1. Best overall
2. Best connectivity
3. Best budget
4. Best 32-inch
5. Best 1440p
6. Best 28-inch
FAQs
How to choose
How we test
Looking for the best monitor for a dual screen setup? In our experience, there's nothing quite like the freedom a second display offers. Whether you're on desktop or laptop, the expansive screen real-estate seems to open up, giving you extra space to see things clearly and get things done.
You'll be spoilt for choice with FHD, 4K, and even 8K models out there. But with a massive range of resolutions, response times, and screen sizes, it be a challenge knowing which is best for you. We've gone hands-on with the best monitors for the home and office. So, we know what to watch out when choosing a dual monitor setup and what to avoid.
Whether you're pairing best business monitors with a second screen or extending your laptop display with the best monitors for MacBook Pro, we've run the tests, checked construction and build quality, and compared size and specs. From checking connectivity options to color accuracy for designers and content creators, we've rounded up the best professional and budget dual screen monitors.
The best monitor for a dual screen setup overall
The BenQ PD2725U is a 27-inch monitor that is well-suited for use in a dual setup. It can be daisy-chained from one monitor to another, allowing for one single cable into your computer while still getting the benefit of onboard ports. In my testing experience, this worked wonderfully with Windows, however, daisy-chaining does not work with MacOS. For me, I used this monitor plugged directly into my laptop utilizing the USB-C cable and port, allowing for an incredibly seamless, clean, and bulletproof setup.
One of this monitor’s standout features is its 4K resolution, which offers crisp, clear visuals for media creation and editing tasks. In addition, the monitor supports HDR, which helps to enhance contrast and color accuracy. Looking at this screen all day is incredible. As seen in the photo above, I preferred to use this as a second, yet primary, screen on my laptop. I orientated it above the laptop so I can use the keyboard, touchpad, and screen from the laptop along with the monitor. Because of it’s size, the 27-inch BenQ was a beautiful addition, and it’s color accuracy, sharpness, and aspect ratio blended beautifully with my laptop, allowing for a seamless experience between the two.
Other features of the PD2725U include a 60Hz refresh rate, a 4ms response time, and a wide viewing angle. The 60Hz refresh rate is sufficient for most tasks and helps to reduce motion blur, while the 4ms response time ensures minimal delay between player input and on-screen action. The wide viewing angle makes it easy to view the monitor from various positions, making it comfortable to use for extended periods.
Read our full BenQ PD2725U Monitor review
The best monitor for a dual screen setup with built-in hub
The expansive Dell U2723QE 4K monitor does more than just provide a great viewing experience, its built-in hub also provides a solution for those needing to expand their connectivity options in a sleek, ergonomic package.
We appreciated the wide range of built-in color settings (sRGB, Rec. 709, DCI-P3 and HDR) that allowed us to quickly adjust the monitor for optimal viewing across a wide variety of scenarios. The Low Blue Light output also meant we were not experiencing as much eye strain.
What we really liked though, was the built-in hub that provided plenty of connectivity through a single cable. The U2723QE provides additional ports for daisy-chaining your second monitor using USB-C or DisplayPort connections. Also included are KVM, Picture-In-Picture (PIP), and Picture-By-Picture (PBP) if you need to see or control multiple computers.
Read our full Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 4K USB-C Hub review
The best budget monitor for a dual screen setup
The InnoCN 27M2U is a 27-inch monitor designed to be stylish and functional. It features a sleek, slim bezel that will complement any desk setup. In terms of performance, the 27M2U offers a Full HD resolution, which is more than sufficient for productivity tasks and everyday use.
The monitor also has a 60Hz refresh rate, a 4ms response time, and a wide viewing angle, making it well-suited for my multitasking and general use. The 60Hz refresh rate is sufficient for most tasks and helps to reduce motion blur, while the 4ms response time ensures minimal delay between my input and on-screen action for games or for quickly navigating the screen with my mouse. The wide viewing angle makes it easy to view the monitor from various positions, making it comfortable to use for even my most extended periods of use.
Read our full InnoCN 27M2U Monitor review
The best 32-inch monitor for a dual screen setup
The BenQ PD3220U is a 32-inch monitor that offers a solid all-around performance. It features a 4K resolution, which provides crisp, clear visuals that are ideal for tasks such as photo editing and video production. In addition, the monitor supports HDR, which helps to enhance contrast and color accuracy.
