DEPGI 14” Xbox Series S Portable Monitor Review: a great Xbox-on-the-go option

The DEPGI 14” Xbox Series S Portable Monitor is the newest option for those who want to take their Xbox Series S out of the living room and on the go. Though not really a mobile gaming console, the Xbox Series S is small and compact enough that it can feasibly become a viable traveling companion with a portable monitor, whether it’s just moving from room to room around the house or taking to the road.

And while DEPGI’s new 14” variant of its portable Series S monitors isn’t the first such solution, it is without a doubt one of the best ones so far.

Setting up

Setting up the DEPGI 14″ Portable Monitor for Xbox Series S is pretty simple in theory. However, I had some trouble getting the monitor’s attachment mechanism to properly snap into place. But to be fair I’ll have to admit I’m all thumbs, and my issues can likely be attributed more to me than the product.

Nonetheless, what should have been a 10-minute affair took me upwards of around 30 minutes, and I never felt like I got it secured exactly the way it was intended. From what I’ve seen other reviewers did not have such issues; just note that the less dexterous among us may have a similar experience to mine.

Once the monitor was attached to the Series S, it was just a matter of connecting the HDMI and power cables. Pretty straightforward, and for most setting up the monitor shouldn’t be too big a pain.

The monitor’s attachment housing will make your small Series S not so small—think of something closer to a standard Xbox One in terms of size with the monitor’s lid closed. That said, the DEPGI 14″ monitor does nothing to detract from the Series S aesthetic, but rather compliments it. Note that the monitor can either be plugged into a wall outlet along with the Series S, or you can use a provided cable to power the monitor via the Xbox.

DEPGI 14” Xbox Series S Portable Monitor Specs

This latest Xbox Series S portable monitor offering from DEPGI boasts a 14” LED screen which runs up to 1080p HD at 60Hz. The integrated monitor weighs in at 2.86 lbs according to the DEPGI site, and though explicitly designed for Xbox Series S it is also compatible with PC, PS5, Switch and laptops.

The monitor features a set of navigation buttons beneath the base of the screen and also comes with a much more handy remote control unit. On the back of the unit is a pair of 3.5mm headphone jacks and 2 HDMI ports.

But back to that screen for a moment. It features HDR10 and AMD FreeSync support. There are plenty of customization options too, including ones for backlighting, contrast, black level and more. The default settings can make some games have a slightly washed out appearance, but much of this can be rectified with the right adjustments.

Viewing and gaming experience

Now we get to the heart of the matter. To put it simply, the display is everything you could expect, with reasonably vibrant color, decent black levels and 1080p clarity. Viewing angles are excellent, better than that found on a great many laptop screens, in fact.

I was surprised by the unit’s 3.0W dual stereo speakers. What I expected was a good deal of compromise in the audio department. Instead, the monitor delivers sound that boasts plenty of body—almost as good as what I’d get on my TV’s Dolby Audio. And rest assured there’s plenty of volume to be had, and likely more than you’ll likely ever need. The headphone listening experience left a lot to be desired, however, and was one of the few disappointments I found with the monitor.

The verdict

DISCLAIMER: A sample unit was provided in exchange for an honest review.

The biggest setback for the DEPGI 14” Xbox Series S Portable Monitor for some may be its price. The unit retails for $279.99—almost as much as the Series S itself, and comes with a 1-year warranty.

To be fair it’s worth noting that this price point seems to be pretty standard for Series S monitors. For those who can handle the sticker shock, this 14” portable screen solution is probably the best trade-off among the DEPGI line between portability and the overall viewing/gaming experience. And for those who can’t, the more affordable 11.6” and 12.5” alternatives from DEPGI are still available.

Cons

• $279.99 price tag

Pros

• Everything else (Great display and audio quality for a portable gaming monitor. Also solid build quality and neat aesthetic that compliments the Series S).

In conclusion

All in all, the DEPGI 14” portable monitor for Xbox Series S presents an excellent choice. It offers a nice 1080p display that is much more than serviceable, with audio to match. So you won’t have to compromise that much in terms of your gaming and video viewing experience.

Just know that the monitor does “bulkify” your Series S considerably, so a travel bag of some sort is essential if you plan to use the monitor to travel with your Xbox. Aside from that (and the price), you really can’t go wrong with this 14″ Series S monitor from DEPGI, and I would definitely recommend this if you’re in the market for a portable Xbox solution.

The DEPGI 14” Xbox Series S Portable Monitor is available on Amazon.

Featured image via depgimonitors.com.