Casting audio and video streams from one device to another can be a pain to set up and manage. Typically, your choice is to use an HDMI cable or Miracast, provided your device supports it. If all you want is a portable wireless external monitor that instantly works with all your devices and has a low latency, too, you'll need something else.

The Edge 2.5D is a 15.6" wireless display that can connect to your phone, laptop, or gaming console using WirelessHD, a technology that offers zero latency. Bluetooth-powered touchback technology also turns it into a touchscreen display. And when you don't want to use the included WirelessHD transmitter, you can always fall back onto USB-C or HDMI for transmitting audio and video.

During its final week on Kickstarter, I received a prototype review unit of the Edge 2.5D. If you're thinking about getting into this crowdfunding project, I'll help you find out whether this product is worth backing.

What's in the Box

My Edge 2.5D review unit came in an unpretentious white box that contained the following items:

• The 15.6" display itself (FHD/1080p version)
• 1 HDMI to HDMI cable
• 2 USB-C to USB-C cable (one was notably thicker)
• 1 USB-C wall charger
• 1 USB-C & HDMI mm-Wave transmitter (17ft version)

A manual was missing, but InnLead had sent me a PDF version of the Edge manual.

First Impressions of the Edge 2.5D

Straight out of the box, this external monitor felt heavier than expected. At 2.38lbs (1.08kg) the Edge 2.5D weighs more than many Ultrabooks, and at 0.37inches (9.4mm) it's also thicker than the thinnest ones.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed a few blemishes along its edges and under the glass. However, I received a prototype, so this is to be expected. None affected the screen itself, nor did they impact the display's functionality.

The 2.5D tempered glass screen feels solid, and the edges are smooth. The bezel quite visibly exists along all four edges, so it's nothing to rave about, but it's not a huge distraction, either.

What I appreciate about the Edge 2.5D displays are its many ports, including no less than four USB-C ports: two for data, one for audio/video, and one for power. The display also features a full HDMI port and an audio jack. Next to the power button sits a small wheel button to control the display settings. The dual speakers sit at the display's top left and right side.

On the back of the display, you'll find a standard VESA mount; no kickstand was supplied.

What Is WirelessHD?

WirelessHD, aka UltraGig, is a standard for wire-free short-range transmission of high-definition video. It uses the 60GHz band to transmit FHD or 4K video, meaning it doesn't interfere with Wi-Fi or other radio signals. With data transfer rates of up to 28Gbit/s, it enables uncompressed low-latency transmission of up to 4K of audio and video.

The main advantages of WirelessHD are that it can replace HDMI cables and that it enables zero-latency transmission, which cannot be said about other technologies. However, it only covers up to 82ft and requires line-of-sight between the receiver and the transmitter. Unfortunately, it doesn't take much to interrupt the connection.

WirelessHD falls into the mm-Wave frequency range of 30-300GHz. Although InnLead markets the Edge 2.5D as using both WirelessHD and mm-Wave technology, it's explicitly using the 60GHz WirelessHD band.

How to Set Up and Use the Edge 2.5D External Display

In theory, setup is easy since it's plug-and-play, but the Edge 2.5D offers so many options, that you might want to consult the helpful schematics in its 20-page manual before you begin.

Connecting the Edge 2.5D

You can use either WirelessHD (via the included transmitter), USB-C, or HDMI to connect the display to your source. To use WirelessHD, you have to plug the transmitter into your source device, using either its USB-C or HDMI connector. To also turn the display into a touchscreen (touchback), you'll have to use Bluetooth on top of that.

Here are all the devices you should be able to hook up to the Edge 2.5D:

• Android phones that support video output via USB-C
• Samsung DeX
• Windows 10 PC
• MacBook Pro, Mac Mini
• Nintendo Switch (how to connect it to your TV without the dock)
• PlayStation
• Xbox

I tried to connect the Edge 2.5D to my Windows 10 laptop and my Windows 11 mini PC. I also tried all four connection types, i.e. Bluetooth touchback, HDMI, USB-C, and WirelessHD (via HDMI and USB-C).

