Buying Guide
The Best Monitor Arms
Five single arms from budget gas-spring models to Ergotron's LX.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A single monitor arm frees desk space and lets the screen move. These five cover budget to premium.
Load and size limits come from each listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Premium
Ergotron LX Single Monitor ArmA 7 to 25 lb range and 13 inches of lift.
Best for: Daily adjusting.
Check price for Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Load
ErGear Heavy Duty Ultrawide Monitor Arm (13-49 in)A 37.4 lb rating and 49-inch screens.
Best for: Ultrawides.
Check price for ErGear Heavy Duty Ultrawide Monitor Arm (13-49 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget 34-Inch
WALI Single Monitor Arm (13-34 in)26.4 lb flat and 19.8 lb curved limits.
Best for: 34-inch screens.
Check price for WALI Single Monitor Arm (13-34 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Mechanical Spring
HUANUO FlowLift Pro Monitor ArmA MechaSpring arm.
Best for: Smooth moves.
Check price for HUANUO FlowLift Pro Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for 27-Inch Screens
Amazon Basics Gas Spring Single Monitor Arm15 to 27 inch screens with gas spring.
Best for: Standard monitors.
Check price for Amazon Basics Gas Spring Single Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 7 to 25 lb range and 13 inches of lift. | Daily adjusting. | Check price for Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 37.4 lb rating and 49-inch screens. | Ultrawides. | Check price for ErGear Heavy Duty Ultrawide Monitor Arm (13-49 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 26.4 lb flat and 19.8 lb curved limits. | 34-inch screens. | Check price for WALI Single Monitor Arm (13-34 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A MechaSpring arm. | Smooth moves. | Check price for HUANUO FlowLift Pro Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 15 to 27 inch screens with gas spring. | Standard monitors. | Check price for Amazon Basics Gas Spring Single Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Premium1 of 5
Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm
Ergotron's LX holds 7 to 25 lb screens up to 34 inches with 13 inches of lift.
Best for
- Daily adjusting.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the WALI single was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It ships with a two-piece clamp and a grommet mount. It matches the WALI single on screen size limit (34 in). Its 25 lbs load rating ranks third of 5 here, behind the ErGear heavy duty (37.4 lbs) and ahead of the Amazon Basics gas single (15.4 lbs).
You get a two-piece clamp and grommet mounting here, which sets it apart from the Amazon Basics gas single and its a C-clamp or grommet mounting. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the Ergotron LX; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the Ergotron LX's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ErGear heavy duty.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 34 in
- Max load per arm
- 25 lbs
- Monitors
- 1
- VESA
- 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting
- Two-piece clamp and grommet
Pros
- 7 to 25 lb range
- 13 inches of lift
- Two-piece desk clamp and grommet mount
- Screen size limit of 34 in, ahead of the FlowLift Pro
Cons
- Costs more than the WALI single at the time of writing
Highest Load2 of 5
ErGear Heavy Duty Ultrawide Monitor Arm (13-49 in)
ErGear's heavy-duty arm takes ultrawides up to 49 inches and 37.4 lb.
Best for
- Ultrawides.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the WALI single cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its clamp fits desks up to 3.15 inches thick. Its 49 in screen size limit is the largest here; the Ergotron LX comes next at 34 in. On load rating it leads this guide at 37.4 lbs, ahead of the WALI single (26.4 lbs).
No other pick in this guide offers a dual C-clamp or grommet mounting; compare the FlowLift Pro, which has a C-clamp or grommet mounting. It also comes with a 37.4 lb capacity. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the ErGear heavy duty; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter.
Confirm your desk edge fits the ErGear heavy duty's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. When we checked, only the FlowLift Pro and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ergotron LX cost more.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 49 in
- Max load per arm
- 37.4 lbs
- Monitors
- 1
- VESA
- 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting
- Dual C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- Takes ultrawides up to 49 inches
- 37.4 lb load per arm
- 37.4 lb capacity
- Clamp for desks up to 3.15 inches thick
Cons
- Costs more than the WALI single at the time of writing
Best Budget 34-Inch3 of 5
WALI Single Monitor Arm (13-34 in)
WALI's single arm offers 26.4 lb for flat screens and 19.8 lb for curved ones.
Best for
- 34-inch screens.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: screen size limit of 34 in, behind the ErGear heavy duty (49 in).
