ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP  Monitor Review

Reviewed Jun 17, 2021 at 08:57am
Tested using Methodology v1.1 
ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP

Track

0.0
Mixed Usage 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Gaming 
0.0
Multimedia 
0.0
Media Creation 
0.0
HDR Gaming 

Track

 6

The ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP is a mediocre portable monitor. It's very similar to the ASUS ZenScreen MB14AC but with a built-in 7800mAh rechargeable battery, which means it doesn't need to draw power from your laptop. You can fold up the included case into a stand or use a pen to prop it up, and you can use it in landscape or portrait mode. Unfortunately, while it has a high pixel density to display sharp images and text, it looks washed out because it has a narrow color gamut, making it unsuitable for content creation. It's passable for gaming on the go, especially slow-paced games, but it's not ideal for faster ones because it has a 60Hz refresh rate, slow response time, and no variable refresh rate support to reduce screen tearing.

Our Verdict

0.0
Mixed Usage 

The ASUS MB16AHP is mediocre for most uses. It's best suited for displaying text documents because it has a narrow color gamut that makes it unsuitable for content creation. It's also not a good choice for gaming because it has a 60Hz refresh rate, slow response time, and no VRR support. Unfortunately, it doesn't support HDR.

Pros
  • High pixel density.
  • Great build quality.
  • Low input lag.
Cons
  • Narrow color gamut.
  • Colors look washed out from the side.
  • Not bright enough to overcome intense glare.
0.0
Office 

The ASUS MB16AHP is okay for office use. Although it doesn't have the best color reproduction due to its narrow color gamut, it should be fine for displaying text documents or spreadsheets. The screen is reasonably large for a portable monitor, and while it only has a 1080p resolution, the pixel density is pretty high, resulting in excellent text clarity. It has decent reflection handling and screen brightness, but you might still have trouble with visibility in very well-lit or sunny rooms.

Pros
  • High pixel density.
  • Great build quality.
  • Low input lag.
Cons
  • Narrow color gamut.
  • Colors look washed out from the side.
  • Not bright enough to overcome intense glare.
0.0
Gaming 

The ASUS MB16AHP is passable for gaming. It has low input lag, but its slow response time results in a blurry image in fast-moving scenes, and it doesn't support VRR to reduce screen tearing. Also, the image quality is not good because it has a narrow color gamut.

Pros
  • High pixel density.
  • Great build quality.
  • Low input lag.
Cons
  • Narrow color gamut.
  • Slow response time.
  • Colors look washed out from the side.
  • No VRR support.
  • Not bright enough to overcome intense glare.
0.0
Multimedia 

The ASUS MB16AHP is mediocre for media consumption. It's limited to 1080p, and the image looks washed out because it has a narrow color gamut. The viewing angles are just okay; fine for sharing content as long as image accuracy isn't a priority. Unfortunately, even though its contrast ratio is better than most IPS panels, blacks still look gray in the dark.

Pros
  • High pixel density.
  • Great build quality.
  • Low input lag.
Cons
  • Narrow color gamut.
  • Colors look washed out from the side.
  • Not bright enough to overcome intense glare.
0.0
Media Creation 

The ASUS MB16AHP isn't ideal for content creation. It's limited to a 1080p resolution, and it has a narrow color gamut that makes the image appear washed out and inaccurate. It has decent reflection handling and peak brightness, but it might still struggle to overcome glare in very well-lit settings.

Pros
  • High pixel density.
  • Great build quality.
  • Low input lag.
Cons
  • Narrow color gamut.
  • Colors look washed out from the side.
  • Not bright enough to overcome intense glare.
0.0
HDR Gaming 

The ASUS MB16AHP doesn't support HDR.

  • 0.0
    Mixed Usage
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Gaming
  • 0.0
    Multimedia
  • 0.0
    Media Creation
  • 0.0
    HDR Gaming
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Jun 17, 2021: Review published.
    2.  Updated Jun 14, 2021: Early access published.
    3.  Updated Jun 01, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
    4.  Updated May 31, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.

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    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    We tested the ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP, and there are no other variants. There are many models in the ASUS ZenScreen lineup of portable monitors, some of which you can see in the table below.

    Model Size Resolution Speakers Notes
    ZenScreen Go MB16AHP 15.6" 1920 x 1080 Yes USB-C, Micro HDMI, 7800mAh battery
    ZenScreen MB16AC 15.6" 1920 x 1080 No USB-C
    ZenScreen MB16ACV 15.6" 1920 x 1080 No USB-C, built-in kickstand
    ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT 15.6" 1920 x 1080 Yes USB-C, Micro HDMI, 7800mAh battery, touchscreen

    If you come across a different type of panel or your ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP doesn't correspond to our review, let us know, and we'll update the review. Note that some tests, like gray uniformity, may vary between individual units.

