Digital Advisor is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Wide screens with updated technology are crucial for some professions.
Whether video and picture editing, music composition, or graphic designing, small screens limit creativity. In these professions and many others, dual monitor setups give the space required for the flow of creativity.
If you, too, are looking to update your monitor setup, look no further. Below we provide a detailed review of some of the best dual monitor setups in the market.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Dual Monitor Setup
- OUR TOP PICK: HP Pavilion 27xw
- RUNNER-UP: Dell Ultrasharp U2415
- BEST BUDGET DUAL MONITOR SETUP: Sceptre E225W-19203R
Comparison of the Best Dual Monitor Setups
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Pros and Cons of a Dual Monitor Setup
From artists to businessmen to data scientists, dual monitor setups have extended usability. They have their unbeatable advantages, but at the same time, they have a few limitations, as well. Before deciding on a setup, it is favorable to get to know the major pros and cons associated with them.
Pros
First, let’s go through the pros:
Enhanced Collaboration
When using a dual monitor setup, you can open different programs at the same time. This feature is especially useful in collaborative communications. In businesses, it could be employed too, for example, play a video on one screen while the other screen could be used for taking notes.
While you can put one of the screens on sharing with other people, the second screen could be used for other working simultaneously.
One-Screen Multitasking
When using a dual monitor setup, you can open various applications at the same time. The extended screen space allows multitasking with multiple applications without having to switch between tabs. Everything is right in front of your eyes. This feature is especially useful for illustrators, designers, and editors.
Incredible Visualization
Often, editors face a problem where the screen space is too small for them to fully visualize the effects of editing commands. This is because the media to be edited, like pictures and videos, is confined to a small, compressed space. As the editing tools occupy the same space, it does not leave much space for the media.
With dual monitors, you can use the tools present on one screen with the media present on the second. This way, you have a better and zoomed view of your editing effects.
Cons
On the other hand, some limitations include:
Differences in Resolutions
With a dual-monitor setup, there is one problem. If you are using different monitor models, then the resolution of the two screens will differ. Upon transferring data from one screen to the other, adjustments would need to be made, especially for multimedia files.
Review of the Best Dual Monitor Setups
Now that we have a general understanding of what dual monitor setups bring to the table and what their limitations are, we now move towards the review.
Numerous options are available in the market. Various supported features serve various needs. In order for you to land on the best bargain, it is crucial to have an assessment of your needs, as well as some ideas about the market. The following review would be helpful in both aspects.
Best Overall:
HP Pavilion 27xw
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The monitor offers an incredible experience to recent buyers. Firstly, when it arrived, it was easy to set up and get started. Next, the image quality was crisp, sharp, and very clear. The widescreen allowed them to sit comfortably while working without having to deal with glare from different angles.
Moreover, no matter how long they ran it, the monitor did not show any signs of lagging.
Why it Stands Out to Us
HP Pavilion is an incredible monitor. When using it in a dual monitor setup, it only serves to enhance the performance. The wide 16:9 screen is large enough to cater to various applications at one time. And the resolution is significantly high, as well. With 1920x1080, you can view, play, and edit the heaviest of video and image files.
Who Will Use This Most
This monitor is suitable for numerous purposes. In addition to high-quality editing and data management, the widescreen offers a surreal gaming experience as well. The 8 ms response time is a testament to its working ability. Be it designing, editing, illustrating, or just viewing, the monitor would give an unbeatable experience.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for extreme performance without lagging, ultra-smooth image quality, and an angle wide enough to be seen from various points in a room, then this HP Pavilion monitor is your go-to option. It combines high-end usability with a modern, contemporary design and serves all purposes.
Runner-up:
Dell Ultrasharp U2415
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers rave about the incredible performance this monitor has to offer. They were highly impressed by the picture quality with its sharp, vibrant, and clear colors, as well as the anti-glare that further enhanced the overall visuals.
Moreover, they were also especially appreciative of the large number of ports, which were very useful in dual monitor setups.
Why it Stands Out to Us
With a resolution as high as 1920x1200, it is difficult not to praise the usability the monitor offers. Most dual setup users require the highest image quality without any backlight bleeding, and this monitor provides just that.
