Why do I need dual monitors, and what are the top 10 best monitors on the market today?
Why Do I Need a Large Monitor?
- A large monitor helps reduce my strain. At the end of a long day or if I’m really tired, eye stain, squinting, or whatever you want to call it becomes a problem and it won’t get any better when you’ve been doing this year after year.
- My productivity increases when I have a larger area to work with. I don’t have to open and close tabs, rather I can resize the windows so they are all open on one large monitor or on multiple monitors.
- Another advantage is you can view a full page of a document rather than scrolling down to see the rest of it.
- Oh, and the most important aspect of a large monitor is you feel like you’re almost in the game when the monitor takes up most of the viewing space in front of you. I know…..that’s important, right?
Why Do I Need Dual Monitors?
Dual monitors are more important for those of us who work on multiple software programs at the same time. You may be viewing one document, typing on another, and creating images or a video on another screen. I know personally as an engineer that I will have at least four software programs open at one time and one large screen is not as big as three large screens side by side.
Here are some additional reason to have dual monitors:
- Cutting & pasting more easily
- Video editing
- Comparing products
- Using more than one software at a time
Here’s an example for you. I will have my graphics and design software open on my left screen. I will have excel open on my middle screen where I am crunching some numbers or entering data. My right screen is normally reserved for viewing a PDF of older plans or as-built plans. I will then have my email open as I am constantly receiving emails. I also need my explorer window(s) open plus I need access to the internet as many of my clients and design standards are now on the internet.
It actually sounds like I need five or six screens. It really gets irritating when I am trying to work fast but I have to slow down and minimize a tab or expand a tab because I don’t have enough viewing area on my three monitors. See my home and corporate workstations below.
Home Workstation
Corporate Workstation
Now that I have shown you how important large and multiple monitors can be, it’s time to list them for you.
What are Some of the Best Monitors for Today?
Let’s get real for a few minutes here.
I checked the reviews of 8 respected online companies for their top monitor choices and they were all over the board. Evidently, they all have things that are of different importance to them and their testing procedures are weighted differently because there were no clear leaders, or there are so many models they are testing, that a specific monitor hardly showed up on all eight of these reviews.
So, I am going to list the manufacturers that showed up the most and then list the monitor model numbers below them. We all have specific needs, so I am going to point you in the right direction, however, it will be your responsibility to find the best fit for you.
These monitors are in no particular order other than the ones that showed up in the reviews the most are listed higher in the list.
ASUS VG248QE 24" Full HD 1920x1080 144Hz 1ms HDMI Gaming Monitor
- Ultra smooth action with 144 Hertz rapid refresh rate and 1ms (GTG) response time; Display Colors 16.7M; Color Temperature Selection 4 Modes
- Ergonomically designed stand with Tilt,Swivel,Pivot,Height adjustment plus wall mount capability for comfortable viewing position
- A comfortable viewing experience with ergonomic tilt, swivel pivot, and height adjustment
- Built in 2W stereo speakers for an immersive home entertainment experience; Compliance and Standards BSMI, CB, CCC, CE, C Tick, ErP, FCC, Gost R, J MOSS, PSE, RoHS, UL/cUL, VCCI, WEEE, WHQL (Windows 8, Windows 7)
- Featuring Display Port, Dual link DVI D, and HDMI ports for multi device connections
- Full HD 1920x1080, 80,000,000:1 ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio, and 350 cd/m² of brightness for like like visuals
Sale 
Dell E Series 23-Inch Screen LED-lit Monitor (Dell E2318Hx), Black
- Affordable and reliable 23” IPS monitor with wide viewing angle and essential features that drive productivity
- Get consistent colors across a wide viewing angle, enabled by In-plane switching technology on a 23” full HD screen
- Optimize eye comfort with a flicker-free screen and comfort view feature which minimizes blue light emission
- Compatible with most legacy and current PCs via VGA and HDMI connectivity (Ports vary depending on models). Compatibility- All operating system
- Flexibility to configure with Dell mounts and stands options for evolving office requirements. Refresh rate:60 Hz
Sale 
LG 24M47VQ 24-Inch FHD 1080p LED-lit Monitor, Black
- 2 MS response time. If using a wired connection, plug the Ethernet cable from your modem/Router to the input on your chromebase
- 1920 x 1080 Full HD Resolution. OS Compatibility-Windows 8
- HDMI, D-Sub, DVI-D
- Reader Mode. Tn panel type. Brightness: 250(cd/m2)
- Screen split. Has color wizard
Acer 21.5 Inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS Ultra-Thin Zero Frame Computer Monitor (HDMI & VGA Port), SB220Q bi
- 21.5 inches Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen IPS display.Specific uses for product - Business, personal
- And Radeon free sync technology. No compatibility for VESA Mount
- Refresh rate: 75 hertz - Using HDMI port
- Zero-frame design; Ultra-thin; 4ms response time; IPS panel
- Ports: 1 x HDMI & 1 x VGA
- Aspect ratio - 16:9. Color supported - 16.7 million colors. Brightness - 250 nit
Sale 
BenQ GW2480 Computer Monitor 24" FHD 1920x1080p | IPS | Eye-Care Tech | Low Blue Light | Anti-Glare | Adaptive Brightness | Tilt Screen | Built-In Speakers | DisplayPort | HDMI | VGA,Black
- Work Productively and Comfortably: 24 Inch IPS 1080P FHD Computer Monitor featuring an edge-to-edge display that allows you to focus on the important work. Work, play, and learn all in one place!
