The best monitors for dual-screen setups in 2024

A dual-monitor setup can significantly enhance your productivity by providing more screen real estate to manage multiple applications and compare documents side-by-side without the need to constantly switch between tasks. This setup is especially beneficial for research purposes, allowing you to have a document open on one screen while browsing reference materials on the other. To improve your productivity and multitasking abilities, consider investing in the best monitors for dual-screen setups, such as our top pick, the BenQ DesignView PD3225U, which will transform your workspace and make your workflow more efficient than ever before.

How we chose the best monitors for dual-screen setups

With over a decade of experience writing about and reviewing monitors and TVs, I have gained extensive hands-on experience with various display technologies. To compile this list, I leveraged my expertise along with insights from Popular Science to identify the best screens, ranging from 4K monitors to OLED TVs. My approach was comprehensive, considering key specifications such as resolution, size, aspect ratio, and panel type, as well as essential factors for a seamless dual-monitor setup, including ergonomics (tilt, swivel, pivot) and features that enhance multi-display use.

The best monitors for dual-screen setups: Reviews & Choice

Exploring the world of a dual-screen setup is a great decision, offering the ability to have multiple windows and applications open simultaneously. Whether you are a content creator, coder, or trader, the recommendations we have curated cater to various needs and budgets. From high-resolution QD-OLEDs to affordable options for creatives, these monitors are perfect components to enhance your dual-screen workspace.

Best overall: BenQ DesignView PD3225U

Specs

• Size: 32 inches
• Display: IPS Black
• Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
• Daisy chain support: Yes
• Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x Thunderbolt 3, USB-B, USB-C, 3 x USB-A 3.2
• Price: $1,099

Pros

• Thunderbolt 3 connectivity
• Clean, minimalist design
• Excellent color accuracy

Cons

The BenQ DesignVue PD3225U has garnered widespread praise from reviewers and buyers alike for its minimalist design, exceptional picture quality, and wide array of ports. While it is larger at 31.5 inches for a dual-screen setup, its impressive features make it our top choice overall. BenQ also offers the 27-inch SW272U as an alternative, but it comes at a higher price point.

The PD3225U features a 31.5-inch IPS display with 4K resolution, delivering a stunning, color-accurate experience ideal for creative work. Setting it apart is the IPS Black panel, a newer version of IPS technology offering improved contrast. This results in excellent color performance and a maximum brightness of 400 nits. Mac users can benefit from the M-Book mode, simulating Apple’s color specifications.

You can daisy-chain two PD3225U monitors via Thunderbolt for a streamlined setup. The Thunderbolt port can deliver up to 90 watts of power, enabling you to power Mac or Windows laptops. Additionally, a KVM switch function allows for easy switching between input video sources, making it convenient to connect both a laptop and a video game console to the same monitor. While limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, the color accuracy, resolution, and features make it an excellent choice for a dual-monitor setup, especially for professionals and creative users.

Best budget: ASUS ProArt PA2729CRV

Specs

• Size: 27 inches
• Display: IPS
• Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
• Daisy chain support: Yes
• Ports: 2 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 3 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1
• Price: $469

Pros

• Beautiful 4K image
• Excellent color accuracy
• 96-watt power delivery

Cons

The ASUS ProArt PA279CRV is a professional-grade 27-inch monitor with a 4K resolution for crisp and detailed visuals. Notable features include its outstanding color accuracy with 99% DCI-P3 and 99% Adobe RGB gamut coverage, ensuring accurate and vibrant colors for photo editing, video production, and graphic design.

Similar to our top pick, the ProArt PA279CRV boasts a sleek and minimalist design that allows for easy adjustment of tilt, swivel, pivot, and height to find a comfortable viewing position. The monitor offers ample connectivity options, including two DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 ports. It also supports daisy chaining and USB-C with 96-watt power delivery for single-cable connectivity.

The PA279CRV also features Adaptive Sync technology to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, providing a smoother viewing experience. While its 60Hz refresh rate may not suit hardcore gamers, it is more than sufficient for everyday tasks. Overall, the PA279CRV is a high-quality monitor at a relatively affordable price. The only major drawback is its limitation to VESA DisplayHDR 400, resulting in less impressive contrast and peak brightness.

Best for Apple users: Apple Studio Display

Specs

• Size: 27 inches
• Display: IPS
• Resolution: 5,120 x 2,880
• Daisy chain support: No
• Ports: 3 x USB-C, Thunderbolt 3
• Price: $1,599

Pros

• Beautiful 5K display
• Excellent speakers
• Gorgeous design

Cons

• Height adjustment costs more

The Studio Display from Apple is tailor-made for Mac users, featuring a 27-inch 5K Retina display that offers exceptional clarity and detail. It includes an A13 Bionic chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 11, powering features like Center Stage for video calls, which uses the integrated 12MP camera to keep you centered in the frame.

