A top quality monitor arm is among the many smartest upgrades you should buy in your dwelling workplace setup. Monitor arms significantly enhance the vary of positions a monitor can take in your desk, offering extra consolation and a lovely look. They additionally unlock area in your desk, 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 much more costly. It’s necessary to purchase the fitting monitor arm the primary time—to that finish I put a number of common monitor arms via their paces.
Here I provide the very best monitor arms from my checks.
Further studying: See our roundup of the best home office monitors for getting recommendation and proposals.
Ergotron LX – Best monitor arm
Price When Reviewed:
$172.33
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) engaging.
Ergotron positions the LX as an entry-level monitor arm, however the firm’s definition of “entry level” exceeds most rivals. The arm is primarily constructed from metallic, with some plastic cladding, and may assist screens that weigh as much as 25 kilos. Ergotron recommends sticking to screens 34 inches extensive 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 elevate, 75 levels of tilt, 360 levels of rotation, and 360 levels of pan (or swivel). While not as clean 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 straightforward. The monitor has an included clamp and grommet mount. Installation is generally 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 beneficial for bigger shows.
Ergotron additionally avoids any severe flaws. I’ve just a few nitpicks, certain. I believe the clamp may very well be smaller. The white colorway doesn’t have a coloration coordinated VESA mount. And the arm’s total design seems to be a bit industrial. Still, it is a bomb-proof mount, and it’s out there underneath $200.
Herman Miller Flo – Best upscale monitor arm
Price When Reviewed:
$295.00
Want a monitor arm that will get the job performed 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 clean, pure look. While clearly designed for a company workplace, it additionally matches 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 affords 24/7 customer support.
It’s simple to arrange and use. The monitor’s clamp works equally to different monitor arms I examined, but it surely’s extra refined and requires fewer screws (a grommet can also be out there). The VESA mount can also be glorious, offering a easy clip design that’s safe and may be simply pre-mounted to a monitor for easy set up. The means 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 affords 13.3 inches of vertical adjustment, 80 levels of tilt, and 360 levels of swivel and rotation. That’s basically similar to the cheaper Ergotron LX. The Flo’s operation is smoother, nonetheless: I discovered I may 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 appropriate with the Flo.
Herman Miller lists the Flo at $295, which is lots to ask for a single-monitor arm. The Ergotron LX affords comparable options at a a lot lower cost. However, the Flo is a smoother, extra interesting monitor arm, and definitely worth the improve in order for you type along with your operate.
Ergotron HX – Best heavy-duty monitor arm
Price When Reviewed:
$345.00
It’s pure, given the one slight distinction in title, to assume the Ergotron HX is merely an uprated model of the Ergotron LX. That’s not the case. This is a completely completely different monitor arm which pairs its elevated capability with improved construct high quality and a extra skilled look.
First, let’s speak weight. The Ergotron HX is rated to carry screens that weigh as much as 42 kilos and display screen 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 hooked up 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 use of plastic is minimal and reserved for small parts of cladding that seem used just for cable routing. The arm’s shifting components embody bigger, sturdier mechanisms, and felt extraordinarily clean 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 affords 11.5 inches of peak, 75 levels of tilt, 180 levels of swivel, and 360 levels of rotation. However, 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 offers a extra strong look. This may very well be a con for some, nonetheless, because the arm can appear a bit…a lot in a house workplace setup. It’s an costly arm, as properly. Expect 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 – Best funds monitor arm
Price When Reviewed:
$39.99
The Workstream by Monoprice single monitor arm is a no-frills resolution that delivers fundamental 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 fully a win, although, because the plastic that exists feels frail (and I even broke a small, although unnoticeable, bit whereas adjusting the monitor).
It offers an excellent 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 corresponding to others on this record, however it could actually’t swivel in a full circle, which can show annoying for those who ceaselessly transfer a monitor arm to share your display screen with colleagues.
The Workstream’s slim funds is felt in its troublesome setup and stiff operation. Users might want to set up a number of screws for a clamp or gromet mount. More screws might have to be adjusted as soon as the arm is in place, as its default rigidity 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 engaging, and harder to make use of than Ergotron’s LX, but it surely affords an excellent 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 Dual Monitor Arm – Best twin monitor arm
Price When Reviewed:
$356.41
Two screens are at all times higher than one, and the identical goes for monitor arms. It’s no shock, then, that Ergotron’s LX Side-by-Side ranks as our greatest twin monitor arm. The Ergotron LX Side-by-Side 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: While the usual LX is rated for screens as much as 34 inches, the Side-by-Side’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).
