Choosing between one monitor and two is not just a matter of habit. It depends on the way you work. For some users, a single screen is enough to stay focused without cluttering the desk with extra equipment. For others, two monitors make it easier to switch between projects, keep key information visible, and spread tasks across multiple screens.
The right choice depends on what you do, how you work, and how your desk is set up. A second screen can make everyday tasks quicker and more comfortable, but it can also create unnecessary visual clutter if you do not really need it or if it is not positioned properly.
Before buying an additional monitor, it is worth understanding when a dual screen monitor setup is genuinely useful, when one screen is enough, and how to organize your workspace so that it feels tidy, comfortable, and ergonomic.
Who Should Consider a Dual-Monitor Setup?
A second monitor makes sense when you need to view two apps, documents or sources of information at the same time instead of constantly switching between them.
This is especially useful for:
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people who work with spreadsheets, documents, emails, CRM systems, and reports;
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developers, engineers, and analysts;
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designers, video editors, and 3D specialists;
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writers, editors, marketers, and students;
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anyone who regularly joins video calls, gives presentations, or streams online.
In all these scenarios, a second screen can save a noticeable amount of time and make daily work feel more efficient.
When One Monitor Is Enough
If most of your work happens in one window or one main app, a second display does not always bring a real benefit. In this case, it often makes more sense to improve your single-monitor setup: free up desk space, raise the monitor to the correct height, and adjust the viewing distance and angle.
A common option is to use a laptop together with an external monitor on a monitor arm. The external monitor can become your main screen, positioned at a comfortable height, while the laptop sits to the side as a secondary display. This gives you many of the benefits of two screens without having to buy another full-size monitor. You can use the larger screen for your main task, while keeping emails, messengers, your calendar, reference materials or a video call open on the laptop.
In other words, the best upgrade is not always a second monitor. Sometimes, a good monitor mount for one screen makes a bigger difference. For this type of setup, the ONKRON G130-B is a practical option. It is a monitor desk mount for a single 17" - 57" screen, with a load capacity of up to 59.4 lbs. It helps free up the work surface and makes it easier to position the display exactly where you need it.
Why a Monitor Arm Is Key to a Comfortable Workstation
In practice, comfort depends not only on the number of screens, but also on how they are positioned.
A monitor holder helps you:
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free up space on your desk;
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set the screen at the correct height;
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adjust tilt, swivel, and extension;
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bring monitors closer without relying on bulky stands;
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keep cables neatly organized with built-in cable management.
What to Consider When Choosing a Screen Arm
To make a double monitor setup truly comfortable, you should look at both the layout and the technical specifications.
Pay attention to:
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screen size and weight - if your monitor is heavy, curved, or ultrawide, load capacity becomes especially important;
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VESA compatibility;
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mounting method - a desk clamp or grommet installation;
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adjustment range for height, tilt, swivel, and extension.
For more details on choosing a desk monitor mount, read our article.
Setup Ideas: How to Organize a Workspace with Two Monitors
1. Classic Setup: Two Monitors Side by Side
This is the most common option. The main screen is placed directly in front of you, while the second monitor sits next to it at a slight angle. This layout works well for most users and suits office, technical, and home working environments.
For a classic dual-monitor workstation, monitor arms for two screens are especially convenient. For example, the ONKRON G160-BW is suitable for two 13" - 32" screens with a load capacity of up to 22 lbs per monitor.
These double monitor arms are useful when you want to align both displays at the same height and create a clean, organized workspace.
2. Vertical Setup: Monitors Stacked One Above the Other
Another option is a vertical configuration, where the displays are placed one above the other. This layout is especially useful if your desk is limited in width or you want to keep the work surface as clear as possible.
In most cases, the lower monitor becomes the main screen, while the upper one is used for emails, chats, monitoring, documentation or secondary windows. For this type of setup, a good adjustment range and compatibility with the size and weight of both monitors are especially important.
3. Portrait Mode
A monitor in a portrait mode can be useful for programming, long texts, task feeds, chats, and documents. It is also a practical way to save space on the desktop.
One of the most effective options is to keep one screen as the main display and use the second one in portrait mode as a supporting monitor.
FAQ
Who is a vertical monitor arm suitable for?
A vertical monitor arm is suitable for people who have limited desk width but still need a second screen. It is a convenient option for work tasks where one monitor is used as the main display and the other is used for chats, emails, monitoring, documentation, or secondary windows.
Do two monitors really make work faster?
Yes, if you regularly work with several windows and sources of information at the same time. In this case, a second monitor reduces unnecessary switching between tabs and windows.
When is it better to choose one monitor?
One monitor is the better choice if most of your work happens in one application, if you do not need to constantly compare multiple windows, or if desk space is limited.
In this case, a single monitor arm is often more convenient than two monitors. It frees up space and allows you to adjust the height, angle, and distance of the display.
If you work with a laptop, you can use an external monitor on a desk mount as your main screen and keep the laptop display as a secondary screen for emails, messengers, or reference materials.
Can I use different monitors together?
Yes, especially if one monitor is your main screen and the other is used as a secondary display. However, it is important to make sure that the monitor arm is suitable for each display’s weight and VESA standard.
To Sum Up
One monitor or two depends on your tasks. But in any case, comfort comes down to how well your workspace is organized.
If you want a tidier desk, more freedom to adjust your screen, and a truly convenient setup, start with the right mount. ONKRON monitor mounts help you build a workspace around the way you actually work.
View the full range of ONKRON monitor arms here.
