SideTrak SideTrak Solo Touch Pro HD 15.8" Portable IPS Review

This portable monitor scores dead last in performance (5th percentile) but is the most compact screen in our database. Its 250 nits brightness is too dim for most uses, and the 60Hz panel feels outdated. Only consider it if touch is essential and you'll use it in dark rooms.

The SideTrak Solo Touch Pro HD is a portable monitor that's built for one thing: being portable. It scores a perfect 100th percentile in our compactness ranking, meaning it's the most travel-friendly screen in our database. At 1100g (about 2.5 pounds), it's easy to toss in a bag. But that's where the compromises start. Its overall performance score lands in the 5th percentile, which is basically dead last. That's because it's a 1080p, 60Hz panel with 250 nits brightness, specs that feel dated compared to modern portable options. It's a screen you take with you, not one you'd choose for its picture quality.

Let's be blunt: this isn't a performance monitor. The 15.8-inch IPS panel runs at 60Hz with an 8ms response time. That 250 nits brightness is a real weak spot, ranking in the 24th percentile for display quality. You'll struggle in anything but a dim room. The color score is mediocre too, sitting at the 30th percentile. It covers 72% NTSC, which is well below the vibrant panels you see on modern laptops or premium portable monitors. The one bright spot? It has AMD FreeSync, which helps a bit with motion, but at 60Hz, it's not doing much for gaming. Our gaming score for it is 14.9 out of 100. It's just not built for that.

At $290, the SideTrak Solo Touch Pro HD sits in a tricky spot. You're paying for portability and touch functionality, not picture quality. Compared to non-touch portable monitors around $200-$250, you're spending extra for that touch screen. But if you compare it to newer portable monitors with higher brightness, better color, and higher refresh rates that cost $350+, this one feels outdated. The value is only there if touch is a must-have for you and you're willing to accept a dim, slow panel.

Compared to something like the ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AHG (also a 15.6" portable touch monitor), the SideTrak has similar brightness but adds FreeSync and more ports. However, the ASUS often has better color accuracy. Against non-touch portable monitors like the Lepow C2, you lose the touch feature but gain much brighter panels (300+ nits) for similar or lower prices. And if you look at the gaming-focused portable monitors now hitting the market, like some from MSI or AOC with 144Hz panels, the SideTrak's 60Hz feels like a relic. It's a trade-off: you get the best portability score and touch, but you sacrifice almost everything else.

Skip this if you care about picture quality. Its display and color scores are in the bottom third of all portable monitors. Gamers should absolutely avoid it (14.9/100 gaming score). Anyone working in a well-lit office or hoping to use it as a primary screen will find the 250 nits brightness frustrating. Also, if you don't need a touch screen, there are brighter, faster portable monitors for less money.

We can't recommend this monitor for most people. Its performance scores are among the lowest we've seen. The 250 nits brightness is a deal-breaker for any environment with ambient light. The only reason to buy it is if you absolutely need a touch screen on a portable monitor and you're always in a dark room. For everyone else, there are better portable options that offer brighter screens, better color, and often higher refresh rates for around the same price or less, even if they skip the touch feature.