Buying Guide
The Best Monitor Arms, Compared
Six single arms, including two for large ultrawides.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
Arm ratings vary from 15 to 44 lb. These six span that range with gas, mechanical and elbow springs.
Load and size limits come from each listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Highest Load
HUANUO TitanLift Heavy Duty Monitor ArmA 6 to 44 lb range.
Best for: Heavy ultrawides.
Check price for HUANUO TitanLift Heavy Duty Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Premium
Ergotron LX Pro Premium Single Monitor ArmA 4 to 22 lb range with 13 inches of lift.
Best for: Standard screens.
Check price for Ergotron LX Pro Premium Single Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Aluminum
VIVO Premium Aluminum Ultrawide Monitor ArmAn aluminum arm with an elbow spring gauge.
Best for: 40-inch screens.
Check price for VIVO Premium Aluminum Ultrawide Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Gas Spring
HUANUO Single Gas Spring Monitor ArmAutomotive-grade gas spring cores.
Best for: One-hand moves.
Check price for HUANUO Single Gas Spring Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Mechanical Budget
NB SmooVex Mechanical Spring Monitor MountA mechanical spring for 32-inch screens.
Best for: Tight budgets.
Check price for NB SmooVex Mechanical Spring Monitor Mount on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Thickest Desk Fit
Amazon Basics Adjustable Single Monitor ArmA clamp for desks up to 4.25 inches.
Best for: Thick desktops.
Check price for Amazon Basics Adjustable Single Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Highest Load1 of 6
HUANUO TitanLift Heavy Duty Monitor Arm
HUANUO's TitanLift holds 6 to 44 lb and screens up to 49 inches on a dual C-clamp.
Best for
- Heavy ultrawides.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Amazon Basics single, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It has the highest load rating here. On screen size limit it leads this guide at 49 in, ahead of the VIVO aluminum ultrawide (40 in). Its 44 lbs load rating is the highest here; the VIVO aluminum ultrawide comes next at 26.4 lbs.
A up to 100x100 vesa is unique to it among these picks, while the SmooVex uses a 75x75 / 100x100 vesa. A dual C-clamp mounting is unique to it among these picks, while the SmooVex uses a C-clamp or grommet mounting. Check the back of your monitor for a Up to 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the TitanLift; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter.
Confirm your desk edge fits the TitanLift's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. On price it sat fifth of 6, between the cheaper VIVO aluminum ultrawide and the pricier Ergotron LX Pro, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 49 in
- Max load per arm
- 44 lbs
- Monitors
- 1
- VESA
- Up to 100x100
- Mounting
- Dual C-clamp
Pros
- Takes ultrawides up to 49 inches
- 44 lb load per arm
- 6 to 44 lb range
- Dual C-clamp
Cons
- Costs more than the Amazon Basics single at the time of writing
Best Premium2 of 6
Ergotron LX Pro Premium Single Monitor Arm
Ergotron's LX Pro holds 4 to 22 lb screens up to 34 inches with 13 inches of lift.
Best for
- Standard screens.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Amazon Basics single was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
The grommet mount is sold separately. Its 34 in screen size limit ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the TitanLift (49 in) and ahead of the SmooVex (32 in). It matches the Amazon Basics single on load rating (22 lbs).
It shares a 75x75 / 100x100 vesa with the SmooVex and Amazon Basics single; the TitanLift goes with a up to 100x100 vesa. A two-piece clamp mounting is unique to it among these picks, while the SmooVex uses a C-clamp or grommet mounting. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the Ergotron LX Pro; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the TitanLift and the rest.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 34 in
- Max load per arm
- 22 lbs
- Monitors
- 1
- VESA
- 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting
- Two-piece clamp
Pros
- 4 to 22 lb range
- 13 inches of lift
- Grommet mount sold separately
- Screen size limit of 34 in, ahead of the HUANUO gas single
Cons
- Costs more than the Amazon Basics single at the time of writing
Best Aluminum3 of 6
VIVO Premium Aluminum Ultrawide Monitor Arm
VIVO's aluminum ultrawide arm takes screens up to 40 inches, 26.4 lb flat or 24.2 lb curved.
Best for
- 40-inch screens.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Amazon Basics single cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
A gauge on the elbow shows spring tension. Its 40 in screen size limit ranks second of 6 here, behind the TitanLift (49 in) and ahead of the SmooVex (32 in). Its 26.4 lbs load rating ranks second of 5 here, behind the TitanLift (44 lbs) and ahead of the HUANUO gas single (19.8 lbs).
You get an elbow spring tension here, which sets it apart from the SmooVex and its a mechanical spring tension. 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. Its price falls between the HUANUO gas single and the TitanLift, based on our last check.
