10 Best Dual Monitors for 2023

Nero Peña
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Updated · Apr 20, 2023

Nero Peña

Graphic Design and Communications Expert | Joined October 2021

Nero is an all-around wordsmith with a degree in Communication Arts— not the vicious emperor you m... | See full bio

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Need more screen space for work, gaming, or collaborations? 

Time for an upgrade – a two-monitor setup, perhaps. 

To help you out, we’ve rounded up the 10 best dual monitors on the market. 

Scroll down and you’ll find:

  • Individual reviews highlighting each monitor’s price, design, key specs, and performance.
  • Our detailed comparison between an ultrawide monitor vs a dual monitor.
  • Expert tips on deciding which display device you should buy for this setup.

Follow my lead!

Read More

Best for: Mixed-use

Screen size

27"

Resolution

1920 x 1080p Full HD

Refresh Rate

60 Hz

Short Description

The best dual monitor features a sleek design, stunning visual display, and superb performance. Yes, we’re talking about the 27-inch Pavilion here! It’s the bestseller in the series, promising an excellent viewing experience on a full HD IPS panel. It also has a Technicolor Color certification, offering sharp color accuracy and a rich contrast ratio. 

Full Review
Pros and Cons
Best for: Office work

Screen size

24"

Resolution

1920x1200p Full HD

Refresh Rate

60 Hz

Short Description

This Dell dual monitor has it all – widescreen display, great color reproduction, and a swift speed and performance. With an IPS technology and a 60Hz refresh rate, you can enjoy optimal viewing with zero visual hiccups. Its 16:10 aspect ratio offers more screen space too – great for office and business-related tasks! 

Full Review
Pros and Cons
Best for: Entry-level dual displays

Screen size

23.8 "

Resolution

1920 x 1080p Full HD

Refresh Rate

60 Hz

Short Description

Despite its affordable price, the HP VH240a offers no cheap features at all – great image quality, pixel density, color accuracy, and speed. Not to mention solid ergonomics with its fully adjustable stand! It’s the obvious choice for those aiming to fulfill office tasks with a double-wide monitor setup. 

Full Review
Pros and Cons
Best for: Casual gaming and multimedia work

Screen size

23.8"

Resolution

1920 x 1080p Full HD

Refresh Rate

75 Hz

Short Description

Are you planning to use two or more monitors for your gameplay? This Acer dual monitor will fit right into your desktop. Its high-speed VRB response lets you play smooth-sailing games free from annoying delays. Plus with AMD FreeSync compatibility, you can enjoy motion graphics and video playback without any hint of screen tearing or stuttering.

Full Review
Pros and Cons
Best for: Simple everyday tasks

Screen size

24"

Resolution

1080p Full HD

Refresh Rate

60 Hz

Short Description

Yet another cheap option with a premium performance is the BenQ 24 Inch IPS Monitor. Its Brightness Intelligence technology is a feature exclusive to this display – it keeps your images easy on the eyes. You can even set your blue light settings according to your activity. Pluss, its zero-frame design makes it fit right into your setup of dual 24 inch monitors. 

Full Review
Pros and Cons
Best for: Work collaborations

Screen size

21.5"

Resolution

1920 x 1080 Full HD

Refresh Rate

75 Hz

Short Description

Are you looking for a good second monitor that’s compact yet feature-packed? You’ll find a great match in the Acer SB220Q. Its zero-frame design makes this monitor fit right into your setup without those big and distracting bezels. Its smooth performance and clear image quality are great for multimedia work. But with AMD Radeon FreeSync available, it has what it takes to be a gaming monitor too! 

Full Review
Pros and Cons
Best for: eSports gamers

Screen size

27"

Resolution

1920 x 1080 Full HD

Refresh Rate

up to 280 Hz

Short Description

The ASUS VG279QM is the best dual monitor for competitive gamers. 240Hz is already a great refresh rate, but what if we told you you can overclock this all the way up to 280Hz? That’s right – this IPS panel makes that possible. Plus with GamePlus tools on your on-screen display, your gaming experience becomes much more immersive on a multi-monitor setup. 

Full Review
Pros and Cons
Best for: Dual monitor gaming

Screen size

24.5"

Resolution

1920×1080

Refresh rate

240Hz

Short Description

The Dell Alienware AW2518HF is a worthy investment for gamers who want top-notch performance and killer design. With a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, you’re getting the optimal gaming experience from a 24-inch monitor. Its AMD FreeSync support also guarantees a seamless performance for competitive esports games. 

