Document and spreadsheet workers
If you regularly compare files, spreadsheets and browser tools, a second display can give those windows their own space instead of requiring you to manage them all on a laptop screen.
Who is a second screen for?
Hybrid workers using a laptop
A display at home needs a connection your laptop can actually use. Check the laptop’s external-display support, available ports and charging requirements before planning a cable or one-cable desk setup.
Workers with limited desk space
In a small or shared workspace, consider where the second display will stand, how far away you can place it and whether a portable screen or compatible mounting arrangement would fit better.
What should you check before buying?
Start with the space you need on screen and at your desk, then establish a working video connection. Consider USB-C charging only after checking the laptop and monitor together.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Visible workspace | Compare screen size and resolution together. Check that the display fits the desk and that its shape suits the documents you use. | I want documents, spreadsheets or online tools visible alongside my main task without choosing a screen that crowds my desk. |
| Screen position | Check height and tilt adjustment, desk depth and viewing distance. The Health and Safety Executive advises placing the top of the screen at eye level, about an arm’s length away. | For long spells at one desk, I need to place the display in front of me rather than work around a stand that leaves it at the wrong height. |
| Video connection | Identify the laptop’s supported external-display output and the monitor’s input. Match the HDMI, DisplayPort or supported USB-C connection and the required cable or adapter. | My second screen needs to connect to the laptop I actually use, whether that means a direct cable or a compatible adapter. |
| USB-C desk setup | Confirm USB-C video support on the laptop, the monitor’s display input and its stated power-delivery wattage. Check which ports provide upstream laptop connection rather than downstream peripheral connection. | If I connect and disconnect a laptop at the same desk, I may want fewer separate cables—but only if the monitor can handle the display connection and my laptop’s charging needs. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming every USB-C port carries video and charging
USB-C describes the connector, not every function available through it. The Video Electronics Standards Association describes DisplayPort Alt Mode as a way to carry display video over USB-C; the laptop and connection must support the function you intend to use.
Check the exact laptop’s external-display documentation, the monitor’s USB-C input, its stated power delivery and the required cable before buying for a one-cable setup.
An incompatible connection can leave you needing a different cable or adapter, or a separate laptop charger.
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Choosing by screen diagonal alone
A screen’s size does not tell you its resolution, how it will fit on the desk or whether its stand can place it where you need it. Which? treats clarity, ports and ergonomic adjustment as separate monitor considerations.
Compare size with resolution, desk depth and the work you want visible at once.
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Leaving screen position until after purchase
The Health and Safety Executive advises positioning a workstation screen directly in front of you, with its top at eye level and the screen about an arm’s length away. The supplied stand may determine whether that position is practical at your desk.
Check the stand’s adjustments. If you plan to use an arm, confirm the exact monitor’s mounting pattern and weight alongside the arm’s capacity and desk attachment.
A separate riser or compatible arm may be needed if the supplied stand cannot achieve the required position.
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Treating any monitor USB-C port as a laptop input
A USB-C port intended for a peripheral is not interchangeable with a USB-C display input for a laptop. The port’s stated function matters more than its shape.
If you want video, charging and peripheral connections through the monitor, check the exact model’s upstream display connection, power-delivery rating and downstream ports separately.
Brands and model-specific features
These examples show why a brand name alone cannot settle the connection or positioning question: compare specifications for the exact model you are considering.
Dell
Dell’s Pro Plus range includes desk monitors with differing connection arrangements.
- Dell UK lists up to 90W power delivery for the Pro 24 Plus USB-C Hub Monitor P2425HE and the Pro 24 Plus 16:10 USB-C Hub Monitor P2425E.
- Those ratings belong to those models; check the ports and charging specification of any other Dell monitor separately.
BenQ
BenQ’s home-office range includes desk displays with physical positioning adjustments.
- BenQ UK specifies 110 mm height adjustment, two HDMI inputs and one DisplayPort 1.2 input for the GW2490T.
- That model’s published connection list does not establish a USB-C laptop-display or charging route; check the exact model if either function matters to you.
LG
LG’s business-monitor range includes desk displays with USB-C connectivity.
- LG UK specifies USB-C display and data transfer with charging up to 65W for the 27BA650-B.
- Compare that exact model’s charging rating and connections with your laptop; do not assume the same functions across LG monitors.
Joybuy second-screen options
These options include fixed desk monitors and portable second screens. Choose the format for your workspace, then check the exact laptop connection and screen position before deciding on a model.
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ASUS ZenScreen MB249C IPS USB-C
Consider this portable second-screen option if you need to reposition your display between workspaces. Check your laptop’s USB-C video support and charging requirements, and confirm the exact variant’s weight before relying on it for regular travel.
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BenQ MA270UP 27-inch 4K UHD Nano Glossy IPS USB-C monitor
For a fixed desk where you keep documents or windows open side by side, this is a 27-inch 4K UHD IPS option with a height-adjustable stand. Confirm USB-C video and charging suitability for your laptop, and check whether any Mac-specific functions you want apply to your computer.
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Dell P2425H 24-inch Full HD IPS monitor
For a regular desk setup, this 24-inch 1920 × 1080 monitor lists HDMI and DisplayPort alongside USB-C. Match the laptop to a supported video input; if you want USB-C video or laptop charging, confirm the exact USB-C port’s function rather than assuming it from the connector.
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ARZOPA A1M 17.3-inch Full HD portable monitor
For a temporary workspace, this 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display has a kickstand and lists USB-C and HDMI. Confirm which connection your laptop supports and whether the kickstand can place the screen appropriately where you work.
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UPERFECT 14-inch 60Hz portable touchscreen monitor
For a compact workspace, this 14-inch touchscreen option lists VESA mounting and a 180° adjustable stand. Check your laptop’s external-display output and the cable and power arrangement needed for your intended connection.
Questions about second screens
Will any USB-C port on my laptop work with a USB-C monitor?
No. USB-C is a connector type, not a guarantee of video output. Check your laptop manufacturer’s external-display guidance for a supported USB-C video mode, then confirm the monitor and cable support the connection; check charging separately if you want a one-cable setup.
Do I need a dock for a second screen?
Not if your laptop and monitor have a directly compatible display connection and you have a suitable cable. Consider a dock or adapter when you need to connect different ports or add peripherals, but check the laptop’s supported video output first: an adapter cannot make an unsupported port provide a display signal.
Where should I put a second screen for home work?
For a normal workstation setup, the Health and Safety Executive advises placing the screen directly in front of you, with its top at eye level and about an arm’s length away. Check whether the monitor stand, desk depth and your laptop arrangement let you achieve that position.
Does a home workstation need an assessment?
For workers using display screen equipment daily for continuous periods of an hour or more, the Health and Safety Executive says employers must assess the workstation; its guidance says display-screen rules can apply to home and hybrid workers. If that describes your work, check your employer’s assessment arrangements rather than treating a particular monitor specification as a substitute.