Is a Portable Monitor Worth Buying in 2026? LG vs Dell in Singapore

A portable monitor is usually worth buying in Singapore in 2026 if you work from a laptop in more than one place and want a second screen for your bag, so compare models, then buy through ShopBack before you pay, where ShopBack Cashback works like a discount, only easier than a promo code. ASUS, for example, describes its ZenScreen range as portable and USB-powered, designed for productivity and entertainment on the go. If you only ever work at one desk, a regular monitor usually gives you more screen for the money. Check your laptop's USB-C port first, then start on ShopBack before you pay.

New to ShopBack? ShopBack Singapore is a free app and website that returns cash on eligible orders when you start your shopping from ShopBack before you pay. Lazada, LG and ASUS are among the stores you can shop this way. Join ShopBack Singapore for free, then open the Lazada page on ShopBack before your next monitor order.

Monitors in 2026: the numbers that matter

Three numbers decide most monitor purchases: screen size and resolution, refresh rate, and how the screen connects or mounts. Here is what the brands and standards say:

• Refresh rates on sale now are high. The ASUS Singapore monitor catalogue lets you filter by refresh rate bands from 144Hz to 165Hz all the way up to 480Hz and above. At the time of writing, LG Singapore promotes 240Hz OLED UltraGear gaming monitors with a 0.03ms (GtG) response time.
• Common resolutions listed by ASUS Singapore run from Full HD (1920 x 1080) and WQHD (2560 x 1440) to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), plus ultrawide formats such as 3440 x 1440.
• USB-C can carry video and power. According to Wikipedia's USB-C entry, the connector is used to transfer audio and video data to displays and to power devices, which is what lets many portable monitors run on one cable.
• VESA mounting uses four screw holes in a square. The 75 x 75mm pattern is rated for displays up to 8kg and the 100 x 100mm pattern for up to 14kg, according to the standard's tables summarised on Wikipedia.

Is a portable monitor worth buying?

A portable monitor is worth it when your laptop screen is the bottleneck and you do not sit at the same desk every day. It suits people who:

• Work hybrid and move between home, office hot desks and co-working spaces.
• Travel for work and want a second screen in a hotel room.
• Edit spreadsheets, code or documents side by side.
• Want a screen for a handheld console or a phone in a small space.

It is usually less worth it if you work at one fixed desk, since a full-size monitor gives you a larger screen and often better brightness for a similar or lower price. It can also be a poor fit if your laptop's USB-C port does not support video output, because you then need an HDMI cable and a separate power source.

What to check before you buy a portable monitor

1. Your laptop port. Check that a USB-C port supports video output. The laptop maker's specification page usually says so.
2. Power. Many portable monitors run from the laptop over one cable. ASUS describes ZenScreen as USB-powered. Brighter or touch models may need their own adapter.
3. Size and weight. Most sit around laptop size. Check the weight if you carry it daily.
4. Stand or cover. A built-in kickstand or folding cover saves you buying one separately.
5. Touch. Touch models such as the ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT cost more but help if you sketch or annotate.

LG also sells a portable screen, the gram +view, listed by LG Singapore alongside its gram laptops.

Which gaming monitor is the best value?

The best value gaming monitor is the one your graphics card or console can actually drive, because paying for 360Hz is wasted if your games run at 90 frames per second. For many players that points to a 27 inch QHD screen at 144Hz or higher with variable refresh rate support.

How to pick:

• Match refresh rate to your hardware. A high refresh rate only helps if your PC or console produces enough frames. Consoles that output 120Hz are listed as a filter by ASUS Singapore, which helps console players narrow the list.
• Look for variable refresh rate. Variable refresh rate lets the screen change its refresh rate continuously to match the game, according to Wikipedia. Brand names you will see include FreeSync, G-SYNC and Adaptive-Sync.
• Pick the panel type for your games. IPS panels are a common all-rounder. OLED panels, such as LG's 240Hz UltraGear OLED models, offer very fast response and deep blacks at a higher price.
• Do not overbuy resolution. 4K looks sharp but needs a powerful graphics card for high frame rates.

