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AUZAI Portable Monitor Review

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

The AUZAI is a portable lightweight monitor. But how well does it work? And more important…does it actually look good? Let’s find out.

15.6″ Portable Monitor

AUZAI portable monitor

AUZAI Portable Monitor

The AUZAI is a 15.6″ portable monitor. It’s incredibly lightweight and thin, at only 1.37 pounds and 0.14″ thick. The IPS panel looks great at 1080 resolution. Speakers leave much to be desired, but are acceptable given the price and format. A solid value if you need a monitor on the go.Check Price

Pros

  • Super lightweight, only 1.37 pounds
  • Good Input / Output options – USB Type C data / power and HDMI mini
  • Screen looks great, 1080 resolution

Cons

  • No internal battery. As a result, you need to have your own battery, plug in power, or a device sufficiency powerful enough to power itself and the display.
  • Speakers are (unsurprisingly) okay at best

Quick Specs

  • Size: 15.6″
  • Panel: IPS
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080
  • Brightness: 250 cd / m²
  • Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9

AUZAI Design

The AUZAI portable monitor has a simple and clean design aesthetic. It uses a thin matte black bezel (~1/8″) around the 15.6″ IPS LCD. The bezel at the base is larger at just under 1″.

AUZAI portable monitor display screen

Fundamentally, this is a portable monitor and allows you to add a secondary screen to existing devices. You can pair the AUZAI with a variety of devices, including:

  • Phone
  • Tablet
  • Computers (laptops and desktops)
  • TVs
  • Gaming Consoles (XBOX, Playstation, Switch, etc.)
AUZAI portable monitor

This portable monitor is powered one of two ways:

  • Via the device it’s plugged into (phone, tablet, laptop, etc.)…provided it has enough power and is configured to do so
  • Or via a USB Type C cable (can plug into a battery bank or an outlet)

The AUZAI has no battery, as a result, you’ll always have to have power with you in order to use it. In our tests, our Samsung Galaxy S8 was unable to power it via the USB Type C connection. As a result, we had to plug it into the wall to get it to work.

AUZAI portable monitor using Samsung Dex
AUZAI portable monitor using Samsung Dex

The AUZAI monitor uses an HD 1080p screen. The screen itself is 15.6″ from corner to corner.

Inputs & Outputs

There are a number of critical inputs and outputs available.

  1. Mini HDMI: TVs, laptops, PCs, and other large devices typically use this connection
  2. USB Type C: this is your most common connector, most modern phones and tablets use USB Type C, with more recent PCs offering it as well
  3. USB Type C (power only): if your device is unable to power the AUZAI itself you’ll need to plug into power via USB Type C. That power can come from a battery bank, wall outlet, or elsewhere.
  4. 3.5mm Audio: standard audio output for speakers and headphones
AUZAI input and outputs
AUZAI input and outputs

Speakers

The monitor uses built in stereo speakers. Here’s what AUZAI says about their speakers…

“The built-in stereo speakers will be delivering exceptional and immersive sound quality for music and movies”

For as good as the monitor itself is, the speakers leave much to be desired. If you have no other option, they are fine. But I think it’s a stretch to call them “exceptional and immersive…”

Playing Spotify on the AUZAI
Playing Spotify on the AUZAI

Like most built in speakers, they just don’t have the proper hardware to drive great sound quality. Which in my view is completely fine. I wouldn’t buy a portable monitor due to its speaker quality and neither should you.

If you’re going to be using the AUZAI as a daily driver you absolutely need a good pair of headphones to go with it. The built in speakers can work short term, but they are not great.

RELATED See how the 15.6″ Lepow portable monitor compares.

Size & Dimensions

AUZAI’s 15.6″ display is incredibly compact and thin.

AUZAI portable monitor with cover

The included smart cover makes it easy to toss in your bag with your laptop and other essentials.

  • Screen Dimensions: 13.94 x 8.78 x 0.14″
  • Screen Size (diagonal): 15.6″
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
  • Weight: 1.37 lbs
AUZAI portable monitor thickness
AUZAI monitor thickness

Parts & Accessories

The AUZAI monitor comes with a pretty standard set of accessories and cables.

What’s in the box?

  • USB Type-C to USB-A x 1
  • USB Type-C to USB Type-C x 1
  • Mini HDMI to HDMI x 1
  • Microfiber cleaning cloth x 1
  • User Manual x 1
  • Screen Protector x 1
  • Monitor Cover / Standard x 1
AUZAI monitor cables
AUZAI accessory cables

Notably, it does not include a power supply. As a result, if you want / need to power the monitor via wall outlet you’ll need to get a compatible power supply.