Why we like it
It takes screens up to 34 inches. On screen size limit it ties with the Ergotron LX at 34 in. On load rating it sits mid-pack at 26.4 lbs: the ErGear heavy duty is rated for 37.4 lbs, and the Amazon Basics gas single comes in at 15.4 lbs.
Like the FlowLift Pro and Amazon Basics gas single, it has a C-clamp or grommet mounting, while the Ergotron LX uses a two-piece clamp and grommet mounting. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the WALI single; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the WALI single's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 34 in
- Max load per arm
- 26.4 lbs
- Monitors
- 1
- VESA
- 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting
- C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- 26.4 lb load per arm
- 26.4 lb limit for flat screens
- Separate 19.8 lb limit for curved screens
- Screens up to 34 inches
Cons
- Screen size limit of 34 in, behind the ErGear heavy duty (49 in)
The catch
What it gives up: screen size limit of 34 in, behind the ErGear heavy duty (49 in); by contrast, the ErGear heavy duty comes in at 49 in.
Best Mechanical Spring4 of 5
HUANUO FlowLift Pro Monitor Arm
HUANUO's FlowLift Pro uses a MechaSpring mechanical spring instead of gas.
Best for
- Smooth moves.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the WALI single was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It has 19.8 lb for flat and 15.4 lb for curved screens. Its 32 in screen size limit ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the ErGear heavy duty (49 in) and ahead of the Amazon Basics gas single (27 in). It shares a C-clamp or grommet mounting with the WALI single and Amazon Basics gas single; the ErGear heavy duty goes with a dual C-clamp or grommet mounting.
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the FlowLift Pro; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the FlowLift Pro's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. Set the FlowLift Pro's spring tension to your monitor's weight; a screen below the minimum load drifts upward. Its price falls between the Amazon Basics gas single and the ErGear heavy duty, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 32 in
- Max load per arm
- 19.8 lbs
- Monitors
- 1
- Tension
- MechaSpring mechanical
- VESA
- 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting
- C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- MechaSpring mechanical spring
- 15.4 lb limit for curved screens
- 19.8 lb limit for flat screens
- Screen size limit of 32 in, ahead of the Amazon Basics gas single
Cons
- Costs more than the WALI single at the time of writing
Best for 27-Inch Screens5 of 5
Amazon Basics Gas Spring Single Monitor Arm
Amazon Basics' gas-spring single arm fits 15 to 27 inch screens from 4.4 to 15.4 lb.
Best for
- Standard monitors.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: tops out at 27-inch screens.
Why we like it
The spring tension adjusts. On screen size limit it trails the group at 27 in, while the ErGear heavy duty comes in at 49 in. On load rating it trails the group at 15.4 lbs, while the ErGear heavy duty is rated for 37.4 lbs.
Like the WALI single and FlowLift Pro, it has a C-clamp or grommet mounting, while the Ergotron LX uses a two-piece clamp and grommet mounting. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the Amazon Basics gas single; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the Amazon Basics gas single's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. Set the Amazon Basics gas single's spring tension to your monitor's weight; a screen below the minimum load drifts upward.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 27 in
- Max load per arm
- 15.4 lbs
- Monitors
- 1
- Tension
- Gas spring
- VESA
- 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting
- C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- Adjustable gas-spring tension
- 4.4 to 15.4 lb range
- 15 to 27 inch screens
Cons
- Tops out at 27-inch screens
- Lighter 15.4 lb limit
- Screen size limit trails the ErGear heavy duty (49 in)
The catch
It gives ground on screen size limit, where the ErGear heavy duty comes in at 49 in.
How We Chose These Monitor Arms
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five monitor arms on screen size limit, load rating, monitors and tension from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 5 of the 6 fields compared are stated for every pick, while tension has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Ergotron LX to the Amazon Basics gas single, state screen size limit, load rating and monitors and share 75x75 / 100x100 VESA.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ergotron LX, the ErGear heavy duty and the WALI single give no tension.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the WALI single (under $50) to the Ergotron LX ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Monitor Arm
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much screen size limit you need
The ErGear heavy duty tops screen size limit at 49 in and the Amazon Basics gas single sits lowest at 27 in. If screen size limit is your first filter, the ErGear heavy duty sets the ceiling at 49 in.
Load rating
Here load rating runs from 15.4 lbs on the Amazon Basics gas single to 37.4 lbs on the ErGear heavy duty, a 143% spread. For less, the WALI single is the runner-up at 26.4 lbs.