Moreover, the wide viewing angle enables you to not only sit in a comfortable position but also serves as a great feature when multiple people are viewing the screen.
Who Will Use This Most
A response rate as fast as 6 ms is highly useful for those who deal with designing and editing. It also makes gaming very enjoyable. The monitor has 16.78-million colors that take video and picture editing to the next level.
Moreover, the high resolution eases the work for photographers, as it eliminates the need for calibration. Additionally, the various ports make this monitor great for laptop users who want an outboard monitor.
Bottom Line
A huge color pallet is paramount for all digital artists. That, coupled with a fast response rate, gives a combination that is hard to miss. Add numerous ports, HDMI, display, mini-DP, and the usability is further enhanced and extended to more uses. With this Dell UltraSharp monitor, you get all this and much more.
Best for the Money:
Sceptre E225W-19203R
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users who have bought it recently find it an extremely useful choice for dual monitor setups. The quick response rate made it useful for many things. The high brightness and contrast rate gave incredible color saturation.
Moreover, the monitor, in addition to HDMI, also supports VGA input ports, making it compatible with VGA PCs without the need for external adapters.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Sceptre monitor packs a lot in it. Apart from the high response rate and sharp color visibility, it supports technologies that make graphic and picture transitions very smooth. The 75 Hz refresh rate switches between frames quickly and smoothly without showing any signs of getting stuck.
Also, the adaptive sync technology fills the gaps between the refresh rates of the graphic card and the monitor, preventing image tearing and shuttering.
Who Will Use This Most
Gamers, video editors, and filmmakers will especially appreciate this monitor. The 5 ms response rate and 75 Hz frequency, along with the sync technology, make for a fast, robust non-lagging screen.
Moreover, the built-in speakers are also very useful for all three. The VGA ports further strengthen their suitability for those who use different PCs and cameras that require a VGA connection.
Bottom Line
Sceptre provides unmatched performance in a super-fast monitor that makes working and entertainment fun. But most importantly, it does so at a very reasonable rate. The experience guaranteed by this monitor at such a low price is the best bang for your buck.
In addition to performance, the monitor also caters to the user’s comfort with a mounting stand and security of their work with the Kensington Lock.
Best Dual Monitor Setup for Gaming:
ASUS VG258Q
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers have found this ASUS monitor a great addition to their tech family. The vertical slide adjustment increases the convenience of use. It did an amazing job removing tears and lags. As a result, it proved to be a great addition to the dual setup where media was displayed on it while controlled from the other screen.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The 1 ms response rate sounds too good to be true but this ASUS monitor makes it possible. Not only that, but the graphic transition is also smooth, lag, and tear-free, thanks to the 144 Hz refresh frequency and the adaptive sync technology. The monitor’s usefulness is further strengthened by the built-in speakers and multiple port connectivity.
Who Will Use This Most
With such a fast response rate and frame transition as smooth as this, the monitor’s usability knows no bounds. While the 1 ms response rate makes it incredibly useful for data configuration, the sharp display and lag-free operation deem it useful for editing, designing, creating, and especially gaming.
In a dual setup, it pairs well with a monitor of lesser quality, where you can display the media on the ASUS screen while controlling it from the other monitor.
Bottom Line
Few monitors are as fast as this one. Even if they are, they either lack in image quality or in tear-free image processing. But with this model, you get not only a high-performance monitor but also some added features like built-in speakers.
All in all, the whole package redefines usability and convenience and is one of the best options for use in a dual monitor setup.
Best Dual Monitor Setup for Business:
HP VH240a
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most recent buyers have really enjoyed the ergonomic design of this monitor. Not only is the screen rotatable sideways, but the height of the stand can also be adjusted to bring the screen to eye level.
Additionally, the 5 ms response rate was fast enough for almost all operations. They found that the VGA adaptability enhanced the usability the monitor has to offer.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The large color pallet and high resolution of this monitor, in combination with an intelligent design, make it a very useful piece of technology. While the ergonomic design makes working for long hours comfortable, the fast response and the incredible graphics vouch for high-speed performance.
