The MSI Optix MAG161V is a 15.6 inch portable monitor with an IPS panel. The very high pixel density results in great text clarity and a sharp image, great if you need a bit of extra screen space to work with if you're on the go. It has excellent gray uniformity and great gradient handling, but avoid it for anything that requires accurate colors, as it has a disappointing color gamut and poor color volume. Unfortunately, although it has low input lag, it doesn't support any advanced gaming features, and it has a terrible response time, so gaming should be avoided. Like all IPS panels, it also has a low contrast ratio, and the unit we bought has mediocre black uniformity, so it's not a great choice in a dark room. It's not a great choice for a bright environment, either, as it can't get very bright and has just okay reflection handling.
Our Verdict
The MSI Optix MAG161V is a disappointing monitor overall. The small size and high pixel density make it a passable choice for a bit of extra screen space when working on the go, but you should avoid it for most other uses. Although it has low input lag, the terrible response time and lack of gaming features make it a sub-par choice for gaming. It has excellent gray uniformity and great gradient handling, but the disappointing color gamut isn't ideal for work that requires accurate colors or for watching media.
- Excellent gray uniformity.
- Low input lag.
- Great text clarity.
- Low contrast.
- Terrible response time.
- Not very bright.
- Limited 60Hz refresh rate and no advanced gaming features like VRR.
- Terrible ergonomics, although this is expected with a portable monitor.
The MSI Optix MAG161V is a mediocre office monitor. The small screen is best-suited as a secondary display when working on the go. It has excellent gray uniformity, great text clarity, and outstanding low input lag. Surprisingly, the viewing angles are mediocre, which is a bit worse than usual for an IPS panel, and unfortunately, the stand has terrible ergonomics. Finally, it's not a great choice if your work requires accurate colors, as it has a disappointing SDR color gamut and poor color volume.
- Excellent gray uniformity.
- Low input lag.
- Great text clarity.
- Low contrast.
- Not very bright.
- Terrible ergonomics, although this is expected with a portable monitor.
The MSI MAG161V is a sub-par gaming monitor. The size is decent for gaming on the go, and the high pixel density results in a sharp image. It has low input lag for a responsive gaming experience. Unfortunately, the response time is terrible, causing fast-moving objects to appear blurry, and it doesn't support any advanced gaming features, like a variable refresh rate. Overall, although you can use it for slower-paced games with no action, most people should avoid this monitor for gaming.
- Excellent gray uniformity.
- Low input lag.
- Low contrast.
- Terrible response time.
- Not very bright.
- Limited 60Hz refresh rate and no advanced gaming features like VRR.
- Terrible ergonomics, although this is expected with a portable monitor.
The MSI Optix MAG161V is a disappointing monitor for watching videos. The screen size is a bit better than watching videos on your phone, but not by much. It has mediocre viewing angles, so it's not a great choice for sharing with other people. It also doesn't look very good in a dark room, as it has low contrast and mediocre black uniformity. It's not much better in a bright room, as it can't get very bright and has just okay reflection handling.
- Excellent gray uniformity.
- Low input lag.
- Great gradient handling.
- Low contrast.
- Disappointing color gamut and poor color volume.
- Not very bright.
- Terrible ergonomics, although this is expected with a portable monitor.
The MSI Optix MAG161V is an inadequate display for media creation. It has excellent gray uniformity and great gradient handling; however, it's not very bright and has just okay reflection handling, meaning that glare can be an issue in a brighter environment. Unfortunately, it has a disappointing SDR color gamut and poor color volume, so it's not a good choice if you require accurate colors. Despite the IPS panel, it doesn't have very wide viewing angles either, so it's not great for sharing the screen with others.
- Excellent gray uniformity.
- Low input lag.
- Great gradient handling.
- Low contrast.
- Disappointing color gamut and poor color volume.
- Not very bright.
- Terrible ergonomics, although this is expected with a portable monitor.
The MSI Optix MAG161V doesn't support HDR.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 15.6 inch MSI Optix MAG161V, which is part of MSI's MAG series of portable monitors. Despite the similar name, this model has nothing in common with the other Optix monitors in MSI's lineup.
| Model | Size | Native Resolution | Max Refresh rate | Panel Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optix MAG161V | 15.6" | 1080p | 60Hz | IPS | Peak brightness: 180 cd/m² |
| Optix MAG162V | 15.6" | 1080p | 60Hz | IPS | Peak brightness: 250 cd/m² |
If you come across a different type of panel or your MSI Optix MAG161V 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.
We don't know when our unit was manufactured, but you can see the label here.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The MSI Optix MAG161V is a disappointing portable monitor that doesn't really stand out in any way. It's a mediocre portable office monitor if you need a bit more screen real estate when roaming, but we don't recommend it for much else. There are much better portable monitors available, like the ASUS ROG Strix XG16AHPE.
For more options, check our picks for the best budget monitors, the best USB-C monitors, and the best office monitors.
The Lepow Z1 is better than the MSI Optix MAG161V. The Lepow has better gradient handling, with almost no noticeable banding, and it has better reflection handling. The Lepow supports HDR, but this doesn't add anything, as it can't display HDR content properly. On the other hand, the MSI has much better build quality and might last longer.
The ASUS ROG Strix XG17AHPE is significantly better than the MSI Optix MAG161V. The ASUS has a faster refresh rate, much faster response time, and lower input lag. The ASUS also delivers much better colors, with better accuracy out of the box and a much wider color gamut.
The ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP is much better than the MSI Optix MAG161V. The ASUS has a much faster response time, resulting in clearer motion, but it's still not great. The ASUS also has better contrast, higher peak brightness, and better accuracy out of the box.
The ASUS ZenScreen MB14AC is better than the MSI Optix MAG161V. The ASUS has a much better response time, although it's still not great for gaming. Also, the ASUS is more accurate out of the box. On the other hand, the MSI has much better black uniformity but worse contrast.
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.
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