Finding the Right Monitor Arm for Your Home Office
A monitor arm is an often-overlooked but crucial upgrade for any home office. It not only creates valuable desk space but also enhances comfort and ergonomics by providing numerous ways to adjust your monitor(s). Plus, let’s face it, a monitor arm just makes your workspace look cooler.
The main barrier to entry is cost. Decent monitor arms typically start around $200, with heavy-duty models for dual large monitors costing even more. However, a well-made monitor arm is a long-term investment. Choosing wisely from the start is essential.
We’ve rigorously tested a variety of monitor arms designed for both single and dual monitor setups to help you navigate the options. Below are our top recommendations, along with detailed explanations of their strengths and weaknesses. We’ve even included some budget-friendly alternatives and highlighted models we advise against for comparison.
Top Picks
Ergotron LX Pro: The All-Around Champion
The Ergotron LX Pro strikes a superb balance of practicality, ease of use, and effectiveness. Ergotron’s ingenious yet simple engineering ensures effortless installation.
The desk clamp features a comfortable handhold for tool-free operation, and the arm sections easily slide into place. Thumb screws are provided for attaching the VESA mount to your monitor. While a hex wrench might be necessary for certain monitors, installation is generally tool-free.
The wide desk clamp is a key feature. Narrow clamps concentrate force, potentially damaging your desk. A wider clamp distributes force more evenly, reducing the risk of damage, especially on weaker desks.
This ease of installation doesn’t compromise functionality. The LX Pro supports monitors up to 34 inches and 22 pounds. It offers a 13-inch height adjustment, 85-degree tilt, and full 360-degree swivel and rotation. Cables are neatly routed through channels within the arm and secured with detachable covers. Ergotron provides a generous 10-year warranty.
The LX Pro addresses previous issues with the older Ergotron LX. The base is more compact, the white version has a color-coordinated VESA mount, and the overall design is more appealing. The only minor downgrade is a slightly lower weight limit (22 lbs vs. 25 lbs), which is unlikely to be a problem for most 32-inch and 34-inch monitors.
With an MSRP of $209, the Ergotron LX Pro offers exceptional value. Its build quality rivals more expensive arms like the Humanscale M2.1.
For its ease of setup, appealing design, excellent performance, and affordability, the Ergotron LX Pro is an easy recommendation and a significant upgrade over the original LX.
Workstream by Monoprice: The Budget-Friendly Option
The Workstream by Monoprice single monitor arm offers basic functionality at an incredibly low price point.
Its all-metal construction gives it a sturdy feel, perhaps even more so than the Ergotron LX due to less plastic. However, the plastic that is present feels flimsy.
It provides a respectable range of adjustment, including 13.2 inches of height and 90 degrees of tilt, swivel, and rotation. The height and tilt are comparable to other options, but the lack of full swivel may be inconvenient for frequent screen sharing.
The Workstream’s budget constraints are evident in its challenging setup and stiff operation. Several screws are required for both clamp and grommet mounting. Further adjustments may be necessary, as the default tension may not be sufficient for larger monitors.
While Monoprice claims a 20-pound weight capacity, a 15-pound 32-inch monitor felt like its limit. The warranty is also limited to just one year.
These shortcomings are forgivable given the $60 price tag. While less capable, less attractive, and harder to use than the Ergotron LX, it offers a good range of adjustment and durable construction for a fraction of the price. It’s ideal for budget-conscious shoppers or those using small, light 24-inch or 27-inch monitors.
Huanuo HNSS6: The Best Bargain
The Huanuo HNSS6 is our top pick for the least expensive monitor arm that still performs its intended function well.
The arm features a two-part design: the lower portion swivels, while the upper portion allows for height, tilt, and rotation adjustments. A gas spring provides tension, which is an upgrade from cheaper arms that use clips and screws. However, gas springs can lose their effectiveness over time. These features are standard for this price range.
The Huanuo stands out for its overall quality and easy installation. Setup involves just three screws and a couple of adjustments. The clamp is more intuitive than competitors like the MountUp Single Monitor Arm, as the spacing is adjustable without removing screws. It supports 32-inch displays up to 20 pounds, sufficient for most monitors. It performed well in testing with panels up to 32 inches and 12 pounds.
Cable management is a notable drawback. The plastic covers are flimsy and can’t accommodate many wires, especially if you add USB cables. This is typical for inexpensive arms. While not as easy to set up or adjust as the Ergotron LX, nor as sturdy as the Monoprice Single Monitor Arm, the Huanuo gets the job done.
