Best Split Screen Monitors (Updated 2023) (2023)

FAQs

What size monitor is best for split screen? ›

Screen-splitting works best with more display real estate, but there's a fine line between too small and too large. While 27-inch monitors work well, a 32-inch monitor is the better way to go. It won't take much more room on a desk but offers a lot more screen for the size.

Position the main monitor squarely in front of your body and at eye level, and make sure your secondary monitor is at a parallel height to the main display. This will help you avoid the neck and eye strain that happens when you twist or look down at the other screen.

The verdict is clear. In general, dual monitors take the win over ultrawide. Going dual snags you a more flexible setup that's better for multitasking and, if you buy high-end 4K monitors, packs more pixels than any ultrawide in existence.

Use the multitasking feature of your device. The multitasking feature allows you to split your monitor into separate tiles so you can better manage your work. However, one demerit of this feature is that not all apps support it. The Snap Windows feature allows you to display 2 to 4 apps side-by-side.

For viewing distance, there's no difference when comparing curved and flat monitors. The main point of curved monitors is to better accommodate the natural depth that human eyesight has. Flat displays don't provide that depth, but curved monitors feel more natural once you get used to them.

Although dual monitors can generally match (or even exceed) how much usable workspace you have, it won't be seamless even with the thinnest bezels you can find. A single large screen is much more effective if you want a panoramic view of whatever you're doing, whether it's gaming or work.

In general, the secondary monitor should be at about a 30 degree angle to the primary monitor, and center line of the keyboard should be no more than 12 inches from center line of the primary monitor.

For the secondary monitor, place it on the side of your dominant eye.

If maximum horizontal space is most important to you, then the ultrawide category is very likely your best bet from a cost and efficiency perspective. If you require a mix of both, then a hybrid landscape/portrait multi-monitor setup or a single big-screen display is your best bet.

Running Multiple Ultrawides Can Be Awkward

Two 34” ultrawides would cover a span of 1.6m wide, and you would also need quite a bit of depth on your desk to get that curve flowing through from one to the other. Stacking curved screens can also be a problem.

Is a 27-inch monitor too big? ›

While some find 24-inch monitors to be the ideal size, others may think that even a 27-inch display is too small. For most people, monitors larger than 32 inches are too big for gaming. Whatever display size you prefer, you should always keep the screen resolution in mind as well.

The 32:9 ultrawide monitors (also referred to as 'super-ultrawide') are equivalent to two 16:9 monitors side by side, just without the bezels in-between. For instance, a 49″ 5120×1440 ultrawide is basically equivalent to two 27″ 1440p monitors, a 44″ 3840×1080 display is similar to two 24″ 1080p screens, etc.

Just click the window for the app that you want to view side by side with the first window. Snap two windows. You can snap three and four or even more windows, depending on the size of your monitor and your screen resolution. To snap three windows, pick the first one you want to arrange.

Curved Monitors Are More Comfortable for Your Eyes

Essentially, the curvature of the monitors allows our eyes to take in everything at once, without strain. This comes in opposition to flat screens, which, depending on the size, may cause eyestrain if the screen exceeds a viewer's natural field of view.

One major drawback of a curved monitor is that you'll have to sit precisely in the center to get the perfect view. If you don't, the picture can become distorted. For this same reason, other people sitting in front of the monitor won't get the best view.

A second display can be beneficial for gaming or working. It will grant you a wider field of view, allowing you to have more things available on your screen and multi-task more efficiently.

Video collaboration, online training, and productivity are some big gains to be had with two monitors, while disadvantages include the cost, additional resources required and the potential for distractions. Here's how to determine if dual monitors will be effective for your business needs.

The company found that two monitors increased productivity by 25 percent compared to single-monitor setups. Three monitors increase productivity by 35.5 percent. Of course, there are downsides to using three monitors. You need to have enough room on your desk and it can be a power drag.

Overall, whether you should purchase a second monitor depends on how often you use your home computer and what you use it for. If you're a moderate-to-heavy computer user, it is highly recommended to invest in a second monitor, since the extra convenience and multitasking power are worth it.

What should I look for in a second monitor? ›

Monitor resolution: 1440p is recommended, 4K is a nice upgrade. Monitor refresh rate: 60Hz is fine for productivity, but 144Hz is awesome in games. Monitor adaptive sync: It's a must-have for gamers. Monitor stand: Look for height and tilt adjustment, plus VESA mount support.

Consider the challenge of adjusting two widescreen monitors on a tiny workstation. Each would take up a large percentage of the desk's available surface area. In this scenario, a vertical monitor is a better option. It physically frees up more space on a desk or work area than any horizontal setup.

Your monitor should be positioned so that the top of the screen is at eye level and approximately 50-100cm away from you. The desk height should be level with your elbows, and there should be a little space between your keyboard and the edge of your desk where your hands can rest.

