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“The best charger is the one that shipped with your laptop” is old advice that needs updating because there are often superior options available either as your principal laptop charger, as a spare, or as a flexible travel charger.

You know that the charger that came with your laptop will work, but it won’t do much else and there are third-party USB-C chargers available that do much more.

Some laptops still ship with their own cumbersome AC power brick and barrel-shaped DC connector, but most premium laptops today also or solely charge via USB-C—including all the models in our roundup of the best laptops.

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USB-C chargers are much smaller and more convenient than proprietary chargers, and will work with multiple and varied devices, making them a more flexible, more portable solution.

Thunderbolt ports on laptops are compatible with—and look identical to—USB-C, the reversible connector that is fast replacing the rectangular USB-A standard.

Of course, not every laptop with a USB-C port can be charged with a USB-C charger. The determining factor is support for USB Power Delivery (PD); more details below.

Assuming that your laptop supports charging via USB-C, the following products reviewed are, in our estimation, the best USB-C PD chargers you can pair with your device.

For USB-C chargers you don’t need to buy an HP laptop charger to charge an HP laptop. Each of the third-party USB-C chargers tested and reviewed below will work with any laptop that supports USB PD charging. Note that cheaper low-quality chargers can pose a significant risk due to their lack of safety measures, and can lead to electric shocks or short circuits that could damage your laptop’s battery or cause a fire. Here, we have reviewed and highlighted only superior laptop chargers, ensuring top-end performance, safety, and compatibility.

Which wattage charger do you need?

Smaller laptops often require just a 35W or 45W charger, mid-sized need 65W, and larger laptops demand 100W or higher.

PD chargers will be rated at either PD 3.0 or PD 3.1. PD 3.0 can charge at up to 100W depending on the maximum output of the charging port; PD 3.1 at up to 240W, although few current laptops require anything over 140W.

Consider the total output of the charger when it has multiple ports. Most multi-port chargers are quite flexible in spreading that total output between ports. We have listed the default port maximums and the total all-port output for each charger reviewed.

Also look for chargers offering Programmable Power Supply (PPS), which makes charging supported devices more efficient; note that not all devices support PPS. See below our list of the best chargers for more information on PD, PPS and other technologies.

Different types of laptop charger

Below we have tested and reviewed wall chargers that plug directly into a wall power socket, desktop chargers that connect to the socket via a longer cable and usually offer a lot more USB ports, and power extender strips that boast AC outlets as well as USB ports. We have also chosen our best laptop charger for car, and even some fun laptop chargers that might even make you smile.

You can learn more about wattages and what else to look for in a USB-C charger and how we test them below our recommendations.

Anker 713 Nano II 45W Charger – Best single-port 45W wall charger

Pros

Super compact 45W PD Foldable prongs (U.S.)

Cons

Single port For smaller laptops only Price When Reviewed:$39.99Best Prices Today:$27.99 at Amazon$27.99 at Best Buy$39.99 at Anker

Dimensions: 1.38 x 1.49 x 1.62in (3.5 x 3.8 x 4.1cm)

Weight: 2.44oz (69g)

Total output: 45W

Ports: 1x USB-C (45W PD 3.0)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Gray/Black

Cable included: No

If you are used to a standard laptop charger with proprietary power brick, plug, and cable, or even an older USB charger, you’ll be stunned at the ultra-compact size and super-light weight of most GaN USB-C chargers—and this GaN 2 charger is the smallest we have tested.

At 45W it’s not appropriate for medium or large laptops, but is fine for smaller models—check the required wattage on your laptop, and read our advice below this list.

You can use the Anker 713 to charge your phone or tablet, too—at 45W it supports Samsung Super Fast Charging and Apple Fast Charge—but not at the same time as your laptop, as it has just the one port and only 45W to share.

The only problem you might have is losing it—it’s that small.

The U.S./CA model of the Anker 713 Nano II features foldable plug prongs for extra portability. The U.K. model is therefore a little larger, but still almost unbelievably tiny. U.K. buyers instead might prefer the Ugreen Foldable 45W Nexode GaN Dual USB C Charger that does have foldable plug pins and boasts two ports.

Anker 715 Nano II 65W Charger – Best single-port 65W wall charger

Pros

Super compact 65W PD Foldable prongs (U.S.)

Cons

Single port Price When Reviewed:$32.99Best Prices Today:$32.99 at Amazon$32.99 at Anker$48.99 at Walmart

Dimensions: 1.65 x 1.42 x 1.74in (4.2 x 3.6 x 4.4cm)

Weight: 3.96oz (112g)

Total output: 65W

Ports: 1x USB-C (65W PD 3.0)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Gray/Black

Cable included: No

This 65W charger is a little larger than its 45W sibling above, but the GaN 2 Anker 715 is still pocket-sized and can power up larger laptops or fast-charge compatible phones.

Its plug prongs fold back, making it ultra-portable for a 65W charger.

If, however, you want to charge more than one device at the same time, look for a charger with more than one USB port.

Ugreen Nexode Pro 65W USB-C Charger – Best= three-port USB-C wall charger

Pros

Compact Three ports 65W PD Foldable prongs (U.S.) Price When Reviewed:$55.99Best Prices Today:$55.99 at Amazon$55.99 at Ugreen

Dimensions: 2.1 x 1.6 x 1.3 inches (5.5 x 4 x 3.2cm)

Weight: 4.1oz (117g)

Total output: 65W

Ports: 2x USB-C (65W PD 3.0) and 1x USB-A (22.5W)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Gray

Cable included: No

Ugreen’s Nexode Pro 65W is larger than the Anker 715 Nano II, reviewed above, but boasts three ports so you can charge multiple devices at the same time, using just one compact charger. When I say larger, don’t get me wrong, it’s tiny.

The two USB-C ports each support 65W, and the lower USB-A port can charge at up to 22.5W—powerful enough to fast-charge most phones—but note that maximum simultaneous output is 65W.

Other same-time charging options include 45W for a laptop and 20W for a second device, or 45W plus 15W shared between the other two outputs.

We also recommend the Anker 735 Nano II (U.S. / U.K.) in the 65W three-port wall charger category. The two chargers are very similar in terms of charging functionality.

You can save a little money for the (barely) larger non-Pro Ugreen Nexode 65W USB C GaN Charger-3 Ports Wall Charger ($44.99), which is has a lower energy density but is a few bucks cheaper.

U.K. recommendation: The prongs on the U.K. version of the non-Pro 65W Nexode do fold back, unlike on the fixed Nexode Pro version, so we recommend that version to readers from that country.

Anker Prime 67W GaN Wall Charger – Best= three-port USB-C wall charger

Pros

Compact Three ports 67W PD Foldable prongs (U.S. and U.K.) Price When Reviewed:$59.99Best Prices Today:$58.99 at Amazon$59.99 at Anker

Dimensions: 1.6 x 1.5 x 1.9in (4 x 3.8 x 5cm)

Weight: 4.8oz (136g)

Total output: 67W

Ports: 2x USB-C (67W PD 3.0) and 1x USB-A (22.5W)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Gray/Black

Cable included: No

Anker’s compact Prime 67W GaN Wall Charger has three ports just like the Ugreen Nexode Pro 65W USB-C Charger and is roughly the same size and weight.

This excellent charger ties with the Ugreen as our favorite three-port 65/67W wall charger. Both are tiny for what they offer and represent great value for money.

You get 2x 67W instead of 2x 65W (remember that the total charger output is 67W, so using both will share that power) but this extra 2W is not significant enough to make the Anker outright champion. You can pretty much choose on price—check our live pricing above.

Acefast Crystal Charger A47 – Colorful three-port 65W USB-C wall charger

Pros

Colorful Three ports 65W PD Foldable prongs (U.S.)

Cons

North America only Price When Reviewed:$49.99Best Prices Today:$26.99 at Amazon$49.99 at Acefast

Dimensions: 2.4 x 1.6 x 2.2in (6 x 4 x 5.5cm)

Weight: 3.7oz (105g)

Total output: 65W

Ports: 2x USB-C (65W PD 3.0) and 1x USB-A (20W)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Purple, Green, Gray or Pink

Cable included: No

All the other laptop chargers reviewed here are either white, black or gray—not very imaginative. The Acefast Crystal Charger, however, rocks the monochrome boat with its range of pastel 65W chargers that may well bring joy to your office or home.

The two USB-C ports can both charge at 65W, although not at the same time as the rated wattage of any charger indicates the maximum total output.

If using all three ports, the top USB-C port will charge at 45W, and the other two share 18W between them.

Acefast hasn’t yet announced color-matching USB-C cables, but Anker sells some colored USB-C cables in similar hues.

Nekteck 100W USB-C Charger – Best budget 100W USB-C wall charger

Pros

100W PD Foldable prongs (U.S.) Includes cable

Cons

Single port North America only Price When Reviewed:$42.99Best Prices Today:$34.99 at Amazon

Dimensions: 1.18 x 2.64 x 2.64in (3 x 6.7 x 6.7cm)

Weight: 8.29oz (235g)

Total output: 100W

Ports: 1x USB-C (100W PD 3.0)

PPS: No

Colors: Black

Cable included: 2m 100W USB-C cable

Larger laptops usually require more power than 65W and ship with a 100W charger. For a spare, the single-port Nekteck 100W Charger is a budget winner—especially as it ships with a 2m 100W USB-C cable.

But we think multiple ports are worth spending that extra cash on.

Ugreen Nexode 100W USB-C Wall Charger – Best four-port 100W USB-C wall charger

Pros

100W PD Four ports Foldable prongs (U.S.)

Cons

Larger size Price When Reviewed:$69.99Best Prices Today:$44.99 at Walmart$69.98 at Amazon$69.99 at Ugreen

Dimensions: 1.3 x 2.72 x 2.72in (3.3 x 6.9 x 6.9cm)

Weight: 8.3oz (235g)

Total output: 100W

Ports: 2x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 1x USB-C (22.5W), and 1x USB-A (22.5W)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Gray

Cable included: No

It might be larger and twice as heavy as the single-port chargers, but you can’t argue with four ports with multiple charging options, such as simultaneous 65W for laptop charging and 30W PD for light-laptop powering, plus lower outputs for phones and other devices. Or just use all 100W on your favorite large laptop.

Using three ports you could charge at 45W, 30W, and 22.5W at the same time. Using all four, it can support laptop power delivery at 45W and 30W plus two devices each at 10.5W.

The inclusion of an old-style USB-A port will please owners of that type of cable—probably for older phones or other gadgets.

And its foldable prongs win extra portability points on a larger charger. The barrel-shaped UK model looks quite different and doesn’t have foldable prongs, but offers the same ports.

Ugreen offers a slightly smaller 100W Nexode Pro ($74.99) that has a higher energy density but only three ports, so we still prefer the 100W non-Pro Nexode ($69.95) for its extra port.

Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) – Best three-port 100W USB-C wall charger

Pros

Compact Three ports 100W PD Foldable prongs (U.S. and U.K.) Price When Reviewed:$84.99Best Prices Today:$84.99 at Amazon$84.99 at Anker

Dimensions: 1.7 × 1.5 × 2.4in (4.4 x 3.9 x 6cm)

Weight: 6.5oz (183g)

Total output: 100W

Ports: 2x USB-C (100W PD 3.0) and 1x USB-A (22.5W)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Gray/Black

Cable included: No

While it lacks the fourth port of the Ugreen Nexode 100W USB-C Wall Charger, the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger is smaller and lighter while carrying the same 100W credentials.

It features two 100W USB-C ports and one USB-A for those older charging cables still required by some devices.

Both the U.S. and U.K. versions have neat foldable prongs.

Anker 717 USB-C 140W Charger – Best one-port 140W wall charger

Pros

140W (USB PD 3.1) Foldable prongs (U.S.)

Cons

Single port Price When Reviewed:$79.99Best Prices Today:$79.99 at Amazon$79.99 at Anker$94.99 at Best Buy

Dimensions: 1.22 x 2.66 x 2.31in (3.1 x 6.8 x 5.9cm)

Weight: 8.3oz (235g)

Total output: 140W

Ports: 1x USB-C (140W PD 3.1)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Gray

Cable included: Optional

For larger laptops with higher battery capacity, a USB PD 3.1 charger is essential if you want to charge or fast-charge at 140W or higher.

While it has just the one port, the Anker 717 goes further at 140W than most wall chargers. Pair it with Anker’s own 765 140W USB-C to USB-C Cable in either 3-foot or 6-foot lengths.

Again, we applaud the foldable prongs for added portability.

Ugreen Nexode Pro 160W Charger – Best multiport 160W wall charger

Pros

140W port (USB PD 3.1) Three ports Foldable prongs (U.S.) Price When Reviewed:$119.99Best Prices Today:$119.99 at Amazon$119.99 at Ugreen

Dimensions: 2.8 x 1.7 x 1.3in (7.1 x 4.3 x 3.3cm)

Weight: 10.7oz (304g)

Total output: 160W

Ports: 11x USB-C (140W PD 3.1), 1x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 1x USB-C (30W PD 3.0) and 1x USB-A (22.5W)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Gray

Cable included: Optional

This is the first multiport 160W charger (PD 3.1) we’ve tested, and it is barely larger than the single-port Anker 717 charger.

The top USB-C port is rated at 140W, and below it is another 100W USB-C port, then a 30W USB-C port, with a 22.5W USB-A port at the bottom.

There are multiple charging options: Any one of the above-mentioned ports, two 65W laptops simultaneously, or an impressive 65W+65W+30W charging at the same time.

The Nexode Pro 160W charger has foldable plug prongs in the North American version—U..K. users will have to put up with the plug always extended.

Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN Desktop Charger – Best 300W PD 3.1 USB-C desktop charger

Pros

Five ports 300W maximum 140W (USB PD 3.1)

Cons

Only one PD 3.1 port Price When Reviewed:$269.99Best Prices Today:$269.99 at Ugreen

Dimensions: 6.49 x 4.9 x 4.2in (16.5 x 12.5 x 10.7cm)

Weight: 1.91lb (868g)

Total output: 300W

Ports: 1x USB-C (140W PD 3.1), 2x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 1x USB-C (45W PD 3.0), 1x USB-A (22.5W)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Gray/Black

Cable included: 1.5m AC power cable + 2m 240W USB-C cable

With four USB-C ports and one USB-A, this desktop charger should fulfil most of your charging needs.

It’s the first maximum 300W desktop charger that we’ve tested. That’s a hell of a lot of power that can be shared around. You could power one 140W laptop and another at 100W—impossible with a 200W. charger.

With all ports in action it follows a port hierarchy of 140W/65W/45W/10W/22.5W, which beats the full-use capability of the Satechi 200W USB-C 6-port PD GaN Charger reviewed below. However, that rival desktop charger boasts two 140W PD 3.1 ports to Ugreen’s single 140W PD 3.1 port—that said, you can’t use both of them at that power output at the same time as the Satechi’s max power is 200W.

The inclusion of an USB-A port may also swing you to the Ugreen 300W charger, as the Satechi charger lacks one.

Bonus points, too, to Ugreen for including a 240W charging cable as well as the unit’s own power cable.

Satechi 200W USB-C 6-port PD GaN Charger – Best 200W PD 3.1 USB-C desktop charger

Pros

Six ports 200W maximum 2x 140W (USB PD 3.1)

Cons

No USB-A port Price When Reviewed:$149.99Best Prices Today:$149.99 at Amazon$149.99 at B&H$149.99 at Satechi

Dimensions: 4.13 x 4.13 x 1.38in (10.5 x 10.5 x 3.5cm)

Weight: 1.37lb (622g)

Total output: 200W

Ports: 2x USB-C (140W PD 3.1), 4x USB-C (100W PD 3.0)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Gray

Cable included: 1.5m AC power cable; no USB-C cable

Boasting six USB-C ports, this desktop charger plugs into a power socket via cable rather than directly as a USB-C wall charger does.

Its total output is 200W across the six USB-C ports, but its special bonus are the two 140W PD 3.1 ports for fast-charging larger laptops. Do the math, however, and you realise that you can’t use both 140W ports at full power at the same time.

Each of the remaining 100W ports is USB-C so you’ll need an adapter to use a USB-A charging cable if your device demands it.

With all ports in action it follows a port hierarchy of 65W/45W/20W/20W/20W/20W.

As a desktop charger, it comes with a power cable but you’ll need to add your own USB-C cables—and remember you’ll need a 240W PD 3.1 charging cable to take advantage of the 140W port. Mac users should note that Apple requires you use its own MagSafe 3 charging cable to fast charge the 16-inch MacBook Pro as that model’s USB-C ports (actually Thunderbolt 4) are still rated at 100W PD 3.0.

UGreen Nexode 200W USB-C Desktop Charger – Mixed USB-A/USB-C desktop charger

Pros

Six ports 200W maximum 100W PD

Cons

No 140W port Price When Reviewed:$199.99Best Prices Today:$125.99 at Walmart$199.99 at Amazon$199.99 at Ugreen

Dimensions: 3.97 x 3.97 x 1.27in (10.1 x 10.1 x 3.23cm)

Weight: 1.14lb (517g)

Total output: 200W

Ports: 2x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 2x USB-C (65W PD 3.0), 2x USB-A (22.5W)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Gray

Cable included: 2m AC power cable and 1m 100W USB-C cable

This desktop charger lacks the PD 3.1 support that is essential for higher-than-100W charging, so if you’re looking for 140W large-laptop fast-charging you’d do better choosing the Satechi 200W USB-C 6-port PD GaN Charger, reviewed above.

That said, the GaN 2 Ugreen Nexode 200W 6-Port desktop charger includes two USB-A ports for devices that require the older USB connector.

With all six ports in action, you could charge one laptop at 65W, two at 45W, fast-charge a phone at 20W, and have the two USB-A ports share 20W of power—enough for most busy working desks.

Acefast Desktop Power Station Z4 PD218W GaN – Display shows power from each port

Pros

4 ports 218W maximum 100W PD Manual output change and display Affordable Price When Reviewed:$99.99Best Prices Today:$89.99 at Amazon

Dimensions: 4 x 3.66 x 1.75in (10.3 x 9.3 x 4.45cm)

Weight: 1.44lb (655g)

Total output: 218W

Ports: 2x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 1x USB-C (65W PD 3.0), 1x USB-A (18W)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Gray

Cable included: 1.5m AC power cable

The other desktop chargers reviewed here have different power output options for each of the ports on offer, but only the Acefast Z4 lets you manually change them with the press of a button and then shows you which ports are set for which wattage on its TFT HD display.

The maximum total output that you can share around devices is 218W. That’s enough for three medium-sized laptops and a smartphone, or two larger laptops plus a phone on the side. There are four options for the four USB ports (three USB-C and one USB-A).

Mode A: 100W + 65W + 30W + 18W = 213W max.
Mode B: 65W + 65W + 65W + 18W = 213W max.
Mode C: 100W + 100W + 18W = 218W max.
Mode D (using three ports): 100W + 100W + 18W = 218W max.

The desktop charger is reasonably priced, and supports most fast-charging standards.

OneAdaptr OneWorld130 – Best USB-C PD travel adapter and wall charger

Pros

Four ports plus power socket International travel adapter 100W PD 130W total output Price When Reviewed:$129Best Prices Today:$109 at OneAdaptr

Dimensions): 3.7 x 2.13 x 2.09in (9.4 x 5.4 x 5.3cm)

Weight: 9.63oz (273g)

Total output: 130W

Ports: 2x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 1x USB-C (20W), 1x USB-A (18W)

Colors: Blacue and White

Cable included: No

This compact dual-100W USB-C PD port wall charger has a maximum power output of 130W, meaning you can charge a large laptop at 100W and still have power available to fast charge your accessories or even a small laptop at the same time.

There is one 18W USB-A port for old-school cable connections, but its special sauce is its 7A AC universal power outlet that fits plugs used in over 200 countries—the same way its extendable US/UK/AU/EU plug prongs fit foreign power sockets. This AC power outlet isn’t found on other portable wall chargers. It’s a great mix of laptop- and device-charging ports plus travel plug adapter in one compact GaN unit that should keep your airplane carry-on luggage light.

If you don’t need the 100W of total power, OneAdaptr’s white-colored OneWorld65 is a cheaper version with a 65W maximum and AC power outlet. It features one 65W USB-C PD port, one 20W USB-C PD port, another USB-C charging port and two USB-A charging ports—the non-PD USB-C port and two USB-A ports share 15W of power.

Belkin BoostCharge Pro 140W 4-Port GaN Wall Charger – Best 140W travel wall charger

Pros

Four ports Interchangeable travel plugs 140W PD 3.1

Cons

No AU/NZ plug Heavy Price When Reviewed:$129.99Best Prices Today:$129.99 at Belkin$276.05 at Amazon

Dimensions: 1.2 x 3 x 3.8in (3.1 x 7.6 x 9.6cm)

Total output: 140W

Ports: 2x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 1x USB-C (20W), 1x USB-A (18W)

PPS: No

Colors: White

Cable included: No

This is a great international travel companion, with its three interchangeable plug heads for the U.S./CA, U.K. and E.U. sockets. It is just as useful if you live and stay in just one of those regions—just keep the spare international plugs in a drawer for next time your travel with your laptop.

It supports PD 3.1 and so can charge at up to 140W from its top USB-C port. The other two USB-C ports are each rated at 65W, and there’s a 12W USB-A port for devices that require older charging cables, Fitbits for example.

