Start with the outcome of your display screen equipment (DSE) assessment and the space available at each workstation, rather than assuming a larger screen is the answer. An adjustable fixed monitor can suit a regular desk; a portable second screen may suit changing locations, while a raised laptop with separate input devices may be enough where another display is unnecessary. If you want one cable for video and charging, check the exact laptop and monitor before choosing a USB-C hub monitor.
If you use a laptop for sustained work at home, consider how the whole workstation supports screen positioning and input-device use. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises assessing the actual home workstation, not choosing equipment by screen size alone.
If you want a display to connect your laptop, peripherals and charging through fewer cables, check the laptop’s video output, external-display support and power requirements. A USB-C socket alone does not establish that every function will work.
If you move between work areas or cannot leave a monitor on your desk, weigh a portable display or raised-laptop setup against the space, connections and screen position available at each location.
Consider it when: You have a regular desk and need to position a separate screen to suit the assessed workstation arrangement.
Trade-off: It takes permanent desk space and is less convenient to move between work locations.
Consider it when: Raising the existing screen meets the workstation need and you can use a separate keyboard and mouse.
Trade-off: You retain the laptop’s screen area and do not gain a second display.
Consider it when: You need another display across changing work locations.
Trade-off: You must set it up and position it suitably at each workspace.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Screen position and desk fit | Measure the usable desk area and check the monitor’s stand adjustments or arm compatibility against the workstation arrangement. | If I work at the same desk for long periods, I need to place the screen without making the rest of my setup awkward. Around 39% of consumers put workstation positioning first. |
| Laptop connection and charging | Check the exact laptop’s video ports and supported external displays, then match the cable, monitor or dock and any charging requirement. | When I connect my work laptop, I need the intended screen arrangement to function, whether or not I also use a dock. For around 38% of consumers, connection and charging compatibility is the primary concern. |
| Space and mobility | Check the screen’s dimensions, carrying needs, stand arrangement and power connection at each work area. | If my workspace changes, I need equipment I can accommodate and position at each desk. Space and mobility come first for roughly 23% of consumers. |
USB-C ports can have different functions. Microsoft Support advises checking device and connection capabilities for external displays; a monitor’s stated power delivery does not establish what a particular laptop can accept.
Check the exact laptop’s video-output and charging specifications alongside the monitor and intended cable.
Your setup may also need a compatible cable, adapter, dock or separate charger.
A larger screen does not by itself make the workstation suitable. The HSE’s home-working guidance calls for the actual working arrangement to be assessed.
Measure the desk and check the stand’s adjustment range or arm compatibility against the position you need.
A different stand, monitor arm or desk arrangement may be needed to place the screen suitably.
Under HSE guidance, the relevant decision is what the DSE assessment identifies as necessary; that does not establish an entitlement to a personally selected retail model.
If employer provision matters to your decision, discuss the assessment outcome and equipment arrangements before buying for yourself.
A portable screen still needs a workable position and connection wherever it is used. The HSE advises considering both home and office workstations where relevant.
Check how the screen will stand, connect and receive power at each regular workspace.
Repeated setup or separate cables, power equipment or mounting accessories may add to what you need to carry.
Dell’s UltraSharp U2724DE is a fixed-desk, 27-inch QHD Thunderbolt hub monitor with an adjustable stand, according to Dell UK.
BenQ’s GW2486TC is a 23.8-inch USB-C home-office monitor with an adjustable stand, according to BenQ UK.
LG’s UltraFine 27U730A-B is a fixed-desk, 27-inch 3840 × 2160 IPS monitor with USB-C, according to LG UK.
ASUS ZenScreen includes displays intended for workspaces where a second screen may need to move or be positioned in different ways.
These fixed and portable monitors are options to consider once you know the screen position, desk space and laptop connection your workstation requires. Check each product against your own setup rather than treating a portable or USB-C model as automatically compatible.
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Consider this for a regular desk with room for a curved external screen. The product title lists 3840 × 2160 resolution, Type-C 65W and a USB hub; check desk fit and whether your laptop supports the intended video and charging connection.
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Consider this for a fixed desk where stand height adjustment matters. The title identifies a 4K IPS display and USB-C connection; check the available space and the features supported by your particular laptop, especially if it is not a Mac.
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Consider this ZenScreen for a work area that changes, provided you can position and connect it at each desk. Its title identifies an IPS screen and USB-C; check the carrying weight and your laptop’s USB-C video support before relying on it as a movable second display.
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Consider this as a second screen for changing work locations if its 17.3-inch size suits the available space. The title lists a kickstand, USB-C and HDMI; check how your laptop will provide video and how the screen will be positioned at each desk.
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Consider this compact second screen when a smaller temporary setup meets your workstation need. The title lists a touchscreen, VESA compatibility and a stand adjustable through 180°; check the video connection and whether separate power is needed with your laptop.
No. The HSE says the workstation should be assessed for workers who use display screen equipment daily for continuous periods of an hour or more, including relevant home and office arrangements. The assessment determines what action is needed; an external monitor is not an automatic requirement.
No. The HSE states that workers cannot be charged for DSE equipment their employer provides because a workstation assessment identifies it as necessary. That does not mean an employer must provide or reimburse any retail model you choose independently.
No. USB-C does not guarantee compatible video output or charging. Check the exact laptop’s display specifications, the monitor’s input requirements and the cable or dock you intend to use; Microsoft Support notes that device and connection capabilities can limit an external display.
Possibly, depending on the laptop and connection route. Apple Support advises checking the exact Mac’s supported number of displays, while Microsoft Support notes that connections can affect display capability. Confirm your computer’s specifications before choosing a dual-screen dock or daisy-chain arrangement.
Check that the screen can be positioned suitably and that its power and display leads can be arranged without trailing across the work area. The HSE advises keeping cables, plugs and leads in good condition and the workspace free of obstructions.