A top quality monitor arm is among the many smartest upgrades you can also make to a house workplace setup. Monitor arms present a versatile vary of positions and angles your show/s can take at your desk, offering extra consolation and a pointy look. Additionally they release house in your desk floor, leaving it open for different use.
These perks are offset by an issue: the worth. Most monitor arms value shopping for are near $200, and heavy-duty arms are even pricier. It’s necessary to purchase the correct monitor arm the primary time — to that finish I put a number of well-liked monitor arms by means of their paces. The winners in my analysis turned the next record of the perfect monitor arms.
Additional studying: See our roundups of the perfect screens and finest house workplace screens for show suggestions.
Ergotron LX – Greatest monitor arm
The Ergotron LX is a sturdy, sensible monitor arm that may deal with most screens. It’s simple to arrange, simple to make use of, and (when bought in its white or polished aluminum colorway) enticing.
Ergotron positions the LX as an entry-level monitor arm, however the firm’s definition of “entry degree” exceeds most rivals. The arm is primarily constructed from steel, with some plastic cladding, and may help screens that weigh as much as 25 kilos. Ergotron recommends sticking to screens 34 inches huge or smaller. The monitor arm is backed by a 10-year guarantee.
The arm has a wholesome vary of adjustment that features 13 inches of raise, 75 levels of tilt, 360 levels of rotation, and 360 levels of pan (or swivel). Whereas not as easy because the Herman Miller Flo, I used to be in a position to regulate the monitor arm left, proper, ahead, and again with out standing.
Setup is easy. The monitor has an included clamp and grommet mount. Set up is usually dealt with with a bundled Allen wrench, although you’ll nonetheless want a Philips head screwdriver to connect your monitor to the VESA mount. Most homeowners will have the ability to set up smaller screens (24 to 27 inches) alone, however assistance is really useful for bigger shows.
Ergotron additionally avoids any critical flaws. I’ve a couple of nitpicks, certain. I feel the clamp might be smaller. The white colorway doesn’t have a colour coordinated VESA mount. And the arm’s total design seems to be a bit industrial. Nonetheless, it is a bomb-proof mount, and it’s obtainable underneath $200.
Herman Miller Flo – Greatest upscale monitor arm
Desire a monitor arm that will get the job accomplished and appears good doing it? The Herman Miller Flo is for you.
The Flo’s design units it other than the pack. Herman Miller ditches the angular, industrial design of many rivals for a easy, pure look. Whereas clearly designed for a company workplace, it additionally suits in with a house workplace setup, the place its pleasant, approachable look helps it mix in with its environment. The Flo is backed by a 12-year guarantee and provides 24/7 customer support.
It’s simple to arrange and use. The monitor’s clamp works equally to different monitor arms I examined, nevertheless it’s extra refined and requires fewer screws (a grommet can be obtainable). The VESA mount can be wonderful, offering a easy clip design that’s safe and might be simply pre-mounted to a monitor for easy set up. The best way this mount works accommodates screens which have a barely recessed mount place, which can trigger issues for different monitor arms.
The monitor’s vary of adjustment isn’t a lot completely different from different high-end monitor arms. It provides 13.3 inches of vertical adjustment, 80 levels of tilt, and 360 levels of swivel and rotation. That’s primarily equivalent to the inexpensive Ergotron LX. The Flo’s operation is smoother, nevertheless: I discovered I might regulate a monitor’s peak with a mere nudge.
Surprisingly, the Flo has a listed weight restrict of 20 kilos and recommends use with screens weighing no less than 7 kilos. Most screens match inside this vary, however some heavier fashions received’t be suitable with the Flo.
Herman Miller lists the Flo at $295, which is quite a bit to ask for a single-monitor arm. The Ergotron LX provides comparable options at a a lot lower cost. Nonetheless, the Flo is a smoother, extra interesting monitor arm, and well worth the improve if you’d like type together with your perform.
Ergotron HX – Greatest heavy-duty monitor arm
It’s pure, given the one slight distinction in identify, to assume the Ergotron HX is merely an uprated model of the Ergotron LX. That’s not the case. That is a wholly completely different monitor arm which pairs its elevated capability with improved construct high quality and a extra skilled look.
