Choose a dedicated monitor if you regularly need documents, messages and applications visible together at a fixed desk. An existing TV may serve as an occasional second screen if you can connect and position it comfortably; a portable monitor makes more sense when the screen needs to travel. Whichever display you choose, check the laptop’s video output, the display’s input and the space available before ordering.
If you routinely compare documents, spreadsheets, messages and browser tabs, a fixed second display gives you somewhere to keep them visible instead of repeatedly switching windows. Which? identifies computer multitasking as a reason to consider a second monitor.
If you move a laptop between home and office, a USB-C monitor may simplify reconnecting it. Confirm the laptop’s USB-C video capability and charging requirements first: the connector alone does not establish what one cable can do.
If a permanent desktop screen will not fit, or you need to carry a second display with your laptop, consider a portable monitor. Check that its screen area is sufficient for the documents you use together.
For home or hybrid laptop work, establish how a second screen will connect before deciding whether a permanent desk display, a screen you can carry or an existing TV suits the way you work.
Choose it when: You regularly need a separate workspace for documents and messages at a fixed desk.
Allow for: Permanent desk space and a stand that lets you position the screen comfortably.
Consider it when: You need occasional extra screen space and can connect the laptop to a suitably positioned TV.
Check first: A TV’s size and viewing distance may make close document work awkward; try reading text on it before relying on it daily.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop connection | Match the laptop’s documented video output to the display input and intended cable or adapter. For USB-C video, check for a supported mode such as DisplayPort Alt Mode. | If the display cannot receive video from my laptop, its size and other features will not help me work across windows. Around 38% of consumers put connection compatibility first. |
| Desk workspace | Check screen and stand dimensions against desk width and depth, then look at the height and angle adjustments you need. | When documents stay open for long sessions, I need enough usable screen space without crowding the desk or leaving the display awkwardly placed. For roughly 37% of consumers, comfortable fixed-desk workspace is the primary concern. |
| Portability and clutter | For a travelling screen, check its size and connection requirements. For fewer desk cables, confirm USB-C video support and any required laptop charging power. | If I change work locations or have little room to leave a screen set up, easy movement and reconnection matter more to me than a large permanent panel. About 25% of consumers prioritise portability or a less cluttered setup. |
A USB-C connector does not, by itself, establish that a laptop can send a picture to a monitor. The Video Electronics Standards Association describes DisplayPort Alt Mode as a video route for devices that support it.
Check the exact laptop port, monitor input and required cable. If you also want laptop charging, compare the monitor’s stated power delivery with the laptop’s requirements.
A screen can provide extra display area yet still be difficult to place on a shallow desk. For regular use, the stand footprint and available adjustment matter alongside screen size.
Measure the intended position and check dimensions with the stand, as well as height, tilt, swivel or pivot adjustment where relevant.
A different stand, monitor arm or desk arrangement may be needed if the supplied setup cannot place the screen comfortably.
The Health and Safety Executive says home display-screen work should be considered as part of the worker’s workstation arrangements; it does not instruct every home worker to buy a second monitor.
If you are an employee using display-screen equipment for long periods at home or across home and office, ask your employer about its assessment and equipment arrangements before buying for work.
A cancellation option will not prevent disruption if the display, cable or stand does not suit your setup. Rights for changing your mind about an eligible online purchase also differ from remedies for faulty or misdescribed goods.
Confirm ports and desk measurements before ordering, then inspect and test the display promptly. GOV.UK sets out the applicable online cancellation rules; check their deadlines and conditions for your purchase.
Dell’s P Series includes desktop monitors relevant to a fixed home-office setup with varied connection needs.
BenQ’s GW2785TC is an example of a home-office monitor combining USB-C connectivity with an adjustable stand.
LG positions its Ergo range around adjustable screen placement, which may be useful where desk positioning is the main constraint.
Samsung’s business-monitor catalogue includes conventional, ultrawide, USB-C or Thunderbolt, and ergonomic display options.
ThinkVision covers both desktop USB-C monitors and portable screens for workers who move with a laptop.
These monitors cover fixed-desk and portable second-screen setups. Compare each one with your laptop’s documented output and the space where you will use it; an existing TV remains another option if it meets those needs.
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Consider this for a permanent second screen beside a laptop when you regularly work across documents.
The product name identifies a WQHD IPS display. If you plan to connect and charge through USB-C, confirm video compatibility and the charging power required by your laptop before ordering.
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Consider this larger fixed-desk screen if its dimensions suit the place where you will read and arrange work windows.
The product name specifies a 3840 × 2160 OLED display and a 65W Type-C port. Confirm whether the intended Type-C connection carries video from your laptop, and measure the space needed for the screen and stand.
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Consider the ultrawide format if you want to arrange work windows across one fixed-desk display and have room for it.
The product name specifies 3440 × 1440 resolution, two HDMI inputs and two DisplayPort 1.4 inputs. Check the full dimensions with its stand and match your laptop’s output to the intended input.
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This is another fixed-desk option to assess if you want a larger separate screen for documents and applications.
The product name specifies a 31.5-inch IPS display and built-in speakers. Check the monitor’s actual dimensions and stand clearance, as well as the connection your laptop will use.
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Consider this portable second-screen route if you move between work locations and do not want to leave a desktop monitor set up.
The product name specifies FHD resolution. Confirm that your laptop supports the USB-C video connection needed for this screen, and consider whether a compact display gives you enough room for your usual documents.
No: USB-C describes the connector, not a guarantee of video output. Check the laptop’s technical specification for a supported video mode, such as DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt, and confirm that the monitor input and cable match.
Yes, if the TV and laptop can be connected through HDMI or a suitable video adapter and the resulting setup works at your desk. Which? describes connecting a laptop to a TV and extending its display; check text readability and viewing distance before making it your regular work screen.
Not automatically. The Health and Safety Executive says display-screen arrangements for qualifying home or hybrid work should be assessed according to individual needs, rather than treating a second monitor as a purchase every worker must make. If you are an employee, ask your employer about its assessment and equipment arrangements.
Check promptly whether it connects to your laptop and fits the intended desk. GOV.UK describes a limited cancellation right for eligible online purchases when you change your mind; its deadlines and conditions differ from the remedies available for faulty or misdescribed goods. Keep the order details and check the rules that apply to your purchase.