Other features of the PD3220U include a 60Hz refresh rate, a 4ms response time, and a wide viewing angle. I’ve noticed that the 60Hz refresh rate is sufficient for most tasks and helps to reduce motion blur, while the 4ms response time ensures that there is minimal delay between my input and on-screen action. This monitor is incredibly comfortable to use from nearly any angle, and is easy to use for extended periods of time without feeling any fatigue. I’ve loved using this monitor and the productivity enhancement I notice while using it.
Read our full BenQ PD3220U Monitor review
The best 1440p monitor for a dual screen setup
The MSI Modern MD271QP is a 27-inch monitor that is geared towards gamers. It boasts a fast refresh rate of 144Hz, which helps to reduce motion blur and provide a smooth, seamless gaming experience.
The Full HD resolution is sufficient for most gaming tasks, and the response time is fast enough for productive work and even gaming. I loved using this monitor for the last few weeks as it was a clean monitor with a sharp look and was great to play games on without breaking the bank on an absurdly expensive display.
Read our full MSI Modern MD271QP review
The best 28-inch monitor for a dual screen setup
The Monoprice 28-inch CrystalPro 4K is a large monitor that offers plenty of screen real estate for multitasking and productivity. While it’s not the largest screen, the 4K resolution and aspect ratio combination makes this monitor feel much larger than it is.
It has a 4K resolution, which provides crisp, clear visuals that are ideal for tasks such as photo editing and video production. In addition, the CrystalPro 4K has a 60Hz refresh rate, a 4ms response time, and a wide viewing angle, making it well-suited for general use. All around, this monitor was fantastic to use in pair with my laptop and even with other monitors.
Read our full Monoprice 28-inch CrystalPro 4L review
Best monitors for a dual setup: FAQs
What is the best setup for dual monitors?
We asked Jason Lee, BenQ's North America LCD Line of Business Head, for his thoughts. Below are his top 6 best practices for setting up dual monitors.
1. Optimal Display Quality: When setting up a dual monitor configuration, prioritize monitors known for their precise color reproduction and wide color gamut. Look for professional-grade monitors that offer excellent color accuracy, ensuring that your visuals are displayed with accuracy and detail.
2. Seamless Viewing Experience: Positioning the dual monitors side by side with minimal bezel gap provides a seamless viewing experience. Monitors with thin bezels maximize screen real estate and minimize distractions, allowing you to work seamlessly across both screens.
3. Ergonomic Design: Choose monitors that offer adjustable stands or compatible mounting options. Customizing the height, tilt, and swivel of your monitors promotes ergonomic comfort, reducing strain during long work sessions.
4. Connectivity Options: Select monitors that provide a range of connectivity options, such as HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C/Thunderbolt 3. This versatility ensures compatibility with various devices and facilitates an easy and convenient setup process.
5. Efficient Workflow Features: Consider monitors that offer additional features to enhance your workflow efficiency. Some professional monitors include built-in KVM switches for controlling multiple computers, or integrated card readers for seamless data transfer. These features can streamline your workflow and boost productivity.
6. Calibration Capabilities: Look for monitors that offer advanced calibration options to achieve accurate and consistent color reproduction. Some monitors provide built-in calibration tools or compatibility with external calibration devices. Calibration ensures that your dual monitor setup delivers reliable and precise color representation.
By considering these factors, you can create an optimal dual monitor setup tailored to your needs.
Can any PC handle two monitors?
We asked Andrew Hicinbothem, Global Product Marketing Manager at Dell what his thoughts were
There are several things to consider.
First, you want to ensure your PC and monitors are physically connected to each other. It is common to use a combination of DisplayPort HDMI and VGA connections. Recently, the market has expanded its use of USB-C and Thunderbolt Technology. It then becomes possible to connect monitors with a combination of DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-C, and Thunderbolt cables. You’ll also want to determine if you intend to daisy chain 2 monitors together or instead connect 2 monitors individually to connections on the PC. Daisy chaining is when you connect one monitor to the PC directly and then the second monitor is only connected to the first monitor. Some PCs such as Macs can support 2 monitors, but only with full capability in the non-daisy chain scenario.
In non-daisy chaining scenarios, you’ll need to ensure your GPU can drive to separate displays. As monitors advance in resolution and capabilities, it also becomes important to consider the data bandwidth required of the CPU and cables. For this type of detailed information, it is best to read through the manufacturers guidelines to ensure your PC can support all the requirements for 2 monitors.
