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10 Best Second Monitor 2026 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Dell 32 Plus 4K Monitor - S3225QS - 31.5-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 120Hz 16:9 Display, VA Panel, AMD FreeSync Premium, 99% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3, 1500:1 Contrast Ratio, Comfortview Plus - Ash White

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,282
Screen Size
Refresh Rate
Panel Type

Most important from
1371 reviews

Screen Size
The 32-inch size strikes a perfect balance, offering ample workspace without requiring excessive head movement.
Refresh Rate
A 120Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution makes everyday navigation and productivity feel incredibly smooth and responsive, elevating the desktop experience.
Panel Type
The monitor offers brilliant colors and true blacks that make visuals truly pop, delivering an exceptional picture quality comparable to OLED displays.
Adjustability
The stand's full adjustability—including height, tilt, swivel, and rotation—ensures comfortable ergonomics for extended use.

The Dell 32 Plus 4K Monitor (S3225QS) is a strong choice if you want a large, sharp secondary screen. Its 31.5-inch size with a 3840 x 2160 (4K) resolution provides plenty of workspace and clear visuals, making it great for multitasking or detailed work. The VA panel gives good contrast (1500:1), so blacks look deep and colors pop, enhanced by wide color coverage (99% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3), which is a plus if you care about color accuracy for photos or videos. The monitor supports a refresh rate up to 120Hz with AMD FreeSync Premium, offering smooth motion that can benefit gaming or video playback, although the 0.03ms response time mentioned may be marketing-speak since VA panels usually have slightly slower response times than IPS panels.

Its matte screen surface helps reduce glare, improving comfort during long use. The ultra-thin bezels and ash white design give it a modern look that fits well in most setups. Dell’s ComfortView Plus technology reduces harmful blue light without dulling colors, which helps reduce eye strain over time. Sound quality has been improved compared to earlier versions, delivering richer audio if you rely on built-in speakers.

If you want a sharp, vibrant second monitor with smooth visuals and decent built-in audio, this Dell model is a solid pick, especially for work, media consumption, and casual gaming.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,282
Screen Size
Refresh Rate
Panel Type

Most important from
1371 reviews

Screen Size
The 32-inch size strikes a perfect balance, offering ample workspace without requiring excessive head movement.
Refresh Rate
A 120Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution makes everyday navigation and productivity feel incredibly smooth and responsive, elevating the desktop experience.
Panel Type
The monitor offers brilliant colors and true blacks that make visuals truly pop, delivering an exceptional picture quality comparable to OLED displays.
Adjustability
The stand's full adjustability—including height, tilt, swivel, and rotation—ensures comfortable ergonomics for extended use.
#2

LG ‎27GS93QE 27-inch Ultragear OLED Gaming Monitor QHD 1440p 240Hz 0.03ms DisplayHDR True Black 400 AMD FreeSync Premium Pro NVIDIA G-Sync HDMI 2.1 DisplayPort Tilt/Height/Pivot Stand Black

Rating
8.2
Refresh Rate
Connectivity

Most important from
804 reviews

Refresh Rate
The monitor's responsiveness and high refresh rate make it excellent for gaming, with a solid build quality and vibrant, crystal-clear picture.
Connectivity
Switching to a DisplayPort cable resolved any initial connectivity issues, resulting in an incredibly smooth performance.

The LG 27GS93QE 27-inch Ultragear OLED Gaming Monitor is a compelling choice for gamers and power users looking for a high-performance second monitor. Its 27-inch screen size with a QHD resolution (2560x1440 pixels) offers sharp and vibrant visuals, making it suitable for both gaming and professional use. The standout feature is the 240Hz refresh rate, ensuring ultra-smooth gameplay, paired with an impressive 0.03ms response time to virtually eliminate lag and motion blur, which is crucial for fast-paced games.

The OLED panel provides excellent color accuracy and deep blacks, enhanced by the VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification and a 1.5M:1 contrast ratio, delivering stunning visuals in dark scenes. Additionally, the monitor supports NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for a tear-free and stutter-free gaming experience. Connectivity options are robust with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, allowing for high-resolution and high-refresh-rate inputs. The monitor also features adjustability with height, tilt, and pivot options, ensuring ergonomic comfort during long gaming sessions or work hours.

The advanced features and performance come at a premium price, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers. Additionally, while the anti-glare screen is beneficial, some users might prefer higher brightness levels in very bright environments. This monitor is best suited for gamers and professionals who prioritize fast response times and superior image quality.

Rating
8.2
Refresh Rate
Connectivity

Most important from
804 reviews

Refresh Rate
The monitor's responsiveness and high refresh rate make it excellent for gaming, with a solid build quality and vibrant, crystal-clear picture.
Connectivity
Switching to a DisplayPort cable resolved any initial connectivity issues, resulting in an incredibly smooth performance.
#3

Philips New 24 inch Frameless Full HD (1920 x 1080) 100Hz Monitor, VESA, HDMI x1, VGA Port x1, Eye Care, 4 Year Advance Replacement Warranty, 241V8LB, Black

Rating
7.6
Resolution
Refresh Rate
Color Accuracy

Most important from
4853 reviews

Resolution
The Full HD display provides crisp, clear images that make everyday tasks enjoyable and efficient.
Refresh Rate
The 100Hz refresh rate delivers incredibly smooth visuals, enhancing both work sessions and casual gaming.
Color Accuracy
Colors appear bright and vivid, with a display that’s perfect for office work and casual use.