- Proprietary Eye-Care Tech: Our exclusive Eye-Care technology reduces eye fatigue for optimal comfort, productivity and allows you to work for an extended period of time.
- Adaptive Brightness for Image Quality: Our Brightness Intelligence (B.I.) technology optimizes display performance for work and play to protect your vision while providing a stunning image at the same time.
- Ultra-Slim Bezel: Ultra-slim bezel allows for an extended view while the space saving base and elegant design is perfect for any home office.
- Seamless Connectivity: Easily access content via HDMI, DP and VGA ports.
- Built-In Speakers: Free up desk space with a built-in sound system that delivers premium audio.
$129.99 −$30.00 
Check Amazon Price
AOC C24G1 24" Curved Frameless Gaming Monitor, FHD 1080p, 1500R VA panel, 1ms 144Hz, FreeSync, Height adjustable, VESA, 3-Year Zero Dead Pixels Black
- AOC Gaming 24" Class, 23. 6" Viewable AOC Gaming monitor with 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution
- 1500R curved monitor (VA panel) wrapping around your vision for an immersive gaming experience
- Rapid 1ms (MPRT) response and 144Hz refresh rate with AMD Free Sync for smoothest competitive game play
- 3-Sided frameless design with ultra-narrow borders for the ultimate multi-monitor setup
- Height adjustable stand for optimum ergonomics
- Re-spawned: 3-year zero-bright-dot, 3-year advance replacement, 1-year (one-time) accidental damage
Sale 
SAMSUNG 27" CF39 Series FHD 1080p Curved Computer Monitor, Ultra Slim Design, AMD FreeSync, 4ms response, HDMI, DisplayPort, VESA Compatible, Wide Viewing Angle, LC27F398FWNXZA, Black
- IMMERSIVE VIEWING EXPERIENCE: The 1800R curvature of the screen lets you enjoy big, bold and stunning panoramic views while you work or play at home or the office
- SUPER SLIM DESIGN: Make a stylish statement with its ultra-slim and sleek profile; Monitor measures less than 0.5 inch thick and the simple circular stand adds a modern look to your space
- ADVANCED GAMING w/ AMD FREESYNC: This technology allows users to enjoy smooth images, even during the fastest moving scenes; It minimizes input latency, dramatically reduces image tearing and stutter
- FAST 4ms RESPONSE TIME: With its 4ms response rate, you'll see the fastest on-screen motion clearly and smoothly with less blur, judder, and ghosting, allowing players to experience their games at the highest level
- EYE SAVER MODE: Optimize your viewing comfort by reducing blue light emissions and flickers at the touch of a button; Read documents, play games, watch movies and edit photos for longer periods without worrying about eye strain or fatigue
- BRILLIANT PICTURE QUALITY: Experience vibrant, vivid colors with Samsung's Active Crystal Color technology; The excellent 3000:1 contrast ratio delivers deep blacks and bright whites so you can see clearly even in the darkest or brightest scenes
$169.99 −$20.00
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HP VH240a 23.8-Inch Full HD 1080p IPS LED Monitor with Built-In Speakers and VESA Mounting, Rotating Portrait & Landscape, Tilt, and HDMI & VGA Ports (1KL30AA) - Black
- This Certified Refurbished product is manufacturer refurbished, shows limited or no wear, and includes all original accessories plus a 90-day limited hardware warranty.