    Our unit was manufactured in January 2021; you can see the label here.

    Popular Monitor Comparisons

    The ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP is a mediocre portable monitor. It has one of the worse color gamuts we've tested, so we only recommend it for displaying text documents or work that doesn't require image accuracy. It has a better response time than other 60Hz portable monitors like the Lepow Z1 Gamut and Lenovo ThinkVision M14, but it's still slow and doesn't support VRR.

    For other options, check out our recommendations for the best office monitors, the best budget monitors, and the best 24-25 inch monitors.

    Lepow Z1

    Track

    The ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP and the Lepow Z1 Gamut are both 15.6" portable monitors. The main difference is that the ASUS has a built-in rechargeable battery, which means it doesn't need to draw power from the source device and gets brighter to combat glare. The ASUS has a better response time, but they're both slow and aren't ideal for viewing fast-moving content or gaming.

    ViewSonic VG1655

    Track

    The ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP and the ViewSonic VG1655 are both acceptable portable monitors. The ASUS is a better choice to use in a bright environment because it gets brighter, and it feels better built as there are some issues with the kickstand on the ViewSonic. The ViewSonic has more inputs available because it has two USB-C inputs while the ASUS just has one, and it also has an analog audio output.

    ASUS ROG Strix XG17AHPE

    Track

    The ASUS ROG Strix XG17AHPE is a much better portable monitor than the ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP, although they're not for the same use. The MB16AHP is best suited for displaying text documents because it has a very narrow color gamut that makes it unsuitable for any color-critical work, and its response time is too slow to provide a good gaming experience. On the other hand, the ROG Strix XG17AHPE is a portable gaming model with a 240Hz refresh rate, exceptional response time, and VRR support.

    ASUS ZenScreen MB14AC

    Track

    The ASUS Zenscreen Go MB16AHP is essentially a bigger version of the ASUS ZenScreen MB14AC with a 7800mAh battery. However, there are some slight differences. The Go MB16AHP has built-in speakers, and it gets a bit brighter overall to combat glare. It has a better response time than the MB14AC, but it's still too slow to provide a good gaming experience. They both have a similarly narrow color gamut that results in colors looking washed out and inaccurate, so it's not ideal for content creation.

    Show more 
    How We Test Monitors
    How We Test Monitors

    We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.

    Test Results

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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    SizeLocked15"
    CurvedLockedLocked
    Curve RadiusLockedLocked
    Weight (without stand)
    LockedLock lbs (Lock kg)
    Weight (with stand)
    LockedLock lbs (Lock kg)

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    Stand
    Width
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Depth
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)

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    0.0
    Ergonomics
    Height Adjustment
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Switch Portrait/LandscapeLockedLocked
    Swivel RangeLockedLocked
    Tilt RangeLockedLocked

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    Back
    Wall MountLockedLocked

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    Borders
    Borders
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Thickness
    Thickness (with stand)
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Thickness (without stand)
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)

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    0.0
    Build Quality

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    Picture Quality
    0.0
    Contrast
    Native Contrast
    LockedLock : 1
    Contrast With Local Dimming
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Local Dimming
    SAMPLE
    JOIN NOW

    for videos & test results

    ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP Local Dimming Video Sample
    Local Dimming
    LockedLocked
    Backlight
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    SDR Peak Brightness
    SDR Real Scene
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Peak 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Peak 10% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Peak 25% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Peak 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Peak 100% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 10% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 25% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 100% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR ABL
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    HDR Peak Brightness
    HDR Real Scene
    LockedN/A
    HDR Peak 2% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Peak 10% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Peak 25% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Peak 50% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Peak 100% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Sustained 2% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Sustained 10% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Sustained 25% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Sustained 50% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Sustained 100% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR ABL
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Horizontal Viewing Angle
    SAMPLE
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    ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP Horizontal Viewing Angle Video Sample
    Color Washout From Left
    LockedLock°
    Color Washout From Right
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift From Left
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift From Right
    LockedLock°
    Brightness Loss From Left
    LockedLock°
    Brightness Loss From Right
    LockedLock°
    Black Level Raise From Left
    LockedLock°
    Black Level Raise From Right
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Left
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Right
    LockedLock°

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    0.0
    Vertical Viewing Angle
    SAMPLE
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    ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP Vertical Viewing Angle Video Sample
    Color Washout From Below
    LockedLock°
    Color Washout From Above
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift From Below
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift From Above
    LockedLock°
    Brightness Loss From Below
    LockedLock°
    Brightness Loss From Above
    LockedLock°
    Black Level Raise From Below
    LockedLock°
    Black Level Raise From Above
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Below
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Above
    LockedLock°

