A side monitor is the unsung hero of a productive setup, the secondary display you turn vertically or angle beside your main screen for chat, docs, code, or reference material. It doesn’t need to be your flashiest panel, but the right size, refresh rate, and mounting flexibility make the difference between a cramped afterthought and a genuine workflow upgrade.
- Watch: Best Side Monitor — Video Review
- How to Choose the Best Side Monitor
- The Best Side Monitors Reviewed
- What to Look For in a Side Monitor
- Which One Should You Buy?
- Common Mistakes When Buying a Side Monitor
- Setting Up the Second Screen
- Related Guides
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
- Related Articles
- Related Guides
Below we cover how to choose a side monitor that complements rather than clashes with your primary display, then review a range of options from slim office panels to portable USB-C screens so you can find the ideal companion for your desk.
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Watch: Best Side Monitor — Video Review
How to Choose the Best Side Monitor
- Orientation and pivot: If you’ll rotate it vertical for code or documents, prioritize a stand or VESA mount that pivots cleanly.
- Bezel width: Thin, near-borderless bezels keep the seam between your main and side screen minimal and less distracting.
- Refresh rate: 100Hz to 180Hz keeps scrolling and cursor movement smooth even on a secondary panel; 60Hz is fine for pure text.
- Connectivity: Match the monitor’s inputs to your spare ports, USB-C is ideal for laptops, while HDMI/DisplayPort suit desktops.
- Size and desk fit: A 22″ to 24″ panel usually balances beside a larger main monitor without dominating the desk.
The Best Side Monitors Reviewed
MSI PRO MP242LE 24″
A superb everyday side monitor with a 4-side slim-bezel IPS panel, 100Hz refresh, adaptive sync, and both HDMI and DisplayPort. Its tilt stand and clean 1080p image make it an easy, affordable companion for almost any main display.
LG 27GS50F-B 27″ UltraGear
If your side screen doubles as a second gaming display, this 180Hz FHD panel with 1ms MBR, HDR10, and FreeSync delivers smooth motion and a virtually borderless three-side design that pairs neatly alongside a primary monitor.
Philips 241V8LB 24″
A no-nonsense FHD VA panel with 100Hz refresh and flicker-free, VESA-compatible design. It’s a dependable, budget-friendly pick for anyone who wants a simple, easy-on-the-eyes secondary screen for documents and browsing.
Sceptre E225W-FW144 22″
This compact 22″ FHD panel pushes up to 144Hz with HDMI, DisplayPort, and built-in speakers, making it a versatile little side display that fits tight desks while still handling fast content nicely.
VILVA 15.6″ Portable Monitor
For laptop users and flexible setups, this FHD IPS portable screen with USB-C and HDMI is the ultimate side monitor, light, single-cable, and easy to prop beside a laptop at home or on the road.
What to Look For in a Side Monitor
Size, Orientation and Physical Footprint
Screen dimensions matter more for a second display than for a main one. A 16:9 screen measures roughly 20.9 inches wide by 11.8 inches tall at 24 inches, and about 23.5 by 13.2 inches at 27 inches. Turned vertical, a 27 inch panel becomes more than 23 inches tall, which is hard to scan without moving your head. For portrait work, 22 to 24 inches is the more comfortable range. Check that the stand supports pivot, or that the monitor has VESA mounting holes (75x75mm or 100x100mm are standard) so an arm can rotate it.
Panel Type and Curvature
| Feature | Best for a side screen? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| IPS panel | Yes | Colors and brightness hold up at off-angle viewing |
| VA panel | Sometimes | Strong contrast, but color shifts when viewed from the side |
| Curved 1500R | Rarely | Curve looks awkward when rotated or angled |
| OLED | With caution | Static windows such as chat and docs raise burn-in concerns |
A curved screen like the 32 inch Sceptre works best as a primary display. As a side monitor, a flat IPS panel keeps text straight when you angle it.
Resolution and Pixel Density
Pixel density decides how crisp text looks. A 24 inch 1080p screen sits around 92 pixels per inch, a 27 inch 1080p screen drops to about 82, and a 27 inch 4K screen reaches about 163. The 16 inch 2560×1600 portable monitor lands near 189, which makes small fonts very sharp but may require scaling. Mixed pixel density across two screens is workable because Windows applies scaling per monitor, though windows can change size when dragged between them.
