Buying Guide
The Best Monitor Arms for Gaming
Five monitor arms ranked on screen size limit and load rating, where the VIVO aluminum ultrawide has the largest screen size limit; the FlowLift Pro is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A gas-spring arm holds a large gaming monitor steady and frees desk space. Every pick has a spring arm and a load rating of 17 lbs or more, ordered by load.
Rankings weigh max screen size, max load per arm and monitors as the makers state them; if a maker skips VESA, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Screen Size Limit
VIVO Premium Aluminum Ultrawide Monitor Arm
The largest screen size limit here (40 in).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size limit first.
Our take Check price for VIVO Premium Aluminum Ultrawide Monitor Arm (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
HUANUO FlowLift Pro Monitor Arm
A lower price than the VIVO dual spring and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for HUANUO FlowLift Pro Monitor Arm (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
VIVO Dual Monitor Stand with Mechanical Spring Arms
Mechanical spring arms.
Best for: Buyers who want mechanical spring arms.
Our take Check price for VIVO Dual Monitor Stand with Mechanical Spring Arms (opens in a new tab)
Gas Spring Tension
HUANUO FlowLift Dual Monitor Stand
A gas spring tension.
Best for: Buyers who want a gas spring tension.
Our take Check price for HUANUO FlowLift Dual Monitor Stand (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
VIVO Dual Mechanical Spring Monitor Mount
Tension spring arms.
Best for: Buyers who want tension spring arms.
Our take Check price for VIVO Dual Mechanical Spring Monitor Mount (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Screen Size Limit1 of 5
VIVO Premium Aluminum Ultrawide Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
VIVO's aluminum ultrawide arm takes screens up to 40 inches, 26.4 lb flat or 24.2 lb curved.
Best for
- Buyers who put screen size limit first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the FlowLift Pro was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
A gauge on the elbow shows spring tension. On screen size limit it leads this guide at 40 in, ahead of the FlowLift Pro (32 in). Nothing else here matches its 26.4 lbs load rating; the FlowLift Pro comes closest at 19.8 lbs.
It is the only pick here with an elbow spring tension; the FlowLift Pro has a MechaSpring mechanical tension instead. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 or 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the VIVO aluminum ultrawide; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the VIVO aluminum ultrawide's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way.
Set the VIVO aluminum ultrawide's spring tension to your monitor's weight; a screen below the minimum load drifts upward. When we checked, only the VIVO dual spring and cheaper picks cost less, and the FlowLift Dual cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max screen size: 40 in
- Max load per arm: 26.4 lbs
- Monitors: 1
- Tension: Elbow spring
- Mounting: C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- Takes ultrawides up to 40 inches
- 26.4 lb load per arm
- Aluminum arm
- 26.4 lb flat or 24.2 lb curved limit
Cons
- Costs more than the FlowLift Pro at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 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
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when screen size limit of 32 in, behind the VIVO aluminum ultrawide (40 in is a problem.
Why we like it
It has 19.8 lb for flat and 15.4 lb for curved screens. It matches the VIVO dual spring, the FlowLift Dual and the VIVO dual mechanical on screen size limit (32 in). A MechaSpring mechanical tension is unique to it among these picks, while the VIVO dual spring uses a mechanical spring tension.
It shares a 75x75 / 100x100 vesa with the VIVO dual spring and FlowLift Dual; the VIVO dual mechanical goes with a up to 100x100 vesa. 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. It undercut the VIVO dual spring and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: screen size limit of 32 in, behind the VIVO aluminum ultrawide (40 in). If that matters, the VIVO aluminum ultrawide comes in at 40 in.
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
- MechaSpring mechanical tension, the only one here
Cons
- Screen size limit of 32 in, behind the VIVO aluminum ultrawide (40 in)
Also Consider3 of 5
VIVO Dual Monitor Stand with Mechanical Spring Arms on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
VIVO's dual stand uses mechanical spring arms for 17 to 32 inch screens from 4.4 to 19.8 lb each.
