Two monitors are always better than one, and the same goes for monitor arms. It’s no surprise, then, that Ergotron’s LX Side-by-Side ranks as our best dual monitor arm. The Ergotron LX Side-by-Side pairs two LX monitor arms together on one mount. The look, feel, and specifications of each arm are close to its standalone sibling. A monitor stand uses a more basic design, with a base and pedestal supporting a VESAinterface. It is placed directly on the desktop. Compact construction minimizes its footprint as well as its overall presence in the workspace. Monoprice lists the monitor as capable of supporting 20 pounds, but I felt the 32-inch monitor (which weighed 15 pounds) was pushing the Workstream to its limits. Monoprice also skimps on the warranty, offering just one year of coverage. Setup is simple. The monitor has an included clamp and grommet mount. Installation is mostly handled with a bundled Allen wrench, though you’ll still need a Philips head screwdriver to attach your monitor to the VESA mount. Most owners will be able to install smaller monitors (24 to 27 inches) alone, but help is recommended for larger displays.

All other products will be delivered via the fastest available method (excluding bank holidays and weekends) and generally within 3-5 days, depending on customer location. There’s one unusual feature: a USB hub. This includes two USB ports that are placed at the front of the arm base. Each of these will need to plug in to your computer, which might be a problem if you have a laptop with just a few ports, but it’s a functional bonus. The other factor to keep a close eye on is the weight limit of the monitor mount. While most of the mounts on our list have comparable maximum weights, it’s important to make sure your monitor won’t put too much strain on the arm before purchasing it. The monitor’s range of adjustment isn’t much different from other high-end monitor arms. It offers 13.3 inches of vertical adjustment, 80 degrees of tilt, and 360 degrees of swivel and rotation. That’s essentially identical to the less expensive Ergotron LX. The Flo’s operation is smoother, however: I found I could adjust a monitor’s height with a mere nudge.Additionally, some of the two monitor models have specific restrictions in regards to how wide the arms can go. This means that certain sizes of monitors, such as ultrawide monitors, might not be compatible with the dual arm models. Be sure to confirm that your monitors will fit on the arms even if they don’t exceed the weight limit. Ideal Ergonomics There are a variety of things that could lead people to use a monitor arm. For some, the ergonomics (and convenience) of being able to move your monitor exactly where you want, well, it’s something that can be hard to give up. For others, the desk space being saved by taking the monitor off the desk is invaluable.

Each monitor arm is almost all metal with only a small piece of plastic to provide cable routing. The arm also has gas springs capable of lifting up to 26 pounds of weight, which is enough to handle 32-inch widescreen and 34-inch ultrawide monitors. The Huanuo HNDS12, like the HNDS6 (below), is a bit fiddly to set up. It has two clamps that need to be adjusted and roughly a dozen screws that need to be installed. The gas springs also require a bit of adjustment to reduce the force provide, at least when used with a 24-inch or 27-inch monitor.One of the biggest draws of monitor arm stands is that they are highly adjustable, much more so than the standard freestanding mounts that most monitors come with. Monitor arms can adjust up and down easily, which many monitor stands cannot. Monitor arms can also adjust toward and away from you. Monitor size limits should be respected as well. It might be possible to attach a 40-inch monitor to an arm meant for a 32-inch monitor. The 40-inch monitor may even come within the arm’s weight limit. A larger monitor will distribute weight differently, however, which could cause an arm’s tension mechanism to fail. How we test monitor arms Grommet mounts insert into the circular cut-outs found on many desks built and sold for corporate offices. A grommet mount is also a form of clamp, but size of the mechanism is different, and the mount attaches the monitor to the interior of the desk instead of an exterior edge. Hard drive retention: Hard drive retention is not available on models with a soldered hard drive, including XPS 9315 2in1, Chromebooks or Venue tablets, except the Venue 11 Pro. Each arm is rated to hold between 4.4 and 14.3 pounds. That’s not a lot: The Workstream by Monoprice arm is rated up to 20 pounds. Still, it’s enough to handle a huge majority of 24- and 27-inch monitors, and the monitor arms provided plenty of lift in our testing.

It’s easy to set up and use. The monitor’s clamp works similarly to other monitor arms I tested, but it’s more refined and requires fewer screws (a grommet is also available). The VESA mount is also excellent, providing a simple clip design that’s secure and can be easily pre-mounted to a monitor for simple installation. The way this mount works accommodates monitors that have a slightly recessed mount position, which may cause problems for other monitor arms. Capacity is not always so simple. Another factor is the monitor’s depth. When it is extra deep, the center of gravity pushes out farther. This increases torque on the tilting pivot and lowers the mount’s holding capacity. An example is the Samsung® Odyssey G9 Gaming Monitor. Though roughly just 28 lbs (12.7 kg), it proves too much for many mounts rated for that weight. Why? Its 1000R curved screen is 12" deep, effectively creating a load more than 50% greater than its nominal weight. In this case, choose a monitor wall mount specially made for the Samsung Odyssey G9. Take time to survey your wall real estate because where you plan to install a monitor wall mount is critical. No matter a mount’s weight capacity and build quality, it could fail if not securely attached, resulting in damage and even potential injury. Make your choice contingent on the mount’s suitability for your installation. Monitor size is one exception: While the standard LX is rated for monitors up to 34 inches, the Side-by-Side’s arm is only rated for monitors up to 27 inches. The monitor arms aren’t long enough to fit two 32-inch or 34-inch monitors side-by-side. Vertical arrangements are also supported, though only if one of the two monitors is small (less than 23 inches diagonal). Whatever your display, use our Mount Finder to verify compatibility with any monitor wall mount. It accounts for a display’s weight and depth as well as its VESAinterface, taking the guess work out of your decision. Location, location, location

The Workstream by Monoprice single monitor arm is a no-frills solution that delivers basic monitor arm features at an exceptionally low price.