Refresh Rate and Matching Your Main Screen
A side monitor rarely needs a high refresh rate for chat or documents, so 60 to 100Hz is enough for most uses. If you want to run games on it, something like the 360Hz Alienware or the 240Hz ROG OLED makes sense. Try to match height and color tone with your main display. Different panel types can show visible color differences when placed beside each other.
Connections and Cable Layout
Check that your GPU has a free output for the second screen. A monitor with a USB-C input that can carry video and power over a single cable, found on many portable and productivity models, reduces desk clutter.
Which One Should You Buy?
| If you… | Choose… |
|---|---|
| Want a simple portrait-friendly screen for chat and docs | MSI PRO MP242LE or Philips 241V8LB |
| Want a gaming-capable 27 inch IPS beside your main screen | LG 27GS50F-B UltraGear |
| Need sharp text for coding or design | AOC U27B3A 4K |
| Play competitive games on both screens | Alienware AW2523HF or ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMGR |
| Have limited desk space or travel often | Upperizon 16 inch portable |
| Want the smallest, simplest option | Sceptre E225W-FW144 22 inch |
| Want a large, immersive second screen for media | Sceptre 32 inch curved |
Common Mistakes When Buying a Side Monitor
- Buying a monitor larger than your main screen. The mismatch makes cursor movement between them awkward.
- Choosing a curved panel for portrait use. The geometry works against a rotated screen.
- Ignoring the stand’s range. Without height adjustment, you will have to stack books or buy an arm.
- Forgetting your GPU outputs. Confirm the cable type and number of free ports before you buy.
- Overspending on refresh rate. A side display for reference material gains little from 240Hz or higher.
- Skipping scaling checks. A 4K screen next to a 1080p one needs per-monitor scaling set deliberately.
Setting Up the Second Screen
- Place the side monitor so its inner edge meets the main screen’s edge, and angle it slightly toward you.
- Match the top edge or the center height of both panels, so your eyes stay level as you look across.
- In Windows display settings, drag the monitor icons to match the real layout so the cursor crosses where you expect.
- Set the scaling for each screen separately, and rotate the display to portrait in the same settings page if you mount it vertically.
- Match brightness and color temperature as closely as you can using the on-screen menu.
If a game or video drops frames, drag the window to the main screen. Many setups run smoother when full-screen content stays on the primary display.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does a side monitor need to match my main one?
Not exactly, but matching approximate height and color temperature reduces eye strain. Thin bezels help the two blend regardless of brand.
Should I mount my side monitor vertically?
Vertical orientation is excellent for code, chat, and long documents. Choose a panel with a pivoting stand or VESA mount to enable it.
Is a portable monitor good as a side screen?
Yes, options like the VILVA 15.6″ are perfect for laptops, adding a second display over a single USB-C cable with no bulky stand.
Do I need high refresh on a secondary screen?
For text and reference, 60-100Hz is fine. If it doubles as a gaming or media display, panels like the LG 180Hz are worth it.
Final Thoughts
The best side monitor depends on your desk and workflow. For most people, the MSI PRO MP242LE offers the ideal blend of slim bezels, 100Hz smoothness, and value. Gamers who want a capable second screen should choose the LG 27GS50F-B, while laptop users and minimalists will love the portable VILVA 15.6″.
Top picks from this guide
AOCAOC 27 Inch Computer Monitor 4K UHD IPS HDR Built-in…$175 \xc2\xb7 99/100
ASUSASUS ROG XG27AQDMGR 27 Inch 1440p 240Hz Glossy OLED HDR…$399 \xc2\xb7 98/100
SceptreSceptre New 22-Inch Gaming Monitor, FHD 1080p, Up to 144Hz,…$65 \xc2\xb7 98/100
Philips Computer MonitorsPhilips 24 Inch Computer Monitor FHD 100Hz VA VESA Flicker-Free,…$80 \xc2\xb7 98/100