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    0.0
    Gray Uniformity
    50% Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%
    50% DSE
    LockedLock%
    5% Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%
    5% DSE
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Black Uniformity
    Native Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%
    Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Pre Calibration
    Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Luminance
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Luminance Settings
    LockedLock
    Contrast Setting
    LockedLock
    RGB Controls
    LockedLocked
    Gamma Setting
    LockedLocked
    Color Temperature
    LockedLock K
    White Balance dE
    LockedLock
    Color dE
    LockedLock
    Gamma
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Post Calibration
    Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Luminance
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Luminance Settings
    LockedLock
    Contrast Setting
    LockedLock
    RGB Controls
    LockedLocked
    Gamma Setting
    LockedLocked
    Color Temperature
    LockedLock K
    White Balance dE
    LockedLock
    Color dE
    LockedLock
    Gamma
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    SDR Color Gamut
    sRGB xy
    LockedLock%
    Adobe RGB xy
    LockedLock%
    sRGB Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Adobe RGB Picture Mode
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    SDR Color Volume
    sRGB In ICtCp
    LockedLock%
    Adobe RGB In ICtCp
    LockedLock%
    sRGB Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Adobe RGB Picture Mode
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    HDR Color Gamut
    Wide Color Gamut
    LockedN/A
    DCI P3 xy
    LockedN/A
    Rec. 2020 xy
    LockedN/A
    DCI P3 Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    HDR Color Volume
    DCI-P3 In ICtCp
    LockedN/A
    Rec. 2020 In ICtCp
    LockedN/A
    DCI P3 Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Image Retention
    IR After 0 Min Recovery
    LockedLock%
    IR After 2 Min Recovery
    LockedLock%
    IR After 4 Min Recovery
    LockedLock%
    IR After 6 Min Recovery
    LockedLock%
    IR After 8 Min Recovery
    LockedLock%
    IR After 10 Min Recovery
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Gradient
    Color Depth
    LockedLock Bit

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    0.0
    Color Bleed
    Pixel Row Error
    LockedLock%
    Pixel Column Error
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Reflections
    Screen Finish
    LockedLocked
    Total Reflections
    LockedLock%
    Indirect Reflections
    LockedLock%
    Calculated Direct Reflections
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Text Clarity
    Pixel Type
    LockedIPS
    Sub-Pixel Layout
    LockedLocked

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    Motion
    0.0
    Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
    Best Overdrive Setting
    LockedLocked
    Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%
    Dark Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Dark Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Dark Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Response Time @ 60Hz
    Best Overdrive Setting
    LockedLocked
    Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%
    Dark Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Dark Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Dark Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Image Flicker
    Flicker-FreeLockedLocked
    PWM Dimming Frequency
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
    Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
    LockedLocked
    BFI Maximum Frequency
    LockedN/A
    BFI Minimum Frequency
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Refresh Rate
    Variable Refresh Rate
    LockedNo VRR
    Native
    LockedLock Hz
    Max Refresh Rate
    Locked60 Hz
    Variable Refresh Rate
    LockedLocked
    FreeSync
    LockedLocked
    G-SYNC
    LockedLocked
    VRR Maximum
    LockedN/A
    VRR Minimum
    LockedLocked
    VRR Supported ConnectorsLockedLocked

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    Inputs
    0.0
    Input Lag
    Native Resolution
    LockedLock ms
    Native Resolution @ 60Hz
    LockedLock ms
    Variable Refresh Rate
    LockedN/A
    Variable Refresh Rate @ 60Hz
    LockedN/A
    10 Bit HDR
    LockedN/A
    Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Resolution And Size
    Native ResolutionLocked1920 x 1080
    Aspect RatioLockedLocked
    MegapixelsLockedLock MP
    Pixel Density
    LockedLock PPI
    Screen DiagonalLockedLock"
    Screen AreaLockedLock in²

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    Inputs
    Total Inputs
    DisplayPortLockedLocked
    Mini DisplayPortLockedLocked
    HDMILockedLocked
    DVILockedLocked
    VGALockedLocked
    DisplayPort OutLockedLocked
    USBLockedLocked
    USB CLockedLocked
    Analog Audio Out 3.5mmLockedLocked
    Microphone In 3.5mmLockedLocked
    Digital Optical Audio OutLockedLocked
    Analog Audio Out RCALockedLocked
    Power SupplyLockedLocked

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    Features
    Additional Features
    RGB Illumination
    LockedLocked
    Speakers
    LockedLocked
    HDR10LockedLocked
    Multiple Input Display
    LockedLocked

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    On-Screen Display (OSD)
    Controls

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    In The Box

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