A desk with a curved monitor, a glass-panel PC and a keyboard Mounting
The Ergotron LX lists Two-piece clamp and grommet; the ErGear heavy duty lists Dual C-clamp or grommet; the WALI single, the FlowLift Pro and the Amazon Basics gas single list C-clamp or grommet. Sort out mounting before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 3, 1 and 1.
What to check at home
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the Ergotron LX; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter.
A white desk with an ultrawide monitor, a PC and plants Extras that separate them
The WALI single: a separate 19.8 lb limit for curved screens. The FlowLift Pro: a 15.4 lb limit for curved screens. The Amazon Basics gas single: a 4.4 to 15.4 lb range.
How to Choose a Monitor Arm
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Daily adjusting | Ergotron LX | A 7 to 25 lb range and 13 inches of lift |
| Ultrawides | ErGear heavy duty | A 37.4 lb rating and 49-inch screens |
| 34-inch screens | WALI single | 26.4 lb flat and 19.8 lb curved limits |
| Smooth moves | FlowLift Pro | A MechaSpring arm |
| Standard monitors | Amazon Basics gas single | 15 to 27 inch screens with gas spring |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ErGear heavy duty leads on screen size limit at 49 in, ahead of the Ergotron LX at 34 in. "Not listed" marks tension where the Ergotron LX, the ErGear heavy duty and the WALI single leave the figure out.
| Monitor Arm | Max screen size | Max load per arm | Monitors | Tension |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ergotron LX | 34 in | 25 lbs | 1 | Not listed |
| ErGear heavy duty | 49 in | 37.4 lbs | 1 | Not listed |
| WALI single | 34 in | 26.4 lbs | 1 | Not listed |
| FlowLift Pro | 32 in | 19.8 lbs | 1 | MechaSpring mechanical |
| Amazon Basics gas single | 27 in | 15.4 lbs | 1 | Gas spring |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The WALI single was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the Ergotron LX the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitor Arms |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | WALI single, Amazon Basics gas single, FlowLift Pro, ErGear heavy duty |
| About $150 to $250 | Ergotron LX |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest screen size limit: the ErGear heavy duty or the Ergotron LX?
The ErGear heavy duty tops screen size limit at 49 in; the Ergotron LX follows at 34 in, 44% apart. The Amazon Basics gas single closes the ranking at 27 in.
Is the ErGear heavy duty ahead of the WALI single on load rating?
The ErGear heavy duty leads at 37.4 lbs, with the WALI single at 26.4 lbs. The Amazon Basics gas single is at the other end of this group with 15.4 lbs.
What does the Ergotron LX add over the WALI single?
The Ergotron LX matches or trails the WALI single on screen size limit and load rating, so pay more only for a feature the spec sheet doesn't cover. The WALI single leads on load rating (26.4 lbs). On our last price check the WALI single was in the under $50 tier and the Ergotron LX in the $150 to $250 tier, with 3 other picks between them.
Why is the FlowLift Pro our Best Mechanical Spring pick?
It earns the label for a MechaSpring arm. The price of that: the WALI single, the cheapest pick, still beats it on screen size limit (34 in against 32 in) and load rating (26.4 lbs against 19.8 lbs). It suits smooth moves.
Do the FlowLift Pro and the Amazon Basics gas single differ on tension?
The FlowLift Pro uses MechaSpring mechanical; the Amazon Basics gas single uses gas spring. The Ergotron LX, the ErGear heavy duty and the WALI single have no tension listed, so 2 of 5 picks are covered here.
Will the FlowLift Pro work with my setup?
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the FlowLift Pro; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the FlowLift Pro's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Best Mechanical Spring pick, and fourth of 5 on screen size limit (32 in).
Bottom Line
Ergotron's LX is the pick for a 7 to 25 lb range with 13 inches of lift. ErGear's heavy-duty arm handles 49-inch ultrawides, and Amazon Basics' arm suits screens up to 27 inches.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Monitor Arms, Compared
- Related guideThe Best Dual Monitor Arms
- Related guideThe Best Monitor Stand Risers
- Lower budgetThe Best Monitor Arms Under $30
- Higher budgetThe Best Premium Monitor Arms
- ExplainerHow to size an office chair to your height and your desk
- ExplainerHow to choose a monitor arm: VESA pattern, weight range and desk clamps
- Also see: monitor arms and accessoriesThe Best Monitor Mount for Desk
- Similar guideThe Best Monitor Arms for Gaming
- Topic hubAll chairs, desks and desk setup guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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