The U.S. prongs fold back unlike the U.K. or E.U. plugs.

If you need an AU/NZ plug head, look at the Alogic Rapid Power 67W Multi-Country Travel GaN Charger, which has three ports as well as US/UK/EU/AU compatibility. It also ships with a handy travel case and a USB-C cable.

Minix Neo P3 100W Turbo 4-Ports Wall Charger – Best budget 100W travel wall charger

Pros

Four ports Interchangeable travel plugs 100W PD

Cons

No AU/NZ plug Price When Reviewed:$64.90Best Prices Today:$59.90 at Amazon

Dimensions: 1 x 2.36 x 2.36in (2.5 x 6 x 6cm)

Weight: 7.1oz (200g)

Total output: 100W

Ports: 2x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 1x USB-C (20W), 1x USB-A (18W)

PPS: No

Colors: Black

Cable included: No

This is a marvellous companion when you’re traveling internationally where other countries have the temerity to use different format plug sockets.

Its foldable U.S. prongs can clip onto each of the two included interchangeable plugs for the UK and Europe. The OneAdaptr OneWorld65 or OneWorld100 are neater, compact travel solutions with an extra AC power outlet, but this charger looks more like a standard charger when you’re not travelling.

There are two 100W USB-C PD ports, one 20W USB-C, and an 18W QuickCharge 3.0 USB-A port, plenty for most device collections.

Ugreen 130W USB-C Car Charger – Best 100W in-car laptop charger

Pros

In-car laptop charger Three ports 100W PD 130W maximum Cable included Price When Reviewed:$39.99Best Prices Today:$25.99 at Amazon$39.99 at Ugreen

Dimensions: 3.06 x 0.94 x 1.4in (7.78 x 2.4 x 3.56cm)

Weight: 1.59oz (45g)

Total output: 130W

Ports: 1x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 1x USB-C (30W PD), 1x USB-A (22.5W)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Black

Cable included: 1.3m 100W USB-C cable

You can charge your laptop on the move while in your car, using a dedicated charger that comes with a jack compatible with the car cigarette socket. In time, this seemingly antiquated in-car tool might be better known as the charger socket.

We like this car laptop charger from Ugreen as it has 100W and 30W USB-C ports that mean you can charge a laptop and fast-charge a phone at the same time. Plus, there’s a USB-A port with decent power potential (22.5W).

Remember that when the car’s engine isn’t running, all electrical systems receive power from the battery, which will drain if you charge a laptop overnight—just as it will if you leave the headlights on. Charging your laptop when the car is in motion doesn’t drain the vehicle battery.

Baseus PowerCombo 6-in-1 Charging Station 65W – Neatest USB-C power strip

Pros

Two ports plus retractable USB-C cable Three power outlets 65W PD

Cons

Not 100W PD Price When Reviewed:$89.99Best Prices Today:$79.99 at Amazon$89.99 at Baseus

Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.6 x 2.6in (11.3 x 6.6 x 6.6cm)

Total output: 65W

Ports: 1x USB-C (65W PD 3.0), 1x USB-A (60W), 3x power socket

PPS: Yes

Colors: White, Black

Cables included: 1.5m AC power cable, plus 0.8m retractable USB-C cable

This compact power extender boasts three 13A AC power sockets and two USB ports (1x 65W USB-C PD and 1x 18W USB-A), but its special feature is a retractable 1.5-meter USB-C cable that also can charge a laptop at 65W. When you’re done with it is suction-pulls back into the charger block, with the connector magnetically clamped to the front.

With its 0.8m retractable cable and tiny size this is a real solution to desk-clutter. Available in black and white, it gives you the options for desk aesthetics, too.

It can charge six devices at the same time, or you can use those sockets (two three-pronged, one two-pronged) to run your display, dock or lamp. Maximum output on the USB ports is 65W, and for the three power sockets (1,650W).

if your laptop has USB-A rather than USB-C, the middle USB port is rated at 60W.

Extra points are awarded for the power button on the top and its interaction with a mobile app that lets you set a shut-down timer. For safety, there’s short-circuit protection and auto power cut-off.

It’s available only with U.S. or E.U. power sockets and plug. The E.U.version features two rather than three power sockets but is otherwise the same.

Ugreen 65W Power Strip DigiNest Cube GaN Extension Lead

Pros

Four ports Three power outlets 65W PD Cable included

Cons

Not 100W PD Price When Reviewed:$69.99Best Prices Today:$69.99 at Amazon$69.99 at Ugreen

Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 3in (7.6 x 7.6 x 7.6cm)

Total output: 65W

Ports: 2x USB-C (65W PD 3.0), 2x USB-A (18W), 3x power socket

PPS: Yes

Colors: Black

Cable included: 1.8m AC power cable

This cute cube-shaped power extender has three 13A AC power sockets plus four USB ports (2x 65W USB-C PD and 2x 18W USB-A), so can charge seven devices at the same time. Maximum output on the USB ports is 65W, and for the three power sockets (2,990W).

It’s available with either U.S., UK, or EU power sockets and plugs.

Ugreen also offers a Ugreen 100W USB C DigiNest Pro Charging Station in a less cube-like shape that you’ll prefer if you have a larger laptop. This power strip, with 6ft (1.8m) cable, also includes four USB ports (3x USB-C, 1x USB-A), two of which are PD compatible at 100W, and three 15A AC sockets. Maximum output on the USB ports is 100W, and for the three power plugs (one on the top, and two behind) 1,870W.

Ugreen Nexode RG 65W USB C GaN Charger – Cute robot-shaped wall charger

Pros

Cute Three ports 65W PD Price When Reviewed:$49.99Best Prices Today:$49.99 at Amazon$49.99 at Ugreen

Dimensions: 1.57 x 1.7 x 2.65in (4 x 4.3 x 6.7cm)

Weight: 5oz (143g)

Total output: 65W

Ports: 1x USB-C (65W PD 3.0), 1x USB-C (30W PD), 1x USB-A (22.5W)

PPS: Yes

Colors: Black or Purple

Cable included: Optional

With chargers getting so small, we’ve even taken to calling some of them “cute”. But this one, from Ugreen, really lives up to that endearment. Shaped like a stubby robot, with an LCD screen for its face and a protective base for its feet, the Nexode RG adds some fun to your desk and still provides decent power for your devices.

The display shows different expressions depending on the charging state. The feet do very little except stop it falling over when it’s not stuck in a socket. Due to differing plug types, the U.S. robot is standing while the U.K. robot sits—this has no effect on the charger’s usage!

With all three ports (2x USB-C and 1x USB-A) in action, you can charge a small laptop at 45W (or fast-charge your Samsung phone) and have two 7.5W outputs spare. If your laptop requires more power, then you’ll only use the first USB-C port while it’s charging as the maximum output is 65W.

What to look for in a USB-C PD charger

As mentioned above, the primary requirement is that your laptop includes a USB-C port that can carry power as well as data. Older laptops that came with their own power brick might have data-only USB-C but not power-supporting USB-C.

USB-C laptop chargers use a certified technology called USB Power Delivery (USB PD), a specification that enables power delivery along with data over a single cable.

All the chargers tested here are certified by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), and are from reliable, trusted brands—you’ll find cheaper, less-well-known brands online but for safety’s sake we recommend you chose a proven brand, such as Anker, Ugreen, Satechi, Belkin, Plugable or Aukey, as well as big brands such as HP, Dell, Google and Samsung that follow the latest safety standards.

Chargers can get hot, so you want to trust that yours won’t catch fire or otherwise damage your laptop. That’s why we avoid cheaper brands that we haven’t heard of or tested.

USB PD 3.0 supports up to 100W of power to the laptop. USB PD 3.1 can reach 240W, which is useful for larger laptops that require over 100W for charging at full speed while in use, and for fast-charging compatible laptops.

PPS support offers more efficient charging

Some chargers support the USB-PD Programmable Power Supply (PPS) standard.

PPS allows for a finer grain control of voltage. As my colleague Gordon Ung explains, while a standard USB-C charge rate can look like large steps, PPS can look like a curve and is constantly renegotiated every few seconds based on what the device’s battery tells the charger it needs. This can result in cooler charging inside the device as the conversion is offloaded to the charger rather than the device itself. In turn, this can lead to faster charging as well as less stress on the battery during charging, which can result in a longer service life for a battery.

PPS requires the charged device to support the standard. While many Android phones and tablets support PPS, Apple devices do not. Non-supported devices will still work with the PPS charger as PPS chargers also support the universal USB PD standard; they just won’t charge as efficiently as PPS devices do.

Wattage

Once you know that your laptop supports USB PD charging, the most important specification to look for when choosing a laptop charger is the amount of power it can supply to your laptop—measured in watts (W).

The wattage you should look for will depend on the maximum power draw of your laptop—that is, the draw when you are using a bunch of apps at the same time or pushing the graphics functions, not when you’re just browsing the web or sending emails. This level of maximum power is what the manufacturer considers when it decides on the wattage of the charger it includes with the laptop.

When idle or doing mundane jobs that draw only a small amount of power from the charger, laptops can recharge fully on a lower-wattage charger—so a 45W charger can top up an idle 65W laptop but much slower than a 65W charger.

That said, when buying a new USB-C charger, buy at least the same wattage as the charger that shipped with your laptop.

Smaller laptops may require just a 30W or 45W charger, while medium laptops usually need 65W, and 100W is required for larger 15-inch and larger notebooks.

Don’t worry if your laptop requires just 45W and you fancy that 100W charger—using a higher-power charger won’t harm your lower-powered laptop as it will regulate the power from the charger.

Using a higher-wattage charger than your laptop requires is recommended when choosing a charger with multiple ports, as the stated wattage is the maximum output, and charging other devices at the same time will start lowering the power going to the laptop.

For more charging questions answered, see our laptop charging FAQ at the end of this article.

Ugreen

Ugreen

Ugreen

Multiple ports for more devices

Standard laptop chargers have just one USB-C port or connector, but many third-party USB-C chargers boast multiple ports—sometimes both USB-C and older USB-A.

These are useful if you want to charge more than just your laptop—with multiple ports on your charger, you can power up your phone, tablet, or headphones at the same time as your laptop.

If you want to use more than one charging port, consider your maximum requirement—say, 65W for the laptop and another 15W for a phone and maybe 5W for a smartwatch or headphones. A charger with a higher wattage can distribute the excess power to other connected devices at the same time as you power your laptop.

Multi-port chargers will have a variety of charging options between ports and devices.

Go for GaN

Look for chargers built with modern Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology that runs cooler than older silicon tech, meaning that devices built with it can charge devices faster and with less heat dissipation than traditional chargers and are noticeably smaller, too.

Newer GaN 2 can operate at even higher voltages and temperatures.

Dimensions given in our reviews are for the U.S. models, which are also pictured for each product, but UK models are mostly also available. Due to their sturdy three-pin Type G plug, UK models are usually wider than their U.S. Type A and B plug counterparts.