Key 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 Amazon Basics single at the time of writing
Best Gas Spring4 of 6
HUANUO Single Gas Spring Monitor Arm
HUANUO's gas-spring single arm uses automotive-grade gas spring cores.
Best for
- One-hand moves.
Skip if
- Skip it if load rating matters most to you; the TitanLift offers 44 lbs.
Why we like it
It holds 4.4 to 19.8 lb screens up to 32 inches. On screen size limit it ties with the SmooVex at 32 in. On load rating it trails the group at 19.8 lbs, while the TitanLift is rated for 44 lbs.
No other pick in this guide offers a gas spring tension; compare the VIVO aluminum ultrawide, which has an elbow spring tension. It also offers a 4.4 to 19.8 lb range and C-clamp or grommet mounting. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 or 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the HUANUO gas single; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter.
Confirm your desk edge fits the HUANUO gas single's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. It was priced above the SmooVex and below the VIVO aluminum ultrawide at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 32 in
- Max load per arm
- 19.8 lbs
- Monitors
- 1
- Tension
- Gas spring
- Mounting
- C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- Automotive-grade gas spring cores
- 4.4 to 19.8 lb range
- C-clamp or grommet mounting
- Gas spring tension, the only one here
Cons
- Load rating trails the TitanLift (44 lbs)
- Costs more than the Amazon Basics single at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on load rating, where the TitanLift is rated for 44 lbs.
Best Mechanical Budget5 of 6
NB SmooVex Mechanical Spring Monitor Mount
NB's SmooVex uses a mechanical spring in place of gas for screens up to 32 inches.
Best for
- Tight budgets.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size limit matters most to you; the TitanLift offers 49 in.
Why we like it
It includes C-clamp and grommet options. It matches the HUANUO gas single on screen size limit (32 in). A mechanical spring tension is unique to it among these picks, while the HUANUO gas single uses a gas spring tension.
It shares a 75x75 / 100x100 vesa with the Ergotron LX Pro and Amazon Basics single; the TitanLift goes with a up to 100x100 vesa. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the SmooVex; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the SmooVex's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way.
Set the SmooVex's spring tension to your monitor's weight; a screen below the minimum load drifts upward. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper Amazon Basics single and the pricier HUANUO gas single, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 32 in
- Monitors
- 1
- Tension
- Mechanical spring
- VESA
- 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting
- C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- Mechanical spring instead of gas
- Screens up to 32 inches
- C-clamp or grommet mounting
- Mechanical spring tension, the only one here
Cons
- Screen size limit trails the TitanLift (49 in)
- No published load rating
- Costs more than the Amazon Basics single at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is screen size limit; for more, the TitanLift comes in at 49 in.
Thickest Desk Fit6 of 6
Amazon Basics Adjustable Single Monitor Arm
Amazon Basics' single arm takes 32-inch screens or 38-inch ultrawides up to 22 lb.
Best for
- Thick desktops.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: screen size limit of 38 in, behind the TitanLift (49 in).
Why we like it
Its clamp fits desks up to 4.25 inches thick. Its 38 in screen size limit ranks third of 6 here, behind the TitanLift (49 in) and ahead of the SmooVex (32 in). It matches the Ergotron LX Pro on load rating (22 lbs).
It shares a 75x75 / 100x100 vesa with the Ergotron LX Pro and SmooVex; the TitanLift goes with a up to 100x100 vesa. It also comes with a 22 lb limit. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the Amazon Basics single; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter.
Confirm your desk edge fits the Amazon Basics single's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. It undercut the SmooVex and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 38 in
- Max load per arm
- 22 lbs
- Monitors
- 1
- VESA
- 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting
- C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- Takes ultrawides up to 38 inches
- 32-inch screens or 38-inch ultrawides
- 22 lb limit
- Clamp for desks up to 4.25 inches thick
Cons
- Screen size limit of 38 in, behind the TitanLift (49 in)
The catch
The main gap: screen size limit of 38 in, behind the TitanLift (49 in). If that matters, the TitanLift comes in at 49 in.
How We Chose
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up six monitor arms on screen size limit, load rating, monitors and tension, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 6 picks leave out load rating.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the TitanLift to the Amazon Basics single, state screen size limit, monitors and mounting.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The SmooVex gives no load rating; the TitanLift, the Ergotron LX Pro and the Amazon Basics single give no tension.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Amazon Basics single (under $50) to the Ergotron LX Pro ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Monitor Arms Compared
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Screen size limit across these picks
Across these 6 picks screen size limit spans 32 in (the SmooVex) to 49 in (the TitanLift). For less, the VIVO aluminum ultrawide is the runner-up at 40 in.