Herman Miller Flo: Style and Substance
For those who value aesthetics, the Herman Miller Flo is an excellent choice.
Its design departs from the typical angular, industrial look, opting for a smooth, natural aesthetic. While suitable for corporate offices, it also blends well in home offices. It’s backed by a 12-year warranty and offers 24/7 customer service.
The clamp is similar to other monitor arms but more refined and requires fewer screws. The VESA mount is excellent, with a simple clip design that can be pre-mounted to a monitor. This design accommodates monitors with slightly recessed mount positions.
It offers a similar range of adjustment to high-end arms, with 13.3 inches of vertical adjustment, 80 degrees of tilt, and 360 degrees of swivel and rotation. Its operation is smoother, allowing height adjustments with a gentle nudge.
Surprisingly, it has a listed weight limit of 20 pounds and recommends use with monitors weighing at least 7 pounds.
At $295, the Flo is expensive for a single-monitor arm. The Ergotron LX offers similar features at a lower price. However, the Flo is smoother, more aesthetically pleasing, and worth the upgrade if you value both form and function.
Ergotron HX: The Heavyweight Champion
The Ergotron HX is not simply an upgraded LX. It’s a completely different monitor arm with increased capacity, improved build quality, and a more professional look.
It’s rated to hold monitors up to 42 pounds and screen sizes up to 49 inches. The use of plastic is minimal, and the moving parts are larger and sturdier. Ergotron provides a 10-year warranty.
The range of adjustment is slightly more limited than the LX, with 11.5 inches of height, 75 degrees of tilt, 180 degrees of swivel, and 360 degrees of rotation. However, this is typical for heavy-duty arms.
Its robust design may be too much for some home offices. It costs around $350.
The Ergotron HX is the obvious choice for mounting ultrawide, super-ultrawide, or large-format widescreen monitors.
Humanscale M2.1 with M/Connect: Connectivity Hub
The Humanscale M2.1 is an attractive, robust, and modern monitor arm that can expand your laptop’s connectivity.
The M2.1 can accommodate the M/Connect 3 laptop docking station, which adds three USB-C ports and two USB-A ports. The M/Connect 3 Pro Dock adds even more ports, including Ethernet and DisplayPort, for a significantly higher price.
The M/Connect 3 offers an excellent way to expand laptop ports. It keeps ports accessible and organized. It’s a good alternative to USB-C monitors, which can have inconveniently located ports.
The Humanscale M2.1 supports monitors between 5 and 15 pounds. It has a "smart stop" feature to customize rotation and easy-to-use quick-release joints. While not as smooth as the Herman Miller Flo, it’s easy to adjust.
Dual Monitor Arms
Ergotron LX Side-by-Side: Best Dual Monitor Arm
The Ergotron LX Side-by-Side combines two LX monitor arms on one mount.
While the standard LX supports up to 34-inch monitors, the Side-by-Side is only rated for up to 27-inch monitors. Vertical arrangements are possible if one monitor is small.
The look, feel, and performance are similar to the standard Ergotron LX. It provides the same build quality, adjustability, and smooth operation, backed by a 10-year warranty. It is a bit more expensive at $330.
Workstream by Monoprice Dual Monitor Arm: Best Budget Dual Monitor Arm
The Workstream Dual Monitor Arm offers impressive value.
The dual arm is four times less expensive than the Ergotron LX Side-by-Side. While the Ergotron alternative is more attractive and easier to use, the Monoprice offers quality for the price.
Its downsides are the same as the single model: build quality is good for the price, but it’s difficult to set up and less smooth in operation. It may not be able to handle two 20-pound monitors. However, 27-inch monitors usually weigh less than 10 pounds.
Huanuo HNDS12: Middle Ground Dual Monitor Arm
The Huanuo HNDS12 is a good balance of quality and affordability.
Each arm is almost all metal and has gas springs capable of lifting up to 26 pounds.
It features a USB hub with two ports at the base.
Setup is a bit fiddly. It has two clamps and requires about a dozen screws. The gas springs also require adjustment.
Still, the HNDS12 is a good pick at its retail price of $140, which often drops to $110 on sale.