The screen can be viewed in landscape, as well as portrait mode. The dynamic adjustment is further extended to pivot points as well, which makes an unbeatable design layout.
Who Will Use This Most
For this monitor, special attention has been given to the design and image visualization. While it would serve the purpose of designing, creating, and editing, it would be most useful for business use.
For business, it could be utilized to its full potential in making, creating, and discussing presentations, as well as other elaborate ideas with colleagues.
Bottom Line
The HP monitor is a great investment if you’re looking to expand your computer system or just upgrading to a better monitor model. It is fast, with high-quality images and a user-friendly design. The usability extends to many professions, as well as for entertainment like gaming or watching movies. In a nutshell, it is a great option for everyone.
Ultra-Wide vs Dual Monitor Setup - Comparison Overview
While all types of monitor setups conform more or less to the same usage, there are a few differences that could really affect the user’s experience. Let’s take a deeper look at those similarities and differences.
Similarities
First, let’s go through the similarities:
Wide Screen area
Both systems have the prime purpose of expanding the screen area. This is so that multiple software or applications can be run at the same time without having to switch between tabs. As a result, your work becomes not only fast but also very efficient.
Enhanced Image Quality
Be it ultra-wide monitors or a dual setup, both are characterized by high-quality images and graphics resolution. This is because they are used especially for processing, viewing, or editing high-quality media files. And for that high resolution, brightness, and contrast values, as well as refresh frequency, they need to be of the absolute best quality.
Fast Response Rate
Another common feature that both the setups share is the fast response rate. Fast response is crucial for smooth, lag-free performance, especially in tasks where the minutest of the command needs to be viewed instantly. Ultra-wide and dual monitor setups support incredibly fast and quick response and reaction rates measuring in milliseconds.
Differences
Meanwhile, they differ in the following aspects:
Aspect Ratio
Dual monitor setups employ monitors with an aspect ratio of 16:9, while ultra-wide monitors have a ratio of 21:9. Which is more useful depends on the user’s personal preference.
With ultra-wide, you can fit all the applications on the same screen, and with dual monitor, two screens are employed to achieve that. While it is more convenient to have everything on one screen, when you need to share a screen, it is easier with the dual setup. In this way, while one screen is shared, the other could be used for some other work.
Consistency
Consistency in colors, image quality, and resolution is crucial for most tasks that employ either system. While with ultra-wide screens, it is no problem to achieve a uniform consistency, as it uses only one screen, a dual setup poses some difficulty in this aspect.
The consistencies may differ between the two screens that affect the end results. Although, with a bit of work, it is possible to adjust both screens to the same level.
How to Setup Dual Monitors
Setting up dual monitors involves the following steps:
- At the back of your PC, locate a connection port. This would either be a DVI, HDMI, or a VGA port.
- The VGA, DVI, or HDMI cord from the second monitor would fit this port.
- In case your PC does not have an available port, install an AGP or PCI video card.
- Connect the second monitor to the first PC via the cord and turn it on.
- Connect the better of the two monitors to the CPU port for optimal performance.
- Restart your PC.
- On the desktop of the monitor, right-click and select “Properties” from the pop-up menu.
- From the window that opens, click on the “Settings” tab.
- Click on the display drop down list and select the option that says “External Monitor.”
- Check the box that says, “Extend my windows desktop” and click “Apply.”
- Now, adjust the physical arrangement of the two monitors by dragging the screen resolution scale until the desired value is reached.
- Click “Apply.”
- On a Mac, do this by clicking "System Preferences” from the drop-down menu of the right-click.
- Select “Display” pane from the window that appears.
- Then click “Arrangements” and select the desired arrangement of your monitor from the options available.
Conclusion
Dual monitor setups are the need of the growing world of media and entertainment. They’ve revolutionized working in many professions. However, a dual setup is only as good as the monitors it uses.
Hence, to get a worthwhile experience, it is crucial to invest in something that gives you the results you demand. A little insight into your needs and an idea of the available options can really ease the whole selection process for you.