Load rating
Here load rating runs from 19.8 lbs on the HUANUO gas single to 44 lbs on the TitanLift, a 122% spread. The VIVO aluminum ultrawide comes second at 26.4 lbs, in the same price tier as the TitanLift. The SmooVex gives no load rating figure, so 5 of 6 picks are compared here.
A desk setup with a monitor riser, ergonomic chair and blue backlight VESA
The TitanLift lists up to 100x100; the Ergotron LX Pro, the SmooVex and the Amazon Basics single list 75x75 / 100x100.
Mounting
The TitanLift lists Dual C-clamp; the Ergotron LX Pro lists two-piece clamp; the VIVO aluminum ultrawide, the HUANUO gas single, the SmooVex and the Amazon Basics single list C-clamp or grommet. Settling mounting first narrows 6 picks to 4 or 1 or 1.
A desk with a curved monitor, a glass-panel PC and a keyboard Setup checks
Check the back of your monitor for a Up to 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the TitanLift; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter.
How to Choose a Monitor Arms Compared
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy ultrawides | TitanLift | A 6 to 44 lb range |
| Standard screens | Ergotron LX Pro | A 4 to 22 lb range with 13 inches of lift |
| 40-inch screens | VIVO aluminum ultrawide | An aluminum arm with an elbow spring gauge |
| One-hand moves | HUANUO gas single | Automotive-grade gas spring cores |
| Tight budgets | SmooVex | A mechanical spring for 32-inch screens |
| Thick desktops | Amazon Basics single | A clamp for desks up to 4.25 inches |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The TitanLift leads on screen size limit at 49 in, ahead of the VIVO aluminum ultrawide at 40 in. "Not listed" marks load rating where the SmooVex leaves the figure out.
| Monitor Arm | Max screen size | Max load per arm | Monitors | Tension |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TitanLift | 49 in | 44 lbs | 1 | Not listed |
| Ergotron LX Pro | 34 in | 22 lbs | 1 | Not listed |
| VIVO aluminum ultrawide | 40 in | 26.4 lbs | 1 | Elbow spring |
| HUANUO gas single | 32 in | 19.8 lbs | 1 | Gas spring |
| SmooVex | 32 in | Not listed | 1 | Mechanical spring |
| Amazon Basics single | 38 in | 22 lbs | 1 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Amazon Basics single, sat in the under $50 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Ergotron LX Pro at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Monitor Arms |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Amazon Basics single, SmooVex, HUANUO gas single |
| About $50 to $100 | VIVO aluminum ultrawide, TitanLift |
| About $150 to $250 | Ergotron LX Pro |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TitanLift ahead of the VIVO aluminum ultrawide on screen size limit?
The TitanLift tops screen size limit at 49 in; the VIVO aluminum ultrawide follows at 40 in, 23% apart. The SmooVex closes the ranking at 32 in.
Which has the highest load rating: the TitanLift or the VIVO aluminum ultrawide?
Between the top two, it is 44 lbs on the TitanLift against 26.4 lbs on the VIVO aluminum ultrawide, a 67% difference. The spread runs down to the HUANUO gas single at 19.8 lbs. The SmooVex is left out of this ranking because its load rating isn't stated; 5 of 6 picks are ranked.
Is the Ergotron LX Pro worth paying more than the Amazon Basics single?
The Ergotron LX Pro matches or trails the Amazon Basics single on screen size limit and load rating, so pay more only for a feature the spec sheet doesn't cover. The Amazon Basics single leads on screen size limit (38 in). The Amazon Basics single sat in the under $50 tier and the Ergotron LX Pro in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 4 other picks between them.
What makes the VIVO aluminum ultrawide the Best Aluminum?
The label rests on an aluminum arm with an elbow spring gauge. The Amazon Basics single, the cheapest pick, sat in the under $50 tier against $50 to $100 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at 40-inch screens.
Do the VIVO aluminum ultrawide and the HUANUO gas single differ on tension?
The VIVO aluminum ultrawide uses elbow spring; the HUANUO gas single uses gas spring; the SmooVex uses mechanical spring. The makers of the TitanLift, the Ergotron LX Pro and the Amazon Basics single don't state tension, so 3 of 6 picks are covered here.
What should I check before buying the HUANUO gas single?
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 or 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the HUANUO gas single; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the HUANUO gas single's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. In this guide it ranks fourth of 6, as our Best Gas Spring pick, and fifth of 6 on screen size limit (32 in).
Bottom Line
HUANUO's TitanLift is the pick for a 44 lb rating and 49-inch screens. Ergotron's LX Pro is the premium standard arm, and VIVO's aluminum arm takes 40-inch ultrawides.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Monitor Arms
- Related guideThe Best Desk-Mount Monitor Arms
- Related guideThe Best Dual Monitor Arms
- 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 Stand Risers
- Similar guideThe Best Single Monitor Arms
- 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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