Fast charging 

Modern laptops support fast charging, where the battery can be pumped up to at least 50 percent capacity—sometimes greater—in around 30 minutes.

A laptop with fast-charging support is easier to keep close to a full charge. If the battery is fully drained, fast charging helps you get back to work fast, and you can quickly top up the battery when required—even just a few minutes of charging can save you when you don’t have much time near a power socket.

Anker

Anker

Anker

Choose the right charging cable

Some USB-C laptop chargers ship with a cable, but most don’t. Make sure the cable you use supports power delivery, as some are for data-transfer only.

The wisest choices for USB PD cables are based on the latest Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 standards, which are both backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C, and supports both charging and up to 40Gbps data transfer. But Thunderbolt/USB4 is more expensive and often available in shorter lengths than USB-C cables.

Look for a USB-C PD or Thunderbolt cable. If you want to charge at over 100W, this should support USB PD 3.1. Not all cables are marked as supporting 240W so make sure you check the PD rating before your purchase.

Plugable sells 240W-supporting PD 3.1 charging cables that it labels Extended Power Range (EPR) in USB4 EPR or Thunderbolt 4 EPR—both are backwards compatible with USB-C. Anker’s 765 USB-C to USB-C Cable also supports PD 3.1.

The maximum length for power cables is 2m. Anything longer, and less power will reach the connected device.

Find more of the best USB-C cables in our roundup.

Ugreen

Ugreen

Ugreen

Wall charger or desktop charger

A wall charger features plug prongs and connects directly into the wall power socket. Straight-to-socket wall chargers are small and portable—most will fit in your pocket. They might not have as many ports as a desktop charger but can still have several ports to choose from.

If you carry your charger around with you a lot, look for a wall charger that has foldable plug prongs, which makes it more comfortable and smaller. These are more common with U.S. Type A plugs than UK Type G plugs.

A desktop charger is separated from the socket by a power cable (usually detachable), with the charger instead sitting on your desk. Desktop chargers always feature multiple ports, and sometimes a separate power supply that will hide under the desk.

They are great for keeping your device-charging organized and in one neat package but are usually less portable than wall chargers.

There are also handy power strips with USB PD ports as well as extra sockets—useful in a home or office environment with few power sockets.

Another laptop-charging solution is to use a docking station or hub. These boast even more ports than a desktop charger, such as HDMI/DisplayPort, ethernet, and card readers. Check out our recommended best Thunderbolt and USB-C DisplayLink docks and best USB-C hubs.

FAQ

Can I charge my laptop with USB-C?

Probably. If your laptop supports USB PD (Power Delivery), you can charge it using a USB-C PD charger.

It has to be USB PD for charging, as some USB-C ports are data only.

If your laptop came with a USB-C port on its power adapter, then the answer is almost certainly yes, but you might want to check the product documentation or ask the manufacturer for clarification.

2.

Can I charge my laptop with any USB-C charger?

Probably. A few years back, some laptop manufacturers, such as HP, were fussy about which USB PD chargers would work with its products. But today, compatibility is mainly universal.

3.

Can I use a charger with a higher wattage than my laptop?

Yes. Power regulation means that it is safe to charge a 45W laptop with a 100W charger, for example. Laptops are designed to draw up to only a certain level of power when running at full speed.

4.

Can a higher-wattage charger power-up a laptop faster?

Possibly. A more powerful charger—with a higher wattage than the charger that shipped with your laptop—might charge your laptop a little faster, but this is certainly not guaranteed.

5.

Can I use a charger with a lower wattage than my laptop?

Yes, but you should try not to. You can charge a 100W laptop with a 65W charger, for example, but it’s not advisable as the laptop battery could drain faster than it is being charged, especially if in use at the time.

Charging an idle laptop should mean that its battery will be fully charged with a lower-wattage charger, but it will take much longer than with the correctly rated charger. As a one-off it should be fine, but we do not recommend it in the long term. Using a lower-rated charger could result in overheating, which is never a good thing with electronics.

6.

Will my laptop charge faster if not in use?

Yes. When your laptop is idle or you are using only light apps such as email, it will be draining only a small amount of power from its battery, so it will charge faster. If you are using performance-hungry apps at the same time as charging, the charger will take longer to catch up as the laptop’s battery is constantly draining while in use.  

7.

Can I charge my phone using a laptop charger?

Yes, you can use a laptop charger to charge your phone. Some chargers feature more than one port, and the lower wattage ports are perfect for phone charging—but you can also charge a phone with a 140W charging port if you want to, although it’s safer for the phone if you use a lower-wattage port.

8.

Can I use any cable to charge a laptop?

No. You must use a USB-C cable that supports power delivery. Some USB-C cables can’t carry as much power as others. A USB PD 3.0 cable can carry 100W of power. A USB PD 3.1 cable can carry 240W of power.

9.

Can I use a UBC-C cable to charge a Thunderbolt or USB4 laptop?

Yes. Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4 are backwards compatible with USB-C for data and charging.

Thunderbolt and USB4 also have higher data-transfer bandwidth—up to 40Gbps—than USB-C, which is rated between 5Gbps and 20Gbps.

10.

Can I use a Thunderbolt cable with a USB-C charger?

Yes. Thunderbolt is backwards compatible with USB-C so a Thunderbolt cable can be used with a USB-C laptop or USB-C charger.

You still need to ensure that the Thunderbolt cable can handle the right amount of power you require. All Thunderbolt 3 or 4 and USB4 cables can handle 100W of power, but some support up to 240W.

11.

Should I charge my laptop to 100%?

Only if you need to. If you are going on a road trip and need all the juice your laptop battery can supply, then by all means charge it to 100 percent before heading out.

But it’s easier on the battery if you keep it charged between 40 and 80 percent—no lower and no higher if you can.

Batteries charged to the full 100 percent might have only 300-500 discharge cycles, but batteries charged only up to 80 percent could get to nearly 4x that number of recharging cycles.

12.

Should I fully drain my laptop battery to 0%?

No. As with our advice not to fully charge a lithium-ion laptop battery too often, it’s better for long-term battery life if you keep it charged between 40 and 80 percent.

Author: Simon Jary, Contributing writer

Simon was Editor of Macworld from the dark days of 1995 to the triumphant return of Steve Jobs and the launch of the iPhone. His desk is a test bench for tech accessories, from USB-C and Thunderbolt docks to chargers, batteries, Powerline adaptors and Fitbits.

Recent stories by Simon Jary:

One of the best Thunderbolt laptop docks is 20% off right nowWe love Ugreen’s GaN USB-C chargers, and they’re 40% off this weekBest Cyber Monday portable power station deals

At a glance

Expert’s Rating

Pros

Excellent image qualityUseful built-in kickstandAttractive and sturdy designExtensive image-quality options

Cons

Flimsy bundled keyboard coverSome on-screen menu options are confusingPower adapter could be smaller

Our Verdict

The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED delivers excellent sharpness, color, and HDR performance in a portable 16-inch display.

Price When Reviewed

$499.99

Best Prices Today: Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED

RetailerPrice$499.99View Deal$499.99View Deal$499.99View DealViewsonic$499.99View Deal$499.99View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket

Portable monitors often make sacrifices to achieve the portability and budget pricing they’re known for. Even OLED displays are often inexpensive, with prices for some models dipping below $250. The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED takes a different approach. It aims to deliver excellent image quality in both SDR and HDR content and is priced to match this aspiration. Fortunately, Viewsonic hits its mark.

Further reading: See our roundup of the best portable monitors to learn about competing products.

Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED specs and features

The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED’s specifications are impressive on paper. It delivers a 4K OLED panel which, although certainly not unique to this monitor, is typically found only in expensive portable monitors and laptops. The panel is also VESA DisplayHDR 500 certified, which is unusual for a portable monitor. Most lack a VESA DisplayHDR certification.

Display size: 16-inch widescreenNative resolution: 3840×2160Panel type: OLEDRefresh rate: 60HzAdaptive sync: NoHDR: Yes, VESA DisplayHDR 500 certifiedPorts: 2x USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 60 watts Power Delivery, 1x Mini-HDMI 2.0, 1x 3.5mm audio-out, 1x USB-C power-inVESA mount: NoneSpeakers: IncludedPrice: $499.99 MSRP / $449.99 retail

These premium specifications come at a premium MSRP of $499.99 which can be found for $449.99 at some online retailers. That’s a high price for a portable monitor and may immediately send budget-conscious shoppers to flight. If you’re willing to pay up for premium image quality, though, you’ll like what you see.

Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED design

Viewsonic engineers had a tough job designing the VX1655-4K-OLED. It’s an expensive portable monitor, which implies it should look nicer than its competition. Fortunately, Viewsonic manages to pull it off thanks to slim bezels on three sides and a glass panel that covers the entire front of the display. The rear of the portable monitor is also sturdy with a metallic feel and a remarkably rigid chassis. There’s close to zero flex evident when handling the display, which isn’t typical for a portable monitor.

The VX1655 is a 16-inch widescreen monitor, so it requires a large handbag or backpack to carry. However, the monitor weighs only 1.5 pounds on its own and is thin at just 0.6 inches its thickest point. It’s easy to slip in any bag that can accommodate a 15-inch or 16-inch laptop, and may even fit alongside the laptop so long as the laptop isn’t unusually thick.

A kickstand is built into the monitor’s chassis and can’t be detached. That’s a departure from most competitors, which typically feature a detachable stand that often doubles as a cover or case. The integrated kickstand improves stability, however, as it won’t unexpectedly detach or collapse when the monitor is bumped or moved.

The monitor comes with a detachable cover that protects the front of the monitor. It will guard against scratches and gentle bumps but felt thin in my hands, so I recommend buying a protective sleeve. On the plus side, the cover adds just a couple tenths of a pound to the overall weight, so it doesn’t make the monitor more difficult to pack.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED connectivity and menus

The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED integrates its connectivity into the kickstand, which includes two USB-C ports, each supporting DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 60W of power delivery to power the monitor. A single mini-HDMI port and a 3.5mm audio jack round out the options. It’s a good range of connectivity, though I would have preferred a full-sized HDMI port.

It’s possible to power the monitor through a single USB-C connection if it’s used with a device that provides enough power (Viewsonic lists the maximum power consumption at 24 watts). Otherwise, power can be supplied with the included USB-C power adapter. The included power adapter is larger than I would expect at roughly 3.5 inches deep, 2 inches high, and an inch thick, which can be inconvenient. Many travelers will prefer using their own USB-C charger, and any that can provide at least 30W should work.

A joystick on the right side of the kickstand provides access to the monitor’s on-screen menus. It’s responsive, easy to use, and a significant upgrade from the menu controls found on many competing portable monitors. They’re often integrated into the volume and power buttons and ask users to press them for a specific period or in specific combinations (which are easy to forget).