Aside from its smart features, the Studio Display stands out as one of the best-looking monitors on the market, embodying Apple’s signature aesthetic with a premium aluminum enclosure that complements other Apple products. The Studio Display comes with a tilt-adjustable stand, with an option to upgrade to a tilt-and-height-adjustable version. The versatile connectivity options include three USB-C ports and one Thunderbolt 3 port. While excelling as a single monitor, the Studio Display has limitations for dual-monitor setups. It lacks daisy-chaining support, requiring each display to be connected directly to the host computer, potentially complicating cable management. Additionally, the integrated video camera becomes redundant in the second Studio Display. Despite these limitations, the Studio Display remains the top choice for Apple users.

Best office: Dell UltraSharp U2723QE

Specs

• Size: 27 inches
• Display: IPS Black
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160
• Daisy chain support: Yes
• Ports: HDMI, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 upstream, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 downstream, 4 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, audio out
• Price: $579

Pros

• Lots of USB ports
• Excellent color accuracy
• Sharp 4K display

Cons

The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is the perfect office companion with its sharp 4K display and ample connectivity options. Featuring an IPS Black panel, this monitor delivers deep blacks and improved contrast compared to standard IPS displays, offering excellent value. Coupled with the 4K resolution, the monitor provides detailed visuals ideal for various tasks, from working with complex documents to creative endeavors.

One of the monitor’s standout features is its exceptional color accuracy, covering 100% sRGB and 98% DCI-P3 color space. It offers various color setting options, including sRGB, Rec. 709, DCI-P3, and HDR modes, making it particularly suitable for creative work like photo editing, graphic design, and video production. The large 27-inch screen provides ample space for multitasking, enabling comfortable side-by-side viewing of multiple documents and applications.

Best for gaming: ASUS ROG Swift QD-OLED PG32UCDM

Specs

• Size: 32 inches
• Display: OLED
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160
• Daisy chain support: No
• Ports: DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.1, USB-C, USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
• Price: $1,299

Pros

• 240Hz refresh rate and VRR
• Deep and inky blacks
• Bright and vivid colors

Cons

• Colors need calibrating for best accuracy

The ASUS ROG Swift QD-OLED PG32UCDM leads the new generation of gaming monitors with its 32-inch 4K QD-OLED display that combines Quantum Dot technology with OLED’s superior contrast and black levels. This monitor features an impressive 240Hz refresh rate and a rapid 0.03ms response time, making it an excellent choice for competitive gaming.

The highlight of the PG32UCDM is its QD-OLED panel, offering excellent color reproduction with 100% DCI-P3 coverage. This makes the monitor ideal for gaming and professional work requiring color accuracy. Additionally, the monitor includes a custom heatsink designed to improve heat dissipation when the screen brightness is at its peak. Whether you are a PC gamer or own a PlayStation 5, the PG32UCDM is a high-performance OLED monitor that shines even brighter when used in multiples.

When selecting dual-screen monitors, it is essential to consider key specifications like resolution, size, refresh rate, and panel type. While these features are crucial, do not overlook other factors that can significantly impact your daily experience. Two often overlooked aspects are ergonomics, such as the ability to pivot the screen 90 degrees for a vertical monitor setup, and support for daisy chaining, which enables you to connect multiple monitors in series using a single cable from your computer.

Ergonomics

A monitor’s ergonomics are critical, particularly in a dual-monitor setup. The option to pivot a monitor 90 degrees is valuable, allowing you to easily switch one monitor to portrait mode, beneficial for coding or working with long documents. For optimal dual-screen setup, you might keep one screen in landscape for general tasks and use the pivoted screen for specialized work. Adjusting each display’s tilt and swivel allows for personalized viewing preferences, reducing neck and eye strain by minimizing excessive head movement.

Daisy chain

Daisy chaining is a lesser-known feature that simplifies connecting multiple monitors using a single cable from the computer to the first monitor and then to the next. This streamlined setup reduces clutter, creating a cleaner workspace. Daisy chaining eliminates the need for additional hardware like docking stations or USB hubs and makes it easy to add extra monitors. You can expand from a dual-screen setup to three or more displays depending on your computer’s capabilities.

Resolution & size

Resolution plays a vital role in monitor selection, with higher resolutions offering sharper and more detailed visuals. Common resolutions include 1080p, 1440p, and 4K, each providing increased pixel count for improved image quality. Screen sizes between 24 to 32 inches strike a balance between screen real estate and physical dimensions, with a 27-inch screen often considered the sweet spot. Matching resolution and screen size across both displays ensures a uniform experience.

Display type

There are three main panel types to consider: IPS, VA, and TN. IPS panels offer excellent color reproduction and wide viewing angles, while VA panels excel in contrast ratios and deep blacks. TN panels provide fast response times and high refresh rates, suitable for competitive gaming. OLED displays offer superior contrast ratios, perfect blacks, and vibrant colors but may come at a higher cost. Mini-LED technology combines LED backlighting with LCD panels, bridging the gap between standard LCD and OLED.

Aspect ratio

A 16:9 aspect ratio is standard and recommended for dual-monitor setups to ensure a visually consistent experience when moving windows between screens. While mixing different aspect ratios can provide unique advantages, matching aspect ratios offer a more seamless workflow. Curved monitors, like the Samsung OLED G8, can enhance workspace ergonomics and immersion, providing a wide aspect ratio and wraparound canvas for improved productivity.

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