Gaming monitor lines you will see in Singapore include ASUS ROG and TUF Gaming and LG UltraGear. On its Singapore site, ASUS pitches TUF Gaming at fast and smooth gameplay and ROG at what it calls the ultimate gaming experience. For best value, compare a mid-range model from each line at the same size, resolution and refresh rate.

LG vs ASUS for a gaming monitor

Both make strong gaming monitors, so compare like for like rather than brand to brand. LG's UltraGear line includes OLED models and ultrawide screens. ASUS spreads its range across ROG for enthusiasts and TUF Gaming for value-focused buyers. Pick two models with the same size, resolution, refresh rate and panel type, then compare their effective prices on the LG page on ShopBack and the ASUS page on ShopBack.

LG or Dell: which monitor is better?

Neither brand is better for everyone: LG and Dell both make well-regarded monitors, and the right choice depends on the exact model and what you use it for. Here is how their ranges line up, based on LG Singapore's site and Dell's public company record.

• LG sells UltraGear gaming monitors, UltraFine and UltraFine evo displays, UltraWide screens, 4K UHD and QHD models, smart monitors, Ergo monitors that come with a built-in arm, and the gram +view portable monitor.
• Dell is an American technology company based in Round Rock, Texas. According to Wikipedia, its monitor brands include Dell, Dell Pro, Dell UltraSharp, which is its high-end line, and Alienware for gaming. Dell has renamed some of its product lines in recent years, so older model names may differ from the ones on sale now.

How to choose between two specific models:

1. Match size, resolution and refresh rate.
2. Compare ports: USB-C with power delivery helps if you use a laptop.
3. Compare stands: height, tilt, swivel and pivot, or plan for a monitor arm.
4. Compare warranty terms and who services them in Singapore.
5. Compare the effective price, not the sticker price.

Dell monitor Singapore: where to compare prices

Dell does not have its own store page on ShopBack Singapore at the time of writing, so compare its price directly with the brand and with marketplace listings. Dell monitors from sellers on Lazada can be bought after you start on ShopBack. When you compare a Dell model with an LG one, use the same model codes and include delivery and warranty.

Which monitor arm should I buy for my desk?

Buy a monitor arm that matches your screen's VESA pattern, holds more than your screen weighs and clamps securely to your desk. Most monitors use a 75 x 75mm or 100 x 100mm VESA pattern with M4 screws. Then check:

• Weight capacity: compare the arm's rated range with your monitor's weight without its stand. Curved and ultrawide screens are often heavier.
• Desk thickness and edge: a clamp needs a solid edge with room underneath. A grommet mount needs a hole.
• Adjustment: gas spring arms move with a light touch. Simpler arms hold position with tightened joints.
• Single or dual: dual arms work best with two screens of similar size and weight.
• Reach: measure your desk depth so the screen can sit at arm's length.

If your monitor has no VESA holes, look for a VESA adapter bracket made for that model. LG's Ergo monitors include their own arm, which is worth knowing if you are buying a new screen anyway.

In Singapore, monitor arms are sold on marketplaces such as Lazada and by desk specialists. AdapTABLE, a Singapore standing desk company with a showroom on Tagore Lane, lists monitor arms and laptop stands on its own site. Compare the same arm model and weight rating across sellers.

Lazada vs Shopee and brand stores: where to compare monitor prices

Compare the exact model code across Lazada, Shopee and the brand's own store at the same moment, because prices for the same monitor move with vouchers and sale days. Lazada introduced LazMall in 2018 for authentic brands, and Shopee launched Shopee Mall in 2017, according to their Wikipedia entries. Brand stores such as LG and ASUS usually carry their full range and their own promotions.

Check:

1. Who honours the warranty.
2. Delivery time and whether installation is included.
3. Return terms for opened electronics.
4. The total after vouchers and delivery.

Other stores on ShopBack Singapore where Singapore shoppers often look for electronics include Shopee, Amazon, Lenovo and Samsung.

Best deals on monitors in Singapore in 2026

The best deal is the lowest effective price for the exact model you want, after store vouchers and what comes back from ShopBack. Discount codes and vouchers lower what you pay at checkout. Big sale days such as 11.11 and 12.12 usually bring the widest spread of marketplace vouchers and brand promotions on monitors. Save the model early so you can tell whether the sale price is really lower.