The on-screen menus are well-labeled and easy to read, offering a respectable range of image quality adjustments, including color temperature and gamma presets, as well as color calibration options. While generally easy to use, I noticed the joystick input sometimes flipped unexpectedly while navigating through the menus. This means an input that had opened a menu could change to cancel a menu, or vice versa, which often led to accidental or incorrect navigation.

A small speaker is built into the kickstand. It’s weak, but crisp — at least when handling simple audio sources like a podcast. More complex tasks, like music or movies, easily overwhelm it. I wouldn’t want to rely on it, but it could be useful for a video call in a pinch.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED SDR image quality

The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED’s display panel is the star of the show. It’s a 4K OLED panel with a refresh rate of 60Hz and 16:9 aspect ratio. While OLED panels are not uncommon in 2024, even among portable monitors, it’s still a premium panel with an extremely pixel density. It also performed well in most tests.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Brightness was a bit of a surprise, as the VX1655-4K-OLED achieved a maximum SDR brightness of 457 nits. That is high for any portable monitor and strong for an OLED panel in a portable monitor or laptop. The display remains comfortable to view in nearly any room. However, the glass covering the panel is extremely reflective, so glare can still be an issue when using the monitor outdoors or near a sunny window.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The VX1655’s excellent contrast ratio was less surprising, as it’s a feature nearly all OLED displays offer. Still, it contributes to a rich and immersive viewing experience with deep, inky black levels that convey an excellent sense of depth.

It’s a significant improvement over the IPS panel technology found in most budget-friendly portable monitors. IPS displays typically have a contrast ratio around 1,000:1 and can look hazy and gray when they should appear pitch black. The VX1655’s contrast ratio makes it superior for entertainment, including PC games and streaming services.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Color gamut is another highlight, as the VX1655 covers the entire sRGB and DCI-P3 color space, as well as 94 percent of Adobe RGB. These are top-notch results for a portable monitor and make it useful for color-critical photography, design, and video editing tasks. It also makes the display look saturated and vivid in everyday use.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Color accuracy, on the other hand, was just okay, though that comes with a caveat. OLED panels can fluctuate in brightness depending on what is displayed, and that fluctuation can cause problems when testing color accuracy. Some competing brands, especially Asus, solve the problem with a uniform brightness mode that prevents brightness fluctuations but slightly reduces the maximum brightness of the display. Viewsonic should consider adding a similar option. I know this is an issue, as I was able to see subtle brightness fluctuations as tests were performed.

The VX1655 performed well in gamma and color temperature tests. It achieved a gamma curve of 2.2, which is directly on target, and a color temperature of 6600K, just a hair cooler than the ideal target of 6500K. The monitor also provides multiple gamma and color temperature options for tuning the image to your needs.

Sharpness is a perk. The 16-inch 4K panel delivers 275 pixels per inch, an incredible pixel density that easily exceeds a 27-inch 4K monitor, which packs just 163 pixels per inch. Text and high-resolution images look wonderfully sharp, and at times, they can even appear a bit unreal. In my opinion, it’s a bit overkill for a monitor of this size, but if you’re seeking the sharpest image possible in a portable monitor, you will not be disappointed.

On the whole, the image quality of the VX1655 is exceptional. The Viewsonic ColorPro VP16 OLED surpasses it in some respects, including color gamut and color accuracy. However, for most people, the superior sharpness and brightness of the VX1655 should prove appealing. The VX1655 also defeats OLED portable monitors I’ve previously reviewed from brands that are popular on Amazon, like the Innocn 15A1F. We still recommend the 15A1F, as it’s much more affordable, but the VX1655’s improved resolution and brightness make it better for content creation and entertainment.

Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED HDR image quality

The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED’s HDR performance was a pleasant surprise. The monitor is VESA DisplayHDR 500 certified and, in my testing, proved capable of reaching a maximum brightness of just over 500 nits.

That’s important because the added brightness allows HDR content to reveal more detail, which creates the vivid, crisp, and realistic look of HDR content. It also delivers a “wow” factor in bright scenes or scenes that feature occasional bursts of brightness. 500 nits is still lower than ideal (I’d like to see 1,000 nits or more), but the VX1655’s HDR performance is the best of any portable monitor we’ve tested to date.

Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED motion performance

Gaming is not the Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED’s focus, so it sticks to a refresh rate of 60Hz. That can’t provide the enhanced motion fluidity you’ll enjoy from monitors with a 120Hz or 240Hz refresh rate, which are available for the same price or less.

Still, the VX1655’s motion clarity is okay. That’s mostly due to the low pixel response times that OLED panels provide. Put simply, each pixel responds quickly to changes, which reduces the amount of motion blur behind moving objects. There’s still plenty of blur visible behind fast-moving objects, but it’s acceptable for less competitive PC games.

Should you buy the Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED?

The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED is an exceptional portable monitor. It has a bright, vivid, high-contrast OLED panel that delivers excellent image quality in both SDR and HDR content. The monitor’s design also stands out with a built-in kickstand and a rigid chassis. I noticed a couple minor flaws: The bundled display cover felt flimsy, and the on-screen menus were at times confusing to navigate, but those are minor issues. If you want excellent image quality from a monitor that you can easily fit in a backpack, it’s hard to beat the VX1655.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Best Prices Today: Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED

RetailerPrice$499.99View Deal$499.99View Deal$499.99View DealViewsonic$499.99View Deal$499.99View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket

Author: Matthew S. Smith

Matthew S. Smith is a freelance technology journalist with 15 years of experience reviewing consumer electronics. In addition to PCWorld, his work can be found on Wired, Ars Technica, Digital Trends, Reviewed, IGN, and Lifewire. Matthew also covers AI and the metaverse for IEEE Spectrum and runs Computer Gaming Yesterday, a YouTube channel devoted to PC gaming history.

Recent stories by Matthew S. Smith:

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It’s strange that while 4K resolution rapidly became ubiquitous in televisions, showing up even in the cheapest Walmart TVs stacked by the door, it’s still considered a premium feature for computer monitors. Well if you’ve been looking for a 4K upgrade on the cheap, Acer has your back. Today Amazon is listing a 28-inch 4K monitor for just $199.99.

That’s $300 off Acer’s MSRP…but more accurately, $100 off Amazon’s regular price. While it’s a little smaller than some 4K monitors, this display ticks all the check marks for a seriously useful office display. In addition to the 3840×2160 resolution, it’s an IPS display, so it has better color accuracy and viewing angles than cheaper TN and VA panels. (This is the kind of screen I look for when I need to work in Photoshop.)

The Acer B287K has ports for HDMI and DisplayPort, plus a pass-through for your headphones or headset. (It technically has a pair of 2-watt speakers built in, but seriously, don’t use those.) It’s also packing a 4-port USB hub, a standard VESA mount for a monitor arm, and a pretty decent stand in the box.

With 60Hz of refresh rate it’s not a great choice for a gaming monitor, but 4K resolution is already not ideal for anything but the most powerful of gaming PCs. There’s a killer 1440p Dell that’s still on sale if you’re looking for a gaming display. But if what you want is raw, pixel-powered desktop space, this monitor will hit the spot.

Get this 4K Acer monitor for just $199.99 at Amazon

Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer

Michael is a former graphic designer who’s been building and tweaking desktop computers for longer than he cares to admit. His interests include folk music, football, science fiction, and salsa verde, in no particular order.

Recent stories by Michael Crider:

Gigabyte’s 49-inch OLED gaming monitor hits its lowest price yetSamsung’s humongous OLED ultrawide monitor is $800 offWacom’s first OLED tablet is meant for drawing on the go

Working from home has gone from being a growing trend to a full-scale phenomenon. There are many perks to a work-from-home arrangement, to be sure, but there can also be downsides: For example, there’s a good chance you’ll need to supply your own monitor. Fortunately, there are many great home office monitors to choose from, as I’ve discovered through extensive real-world testing.

Below you’ll find my picks for the best home office monitors, and below that you can learn more about what specs and features matter when shopping for a home office monitor.

For even more monitor recommendations, check out our roundups of the best monitors and the best portable monitors. The latter can be especially useful if you like to be able to work from locations in and out of the home.

Updated April 25, 2024: We recently reviewed a couple monitors that each have something to offer home-office dwellers. The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED, for its part, is a portable 4K monitor that offers excellent color performance and an array of customization options — perfect for creative professionals who demand portability or space saving, or both. The BenQ PD3225U is a larger-screen option at 32 inches, featuring an impressive IPS Black display and a built-in USB-C hub.

Dell Ultrasharp U2724DE – Best home office monitor

Pros

Attractive and functional design Class-leading Thunderbolt and USB connectivity IPS Black improves contrast 120Hz refresh rate

Cons

Most competitors offer 4K resolution No HDR support Adaptive Sync has some caveats Best Prices Today:$649.99 at Dell

Dell’s Ultrasharp U2724DE is the perfect home office monitor. It has a bright, vivid, sharp panel with excellent color performance. That comes alongside a buffet of ports that make it easy to connect multiple peripherals and expand a laptop’s connectivity.

The star of the show is the monitor’s IPS Black panel. It has a better contrast ratio than other IPS panels, which leads to a more alluring and attractive picture. That comes alongside excellent color accuracy and a wide color gamut. 

Dell pairs the IPS Black panel with an enhanced 120Hz refresh rate. This is great for gaming and improves the monitor’s versatility. You won’t have to buy a second gaming monitor to enjoy games after work. The 120Hz refresh rate can also make the Windows desktop feel snappy, as it reduces input latency and improves motion clarity.

The U2724DE is packed to the gills with ports. Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, and 2.5G Ethernet are included. These effectively turn the monitor into a USB-C hub or dock. It has USB Power Delivery, too, which means the USB-C port can charge a connected laptop.

Resolution is the only downside. The U2724DE’s 1440p resolution isn’t bad, but picky owners may notice the image is softer than a 4K alternative, and some may need 4K to work on specific content (such as editing a 4K video). Those who want 4K should consider the Dell Ultrasharp U2723QE, which upgrades the resolution to 4K but reduces the refresh rate to 60Hz. Shoppers on a budget, meanwhile, can consider the U2724D. It’s almost identical to the U2724DE but sacrifices ports to lower the price.

Read our full Dell U2724DE review

Acer K242HYL – Best budget home office monitor

Pros

Attractive color accuracy and gamut  Acceptable sharpness for a 1080p display  Avoids motion clarity pitfalls   Menu system is easy to use 

Cons

Barebones design  No height adjustment on stand  Only one HDMI, no DisplayPort  Power LED is very bright Price When Reviewed:$149Best Prices Today:$149.99 at Acer

Want a basic home office monitor that can handle most tasks at a very low price? The Acer K242HYL is it.