First, let’s discuss weight. The Ergotron HX is rated to carry screens that weigh as much as 42 kilos and display sizes as much as 49 inches. That’s a very excessive weight restrict—I haven’t reviewed a single monitor in 2023 that exceeds it. I connected each a 32-inch widescreen and 38-inch ultrawide monitor, which weighed roughly 15 and 20 kilos, respectively, and the HX simply dealt with each.
The usage of plastic is minimal and reserved for small parts of cladding that seem used just for cable routing. The arm’s transferring components embody bigger, sturdier mechanisms, and felt extraordinarily easy in my use. Ergotron backs the arm with a 10-year guarantee.
The screens vary of adjustment is a bit restricted in comparison with the LX. It provides 11.5 inches of peak, 75 levels of tilt, 180 levels of swivel, and 360 levels of rotation. Nonetheless, a considerably extra restricted peak adjustment is typical on this class because of the measurement of screens these stands are anticipated to hold.
The monitor arm’s spectacular design additionally supplies a extra strong look. This might be a con for some, nevertheless, because the arm can appear a bit…a lot in a house workplace setup. It’s an costly arm, as nicely. Count on to pay about $350.
The Ergotron HX is an apparent alternative if you wish to mount an ultrawide, super-ultrawide, or massive format widescreen monitor in your desk.
Workstream by Monoprice – Greatest funds monitor arm
The Workstream by Monoprice single monitor arm is a no-frills answer that delivers primary monitor arm options at an exceptionally low worth.
The monitor arm has an all-metal building that in some methods feels sturdier than the Ergotron LX, because the Workstream doesn’t embody as a lot plastic cladding. It’s not solely a win, although, because the plastic that exists feels frail (and I even broke a small, although unnoticeable, bit whereas adjusting the monitor).
It supplies a great vary of adjustment, with 13.2 inches of peak and 90 levels of tilt, swivel, and rotation. The arm’s peak and tilt adjustment are akin to others on this record, however it may’t swivel in a full circle, which can show annoying for those who regularly transfer a monitor arm to share your display with colleagues.
The Workstream’s slim funds is felt in its troublesome setup and stiff operation. Customers might want to set up a number of screws for a clamp or gromet mount. Extra screws could have to be adjusted as soon as the arm is in place, as its default pressure proved insufficient for supporting a 32-inch monitor.
Monoprice lists the monitor as able to supporting 20 kilos, however I felt the 32-inch monitor (which weighed 15 kilos) was pushing the Workstream to its limits. Monoprice additionally skimps on the guarantee, providing only one yr of protection.
These flaws are simply excused by the Workstream’s $60 price ticket. It’s clearly much less succesful, much less enticing, and tougher to make use of than Ergotron’s LX, nevertheless it provides a great vary of adjustment and sturdy building for lower than half the worth. It’s a really perfect alternative for consumers on a decent funds, in addition to those that plan to put in a small, gentle 24-inch or 27-inch monitor.
Ergotron LX Twin Monitor Arm – Greatest twin monitor arm
Two screens are all the time higher than one, and the identical goes for monitor arms. It’s no shock, then, that Ergotron’s LX Facet-by-Facet ranks as our greatest twin monitor arm. The Ergotron LX Facet-by-Facet pairs two LX monitor arms collectively on one mount. The look, really feel, and specs of every arm are near its standalone sibling.
Monitor measurement is one exception: Whereas the usual LX is rated for screens as much as 34 inches, the Facet-by-Facet’s arm is barely rated for screens as much as 27 inches. The monitor arms aren’t lengthy sufficient to suit two 32-inch or 34-inch screens side-by-side. Vertical preparations are additionally supported, although provided that one of many two screens is small (lower than 23 inches diagonal).
Appear and feel is in any other case much like the usual Ergotron LX, and that’s why the twin monitor arm additionally earns a advice. The twin-monitor arm supplies the identical profitable steadiness of construct high quality, adjustability, and easy operation, and it’s backed by the identical 10-year guarantee. Pricing is a bit larger at $330, which is a slight financial savings in comparison with shopping for two LX arms individually.
