Dual monitor technologies are better capable of meeting your personal and professional needs, including thin bezels, customized screen space, and VESA mounts. An integrated low blue light filter and a flicker-free screen come in handy to cater to the needs of people who are sensitive to flicker or who have long working hours to avoid eye fatigue and headaches.
While multi-monitor setups vary in their specifications from screen size and resolution to connectivity preferences, VESA mounts, and panel types, we will make the selection process easy for you.
Tip: make sure to check the compatibility of your graphics card with your desired resolution, as well as the ports in the monitor. You can consult our computer monitor buying guide or this list of laptops with the best battery life to find out more.
First, let us go through some of the most common types of multi-monitor setups.
Types of Multi-Monitor Set Ups
- Dual Monitor - two screens with no gap in between (pictured above). You can use either one large screen space using both monitors in landscape orientation, or you can extend your windows across both your screens in portrait mode for better multitasking capabilities. Use a case like Matrox DualHead2Go Digital SE that is plug and play compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 to connect two VGA monitors with ease. Other options include adapters such as DMS-59 (Dual VGA, DVI/VGA) and DMS-59 to Dual DisplayPort (with audio).
- Triple Monitor - three screens with no gap in between. While a triple monitor setup may sound complicated, it is simple to set up should you have the required ports. You can extend your windows across all your screens or use two screens as a single large space for multitasking capabilities. Monitors should be identical in orientation and size, so invest wisely to get value for your money. It is best if they have the same frame rate as well as response time. The Belkin Triple Display Adapter allows you to connect up to three displays via USB 2.0 or 3.0 port through the adapter (which extends the total length of your monitor cable up to 6ft).
Combo Set Ups
- Dual Monitor+Extended Display - two screens with one screen larger than the other. The extended display is connected via a KVM switch or through an additional graphics card. This allows one input device to control both screens at once.
- Dual Monitor+Multi Monitor Composite - two screens with multiple smaller screens in between. For all you entertainment buffs, this is perfect for movie watching and gaming. A multi-monitor composite uses an external box that splits the signal into separate signals for each monitor into any number that you want (up to 10 monitors). One example is Nvidia's Surround, which lets gamers play on three monitors.
- Multi Monitor+Eyefinity - multiple screens with gaps in between. This is an advanced setup that features the latest technology to provide a realistic gaming experience. For gamers, this will give you an edge by creating a wider field of vision for your character.
Can I use dual monitors for gaming?
Dual monitors are not recommended for gaming unless you plan to use both screens for different purposes. For gaming, use a triple monitor to extend the screen at the sides, but that wouldn’t be cost-friendly, which is why an ultra-wide gaming monitor is recommended.
A VESA mount is recommended for more desk space and enhanced productivity, which allows you to detach the monitor’s base & mount it on a third-party desk or wall.
An absence of a VESA mount might implore you to get a monitor riser for a comfortable screen viewing position, for which you can view our best monitor risers buyer’s guide and get exciting deals.
Best 1080P Dual-Monitors
1920x1080 monitors are generally considered the most cost-effective option. Not only do they seem sleek and stylish, but they also provide access to up to five useful screen spaces for multi-tasking. This resolution is recommended for casual gamers who like playing solitaire or kids' games online, or business professionals who occasionally need to edit images or view documents on screen at one time without compromising image quality. 1080p slim bezels monitor comes with an ultra-narrow design that provides accessibility in tight workstations where there's little space between the two screens.
1080P monitors are only compatible with DVI and HDMI as they do not support Display Ports. However, their connectivity can be expanded by using a USB hub. It is important to check the compatibility of your graphics card before buying this type of monitor because different cards provide different resolutions. You should also make sure that you have enough ports in your computer to connect the two proprietary cables to display 1080p resolution on both screens without any issues. Note that screen resolution may fluctuate depending on whether or not the graphics card supports multiple monitors.
The best-budget dual monitor setups are included in the following category:
Acer SB220Q (22”, 1920x1080, IPS, HDMI/VGA)
Slim bezels, extraordinary gaming features, and rich colors are distinct features of this monitor. The only cons might be its tilt-only design and lack of VESA mount. It’s a cost-friendly dual monitor setup that brings the best screen experience at just under $100.
Any skewed angles of viewing the screen won’t affect your experience with colors, contrast, or brightness. Thanks to the IPS panel.