Acer’s K242HYL is a 24-inch, 1080p monitor. It’s not as sharp as a premium, 4K monitor, but image clarity is not bad for a monitor in this price bracket. The K242HYL also packs a respectable maximum brightness of almost 300 nits, good color accuracy, and supports 98 percent of the sRGB gamut. None of these figures are record breaking, but they’re great for a budget monitor.

The monitor lacks a height-adjustable stands, but this is common at this price. A VESA monitor stand mount is available for adding a third-party monitor stand.  Video connectivity is limited to just one HDMI and one VGA. The monitor does throw in a few perks, though, including AMD FreeSync support for smooth gaming and a slightly enhanced 75Hz refresh rate.

Often priced at just $99.99, the Acer K242HYL is an impressive value. It’s the least capable monitor on this list, to be sure—but it’s more than adequate for document editing, accounting, project management, video conferencing, and hundreds of other home office tasks.

Read our full Acer K242HYL review

BenQ GW2790QT – Best 1440p home office monitor

Pros

Attractive and ergonomic design Sharp, bright image Includes USB-C and DisplayPort-out Acceptable built-in speakers and microphone

Cons

Mediocre image quality No HDR No Adaptive Sync Price When Reviewed:$299.99Best Prices Today:$279.99 at Amazon$279.99 at B&H$319.98 at BenQ

The BenQ GW2790QT is a great choice for a budget-friendly 1440p home office monitor. Priced at $300 (occasionally dropping to $280 on Amazon), it delivers a crisp and bright 27-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2560×1440. It also has built-in speakers and even a microphone, which is helpful for video conferencing.

Connectivity is extensive. It includes USB-C with 65 watts of Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, HDMI, DisplayPort, three USB-A 3.2 downstream ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It also has DisplayPort-out, an uncommon port that lets you reduce cable clutter by daisy-chaining video from the GW2790T to a second monitor.

BenQ provides an excellent ergonomic stand that adjusts for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot. It has a heavy base that keeps the monitor firmly planted on your desk. The base is flat, so other objects can be placed on top of it, and it takes the unusual step of including a cut-out that can be used as a smartphone or tablet stand.

The monitor has one weakness: It’s perhaps too focused on home office use. It doesn’t have gaming features like AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync and lacks HDR support. That’s easy to forgive, however, given the monitor’s mid-range $300 price tag. It’s not the best for every situation, but it’s excellent for a home office.

Read our full BenQ GW2790QT review

Asus ProArt PA279CRV – Best 4K home office monitor

Pros

Plenty of connectivity Numerous image-quality options Extremely wide color-gamut Good value for money

Cons

Mediocre contrast and brightness Subpar HDR performance Unimpressive motion clarity Price When Reviewed:$469.00Best Prices Today:$469 at B & H Photo

The Asus ProArt PA279CRV is an outstanding home office monitor for professionals, artists, and creators seeking exceptional color performance at an affordable price. 

It has a 27-inch 4K display that packs 163 pixels per inch. That translates to outstanding sharpness and clarity across apps, web pages, movies, and games. The monitor also has a remarkably wide color gamut that rivals more expensive displays, covering 100 percent of sRGB, 99 percent of DCI-P3, and 98 percent of AdobeRGB. 

Asus pairs the monitor’s excellent image quality with elegant design and a sturdy, ergonomic stand that supports height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments. The monitor’s extensive connectivity options include USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 96 watts Power Delivery, two DisplayPort 1.4 (including one output supporting Daisy Chain), two HDMI 2.0, and three USB-A 3.2 Gen-1 ports, as well as a 3.5mm audio-out.

The PA279CRV has a mediocre contrast ratio and struggles with detail and ambiance in dark content. It also offers a modest 60Hz refresh rate, which amounts to lackluster motion fluidity in games.

These downsides are easily excused by Asus’ competitive MSRP of $469. That’s an extremely low price for a monitor that offers 4K resolution and top-tier color gamut alongside gobs of ports. 

Read our full ProArt PA279CRV review

Dell 2424T – Best touchscreen home office monitor

Pros

Easy-to-use touchscreen Unique tilt stand Excellent USB-C connectivity Good contrast ratio

Cons

Expensive for its size and resolution Image quality is good, but not amazing No Adaptive Sync or HDR Price When Reviewed:$419.99Best Prices Today:$419.99 at Dell$419.99 at Dell Home

The Dell 2424HT is an excellent monitor for those craving a touchscreen experience for their home office. With its 24-inch display, 1080p resolution, and 10-point multi-touch panel, it provides an intuitive touch experience for navigating through documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Dell improves the touchscreen experience with a versatile tilt stand that lets you adjust the angle of the screen for comfortable viewing and easy touchscreen access. The monitor also delivers excellent connectivity with USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort inputs. The USB-C port provides USB Power Delivery, which can charge a connected laptop or tablet. It also serves as a USB hub providing additional USB-A ports and Ethernet.  

The 2424HT delivers solid image quality for office work with good color accuracy, contrast, and viewing angles thanks to its IPS panel. It sticks to a 60Hz refresh rate, however, and lacks Adaptive Sync. The 2424HT’s purpose is clear: It’s for work, not gaming. 

Dell asks a steep $519.99 MSRP, but the monitor is sometimes discounted to $414.99. That makes the Dell 2424HT more expensive than its alternatives, but it makes up for that with superior image quality and connectivity. These advantages make the 2424HT the obvious choice if you want a touchscreen monitor for your home office.

Read our full Dell 2424HT review

Dell U4025QW – Best ultrawide for a home office

Pros

Sharp, vibrant, color-accurate 5K display Incredible connectivity including Thunderbolt, Ethernet Long list of menu options and features 120Hz refresh rate is impressive at this resolution

Cons

Stand is wobbly and hard to adjust Contrast ratio remains far short of OLED competitors HDR doesn’t look its best Extremely expensive Price When Reviewed:$2,399.99

The Dell Ultrasharp U4025QW is an ideal ultrawide monitor for a home office setup thanks to its extensive connectivity and a robust feature set. With an array of ports including Thunderbolt, Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C, the U4025QW is something of a Swiss Army knife for professionals. It’s perfect for connecting multiple devices, daisy-chaining displays, or adding Ethernet to a device that doesn’t have it.

Dell also delivers settings that allow for personalized adjustments, ensuring that the display meets your specific image quality needs, whether it’s color accuracy, brightness, or contrast. The built-in KVM switch provides control over multiple computers from a single monitor, and the monitor has picture-by-picture and picture-in-picture modes, too. The monitor’s image quality is attractive, too, as its 5K (5120×2160) resolution exceeds most competitors to achieve a sharper, more detailed image.

Unfortunately, the monitor’s perks come with a price tag that nearly exceeds $2,000. That’s a lot to ask for a home office monitor, and you could achieve even better image quality with a different display (or save a lot of cash). However, less expensive competitors don’t have the U4025QW’s connectivity.

And that’s what it comes down to. A lot of monitors can work for a home office setup, but an ideal monitor has both great image quality and the connectivity to handle any laptop, desktop, or peripheral thrown at it. The U4025QW is that monitor.

Read our full Dell U4025QW review

Viewsonic VG2756V-2K – Best home office monitor for video calls

Pros

Bundled webcam, microphone, and speakers USB-C port with 90 watts power delivery Sturdy and functional design

Cons

Mediocre image quality No HDR Bundled features add to the price Price When Reviewed:$399.99Best Prices Today:$309 at B&H$369.84 at Amazon$404.99 at Viewsonic

Viewsonic’s VG2756V-2K is a 27-inch home office monitor with a built-in webcam, noise cancelling microphone, and speakers. 

The integrated 1080p webcam provides a clear step up from a typical laptop webcam. An integrated lightbar is provided to brighten dark rooms and the entire camera assembly can retract into the monitor, effectively acting as a privacy shutter. The built-in soundbar has two 5-watt speakers that deliver good volume and crisp audio for video or audio calls. They’re paired with a noise-cancelling microphone that prevents echoes and can eliminate most soft, repetitive sounds. 

Viewsonic includes a wide range of connectivity. The monitor has a USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 90 watts of Power Delivery for charging a connected device. It also acts as a USB-C hub that powers two USB-A ports and an ethernet connection. Video inputs include HDMI and DisplayPort for a total of three video inputs.

Image quality is good with excellent sharpness, adequate brightness, and an acceptable contrast ratio. The VG2756V-2K does not support HDR, however, and is not recommended for gaming due to its 60Hz refresh rate and lack of Adaptive Sync. 

The Viewsonic VG2756V-2K is competitively priced with an MSRP of $399. That’s expensive for a 27-inch 1440p monitor, but the premium you’re paying for the monitor’s bundled features is less than you’d pay for a webcam, microphone, and desktop speakers purchased individually. That makes the VG2756V-2K a good value and worthwhile business expense.

Read our full Viewsonic VG2756V-2K review

Acer Vero BR277 – Best eco-friendly home office monitor

Pros

Good contrast ratio Solid build quality  Accurate, realistic color Uses recyclable plastics, packaging also recyclable

Cons

Below-average sharpness Limited color gamut No single standout feature Price When Reviewed:249Best Prices Today:$167.16 at Walmart$229.99 at Acer$249.99 at Best Buy

Concerned about the ecological impact of your home office? You should be. Global E-waste is currently estimated at 53.6 megatons per year and, of course, it’s growing. Acer’s Vero BR277 isn’t going to solve this problem on its own—but it tries.

The Acer Vero BR277, like other Acer Vero products, is partially built from Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics. Despite what you may think, these plastics feel robust. They also have a unique flecked look that stands out from other, less visually interesting designs.

How the monitor is built wouldn’t matter if it was junk—thankfully, it’s quite good. This is a 27-inch 1080p monitor with a respectable maximum brightness of just over 300 nits. The monitor’s color gamut is a bit limited at just 97 precent of sRGB, but it scores well in color accuracy and contrast. The result? Bright, pleasant, realistic image quality.

The monitor has an ergonomic stand that adjusts for height, swivel, and tilt. It also supports AMD FreeSync for smooth gaming and has a maximum refresh of 75Hz.

Pricing is competitive. The monitor originally released at an MSRP of $249.99 but can now be found as low as $169.99. That’s a great price for a home office monitor with good image quality and a height-adjustable stand. Acer also has a 24-inch model, which is even less expensive at $129.99.

Read our full Acer Vero BR277 review

Asus ZenScreen MB249C – Best second monitor

Pros

Small, versatile desk stand with unique options Sturdy built-in kickstand for portable use Offers USB-C for easy single-cable connections Good image quality

Cons

Lacks additional connection options Only 1080p resolution A bit pricey for its feature set Price When Reviewed:$349.99Best Prices Today:$313.95 at B&H$349 at Amazon$421.93 at Walmart

Asus’ ZenScreen MB249C is a portable home office monitor that can be mounted next to a primary monitor in several ways. 