Workstream by Monoprice Twin Monitor Arm – Greatest funds twin monitor arm
The identical logic that applies to our favourite twin monitor arm additionally to the funds mannequin, giving Monoprice’s Workstream Twin Monitor Arm a transparent path to victory.
In truth, the twin arm’s pricing is much more spectacular. The Workstream Twin Monitor is 4 instances inexpensive than the Ergotron LX Facet-by-Facet. I’m a bit shocked by the standard Monoprice can supply at a $100 worth level. Ergotron’s various is extra enticing and simpler to make use of, however is it 4 instances higher? That’s a troublesome name.
The Workstream’s downsides are equivalent to straightforward mannequin. Construct high quality is spectacular for the worth, however the arm is troublesome to arrange and never as easy in operation. I’m additionally uncertain the arm is able to dealing with two 20-pound screens, as its spec sheets declare. Luckily, 27-inch screens (the most important this arm can deal with side-by-side) often weigh lower than 10 kilos, so weight capability shouldn’t be a problem.
What to search for in a monitor arm
Buying a monitor arm is a bit completely different from buying most house workplace gear. A monitor arm, in contrast to a monitor, is a hefty, sturdy piece of kit that by no means actually goes out of date. It should additionally help the precise capabilities you need out of the field, since upgrades and customization are usually restricted.
Adjustability and vary of movement
The vary of adjustability and movement a monitor arm can supply is a crucial however typically neglected characteristic. A monitor arm ought to regulate for peak, tilt, swivel, and pivot—and it ought to achieve this with out instruments.
All of the monitor arms we advocate meet this commonplace, however some variations stay. Just some monitor arms present 360 levels of swivel, that means the neck of the monitor arm might be rotated to any place. That’s useful in case your desk is in the midst of your room since you need to use the monitor from numerous positions.
Most cheap monitor arms ditch adjustability and follow easy pressure mechanisms which can be secured by a screw. It’s cheap however fixes the monitor’s place in place as soon as it’s adjusted. We advocate avoiding mounts that use this technique.
Ease of set up and adjustment
Not one of the monitor arms examined have been troublesome to put in, however the distinction between funds and premium fashions was clear. Finances fashions require extra screws to put in, and the default pressure of the arm’s adjustment mechanism is much less prone to be appropriate out-of-the-box.
The benefit of adjustment varies drastically, too. All of the monitor arms we surveyed require an Allen wrench to regulate pressure (which is critical if the arm appears too stiff or unfastened), however some have been way more troublesome than others. The Herman Miller Flo felt easy and easy, whereas the Workstream by Monoprice required critical torque.
Cable administration
Correct cable administration is necessary for those who worth a clear, clutter-free desk.
That is one side of design that didn’t enhance with pricing. The Herman Miller Flo’s cable administration was primary, whereas the Workstream by Monoprice hid cables nicely. This did include a trade-off, although, because the Flo’s appeared least prone to trigger cables to bind whereas transferring the monitor.
Whereas cable administration is beneficial, not one of the monitor arms I examined can deal with the total complement of cables that is likely to be connected to a high-end USB-C monitor (just like the Dell U3223QE). That is a facet of monitor arm design that producers might enhance.
Most supported measurement and weight
It’s necessary to purchase a monitor arm that may deal with the monitor you personal.
This received’t be a significant concern for those who personal a 24-inch or 27-inch monitor, as most such screens weigh 10 kilos or much less. With that stated, it’s sensible to double-check the monitor’s weight earlier than shopping for a monitor arm. Keep in mind the monitor’s weight can exclude its stand. Bigger 32-inch, 34-inch, and 49-inch screens are tougher to deal with and should require an improve to a “heavy obligation” monitor arm.
Monitor measurement limits ought to be revered as nicely. It is likely to be potential to connect a 40-inch monitor to an arm meant for a 32-inch monitor. The 40-inch monitor could even come throughout the arm’s weight restrict. A bigger monitor will distribute weight in a different way, nevertheless, which might trigger an arm’s pressure mechanism to fail.
