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We test the Lepow C2 15.6-inch portable monitor for brightness, contrast, colors, response times, and more

We test the Lepow C2 15.6-inch portable monitor for brightness, contrast, colors, response times, and more
We test the Lepow C2 15.6-inch portable monitor for brightness, contrast, colors, response times, and more
The budget IPS portable monitor is now on sale for $139 USD to be one of the least expensive and lightest 15.6-inch models available. Display quality is decent with a fair list of cut corners considering the low price.

The 15.6-inch Lepow C2 portable monitor is now on sale through the official manufacturer online store for $139 USD after applying the coupon code '30lepow101' at checkout. The deal is expected to last until September 15 or until supplies last. The manufacturer has sent us a test unit for our honest impressions.

There are two noteworthy advantages about the C2. The first is its low weight of just 681 g compared to other portable monitors like the AirTab which is nearly a whole kilogram. If you intend to carry the monitor around with you during trips, then the C2 is one of the lighter 15.6-inch monitors you can find.

The second advantage relates to its large and rigid stand for propping up the display. When compared to the folding folio stands of other portable monitors like the C-Force CF011SAuzai ME16Z01, or aforementioned AirTab, the stand on the C2 is much more reliable at more angles and less likely to fall over.

Other pluses include integrated support for USB-C, mini-HDMI, and mini-DisplayPort for a total of three video input options.

Grayscale after calibration
Grayscale after calibration
Saturation Sweeps before calibration
Saturation Sweeps before calibration
Saturation Sweeps after calibration
Saturation Sweeps after calibration
ColorChecker after calibration
ColorChecker after calibration
ColorChecker before calibration
ColorChecker before calibration
Grayscale before calibration
Grayscale before calibration
Black-white response times
Black-white response times
gray-to-gray response times
gray-to-gray response times
No pulse-width modulation for brightness control
No pulse-width modulation for brightness control

There are several disadvantages to keep in mind. Firstly, the C2 is at heart a budget portable monitor and so colors are limited to just 60 percent of sRGB. If accurate colors are required, then you may want to consider pricier portable monitors like the Innocn 15K1F. Secondly, the display is not bright enough for comfortable outdoor viewing. The C2 works best indoors such as in airports or office spaces where space may be tight.

Thirdly, the C2 does not ship with any protective folio cases unlike on many other portable monitors. You'll have to be careful to not damage the screen when traveling as a result.

Another annoying aspect of the C2 is that it utilizes mini-HDMI instead of full-size HDMI. Mini-HDMI cables are much less ubiquitous and so users may need to carry around a mini-HDMI to full-size adapter or cable with them at all times. Fortunately, the retail box includes a compatible cable.

vs. sRGB
vs. sRGB
vs. P3
vs. P3
Temperature profile (front)
Temperature profile (front)
Temperature profile (back)
Temperature profile (back)
Slight uneven backlight bleeding on the right half of the screen
Slight uneven backlight bleeding on the right half of the screen
211.1
cd/m²
213.7
cd/m²
211.6
cd/m²
223.7
cd/m²
228
cd/m²
214.4
cd/m²
207
cd/m²
217.7
cd/m²
204.2
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 228 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 214.6 cd/m² Minimum: 39 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 90 %
Contrast: 585:1 (Black: 0.39 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 5.04 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5, calibrated: 2.2
ΔE Greyscale 2.4 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
41.1% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
59.5% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
39.8% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.09
Lepow C2
15.60, 1920x1080
AirTab Portable Monitor 15.6-inch
15.60, 1920x1080
C-Force CF011S
RTK2A3B, , 15.60, 1920x1080
Auzai ME16Z01 Portable Monitor
15.60, 1920x1080
Lepow Type-C Portable Monitor X0025I0D4P
15.60, 1920x1080
Odake BladeX 4K UHD
15.60, 3840x2160
Display
2%
2%
22%
4%
113%
Display P3 Coverage
39.8
40.72
2%
41.08
3%
48.53
22%
41.31
4%
90.5
127%
sRGB Coverage
59.5
61
3%
60.3
1%
72
21%
62.1
4%
100
68%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
41.1
42.11
2%
42.44
3%
50.2
22%
42.71
4%
100
143%
Response Times
-68%
-108%
-55%
-34%
-55%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
24.8 ?(14, 10.8)
36 ?(18, 18)
-45%
41.2 ?(20.4, 20.8)
-66%
38.8 ?(20.8, 18)
-56%
30.8 ?(16.8, 14)
-24%
40 ?(20.4, 19.6)
-61%
Response Time Black / White *
16.4 ?(8.8, 7.6)
31.2 ?(19.6, 11.6)
-90%
40.8 ?(26.8, 14)
-149%
25.2 ?(16, 9.2)
-54%
23.6 ?(12.4, 11.2)
-44%
24.4 ?(12.8, 11.6)
-49%
PWM Frequency
1042 ?(20)
1000 ?(99)
201.6 ?(23)
1000 ?(23)
Screen
-10%
-39%
-66%
-55%
6%
Brightness middle
228
206.5
-9%
205
-10%
300.7
32%
193.9
-15%
371.9
63%
Brightness
215
198
-8%
193
-10%
267
24%
192
-11%
366
70%
Brightness Distribution
90
88
-2%
88
-2%
77
-14%
88
-2%
88
-2%
Black Level *
0.39
0.33
15%
0.25
36%
0.66
-69%
0.75
-92%
0.31
21%
Contrast
585
626
7%
820
40%
456
-22%
259
-56%
1200
105%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
5.04
4.25
16%
8.01
-59%
10.26
-104%
6.66
-32%
6.36
-26%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
19.2
18.11
6%
19.93
-4%
22.93
-19%
18.75
2%
10.34
46%
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated *
2.2
4.08
-85%
4.3
-95%
5.05
-130%
3.83
-74%
5.89
-168%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
2.4
3.1
-29%
8.3
-246%
9.5
-296%
7.6
-217%
3.7
-54%
Gamma
2.09 105%
2.31 95%
2.1 105%
1.51 146%
2.04 108%
2.19 100%
CCT
6757 96%
6994 93%
6106 106%
8200 79%
8567 76%
6474 100%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
38.7
38.7
45.8
39.3
91.7
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)
60.8
59.8
71.5
61.8
100
Total Average (Program / Settings)
-25% / -16%
-48% / -40%
-33% / -46%
-28% / -40%
21% / 20%

* ... smaller is better

The C2 is best used indoors and for applications where accurate colors are not required
The C2 is best used indoors and for applications where accurate colors are not required
Retail box includes screen protector, screen wipes, mini-HDMI to full-size HDMI cable, AC adapter, USB-C to USB-C cable, mini-DisplayPort to mini-DisplayPort cable, and USB-A to USB-C power cable (if required)
Retail box includes screen protector, screen wipes, mini-HDMI to full-size HDMI cable, AC adapter, USB-C to USB-C cable, mini-DisplayPort to mini-DisplayPort cable, and USB-A to USB-C power cable (if required)
All four ports are on the left side of the monitor
All four ports are on the left side of the monitor
Physical buttons on the right side of the monitor for OSD control. The buttons are firm and clicky when pressed
Physical buttons on the right side of the monitor for OSD control. The buttons are firm and clicky when pressed
Bar hinge is firm and works well as a stand
Bar hinge is firm and works well as a stand
Stand opened to maximum angle
Stand opened to maximum angle
Matte subpixel array is slightly grainy
Matte subpixel array is slightly grainy

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2022 08 > We test the Lepow C2 15.6-inch portable monitor for brightness, contrast, colors, response times, and more
Allen Ngo, 2022-08-31 (Update: 2022-08-31)