Well Built 16.1 Premium 1080p 144Hz IPS Portable Gaming Monitor Review - Arzopa Z1FC

Unboxing

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Included in the box

• Portable Monitor

• USB-C to USB-C cable

• USB-A to USB-C cable

• Mini HDMI to HDMI cable

Features

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The Z1FC is a fantastic choice for versatile gaming and productivity. Its traditional 16:9 aspect ratio means no compatibility headaches with your favourite consoles like PS4/5, Xbox, Switch, and Steam Deck. It even doubles as a vibrant secondary screen for laptops or a sleek addition to your streaming setup.

The 1080p 144Hz screen delivers sharp visuals and buttery-smooth motion – perfect for fast-paced games. Colours burst with life thanks to its vibrant colour accuracy and 100% sRGB coverage. With 300 nits of brightness, you can enjoy clear visuals for most indoor settings.

The IPS panel means you'll get great colours and clear images even if you're looking at the screen from an angle. Plus, the mini HDMI and two USB-C ports (supporting DisplayPort alt mode and power delivery) make connecting your devices super easy. With the right device, you can even power and connect the monitor with just one cable!

Design and Build Quality

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The Arzopa Z1FC feels like a premium product, thanks to its sleek aluminium body and sturdy construction. The flat design makes it easy to slip into a bag or backpack for portability.

Connectivity is well-covered with two USB-C ports (with DisplayPort alt mode and power delivery) and a mini HDMI port, providing flexible options for your devices. A built-in kickstand on the right allows for easy adjustment between landscape and portrait modes, offering a versatile viewing experience. While the rubber feet on the bottom are a nice touch, it's worth noting the lack of similar protection on the side when using the kickstand. Be careful when moving the monitor in this position to avoid scratching surfaces.

The control buttons on the left, while a bit mushy, provide a satisfying tactile response. There's no VESA support, but inexpensive tablet stands are available from Aliexpress (see our comparison here) if you want to position the monitor.

The side-mounted stereo speakers deliver decent audio for console gamers. If you're using retro consoles or other devices without headphone jacks, be aware that the Z1FC lacks a 3.5mm audio port.

Display Quality

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The IPS panel delivers wide viewing angles and consistent image quality even when you're not looking at the screen directly. While there was some minor light bleed in the bottom right corner of my unit (noticeable mainly on dark screens), the matte finish does a great job of reducing reflections and glare. This makes the screen easier to view in bright environments, keeping blacks nice and dark while ensuring text remains readable at 1080p resolution. Although some users might prefer the extra sharpness of a QHD panel, 1080p is perfectly sufficient for this screen size and helps make the Z1FC more affordable.

HDR Mode:

The Z1FC technically offers HDR mode, but its limited brightness (300 nits) means the experience won't be particularly impressive in HDR. Unfortunately, when HDR is enabled, you can't adjust the basic brightness and contrast settings on the monitor itself. My testing showed that HDR made the picture look worse, especially on the PS5 where colours became less accurate. It seems like many portable monitors include HDR support without fully optimising it, so it's best to leave HDR mode off in this case.

PS5 Experience

The monitor seamlessly integrates with the PS5, offering a 16:9 aspect ratio akin to that of a television, ensuring no black bars during gameplay. With 120Hz compatibility, the gaming experience is notably smooth and enjoyable. While the front USB-C port of the PS5 can power the display to its maximum brightness, a separate HDMI cable is required for display output.

Despite lacking proper HDR support, the 16.1-inch display delivers satisfactory visuals, particularly when positioned on a desk for close viewing. Although it won’t match a high-end OLED TVs or HDR600 QHD monitor, it still offers respectable performance given its budget price point.

OSD

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Settings are plentiful here with controls to adjust the colours and temperature. There is no Adaptive Sync unfortunately which is a strange omission.

Sound Quality

The monitor is equipped with stereo speakers positioned on both the left and right sides, providing a stereo effect. However, these built-in speakers offer subpar audio quality, falling short for tasks like YouTube viewing, gaming, or movie watching. With minimal bass and overly high tones, they fail to deliver a satisfying audio experience. While they reach adequate volume levels for indoor use, they pale in comparison to the louder and deeper sound produced by devices like the Honor Magic 5 Pro smartphone.

I also observed that the side up/down button is mapped to brightness control. While this may seem unconventional at first, it could prove useful considering that many users probably wont use the built-in speakers. Given that the panel itself is rated for only 300 nits, it doesn't achieve very high brightness levels. Consequently, most users will likely keep it set to 100% brightness most of the time, unless they're engaging in late-night text editing and prefer a lower brightness setting to reduce eye strain.

Most computers, Xbox, and PS5 systems feature built-in 3.5mm audio jacks, offering alternative audio output options. However, it's worth noting that the monitor does not have one, which could inconvenience users, especially those intending to connect retro devices. This is something to keep in mind when considering its compatibility with various devices. The built-in speakers are not good how practical will it be to use headphones or external speakers with your devices?

Conclusion 

If you're looking for a well-built, 1080p 144Hz portable monitor with a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio, the Arzopa Z1FC offers excellent value for the price. Single USB-C cable compatibility (where supported) makes it perfect for on-the-go setups or boosting your productivity with a second screen. Just be aware of the weak speakers and keep your audio expectations in check.