Duex Float Review: The Portable Dual Monitor Setup You Didn’t Know You Needed

Let’s be honest: trying to be productive on a single laptop screen while working from a hotel desk or coffee shop table is basically modern-day suffering. You’re alt-tabbing like it’s 2003, dragging windows around like it’s a game of Tetris, and trying to look professional on Zoom while your notes are buried under three Chrome tabs. This Duex Float Review may hold the solution.

Enter the Mobile Pixels Duex Float — a travel-sized second monitor that promises to give you dual-screen freedom wherever your laptop roams. It’s lightweight, USB-C powered, and designed to “float” above your laptop like some productivity wizardry straight out of a tech ad. But here’s the twist: to actually float, it requires you to stick magnets on the back of your laptop.

The magnets? Not so magical.

So… did I take the plunge and magnetize my MacBook? Nope. But I still used the Duex Float extensively while traveling for work, hopping between offices, and settling in at coffee shops. And despite skipping the magnets (more on that in just a second), I’ve got thoughts — and they’re mostly good ones.

Let’s dive in.

Duex Float Review: What Is it?

The Mobile Pixels Duex Float is a 15.6-inch portable monitor designed to give laptop users an easy, on-the-go second screen. Unlike traditional portable monitors that sit beside your laptop, the Duex Float is built to stack vertically — placing the second screen above your laptop for a multi-monitor setup that actually saves desk space.

It’s powered by a single USB-C cable (which handles both power and video), and it has a fold-out kickstand for stability if you’re not into sticking magnets on your gear. The idea is simple: give mobile workers, students, and digital nomads a way to multitask efficiently without lugging around a giant screen or being glued to a desk.

Key Features of this Portable Monitor at a Glance:

• Display: 15.6” Full HD (1920×1080), 60Hz refresh rate
• Weight: Around 4 lbs — light enough to toss in a backpack
• Power & Video: Single USB-C (no extra power adapter required)
• Mounting Options: Magnetic attachment or built-in kickstand
• Compatibility: Works with Mac, Windows, and even some tablets/phones and video game consoles

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a dual-monitor setup while working from an airport lounge or café table — this is the product pitched to you.

Pros and Cons of the Duex Float

---

First Impressions & Setup Experience

Unboxing the Duex Float, the first thing I noticed was how lightweight and sleek it felt. It’s not some clunky chunk of plastic — it actually feels well-built, with a clean matte finish and a surprisingly slim profile. You could easily mistake it for a large tablet or an ultra-thin laptop lid.

Setup: As Easy as Plug-and-Play

I plugged it into my MacBook via USB-C and… that was it. No driver installs, no fussy settings. The screen fired right up, and I was dragging browser windows onto it in seconds. If you’re the kind of person who breaks into a cold sweat when technology doesn’t “just work,” this part will feel like a breath of fresh air.

Using It Without the Magnets

Here’s the thing: all the marketing images show the monitor mounted magnetically above the laptop screen, creating this super aesthetic, dual-layer setup. And yes, it looks cool. But I wasn’t about to permanently attach magnets to my MacBook. That’s a no from me, dog.

Thankfully, the built-in kickstand does the trick. I used it propped up behind or slightly above my laptop screen when I had a desk or table to work with. It’s not as seamless or space-saving as the magnetic mount, but it works — and it doesn’t require gluing anything to your tech.

My Typical Home-Office Set up

My home office set up is pretty great – three screens of real estate. So, you can imagine why I hate working from anywhere that isn’t my desk. I’ve got it all. See our picks for best Standing Desk and Best Standing Desk Chair.

That’s what I was hoping to find in a portable monitor, especially a stacked portable monitor. Let’s see how close this one gets to the home office set up.

Portability

Tossing it in my bag for travel was shockingly easy. It’s light enough that you forget it’s in there, and slim enough that it fits alongside a laptop without turning your backpack into a brick. That said, I do recommend slipping it into a soft sleeve or case since there’s no protective cover included in the box.

Performance in the Real World

Let’s be honest: portable monitors sound great in theory, but a lot of them fall flat when it comes to real-world usability. Luckily, the Duex Float holds its own — and then some — when you actually take it on the road.

Screen Quality: Good Enough for Most Work

The 15.6” 1080p display isn’t going to win any awards for color accuracy, but for 99% of what I use it for — email, documents, Slack, spreadsheets, video calls — it’s perfectly solid. The colors are vibrant enough, the text is sharp, and the brightness is decent for most indoor setups.

Mac Studio Display vs. Duex Float

I decided to try showing you the actual difference, and there is the Mac Studio Display below.

And here is the same web page on the Duex Float:

While it’s tough to photograph the difference between displays, the Duex Float does a great job as a portable extra screen to take to a coffee shop and beyond.

I wouldn’t recommend it for color grading or serious creative work, but if you just need more screen real estate to multitask, it’s a huge upgrade from tab-juggling on a single display.

Perfect for Travel, Coffee Shops, and Shared Desks

Whether I was at a coworking space, a hotel desk, or crammed into a local coffee shop, the Duex Float made it feel like I had my full setup with me. It turned cramped spaces into functional workstations — and made things like running a Zoom call on one screen while referencing notes on the other actually doable.