The MB249C has an adjustable desk stand that can clamp to the back of your desk instead of sitting on top of it, which reduces wire clutter and keeps the surface of your desk free. The monitor also has a built-in kickstand, which is great for portable use, and a “partition mount” to hang the monitor from a vertical surface. The options end with a 100x100mm VESA mount that is compatible with most third-party monitor arms and stands. These options make the MB249C easy to place next to your primary monitor even in cramped spaces.

This is a portable monitor, as mentioned, which means it’s easy to move. The monitor mounts to its stand with a clip mechanism that’s easily detached, and the built-in kickstand can flip out to support the monitor on most flat surfaces. It’s powered by either a USB-C connection that supports up to 60 watts of Power Delivery or the included power adapter. Not everyone will need the monitor’s portable versatility, but it’s handy if you like to work in different locations throughout the day.

Once in place, the MB249C is a competent office and productivity monitor. While it lacks the wow-factor of more expensive alternatives, like the Dell U3223QE, Asus delivers a robust, colorful, and accurate image with plenty of brightness for a typical home office. The lack of features like HDR might seem disappointing but, at this price, it’s better to execute the basics well.

Read our full Asus ZenScreen MB249C review

What to look for in a home office monitor

A great home office monitor should have a high maximum brightness, great image clarity, and vivid color. A height adjustable stand is preferable, as it helps with ergonomics, and a wide range of connectivity is useful for connecting multiple devices.

Resolution matters, but 1080p is still fine

4K is the best resolution in most situations, as it provides a sharper image and can make small fonts easier to read. This remains a premium option, however: Most 4K monitors are still above $300. A 27-inch 4K monitor has a pixel density of 163 pixels per inch.

The less well-known 1440p resolution (2560×1440) is a good option for mid-range monitors. It’s not quite as sharp as 4K, but it’s a noticeable upgrade over 1080p. A 27-inch 1440p monitor has a pixel density of 108 pixels per inch.

1080p resolution remains a good pick for budget monitors. It’s not nearly as sharp as 4K, so video may look a bit soft and small fonts may be harder to read, but it’s still adequate for hundreds of home office tasks. A 27-inch 1080p monitor has a pixel density of 81 pixels per inch.

When it comes to brightness, more is more

Brightness is a key trait for a home office monitor.

An office monitor doesn’t need to be bright to look usable: 200 nits is fine. However, a home office is likely to be brighter and to have less light control than a corporate cubical. A maximum brightness of 300 nits, or better, is ideal. You can always turn the brightness down from its maximum if it looks too bright but, of course, the reverse isn’t true.

Make sure you understand connectivity

It’s important to buy a monitor that supports a video output found on your PC. Most desktop computers will offer both DisplayPort and HDMI, while laptops often stick to HDMI. Budget home monitors sometimes support older connections, such as VGA and DVI, but these are not found on new computers. Our guide to display cables can help you identify the ports on your PC.

You only need one video connection between your PC and your home office monitor, and the type of connection you use isn’t terribly important. HDMI and DisplayPort work equally well for home office use.

USB-C isn’t a must-have, but it’s useful

USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode is a new alternative to HDMI and DisplayPort. It bundles a DisplayPort connection into the familiar USB-C port now used by many devices (and soon to be required by law in Europe).

Some high-end laptops, like the Dell XPS 13 Plus, only support video output over USB-C. You can still connect a DisplayPort monitor with a USB-C to DisplayPort cable adapter, but this is a clunky solution.

USB-C, unlike HDMI and DisplayPort, can support Power Delivery to charge a connected device. This is useful for thin-and-light laptops, as it makes docking the laptop easier. Some USB-C monitors, like the Dell U3223QE, have built-in USB-C hubs that connect to multiple USB-A ports, ethernet, and DisplayPort-out. Our guide to USB-C hub monitors has the full scoop on these perks.

How we test monitors

PCWorld’s monitor reviews rely on in-depth testing by a team of staff and freelance writers. Our experts spend hundreds of hours testing and comparing monitors to find the best choice for any budget.

We test monitors with a Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra calibration tool. This provides objective measurements for brightness, contrast, color accuracy, color temperature, gamma, and color gamut, among other metrics. These objective metrics help us compare dozens of monitors at once and eliminate bias from comparisons.

FAQ

What makes a monitor good for my home office?

A home office monitor should have a high maximum brightness, which helps defeat glare, and a good range of connectivity. A height-adjustable stand is also ideal, since it will help you find a comfortable viewing position.

2.

What is the best resolution for a home office monitor?

4K is the best resolution, but expensive. 1440p resolution is a good midrange choice, while 1080p is the budget option.

3.

What ports and video connections should a home office monitor have?

HDMI and DisplayPort are by far the most common video connections on home office monitors. Most computers will have both connections. Be sure to double-check your PC’s video output support before buying.

USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode is a new alternative that supports video over a USB-C connection. Though still uncommon, many high-end monitors and laptops now support this feature.

4.

Does a home office monitor need HDR?

No, a home office monitor doesn’t need HDR. Windows’ HDR support leaves a lot to be desired. HDR works better with streaming apps and games that support HDR. If you want to play games, check our guide to the best gaming monitors.

Author: Matthew S. Smith

Matthew S. Smith is a freelance technology journalist with 15 years of experience reviewing consumer electronics. In addition to PCWorld, his work can be found on Wired, Ars Technica, Digital Trends, Reviewed, IGN, and Lifewire. Matthew also covers AI and the metaverse for IEEE Spectrum and runs Computer Gaming Yesterday, a YouTube channel devoted to PC gaming history.

Recent stories by Matthew S. Smith:

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Western Digital has announced the world’s first-ever 4-terabyte SD card, a new capacity point that the company will begin shipping in 2025.

WD is showing off the 4TB SanDisk Extreme PRO SDUC UHS-I memory card this week (with a bit more capacity than the image at the top of this story) at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show, which caters to broadcasters and content creators.

WD isn’t saying that the new 4TB card will cost. Anandtech, which noticed the announcement, said that the card uses the UHS-I bus at Speed Class 10. WD’s SD card is also rated to meet Video Speed Class V30, supporting a minimal sequential write speed of 30 MB/s, which is believed to be good enough for 8K video recording.

the best portable ssd for most people

Crucial X9 Pro

Read our reviewPrice When Reviewed:1TB:$109.99 I 2TB:$179.99 I 4TB:$239.99Best Prices Today:$94.99 at Amazon | $109.99 at Crucial | $115.99 at Walmart

Though the capacity point of the new cards is approaching that of more conventional SSDs, you probably shouldn’t consider the cards for long-term storage. The lifespan of an SD card depends on the type of memory used, environmental conditions, and other factors, and is generally considered to be about ten years. Consider one of our best SSDs or external drives instead.

WD is also announcing the 24TB G-Drive, an external desktop hard drive, for $699. You can also purchase a similar 24TB G-Drive Project for $929, which includes a 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3/USB-C port (probably overkill for a drive with only 260MB/s read/write throughput) and a 48TB version (the Mirror drive) for $1,599. The latter uses an additional 24TB as a RAID-1 mirrored backup.

Author: Mark Hachman, Senior Editor

As PCWorld’s senior editor, Mark focuses on Microsoft news and chip technology, among other beats. He has formerly written for PCMag, BYTE, Slashdot, eWEEK, and ReadWrite.

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Did you know that Windows has a built-in generative AI tool called Copilot? If you didn’t, then you’ve made someone at Microsoft very sad, because they’ve been pushing that message like it’s the new pyramid scheme on the block. The company’s latest move to push the AI service is to launch it when you boot up Windows 11, just like every annoying third-party program ever.

get windows 11 pro for cheap

Windows 11 Pro

Price When Reviewed:199.99Best Prices Today:$59 at PCWorld Store – Win 11 Pro Upgrade Only | $79.99 at PCWorld Software Store

So sayeth a report from MSPowerUser, which has spotted complaints from Windows 11 Insider testers. Apparently Microsoft experimented with the idea in a previous build, scaled back the auto-launch function (which may or may not have been due to user feedback), and then turned it on for the latest Insider Build 26100 last week. The change has been confirmed by Microsoft’s Insider Program senior manager.

The new push appears to be at least somewhat hardware limited. It won’t appear on an external monitor that’s smaller than 27 inches or 1920 pixels wide, at least according to the parameters in the original Insider blog post. That would seem to exclude more or less every modern laptop, but if they see more success Microsoft would surely like them included at some point, especially since the company is also hoping you’ll subscribe to it for $20 a month.

Windows Insider users who aren’t interested in Copilot can disable it at launch via the Startup Apps section in the Task Manager, just like every other annoying auto-launch program.

Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer

Michael is a former graphic designer who’s been building and tweaking desktop computers for longer than he cares to admit. His interests include folk music, football, science fiction, and salsa verde, in no particular order.

Recent stories by Michael Crider:

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In recent weeks and months, Microsoft has increased the pressure on Windows 10 users to finally upgrade to Windows 11, highlighting the impending end of Windows 10 support. However, this end of support is not until October 2025 and can even be delayed by three years for a fee with the “Windows 10 Extended Security Updates” (ESU). The end of support means that Windows 10 users who do not pay for ESU will no longer receive Windows updates after October 2025 and therefore no newly discovered security vulnerabilities will be closed on their Windows 10 computers.

How Windows 10 is currently annoying us with pop-ups

Windows 10 displays full-screen adverts for the upgrade, even on Windows 10 computers that do not meet the requirements for Windows 11. The annoying upgrade notifications are even appearing on Windows 10 PCs within companies. At the same time, Microsoft has increased the number of upgrade-eligible Windows 10 PCs. So far, however, none of this has been successful; on the contrary, Windows 10 has recently gained market share, while Windows 11 has lost market share.

The long history of end-of-support pop-ups

Such annoying (full-screen) pop-ups, with which Microsoft urges users to upgrade to the latest Windows generation, are by no means an invention in Windows 10. Microsoft has been presenting users with such upgrade annoyances since Windows XP.

get windows 11 pro for cheap

Windows 11 Pro

Price When Reviewed:199.99Best Prices Today:$59 at PCWorld Store – Win 11 Pro Upgrade Only | $79.99 at PCWorld Software Store

The YouTuber WindowsOSStuff has taken the trouble to put together a short, snappy video of all the “End of Support” pop-ups (also known as End of Life, EOL) that Windows has annoyed its users with and continues to annoy them with to this day. The video is a journey through time on Microsoft’s incessant pestering of satisfied Windows users.

The first of these end-of-support pop-ups appeared in Windows XP. It could still be easily switched off using a checkbox and was not aggressive. WindowsOSStuff didn’t find such a pop-up in Windows Vista, which was quite unpopular at the time. But in the very successful Windows 7, the pestering resumed: Several times, in fact, as Microsoft placed different pop-ups in front of Windows 7 users. What’s more, Microsoft became much more intrusive. The video continues with the unpopular Windows 8 and 8.1, followed by the end-of-support pop-ups for the ever-popular Windows 10, which is where we stand today.