Best for
- Buyers who want mechanical spring arms.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the FlowLift Pro was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It mounts by clamp or grommet. On screen size limit it ties with the FlowLift Pro, the FlowLift Dual and the VIVO dual mechanical at 32 in. Like the FlowLift Pro and FlowLift Dual, it has a 75x75 / 100x100 vesa, while the VIVO dual mechanical uses a up to 100x100 vesa.
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the VIVO dual spring; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the VIVO dual spring's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. Set the VIVO dual spring's spring tension to your monitor's weight; a screen below the minimum load drifts upward. When we checked, only the FlowLift Pro cost less, and the VIVO aluminum ultrawide cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max screen size: 32 in
- Max load per arm: 19.8 lbs
- Monitors: 2
- Tension: Mechanical spring
- VESA: 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting: C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- Mechanical spring arms
- 4.4 to 19.8 lb range per arm
- 17 to 32 inch screens
Cons
- Costs more than the FlowLift Pro at the time of writing
Gas Spring Tension4 of 5
HUANUO FlowLift Dual Monitor Stand on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
HUANUO's FlowLift Dual uses gas-spring arms on a dual C-clamp.
Best for
- Buyers who want a gas spring tension.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the FlowLift Pro was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Each arm holds 4.4 to 19.8 lb. It matches the FlowLift Pro, the VIVO dual spring and the VIVO dual mechanical on screen size limit (32 in). You get a gas spring tension here, which sets it apart from the VIVO dual mechanical and its a mechanical spring tension.
It shares a 75x75 / 100x100 vesa with the FlowLift Pro and VIVO dual spring; the VIVO dual mechanical goes with a up to 100x100 vesa. You get a dual C-clamp or grommet mounting here, which sets it apart from the VIVO dual mechanical and its a C-clamp or grommet mounting. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the FlowLift Dual; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the FlowLift Dual's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max screen size: 32 in
- Max load per arm: 19.8 lbs
- Monitors: 2
- Tension: Gas spring
- VESA: 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting: Dual C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- Dual C-clamp for stability
- Gas-spring arms
- 4.4 to 19.8 lb range per arm
- Gas spring tension, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the FlowLift Pro at the time of writing
Strong Alternative5 of 5
VIVO Dual Mechanical Spring Monitor Mount on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The VIVO dual mechanical is built around tension spring arms, with a 4.4 to 19.8 lb range per arm on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want tension spring arms.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size limit matters most to you; the VIVO aluminum ultrawide offers 40 in.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 32 in screen size limit and is rated for 19.8 lbs. It matches the FlowLift Pro, the VIVO dual spring and the FlowLift Dual on screen size limit (32 in). You get a up to 100x100 vesa here, which sets it apart from the VIVO dual spring and its a 75x75 / 100x100 vesa.
It also offers 17 to 32 inch screens. Check the back of your monitor for a Up to 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the VIVO dual mechanical; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the VIVO dual mechanical's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way.
Set the VIVO dual mechanical's spring tension to your monitor's weight; a screen below the minimum load drifts upward. If screen size limit is your priority, the VIVO aluminum ultrawide (40 in) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max screen size: 32 in
- Max load per arm: 19.8 lbs
- Monitors: 2
- Tension: Mechanical spring
- VESA: Up to 100x100
- Mounting: C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- Tension spring arms
- 4.4 to 19.8 lb range per arm
- 17 to 32 inch screens
- Up to 100x100 vesa, the only one here
Cons
- Screen size limit trails the VIVO aluminum ultrawide (40 in)
- Load rating trails the VIVO aluminum ultrawide (26.4 lbs)
- Costs more than the FlowLift Pro at the time of writing
How We Chose These Monitor Arms for Gaming
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared five monitor Arms on screen size limit, load rating, monitors and tension from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the VIVO aluminum ultrawide to the VIVO dual mechanical, state screen size limit, load rating and monitors.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The VIVO aluminum ultrawide gives no VESA.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the FlowLift Pro (under $50) to the VIVO dual mechanical ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Monitor Arm for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Screen size limit
Here screen size limit runs from 32 in on the VIVO dual mechanical to 40 in on the VIVO aluminum ultrawide. Start with the VIVO aluminum ultrawide if screen size limit decides it.