Full Review
Pros and Cons
Best for: Dual 1440p monitors

Screen size

27"

Resolution

2560x1440 QHD

Refresh Rate

60 Hz

Short Description

The best dual monitors offer superior resolution, and this 27-inch Ultrasharp reigns supreme. Displaying visuals in 1440p QHD, you can view the most detailed images in full color. Its borderless InfinityEdge design also provides an almost bezel-free screen for your two-monitor setup! 

Full Review
Pros and Cons
Best for: Modern workstations

Screen size

22"

Resolution

1080p

Refresh Rate

60 Hz

Short Description

On a mission to find the best dual monitors for casual gaming? A good and affordable option for entry-level users would be this display from Sceptre. Its AMD FreeSync compatibility allows you to achieve a dynamic refresh rate of up to 75Hz. Its anti-flicker display also keeps your visuals easy on the eyes!

Full Review
Pros and Cons

What Are Dual Monitors?

Basically, a 2 monitor setup is a pair of display devices connected through a single computer system. Instead of using just one big screen, two monitors are placed side by side to extend a user’s visual workspace. 

Stats show that the best dual monitor setup can save you an hour doing one task. For an average employee, that’s about 2.5 hours saved every day! 

That’s essentially the whole point of using two monitors. Aside from having a larger screen real estate, you also get to juggle multiple tasks at the same time. It’s possible because two integrated monitors provide a split-screen interface. You can open multiple programs and windows all at once without stacking them on just one screen. For example, a video editor can do raw video playback on one display and do the actual video editing on the other.

So how do you hook up a double monitor setup?

Connectivity is key. Most desktop computers today offer different ports for connection, such as HDMI, VGA, DVI, DisplayPort, etc. Simply connect the cables that your computer can accommodate and you can have two monitors running simultaneously. Some computers even allow multiple display devices to work as one. In this case, you’ll need splitter cables that connect multiple displays to a single port.

Ultrawide Monitor vs Dual Monitor Setup

You’re probably wondering, why use two monitors when you can get a wider screen instead? 

Good question. 

Let’s talk ultrawide vs dual monitor

Simply put, ultrawide monitors have screens that are bigger than typical computer monitors. These displays use a 21:9 aspect ratio rather than the typical 16:9, which you’ll find common in most display devices. From the get-go, you’ll see how noticeably large ultrawide monitors are – the key indicator being their longer horizontal screen spaces

On the other hand, a dual monitor setup uses two regular computer monitors to extend your display. It’s just like having a giant monitor, but with two separate screens. They are hooked up to a single computer, but you can run different applications and do separate tasks on each screen.

So what’s better, a dual monitor or ultrawide one? 

Ultrawide monitors are usually found in entertainment setups or gaming desks. Movie theatres and home cinemas use the 21:9 aspect ratio for screening movies and shows. If that’s what you’re after, then going ultrawide might be a great option for you. But it’s also worth noting that not all entertainment pieces and gaming titles are optimized for this aspect ratio.

Bigger isn’t always better.

Dual monitors, having the universal 16:9 aspect ratio, are a lot more versatile. They are also much cheaper and functional for mixed-use. If you aim to do more tasks in a given time, having two monitors working alongside each other allows for more efficiency and better multitasking ability.

Besides, most monitors built for a dual setup now have small edges and thinner bezels. If you put them side by side, there is minimal framing around each display. 

What Should I Know Before Buying Dual Monitors?

Not all computer displays can work as a dual monitor setup. Only a few are cut out for the job, and here’s how you can find them: 

Display Size

Most dual monitors have 24, 27, or 32-inch display sizes. The best size depends on what you’ll use the monitor for. If you’re using it for work, 24 and 22-inch computer monitors are the preferred display size in offices.

Most workspaces even go for a multi-monitor setup. In this case, having two or more screens that are not too bulky will give you a better viewing experience. Nonetheless, it’s still an ample size compared to a standard desktop or laptop screen. 

For bigger workspaces or for gaming, dual 27-inch monitors are the right fit. Like the HP Pavilion 27w and ASUS VG279QM, they can fill up a huge work area to give you a wider viewing capacity. This would be a great option if you’re using a double monitor setup for editing videos or gaming sessions. 

Display Resolution

Resolution is always a top factor to consider in choosing the best dual monitors. It represents the visual dimensions of your display, expressed in a certain number of pixels. 

