Attaching your monitor to an adjustable arm can transform your workstation and allow you to precisely position your screen(s) in a range of orientations. Rotate between portrait and landscape display, move your screen up and down to change from a seated to a standing workstation, and adjust your viewing angle for optimized comfort.
A well-positioned screen can reduce eye strain and other discomforts associated with long hours at the computer, and without a clunky monitor base on your desk, you free up some additional workspace. Dual monitor arms allow for additional flexibility, and let you put your screens edge to edge for an immersive display.
All of the arms on this list are designed for VESA-compatible monitors. “VESA standards” refer to a set of measurements that make your monitor’s attachment interface compatible with different kinds of mounting devices. The vast majority of monitors on the market meet these standards, but you should always double-check your monitor’s make and model to make sure it is VESA compatible.
If you’re looking to complete your ergonomic workspace, check out our roundup of the best ergonomic keyboards.
This versatile desk-mounted monitor arm is our top pick for its durable design and wide range of adjustability. The arm itself can extend to a maximum of 25 inches and up to 13 inches vertically. It’s available with either an 8- or 13-inch vertical mounting pole, and the taller one provides a significant amount of extra height that makes this a great option for switching between seated and standing workstations.
Best Overall
Ergotron LX Desk Mount LCD Arm
Cable management clips
360-degree screen rotation
13-inch pole for standing desk orientation
Expensive
Combined with 75-degree tilt adjustment and 360-degree pan adjustment, this mount allows for a super adjustable workstation setup. It also has clips along the arm to keep monitor cables untangled and out of the way.
The Ergotron LX can hold a single VESA mount compatible monitor with a maximum diagonal measurement of 34 inches and maximum weight capacity of 25 pounds. The Ergotron is available in black, aluminum, and white.
Maximum Size (Diagonal): 34 inches | Maximum Weight: 25 pounds | Height Adjustment Range: 13 inches | Tilt Adjustment Range: 75 degrees
If you need extra screen real estate, a dual monitor setup may be the way to go. Monitor arms allow you to customize the positioning of multiple screens and place them edge to edge without bulky bases getting in the way. This dual monitor arm from Huanuo is a somewhat bulky device, but it allows for a wide range of screen positions—including a mix of landscape and portrait orientations—for a fully customized setup. It’s also surprisingly affordable.
Best for Dual Monitors
HUANUO Dual Monitor Mount
Each arm is independently adjustable
360-degree arm rotation
Affordable
17-pound weight limit per arm
Like other monitor arms, the Huanuo clamps to the back edge of your desk and extends forwards up to 25 inches. The arms can rotate a full 360 degrees to face even the back of your desk, which means your monitors can double as a shareable display during meetings. The screens can also be angled, tilted, and turned to your preferred orientation.
Each arm can hold a monitor measuring up to 27 inches diagonally and 17.6 pounds. This is a relatively low weight limit, especially for monitors with larger screens, so the Huanuo is best for small to mid-sized monitors that are more lightweight. It has built-in clips for seamless cable management.
Maximum Size (Diagonal): 27 inches each | Maximum Weight: 17.6 pounds each | Height Adjustment Range: 13.8 inches | Tilt Adjustment Range: 175 degrees
If you have a lighter monitor—under 18 pounds—then we recommend the Ergotech Freedom Arm for its streamlined design and tough build. While many monitor arms are bulky and covered in plastic, the Freedom Arm is surprisingly sleek with its shorter pole, slimmer arm, and choice of gray or silver finish.
Best for Lightweight Monitors
Ergotech Freedom Arm
Streamlined design
Solid construction
360-degree arm rotation
17-pound weight limit
Shorter pole limits height range
The downside of the shorter pole is that you can’t get the monitor quite as high as with a taller arm. If you want an arm that you can adjust for both standing and seated setups, you may need one with greater vertical range.
The Freedom Arm can extend forward 23.4 inches and can rotate a full 360 degrees to face any direction. It has a 14-inch vertical height adjustment range, a 135-degree tilt range and can support both landscape and portrait orientation. Built-in cable clips keep your monitor wires out of the way.
Maximum Size (Diagonal): 27 inches | Maximum Weight: 17.8 pounds | Height Adjustment Range: 14 inches | Tilt Adjustment Range: 135 degrees
Most Versatile
Solid construction
Holds larger monitors
Limited tilt range
Shorter pole limits height range
The Premium Single Monitor Stand has a few limitations on its adjustability. The first is the pole, which is less than 8 inches tall and limits the monitor’s maximum height. This shouldn’t be an issue if you have a seated workstation, but if you like to switch between sitting and standing, it may not be tall enough. The second is the tilt range, which at 75 degrees is considerably more limited than the other monitor arms on this list.
Maximum Size (Diagonal): 32 inches | Maximum Weight: 25 pounds | Height Adjustment Range: 14 inches | Tilt Adjustment Range: 75 degrees
If you have a particularly heavy monitor, this desk mount monitor arm from 3M is up for the job. The 30-pound weight limit is the highest on our list, making it the best choice for heavier screens. The downside is that it still has a 27-inch screen size limit, and some users who have tried to make it work with heavier, ultrawide monitors have had issues getting the arm to stay in place.
Best for Heavy Monitors
3M Desk Mount Monitor Arm
30-pound weight limit
Larger height adjustment range
Two different desk mounting options
27-inch maximum monitor size is limiting
But if your monitor is within these specifications, the 3M arm is a sturdy device with a greater height adjustment range than many of its competitors. The support pole is still relatively short at 7.5 inches, but the arm’s length gives this device a full 18.5 inches of vertical range. It also has two options for mounting it to the desk: a temporary clamp mount, and hardware for a more permanent grommet mount.
Maximum Size (Diagonal): 27 inches | Maximum Weight: 30 pounds | Height Adjustment Range: 18.5 inches | Tilt Adjustment Range: 105 degrees
About Our Trusted Experts
Emmeline Kaser is a former editor of Lifewire’s product round-ups and has several years of experience researching and writing about the best consumer products out there. She specializes in consumer tech, including arms for computer monitors.
What to Look For in a Monitor Arm
Flexibility
How flexible do you need your monitor arm to be for your space? While some mounts offer only basic tilting, others can tilt, swivel, and raise to different heights. Consider how you might wish to manipulate your monitor before making a selection.
For a wall monitor mount, you’re going to want to follow criteria similar to a TV wall mount. You want to look for a wall mount that can support the size, weight, and shape of your monitor. This is especially true for those with an ultrawide or curved monitor. Wall mounts may also be more of a challenge to install since you need to put them into the drywall and studs, so that’s something to keep in mind before you get started. You also want to consider if you want a fixed mount or one that supports tilt and swivel.
Mounting
Monitor arms can mount to different surfaces; some can be attached to your wall, while others will need the support of a desk. Decide if you want your monitor to be on the wall directly behind your desk or if you would prefer a desk arm for a floating monitor.
Multi-Monitor Support
How many monitors do you use? While single-monitor setups are still popular, many people use two or even three monitors. Ensure the arm you purchase can support your entire setup.