- Response Time — 5ms with overdrive for a smooth picture that looks crisp and fluid without motion blur
- Built-In Speakers — Integrated audio speakers provide great sound for your content (2 watts per channel)
- Thin Bezel-Less Frame — A thin and virtually frameless ultra-widescreen monitor provides a seamless multi-monitor set-up with 3-sided narrow bezels
ViewSonic VA2246M-LED 22 Inch Full HD 1080p LED Monitor with DVI and VGA Inputs,Black
- GREAT FOR HOME AND OFFICE: An ideal all-around display for desktop, or laptop
- SEE THE DIFFERENCE: Razor-sharp clarity and detail with Full HD (1920x1080p) resolution
- MAXIMIZED COLOR & CONTRAST: MEGA Dynamic Contrast Ratio delivers sharp, crisp images
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTIVITY: The VA2246M-LED supports laptops, PCs, Macs, and POS systems with DVI-D, and VGA inputs
- INCLUDED IN THE BOX: Monitor, Power Cable, Video Cable, and Audio Cable
Sale 
Sceptre Curved 27" FHD 1080p 75Hz LED Monitor HDMI VGA Build-In Speakers, EDGE-LESS Metal Black 2019 (C275W-1920RN)
- 1500R Curved Display: The 1500R degree curved design immerses you completely into the gaming landscape, allowing you to spot all threats and opportunities before all of your competitors.
- 98% sRGB: With 98% sRGB, this monitor offers a wider color gamut than most conventional monitors, giving deeper colors and defining features.
- Multiple Ports: Two HDMI and one VGA port each accelerate refresh rate up to 75Hz, providing the visual edge you need to defeat the competition during all of your gaming exploits.
- Adaptive Sync: Adaptive Sync is a technology that closes the gap between the graphics card's and the monitor's refresh rates, eliminating image tearing and stuttering in the process.
- Built-in Speakers: Perfectly suited to work & gaming settings, built-in speakers deliver robust & smooth audio while saving space on your desk.
- Blue Light Shift: Blue Light Shift reduces blue light, allowing you to comfortably work, watch, or play applications without straining your eyes.
$119.97 −$10.00
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LG 34UC80-B 34-Inch 21:9 Curved UltraWide QHD IPS Monitor with USB Quick Charge
- 21:9 UltraWide Curved QHD IPS Monitor
- sRGB over 99 percent/Color Calibrated
- USB 3.0 Quick Charge
- Height/Tilt Adjustable Stand; Screen Split 2.0 (PIP Mode)
- HDMI 2.0. Color Depth (Number of Colors) 10bits (8bit+FRC), 1.07B; Brightness (cd/m2) 300 cd/m2
- Mounting type: VESA Size (millimeter) 100 x 100
SAMSUNG 49-Inch CHG90 144Hz Curved Gaming Monitor (LC49HG90DMNXZA) – Super Ultrawide Screen QLED Computer Monitor, 3840 x 1080p Resolution, 1ms Response, FreeSync 2 with HDR,Black
- 49-Inch monitor with super ultra-wide 49-inch screen with its innovative 32: 9 aspect ratio.Operating Temperature: 50 °F – 104 °F (10 °C – 40 °C)
- Viewing Angle is 178° (H) / 178° (V); Aspect Ratio is 32:9
- Samsung QLED delivers purer, brighter, and more lifelike colors
- Hdr (high Dynamic Range) technology
- Smoother gameplay with fast 144Hz refresh rate and has Stand
- Designed for gamers with multiple game modes. Swivel--2.0° (plus/minus 2.0°) to plus 15.0° (plus/minus 2.0°)
Conclusion
This is a challenging topic to cover since the same monitor will have different model numbers. For example, Best Buy will have a monitor that is identical to one at Walmart but they will have slightly different model numbers, plus many times you will be comparing a new model to last years model.
On top of that confusion, everyone seems to have different monitors in their top recommendations. I wish I could tell you which monitors were the definite top 10 but I cannot honestly do that. I can tell you that I use the Dell UltraSharp U2414H monitors in three separate locations. That’s a total of six monitors. I have two at my corporate office, two at my home office, and two at a colleague’s office. I am a big fan of Dell but others would sharply disagree with me.
The bottom line is there are many great options on the market today and some of them I’m wishing I had right now. I’m particularly eyeing the 34-Inch curved monitors. This may be the latest fad that you need to sit out on or wait to make sure there is a valid reason to switch over to them.
I hope I have helped you to see all the options out there today. Now you have a little more knowledge to begin your search. Enjoy shopping.
Please a Comment Below with your thoughts or opinions or send me an Email.