Look and really feel is in any other case just like the usual Ergotron LX, and that’s why the twin monitor arm additionally earns a suggestion. The dual-monitor arm offers the identical successful steadiness of construct high quality, adjustability, and clean operation, and it’s backed by the identical 10-year guarantee. Pricing is a bit increased at $330, which is a slight financial savings in comparison with shopping for two LX arms individually.
Workstream by Monoprice Dual Monitor Arm – Best funds twin monitor arm
Price When Reviewed:
$99.99
The identical logic that applies to our favourite twin monitor arm additionally to the funds mannequin, giving Monoprice’s Workstream Dual Monitor Arm a transparent path to victory.
In truth, the twin arm’s pricing is much more spectacular. The Workstream Dual Monitor is 4 occasions cheaper than the Ergotron LX Side-by-Side. I’m a bit shocked by the standard Monoprice can provide at a $100 worth level. Ergotron’s various is extra engaging and simpler to make use of, however is it 4 occasions higher? That’s a troublesome name.
The Workstream’s downsides are similar to plain mannequin. Build high quality is spectacular for the worth, however the arm is troublesome to arrange and never as clean in operation. I’m additionally uncertain the arm is able to dealing with two 20-pound screens, as its spec sheets declare. Fortunately, 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
Purchasing a monitor arm is a bit completely different from buying most dwelling 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 assist 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 provide is a essential however typically missed characteristic. A monitor arm ought to regulate for peak, tilt, swivel, and pivot—and it ought to achieve this with out instruments.
All the monitor arms we suggest meet this commonplace, however some variations stay. Only some monitor arms present 360 levels of swivel, which means the neck of the monitor arm may be rotated to any place. That’s helpful 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 stick to easy rigidity 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 suggest avoiding mounts that use this technique.
Ease of set up and adjustment
None of the monitor arms examined had been troublesome to put in, however the distinction between funds and premium fashions was clear. Budget fashions require extra screws to put in, and the default rigidity of the arm’s adjustment mechanism is much less prone to be appropriate out-of-the-box.
The ease of adjustment varies significantly, too. All the monitor arms we surveyed require an Allen wrench to regulate rigidity (which is critical if the arm appears too stiff or free), however some had been way more troublesome than others. The Herman Miller Flo felt clean and easy, whereas the Workstream by Monoprice required severe torque.
Cable administration
Proper cable administration is necessary for those who worth a clear, clutter-free desk.
This is one facet of design that didn’t enhance with pricing. The Herman Miller Flo’s cable administration was fundamental, whereas the Workstream by Monoprice hid cables properly. This did include a trade-off, although, because the Flo’s appeared least prone to trigger cables to bind whereas shifting the monitor.
While cable administration is beneficial, not one of the monitor arms I examined can deal with the complete complement of cables that is perhaps hooked up to a high-end USB-C monitor (just like the Dell U3223QE). This is a side of monitor arm design that producers may enhance.
Maximum 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 serious concern for those who personal a 24-inch or 27-inch monitor, as most such screens weigh 10 kilos or much less. With that mentioned, it’s sensible to double-check the monitor’s weight earlier than shopping for a monitor arm. Remember the monitor’s weight can exclude its stand. Larger 32-inch, 34-inch, and 49-inch screens are harder to deal with and will require an improve to a “heavy duty” monitor arm.
Monitor measurement limits must be revered as properly. It is perhaps attainable to connect a 40-inch monitor to an arm meant for a 32-inch monitor. The 40-inch monitor might even come inside the arm’s weight restrict. A bigger monitor will distribute weight in a different way, nonetheless, which may trigger an arm’s rigidity mechanism to fail.
How we check monitor arms
Every monitor arm we suggest was personally examined first-hand at a PC World contributor’s dwelling 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 differ over time, however usually embody no less than one 27-inch and one 32-inch widescreen monitor. Monitor arms rated for “heavy duty” use had been examined with no less than one monitor that weighs 20 kilos or extra.