The Lepow C2S aims to be competitive in its category by offering more flexibility and better design versus its predecessors. The monitor sacrifices a slim chassis in favor of adding a rigid flip stand and more connectors. Let’s see if the Lepow C2S is an improvement over the older offerings and if it can go head-to-head with its premium competitors.
Lepow C2S Specifications
- Screen Size: 15.4 Inches
- Resolution:1920 x 1080 FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Contrast Ratio: 700:1
- Brightness: 220 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 1 Watt)
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: No
- Connectivity: USB-C x 2, Mini HDMI 1.4 x 1, Mini DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 14.56″ x 8.89″ x .27″
- Weight: 1.61 lbs
Design and Features
The Lepow C2S looks like most portable displays so it isn’t too flashy or distracting when you are using it next to your laptop. The device has a matte black chassis that doesn’t attract dust and smudges, so it is easy to maintain. The display isn’t bezel-free, but the top and bottom edges are thinner so they are less distracting.
The most noticeable change with the monitor is its considerably thicker due to the bulge at the back. It’s a design change that accommodates the expanded connectivity layout and the kickstand which stows on it when it is not needed. The good news is it’s not heavier at 1.61 pounds so it is still portable enough to be stowed with your pack.
Its build quality is great thanks to its strong materials and relatively solid form factor. It feels well-built and it doesn’t have cosmetic defects either when it was unboxed. The new stand also works better than the usual flip covers which are flimsy enough to give way with even the gentlest accidental nudge.
The has buttons which surprisingly work better than the scroll wheels you would usually find in this category. You only need to deal with three buttons to manipulate the OSD, and you don’t have to go far to get to a specific submenu. The layout’s position is also less awkward so it’s easier for you when you are gripping the display like a tablet.
The Lepow C2S has a kickstand that’s made out of metal and permanently attached to the bulge at the back of the chassis. You simply have to fold it in when it is not in use and deploy it if you want to use the monitor. It only offers tilt, but at least it’s stable and better at keeping the monitor upright than folio covers.
One of the main draws of the Lepow C2S is its connectivity layout which includes a mini DisplayPort 1.2 along with two USB-C slots and a mini HDMI port. Note that the second USB-C port is dedicated to powering the monitor, but the primary can also do that when it is connected to a laptop and receiving video inputs. You also get a 3.5mm jack for headphones, although the laptop’s output will most likely sound better and cleaner.
The monitor even has a pair of 1-watt speakers to complete its target of being a versatile gadget for your mobile productivity needs. However, they sound too quiet especially when they are used outdoors, so the laptop’s set will be a better choice. A pair of headphones will be better, but we imagine features like this will come in handy if you are working in an alfresco area of a café during summer.
Display and Performance
The Lepow C2S sports a 15.4-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and an unspecified response time. The backlight has a 220 cd/m2 output while the contrast ratio is listed at 700:1 like most portable monitors. This model advertises an HDR feature, but we know how limited it is based on the specs listed above.
You don’t have to worry about sharpness with monitors at this size and resolution, especially if you are used to laptops. It doesn’t offer the extended space of 4K screens but that’s okay since it’s meant to do that for your laptop screen. legibility and visibility are excellent as well, so you won’t struggle with reading or browsing with it.
The Lepow C2S renders 96% sRGB which isn’t the best, but still decently vibrant for its intended use as a secondary display. The default accuracy has a deltaE average of 2.76 so it’s still within reasonable limits as far as color fidelity is concerned. It is not great enough for editing work, but it should be good enough for other uses.
Its biggest limitation is its contrast ratio which only managed to reach 744:1 at 100% brightness. The backlight also isn’t the brightest since it only put out 215 cd/m2 which can be considered insufficient for outdoor use. The screen is incapable of deep blacks, but that’s expected from an IPS panel.
Panel uniformity for the Lepow C2S sample was great overall since there were no backlight leaks. The upper part of the screen looked dimmer, but it was only noticeable if you look close enough and use the screen in a dark room. Note that this can change between every monitor due to tolerances, so there are better and worse ones out there.
The portable monitor also has a slower pixel response time so it doesn’t have the smooth motion handling of a desktop display. It shows smudges in quick transitions, so it is not ideal for fast-paced or competitive gaming. However, we think that it can be used for casual or even portable games, so it still is applicable for use in that segment.
Unfortunately, the Lepow C2S isn’t compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync so you can’t rely on VRR for tear-free gaming. However, that’s okay since the monitor wasn’t meant for gaming and it only has a 1080p 60Hz output. The monitor doesn’t feel sluggish or delayed during regular use, but you will know the difference if you have a desktop display that’s geared for playing.
Thoughts on the Lepow C2S
The Lepow C2S is easily one of the best portable monitor options you can get below the $200 price point. It’s reasonably color-accurate and well-designed so it can handle most tasks with superb flexibility. Our favorite part about it is its improved feature set such as its flip stand and its connectivity layout.
However, the Lepow C2S isn’t without limitations like most of its competitors in the market. It is not bright enough to be used outside and its contrast is dismal so it doesn’t look good when showing night scenes. However, it fulfills its intended purpose with aplomb at a low price point, so it is a good buy.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Decent Colors and Accuracy
- USB-C, DisplayPort, and HDMI Connectivity
- Improved Design
Cons:
- Low Contrast
- Prone to Blurring
- No Internal Battery
About the Author: 
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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