A second monitor can make a desk feel dramatically more capable, but where you place that screen matters almost as much as adding it. The two most common layouts are stacked monitors, where one display sits above another, and side-by-side monitors, where the screens sit next to each other horizontally.
Neither layout is automatically better. The right choice depends on how often you use each screen, how much desk width you have, what software you use, your preferred viewing position, and whether your second display is a primary workspace or a supporting screen.
Stacked vs Side-by-Side Monitors: Quick Answer
Side-by-side monitors are usually the more natural choice when you use both displays frequently, because you can move your eyes and head horizontally between equally important screens. They work especially well for spreadsheets, design work, research, editing, and workflows where two windows need to be compared constantly.
A stacked monitor setup is often better when desk width is limited or when the upper screen is mainly used for secondary information such as chat, dashboards, documentation, reference material, monitoring tools, or streaming controls. Stacking screens uses vertical space instead of spreading two monitors across the desk.
If both monitors are equally important throughout the day, side-by-side is generally easier to use. If one monitor is clearly primary and the second is checked only periodically, stacking them can create a compact and efficient workstation.
Stacked Monitors vs Side-by-Side at a Glance
The fastest way to choose between the two layouts is to look at how they affect your desk, posture, and workflow.
| Factor | Stacked Monitors | Side-by-Side Monitors |
|---|---|---|
| Desk Width | Excellent for narrow desks | Requires more horizontal space |
| Vertical Space | Requires room above the primary display | Uses little additional vertical space |
| Primary + Secondary Workflow | Excellent | Excellent |
| Equal Use of Both Screens | Less ideal | Usually more natural |
| Head Movement | More vertical movement | More horizontal movement |
| Coding | Excellent for code + documentation | Excellent for two active applications |
| Spreadsheets | Good | Excellent |
| Streaming | Excellent for game + chat/OBS | Excellent |
| Gaming | Great when upper screen is secondary | Great for gaming + browser/Discord |
| Video Editing | Great for preview or scopes above | Great for timeline + preview |
| Small Workspace | Excellent | Can be difficult |
| Mount Requirements | Usually needs a taller arm or vertical stand | Standard dual arms are widely available |
| Cable Management | Can be very clean with a vertical arm | Easy but cables spread across more desk width |
| Laptop Workstation | Useful for monitor-above-laptop layouts | Ideal for laptop + portable monitor |
What Are Stacked Monitors?
Stacked monitors are two or more displays positioned vertically, with one screen above another. In a typical dual stacked monitor setup, the lower screen acts as the primary display while the upper monitor handles supporting information.
This arrangement is especially useful when a desk does not have enough width for two conventional desktop monitors. Instead of extending the workstation sideways, vertically stacked monitors use the space above your main screen.
A stacked monitor setup is commonly used by developers, streamers, traders, editors, researchers, and people who keep dashboards or communication apps visible throughout the day.
Common Stacked Monitor Layouts
- Two identical monitors: one directly above the other.
- Ultrawide + secondary monitor: a large primary screen below with a smaller screen above.
- Laptop + upper monitor: a laptop at desk level with an external screen mounted above it.
- Desktop monitor + portable monitor: a lightweight secondary display used above, beside, or below a main monitor.
If you want a deeper hardware-focused installation guide, see our guide to stacking monitors.
What Are Side-by-Side Monitors?
A side-by-side setup places two monitors next to each other on the same horizontal plane. It is the traditional dual monitor configuration found in offices, gaming rooms, trading desks, design studios, and home workspaces.
The biggest advantage is that both screens can remain at a similar viewing height. This makes side-by-side monitors particularly useful when you regularly move between two equally important applications.
For example, a writer might keep a document on one screen and research on the other. A designer can place a creative application on the primary display and references or asset libraries on the second. A spreadsheet user can compare two data sets without stacking windows.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Having Monitors Next to Each Other?
Having monitors next to each other is popular because the layout is familiar, easy to configure, and works well when both displays are actively used. However, it also requires more desk width and can create unnecessary side-to-side movement if the screens are positioned too far apart.
Pros of Side-by-Side Monitors
- Both screens remain at a similar height. This can make frequent switching between displays feel more natural.