Clearspace Uni-2: Stylish Dual Monitor Arm
The Clearspace Uni-2’s design is unique. It places two individual arms on a single pole. Each arm adjusts for height, swivel, and tilt, and each monitor mounts to an independent slider. It’s easier to adjust than the Humanscale M8.1, though the Humanscale M8.1’s crossbar is more stable for large monitors.
The Clearspace Uni-2’s softer look is appropriate for a home office. It’s available in black, silver, and white.
It comes standard with a Smart Hub that provides a USB-A and USB-C port. An optional SmartDock expands connectivity but lacks expected features for the price.
While the optional SmartDock is not worth it, the arm is a winner if you are picky about the look and feel of your home office space.
Monitor Arms to Avoid
MountUp MU0004: Too Many Compromises
The MountUp MU0004 Single Monitor Arm is a cheaper alternative to the Huanuo HNSS6, but it comes with compromises.
It is more difficult to install due to the clamp’s design. Adjustment is harder, and the clamp lacks a rubberized pad. It has a coarse, matte feel.
While it can support 32-inch displays up to 17 pounds, it’s not worth the small price difference compared to the Huanuo.
Vivo STAND-V002: Lowest Price, Lowest Quality
The Vivo STAND-V002 is the worst arm we’ve tested.
It is often sold below $30. Adjustability is minimal. You can adjust the monitors for height, but only together. The arms have joints that allow swivel and tilt, but everything is tensioned by screws that must be loosened with a tool.
Build quality is poor. Even with a 10-pound monitor, there was slight deflection. Cable management is barely adequate. The clamp is small and lacks a rubber pad.
It’s not worth $30 and may fall apart quickly.
Humanscale M8.1: Overpriced
The Humanscale M8.1 looks similar to the M2.1 but handles monitors between 6 and 28 pounds. The arm can also handle two monitors with a crossbar.
The arm starts at $545, but the crossbar increases the price to $686. The M/Connect 3 laptop dock is also available, further increasing the price.
The Ergotron HX, which supports monitors up to 42 pounds, is less expensive.
The Humanscale M8.1 has an optional laptop dock and customizable arm rotation, but its price is hard to justify.
Huanuo HNDS6: Outperformed by Monoprice
The Huanuo HNDS6 is a budget dual-monitor arm that provides reasonable quality at a low price but is not as good as the Workspace by Monoprice Dual Monitor Arm.
Each arm holds between 4.4 and 14.3 pounds. It has two clamps instead of one. There are roughly a dozen screws to install.
The Huanuo HNDS6 is worthwhile on discount, but the Monoprice Workstream Dual Monitor Arm provides more for a similar price.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Monitor Arm
Adjustability
A monitor arm should adjust for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot without tools. Only some monitor arms provide 360 degrees of swivel. Avoid mounts that use simple tension mechanisms secured by a screw.
Ease of Installation
Budget models require more screws, and the default tension is less likely to be suitable.
Ease of Adjustment
All arms require an Allen wrench to adjust tension, but some are more difficult than others.
Cable Management
Proper cable management is important for a clean desk.
Weight and Size Capacity
Buy an arm that can handle the monitor you own. Double-check the monitor’s weight. Larger monitors may require a "heavy duty" arm. Respect monitor size limits.
Testing Methodology
Every monitor arm we recommend was personally tested first-hand. We examine the quality, ease of installation, and range of adjustment. We use at least one 27-inch and one 32-inch widescreen monitor. Heavy-duty arms were tested with at least one monitor that weighs 20 pounds or more.
Monitor Arm Benefits
A monitor arm is easier to use than a stand, allows a wider range of adjustment, and keeps your desk clear of clutter. They’re also durable.
VESA Compatibility
Nearly all monitors and monitor arms use the VESA mounting standard. All arms we recommend support both 100x100mm and 75x75mm bolt patterns.
Mounting Options
Most monitor arms offer clamp and grommet mounting options. Clamps are most common for home offices. Double-check the specifications if your desk is thick. Grommet mounts insert into cut-outs on corporate office desks.
Clamps may cause minor damage to desks. Glass desks can also be problematic.
Monitor Wobble
A quality arm will tame minimal monitor wobble. Make sure to mount the arm to a secure surface and adjust the tension.
Budget Considerations
Avoid cheap monitor arms that lack a dynamic tension mechanism and rely heavily on plastic.
About the Reviewer
Matthew S. Smith is a freelance technology journalist with 15 years of experience reviewing consumer electronics.