24 inches: general and business use

With a 61cm screen size, 24 inches is the default size for everyday use, office tasks, and school. Full HD (1080p) stays fairly sharp on monitors of this size. As they're not too big, you can easily place them in a setup with 2 screens.

During the daytime, a cool setting is best, but at night, you want the hue to be warmer. There are apps that can help keep your monitor's hue optimized, but some higher-end laptops will make these adjustments automatically. Another option is to add a glare filter to your screen.

An ultrawide monitor offers 33% more screen space than a regular monitor. This allows you to open 2 or more windows side by side. As a result, it's easier to multitask and you don't have to switch between windows as often.

Some gamers believe that ultrawide monitors help gaming performance. But it's worth noting that many ultrawide monitors have lower refresh rates. Gaming PCs are already expensive. So if you're already spending a lot of money on the newest graphics card, an ultrawide monitor will make the most of it.

Triple monitor setups do have one advantage over an ultrawide. They can increase your immersion by setting up the secondary monitors at just the right angle. Currently, the most immersive curved ultrawide screens are rated at 1000R.

Why do pros not use 27-inch monitors? ›

What monitors do pro gamers use? High refresh rate monitors, usually between 24 and 27 inches. Anything smaller than 24 inches limits your ability to see small objects, anything bigger than 27 inches limits what you can see with your peripheral vision.

Your eyes should look slightly downward when viewing the middle of the screen. Position the monitor at least 20 inches (51 cm) from your eyes—about an arm's length distance.

What size of ultrawide gaming monitor is best? Most ultrawide monitors have a 34-inch panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio, which is the best option for most gamers.

The best ultrawide monitor we've tested is the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9. It's a great overall monitor that's versatile for different uses. It's considered a super ultrawide monitor because it has a 49-inch screen and a 32:9 aspect ratio, which is even bigger than regular 34 or 38-inch ultrawides with a 21:9 aspect ratio.

Multiple displays often lead to continuously displaying potential distractions. This isn't just unnecessary, it's counter-productive. With a single screen, I eliminate decisions deciding where to drag windows or where to place a given window to block out all other distractions.

Ensure that your settings are on Extend these displays.

In the Multiple displays sections of Displays on Windows 10, ensure that you choose the Extend these displays option. It's a good idea to check all your Display settings to ensure they work on multiple monitors: Sometimes, a Windows update can reset them.

All you have to do is place them side-by-side in the shape of a V and place your keyboard in the center. Doing so ensures that both monitors face you, and you don't have to tilt your neck or take your eyes off one monitor to look at what's going on on the other screen.

On the Windows desktop, right-click an empty area and select the Display settings option. Scroll down to the Multiple displays section. Below the Multiple displays option, click the drop-down menu and select Extend these displays.

Screen-splitting works best with more display real estate, but there's a fine line between too small and too large. While 27-inch monitors work well, a 32-inch monitor is the better way to go. It won't take much more room on a desk but offers a lot more screen for the size.

The resolution is up to date and the color clarity is great. A 24-inch monitor will also allow you to view at least 2 web pages at once, but it is not too large so as to interfere with the comfort of your office desk.

How do you split a 27-inch monitor? ›

Option 1: You can either hold the Windows key down and tap the right or left arrow key. This will move your active window to one side. All other windows will appear on the other side of the screen. You just choose the one you want and it becomes the other half of the split-screen.

In a two monitor setup there's no requirement for them to be the same size or the same resolution as one another. However there are some drawbacks. When moving the mouse from the bigger to the smaller, you'll sometimes hit the edge of the larger screen where there's no second monitor to move to, so the mouse will stop.

What size monitor is best for a home office? If all you need your monitor for is work tasks and general home admin, then opting for a 27” monitor or smaller will be your best option. Larger monitors will offer more screen space, but unless you need multiple windows open side by side, a smaller size is typically better.

They choose 24-inch monitors for many reasons, including the fact that this monitor size allows for extremely high frame rates, and some come equipped with QHD for gaming. 24-inch monitors have also become standard at gaming tournaments, forcing pro gamers to get with the program or be at a disadvantage.

Size: 27-inch is best for most. A monitor's most important trait is its most basic: the size. Most standard-width monitors come in one of three sizes: 24-inch, 27-inch, and 32-inch. Bigger is not necessarily better.

There have been tests conducted by Gaming Simplified to work out the difference between running one monitor vs two. They found that having no second monitor gave the best FPS. However, having a second monitor open with say just an article will make practically no difference to your FPS.

Do smaller monitors look better? ›

A smaller screen will have a higher number of pixels per inch (PPI) than a larger screen, so its image will be sharper and more vivid. Due to this phenomenon, larger screens need higher resolutions to preserve image quality.