The effective price is what you pay at checkout minus the cash that comes back later. Check the live rate on the Lazada page on ShopBack or the store's own ShopBack page before you pay.

How ShopBack Singapore fits into a monitor purchase

Start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual. ShopBack works like an automatic cash discount on your online order. On a phone, open the ShopBack app, search Lazada, LG or ASUS and tap through. On a laptop, start from the store's page on ShopBack Singapore and finish the order.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.

If you buy a monitor and an arm from different stores, start each order from ShopBack. Each checkout is tracked on its own.

Using a voucher and a card on the same order

A store voucher, a card promotion and ShopBack can often apply to the same order. Vouchers issued by the store itself usually work, and no code is needed for Cashback: go through ShopBack before you pay. Card promotions follow the bank's own terms.

Step by step: buying a monitor online in Singapore

1. Decide the job: portable second screen, gaming, office work or creative work.
2. Shortlist two or three models and note their model codes.
3. Check ports, power, VESA pattern and weight.
4. Compare the same codes on Lazada, Shopee and the brand store.
5. Open the Lazada page on ShopBack, the LG page on ShopBack or the ASUS page on ShopBack and tap through.
6. Apply any store voucher that fits, check the total and pay.

FAQ

Is a portable monitor worth buying?

A portable monitor is usually worth buying if you work from a laptop in more than one place, such as home, a hot desk, a cafe or a hotel room, and want a second screen you can carry. If you only work at one desk, a regular monitor usually gives you a bigger screen for the money. Before you buy, check that your laptop's USB-C port can send video, then start on ShopBack before you check out.

Do portable monitors need a separate power supply?

Many do not. ASUS describes its ZenScreen range as portable and USB-powered, and a single USB-C cable can carry both video and power when the laptop port supports it. Some larger or brighter models work best with their own power adapter, so check the product page before you buy.

Which gaming monitor is the best value?

The best value gaming monitor is the one whose resolution and refresh rate your graphics card or console can actually use. For many players that means a 27 inch QHD screen at 144Hz or higher with variable refresh rate support such as FreeSync or G-SYNC. Faster or OLED panels cost more and suit competitive players with powerful PCs.

LG or Dell: which monitor is better?

Neither is better for everyone. LG Singapore sells UltraGear gaming monitors, UltraFine and UltraWide displays, Ergo monitors with built-in arms and the gram +view portable monitor. Dell's monitor brands include Dell, Dell Pro, Dell UltraSharp for high-end work and Alienware for gaming. Pick the specific model that fits your use, then compare its effective price across stores.

Can I buy Dell monitors through ShopBack Singapore?

Dell does not have its own store page on ShopBack Singapore at the time of writing, so compare its price directly. Dell monitors sold by sellers on marketplaces such as Lazada can be bought after you start on ShopBack.

Which monitor arm should I buy for my desk?

Buy a monitor arm that matches your screen's VESA mounting pattern, carries more than your screen's weight and clamps securely to your desk thickness. Most monitors use a 75 x 75mm or 100 x 100mm VESA pattern. Gas spring arms are easier to adjust, and dual arms suit two screens of similar size and weight.

What is VESA and why does it matter for a monitor arm?

VESA mounting is a family of standards for attaching flat screens to stands, arms and wall mounts using four screw holes in a square. According to the standard's tables, the 75 x 75mm pattern is rated for displays up to 8kg and the 100 x 100mm pattern for up to 14kg, both with M4 screws. Check the back of your monitor for the holes before you buy an arm.

Should I buy a monitor on Lazada or from the brand store?

Compare both for the exact model code. Brand stores such as LG and ASUS usually carry their full range and own promotions, while Lazada lists many sellers and official brand stores in LazMall. Check who honours the warranty, the delivery time and the return terms, then start on ShopBack before you check out.

When are monitors usually cheapest in Singapore?

Big sale days such as 11.11 and 12.12 usually bring the widest spread of marketplace vouchers and brand promotions on monitors. Save the model early so you can see its normal price, then work out the effective price after vouchers and what comes back from ShopBack.

How does ShopBack work when I buy a monitor online?

Start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual. Open the Lazada, LG or ASUS page on ShopBack Singapore, tap through and finish your order. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.