(CNN) –
If there’s one thing I learn from my homework from a year, it is that I would not be nearly as productive without two monitors.
Having access to multiple exhibits makes almost every facet of my daily routine easier, whether I’m taking notes during a meeting or watching Slap conversations and emails while bubbling a story. And when it’s time to stop working and start playing a few games, my second monitor is invaluable for looking for experiences or communicating with my Twitch chat.
If one of these uses applies to you, you will get a great deal out of the dual monitor setup. And luckily, there’s no real wrong way to add a little extra screen firmware to your workspace. But since the sheer number of monitor and accessory options out there can be overwhelming, we’ve put together some tips and products (including the monitors we’ve tested extensively) that will help you create the dual-screen setup of your dreams.
So, whether you want to increase productivity or just check email during tedious Zoom calls (we won’t tell anyone), here’s all you need to know about building a good dual monitor setup.
PHOTO: Mike Andronico / CNN
A dual monitor setup is exactly what it sounds like – by including two monitors on your computer or laptop (usually via HDMI or DisplayPort connections), you can significantly increase the amount of real estate you have for work or play. There’s no real wrong way to put together a dual monitor setup, whether you want to mix and match screens or have two identical screens mounted together for a seamless ultra-large experience.
I personally use a basic, asymmetrical setup consisting of a Dell S2417DG as my main screen and an Acer KG221Q as my secondary screen. The Dell monitor has a bright 24-inch 2560 x 1440 screen that lets me sink into my favorite computer games or turn off with minimal eye strain at Google Docs, while my smaller 1080p Acer monitor enables me to emails or watch my chat when I stream on Twitch. My particular Acer monitor is hard to find these days, but this $ 93 model (Acer SB220Q) is a great alternative if you are looking for a reliable and inexpensive second screen.
If you want a more organized setup with two monitors, there are many screens that are optimized to sit side by side. The Lenovo L24q-30, our choice for the best computer monitor overall, is ideal for a dual screen setup, thanks to its thin edges that can create an almost seamless viewing experience when you place two of them side by side. The L24q-30 also supports VESA mounting, which means you can mount several of them on walls or different types of stands (more on this later).
It is also worth considering monitors that can be positioned vertically when assembling a dual monitor setup. Vertically-oriented monitors are especially ideal for programmers, thanks to their ability to display multiple code, and also save only table space – something not everyone has in their home office. The $ 124 HP VH240a is a popular and inexpensive option that supports vertical orientation as well as VESA mounting if you want an extensive dual-screen setup. And yes, you can instantly switch between vertical and horizontal.
You can simplify the setup of your dual monitor a bit by daisy chaining, which essentially means that you have to combine different screen outputs into one wire that goes to your computer. To cook everything, one monitor is connected to a second monitor, and the screen sends both signals to your computer with only one cable to worry about. This is a nice feature that will make your configuration a little cleaner, but not all monitors support it.
You need a monitor with a DisplayPort 1.2 connection using Multi-Stream Transport (MST) technology to make daisy chaining work. The $ 229 ViewSonic VP2468 is a reputable monitor-chain monitor if you want an affordable 1080p screen, while the $ 423 Dell U2721DE is a popular option if you need a higher 1440p screen.
It’s easy enough to print two monitors on your desktop, but what if you want to clean things up? This is where uprights and wall mounts come in. By mounting your monitors, you can save valuable desk space and even more freedom to customize your screens and find the perfect viewing angle.
For those who want to connect multiple monitors to their laptop (or just want to simplify their cables), it’s worth checking out a USB-C hub for your dual monitor setup. And if you are a true power user, you can easily use your dual screens on different machines with a KVM switch, which can connect peripherals on two computers simultaneously. Here are some accessories worth checking out to make the most of your dual monitor setup.
VIVO Dual LCD Monitor Stand ($ 39.95; amazon.com)
The VIVO Dual LCD Monitor Bench Stand is one of the most popular stands on the web, allowing you to mount two monitors of 13 to 27 inches and up to 22 pounds each. Each arm of this standard is very flexible and allows you to rotate your screens up to 180 degrees or rotate it 360 degrees if you need a portrait mode. The stand clamp is built to fit securely on any desk up to 4 inches thick, and features removable cable clips to keep all your wires organized.
WALI Dual LCD Wall Bracket ($ 59.99; amazon.com)
If you would rather mount your monitors on a wall, WALI dual screen mounting is a popular and relatively affordable way to do this. This wall bracket fits on each monitor up to 27 inches with a 75 x 75 mm or 100 x 100 m VESA holder, with a bunch of articulation points, including a 90 degree turn and 360 degree turn to place your monitors vertically. WALI’s Dual LCD Monitor holder also has an adjustable gas spring, which makes it possible to increase or decrease voltage depending on how heavy your monitor is.
Aukey USB C Hub 12-in-1 Type C Adapter ($ 69.99; amazon.com)
Many modern laptops are limited to ports, which can make connecting external monitors difficult. USB C hubs, like this 12-in-1 model from Aukey, easily solve the problem. This adapter has two HDMI ports as well as a VGA port, which gives you a lot of flexibility to mirror your laptop on up to three screens or use them all as different screens in expansion mode. Plus, you get a bunch of extra ports for your peripherals, including two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, an Ethernet port, and an SD card reader.
Steetek 2-port Dual Monitor KVM switch ($ 109, originally $ 115; amazon.com)
For power users or Twitch streamers using multiple computers with their dual monitor settings, a KVM switch is worth checking out. These switches give you a single connection point for your monitors as well as your mouse and keyboard, so you can move from one computer to another with the push of a button. This well-rated Steetek switch supports both Full HD and 4K monitors and includes two additional USB ports to share accessories such as printers or external drives on multiple computers.
Before investing in a dual monitor setup, it is also worth considering whether an ultra-wide monitor is more suited to your needs. As their name suggests, ultra-large screens typically have a 21: 9 aspect ratio (compared to 16: 9 for a traditional screen), giving you plenty of horizontal screen space to perform heavy multitasking. Just look at the $ 699 Samsung CJ791, our current best choice for large screen computer monitor, which offers a spacious 34-inch wide 3440 x 1440 screen for juggling various apps or more in your favorite games or movies to deepen.
Ultrawide monitors have some advantages over dual monitor settings. First, these monitors involve less setup and may save you money, as you only need to purchase and configure one monitor for your workspace. You also get the benefit of a real seamless screen that can use games, movies and programs suitable for a 21: 9 aspect ratio. And many ultra-large monitors are curved, allowing for greater immersion, while preventing your eyes from straining too much when moving from side to side.
However, setups with dual monitors offer you a level of versatility that is difficult to present. The freedom to blend and fit screens means you can invest in a high-end 4K monitor as your main screen, while uploading a cheaper 1080p model for web browsing and work calls. And you literally have more flexibility in terms of positioning, whether you want to have one screen placed vertically or adjust the height and angle of both your monitors independently on a wall bracket.
Of course, if money and space are not an issue, you can enjoy the best of both worlds and record multiple ultra-large screens. But for most people, an ultra-wide monitor offers you simplicity and immersion, while a dual screen setup offers more flexibility.
Whether you want to upgrade your home office or your playroom, a dual monitor setup can make a big difference. You have more screen space to easily bounce between emails, slack chats and video conferencing, and better monitor your broadcasts on your way to Twitch or YouTube stars.
It’s worth considering a stand or wall bracket if you want a cleaner, more flexible setup, as well as an ultra-large monitor as a simpler alternative to getting two screens. No matter how you go about it, increasing the amount of screen space on your desktop will increase your productivity and make you have more fun.