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SaleBestseller No. 1 
PHILIPS 22 inch Class Thin Full HD (1920 x 1080) 75Hz Monitor, VESA, HDMI & VGA Port, 4 Year Advance Replacement Warranty, 221V8LN
- CRISP CLARITY: This 22 inch class (21.45″ viewable) Philips V line monitor delivers crisp Full HD 1920x1080 visuals. Enjoy movies, shows and videos with remarkable detail
- INCREDIBLE CONTRAST: The VA panel produces brighter whites and deeper blacks. You get true-to-life images and more gradients with 16.7 million colors
- THE PERFECT VIEW: The 178/178 degree extra wide viewing angle prevents the shifting of colors when viewed from an offset angle, so you always get consistent colors
- WORK SEAMLESSLY: This sleek monitor is virtually bezel-free on three sides, so the screen looks even bigger for the viewer. This minimalistic design also allows for seamless multi-monitor setups that enhance your workflow and boost productivity
- A BETTER READING EXPERIENCE: For busy office workers, EasyRead mode provides a more paper-like experience for when viewing lengthy documents
- 75HZ FAST REFRESH RATE: 75 Hz (via HDMI 1.4) brings your favorite movies and video games to life. Stream, binge, and play effortlessly
$69.99 −$8.67
Check Amazon Price SaleBestseller No. 2 
Sceptre New 27-inch Gaming Monitor 100Hz 1ms DisplayPort HDMI x2 100% sRGB AMD FreeSync Build-in Speakers, Eye Care Frameless Machine Black 2024 (E275W-FW100T)
- 100% sRGB Color Gamut: With 100% sRGB, our display reveals an astonishing brightness and variance in red, green, and blue color across a wide gamut, providing a more defined and naturalistic display of color in every image.
- DP & HDMI Ports: Two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort port provide up to 100Hz refresh rate, refining picture clarity in all action-packed gaming sequences and graphic design projects. Audio In and a Headphone Jack provide diverse audio options.
- Blue Light Shift: Blue Light Shift reduces blue light, allowing you to comfortably work, watch, or play applications without straining your eyes.
- Built-in Speakers: Perfectly suited to work & gaming settings, built-in speakers deliver robust & smooth audio while saving space on your desk.
- FPS-RTS Game Modes: FPS and RTS are Sceptre's custom set display settings built for an enhanced gaming experience. FPS (First Person Shooter), RTS (Real-Time Strategy).
- VESA Wall Mountable: The VESA wall mount pattern gives you the freedom to select the optimum viewing position for your monitor, eliminate cable clutter, and save valuable space for your gaming and work station.
$119.97 −$10.00
Check Amazon Price SaleBestseller No. 3 
Sceptre Curved 24-inch Gaming Monitor 1080p R1500 98% sRGB HDMI x2 VGA Build-in Speakers, VESA Wall Mount Machine Black (C248W-1920RN Series)
- 1800R curve monitor the curved display delivers a revolutionary visual experience with a leading 1800R screen curvature as the images appear to wrap around you for an in depth, immersive experience
- Hdmi, VGA & PC audio in ports
- High refresh rate 75Hz.Brightness (cd/m²):250 cd/m2
- Vesa wall mount ready; Lamp Life: 30,000+ Hours
- Windows 10 Sceptre Monitors are fully compatible with Windows 10, the most recent operating System available on PCs.Brightness: 220 cd/M2
- Pixel Pitch: 0.27156mm (H) x 0.27156 mm (V)
$102.97 −$13.00
Check Amazon Price SaleBestseller No. 4 
SAMSUNG 27" T35F Series FHD 1080p Computer Monitor, 75Hz, IPS Panel, HDMI, VGA (D-Sub), 3-Sided Border-Less, FreeSync, LF27T350FHNXZA
- ALL-EXPANSIVE VIEW: The 3-sided borderless display brings a clean and modern aesthetic to any working environment. In a multi-monitor setup, the displays line up seamlessly for a virtually gapless view without distractions.Aspect ratio:16:9.Response time:5.0 milliseconds
- IPS PANEL: Sit anywhere and have a full technicolor experience. The IPS panel preserves color vividness and clarity across every inch of the screen. Even on a display this wide, tones and shades look completely accurate from virtually any angle, with no color washing
- SYNCHRONIZED ACTION: Superfluid entertainment experience. AMD Radeon FreeSync keeps your monitor and graphics card refresh rate in sync to reduce image tearing. Watch movies and play games without any interruptions. Even fast scenes look seamless and smooth
- SEAMLESS, SMOOTH VISUALS: Now, the picture looks flawless. The 75Hz refresh rate delivers more fluid scenes. Whether you're catching up on your favorite TV drama, watching a video, or playing a game, your entertainment has no lag or ghosting effect
- MORE GAMING POWER: Ideal game settings instantly give you the edge. Get optimal color and image contrast to see scenes more vividly and spot enemies hiding in the dark. Game Mode adjusts any game to fill your screen with every detail in view