There are three common monitor resolutions: 

  • Full HD (1920 x 1080)
  • 2K (2560 x 1440)
  • 4K (3840 x 2160)

Images viewed in higher resolution have better quality. They are more detailed, plus you get to view more content than you would in a lower resolution. More pixels displayed means there are more elements of the picture you see on screen.

Full HD 1080p is the standard for most dual monitors to get a decent picture quality. For gaming, however, the optimal resolution is either 2K or 4K for a much more immersive and engaging visuals. 

Response Time

A good second monitor needs to have at least 8ms response time for a seamless performance. This guarantees you’re not encountering any hint of ghosting, trailing, or motion blur in moving visuals. That’s enough speed for doing office tasks or multimedia work such as editing videos and photos. Switching between your visuals needs to be quick and free from lags – a fast response time takes care of this. 

For gaming, however, the response should be anywhere between 1ms to 3ms especially for fast-paced games like FPS or RTG. It involves a lot of action and moving objects, so the response has to be as quick as possible.

Refresh Rate

Like resolution, higher refresh rates mean better visuals and smoother display performance. It’s basically the rate at which your monitor displays a new image per second. On average, the best dual monitor needs to hit the 60Hz mark to run with clear motion clarity, without stuttering or glitching. Most of the monitors we’ve reviewed meet this standard and are reliable for many sorts of document and multimedia work.

Gamers, though, need at least 120Hz-240Hz refresh rate for a good gaming experience. 

Panel Type

There are different kinds of display panels used for a dual monitor setup. Those are: 

  • Twisted Nematic (TN)
  • Vertical Alignment (VA)
  • In-Plane Switching (IPS)

TN panels, like the Alienware AW2518FH, are cheaper, thinner, and lighter display devices. They lose a bit of value in terms of color reproduction and viewing angles, however. VA panels offer a much better mileage when it comes to these aspects, but they don’t offer much in terms of response time and refresh rate.

Among these panel types, IPS displays are usually the most sought-after options. That’s because these panels offer a much faster response time, better contrast ratio, and color management. If you want your visuals to be vibrant and consistent, look for a double monitors setup built with this type of display. 

Another key advantage that makes IPS panels have over the two is its 178-degree viewing angle. Having this calibration allows you to see the exact same image, color, and resolution even in skewed angles. 

The HP Pavilion 27xw, HP VH240a, and Dell Ultrasharp U2415 are some great examples of monitors using IPS technology.

Connectivity 

If you’re going to use multiple monitors for your desktop, it’s important to have access to proper connections to get a fully functional setup. 

The universal connection types for monitors are VGA and HDMI

You’re probably wondering, which connection type is better? Both are good connections used by most display devices today. VGA is the classic type – it transports only analog signals. HDMI slightly has the upper hand, since this cable can transfer more data. Plus it’s much lighter, faster, and able to send audio and video signals through the same port. That, while keeping the resolution and frame rate high. 

If you prefer a VGA dual monitor, most of the monitors we’ve reviewed above have this port except for the Dell dual monitors, ASUS VG279QM, and Alienware AW2518HF.

All monitors included in our list have HDMI ports. But to name some honorable mentions, the best HDMI dual monitor is the HP Pavilion 27xw. It’s one of the very few monitors with two HDMI ports. Dell Ultrasharp U2415 and BenQ 24 Inch IPS Monitor have a couple of HDMI connections too.

There are a few monitors, however, that offer both VGA and HDMI connectivity. There are also additional connectivity options such as DisplayPort and USB ports for added flexibility. If you also plan to hook up gaming headsets and other accessories, most dual monitors are built with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Design & Ergonomics

A double-wide monitor must also be judged on how it looks on the outside. Good design must have certain qualities like thin bezels and minimal framing. So if you put two monitors side by side, those little black bars that separate them from each other will go unnoticed.

It’s also important that the body stands and moves well for proper viewing. Height adjustment is a good advantage, especially if you’re shifting your view on different eye levels. Several monitors can also be tilted, pivoted, or swiveled for added comfort.

This is particularly useful if you’re sitting on a gaming chair with a lot of mobility and positioning. The ability to adjust the height and rotate the screen to your desired angle makes it easier to interact with your double monitor setup.

Another design element you should also look for is VESA compatibility, which is otherwise known as Flat Display Mounting Interface. This is the universal standard for display builds that allow them to be mounted on walls.

Use Case

What do you need the best dual monitor setup for? 