Features
- AMD FreeSync technology
- 75Hz refresh rate
- Supports ‘Aim Point’ & ‘Black Boost’ technologies
Design & Connectivity
- It needs a dual/triple monitor stand riser
- Thin bezels
- One HDMI & one VGA (D-Sub) port.
Pros:
- Multiple connectivity options at a cheap price
- AMD FreeSync technology
Cons:
- Tilt-only design. No VESA mount.
Acer CB242Y (24”, 1920x1080, IPS, VESA, HDMI/VGA)
This is pretty much the same as its 22” counterpart in its design and quality, but its comparatively more prominent size and presence of VESA mount makes it a little more expensive but more desirable.
Features
- IPS display with AMD Radeon FreeSync Technology
- Response Time 1ms VRB.
- Brightness 250 cd/m²
- Viewing angles 178 degrees horizontal and vertical
- 75Hz refresh rate
Design & Connectivity
- Zero frames design
- One HDMI and one VGA port (cable included)
Pros:
- Wide-gamut sRGB color space and 10-bit (8 bit + A-FRC)
- AMD FreeSync technology
- VESA mount. Good for more desk space and enhanced productivity.
Cons:
- Tilt-only design. No VESA mount.
Best 1440p Monitors For Dual Setup
Newly released 1440p monitors by different manufacturers with a dual monitor setup come at a higher price but make up for it in terms of the extra screen space, improved resolution, and memory. 1440P monitors with a low response time and high refresh rate are known to create an ideal environment for gamers. The following monitors are the best for dual monitor setup.
Monitors with more screen space and vivid detailing include:
LG 27QN600 (27”, 2560x1440, IPS, VESA, HDMI/DP)
LG gives you a lot of screen space with a VESA mount, rich connectivity, and dual control features. The only con might be its tilt-only design, but who cares if you’re getting a larger screen with such excellent features!
Features
- HDR 10 Compatible
- AMD FreeSync (48-75Hz VRR range)
- 2 HDMI & 1 DP
- Black stabilizer
Design & Connectivity
- Ultra-thin bezels
- Tilt-only design (-5°/20°)
- VESA mount (100x100 mm)
- Headphone jack
Pros:
- Larger screen
- AMD FreeSync technology
- AMD FreeSync (48-75Hz VRR range)
- 2 HDMI & 1 DP
- Black Stabilizer for clear visuals.
Cons:
- Tilt-only design (-5°/20°)
BenQ EW3270ZL (32”, 2560x1440, VA, HDMI/DP/m-DP)
Premium monitor with integrated speakers, cutting-edge eye-care technology, and high contrast. Its cons might include the lack of VESA mount and its tilt-only design.
Still, it doesn’t matter if you’re getting luxurious features like Brightness Intelligence Plus technology for your business purposes. This VA system is not for fast-paced gaming.
Features
- Higher contrast ratio (3,000:1)
- B.I. + technology
- Low Blue Light Plus technology
- Smart Focus
Design & Connectivity
- Thin bezels
- Lacks VESA mount
- Tilt-only design
- 2 HDMI, 1 DP & 1 m-DP
Pros:
- Low Blue Light Plus technology
- 3,000:1 contrast ratio
- Integrated speakers with B.I. + technology
Cons:
- Lacks VESA mount
- Tilt-only design
Tips for dual set up monitors
- Go for a dual-monitor setup only if your works require multitasking with several applications and tabs simultaneously.
- Always check your graphics card's compatibility with dual or triple monitor setups, along with their support of required ports (HDMI, VGA, DP, m-DP, etc.).
- Always go for size in dual or triple monitor setups that provide more screen space and a higher pixel density. Bigger screen sizes are not always the best choices.
- Go for an ultrawide screen instead of multi-monitor setups for works that include audio/video editing or gaming.
- If you can’t calibrate the visual quality of your multi-monitors, then go for an ultrawide monitor. 4K multi-monitors are not very suitable because their scaling interfaces demand optical clarity, but it compromises screen space. Besides, they are not very cost-friendly as well.
Conclusion:
If you’re not very particular about the extra cost for a multiple monitor setup, then go for an ultrawide or triple monitor. An ultrawide monitor is more recommended if you’re starting out with multi-monitor setups and it has better screen space than typical dual-monitor setups. Triple monitors are great choices too, but their costs are typically high. Additionally, it gives you a bit of gaming experience as well! Dual setup monitors are considered as one of the best home PC monitor solutions that give you the luxury to multitask with ease. Go for either ultrawide or dual display screens to avail all your computing needs without any hiccups!