The ViewSonic VG1655 is an acceptable portable monitor. Like most portable monitors, it lacks many features found on typical desktop monitors, and it's designed for use as a secondary screen. It's good for viewing messages or reading documents thanks to its 15.6 inch screen and 1080p resolution, resulting in high pixel density and clear text. The stand has adjustable tilt settings, and you can use the screen in portrait mode. It has two USB-C inputs that support DisplayPort Alt Mode and power delivery of up to 60W. Sadly, it's not good for content creators because of its narrow color gamut, and colors look washed out. Also, it doesn't get bright, so it's not a good choice to use in really bright environments.
Our Verdict
The ViewSonic VG1655 is an acceptable monitor for most uses. It's for on-the-go use, so it doesn't have as many features as desktop monitors. The 15.6 inch screen may seem small, but with a 1080p resolution, it has a high pixel density that delivers clear text for office use. However, it's mediocre for content creators due to its narrow color gamut, and it has slow response times if you want to use it for gaming.
- Excellent text clarity thanks to high pixel density.
- Adjustable incline stand.
- Image looks darker at wide viewing angles.
- Doesn't get bright.
- Narrow SDR color gamut; colors look washed out.
The ViewSonic VG1655 isn't bad for office use. It's meant for use as a secondary screen, and it's good for reading documents because it delivers clear text thanks to its high pixel density. It has decent reflection handling but doesn't get bright enough to combat glare. Sadly, it has a narrow color gamut, and its viewing angles aren't the best, so colors look washed out if you view it a bit from the sides.
- Excellent text clarity thanks to high pixel density.
- Adjustable incline stand.
- Image looks darker at wide viewing angles.
- Doesn't get bright.
The ViewSonic VG1655 is mediocre for gaming. It's not designed for this use, as it's a portable monitor, and we don't suggest using it for gaming. It's limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, doesn't have variable refresh rate (VRR) support, and motion looks blurry. However, it has low input lag if you still want to use it for gaming.
- Low input lag.
- Limited to 60Hz panel and no VRR support.
- Slow response time makes motion look blurry.
- Low contrast ratio.
The ViewSonic VG1655 is unremarkable for watching multimedia content. It's fine for watching YouTube videos thanks to its 15.6 inch screen and 1080p resolution, but it doesn't get bright enough to combat glare in well-lit rooms. For dark rooms, it has a low contrast ratio, so blacks look gray when viewed in the dark.
- Excellent text clarity thanks to high pixel density.
- Adjustable incline stand.
- Image looks darker at wide viewing angles.
- Low contrast ratio.
The ViewSonic VG1655 is disappointing for content creators. It has a narrow color gamut, so it can't display colors as they should, and they look washed out. Its viewing angles aren't the best either, so the image starts to look darker as you move off-center. The screen may be small for some, but the 1080p resolution helps deliver crisp images.
- Excellent text clarity thanks to high pixel density.
- Adjustable incline stand.
- Image looks darker at wide viewing angles.
- Doesn't get bright.
- Narrow SDR color gamut; colors look washed out.
The ViewSonic VG1655 doesn't support HDR.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 15.6 inch ViewSonic VG1655, which is only available in this size. There's also the ViewSonic TD1655, which appears to be similar but has a touchscreen instead; we haven't tested this model. These are the only two portable monitors from ViewSonic.
| Model | Size | Resolution | Panel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VG1655 | 15.6" | 1080p | IPS | - |
| TD1655 | 15.6" | 1080p | IPS | Touchscreen |
If you come across a different type of panel or your VG1655 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 ViewSonic VG1655 is an acceptable portable monitor. It has two USB-C inputs that support DisplayPort Alt Mode and power delivery up to 60W, which is convenient. However, colors look washed out, and there are other options available with wider color gamuts, like the Lenovo ThinkVision M14, or more versatile models, like the ASUS ROG Strix XG17AHPE.
See our recommendations for the best office monitors, best 1080p monitors, and best budget monitors.
The Lepow Z1 and the ViewSonic VG1655 are both acceptable portable monitors. They each have a 1080p resolution with a 15 inch screen, and each delivers clear text. They both have two USB-C inputs, but only one supports DisplayPort Alt Mode on the Lepow while both support it on the ViewSonic. The Lepow supports HDR, which the ViewSonic, but it doesn't add much. The ViewSonic has better ergonomics because it has an adjustable incline stand, while you can only set the Lepow's stand to three settings.
The ViewSonic VG1655 and the ASUS ZenScreen MB14AC are acceptable portable monitors with similar performance. The ASUS gets brighter, so it performs better in well-lit rooms, and it feels much better built with a solid frame. However, the bigger ViewSonic has two USB-C inputs that support power delivery, while the ASUS only has one USB-C input that doesn't support PD. The ViewSonic also has a Mini HDMI input, and you can adjust the incline settings as you wish.
The Lenovo ThinkVision M14 is better than the ViewSonic VG1655. The main advantage of the Lenovo is that it displays a much wider color gamut, making it a better choice for content creators. It also gets much brighter, making it a better choice for bright environments, and the monitor feels better-built as the stand is more solid. On the other hand, the ViewSonic has a Mini HDMI port, which the Lenovo doesn't, and it's a bit bigger, giving you more screen real estate space.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the ViewSonic VG1655 are two different monitors. The MSI is a standard monitor with a 1440p resolution and 165Hz refresh rate. It has more gaming features than the ViewSonic, like VRR support, a very quick response time, and low input lag. Since it's a regular desktop monitor, it also has a stand with much better ergonomics. The ViewSonic is a portable monitor with a 1080p resolution, but it has much better text clarity with its smaller screen.
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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