- Ideal for comparison tasks. Documents, spreadsheets, images, timelines, browser windows, and dashboards can be viewed simultaneously.
- Easy to configure. Many dual-monitor arms and stands are designed primarily for horizontal layouts.
- Good for wide applications. Users working with editing timelines, large spreadsheets, analytics tools, or several browser windows often benefit from horizontal space.
- Flexible primary-screen positioning. You can center one display and angle the secondary screen inward, or center the gap between two equally important screens.
Cons of Side-by-Side Monitors
- Requires more desk width. Two 24-inch or 27-inch displays can occupy a substantial portion of a small desk.
- Can create excessive lateral head movement. This becomes more noticeable with large screens placed far apart.
- The center bezel can be distracting. If both displays are centered equally, the gap between them may sit directly in front of you.
- Cables and monitor bases can consume workspace. A monitor arm can help recover some of this desk area.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Stacked Monitors?
Stacking monitors solves a different problem. Instead of maximizing horizontal workspace, it creates a compact workstation that separates a main task from secondary information.
Benefits of Stacked Monitors
- Saves horizontal desk space. This is especially useful for small desks, bedrooms, apartments, dorm rooms, and compact offices.
- Creates clear screen roles. You can keep your primary application directly in front of you and move supporting information to the upper display.
- Works well for monitoring information. Chat windows, system statistics, dashboards, email, video previews, documentation, or stream controls can stay visible without occupying the main display.
- Can reduce horizontal visual clutter. The workstation stays narrower and leaves more room beside the displays.
- Useful for specialized workflows. Streamers, developers, editors, and traders often have information they need visible but do not need to look at continuously.
Drawbacks of Stacked Monitors
- The upper display can be too high. Poor mounting can force repeated upward head movement.
- Equal screen usage can become uncomfortable. If you spend half your time looking at the upper screen, a horizontal configuration may feel more natural.
- A suitable mount may be required. Standard monitor stands may not offer enough vertical adjustment.
- Large screens can create excessive vertical height. Stacking two very large monitors may place the top portion of the upper screen too high.
- Cable routing needs planning. The upper monitor requires enough cable length without leaving wires hanging across the workstation.
How to Set Up Stacked Monitors Correctly
A good stacked monitor setup is not simply two screens placed on top of each other. The primary display, viewing height, angle, mount, operating-system layout, and cable path should all work together.
Step 1: Decide Which Monitor Is Primary
Your primary monitor should contain the application you spend the most time looking at. In most vertically stacked monitor setups, the primary display belongs on the bottom because it can remain closer to a natural forward viewing position.
Step 2: Check the Monitor Size and Mount
Confirm that your monitor arm or vertical stand supports the size and weight of both displays. If you are using VESA mounting, check the mounting pattern and weight capacity before installation.
Step 3: Position the Main Monitor First
Set up the primary monitor before adding the second. The main screen should be directly in front of your working position rather than forcing your body to rotate toward it.
Step 4: Place the Secondary Monitor Above It
Mount the second monitor as close to the primary display as the hardware allows while maintaining safe clearance. A large gap between screens increases the amount of eye and head movement required.
Step 5: Tilt the Upper Display Downward
The upper screen is often easier to view when it is angled slightly toward your seated position. The ideal angle depends on monitor size, chair height, desk depth, and viewing distance.
Step 6: Match the Digital Display Arrangement
After connecting both screens, open your computer's display settings and arrange the virtual monitor icons so they match the physical setup.
Step 7: Assign a Purpose to Each Screen
- Bottom: code editor / Top: documentation
- Bottom: game / Top: Discord and stream controls
- Bottom: video timeline / Top: preview window
- Bottom: primary spreadsheet / Top: dashboard
- Bottom: writing / Top: research
Step 8: Test the Setup During Real Work
A monitor layout can feel comfortable for five minutes but frustrating after several hours. Use your normal applications and pay attention to how often you raise your head, move your chair, or lean forward.
Stacked vs Side-by-Side Monitors: Which Setup Is More Ergonomic?
There is no universally ergonomic winner. What matters most is whether the displays are positioned around how you actually use them.