$149.99 −$21.64
Check Amazon Price SaleBestseller No. 5 
Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip 23.8” Full HD (1920 x 1080) VA Gaming Monitor | AMD FreeSync Premium Technology | 165Hz Refresh Rate | 1ms (VRB) | ZeroFrame Design | 1 x Display Port 1.2 & 2 x HDMI 2.0,Black
- 23.8" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen VA Monitor | AMD FreeSync Premium Technology
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz | Response Time: 1ms (VRB) | Pixel Pitch: 0.275mm | Color Saturation: NTSC 72%
- Zero-Frame Design | HDR Ready
- VESA mounting compliant (100 x 100mm) | Ergonomic Tilt: -5° to 15°
- Ports: 1 x Display Port 1.2 and 2 x HDMI 2.0 (HDMI Cable Included)
$172.99 −$63.00
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Due to extra work I need to do for my employer – I need to spend another 5 hours per week on the computers (added to the current 40!!!) Every evening I feel my eyes strained to the extent that a headache would be coming on, these suggestions are awesome but can you tell me which ones are the best value for money in terms of price? As I have a limited budget…
Larger monitors are definitely helpful after a long day when your eyes get tired. Here is a list of some monitors with the best prices.
Asus VS248H-P 24-Inch HDMI DVI VGA Backliet LED Monitor
Acer R240HY 23.8-Inch 1080p Widescreen
AOC I1659FWUX USB
HP Pavilion 22cwa
Lenovo ThinkVision LT2452p
Planar PXL2430MW
NEC Multisync E241N-BK
Sceptre U278W-4000R 27-Inch IPS Ultra 4K LED
There are some really nice monitors in this short list and most of them are under $200. Please stop back by and let me know what you choose.
These are images of really top quality monitors, it is good to have monitors like what you are reviewing because I love quality. Something that can get the job done and stand the test of time. There are so many on the market but with the review that you have written, it will make searching that much easier.
Thank you Norman. I wanted to dig deeper and make my recommendations to what I believe the top monitors for 2018 are but I honestly felt I shouldn’t because everyone has different needs and companies they like so I felt it was better to list all of these and like you said, you can refine your search from a better starting point.
Let me know what monitor(s) you go with when you do end up buying one.
OMG! I need that set up. I have an area in my Living Room that I have designated as my work station and I am using my laptop and my iPad at the same time to do what you are doing in a lot less comfortable fashion. I have detached retinas and to have a large screen would be wonderful. This was a great article. I was wondering if you were going to tell us which set up you had and which set up you would LIKE TO HAVE. I am curious as to what it would be if you could buy what you wanted without restrictions. Loved it. Keep up the good work.
What would I have without restrictions?
I would buy a new Dell Precision laptop as mine is reaching the end of it’s life. I like the Precision because it is a better computer that can handle a heavier workload and still keeps cool, plus I love the Dell support.
I would probably buy the Dell 24 Gaming Monitor S2417DG as I would like slightly larger monitors and I do enjoy a great game at times. I probably wouldn’t consider the larger monitors than the 27″ models because I have to make my mouse so sensitive already to not be moving my whole arm across the desk to get from one side of the screen to another. I like my mouse sensitivity but other people freak out when they try to move around the screen on my computer.
I would leave everything else pretty much the same other than adding a beautiful log cabin in the mountains overlooking a valley with a crackling fire burning in the fireplace.
Oh, and I would add a better surround sound system, but who wants that when you’re in the mountains and can hear the sounds of nature?
What would you have in your perfect setup?
Very informative. I have to agree with you – I’ve been using Dell monitors for years. They seem to have thought of everything all the other manufacturers have omitted – mine have USB ports on the monitor itself so I don’t need to buy a hub, I can add the sound bar so I don’t need speakers on my desk, and what’s more it’s possible to pick them up very cheaply on the likes of eBay or private businesses selling off-lease office equipment. The stand is a particular favourite feature of mine – up, down or even rotated 90 degrees!
I agree. I have been using Dell monitors for 8 or 10 years now and love them. I’m not against to buying other brands but these have been solid performers for me.
What size monitors do you use now and are you thinking about increasing the monitor size in the future?