. The 1080p IPS panel is decent, the matte finish is brilliant, and at 1.39kg, it’s genuinely portable enough to actually bring places.

If you’re a Steam Deck owner, remote worker, or console gamer who wants flexibility, this is worth checking out when it’s back in stock. Just don’t expect miracles – it’s a solid budget portable monitor, not a premium display.

Final recommendation: 7/10 – Good value when available, with some compromises you should know about.

Check current stock and pricing:

If you found this review helpful, you might also want to check our guide on best portable monitors for gaming in 2025 or our comparison of essential Steam Deck accessories for more portable gaming setup ideas.