This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.

This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.

Author: Hans-Christian Dirscherl, Redakteur

Hans-Christian Dirscherl schreibt seit über 20 Jahren zu fast allen IT-Themen. Sein Fokus liegt auf der Koordination und Produktion von Nachrichten mit hohem Nutzwert sowie auf ausführlichen Tests und Ratgebern für die Bereiche Smart Home, Smart Garden und Automotive.

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The big difference between laptops and desktops is that the latter are, well, big. You need a desk or a table and accessories like a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to use them. But if you have a laptop already, you have all the components of a desktop and then some. If you’re not going anywhere for a while, why not kick back and get the full desktop experience?

Here’s why: You probably don’t have all the stuff you need for a full desktop setup. But getting that stuff is relatively easy, and so is assembling it in such a way that getting your laptop in and out is a cinch. That way you get the best of both worlds: a full, comfortable desktop setup when you want it, and an on-the-go laptop when you need it. This guide explains everything you need to know to turn your laptop into a desktop workstation.

The good stuff: Desktop components

The big advantage to building this setup is that you get to use your laptop with awesome, easy-to-use desktop components. (Oh, and you’ll also need a desk or a table, and a chair, obviously.) You can use as many or as few of these as you like, but here are the big ones:

Monitor: A larger external screen to give your eyes a rest and make movies and games really pop. You can use your laptop’s screen and an external monitor at the same time, or if your hardware supports it, multiple monitors for a full “battlestation.” Here are the best monitors on the market right now.

Dell

Dell

Dell

Mouse: Most laptop users are an ace at a trackpad, but even the best of them will agree that a mouse is the way to go. Get a USB model if you want speed, or Bluetooth if you want a connection that won’t take up a USB port. Here are the best wireless mice you can buy.

Logitech

Logitech

Logitech

Keyboard: A lot of users just stick with their laptop keyboard while using it at a desk station. But if you find yours particularly uncomfortable, or if you want to get into the growing mechanical keyboard scene. Here are the best wireless keyboards out there. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Michael Crider/Foundry

Michael Crider/Foundry

Speakers: Again, the speakers in your laptop will remain functional while you work at a desk, but for bigger, bolder sound, get a set of dedicated speakers. I like the Edifier R1280T bookshelf speakers, but you can also find cheaper ones on a budget as well. If you prefer, a nice headset or a pair of true wireless earbuds work too. 

Alaina Yee / Foundry

Alaina Yee / Foundry

Alaina Yee / Foundry

Other peripherals: Here’s where everything else goes. Maybe you want to add on a high-quality external webcam and microphone for meetings, or connect a game controller or an external hard drive. Maybe you want a hardwired network connection, a DVD drive, or a card reader for your digital camera. You can use almost any external accessory made for a desktop PC with a laptop, so long as you can find a way to connect it.

Note that it’s possible to close the lid on your laptop, keep it running, and have it connected to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. You’ll want to adjust your power settings so that the laptop “does nothing” when the lid closes in order to enable this. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Michael Crider/Foundry

Michael Crider/Foundry

Unfortunately this isn’t available yet in Microsoft’s redesigned Settings menu in Windows 10 and 11 — it’s back in the old-fashioned Control Panel. But if you press the Windows button and search for “Close Lid,” it should take you right to the relevant menu — look for “Change what closing the lid does.” 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Michael Crider/Foundry

Michael Crider/Foundry

Here you’ll want to set the “When I close the lid” option to “Do nothing” for the Plugged in column. Here are the instructions if you’re using a Macbook.

Basic connectivity needs 

How easy or hard it is to expand your basic setup without any extra hardware will depend on what kind of ports your laptop has, and how many. If you have a 10-pound Dell Latitude with every port under the sun, odds are pretty good you’ll be able to run all your peripheral devices, no problem. If you’re rocking super-light ultraportable laptop with just one USB-C port, well, it’s going to get tricky pretty fast.

Let’s break this down into connection types, shall we?

Video connections

Most laptops in the last few years connect to external screens over USB-C — see the sections below. If all you have is a USB-C port, you’ll need a video adapter (usually HDMI) or a dock of some kind. 

Larger laptops also have a dedicated HDMI port, and that makes things super easy. Just plug the HDMI cable into your laptop and the monitor or television, and you’re done. Here’s an article on the best kind of HDMI cable for your setup. 

Foundry

Foundry

Foundry

Older laptops or those with non-standard setups might have something a little more esoteric, like VGA or mini-DisplayPort. In those cases you’ll be looking for some kind of an adapter to get to a more universal video cable. Check what you have on your laptop, what you have on your monitor, and get a cable that works with both, like this VGA-to-HDMI number. If you want to connect your laptop to multiple monitors, things become more complicated.

USB-C has made this a lot easier: See the sections further down for more technical info. If your laptop doesn’t have USB-C, you’ll need to rely on a special adapter that can send video over a USB cable, like this one. These aren’t ideal, because they take up one of your USB ports and their performance is poor compared to a standard video cable.

Audio connections

This one is easy: Most laptops, even those that can fit in a manila envelope, include a headphone jack. If you’re keeping it simple and not using a dock, plug your speakers or headphones into the jack and you’re good to go. Alternately, you can connect headsets, headphones, or speakers wirelessly via your laptop’s Bluetooth connection.

Foundry

Foundry

Foundry

If for some reason your laptop doesn’t have a headphone jack (or yours is broken), you can once again rely on a USB adapter to make do.

Network connections

If you’re setting up your desk in a place that uses Wi-Fi, great — just connect to it on your laptop the same way you always do. If you want faster or more reliable networking, you can plug an Ethernet cable from the router or the jack on the wall directly into your laptop’s Ethernet port.

But a lot of thinner, lighter designs are omitting the Ethernet cable these days. Once again, assuming that you don’t want to step up to a dock, you can get a USB adapter for your Ethernet connections, or rely on an Ethernet port in a USB-C dock.

USB devices

Boy, we’re connecting a lot of stuff to USB, huh? If your laptop has just three, or two, or (perish the thought) one USB port, you might find yourself running out pretty quickly.

For a cheap solution, a basic USB hub can handle quite a lot of data and connections at once. So long as you’re using it for more standard peripherals — mice, keyboards, flash storage drives, et cetera — you shouldn’t see any kind of slowdown. Try to make sure you get a USB hub with at least USB 3.0 speeds, and connect it to a compatible USB port on your laptop; some are still using the older 2.0 ports in some places.

Power

Well this one’s easy: To keep your laptop powered up and running, just use whatever adapter it came with and plug it in near your desk. That is, unless you have a newer laptop with a USB-C connection. This is where things start to get really interesting!

USB-C makes your laptop a powerhouse 

Most newer laptops come with at least one USB-C port. That’s the one that’s shaped like an oval, and doesn’t need trial and error to see if you’re plugging it in upside down or not. On most of these newer designs, the USB-C port also doubles as the power input that charges the battery.

Twelve South

Twelve South

Twelve South

See, USB-C is designed to be truly universal. On that one cable, it’s possible to transfer not just data, but power for your laptop (and anything it’s connected to), video to an external monitor (or monitors), sound to speakers, and even hardwired network data. A USB-C port can, in the right circumstances, be your power input and your USB ports and your HDMI port and your Ethernet port, all in one.

This makes it possible, with the right laptop and equipment, to connect up to a dozen or so desktop components by plugging in a single cable. It’s the Holy Grail of combining laptop portability with desktop comfort.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Mark Hachman / IDG

Mark Hachman / IDG

To get the basic benefits of a USB-C port, you can use an inexpensive dongle to add a bunch of ports in one, with power pass-through for your laptop charger. But if you’re ready to step it up, it’s time to look at USB-C docks. These add in powerful options for multiple external monitors and tons of ports for pretty much anything you’d need.

Here are the best USB-C docks on the market right now. 

There’s a neat alternative here, too: Because USB-C can handle video, some newer monitors integrate a USB-C hub right into the screen. These monitors can connect to a laptop directly over USB-C, power it up to 90 watts, and expand it with multiple USB, USB-C, and ethernet connections, all on a single cable. Some can even “daisy chain” to other monitors, creating a true multi-monitor setup over a single cable without even needing a dedicated dock.

Here are the best USB-C monitors on the market right now.

Dell

Dell

Dell

Living the dream: USB-C eGPU docks

But what about games, I hear you cry? Can I still use my gaming laptop with a USB-C dock? Well, yes and no. USB-C docks are amazing, but they’re not miraculous. A lot of gaming laptops can’t get power over USB-C, because their charging needs are just too high, and many docks aren’t compatible with the kind of high-speed, high-resolution performance monitors gamers own.

In those cases, it’s still best to plug your gaming laptop directly into the wall, and then plug your monitor in over HDMI. A bit old-fashioned, but necessary.

MSI

MSI

MSI

But what if there was another way? A way to keep a svelte portable laptop on the road, but a beast of a gaming or workstation PC at home, all running on the same hardware, and all connected with a single cable? Gamers, let me introduce you to a little-known gadget called the external GPU.

An eGPU enclosure, or “external graphics dock” as it’s also known, is basically a little box that holds a full desktop-class graphics card. You connect one or more monitors directly to the GPU, then plug your laptop into the enclosure via USB-C. Not only does this significantly boost the gaming power of a thin-and-light laptop, it means you can use huge, high-res, high-refresh monitors with a laptop without sacrificing speed by going through a hub.

Adam Patrick Murray/Foundry

Adam Patrick Murray/Foundry

Adam Patrick Murray/Foundry

Some of these enclosures include extra USB ports for connecting even more peripherals, and they deliver plenty of power over USB-C to keep your laptop juiced up. Plug in your laptop and you have a massively powerful gaming PC, unplug it and you’re ready to take all your files and programs with you on the go. The best of both worlds!

But there is a downside. External graphics docks are still very niche, so they’re a little hard to find. They’re also very expensive — much more so than a standard USB-C dock. We’re talking multiple hundreds of dollars just for the enclosure, not counting the graphics card that actually goes into it. (Some are sold with the GPU already installed, for the commensurate increase in price.) 

And of course none of that includes the cost of your laptop, monitor, and other add-ons. So an external GPU setup is pricey. It’s also complex: While it can do some truly amazing things, it’ll never beat the performance of a desktop PC with the same GPU installed. You’ll also want a powerful laptop to take advantage of it, with a high-end processor, fast storage, and plenty of RAM.

But if your budget knows no limit, and you want to do absolutely everything possible with just one machine and one cable, it might be the way to go.

Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer

Michael is a former graphic designer who’s been building and tweaking desktop computers for longer than he cares to admit. His interests include folk music, football, science fiction, and salsa verde, in no particular order.

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