A monitor arm is designed to help you place your monitor (or monitors) in the exact position you want them when working at your computer. Using a monitor arm can help keep your neck aligned and prevent you from slouching over as you work. Monitor arms can also be useful for people who use standing desks, walking desks, or some combination of traditional and non-traditional desks. They make it possible to easily adjust the height of your monitor based on your preferred work style.
If you work from home or spend lots of time at your computer, a monitor arm could make all the difference in the comfort and functionality of your setup. Check out some of the top options on the market to help you select the best monitor arm to keep you comfortable while you work.
- BEST OVERALL: EleTab Dual Arm Monitor Stand
- RUNNER UP: MOUNTUP Dual Monitor Stand
- BEST FOR SINGLE MONITORS: NB North Bayou Monitor Desk Mount Stand
- BEST FOR DUAL MONITORS: HUANUO Dual Monitor Mount Stand
- BEST FOR HEAVY MONITORS: Loctek Monitor Arm
- BEST FOR SMALL MONITORS: Mount-It! Monitor Wall Mount Arm
- BEST WALL MOUNT: Pipishell Full Motion TV Monitor Wall Mount Bracket
What to Consider When Buying a Monitor Arm
Before purchasing a monitor arm, it’s important to learn about the different features and options that are available. Doing so will allow you to make an informed purchase and will help ensure that the product you choose will perform as expected. Read on for a list of some of these key features to help you decide which is the best monitor arm for you.
Ease of Assembly
Most monitor arms need to be assembled before you’re able to use them. However, some options are more labor-intensive to get set up and ready to use, which could impact your decision about what to purchase.
One thing you should check for is how easy it is to mount the monitor to the arm. Many monitor arms offer brackets that align with the existing screw holes in VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association)-compliant monitors. If your monitor is not VESA-compliant, then you may need to look for an adapter to help you connect it to the arm.
You may also want to consider how easy it will be to mount the monitor arm. Some products have a clamp to attach it to your desk, while others can be drilled in and anchored to the wall or your desk.
Finally, you may also want to look for products that offer cable management features. These will help you keep all the cords and cables between your monitor(s) and your computer organized and out of your way.
Support for Monitor Sizes
When considering your options, you should also look for information about the monitor sizes each arm can support. Think about the size of the current monitor or monitors you have and whether you are thinking about purchasing larger monitors in the future.
If your monitor is under 32 inches, you will likely see many arms that will support it. However, if you have a larger monitor or monitors, you may find that many products will not work, and you will need to be more selective.
Range of Motion
Range of motion is one of the most important features to consider when selecting the best monitor arm. Range of motion refers to all the different ways you can adjust an arm. This can include adjusting the height or depth of your monitors, rotating them, or tilting them up or down.
When you are looking at height adjustment options, you’ll notice that there are four main arm types to consider.
- Electric arms are the easiest to adjust; simply press a button to move the monitors up or down.
- Gas monitor arms have gas cylinders that enable you to easily adjust the height using only your hands.
- Spring monitor arms have internal mechanisms that allow you to adjust your monitors using your hands.
- Adjustable bracket monitor arms slide up or down and lock into place when they reach your desired height.
If you want to be able to adjust the depth of your monitor, or how far away the screen is from you, you should look for a model with a monitor arm extension. This feature makes it possible to either pull a monitor closer to you or push it farther away from you.
A monitor arm that offers 360-degree rotation will make it possible to switch the orientation of your screen between portrait and landscape. This feature also makes it easier to turn your monitor so someone else in the room can clearly see it. Finally, be sure to look for information about the tilt adjustment options for the products you’re considering. While nearly all monitor arms allow you to tilt your monitors up or down to a comfortable angle, some options aren’t as flexible as others.
Flexibility
Another feature to look for is flexibility. Some monitor arms include other features designed to add functionality to your purchase. For example, some options include an adjustable keyboard (or laptop) tray to help you position your keyboard at a comfortable height. If you prefer to type at an angle, finding a product that allows you to adjust the angle of your keyboard as well as your monitors could be a huge benefit.
Our Top Picks
Now that you have an understanding of some of the key features to keep in mind when looking for a monitor arm, take some time to read through the following top picks. The products below were selected because of their quality and functionality. They also offer many of the important features highlighted above.
Photo: amazon.com
The EleTab Dual Arm Monitor Stand is designed to satisfy ergonomic work requirements. The counter-balance height adjustment setup allows you to raise the monitor’s height up to 16.2 inches and extend the screen up to 21.6 inches from the base. This model also offers a 360-degree rotation angle for switching between landscape and portrait mode. Each of the two arms can also swivel 180 degrees for even more configuration options.
The EleTab stand is VESA compatible and can be used with monitors between 17 and 32 inches. Each of the two arms can support up to 17.6 pounds. This model also includes a cable management system to help keep your desk organized.
