UPERFECT UMax 21 Touch Review: A portable Monitor You Deserve

If you're a content creator or filmmaker, you know the struggle of working with tiny screens when you're on the go. What if you could have a desktop like monitor experience while on location? And if that's something that's been on your mind, then this might be the monitor you've been looking for.

And today we're going to be talking about the UMax 21-inch touch portable monitor from UPERFECT. Now, UPERFECT was awesome enough to send me the UMax 21 monitor to check out, but as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own. No one tells me what to say. And also, just so you know, I only do reviews on products I actually like. So, by you seeing this, it means I like it, and I think you will, too.

What Are the Key Specifications & Design Features?

Display Quality

The UMax 21 has a 21.5 in 1080 IPS display. It runs at 120 Hz, so you're going to get it some smooth visuals. It covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut. It also supports HDR, giving you better contrast and detail when you're reviewing footage or watching HDR content.

Connectivity Options

On the side, the monitor has two USB-C inputs and an HDMI input. And what's nice is USB-C port can be used for both power and video delivery. However, if you do plan on using the HDMI port, you will still have to use one of the USB-C ports to power the monitor itself because the HDMI port does not deliver power. And it's only 6 mm thin, which is super sleek for a monitor this size. But that thinness doesn't mean it's also super light.

Slim Yet Solid Design

It weighs about 4.5 lbs. So, if you're taking this on the go and you're staying in one location, this would be UPERFECTly fine. But if you're moving around a lot, that can start to add up. And what I love is you UPERFECT includes everything you need in the box.

How Does the Touchscreen & Audio Performance Hold Up?

Just like in the name, it is a touchscreen monitor. So you have those features there if that's something you're interested in. Makes navigating the menus really nice and easy. Switching the inputs if I want to adjust the color contrast.

It also has built-in speakers, which is convenient. Are they great? You know, they're not. Most monitor speakers are not. But it's good to have in situations where you just need some audio and you have no other choice. But what's nice, it does have a headphone jack, so you always have that option to get the best audio possible.

Is the Kickstand Durable and Well-Built?

Now, one of the standout features is the adjustable kickstand. And the flexibility you have of how high or low that you want it, and the durability of the kickstand, I was really happy with because all the experiences I've had with other monitors I've gotten off Amazon or other places, it's either they don't have a kickstand and they give you this wonky cover that's supposed to like keep it upright, but then it never does, or the kickstand that it has, it fades away after like the first few weeks.

And I put it through its paces and it's still very sturdy which I like.

Real-World Usage: Music Festival in St. Martin

Let me break down my actual use case for this monitor because any product that I review, I always like to actually use it in real settings that I would find it useful.

So, a few months back, I shot a music festival in St. Martin where I took this monitor because I knew I was going to be in the hotel. I was going to be there for about a week. So, I got my monitor so I can have a larger screen to work off of. I also have my Mac Mini M4 Pro, so I don't have a laptop at the moment. And that's my setup.

During the festival, I was jumping back and forth between filming the concerts, then going back to my hotel room and editing. The edits required a quick turnaround, so I needed to stay laser focused. And having this bigger monitor for me personally made it a lot easier. I could see a lot more. And I just really enjoyed the colors and everything cuz then when it came to color correcting, I knew what I was seeing on the monitor was pretty much what I was going to see once I exported.

Colors on the MacBook Pros are always really nice. You don't have to worry about that. But whenever you introduce an external monitor, that's where things get a little dicey. And I was happy to see that that wasn't the case with the UMax 21.

And the larger size did make it a little bit cumbersome. I actually bought a carrying bag for the monitor, put it in my bag, had a little bit more extra protection, and just so it was a little bit easier to carry around. Let me tell you, I'm really glad I did because the monitor really helped give that kind of office-like feel in my hotel room, which was really nice.

Even though from the video, it looks like I have a lot of stuff going on. I unfortunately didn't get the setup once it was nice and clean. But what you can see is that the monitor is being powered by a single USB-C cable, and that is just really nice to keep your setup nice and simple.

What’s the Price and Which Accessories Are Worth Getting?

Right now, the UMax 21 Touch is priced at $3.49.99, but I got my discount code in the description that will knock that down a little bit more for you.

Now, if you don't like or care about the touch features, they have a non-touch version of this monitor as well that's $279.99, so you save a little bit more.

And on top of my discount code, UPERFECT also has some nice accessories. They offer two that you can get on the side with one being a VessMount adjustable stand carrying case, which I highly recommend, especially if you're going to be traveling with it.

They also have a U-shaped USB-C adapter, which I also highly recommend getting. Not just for the monitor, but just in general. It's really nice to where you can kind of adjust the angle that your USB-C cable is coming out of. It really helps clean up your cable flow. Again, monitor side, just in life, you should look into that.

What Are the Main Likes & Dislikes of This Monitor?

Now, let me go down a list of just some of my likes and dislikes.

Likes

• Portability: The 21.5-inch size is just big enough for portability. While it might be a bit small for office or studio use, it’s the ideal size for those who need a balance between portability and screen real estate.
• Color Accuracy: I’m really happy with the colors on this monitor right out of the box. There’s nothing worse than working on a project, making color corrections, and then exporting it only to find the colors look completely different once uploaded to social media. With this monitor, what I see is pretty much what I get when I export or upload content to platforms like YouTube or Instagram.
• Build Quality: The monitor feels premium. It’s thin yet has some weight to it, which makes it feel sturdy and durable. You don’t feel like you’re going to break it when handling it.

Dislikes

• Resolution:While I don’t mind that it's 1080p, I think bumping the resolution to 2K would make the monitor even better while keeping the overall foundation of the monitor intact.
• Customization of Settings: It would be nice if there were custom profiles where I could save adjustments as presets. The monitor does come with built-in presets, but having the ability to create and save my own would be a helpful addition. This way, if I accidentally hit one of the built-in presets, I don’t have to try and remember all my previous settings.
• Travel Size: The travel size works for my needs, but for someone who’s constantly on the move, the monitor size might be a bit cumbersome to deal with. So, while it’s a plus for me, it could be a drawback for others who need something more compact.

Is the UMax 21 Touch Worth Buying?

So, what's the verdict? Do you buy this monitor or not?

Integration Into My Setup

After a lot of different tests, as I mentioned, with a bunch of different monitors that I've purchased from other places, this is by far, hands down, my best experience with a portable monitor, especially a USB-C powered monitor. It's just been really great. I've been loving it. I've even implemented it into, you can see I have the uh Samsung Arc as my main monitor and I found a way to kind of integrate it into that setup as my secondary monitor even while in my office because I love it that much.

Can UMax 21 Touch Be Your Main Monitor?

So yes, I do believe that this monitor is good enough to be your main monitor, especially in a kind of small setup. If you want to keep things more minimal, I think it's UPERFECT for that. I think the price is good for the quality of it. Yes, you can go with something cheaper, but you're not going to get that longevity or reliability. And taking away those touch features, you're even coming at a lower price point than $279.99.

Size Options and Upgrades

Also, if you're someone who maybe wants a little bit bigger of a 21-inch screen, maybe you're seeing this as more of an office desk type setup, they do have 22, 23, and 24 inch size models as well. They're a little bit bigger. And I obviously the price does go up with those monitors, but I also believe the larger monitor, the 24-inch, is actually 2K resolution, which is nice.

Final Thoughts

So, yes, I definitely think the UMax 21 Touch is worth checking out. And if you do like it, definitely use my discount code. But before any purchase is made, always check and think about your use case, your workflow. Is this actually going to benefit you? Know your needs and your purpose before you purchase anything. And if you see this filling a need, then go ahead, use that discount code.