Is there a benefit to using dual monitors?
Using two monitors is not a fad. The benefits are real and measurable. What was anecdotal evidence and assumption is supported by scientific research too. Behavioral research studies have found the reduced time required to complete tasks and significant productivity increases.
Jon Peddie, an influential analyst and an industry pioneer in the field of graphics, has done the numbers, and they show a productivity increase of over 40 percent: "We found that users with multiple monitors have an average productivity increase of 42 percent," Peddie explained.
Other experts have validated these assumptions: researchers from the Software Usability Research Laboratory at Wichita State University found 91 percent of users preferred dual monitors to a single monitor during a study completed in 2011. Computers with one and two monitors were used to observe participants performing business tasks. People with two displays completed their tasks 18 percent faster. Many even said a pair of smaller screens would be preferable to a single big screen.
Should I choose the best dual monitors or an ultrawide monitor?
We aren't keen on including prices in buying guides, but for the sake of comparison it’s easiest to display current prices. A pair of 27-inch 4K screens from our best for productivity choice cost less than 600 dollars at the time of writing. There are 8K pixels on a combined display area of 46.98 inches horizontally by 14 inches vertically, and a diagonal size of 49 inches.
If you prefer a 49-inch curved display with a resolution of 5120x1440 pixels and they do exist, you're looking at paying $866 for an entry-level ROG Strix XG49VQ, $1100 for a mid-tier Sceptre Curved 49, and $1349 for a high-tier Samsung Odyssey G9.
As a result, you get a gigantic screen designed mostly for gamers, which can only be used as delivered. If you have separate screens, you can move them vertically or horizontally as you wish. A single monitor is also a single point of failure, so if it malfunctions you're left with nothing to look at.
Those who advocate a single monitor can rightly claim that with a single screen there are no bezels to get in the way, there is only a huge smooth surface of continuous pixels. You decide whether visual comfort vs bulkiness is more advantageous for your use case. Proponents of a dual setup say the human brain is very effective at focusing on what is important and ignoring everything else. Therefore, when you start using more than one screen, especially with multiple apps, the middle bezels just disappear.
Read more in our ultrawide vs dual monitor explainer to find if that's the better choice for your set-up.
How to choose the best monitors for a dual setup for you
Our team has reviewed a range of displays, including the best monitors for video editing and the best monitors for the Mac mini. So, we know what to look for when you're selecting the dual monitor for you.
When choosing the best monitor for a dual setup, you'll want to consider aspects like screen size, resolution, brightness, connectivity options, panel type, and display modes.
Back when monitors were big CRT tubes, placing monitors next to one another was the only option, but today's monitors are thin and no longer weigh a ton. With flexible mount options and monitor stands, you can easily position the screens to your liking and even stack displays on top of one another if you want to.
Some monitors even support screen rotation for "portrait" mode. Lawyers working on long blocks of text and those reading scanned printed documents will benefit from portrait mode, if supported.
You'll want to consider how much space you have at your office for the screens. Keep in mind that you don’t need a huge office to take advantage of dual displays: there is a new breed of small 15-inch portable monitors that deliver the high information density of 4K ultra HD without the bulk. These come with their own foldable stands and can be easily slipped into a backpack, taking your dual-screen setup virtually everywhere.
When you choose a pair of 4K monitors, make sure you choose the best graphics card - one that's capable of handling them. To drive two monitors at 4K you´ll want cards capable of handling two or more displays. Just to mention a few: the Gigabyte Geforce RTX 2060 or the MSI GeForce GTX 1660 can support up to three 4K displays and come with three full size ports. If you're working to a budget, opt for a card like the EVGA GeForce GTX 1080, which capable of driving two monitors in 4K at a reasonable price.
How we test the best monitors for a dual screen setup
We review monitors based on a number of factors, including price, design, and performance. We consider the size of each display, as well as the number and type of ports on each monitor, to determine who each display would benefit most. Each monitor is used in various scenarios, so we use it for work, media consumption, and gaming to test what it’s best suited to.
Performance is also evaluated by how well the actual screen tech works and its refresh rate. Frames per second are especially important in gaming monitors because you’ll want a high refresh rate during competitive games so you don’t miss a minute of the action.
Specifically, for the best dual monitors, we actually take the time to use these as dual monitors to see just how well they operate with other displays and even opened laptops. We don’t just base our rankings and choices on specs we read about or our experience using the display in general, we put these monitors to the space.