Photo: amazon.com
The MOUNTUP Dual Monitor Stand’s gas spring system will allow you to easily and smoothly adjust the height of your monitors. Each arm can be raised up to 9.8 inches and can extend up to 19.66 inches. Additionally, you’ll always be able to find the perfect viewing angle for each monitor thanks to the 360-degree rotation, 180-degree swivel, and 135-degree tilt. These features will also make it easy to angle your screen to provide a better view for someone else in the room.
This model is made from heavy-gauge steel to support two monitors that each weigh up to 17.6 pounds. It has a two-stage locking system that can be used to secure it to your desk using a C-clamp or grommet base. You can use it with VESA 75mm x 75mm- or 100mm x 100mm- compatible monitors of up to 32 inches.
Photo: amazon.com
North Bayou’s monitor stand offers universal mounting with VESA-compatible monitors between 17 and 30 inches—at an affordable price. It can support up to 19.8 pounds. If you purchase this product, you can mount it to your desk using either grommet or C-clamp installation; all the necessary hardware is included for both mounting options.
This product features a gas spring system that makes it easy to move your monitor to a comfortable viewing position. You’ll be able to tilt your monitor between -30 degrees and +85 degrees. Additionally, you will be able to rotate the monitor 360 degrees to switch between landscape and portrait orientations as needed.
Photo: amazon.com
The HUANUO Dual Monitor Mount Stand is designed to hold two screens, each between 22 and 35 inches and each weighing up to 26.4 pounds. The stand is VESA compatible, so attaching your monitors should be simple and straightforward.
Whereas some other monitor arms can only be raised a few inches, the enlarged arms on this model can be raised up to 21 inches. They will also extend up to 25.6 inches, making this an excellent option if you have a deep desk. Each screen can be rotated 360 degrees for landscape or portrait orientations. They can also tilt between -55 degrees and +8 degrees and swivel between -90 degrees and 90 degrees.
Photo: amazon.com
If your monitor is heavy, you’ll want to look at the Loctek Monitor Arm. This product is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and can support monitors between 10 and 27 inches weighing up to 19.8 pounds. Hardware is included to allow for a grommet hole or clamp installation. The monitor arm also includes a cable management system to keep all your cords off your desk.
It is designed using a gas spring hovering system that can easily be adjusted using the included tool. The arm swivels in three different positions to help you position your monitor in the exact place you want it. The front of the base also has ports for a USB 3.0, audio, and microphone.
Photo: amazon.com
Designed to be used with monitors between 13 and 32 inches, this wall-mounted option uses a gas spring tension adjustment that can easily be calibrated to support varying weights. A tool is included to help you adjust the tension to raise or lower your screen.
Once mounted to your wall, you’ll be able to swivel, tilt, or rotate your screens, allowing any seat to be the best seat in the room. This option also includes an integrated system to help you manage and organize all your cables and keep them out of the way.
Photo: amazon.com
Designed to support screens up to 42 inches, the Pipishell’s monitor arm offers a variety of features to enhance your viewing and work experience. It can support up to 44 pounds, which also makes it a great option for larger and heavier monitors. Your purchase will include all the hardware needed to securely mount this to your wall.
This mounting bracket can tilt between -15 degrees and +5 degrees and swivel 180 degrees to the right or left. The arm can extend up to 14.5 inches forward to help you clearly see what you’re working on. When you’re not using your monitor, you can push it back against the wall to free up space on your desk.
FAQs About Monitor Arms
If you still have some unanswered questions about selecting or using a monitor arm, you’re not alone. Below you’ll find the answers to some frequently asked questions about monitor arms that may help guide your decision.
Q. How do you attach a monitor to a monitor arm?
If you have a VESA-compatible monitor, attaching it to a monitor arm will be pretty straightforward. Most products will have a VESA mounting plate at the edge of the arm, and you will simply need to use four screws to attach it to the back of your monitor.
Q. How long does a monitor arm last?
The length of time a monitor arm will last will depend on a few different factors, including its quality and the mechanism used to adjust the height. For example, gas cylinder height adjustment mechanisms will typically last longer than spring adjustment mechanisms.
Q. Are monitor arms universal?
Yes, monitor arms are designed to meet VESA requirements. This means they all are compatible with monitors that also meet VESA standards. If your monitor does not meet VESA standards, adapters are available to help you connect it to a monitor arm.
Q. How do I adjust my arm monitor?
Since there are different types of monitor arms on the market, you will want to consult with the user’s manual for your product. If you have an electric monitor arm, you should be able to press a button to adjust the height. Gas and spring monitor arms are designed to let you raise or lower your monitors using your hands. Other products have adjustable brackets that you can move and tighten to set your monitors to your preferred height.
