A high quality monitor arm is among the many smartest upgrades you should purchase on your house workplace setup. Monitor arms tremendously enhance the vary of positions a monitor can take in your desk, offering extra consolation and a gorgeous look. In addition they liberate area in your desk, leaving it open for different use.
These perks are offset by an issue: the worth. Most monitor arms price shopping for are near $200, and heavy-duty arms are much more costly. It’s vital to purchase the fitting monitor arm the primary time—to that finish I put a number of standard monitor arms via their paces.
Right here I provide the most effective monitor arms from my exams.
Additional studying: See our roundup of the most effective house workplace displays for purchasing recommendation and proposals.
Ergotron LX – Finest monitor arm
The Ergotron LX is a sturdy, sensible monitor arm that may deal with most displays. It’s straightforward to arrange, straightforward 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 opponents. The arm is primarily constructed from metallic, with some plastic cladding, and might assist displays that weigh as much as 25 kilos. Ergotron recommends sticking to displays 34 inches broad 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 carry, 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 capable of modify 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 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 displays (24 to 27 inches) alone, however assistance is really useful for bigger shows.
Ergotron additionally avoids any severe flaws. I’ve a number of nitpicks, certain. I believe the clamp may very well be smaller. The white colorway doesn’t have a shade coordinated VESA mount. And the arm’s total design seems a bit industrial. Nonetheless, it is a bomb-proof mount, and it’s obtainable underneath $200.
Herman Miller Flo – Finest upscale monitor arm
Desire a monitor arm that will get the job carried out 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 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 straightforward 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 may 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, nonetheless: I discovered I may modify a monitor’s top with a mere nudge.
Surprisingly, the Flo has a listed weight restrict of 20 kilos and recommends use with displays weighing at the very 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 so much to ask for a single-monitor arm. The Ergotron LX provides comparable options at a a lot cheaper price. Nonetheless, the Flo is a smoother, extra interesting monitor arm, and definitely worth the improve if you would like type together with your perform.
Ergotron HX – Finest heavy-duty monitor arm
It’s pure, given the one slight distinction in identify, to suppose the Ergotron HX is merely an uprated model of the Ergotron LX. That’s not the case. That 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 displays 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 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 usage of plastic is minimal and reserved for small parts of cladding that seem used just for cable routing. The arm’s shifting components embrace bigger, sturdier mechanisms, and felt extraordinarily easy 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 top, 75 levels of tilt, 180 levels of swivel, and 360 levels of rotation. Nonetheless, a considerably extra restricted top adjustment is typical on this class as a result of dimension of displays these stands are anticipated to hold.
The monitor arm’s spectacular design additionally supplies a extra sturdy 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 effectively. Count on to pay about $350.
The Ergotron HX is an apparent selection if you wish to mount an ultrawide, super-ultrawide, or massive format widescreen monitor in your desk.
Workstream by Monoprice – Finest price range monitor arm
The Workstream by Monoprice single monitor arm is a no-frills resolution that delivers fundamental monitor arm options at an exceptionally low value.
The monitor arm has an all-metal development that in some methods feels sturdier than the Ergotron LX, because the Workstream doesn’t embrace as a lot plastic cladding. It’s not completely 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 top and 90 levels of tilt, swivel, and rotation. The arm’s top and tilt adjustment are similar to others on this record, however it could possibly’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 price range 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 could have to 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 engaging, and tougher to make use of than Ergotron’s LX, nevertheless it provides a great vary of adjustment and sturdy development for lower than half the worth. It’s a super selection for consumers on a decent price range, in addition to those that plan to put in a small, mild 24-inch or 27-inch monitor.
Ergotron LX Twin Monitor Arm – Finest twin monitor arm
Two displays 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 dimension is one exception: Whereas the usual LX is rated for displays as much as 34 inches, the Facet-by-Facet’s arm is simply 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 suggestion. The twin-monitor arm supplies the identical profitable stability of construct high quality, adjustability, and easy 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 Twin Monitor Arm – Finest price range twin monitor arm
The identical logic that applies to our favourite twin monitor arm additionally to the price range mannequin, giving Monoprice’s Workstream Twin Monitor Arm a transparent path to victory.
Actually, 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 provide at a $100 value level. Ergotron’s different is extra engaging and simpler to make use of, however is it 4 instances higher? That’s a troublesome 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 easy in operation. I’m additionally uncertain the arm is able to dealing with two 20-pound displays, as its spec sheets declare. Luckily, 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 apparatus 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 crucial however typically ignored characteristic. A monitor arm ought to modify for top, tilt, swivel, and pivot—and it ought to achieve this with out instruments.
All of the monitor arms we suggest meet this commonplace, however some variations stay. Just some monitor arms present 360 levels of swivel, that 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 should use the monitor from numerous positions.
Most cheap monitor arms ditch adjustability and keep on with easy stress mechanisms which might 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 have been tough to put in, however the distinction between price range and premium fashions was clear. Finances fashions require extra screws to put in, and the default stress of the arm’s adjustment mechanism is much less prone to be appropriate out-of-the-box.
The benefit of adjustment varies tremendously, 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 have been far more tough than others. The Herman Miller Flo felt easy and easy, whereas the Workstream by Monoprice required severe torque.
Cable administration
Correct cable administration is vital for those who worth a clear, clutter-free desk.
That 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 effectively. This did include a trade-off, although, because the Flo’s appeared least prone to trigger cables to bind whereas shifting the monitor.
Whereas cable administration is helpful, 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 facet of monitor arm design that producers may enhance.
Most supported dimension and weight
It’s vital to purchase a monitor arm that may deal with the monitor you personal.
This gained’t be a serious concern for those who 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. Keep 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 duty” monitor arm.
Monitor dimension limits must be revered as effectively. It is perhaps doable to connect a 40-inch monitor to an arm meant for a 32-inch monitor. The 40-inch monitor could even come inside the arm’s weight restrict. A bigger monitor will distribute weight otherwise, nonetheless, 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 study 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 differ over time, however typically embrace at the very least one 27-inch and one 32-inch widescreen monitor. Monitor arms rated for “heavy duty” use have been examined with at the very least one monitor that weighs 20 kilos or extra.
