Like all great things in the modern era, I first saw LG’s portable StanbyME TV on TikTok. As a New York City apartment dweller, I’m always looking for space-saving options. And though I’ve never liked the idea of a TV in the bedroom, there are evenings when all I want to do is crawl into bed and watch reality TV.
But I do way more than just watch TV in bed with my LG StanbyME. I bring it into the bathroom to watch movies while I take a bath. I play recipe videos on it while I cook. I even take it on the balcony so I can watch TV while getting sun. This unique 27-inch display is completely portable, with a built-in battery and a rollable stand with five wheels.
While its 1080p picture quality doesn’t come close to matching the best TVs (and it’s costly for a 27-inch screen), I think it fills a niche need for a portable TV almost perfectly — here’s why.
LG StanbyME 27-inch Portable Display
The ultimate movable, touchscreen TV. Perfect for people who live in small apartments, this smart TV on wheels has a slim profile and a huge variety of uses. From video recipes in the kitchen to reality shows in bed, we love the convenience of the LG StanbyMe.
Why I love the LG StanbyME
Samantha Crozier/Insider
It moves up and down and can be adjusted from counter-height to the perfect viewing angle for lying in the tub and watching a show.
There are wheels on the bottom that are big enough that you can easily roll it over rugs and door sills without issue.
The screen swivels so you can always adjust the angle and the orientation, which makes it useful for streaming videos from all platforms, including TikTok and YouTube.
It works with both a remote and a touchscreen, so you can lie back and control it when you’re using it as a television and use the touchscreen when you need to use it as a tablet.
The battery lasts around three hours if you’re using it as a television, which is plenty for me. I usually have it plugged in if I’m marathoning movies in bed, but three hours is absolutely enough otherwise.
It uses LG’s smart TV interface to access the best streaming services, allowing you to watch your favorite content.
Cons to consider
When I first showed my fiancé (who majored in electrical engineering and now works as a software engineer) the listing for this television, he sputtered at the price for the picture quality and size.
He was insistent that it cost too much for what it was and immediately began brainstorming solutions that could execute the same concept for a lower cost. He researched rolling stands and smart TVs that could fit on them. He looked up large tablets, ways to deal with cords, and floor stands that almost worked but had no wheels and wouldn’t fit a screen large enough.
After all his research, he conceded that there really wasn’t a better, cheaper option for exactly what I needed. I’ve heard the StanbyME referred to in other reviews as a “so-so TV on a stellar stand,” and I think that’s a fair assessment. But if, like me, you aren’t picky about picture quality and are primarily focused on convenience, I think it’s 100% worth it.
The bottom line
I wanted a portable TV with a battery that I could use by the bathtub, in bed, in the kitchen, and even outside. After nearly two years of daily use, I can confirm that this is indeed the solution I was looking for. If you’re struggling with how to fit a TV into your small or atypical space, I highly recommend you check out the StanbyME; it’s an elegant and smart alternative to devoting space to a permanent TV fixture in your home.
