How to Connect a PS5 to a Portable Monitor

If you don’t have a TV, or your TV is temporarily not working, a portable monitor is a very practical way to keep playing your PS5.

I tested this setup myself, and it turned out to be much easier than many people think. As long as you have the right cable and a portable monitor with the right input, you can turn a small desk or temporary setup into a clean PS5 gaming station.

For me, this kind of setup is especially useful when:

• there is no TV available
• the TV is being used by someone else
• you want a simpler desk gaming setup
• you want something more flexible than a full monitor or television

The good thing is that there is more than one way to do it.

What you need

Before starting, prepare these items:

• PS5
• Portable monitor with either:
  • USB-C video input, or
  • Mini HDMI input
• HDMI to USB-C cable or
• HDMI to Mini HDMI cable

One important thing to note: your portable monitor needs to support the correct video input, not just charging. Some USB-C ports are only for power, so it is always best to confirm the monitor’s input type first.

Method 1: Connect PS5 to a portable monitor with USB-C input

This is a very clean setup if your portable monitor supports USB-C display input.

First, power on your portable monitor. Some models can be powered directly, while others may need an external power source, so just follow your monitor’s normal setup.

Then turn on your PS5.

After that, use the HDMI to USB-C cable with USB A Power delivery:

• connect the HDMI end to the PS5， the
• connect the USB-C end to the portable monitor
• Connect the USB-A power end to the PS5 USB-A port or to a 5V power adapter

This last step is very important.

Because this HDMI to USB-C cable includes a USB-A power delivery lead, the USB-A end needs to be connected to power so the cable can work smoothly and display the signal properly. In my real test, connecting the USB-A end to the PS5 USB-A port or a 5V adapter was necessary for stable use.

Once everything is connected correctly, the portable monitor can display the PS5 screen and you can start playing.

Method 2: Connect PS5 to a portable monitor with Mini HDMI input

If your portable monitor has a Mini HDMI port instead of USB-C video input, that works too.

In this case, use an HDMI to Mini HDMI cable:

• connect the HDMI end to the PS5
• connect the Mini HDMI end to the portable monitor

After that, power on the monitor and the PS5, and the image should display normally.

This is a good option for portable monitors that are designed more like compact external screens and already include Mini HDMI as their main video input.

My real test setup

I tested this with a real PS5 and portable monitor setup, and it worked well as a practical alternative to using a TV.

What I like about using a portable monitor with PS5 is that it saves space and feels much easier to move around. It is also a good backup solution if your TV has a problem or if you simply want a dedicated gaming setup on your desk.

Compared with a traditional TV setup, it feels:

• more compact
• easier to place on a desk
• more flexible for small rooms or temporary spaces

Of course, the experience also depends on the size and quality of your portable monitor, but for everyday gaming, it is a very convenient solution.

Which connection method is better?

That depends on your portable monitor.

• If your monitor supports USB-C video input, using an HDMI to USB-C cable gives you a clean and modern setup.
• If your monitor has Mini HDMI, then an HDMI to Mini HDMI cable is the better and more direct choice.

So the best method is simply the one that matches your monitor’s available video input.

Final thoughts

If your TV is unavailable, a portable monitor is a great way to keep using your PS5 without much hassle.

From my real test, both methods are practical:

• HDMI to USB-C for portable monitors with USB-C video input
• HDMI to Mini HDMI for portable monitors with Mini HDMI input

As long as you use the correct cable and the correct input, connecting a PS5 to a portable monitor is straightforward and easy to do.

If you want a smaller, cleaner gaming setup, this is definitely worth trying.