Load rating across these picks
Here load rating runs from 19.8 lbs on the VIVO dual mechanical to 26.4 lbs on the VIVO aluminum ultrawide. The VIVO aluminum ultrawide is the pick for load rating.
VESA
The FlowLift Pro, the VIVO dual spring and the FlowLift Dual list 75x75 / 100x100; the VIVO dual mechanical lists up to 100x100. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Mounting
The VIVO aluminum ultrawide, the FlowLift Pro, the VIVO dual spring and the VIVO dual mechanical list C-clamp or grommet; the FlowLift Dual lists Dual C-clamp or grommet.
Setup checks
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 or 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the VIVO aluminum ultrawide; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter.
How to Choose a Monitor Arm for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put screen size limit first | VIVO aluminum ultrawide | The largest screen size limit here (40 in) |
| Spending as little as possible | FlowLift Pro | A lower price than the VIVO dual spring and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want mechanical spring arms | VIVO dual spring | Mechanical spring arms |
| Buyers who want a gas spring tension | FlowLift Dual | A gas spring tension |
| Buyers who want tension spring arms | VIVO dual mechanical | Tension spring arms |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The VIVO aluminum ultrawide leads on screen size limit at 40 in, ahead of the FlowLift Pro at 32 in.
| Monitor Arm | Max screen size | Max load per arm | Monitors | Tension |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIVO aluminum ultrawide | 40 in | 26.4 lbs | 1 | Elbow spring |
| FlowLift Pro | 32 in | 19.8 lbs | 1 | MechaSpring mechanical |
| VIVO dual spring | 32 in | 19.8 lbs | 2 | Mechanical spring |
| FlowLift Dual | 32 in | 19.8 lbs | 2 | Gas spring |
| VIVO dual mechanical | 32 in | 19.8 lbs | 2 | Mechanical spring |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The FlowLift Pro was the lowest-priced pick and the VIVO dual mechanical the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitor Arms |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | FlowLift Pro, VIVO dual spring |
| About $50 to $100 | VIVO aluminum ultrawide, FlowLift Dual, VIVO dual mechanical |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the FlowLift Pro compare with the VIVO aluminum ultrawide on screen size limit?
The VIVO aluminum ultrawide leads at 40 in, with the FlowLift Pro at 32 in.
Which has the highest load rating: the VIVO aluminum ultrawide or the FlowLift Pro?
The VIVO aluminum ultrawide leads at 26.4 lbs, with the FlowLift Pro at 19.8 lbs.
Why is the FlowLift Dual our Gas Spring Tension pick?
It earns the label for a gas spring tension. It suits anyone who wants a gas spring tension.
Do the VIVO aluminum ultrawide and the FlowLift Pro differ on tension?
The VIVO aluminum ultrawide uses elbow spring; the FlowLift Pro uses MechaSpring mechanical; the VIVO dual spring and the VIVO dual mechanical use mechanical spring; the FlowLift Dual uses gas spring.
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 second of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
What extras do the VIVO aluminum ultrawide and the FlowLift Pro include?
The VIVO aluminum ultrawide: an aluminum arm. The FlowLift Pro: a MechaSpring mechanical spring. The VIVO dual spring: mechanical spring arms.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the VIVO aluminum ultrawide, chosen for the largest screen size limit here (40 in). Look at the FlowLift Pro for a lower price than the VIVO dual spring and the rest when we checked, the VIVO dual spring for mechanical spring arms and the FlowLift Dual for a gas spring tension if those matter more to you.
Check your monitor's weight and VESA pattern first.