Buying Guide
The Best Monitor Arms
Five single arms from budget gas-spring models to Ergotron's LX.
By The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Premium
Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm
A 7 to 25 lb range and 13 inches of lift.
Best for: Daily adjusting.
Our take Check price for Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm (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.
Our take Check price for ErGear Heavy Duty Ultrawide Monitor Arm (13-49 in) (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.
Our take Check price for WALI Single Monitor Arm (13-34 in) (opens in a new tab)
Best Mechanical Spring
HUANUO FlowLift Pro Monitor Arm
A MechaSpring arm.
Best for: Smooth moves.
Our take Check price for HUANUO FlowLift Pro Monitor Arm (opens in a new tab)
Best for 27-Inch Screens
Amazon Basics Gas Spring Single Monitor Arm
15 to 27 inch screens with gas spring.
Best for: Standard monitors.
Our take Check price for Amazon Basics Gas Spring Single Monitor Arm (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 7 to 25 lb range and 13 inches of lift. | Daily adjusting. | Check price for Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm (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) (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) (opens in a new tab) |
| A MechaSpring arm. | Smooth moves. | Check price for HUANUO FlowLift Pro Monitor Arm (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 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Premium1 of 5
Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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. 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.
Key dimensions & 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)
Best Mechanical Spring4 of 5
HUANUO FlowLift Pro Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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)
How We Chose These Monitor Arms
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Load rating
- We recorded the per-arm weight range each listing states, including curved-screen limits where given.
- Screen size
- We noted the maximum screen size, including ultrawide figures.
- Adjustment
- We noted gas, mechanical spring or pole-collar height adjustment.
- Mounting
- We checked clamp and grommet options and listed desk thickness ranges.
What to Look for in a Monitor Arm
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Weigh the monitor without its stand
Arm ratings are per arm and include a minimum as well as a maximum. Weigh the panel alone, since the stand is removed.
Confirm the VESA pattern
Most arms take 75x75 or 100x100mm. Larger ultrawides may use 200x100 or none at all and need an adapter plate.
Gas and mechanical springs
Spring-assisted arms let you move the screen with one hand. Pole-mounted arms adjust height with a collar and a tool.
Screen size limits are about leverage
A 34 or 49-inch ultrawide puts more leverage on the joint. Use an arm listed for that size, not only that weight.
Dual arms and desk depth
Dual arms share one pole or clamp. Check the arm reach against your desk depth so both screens can sit at arm's length.
Clamp or grommet
C-clamps grip the desk edge within a thickness range. Grommet mounts go through a hole and suit desks with a back lip.
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
Figures as each maker states them.
| 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
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| 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
Can I clamp a monitor arm to a glass desk?
It is not recommended. Clamp arms concentrate force on the desk edge; use a freestanding base instead.
Do monitor arms work with curved screens?
Yes if the curved monitor has a VESA pattern. Some arms list a lower weight limit for curved panels.
How do I know if my monitor fits an arm?
Look for four screw holes on the back, 75mm or 100mm apart. If there are none, the monitor needs a VESA adapter or cannot be mounted.
Should I get a monitor arm or a riser?
A riser lifts a monitor on its own stand and needs no VESA mount. An arm frees desk space and adds tilt and swivel.
Why does my monitor drift up or down?
The spring tension does not match the screen weight. Adjust the tension screw on the arm's elbow or base.
What desk thickness do clamps fit?
Most ranges fall between about 0.4 and 3 inches. Check the exact range in the product details.
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.