Ultrawide vs dual monitors: Which one should you choose?

Last year, when Samsung launched its glorious Odyssey G9 ultrawide monitor, the company once again ignited the debate around ultrawide and dual monitors. It is always difficult to choose between an ultrawide monitor and a dual monitor setup. While many use their laptop to get work done, you need to upgrade to either a dual monitor or an ultrawide to maximise your desktop experience.

Both ultrawide monitors and dual monitor setup help expand the screen real estate but they aren’t the same; each has its strengths and weaknesses. Now, you may be wondering how you choose between an ultrawide monitor and a dual monitor setup. We are here to help you make that decision and effectively expand your screen real estate.

Ultrawide monitors: How wide are they really?

If it is all about design then it is a no-brainer that an ultrawide monitor looks like the most expansive desktop option. However, a common question with ultrawide monitors is how wide they really are. The most common screen size for an ultrawide monitor is 34-inch and while it looks big, the output is not as large as you think. In fact, a 34-inch ultrawide monitor is as tall as a 27-inch widescreen monitor and about 8 inches wider.

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It means that an ultrawide monitor matches the height of a standard display but is wider. Now, if you stack two 27-inch 4K monitors together, it will add 23.5 inches to the width of your setup and will be 15.5 inches wider than a 34-inch ultrawide monitor. A dual display offers a wider desktop experience than a single ultrawide monitor and to match two 27-inch monitors, you will need to step up to a 49-inch super-ultrawide display with a 32:9 aspect ratio.

Even though an ultrawide monitor looks the widest, it is not truly wider than a dual monitor setup. Even then, you won’t get the flexibility of a dual monitor setup which can be used in either portrait orientation to add vertical instead of horizontal space.

Dual monitor setup: Best for multitasking

Since most programs are designed to work with a 16:9 aspect ratio, an ultrawide monitor is not suited for multitasking. With an ultrawide monitor, multitasking often requires manual resizing of windows to get the best experience. With a dual monitor setup, you can effortlessly resize and move windows around for a better multitasking experience.

If you use Windows, you can use the Windows Snap feature to snap your windows side-by-side but the experience doesn’t stop there. With a dual monitor setup, you have more places to move your windows around than available on an ultrawide monitor.

Ultrawide vs dual monitors: Best for gaming

There is one area where a dual monitor setup cannot match an ultrawide monitor: gaming. If you are looking for the best PC gaming experience, look no further than an ultrawide monitor. This is mainly because an ultrawide monitor not only offers more usable space for gaming but also makes it more immersive.

The wider aspect ratio of an ultrawide monitor brings more gaming elements to your view than possible on a 16:9 aspect ratio. Another downside of choosing a dual monitor setup for gaming is that you need to put up with an obscure bezel. Even if the bezel is miniscule, it will always be a deterrent to your gaming experience.

Ultrawide vs dual monitors: Which one should you choose?

In the ultrawide vs dual monitors battle, the winner depends on your use case and the needs across a day. In general, a dual monitor setup is more flexible than choosing an ultrawide monitor. It not only offers a wider desktop expanse but is also more pixel-dense thanks to the resolution. They are also better suited for multitasking and getting work done efficiently.

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An ultrawide monitor, on the other hand, is better suited for PC gaming and might fit your desk better than a dual monitor setup. For many, an ultrawide monitor might still work for multitasking if they make it work for their niche use. A dual monitor setup is the easiest choice to make but an ultrawide monitor may well be the right one for you.