A few years ago, LG launched the Stanby ME, which, with its clever nickname "bestie TV," quickly carved out a unique niche in the home appliance market: the "portable smart screen." At the time, it solved the pain point of many people "fighting for the TV" at home, or the need for seamless audio-visual entertainment in different spaces (such as the kitchen and bedroom).
The second-generation StanbyME 2 (27LX6TDGA) from LG is clearly based on user feedback from its predecessor and has undergone numerous adjustments. After experiencing it firsthand, I believe that LG's ambitions this time are even greater. They are no longer content with simply being a considerate "best friend," but rather aim to create a truly "portable" display solution that transcends indoor and outdoor lighting conditions and can even be integrated into work scenarios.
Key pain point: Liberate the living room and create your own personal audio-visual space
Modern family entertainment has become fragmented. The main TV in the living room is often a battleground for family members—Dad wants to watch the news, Mom wants to binge-watch dramas, and the kids are clamoring to watch YouTube. The core value of Stanby ME 2 lies in providing a highly flexible feature, namely, "additional TV screen options."
The StanbyME 2 features a complete webOS smart system, making it equivalent to a fully functional LG Smart TV. Once powered on, it offers access to major streaming video platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube. When family members are primarily using the TV, this 27-inch personal TV can be easily moved to the study, bedroom, or even the balcony to enjoy your own private viewing time.
The Stanby ME 2 features a significant upgrade in mobility. The five-wheel design of the base allows it to glide smoothly on carpets or wooden floors at home. It also has a full range of adjustment mechanisms, including height, ±25° tilt angle, and even ±90° vertical rotation. Whether you are lying in bed, sitting on the sofa, or cooking while looking at a recipe, you can easily adjust it to the best viewing angle.
In particular, the vertical display mode, combined with finger touch or remote control operation, provides a far superior experience to traditional TVs when used for browsing Instagram, TikTok, or web pages.
From "Indoors" to "Outdoors": Battery Upgrades and Extension of Usage Scenarios
While the first-generation Stanby ME 2 was portable, it was still limited by the power cord. One of the biggest evolutions of the Stanby ME 2 is that the screen itself is designed to be detachable, and it also has a built-in battery with longer battery life.
According to official data, in energy-saving mode, it can provide up to 4 hours of wireless playback time. What does this mean? It's no longer just a TV that you can "use in different rooms at home," but a device that you can truly "take out."
I envisioned a few scenarios: a family camping trip on the weekend, with night falling, setting up the Stanby ME 2 outside the tent to play a movie would be the perfect atmosphere. Or, while barbecuing in your backyard, you could use it to play music or sports broadcasts, or even on a balcony without a power outlet, you could comfortably enjoy a coffee while watching the morning news.
More than just entertainment: a powerful assistant for working from home
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed work patterns, with working from home (WFH) and online meetings becoming the norm. LG has clearly recognized this and has therefore added enhanced connectivity to the Stanby ME 2.
What I appreciate most is the addition of a USB-C port (supporting DP Alt mode) and the existing HDMI connection. This allows the Stanby ME 2 to quickly transform into a "secondary screen" for laptops. For those working from home, a 27-inch touchscreen with QHD resolution significantly improves work efficiency, whether for checking data, running communication software, or using it during video conferences.
When used as a secondary monitor, its adjustable angle and portability once again prove advantageous. You can drag it to your desk or even onto the living room sofa to quickly set up a comfortable temporary workstation.
The "But" as experienced in practice
Of course, no product is perfect. Although the StanbyME 2 strives to create a "portable" image, there are still a few "inconveniences" to mention in actual use.
First, there's the "weight." Although the screen itself is detachable, a 27-inch screen with a built-in battery and a robust structure still feels quite heavy when held in hand or carried around. Therefore, it's more suitable for short-distance transport than for carrying around for extended periods like a tablet.
Secondly, and most importantly, is the "limitations of outdoor use." The first point is battery life. The official 4-hour battery life was measured in "energy-saving mode." If high-definition videos are played at normal brightness, the battery life will inevitably be shortened. For camping trips that often last more than half a day, battery anxiety remains.
The second point is "protection." The official page clearly states: "The product is not waterproof." This means that extra care must be taken with the weather when using it outdoors; a sudden afternoon thunderstorm could cause fatal damage. At the same time, whether the screen brightness is sufficient for clear visibility under strong sunlight is also a challenge.
Therefore, I would define its outdoor use scenario as "a sheltered balcony" or "a campsite with stable weather", rather than actually going up mountains or down to the sea.
Market competition and LG's design advantages
Since the launch of StanbyME, many similar products have indeed appeared on the market, such as portable projectors or mobile screens from other brands, many of which are more competitive in terms of price.
LG's advantage lies in its profound "home appliance design" foundation and "brand ecosystem". The Stanby ME 2 won the 2025 iF Design Award. Its simple aesthetics, solid workmanship, and the perfect integration of the screen, stand, and scroll wheel make it blend perfectly into various home décor styles, which is something that many competitors cannot match.
In addition, the mature webOS platform, complete streaming support, and the convenience of connecting with other LG appliances in the home through the ThinQ App form an irreplaceable ecological moat.
In summary: it was both a "second television" and a "first portable screen".
Overall, the LG Stanby ME 2, the second generation of the best friend phone, is a product with a clearer positioning and more mature functions, accurately capturing modern people's needs for multi-tasking, flexibility, and cross-scenario use of the "screen".
It not only solves the traditional conflict of "only one TV in the home", but also extends the usage scenarios from the living room to the bedroom, study, and office desk through upgraded battery and connectivity, and even to (conditional) outdoor use scenarios.
While it still makes compromises in weight and outdoor protection, and its price point may be on the higher side, the StanbyME 2 undoubtedly offers a highly attractive and stylish solution for "slash" users who value quality of life, flexible space utilization, and the need to switch between home and office environments. It's not just a "best friend's computer," but more like a capable "personal assistant," meeting your display needs anytime, anywhere.
