The 4 Best Monitor Arms

Removing your monitor from its stand, buying a separate monitor arm, and clamping it down to your desk can be a frustrating experience. Is it really worth it? Well, there are two main reasons monitor arms are so popular.

First, it's the ergonomic flexibility. Many monitors come with built-in stands, but they're limited in terms of height adjustment. Ideally, you want your monitor to be at eye level to avoid being hunched over. A good monitor arm gives you a dramatically wider range of motion, even allowing you to pull it forward when you want to lean in. This is all done with a level of ease that a built-in or external monitor stand cannot match.

The second reason to buy a monitor stand is the space savings. Ridding your desk of an unwieldy monitor base gives you a cleaner workspace and opens up more space for storage. This is particularly important with larger monitors, such as ones that use an ultrawide aspect ratio, which need infamously huge bases to hold up the extra weight.

OK, so you’ve decided it's time to buy a monitor arm, but there are hundreds of options out there, especially if you're shopping on Amazon. Here are some of the most important factors to consider.

Type of arm: These days, the most common kind of monitor arm is fully articulated. This is most likely what most people imagine when you say “monitor arm.” It resembles a robotic arm. However, there are some simpler pole designs, which only let you adjust the height of the monitor. I don't usually recommend these, as the adjustments are very limited. The in-between option is a pole design with an articulated arm, which is how some multi-arm designs function.

Brand: Stick with a well-known brand. Amazon has some best-selling options from lesser-known names like Huanuo or Ergotron, which offer great value. Monitor manufacturers also often make monitor arms and are a good place to look, whether that's Asus, MSI, BenQ, or Acer. Lastly, more high-end names in the home office game like Branch and Herman-Miller also make monitor arms with a bit more panache.

Materials and design: Monitor arms tends to be ugly contraptions, especially when they're overly chunky and made of cheap plastic. Look for aluminum or steel options for more robust arms that have a more elegant design.

Weight limit: A monitor arm's job is to keep your monitor floating without constantly sinking or damaging your desk. Make sure to look up the weight of your monitor and pay careful attention to the stated weight limit of the monitor arm you're considering. If your display is curved, give yourself an extra buffer of around 5 pounds, as the curve adds extra forward weight that puts extra tension on the monitor arm. It's also not recommended to use a lightweight monitor on a heavy-duty monitor arm, as it can cause it to float.

Clamps, grommets, and stands: When we say “monitor arms,” we usually mean something that clamps to a desk. Some monitor arms take things a step further and come with an option for permanently installing the arm to your desk by drilling a hole and attaching it through a metal plate or grommet. Personally, I don't love the idea of drilling holes into my desk, but it's certainly the most stable method of securing the arm. Some are also designed more for wall mounts if that's your only option.

If you start perusing the digital aisles of Amazon for monitor arms, you'll likely come across the term “gas spring.” This does not mean that it's gas-powered, though there is some fun technology behind the idea. Instead of using traditional springs, the internal cylinder in the arm is filled with nitrogen gas, which creates a more powerful counterbalance when making adjustments. Monitor arms using gas spring often cost more but feel smoother and less rigid when moving it around. Mechanical springs, on the other hand, are much cheaper and feel more stiff. But they can be a decent option if you don't intend on making frequent adjustments.

I prefer a dual-monitor arm setup, which includes both arms into a single clamp. Not only is this a simpler setup with less mess, it's also easier to position them side-by-side without a gap.

However, if you're creating a PC gaming setup, most people will prefer to use two single monitor arms next to each other. This way, you have a primary display that can more easily be centered. Dual monitor arms are a convenient and organized way to go, but it can be awkward if you're using one screen as as your dominant source and want it to be centered in your view. This is also true if you plan to use a secondary monitor vertically.

Not all monitors and desks can safely use a monitor arm. For example, if your desk is overly thin or has rounded edges, it'll be difficult to install the clamp securely. Also, if you're using a lightweight table with a hollow core or a glass table, you're out of luck.

On the monitor side of things, you'll need to check that it is VESA-compatible, meaning it has four screw holes on the back in a square. This is what allows you to attach the back of the screen to the monitor arm. The most common size is 100 mm by 100 mm, though some smaller or older monitors use the 75 mm by 75 mm size.

Fortunately, these days the only ones that lack VESA support are cheap monitors under $200. So, it's something to keep in mind if you're shopping in that price range.