Using multiple screens has been a trend for quite some time led by programmers, productivity experts, and monitor manufacturers. Since having more screen space is good, should we then go beyond two monitors and consider using three monitors (or more) for our work tasks?

Two monitors are often enough. You can work on your main tasks on one monitor, and use the second monitor as a ‘utility’ screen to support your tasks. A third monitor screen can be helpful but is often unnecessary, especially if it distracts you, or if it is left idle and not actively utilized.

Two monitors are great, but I personally prefer pairing one monitor with my laptop. 

This is because I work remotely and if I were to rely heavily on a multi-monitor setup to get things done, I will encounter a problem with mobility.

I want to work from coffee shops and cafes, and even while I am traveling – but it is hard to unplug my monitors from my desk setup and toss them into my good-to-go bag.

As a general principle, if you value a location-independent lifestyle, or at least not being desk-bound while you work, you want to consider work-functionality in different remote working scenarios from the very beginning, right at the point of purchasing any technology or tool for your home office.

Do you really need to purchase a second or even a third monitor? Can you use the least amount of gadgets with the greatest amount of function to get things done?

More screen area is not necessarily better. But how should you decide on your personal setup – how many monitors truly meet your needs? There are a few factors.

2 vs 3 monitors for productivity

Is using multiple screens beneficial? Absolutely. If you only have one screen, you have to deal with a limited screen area. You may often end up resizing, minimizing, closing, and reopening your windows, in order to fit all of your applications on one screen. So, having multiple screens can save you from such time and trouble.

Sometimes, in addition to a laptop and a monitor, you might prefer to have a second monitor or even a third one. This is perfectly fine if you have the budget and desk space.

However, if managed poorly, using multiple monitors will backfire on you and destroy your productivity.

To decide between two or three monitors for productivity, consider these factors:

• How much total screen real estate do you need? If you need to view plenty of information and details on your screens at once, more screens are better. 
• How many full-screen programs do you normally run? If you run 1 or 2 full-screen programs regularly, you can use multiple monitors to display a different application on each screen. So two or three monitors may be a great idea to keep your apps full screen.
• Do you need to do monitoring work? A second or third monitor can be used to keep an eye on communications feeds, without being forced to switch tabs.
• Will you be more distracted by more screens? Three screens can create more visual stimuli, clutter, and distraction.
• Can you afford additional monitors? Cost is an issue if you are short on budget.
• Can your desk fit all your monitors? If you work on a small desk and are not planning to mount your monitors above your desk, there may be an obvious issue. Measure how much desk space you need for two monitors or more.

The first three questions are the most important. They relate to your workflow and how many screens would be best to complete your work efficiently.

In terms of the last three questions, they relate to the drawbacks of going beyond 1-2 monitors. No doubt, using 3 monitors has its drawbacks, which we will take a closer look at.

This article was originally published on unboundist.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner.

Is it worth having 3 monitors?

Some users prefer to use three monitors in order to power up their desk tech and become ultra-productive. While this can work, it can also be unnecessary. Before you invest, consider these drawbacks and then decide if three monitors are worth it.

Using three monitors will result in an increase in visual clutter on your screens, as well as increased costs and usage of desk space. You may also find it hard to view three screens simultaneously, without strain. While there are some productivity benefits, the drawbacks can cancel them out.

3 monitors cause more visual clutter

More screens lead to more visual clutter. Visual clutter is the disorderly state of things that you see.

Visual clutter can confuse your brain, as the brain is very sensitive to stimuli in its environment. Your brain has its filtering mechanisms working in the background. Its filters work to block out extraneous signals, so that you can concentrate on a primary task. According to studies, the brain casts irrelevant signals aside, blocking out such stimuli before the information reaches the visual cortex. 

When you display many apps and programs on multiple screens, you are stressing your brain out by making it work harder to block out distracting stimuli. 

Your brain has to work harder to focus on the relevant information while filtering out the extraneous visual data.

Large desk required for triple monitor setup

Having 3 regular 22” monitors would require the use of a desk that is at least 66-70 inches, to comfortably place your monitors without them hanging off the edge of your desk. You can tilt the leftmost and rightmost monitor by angling them towards you, but this still calls for a rather large desk (if you choose not to mount your monitors).

3 monitors result in more costs

An additional monitor is an additional cost. 