If it’s to enhance efficiency in your work, it’s important to look at the response time and display size of a dual monitor. To get a smooth еxperience, you need your display to work seamlessly when you switch between panels or tabs. All monitors we’ve reviewed are the best options for office setups. But the best dual monitor setup for business is the ones with 24 to 27-inch displays with at least 8ms response time.

If you’re planning to build a 2 monitor gaming setup, the things you should prioritize in a display is the resolution, response time, and refresh rate. The same criteria apply to monitors used for graphic design, photo or video editing, and any other multimedia work. Some great examples of monitors with these specs are the ASUS VG279QM, Acer CB242Y, Alienware AW2518HF, and Sceptre E225W-19203R.

And lastly, for collaborations, the best dual monitors would be the likes of Acer SB220Q. The 22-inch screen leaves a small footprint, which provides more room for collaboration. They’re not too small either!

Price

How much do you plan to spend for a dual monitor setup

A cheap but good monitor can cost anywhere between $150 to $300. Within this price range, you can already get the essential features. That includes a standard refresh rate of 60 Hz, 1000:1 contrast ratio, and at least 8 ms response time, just to name a few. Some good examples would be the HP Pavilion 27xw, Acer CB242Y, BenQ 24 Inch IPS Monitor, and Sceptre E225W-19203R. If you’re operating on a very low budget, the HP VH240a offers great value in just a little over $100. 

On the flip side, if you’re someone who likes to invest big bucks in the best dual monitor setup, you can go for the pricier route. That includes the ASUS VG279QM, Alienware AW2518HF, and the Dell UltraSharp U2721DE. These monitors cost between $400 to $600 and are geared towards delivering the optimal viewing experience for professionals. They are also the ones typically used for gaming. 

Wrap Up

A dual monitor setup enhances your workflow, increases functionality, and elevates your overall viewing experience. 

But remember that not all computer screens can pass for this type of setup. 

A good second monitor is one that has the optimal: 

  • panel type
  • response time
  • refresh rate
  • ergonomic design

And of course, a reasonable price. 

Like the 10 products in our best dual monitors list, they should be able to check all these boxes.

So, which one will you get your hands on? 

FAQ.


Are dual monitors worth it?

Most definitely. A dual monitor setup effectively saves time and boosts your productivity. Simply because it helps you multitask better. If your work entails switching between programs, having a good secondary monitor frees up your computer usage. It will eliminate the burden of having too many tabs open on just one screen. It will also increase your workflow efficiency as you can multitask better when you work with multiple screens. Like when you’re editing a lot of videos, you can use one screen for video playback and the other for your editing interface. That’s fewer clicks and windows on your end!

Is it better to have two monitors or one big one?

It depends on what you’ll use the monitor for. If it’s for office work, having a 2 monitor setup is better because you can easily work on many tasks at once. But if it’s for watching movies, playing games, or streaming shows, a single monitor with a bigger screen would be more appropriate. 

In that case, an ultrawide or curved screen monitor is what you should go for. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use two monitors for entertainment at all. Some of the best dual monitors on our list have ultra-thin bezels. So when you put them side-by-side, the framing around the screen won’t be an issue.

Can you run two monitors at 144Hz?

Yes, it’s possible. When you have two monitors with different refresh rates, you can overclock both displays to achieve your desired speed. Let’s say you have a 144hz and 60hz dual monitor setup. You will need a separate graphics card to run both monitors at a 144Hz refresh rate. Since a GPU has a lot of video inputs, you can just hook up the monitor cables to the card.

Does dual monitors affect performance?

Yes, having a second monitor will affect your computer’s performance. That is if you’re using it mostly for gaming. It heavily relies on your graphics card. If you’re simply running applications within your computer’s interface, however, you won’t even notice it. That includes activities like web surfing, document work,  And if you use the best dual monitors, you’ll hardly see the difference – even for hardcore gaming. 

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Nero Peña

Nero Peña

Nero is an all-around wordsmith with a degree in Communication Arts— not the vicious emperor you might know in history books. He's an avid reader. A frisky writer. A tech enthusiast and occasional binge-watcher. He likes long walks on the beach. Enjoys deep thinking and shallow conversations. Hates ketchup. Panic! At The Disco.

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1 comment
Nicole
8 months ago
Awesome article, informative and clear with great summaries for those who like to get to the point. Also love your bio :)
Reply

Nero
8 months ago
Thanks, Nicole :)
Reply