Introduction to Affordable Accessories for Multi-Monitor Setups
Looking for the best cables, best monitor mounts, and best accessories? Affordable accessories for multi-monitor setups for the home and office are readily available and from our favorite retailers, but the magnitude of the available selections can get confusing or expensive. First time builders might find the assembly daunting, but these items only require minimal effort and patience to tidy up the whole thing once everything is in place.
Usually, enthusiasts with monster rigs build these fantastic setups for a massive increase in viewing space for games. But even if you are a hard-working professional at the office or the pragmatic multi-tasker at home, dual-head displays are quite beneficial to your digital activities. The concept is also more budget-friendly nowadays, and together with the cheap monitors like the BenQ GL2450HM and HP Pavilion 22CWA we reviewed earlier, you can get away with minimal cost if you want to reap the rewards of having dual displays for your home or office PC.
Mounts
While wall mounts are cheaper and ideal for must users, an articulated type appeals more to us since you get great ranges of adjustment and flexibility for most screen sizes. Accessories like these are ideal for cheap monitors since they usually only have tilt adjustments, and opting for the ones designed to attach to your walls defeats the purpose of the upgrade.
We chose dual and single mounts, so you have options in creating your multi-monitor productivity center. You can attach the dual-head mounts if you want your displays directly in front, while your other option is to use two single mounts for wider desks or if the other screen is placed on the side to maximize the flexibility range of these products.
1. VIVO Dual LCD Monitor Desk Mount (STAND V002)
The VIVO dual LCD monitor desk mount is our budget-friendly option in this roundup or if you want basic ergonomics which mimic the range of motion found in the included mechanisms in high-end monitors. The whole thing is made of aluminum, so it’s lightweight but rigid, enabling it to support up to two 27-inch monitors which weigh up to 22 pounds each.
The VESA adapters can accommodate 75mm x 75mm or 100mm x 100mm bolt patterns commonly found on 19-inch to 27-inch monitors, making the VIVO dual LCD mount universally compatible. This product attaches to a desktop surface of up to 4-inches with a C-clamp. Having two screens will have at least four cables, so detachable cable clips on the arms and neck are included for easy management.
2. Amazon Basics Single Monitor Display Mounting Arm
The Amazon Basics mounting arm made by Ergotron is more expensive than the first option, but the price difference adds an extension and rotating adjustments into its functionality. You can tilt, swivel, raise and pivot your monitor according to your needs, but you can also pull it close and push it back depending on how you want to view your content. Movements are smooth and free-flowing, but the arm holds steady once you let go of the monitor.
This option is designed to take up less space on your desk, since the included clamp is significantly smaller than other options, and is also capable of locking onto surfaces up to 2.4 inches thick. The steel frame can secure monitors up to 32 inches or 25lbs via the 75mm x 75mm or 100mm x 100mm VESA adapters, so practically the entire range of conventional display products are covered.
3. Amazon Basics Dual Monitor Display Mounting Arm
Being able to push or pull a monitor closer provides fantastic convenience for power users, but if you prefer having two monitors directly in front of you, the Amazon Basics Dual Monitor Arm from Ergotron is your best bet. This model provides the same level of articulation and ergonomics as its single screen sibling, but each arm can only hold up to 27 inches or 20lbs each.
You get similar VESA adaptors with 75mm x 75mm or 100mm x 100mm bolt holes, so a lot of the available entry-level, prosumer and gaming monitors available are compatible. Setup is easy, and movements are smooth but firm, so won’t need to worry about your precious screens and your viewing convenience. This option takes up less space than the VIVO dual LCD mount, but it is significantly pricier.
III. Cables
The mounts mentioned above were meant to save your desk from the clutter, so it is ideal to add high-quality cables for your setup. Lengths may vary, and the included wires in each monitor package can be a bit short especially if you opt for the articulated arms, so buying longer aftermarket offerings is a necessity to create a streamlined and durable setup which will last you a few years in helping you with your productivity.
Cables are mostly overlooked because almost every manufacturer includes at least one in each package, but some of the budget offerings in some regions do not contain any at all. Also, some HDMI and DisplayPort cable manufacturers tend to include exaggerated specs or features in their products. But the bottom line is, most of the available offerings on any retailer are more or less similar in performance since these products adhere to specific standards, so you only need to look for options which are affordable and durable enough to outlast at least one upgrade cycle.
1. Amazon Basics High-Speed HDMI 2.0 Cable (6 Feet)
High-speed HDMI cables can get expensive with some going for as much as $50, but this Amazon Basics variant breaks the cable market down with their offering which costs less than $10. This offering features every capability specified by HDMI 2.0 standards including networking and audio signals so that you won’t need additional wires or expensive and branded options for something as simple as this accessory.
The insulation has plenty of thickness without making the line rigid, enabling you to align the cable through the arms of the mounts we selected above. The plugs have easy to grip, PVC ends for durability with internal shielding to go along with the gold-plated connectors which ensure high-quality conductivity for excellent signal transmission on any device.
2. Cable Matters Gold Plated DisplayPort to DisplayPort Cable
If you are planning to use cutting-edge monitors with 1440p or 4k resolutions at higher frequencies such as 144Hz, DisplayPort 1.2 cables are your best choice to ensure high-quality signal transmission. The Cable Matter gold-plated DisplayPort cable also features a straightforward design like the previous entry. Aside from its affordable price, we love the latch mechanism on the PVC ends which need to depress before you can pull it off. This feature ensures your connection remains rock solid all throughout even if you move your screens around.
The tips are gold plated for excellent conductivity, while the flexibility is good making this option ideal for our planned setup. The product also includes foil and braided insulation for signal integrity against interference and grounding, so your visual enjoyment runs without any disturbances. The Cable Matters Gold Plated DisplayPort is already affordable at its current price per 6ft cable, but you can buy a package which includes two for a discounted price.
Thoughts
There are a lot of available options when it comes to these accessories, but others are either too expensive or flimsy. Each item we included in this guide are some of the highest-rated and frequently bought offerings on Amazon, and their near perfect feedbacks can attest to the fantastic value and performance they can bring for dual-monitor setups.
Everything is almost plug and play or snap on, so even the unseasoned or beginner builders will find it easy to assemble your very own multi-display setup for productivity or entertainment needs. All you have to do is choose from some of the best monitors we have reviewed to create your very own command center, whether at home or in the office.
Dena Bodary says
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