Fortunately, most any USB Type-C supply is going to work fine. I simply used the one included with the Galaxy S8 phone.

AUZAI input outputs
Input / output on the other side of the Lepow portable monitor

Usability

Using the AUZAI is pretty straight forward.

  • Unbox it
  • Get the necessary cable for your device
  • Plug it in…that’s it.

Then it’s basically like using your device as normal, just with an extended or larger display.

AUZAI portable monitor
Streaming Netflix on the AUZAI

Not having the AUZAI battery powered is a sort of a double edged sword. On one hand, it means you always need power (via wall, battery, or the device itself). But on the other, it means it’s incredibly thin and light.

Settings Menu

The settings menu includes options for brightness, contrast, color, audio, input source, and more. This allows you to improve the picture or experience depending on the device / program you’re running.

Settings are on the basic side, but for a portable monitor it’s pretty typical.

Maintenance

Not much maintience to take care of on the AUZAI, as long as you properly care and protect it.

  • Keep the cords properly stored
  • Wipe down the display periodically with the included microfiber cloth
  • Close the cover when not in use
  • Carefully transport (basically the same way you would a laptop)

That’s really all there is to it.

AUZAI microfiber cleaning cloth
AUZAI microfiber cleaning cloth

The AUZAI portable monitor includes a screen protector also. It looks to be okay quality. We decided to not install it, as we’ve been dissappointed with many other similar screen protectors.

AUZAI using Samsung Dex on my Galaxy S8
AUZAI using Samsung Dex on my Galaxy S8

If you want a protector you can certainly give the included one a try, but I would suggest upgrading to something more advanced.

Is the AUZAI portable monitor a good value?

I would say yes, it’s a solid value.

AUZAI microfiber cleaning cloth
Playing EvoCreo on the AUZAI

The screen does exactly what I look for in a portable monitor.

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to use
  • Sturdy cover
  • Looks good

For me, this is the perfect type of screen to toss in my backpack along with my laptop when I’m traveling. Having an extra screen whether I’m playing games on my phone or working on a laptop is a big win.

AUZAI Specifications

SpecificationsAUZAI Display
TypePortable Monitor
ManufacturerAUZAI
ModelME16Z01
Total Dimensions13.94 x 8.78 x 0.14"
Screen Size15.6"
Weight1.37 lbs.
Display Resolution Maximum1920 x 1080p
Display TypeLCD
Panel TypeIPS
Refresh Rate60 hertz
Aspect Ratio16:9
InputMini HDMI (Video signal)
USB Type C full function (Video data, Power supply, ISDN)
USB Type C power supply
Output3.5 mm headphone interface
SpeakerBuilt-in stereo speakers
System RequirementDevices with an HD output interface, computers with full Type C video output capability
ReturnsVaries by retailer, other retailers will vary
WarrantyUnknown
PriceCheck Price

Should you buy the AUZAI?

So then…who is the AUZAI portable monitor a good buy for?

I would recommend the AUZAI monitor if you’re looking for the following:

  • Need a portable extra monitor: Fundamentally, this is the reason you buy this monitor. It’s ultra portable at only 1.37 pounds and it’s incredibly thin at 0.14″. It’s designed for portability. If you’re just going to stick on this a desk and never move it, you should buy something else. The AUZAI is ideal when you need a monitor to take with you on the run.
  • Want a solid feature / spec set: The AUZAI is 1080 resolution, offers a range of input options, including 2 USB Type-C connections, feels well built, and looks good. It’s not the most high-end portable monitor you’ll encounter, but the specs included are solid for the price point, making it a good value monitor.

Click here to learn more and check out the price on the AUZAI portable monitor.

Portable Monitor, Fair Price
  • Design - 96%
    96%
  • Performance - 95%
    95%
  • Quality - 95%
    95%
  • Usability - 95%
    95%
  • Value - 96%
    96%
95%

Summary

AUZAI’s portable monitor has a 15.6″ screen, is 1.37 pounds, and only 0.14″ thick. It’s designed to be lightweight and easy to travel with. In our tests we found it easy to use and the screen crisp and clear. Unsurprisingly, the built in speakers aren’t good, but that’s not a major reason to not buy in our book. If you’re taking a monitor like this on the go then you’ve got a good pair of headphones, making the speaker quality moot. Overall, a solid value and a good daily driver for those who travel or tech enthusiasts looking for a portable screen.

About Derek Hales

Derek HalesDerek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ModernCastle.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications. Derek has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Hales has been testing and reviewing products for the home since 2014.