Here are my results:

• Windows 10 Laptop
  • Touchback worked great with Windows 10, even when the display wasn't properly connected, yet, which was an interesting experience.
  • HDMI and USB-C also worked well.
  • WirelessHD via the included transmitter was finicky at first. While I did get it to work immediately (plug-and-play), the display kept losing its connection, even when it was close to and in line-of-sight of the transmitter. What's more, the transmitter got hot to the touch, which made me not want to use it for extended periods of time. However, I traced the problem to the USB-C hub I was using; plugging directly into the source machine port gave a flawless connection.

• Windows 11 Mini PC
  • Although InnLead's documentation does not mention support for Windows 11, everything worked just fine. The WirelessHD connection was stable, and the transmitter didn't overheat.
  • To remove some odd touchscreen behavior in touchback mode, while the Windows 11 display was extended to the Edge 2.5D, I had to calibrate the touch input as instructed in the manual. It worked as expected after that.

Since my Android phone doesn't support video output over USB-C, I couldn't test it with the Edge 2.5D.

Edge 2.5D Troubleshooting

"No Signal" was the screen I saw most frequently as I tried connecting the display to my devices initially. Here are some troubleshooting tips, in case you run into the same issue:

1. As mentioned above, WirelessHD requires line-of-sight. This means the display can't lay flat on a surface. You have to mount the monitor or prop it up, with its back facing the receiver.
2. The transmitter is pretty wide, and it might not fit into cramped ports on a mini PC or on the side of a laptop. When using an extension cable or USB-C hub, make sure it provides a stable connection. My initial issues with my laptop were fixed once I switched to a different USB-C hub.
3. If you find that Bluetooth touchback is acting up, re-pair the device and calibrate touch input as laid out in the manual.

Changing the Edge 2.5D's Display Settings

Once you have a stable connection, you can jump into the display menu by pressing the wheel button next to the power button. Here, you can change standard things like the display brightness or contrast, but you can also change the preferred connection method, though WirelessHD is not one of them. The default setting is to auto-detect the connection method.

What I found a bit confusing was that I couldn't enter the display menu without first successfully connecting a source. I also would've appreciated more documentation in the manual. For example, the display menu contains four navigation options at the bottom (back, exit, left, right). However, there's no way to access these options through the UI. The only way to go back is to long-press the wheel button.

What Does the Edge 2.5D Sound Like?

The stereo speakers sound as good as you'd expect from 2W speakers. Even at maximum volume (set on Windows), they weren't particularly loud, but the sound was pleasant enough. Notably, the display doesn't contain volume controls. If for some reason you'd prefer the speakers to sit at the bottom of the screen, you can jump into the display controls to rotate the screen by 180 degrees.

What's the Edge 2.5D's Battery Life?

Since I only had half a day to test the Edge 2.5D and first had to charge it, I wasn't able to fully test its battery life.

InnLead promises 3-4 hours of battery life and 1.5 hours for a full recharge. I can confirm the latter.

When the screen isn't connected, it automatically switches to battery-saving mode after a few seconds to conserve battery life.

Should You Buy the Edge 2.5D Wireless Monitor and Touchscreen?

If you're looking for a wireless touchscreen display with low latency, and if you can ensure a line-of-sight connection between the WirelessHD transmitter and the display, the Edge 2.5D is the right choice for you. Note that InnLead offers a more powerful WirelessHD transmitter than the one I tested.

With the right setup, WirelessHD is a pleasure to work with as it features zero latency, offering a seamless experience. For example, instead of controlling your entertainment setup with a keyboard, you could mirror it to the Edge 2.5D and use the touchscreen to browse through Netflix. Rather than treating it like a tablet, however, the Edge 2.5D works best when used as a second monitor, e.g. with your phone or laptop. And because it features zero latency, it's a great display for gaming.

If zero latency or touchscreen functionality isn't a big concern, however, you can find more affordable portable external monitors for as little as $199 on Amazon. The ASUS ZenScreen, for example, supports AirPlay, Miracast, or Wi-Fi for wireless mirroring. Keep in mind that in addition to introducing latency, these technologies also aren't plug-and-play. Moreover, the wireless ZenScreen model isn't available with a touchscreen.

InnLead is currently wrapping up its already funded Edge 2.5D Kickstarter campaign. You can get in until September 13, though the device will also be available directly through InnLead's shop.