Even without the magnetic setup, it stayed stable on most flat surfaces thanks to the kickstand. And when you’re done? Fold it up and drop it back in your bag. No cords, no clunky bases, no hassle.

A Handy Bonus: Presentation Mode

One feature that doesn’t get enough love? Presentation Mode.

With the Duex Float, you’re not just stuck using it as a second screen for yourself — you can also mirror your laptop screen to the Float, then flip it around to face someone sitting across from you. It’s an incredibly simple (but smart) way to share a presentation, spreadsheet, or design without awkwardly huddling shoulder-to-shoulder around one tiny laptop.

Whether you’re showing a client some mockups, walking a teammate through a deck at a coffee shop, or just flexing your productivity wizardry, Presentation Mode makes collaboration on the go way smoother — no projector, no dongles, no extra monitors required.

Just plug it in, mirror your screen, spin the Float around, and boom: instant, professional setup wherever you are.

Battery & Power Considerations

The single USB-C cable handles both video and power, which is awesome — but keep in mind that it does draw from your laptop’s battery. Not a huge deal if you’re plugged in, but on battery power, it will chew through juice faster. Pro tip: bring a portable charger or plug in if you’re planning a long work session.

Side note: I wasn’t able to get other USB-C cords to work, outside of the ones provided, but they do provide other cords to use, like a Mini HDMI and USB-C Port to work.

The Magnet Mount: Cool in Theory, Meh in Practice

Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room — or rather, the magnets in the room.

What the Magnets Do

In all the ads and marketing photos, the Duex Float is shown “floating” elegantly above your laptop screen. How? By attaching a set of included magnets to the back of your laptop. These magnets connect to a fold-out arm on the monitor, letting it hover in place like a second-tier display.

And sure — the look is clean, minimal, and pretty clever. But there’s a catch…

Why I Didn’t Use Them

To use this setup, you need to stick adhesive magnets directly to your laptop. As in: peel-and-stick, semi-permanent, hope-you-don’t-regret-this-later kind of magnets. For me, that was a hard pass.

• I didn’t want to gunk up my laptop lid
• I use a case that wouldn’t be compatible
• I didn’t want to commit to one fixed setup

If you’re cool with slapping magnets on your laptop (and probably leaving them there forever), it might be worth trying. But for most folks — especially people who work from multiple devices or don’t want to void a warranty — the kickstand setup is the safer bet.

The Good News? You Don’t Need Them

Honestly, the Duex Float works just fine without the magnets. It may not hover like the ad photos, but the kickstand keeps it steady on any flat surface. You can prop it just behind or slightly above your laptop screen for nearly the same effect — minus the commitment.

Who the Duex Float Is Best For

If you’re the kind of person who’s constantly working from anywhere but a traditional desk — this monitor might be your new favorite travel buddy. The Duex Float isn’t trying to be everything for everyone, but it does shine for a few key types of users.

💼 Remote Workers & Digital Nomads

Working from airports, hotel desks, Airbnb kitchen tables, or coffee shops? This monitor instantly upgrades your workspace. It’s easy to carry, sets up in seconds, and gives you dual-screen freedom on the fly.

🚀 Hybrid Office Hoppers

If you’re constantly bouncing between home, office, and coworking spaces, this is an easy way to take a second monitor with you without looking like you’re moving in.

🧑‍🎓 Students and Creatives (with caveats)

Great for students who need more screen space for research, papers, or creative projects. Just note: it’s not a color-calibrated display, so if you’re doing serious design or video work, you’ll want something a bit more high-end.

👎 Not Ideal For:

• People who want a permanent home-office setup (just get a bigger, stationary second monitor)
• Users who are super picky about color accuracy or screen calibration
• Anyone allergic to putting adhesive on their laptop

If you’re part of the traveling worker tribe, the Duex Float makes a compelling case to come along for the ride.

It does weigh about 4 pounds, so it’s probably not to put in your backpack forever, but good for when you need it.

Final Verdict: A Travel-Friendly Second Monitor That Gets (Almost) Everything Right

The Mobile Pixels Duex Float hits a sweet spot: it’s lightweight, functional, and genuinely useful for anyone trying to do real work outside the confines of a traditional desk. Whether you’re hopping between meetings, squeezing in emails at a coffee shop, or cranking out work from a hotel room, having a second screen like this actually makes a difference.

No, I didn’t use the magnets. And honestly? I didn’t miss them. The built-in kickstand gave me everything I needed to stay productive on the go without committing adhesive sin on the back of my laptop.

Would I have loved a carrying case? Absolutely.

Would I recommend it to fellow road warriors and remote workers? Also absolutely.

If you’re someone who lives the mobile lifestyle — even just part of the time — the Duex Float is a solid investment in your sanity and screen space.

Rating: 8.5/10

Buy it if: you want an easy, no-fuss second monitor for travel or hybrid work

Skip it if: you’re glued to your desk or can’t stand the idea of magnets or an extra 4 pounds in your backpack.