A high quality monitor arm is among the many smartest upgrades you may 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. In addition they unlock 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 widespread monitor arms by their paces. The winners in my analysis grew to become the next checklist of the most effective monitor arms.
Additional studying: See our roundups of the most effective displays and finest house workplace displays for show suggestions.
Ergotron LX – Greatest monitor arm
Value When Reviewed:
$172.33
The Ergotron LX is a sturdy, sensible monitor arm that may deal with most displays. 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 stage” exceeds most opponents. The arm is primarily constructed from steel, with some plastic cladding, and may assist displays that weigh as much as 25 kilos. Ergotron recommends sticking to displays 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 clean because the Herman Miller Flo, I used to be capable of alter the monitor arm left, proper, ahead, and again with out standing.
Setup is straightforward. The monitor has an included clamp and grommet mount. Set up 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 house owners will be capable to set up smaller displays (24 to 27 inches) alone, however assistance is really helpful for bigger shows.
Ergotron additionally avoids any critical flaws. I’ve a couple of nitpicks, positive. I believe the clamp might be smaller. The white colorway doesn’t have a shade coordinated VESA mount. And the arm’s total design appears to be like a bit industrial. Nonetheless, it is a bomb-proof mount, and it’s out there below $200.
Herman Miller Flo – Greatest upscale monitor arm
Value When Reviewed:
$295.00
Need 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 aside from the pack. Herman Miller ditches the angular, industrial design of many opponents for a clean, pure look. Whereas 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 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 out there). The VESA mount can be wonderful, offering a easy clip design that’s safe and will be simply pre-mounted to a monitor for easy set up. The best way this mount works accommodates displays 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 basically equivalent to the inexpensive Ergotron LX. The Flo’s operation is smoother, nevertheless: I discovered I may alter a monitor’s peak with a mere nudge.
Surprisingly, the Flo has a listed weight restrict of 20 kilos and recommends use with displays weighing at the least 7 kilos. Most displays match inside this vary, however some heavier fashions gained’t be appropriate with the Flo.
Herman Miller lists the Flo at $295, which is loads to ask for a single-monitor arm. The Ergotron LX provides related options at a a lot cheaper price. Nevertheless, the Flo is a smoother, extra interesting monitor arm, and definitely worth the improve if you would like type along with your perform.
Ergotron HX – Greatest heavy-duty monitor arm
Value 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. 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 speak weight. The Ergotron HX is rated to carry displays that weigh as much as 42 kilos and display screen sizes as much as 49 inches. That’s an awfully 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.
Using plastic is minimal and reserved for small parts of cladding that seem used just for cable routing. The arm’s shifting elements embody bigger, sturdier mechanisms, and felt extraordinarily clean in my use. Ergotron backs the arm with a 10-year guarantee.
The displays 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. Nevertheless, a considerably extra restricted peak adjustment is typical on this class because of the dimension of displays these stands are anticipated to hold.
The monitor arm’s spectacular design additionally gives a extra sturdy 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 properly. Count on to pay about $350.
The Ergotron HX is an apparent selection if you wish to mount an ultrawide, super-ultrawide, or giant format widescreen monitor in your desk.
Workstream by Monoprice – Greatest funds monitor arm
Value When Reviewed:
$59.99
The Workstream by Monoprice single monitor arm is a no-frills resolution 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 totally a win, although, because the plastic that exists feels frail (and I even broke a small, although unnoticeable, bit whereas adjusting the monitor).
It gives a very good 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 checklist, however it might probably’t swivel in a full circle, which can show annoying should you regularly transfer a monitor arm to share your display screen with colleagues.
The Workstream’s slim funds is felt in its tough setup and stiff operation. Customers might want to set up a number of screws for a clamp or gromet mount. Extra screws might must be adjusted as soon as the arm is in place, as its default stress 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 very good vary of adjustment and sturdy building for lower than half the worth. It’s an excellent selection for customers 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
Value When Reviewed:
$356.41
Two displays are at all times higher than one, and the identical goes for monitor arms. It’s no shock, then, that Ergotron’s LX Aspect-by-Aspect ranks as our greatest twin monitor arm. The Ergotron LX Aspect-by-Aspect pairs two LX monitor arms collectively on one mount. The look, really feel, and specs of every arm are near its standalone sibling.
Monitor dimension is one exception: Whereas the usual LX is rated for displays as much as 34 inches, the Aspect-by-Aspect’s arm is barely rated for displays as much as 27 inches. The monitor arms aren’t lengthy sufficient to suit two 32-inch or 34-inch displays side-by-side. Vertical preparations are additionally supported, although provided that one of many two displays is small (lower than 23 inches diagonal).
Feel and appear is in any other case just like the usual Ergotron LX, and that’s why the twin monitor arm additionally earns a advice. The twin-monitor arm gives the identical successful stability of construct high quality, adjustability, and clean 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
Value When Reviewed:
$99.99
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 Aspect-by-Aspect. I’m a bit shocked by the standard Monoprice can provide at a $100 worth level. Ergotron’s different is extra enticing and simpler to make use of, however is it 4 instances higher? That’s a tricky name.