The primary screen should normally remain directly in front of your working position, with the main viewing area around eye level or slightly below.
When Side-by-Side Is Usually More Comfortable
If you use both monitors continuously, side-by-side often makes more sense because both displays can stay at approximately the same height.
When Stacked Monitors Make Sense Ergonomically
A stacked setup works particularly well when the upper screen is genuinely secondary. You might look at it to check a message, read documentation, monitor a dashboard, preview video, or glance at a stream chat.
The Most Important Question: How Often Do You Use the Second Screen?
Instead of asking whether vertical or horizontal monitors are inherently better, ask: How many minutes per hour do I actively work on the second display?
If the answer is “almost constantly,” keep both screens close to the same comfortable height. If the answer is “occasionally,” an upper secondary monitor becomes much more practical.
Which Monitor Setup Is Best for Your Workflow?
| User / Workflow | Recommended Layout | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Programmer | Stacked or side-by-side | Stack code and documentation vertically, or use two active development windows horizontally. |
| Streamer | Stacked | Keep gameplay centered while chat, OBS, alerts, and dashboards remain visible above. |
| Trader | Stacked or multi-monitor grid | Useful for persistent charts, alerts, news, and secondary dashboards. |
| Video Editor | Either | A top monitor can hold preview or scopes, while side-by-side provides more horizontal space. |
| Graphic Designer | Side-by-side | Both displays can remain at similar height for frequent comparison and reference work. |
| Writer / Researcher | Side-by-side or stacked | Use one screen for writing and another for research, notes, or source material. |
| Spreadsheet User | Side-by-side | Horizontal workspace is particularly useful for comparing data and multiple workbooks. |
| Gamer | Either | Keep the game on the main screen and use the second for Discord, guides, music, or streaming tools. |
| Remote Worker | Depends on desk size | Side-by-side works well on a large desk; stacking or a portable monitor fits compact spaces. |
| Laptop User | Portable side screen or monitor above laptop | Creates additional workspace without requiring a permanent desktop configuration. |
For more configuration ideas, see our best dual monitor setups for home office.
Can You Put a Second Monitor Above a Laptop?
Yes. A second monitor above a laptop can be a useful compact setup, particularly when the external screen becomes your primary work display and the laptop screen is used for communication, notes, music, or secondary applications.
Option 1: External Monitor Above, Laptop Below
This works well when the external monitor is the primary screen. Raising the larger display helps create a desktop-style working position, while the laptop stays open underneath.
Avoid positioning the external monitor excessively high just to clear the laptop screen. The goal is to create extra workspace without making the upper display uncomfortable to view.
Option 2: Laptop and Portable Monitor Side by Side
For many laptop users, this is the simpler configuration. A portable monitor can sit beside the laptop at roughly the same height, creating a dual-screen workspace without a permanent monitor arm.
This arrangement is especially practical for hybrid work, travel, temporary desks, coworking spaces, and users who frequently move their workstation.
If you are building a laptop-based workspace, read our laptop second screen setup guide .
Do You Need Two Full-Size Desktop Monitors?
Not necessarily. A portable monitor can be a more flexible second screen when you want additional workspace without permanently filling your desk with another large monitor and stand.
A lightweight secondary screen can sit beside a laptop during normal work, move into a vertical secondary position, or serve as a supporting display for chat, documents, dashboards, editing controls, and gaming tools.
This approach is particularly useful if you alternate between working at home and traveling. Instead of maintaining completely different multi-monitor setups, the same portable screen can move with your laptop.
Not sure which screen size or resolution fits your setup? See our portable monitor buying guide .
Watch: How to Set Up an ARZOPA Portable Monitor
The video below demonstrates portable monitor connections and extended-display workflows for laptops and other compatible devices.
If you plan to run multiple portable screens from one computer, see how to connect two portable monitors to a laptop .
How to Configure a Dual Monitor Setup in Windows
Physical monitor placement is only half of the setup. The arrangement in your operating system should match what is actually on your desk.
- Connect both displays to your computer.
- Open Settings > System > Display.
- Use Identify to determine which screen corresponds to each display number.
- Drag the display icons until they match the physical arrangement on your desk.
