HONGO 2K 16" Portable Monitor review

HONGO 2K 16" Portable Monitor: 30 second review

The HONGO 2K 16" monitor is a versatile and budget-friendly monitor for a dual set-up, taking up minimal desk space and can be easily transported. Designed to cater to various needs, this monitor is ideal for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing and gaming, although finds its limitations with colour-critical creative work. Unboxing reveals an understated monitor with a minimalistic design and a neat Smartcase that protects it well. This wrap-around case doubles as a stand. The description calls the monitor's design frameless, but it has a small frame and is still a nice modern display.

Setup and use are straightforward; simply connect it to your computer with a USB Type-C cable, and that's it. A maximum resolution of 1600x1200 ensures clarity, making routine tasks and media viewing ideal for this monitor.

Realistically, this is one of the best portable monitors for a wide range of people, from office workers looking for a secondary screen, gamers seeking an extra monitor, and, at a stretch, creative professionals needing a little more screen real estate for palettes and side projects; this monitor is an all-in-one solution. That said, its colour accuracy may not suit creative professionals, and the built-in speakers won't win any awards, but those are niggles in what is a well-rounded offering. 

Price and Availablity

Priced at an approachable $199, the HONGO 2K 16" Monitor balances affordability and performance. This monitor is a wallet-friendly alternative from Amazon to more expensive second-screen options, especially considering its 2K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Its feature set is competitive, so you get decent all-around value considering the price. This makes it ideal for anyone who needs dual screens, is stuck for space, or is always on the move and needs something slimline and portable.

• Score: 5/5

Design

With its simple and elegant design, the HONGO 2K 16" monitor looks great and makes a decent first impression. Even though the monitor is reasonably priced, it feels like a high-end product once the box and packaging are removed. The protective Smart case that encases it doubles as a stand and just highlights how good product design can be applied to make a fantastic-looking and functional product. The fact that it incorporates a wrap-around case design also ensures the monitor is well protected when transported in a backpack or bag.

The fact that the monitor is slim and robust enough in design to slip into a laptop slot of a backpack makes it a perfect companion for a 16" MacBook Pro or any other similar sized laptop. 

When it comes to adjusting the monitor, all controls are relatively straightforward, with resolution being adjusted through the computer and brightness, contrast, and other settings accessed through the on-screen display. However, while the on-screen display controls are easy to use, they are somewhat clunky and styled in a carousel design using the buttons on the monitor's side. Considering the quality of the rest of the monitor, you can't help but feel that these controls could have been more intuitive and better designed. 

• Design: 4.5/5

Features

The HONGO 2K 16" monitor's features cater to office rather than creative users, although with a decent resolution and refresh rate it will also appeal to gamers wanting something small and ultimately portable. With a resolution of 1600x1200, the display offers clear visuals for Microsoft Office and similar applications. The 120Hz refresh rate is a feature that will appeal to gamers and anyone else who wants to view videos because it will allow for lag-free, smooth gameplay and excellent TV and movie graphics. When FreeSync technology is included, the screen minimises screen tearing and offers a smooth gaming experience.

When it comes to the colour representation, the monitor offers the sRGB colour space; this is fine for everyday tasks and gaming, although not suitable for creative applications where colour accuracy is critical. While the HDR function is included, it's primarily designed to boost the gaming and entertainment experience, not necessarily useful for other workflows.

The built-in speakers are functional, but again, the quality won't blow you away. Connectivity options include a USB Type-C port and HDMI, offering a good amount of flexibility when it comes to connections. A nice touch is the standard VESA mount which will enable you to integrate it into a more complex rig. 

• Features: 4/5

Performance

The HONGO 2K 16" monitor is a portable display that is equally at home in the office or out and about when you need something a little more portable to expand on your laptop's display.

This monitor excels when it comes to general tasks such as web browsing, document editing, and video streaming. The controls enable you to quickly adjust the settings, once you figure out how they work, and the quality of the display visually is outstanding. The 1600x1200 resolution offers excellent detail and clarity, but for most situations on a screen of this size, a standard 1920x1080 resolution is ideal. 

When it comes to gaming, the HONGO's 120Hz refresh rate enables it to display game action and graphics well, keeping up with fast-paced games like "Assassin's Creed" and "Red Dead Redemption II." Thanks to FreeSync technology, it not only handled the motion with ease but also showed no signs of screen tearing, latency, or ghosting. As a choice for gamers, the slimline styling and portability make it a great choice if you want to game away from home especially.

Looking at the monitor from a creative perspective, this is where the monitor starts to hit its limitations. While it's sufficient for tasks like displaying palettes, it falls short for more colour-critical work. With Adobe RGB and P3 percentages hovering around 69% and 70%, it doesn't quite meet the industry standards for professional photo or video editing.

As part of the test, I utilised Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra monitor calibration, initially through the first setup, just as a matter of course, but then to analyse the display after a month's use. 

The test highlighted that the HONGO 2K 16" is a robust, all-round monitor that excels in multiple domains. Although it shouldn't be your first choice for colour-critical professional work, it's a solid performer for everyday use and gaming.

• Performance: 4/5

Should you buy a HONGO 2K 16" monitor

If you need a compact and inexpensive second screen to go with your laptop, the HONGO 2K 16" is a great choice. It has a bright screen and impressive 120Hz refresh rate, which makes it a good choice for gamers and office work but not so great for creatives. The monitor is simple to set up—all you have to do is plug it in and play with either an HDMI or USB Type-C cable; however, if you choose HDMI, you will need to connect a USB power adapter.

Keep in mind, though, that because it doesn't cover all Adobe RGB and P3, it's not the that it's not the best monitor for photo editing or doing other artistic work that needs to be correct for colour. The speakers that come with it are fine, but they won't blow away audiophiles. In general, it's a great deal for the price.

Report Card

Value: Affordable, versatile, mostly hits marks. 5 / 5
Design: Minimalistic, practical, sleek, near-frameless 4.5 / 5
Features: Versatile, high-refresh, FreeSync, compact, intuitive 4 / 5
Performance: Smooth, responsive, vibrant, versatile, reliable 4 / 5
Total: Affordable, practical, versatile, stylish, efficient 4 / 5

Why you should buy

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