People Also Ask
There might be a few aspects that may have been left unanswered or you need more clarification about. In this section, we answer some of the most sought-after questions related to this review. The answers are provided after careful and thorough research to satisfy all your curiosity.
Can You Connect Two Monitors With HDMI?
It is not possible to connect two monitors using only one HDMI cable. They lack the ability to send two different display streams via the same cable. To achieve this, you will need a splitter that sends the display signals to multiple monitors.
How Do I Get My Computer to Recognize a Second Monitor?
First of all, right-click on a blank area on your screen. From the pop-up menu, select "Screen Resolution". Both displays should appear listed on the window that appears. If not, click the "Detect" button.
After some processing, the window will detect the second screen. Also, make sure your cable is securely connected to the CPU port for detection.
What Type of Cable is Needed to Connect Two Monitors?
There are various cables that are able to connect two monitors, depending on your PC. Some have a VGA port, others a DVI, but most commonly, an HDMI port is supported for second monitors. Respectively, a VGA, DVI, or HDMI cable would be used to connect the two monitors, depending on the port present on the CPU.
Dual Monitor PlugIn (Source)
How Do You Use Dual Monitors With a Laptop?
To use the dual monitor with your laptop, here’s what you should do:
- First, connect the second monitor via a cable to the port on the laptop.
- Next, on your laptop, right-click on the desktop.
- From the appearing pop-up menu, select “Screen Resolution.”
- The window that opens has an option “Identify” right next to the pane that shows the screens available.
- When you click it, you’ll be notified about which screen is currently connected, in this case, “1.”
- Next, click the “Multiple Display” option on the same window. A drop-down menu appears.
- From this, select “Extend These Displays” option.
- Then, click "Ok".
- Now, you can view the display on both screens. From the same window, select “Duplicate these displays” for the same actions on both screens.
How Do I Know If My Laptop Supports Dual Monitors?
This could easily be done by looking at the ports available on your laptop. If there are multiple VGA, DVI, HDMI, or Display ports on your laptop, it will support multiple monitors.
Why Do Gamers Use Two Monitors?
Two monitors enhance the overall gaming experience. Using a dual setup for gaming, you have a wider screen and extended screen space that gives an ultimate gaming experience.
Additionally, with two screens, you can use one for gaming and the other for work. All in all, it ensures enhanced performance and the possibility of multitasking.
Does Having Two Monitors Affect Work Performance?
Having a second monitor does not affect work experience. Conversely, it enhances the overall performance by allowing multitasking and opening multiple applications at the same time. Moreover, the second monitor is usually fast and has high refresh frequencies.
Is it Better to Have Two Monitors or One Big One?
This entirely depends on your personal choice and intended use. With one big screen, you can perform various tasks at the same time on the same screen. Two monitors do the same thing but on two screens.
While the big screen has the advantage of uniform resolution, the dual-screen setup lets you share one screen while you can keep using the other. In a nutshell, it all depends on your usage.
Do I Need A Docking Station For Dual Monitors?
If your PC only has one free port, then you’ll need a docking station to connect multiple monitors to it. If more than one free port is available, there is no need for a docking system.
What Cables Do I Need For Dual Monitors?
HDMI cables are the standard connection for dual monitors. However, depending on the model and type of port, VGA cables or DVI cables may also be used.
Does Having Two Monitors Slow Down Your Computer?
This might occur if the two monitors are running on different resolutions. Different color formats may also slow down the performance of your PC. In order to get fast and optimal performance, make sure the resolution and color format on both the screens are the same.
What is the Best Size For Dual Monitors?
The best size for you depends on your intended use and free space on your workstation. If you have a large desk and require a huge screen, then a monitor as big as 32 inches would be great for you. However, smaller sizes of about 23-27 inches also get the job done well and don’t take up large spaces either.
Are Dual Monitors Bad For Eyes?
With dual monitors, you have twice the screen size to look at. Since staring at the screen for long stretches of time causes strain and may affect eye-sight, it is advisable to limit the time spent on the screen. Anti-glare screens, however, work for damage control to some extent.
Other Monitor Reviews
Here are some other reviews on monitors for your convenience.
Feel free to browse around. Thanks for reading!
Share to Pinterest