- For stacked monitors, position one display icon directly above the other.
- For side-by-side monitors, place the icons horizontally in the same left/right order as your physical screens.
- Select the screen you want to use as your main display.
- Use Extend these displays when you want additional workspace instead of mirrored content.
- Move your pointer across the screen boundaries to confirm the digital layout feels natural.
Common Dual Monitor Setup Mistakes to Avoid
1. Centering Yourself Between Two Screens You Do Not Use Equally
If one monitor contains your primary work, that screen should usually be the visual center of the workstation. The secondary monitor can then be angled toward you.
2. Placing the Upper Monitor Too High
Higher is not automatically better. Keep the vertical gap small enough that moving between screens does not require exaggerated head movement.
3. Using Two Large Monitors on a Desk That Is Too Shallow
Monitor size, desk depth, and viewing distance should be considered together.
4. Ignoring Screen Roles
Decide which applications belong on which screen so the second display reduces window switching instead of creating more visual clutter.
5. Choosing a Layout Only Because It Looks Good
Test the layout during a real workday before permanently mounting the screens.
6. Forgetting About Laptop Mobility
If you frequently leave your desk with a laptop, a portable second display may be more practical than a permanently mounted second desktop monitor.
Stacked Monitors vs Side-by-Side: Which One Should You Choose?
Choose side-by-side monitors when:
- You use both screens frequently.
- You compare applications or documents throughout the day.
- You have enough desk width.
- You work heavily with spreadsheets, design tools, timelines, or multiple active windows.
- You prefer keeping your displays at roughly the same height.
Choose stacked monitors when:
- Your desk is narrow.
- One screen is clearly your primary display.
- The second screen is mostly used for reference or monitoring.
- You stream, code, edit video, monitor dashboards, or keep chat visible.
- You want to use vertical space instead of expanding the workstation sideways.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stacked and Side-by-Side Monitors
1. Is it better to stack monitors or put them side by side?
Side-by-side is usually better if you use both monitors frequently because both screens can remain at a similar viewing height. Stacked monitors are particularly useful when desk width is limited or the upper screen is mainly used for secondary information.
2. What are the pros and cons of having monitors next to each other?
The main advantages are easy comparison between applications, similar screen heights, simple mounting, and a wide desktop workspace. The disadvantages include greater desk-width requirements and more side-to-side movement with large screens.
3. Are stacked monitors bad for your neck?
Not necessarily. The key issue is how high the upper monitor is positioned and how often you use it. A stacked setup works best when the lower display is your primary screen and the upper display is checked periodically.
4. How do you set up two stacked monitors?
Position the primary monitor first, install a suitable vertical monitor arm or stand, place the secondary monitor above it, angle the upper display toward your seated position, and match the arrangement in your operating system's display settings.
5. Can you put a second monitor above a laptop?
Yes. An external or portable monitor can be positioned above a laptop to create a compact two-screen workstation. Keep the upper display at a comfortable height and use the laptop for supporting applications.
6. What size monitors are best for a stacked setup?
There is no single ideal size. Medium-sized displays are generally easier to stack than very large screens because the total vertical height remains more manageable. Desk depth, viewing distance, stand adjustment, and monitor weight also matter.
7. Is a stacked monitor setup good for gaming?
Yes. A common gaming setup keeps the game on the lower primary screen while the upper monitor shows Discord, stream chat, OBS, guides, hardware monitoring, music, or other supporting tools.
Final Verdict: Build Around Your Workflow, Not the Trend
The debate over stacked monitors vs side-by-side monitors does not have one universal winner. What matters is matching the physical layout to the way you actually divide attention between your screens.
Side-by-side remains a strong general-purpose layout when two monitors receive similar amounts of attention. Stacking monitors becomes especially useful when desk width is limited or when one screen serves as a supporting information display.
Before buying a new mount or rebuilding your desk, identify your primary screen, list the applications you want visible on the second display, and think about how frequently you need to look at them.
If you want extra screen space without committing to another permanent desktop display, an ARZOPA portable monitor gives you more flexibility to build a dual-screen workspace around your desk, laptop, and daily workflow.
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