How we take a look at monitor arms
Each monitor arm we advocate was personally examined first-hand at a PC World contributor’s house or the PC World workplace. We look at the standard, ease of set up, and vary of adjustment of every arm to confirm it meets the producer’s claims. The screens we use to check arms can range over time, however typically embody no less than one 27-inch and one 32-inch widescreen monitor. Monitor arms rated for “heavy obligation” use have been examined with no less than one monitor that weighs 20 kilos or extra.
FAQ
Is a monitor arm value it?
Whether or not a monitor arm is well worth the worth is subjective, however we consider our really useful monitor arms are value making the funding. A monitor arm is less complicated to make use of than a stand, permits a wider vary of adjustment, and retains your desk away from litter. They’re additionally sturdy—there’s a great likelihood you’ll exchange a monitor earlier than the monitor arm.
Are monitor arms suitable with my monitor?
Almost all screens, and practically all monitor arms, use the VESA mounting commonplace. The 100x100mm bolt sample is by far the most typical, although 75x75mm is usually used as a substitute. All of the monitor arms we advocate help each bolt patterns.
Unsure that your monitor helps VESA? Test the rear of the monitor. The VESA mount might be discovered within the middle of the monitor, and the bolt sample might be verified with a ruler or tape measure. That is doubtless beneath the neck of your monitor’s stand you probably have one connected.
It’s potential to mount a monitor that lacks a VESA mount, however you’ll have to buy a VESA adapter. It’s a big, X-shaped gadget that clamps to the rear of the monitor.
Are monitor arms suitable with my desk?
Most monitor arms supply two mounting choices: clamp and gromet.
A clamp mount is the most typical for house workplace use. A U-shaped clamp suits over an fringe of your desk. A screw mechanism is used to safe it. Most clamps are adjusted by hand and match a variety of desks. It’s necessary to double-check a monitor arm’s specs in case your desk is greater than an inch thick, as some clamp mounts are too small to work with a thick desk floor. The clamp additionally requires an edge that’s freed from obstructions on each the highest and backside of the desk.
Grommet mounts insert into the round cut-outs discovered on many desks constructed and offered for company workplaces. A grommet mount can be a type of clamp, however measurement of the mechanism is completely different, and the mount attaches the monitor to the inside of the desk as a substitute of an exterior edge.
Almost all monitor arms ship with a clamp and grommet mount, however grommet mounts are much less frequent. It’s sensible to double-check {that a} grommet mount is supported if that’s how you propose to mount the monitor arm.
Will a monitor arm harm my desk?
It’s potential {that a} monitor arm’s clamp mount, if used, will trigger minor harm to your desk. It might scratch the desk’s floor when mounted or eliminated, and over-torquing the clamp would possibly trigger a dent on some softer desks, reminiscent of these which use a veneer over particleboard. A glass desk can even show troublesome—consult with the desk’s producer to verify it’s protected to make use of a monitor arm.
Do monitor arms wobble?
A top quality monitor arm will tame minimal monitor wobble, although some would possibly come by means of if the arm is mounted to a skinny, gentle desk. Make sure that to mount the monitor arm to a safe floor and regulate the arm’s pressure to a degree appropriate for the monitor you’ve mounted.
Ought to I purchase a $25 monitor arm on Amazon?
A monitor arm’s price ticket can intimidate funds consumers. Most funds screens promote for $200 or much less. Spending one other $150 to $300 for a monitor arm can appear exhausting to justify.
Nonetheless, we encourage consumers to keep away from low cost monitor arms discovered on Amazon and different retailers. The least costly monitor arms lack a dynamic pressure mechanism, like a gasoline piston or spring. Just a few arms within the $35 to $50 vary use a gasoline piston, nevertheless it’s typically a wimpy instance barely enough for holding a 27-inch monitor.
Cheap monitor arms additionally lean extra closely on plastic. That’s not essentially an issue out-of-the-box, however plastic tends to turn out to be brittle over time, which can cut back the lifespan of a monitor arm.