The Philips 24-inch 241V8LB is a solid choice if you're looking for a reliable second monitor with good image quality. Its 23.8-inch screen offers Full HD (1920x1080) resolution, which is sharp enough for everyday tasks like browsing, office work, and watching videos. The VA panel delivers deeper blacks and brighter whites compared to basic panels, helping images look more vivid and true to life. With a 100Hz refresh rate, it provides smoother motion than standard 60Hz monitors, which can be nice even if you're not gaming. The wide 178-degree viewing angles mean colors stay consistent even when you’re not looking straight at the screen.

Connectivity options include one HDMI and one VGA port, covering most common setups, though it might feel limited if you want multiple modern devices connected at once. The screen is nearly borderless on three sides, making it easier to use alongside other monitors without bulky edges in the way. The monitor has a glossy screen surface, which can reflect light and cause glare in bright rooms. The included EasyRead mode is a nice touch for reducing eye strain during long document reading sessions, especially useful for office use. The 4-year advance replacement warranty adds peace of mind.

This monitor is a great pick for office workers or casual users looking to expand screen space with decent color and smooth visuals, but it may not be ideal if you want ultra-high resolution or extensive ergonomic options.

Rating
7.6
Resolution
Refresh Rate
Color Accuracy

Most important from
4853 reviews

Resolution
The Full HD display provides crisp, clear images that make everyday tasks enjoyable and efficient.
Refresh Rate
The 100Hz refresh rate delivers incredibly smooth visuals, enhancing both work sessions and casual gaming.
Color Accuracy
Colors appear bright and vivid, with a display that’s perfect for office work and casual use.

Buying Guide for the Best Second Monitor

Choosing a second monitor can significantly enhance your productivity, gaming experience, or creative work. The right monitor can provide you with more screen real estate, better image quality, and a more comfortable viewing experience. To make an informed decision, it's important to understand the key specifications and how they align with your specific needs. Here are the main specs to consider when selecting a second monitor.
Screen SizeScreen size refers to the diagonal measurement of the monitor's display area, usually in inches. This spec is important because it affects how much content you can see at once and how comfortable it is to view. Smaller screens (20-24 inches) are suitable for basic tasks and limited desk space. Medium screens (25-27 inches) offer a good balance for most users, providing ample space for multitasking without overwhelming your desk. Larger screens (28 inches and above) are ideal for gaming, design work, or if you need to view multiple windows simultaneously. Choose a size that fits your workspace and meets your viewing needs.
ResolutionResolution indicates the number of pixels on the screen, typically represented as width x height (e.g., 1920x1080). Higher resolution means more detail and sharper images. Common resolutions include Full HD (1920x1080), which is sufficient for general use and basic gaming. QHD (2560x1440) offers more detail and is great for multitasking and professional work. 4K (3840x2160) provides the highest detail and is ideal for video editing, graphic design, and high-end gaming. Choose a resolution that matches your primary use case and ensures text and images are clear and crisp.
Refresh RateRefresh rate is the number of times the monitor updates with new information per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). This spec is crucial for smooth motion in videos and games. Standard monitors have a refresh rate of 60Hz, which is adequate for everyday tasks and casual gaming. Higher refresh rates, such as 120Hz, 144Hz, or even 240Hz, are beneficial for competitive gaming and fast-paced action, providing smoother and more responsive visuals. Choose a refresh rate that aligns with your activities; higher rates are particularly important for gamers.
Panel TypePanel type affects the monitor's color accuracy, viewing angles, and response time. The main types are TN (Twisted Nematic), IPS (In-Plane Switching), and VA (Vertical Alignment). TN panels are affordable and have fast response times, making them suitable for gaming, but they have poorer color accuracy and viewing angles. IPS panels offer excellent color reproduction and wide viewing angles, ideal for creative work and general use. VA panels provide good contrast and color, with better viewing angles than TN but slower response times than IPS. Choose a panel type based on your priority: speed for gaming, color accuracy for creative work, or a balance for general use.
ConnectivityConnectivity refers to the types of ports available on the monitor, which determine how you can connect it to your computer and other devices. Common ports include HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, and VGA. HDMI and DisplayPort are widely used for high-definition video and audio. USB-C can transmit video, audio, and power, making it versatile for modern laptops. VGA is older and less common but still found on some devices. Ensure the monitor has the necessary ports to connect to your computer and any other peripherals you plan to use.
AdjustabilityAdjustability refers to the monitor's ability to tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust in height. This spec is important for ergonomic comfort, allowing you to position the monitor at the optimal viewing angle to reduce strain on your neck and eyes. Basic monitors may only offer tilt adjustment, while more advanced models provide full adjustability. If you spend long hours in front of the screen, look for a monitor with good adjustability to ensure a comfortable and healthy setup.
Color AccuracyColor accuracy is the monitor's ability to display colors as they are intended to be seen. This is crucial for tasks that require precise color representation, such as photo editing, video production, and graphic design. Monitors with higher color accuracy often support wider color gamuts (e.g., sRGB, Adobe RGB) and may be factory-calibrated. If accurate color representation is important for your work, look for monitors with high color accuracy and consider those that come with calibration tools or are pre-calibrated.

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