The Workstream’s downsides are equivalent to plain mannequin. Construct high quality is spectacular for the worth, however the arm is tough to arrange and never as clean in operation. I’m additionally uncertain the arm is able to dealing with two 20-pound displays, as its spec sheets declare. Happily, 27-inch displays (the most important this arm can deal with side-by-side) normally weigh lower than 10 kilos, so weight capability shouldn’t be a difficulty.
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 assist the particular features 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 vital however typically ignored characteristic. A monitor arm ought to alter for peak, tilt, swivel, and pivot—and it ought to accomplish that with out instruments.
All of the monitor arms we suggest meet this customary, however some variations stay. Just some monitor arms present 360 levels of swivel, that means the neck of the monitor arm will be rotated to any place. That’s useful in case your desk is in the course of your room since you should use the monitor from varied positions.
Most cheap monitor arms ditch adjustability and persist with easy stress 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
Not one of the monitor arms examined had been tough to put in, however the distinction between funds and premium fashions was clear. Funds fashions require extra screws to put in, and the default stress of the arm’s adjustment mechanism is much less more likely to be appropriate out-of-the-box.
The benefit of adjustment varies enormously, too. All of the monitor arms we surveyed require an Allen wrench to regulate stress (which is critical if the arm appears too stiff or unfastened), however some had been far more tough than others. The Herman Miller Flo felt clean and easy, whereas the Workstream by Monoprice required critical torque.
Cable administration
Correct cable administration is necessary should you 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 properly. This did include a trade-off, although, because the Flo’s appeared least more likely to trigger cables to bind whereas shifting 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 perhaps hooked up to a high-end USB-C monitor (just like the Dell U3223QE). That is a side of monitor arm design that producers may enhance.
Most supported dimension and weight
It’s necessary to purchase a monitor arm that may deal with the monitor you personal.
This gained’t be a serious concern should you personal a 24-inch or 27-inch monitor, as most such displays 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. Bear in mind the monitor’s weight can exclude its stand. Bigger 32-inch, 34-inch, and 49-inch displays are tougher to deal with and should require an improve to a “heavy responsibility” monitor arm.
Monitor dimension limits needs to be revered as properly. It is perhaps potential to connect a 40-inch monitor to an arm meant for a 32-inch monitor. The 40-inch monitor might even come throughout the arm’s weight restrict. A bigger monitor will distribute weight in another way, nevertheless, which may trigger an arm’s stress mechanism to fail.
How we take a look at monitor arms
Each monitor arm we suggest 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 displays we use to check arms can range over time, however typically embody at the least one 27-inch and one 32-inch widescreen monitor. Monitor arms rated for “heavy responsibility” use had been examined with at the least one monitor that weighs 20 kilos or extra.
FAQ
1.
Is a monitor arm value it?
Whether or not a monitor arm is definitely worth the worth is subjective, however we imagine our really helpful monitor arms are value making the funding. A monitor arm is simpler 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 very good probability you’ll exchange a monitor earlier than the monitor arm.
2.
Are monitor arms appropriate with my monitor?
Almost all displays, and practically all monitor arms, use the VESA mounting customary. The 100x100mm bolt sample is by far the most typical, although 75x75mm is typically used as a substitute. All of the monitor arms we suggest assist each bolt patterns.
Unsure that your monitor helps VESA? Examine the rear of the monitor. The VESA mount will be discovered within the heart of the monitor, and the bolt sample will be verified with a ruler or tape measure. That is probably beneath the neck of your monitor’s stand you probably have one hooked up.
It’s potential to mount a monitor that lacks a VESA mount, however you’ll must buy a VESA adapter. It’s a big, X-shaped system that clamps to the rear of the monitor.
3.
Are monitor arms appropriate with my desk?
Most monitor arms provide two mounting choices: clamp and gromet.
A clamp mount is the most typical for house workplace use. A U-shaped clamp matches 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 dimension 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.
4.
Will a monitor arm injury my desk?
It’s potential {that a} monitor arm’s clamp mount, if used, will trigger minor injury 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, comparable to these which use a veneer over particleboard. A glass desk may also show troublesome—check with the desk’s producer to verify it’s secure to make use of a monitor arm.
5.
Do monitor arms wobble?
A high quality monitor arm will tame minimal monitor wobble, although some would possibly come by if the arm is mounted to a skinny, gentle desk. Be sure that to mount the monitor arm to a safe floor and alter the arm’s stress to a stage appropriate for the monitor you’ve mounted.
6.
Ought to I purchase a $25 monitor arm on Amazon?
A monitor arm’s price ticket can intimidate funds customers. Most funds displays promote for $200 or much less. Spending one other $150 to $300 for a monitor arm can appear laborious to justify.
Nonetheless, we encourage customers to keep away from low-cost monitor arms discovered on Amazon and different retailers. The least costly monitor arms lack a dynamic stress mechanism, like a gasoline piston or spring. A couple of arms within the $35 to $50 vary use a gasoline piston, nevertheless it’s typically a wimpy instance barely ample 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 scale back the lifespan of a monitor arm.