If you have a dual monitor setup, paying attention to ergonomics is a good idea. This will help you take advantage of your setup to stay focused on work or gaming for more extended periods while keeping your eyes and body in good shape.
This post will explore some ergonomic tips for dual monitor setups. I’ll walk you through all of these tips to help you learn how to put them into action while also giving you some other relevant information. The goal is to improve your setup as best as possible.
Let’s dig in.
Key Takeaways
- Ergonomics are important to consider with any computer setup but can be even more of an issue when using dual monitors.
- Everyone has slightly different needs and preferences with ergonomics in mind.
- If you don’t pay attention to ergonomics in your monitor setup, it can lead to discomfort, eye strain, and other issues.
Ergonomic Tips for Dual Monitor Setups
All the tips in this section can help you find better ergonomics with a dual monitor setup. This is important if you spend a lot of time at the desk or behind your monitors. Keep all of the tips in mind to help you out.
1. Focus on Posture
Before taking into consideration the position and angle of your monitor, you should also focus on your posture. If you have bad posture while working, you could have ergonomic issues regardless of how you set up your monitors.
You want to sit towards the front of your chair with your feet firmly planted on the ground. Keep your back straight, and don’t slouch or hunch over. This is the best foundation for good ergonomics when at the desk.
You can use the chair to support your back, but you don’t want to get too reliant on the chair for support and should use the back to help you get into the proper position.
2. Use the Same Size Monitors
Using the same size monitor is an important thing to keep in mind. This will help you prevent straining and squinting, which can lead to issues common when you use different sized monitors.
Another reason you want to use the same size monitor for both of your screens is so you don’t change your neck position often. You’re more likely to move your neck when the screens are different.
If using the same size monitor is not an option, try to use monitors that are pretty much the same size. You don’t want to use one huge monitor and one really small one.
3. Keep the Monitors Close Together
You should also keep both monitors close together in a dual monitor setup. Doing this lets you close the distance you’ll need to look when using both. This improves ergonomics in a lot of ways.
When the monitors are closer, you don’t need to scan between them as much. This will reduce neck fatigue and help you stay more productive. When they are spread out, you’ll spend a lot of time looking back and forth between them.
You should keep the monitors next to each other with an inch or less separation between them. If you go much further than this, you’ll run into eye and neck strain issues.
4. Position Monitors at a Good Distance
The ideal distance to position your monitors is about the length of your arms away from where you are sitting. This will give you enough room to see everything clearly without the screens being too close or too far away.
This isn’t an exact measurement because everyone has slightly different arm sizes. But keeping them an arm’s length away will give you a solid starting point and help improve ergonomics. You might squint and have eye issues if the screens are too close or too far.
If the monitors are too far away, you might struggle to see them. This can lead to productivity issues, but it can also put unnecessary strain on your eyes.
5. Tilt Monitors if Needed
If you are using a dual monitor setup with a primary and secondary screen, it’s good to have the primary monitor directly in front of you. You can tilt the secondary monitor slightly to help you see it better.
You don’t want this angle to be too severe, and around 30 degrees is a good benchmark to shoot for. Again, this doesn’t need to be precise. But angling the monitor will help you see things clearly when needed.
You can also tilt both of the monitors slightly downward towards where you are sitting for ergonomic purposes. If the monitors are above eye level, this is especially important. You don’t want the monitors to tilt up.
6. Where You Sit
Where you sit in relation to the monitors can also play a significant role in ergonomics. If you are using two monitors equally, you want to position yourself directly between them for the best ergonomics.
If you use one screen as your main screen and only use the other every once in a while, you should position yourself directly in front of the primary screen. This will help you stay focused and prevent neck strain.
Having a good chair with wheels can help you make minor adjustments to where you are sitting. This is good to remember because you might want to change your position throughout the day if or when your body gets tired.
FAQs
Here are a few quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions related to ergonomic tips for dual monitor setups.
How do you sit ergonomically with two monitors?
It’s always a good idea to have the main monitor you use be directly in front of you and at eye level. The other monitor should be parallel and at the same level as the primary monitor for the best ergonomics.
What is the ideal position if dual monitors are used equally?
When using dual monitors equally, the ideal position is to sit directly between the two. You should treat the double monitor setup as a single monitor. This allows you to sit comfortably without strain right in the center of them.
Should dual monitors be angles or straight?
If you use a primary monitor, you should angle the second monitor slightly towards you to eliminate eye and neck strain. The exact angle can vary from person to person, but around 30 degrees works out well.
How do I stop dual monitors from hurting my neck?
To stop dual monitors from hurting your neck, you might need to position them closer together or change the angle of the two monitors. Keeping the main monitor directly in front of you can also help.
Final Thoughts
Keep all of the tips in this post in mind if you use a dual-monitor setup. This is especially true if you spend a lot of time in front of two screens because ergonomics play a big role in your long-term health and comfort.
Some ergonomic considerations can be a preference, and some work across the board. Play around with all of the tips mentioned here to dial in your dual-monitor setup for the best ergonomics.
Do you have any ergonomic tips for dual monitor setups that I didn’t mention here? Let me know in the comments below.