Besides requiring a serious amount of desk space, powering 3 monitors at once can affect your electricity bill.

Third monitor may not be utilized

You do not know, for sure, whether you really need the third monitor, and how essential it will actually become. For some people, their third monitor ends up as more of an idle screen that is not actively utilized. 

Even if you need to run many applications, consider that you may keep many applications hidden in the background. Only some windows need to be visible while others can be hidden 80% of the time. You may utilize less screen space than you think you need. 

If you are not absolutely sure, you will not want to take the risk of buying a third monitor, unless you easily have the budget and space for it. 

3 monitors pose more risks to wellbeing

Using 3 monitors at once can result in more frequent neck rotations, and at a more severe angle. It is an ergonomic challenge.

As a result, you can give yourself a build-up of shoulder and neck pain. 

One alternative is to simply sit further away from your screens. But this requires you to have a large desk (with a large depth) so that you can place your monitors further away, at the very back of your desk. Otherwise, you would need an external platform in front of you, such as a keyboard tray, so that you can still use your desk while seated further away.

A better option might be to use your mobile phone or tablet as a complementary device, instead of an extra monitor. Although they are smaller, they can serve as secondary displays, helpful for tasks like scheduling, notes referral, and research.

Are 2 monitors enough?

Perhaps by now, you are convinced that three monitors are often overkill. You want to start off with fewer monitors. 

If you can only afford two monitors, how would you know they are sufficient? 

Two monitors double your workspace and give you plenty of screen space. Unless you are working on specialized tasks that require tiny windows and fine details (such as video editing), you can display numerous programs on two monitors, and multitask well without needing a third monitor.

Just two regular 22-inch monitors are adequate for most people. 

With two 22-inch monitors, there is plenty of space to display a full-width application on one monitor, and snap 2-3 programs side by side on the other monitor. Overall, displaying 3-4 programs at once is usually workable.

To truly decide if two monitors are sufficient for you, you won’t go wrong by following these steps:

1. Identify all apps you need to use for work. These are programs that you use for work on a daily basis. Open them.
2. Display these apps at the best size. On your current computer, figure out the minimum display width of each app for your best viewing needs – your apps do not require resizing at this display width.
3. Measure the ideal display width of each app. Use a ruler or measuring tape for this step. (Yes, you want to be precise.)
4. Organize your apps into two separate displays. Imagine you have a second monitor screen. What apps will you organize into your primary screen, and which apps would go into your second screen? (If you use a Mac laptop, you can use virtual desktops for this step.)
5. Figure out which apps you need visible. What apps can you leave hidden instead of keeping them in your view at all times?
6. Display only the apps you need on both monitors. Leave the apps you do not need to view hidden. Know exactly what apps to display on your two separate displays at any given time, at their best width.
7. Estimate the ideal size of your second monitor. At this point, you will be able to tell how wide your second monitor must be, to comfortably display all your essential apps. If the size you need is beyond 27 inches, you might need an ultrawide monitor as your second monitor, or you might need three separate screens instead of two.
8. Determine if two monitor screens are sufficient. At this point, are there other essential apps that you cannot fit on two screens? 
9. Consider a third monitor screen if necessary. Determine if you require a third monitor screen. If you require it, you will know exactly what you are using it for — the app(s) you will be displaying on your third screen.

Is it better to have 2 monitors or one big one?

Lastly, do you need two monitors? If you are truly minimalist and want to hack your way into productivity, you may wonder if you need two monitors or can simply use one large monitor.

Most workers perform better with two monitors compared to one. In an office environment, research has found that two smaller monitors (17 inches) are preferred to one larger monitor (22 inches).

Thus, if you can afford two monitors and have the desk space for them, it is good to start out with two monitors.

You could also just use one laptop and one monitor. This pairing can do wonders for your productivity.

Final Notes

Last but not least, I should mention that you could try to improve your workflow before upgrading your setup. Use the snap feature on Windows laptops and Macbooks to display apps side by side. Make the best of one screen before deciding that you must invest in another monitor. Observe how your productivity goes.

If you must have a second or even a third screen, do consider these monitor alternatives that can suit your budget and desk space. Some tools like portable monitors and tablets may suit you more than a regular monitor would, especially if you lead a mobile lifestyle and want to be productive wherever you go.