Get insider access
Preferred store
Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
We've recently released Test Bench 2.0 for Monitors! Read our new VRR Flicker R&D Article and Pursuit Photo R&D Article to learn more.

The 4 Best Monitors For Dual Setup - Fall 2024

Updated Sep 20, 2024 at 02:07 pm
Best Monitors For Dual Setup

Using two monitors in your setup has a few benefits, like making it easier to multitask. Some brands and retailers sell two-in-one monitor bundles, but those are usually cheap displays that aren't special, so if your budget allows for it, getting two units of the same model is the best way to go. While you can get any size you prefer, 24- and 27-inch screens are common to use in a dual setup, as bigger displays can take up too much space.

There are some factors to consider when looking for monitors for your setup. Those with wide viewing angles keep the image consistent from the sides, which is useful if you aren't viewing the screen from directly in front. Having versatile ergonomics also helps you adjust the two displays to your ideal position.

You should also think about how you'll connect to the two monitors. It's easiest if your computer has two video outports or if you have a video splitter, and most modern computers don't have any problems outputting two signals at once. That said, if your PC only has one output and you don't have a dock or splitter, then one of the monitors you get needs to support daisy chaining for you to connect a second display.

We've bought and tested over 325 monitors, and below are our recommendations for the best monitors for dual setup. See our recommendations for the best work monitors and the best vertical monitors. However, if you think a dual monitor setup isn't right for you, it may be worth looking for the best ultrawide monitors instead.


  1. Best Monitor For Dual Setup

    The Dell U2723QE is the best monitor for dual setup that we've tested. It's a 4k, 27-inch monitor that offers a ton of productivity features. The large screen offers enough space for multitasking, especially if you place two of them side by side, and its high resolution helps deliver sharp text. It also has remarkable ergonomics, meaning it's easy to adjust, which is ideal if you want to adjust both screens next to each other. It also has many connectivity options, including a DisplayPort output, so you can daisy chain a second monitor, which is useful if your computer only has one video output.

    Its large USB hub includes a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode and 90W of power delivery, meaning you can display a signal from your laptop and charge it using a single cable. It also has a KVM switch that makes it easy to switch between two computers and use the same keyboard and mouse on both. In terms of picture quality, it displays a wide range of colors with excellent accuracy, and even though it has disappointing reflection handling, it gets bright enough to fight glare, which is great if you want to use it in a well-lit room.

    See our review

  2. Best 24-Inch Monitor

    If you find the 27-inch screen of the Dell U2723QE too big for a dual-monitor setup, then check out a 24-inch monitor like the Dell P2423D. The main advantage of getting a smaller screen is that placing two of them side by side takes up less space, and it's also something to consider if you want to get three monitors to use in your setup. It has a lower 1440p resolution than the U2723QE, so it requires less bandwidth from your computer to send two video signals at once, and the text clarity is still great.

    That said, it's different from the U2723QE in terms of features because it has a smaller USB hub without a USB-C port, and it doesn't support daisy chaining either. This means you need to make sure your computer has two video outports, or you have to get a dock or video splitter. Besides that, it doesn't support HDR at all and has worse accuracy, so it isn't as good to use for content creation, but it's still fine for productivity work, and it even has remarkable ergonomics.

    See our review

  3. Best Budget Monitor For Dual Setup

    If you find the 24-inch screen of the Dell P2423D too small, and you prefer looking for a 27-inch monitor like the Dell U2723QE, there are some good options in the budget category. If that's what you're interested in, consider the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV. It has a lower 1440p resolution than the U2723QE, meaning the text isn't as sharp, but that's the sacrifice you need to make for something cheaper. It also has a much smaller USB hub and fewer features as it lacks a KVM switch, but it still supports daisy chaining to quickly connect a second monitor.

    You can easily adjust the monitor as it has outstanding ergonomics; you can even rotate it into portrait mode, making it easy to adjust next to another display. It has fantastic image accuracy before calibration, so you don't need to calibrate it if you're a content creator. Lastly, it has a USB-C port with 65W of power delivery, which is great for connecting less power-hungry laptops. However, if you don't need a USB-C port, the ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV is also a good choice, but it doesn't support daisy chaining.

    See our review

  4. Best Cheap Monitor For Dual Setup

    If you're looking for the best secondary monitor for cheap, check out the Dell P2425H. It's an entry-level monitor with a 24-inch screen like the Dell P2423D, but it has a lower 1080p resolution, so the text isn't as sharp. It doesn't have a video output like the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV, either, so it doesn't support daisy chaining, but this is what you have to expect for a low-cost monitor.

    That said, it's better for productivity than most other cheap monitors because it features a USB hub with three USB-A ports and a USB-C port. Although the USB-C port doesn't support DisplayPort Alt Mode so you can't display a video signal from a laptop, you can still use it for data transfer or charging your devices. The monitor also comes with an extremely ergonomic stand, which is ideal for adjusting it in a dual or even triple monitor setup.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Dell S2722QC: The Dell S2722QC is a 4k alternative to the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV if you want something with better text clarity. However, it doesn't support daisy chaining, so you need two video ports on your computer if you want to connect two monitors. See our review
  • ASUS VG246H: The ASUS VG246H is a cheap monitor that's similar to the Dell P2425H. It also offers incredible ergonomics, but it doesn't have a USB hub like the Dell. See our review
  • ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV: The ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV is a slightly cheaper alternative to the Dell U2723QE, but it has fewer ports and features, as it doesn't have a KVM switch. It does support daisy chaining, but there are some issues with it, so the Dell is the more reliable option. See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Sep 20, 2024: We replaced the Dell G2724D with the Dell P2425H, which has more office-oriented features. We also replaced the Dell U3223QE and the Dell S2721QS with the ASUS VG246H and the Dell S2722QC in the Notable Mentions to better match the scope of the recommendation.

  2. Jun 28, 2024: Replaced the ASUS VG246H with the Dell G2724D as 'Best Cheap,' as the Dell has a larger screen, better text clarity, and better overall performance. Introduced the Dell P2423D as the 'Best 24-Inch Monitor,' as it has a high-resolution display and sharp text for a 24-inch monitor.

  3. May 07, 2024: Removed the 'Best Upper Mid-Range' and 'Best Mid-Range' categories because they don't fit into the scope of the article, which focuses on cheaper displays at a lower cost. Replaced the Gigabyte M27Q P with the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV in the Notable Mentions.

  4. Mar 12, 2024: Verified that all monitors are still available to purchase and updated text for clarity throughout.

  5. Jan 31, 2024: Added the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV to give another option and for consistency with other recommendations.

All Reviews

Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best monitors for dual setup that are currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people, in each price range. Rating is based on our review, factoring in price, and feedback from our visitors.

If you would prefer to make your own decision, here is the list of all of our monitor reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.