Buying Guide
The Best Monitor Arms Under $40
From the Amazon Basics dual to the ErGear heavy duty: five monitor arms ranked on screen size limit and load rating, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Between $30 and $40 you start to see gas-spring arms with more reach and a higher load rating. Every pick cost 30 to 40 when we checked and lists the screen sizes and weight it supports.
Our comparison rests on published figures for max screen size, max load per arm and monitors; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out VESA, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Load Rating
ErGear Heavy Duty Ultrawide Monitor Arm (13-49 in)
The highest load rating here (37.4 lbs).
Best for: Buyers who put load rating first.
Our take Check price for ErGear Heavy Duty Ultrawide Monitor Arm (13-49 in) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
WALI Ultrawide Single Monitor Arm (17-49 in)
Curved screens up to 49 inches.
Best for: Buyers who want curved screens up to 49 inches.
Our take Check price for WALI Ultrawide Single Monitor Arm (17-49 in) (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Amazon Basics Adjustable Dual Monitor Desk Mount
A lower price than the WALI dual and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the WALI dual.
Our take Check price for Amazon Basics Adjustable Dual Monitor Desk Mount (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
WALI Dual Monitor Arm (13-32 in)
A 22 lb limit per arm.
Best for: Buyers who want 22 lb limit per arm.
Our take Check price for WALI Dual Monitor Arm (13-32 in) (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
VIVO Dual Monitor Desk Mount (13-30 in)
A steel pole mount.
Best for: Buyers who want steel pole mount.
Our take Check price for VIVO Dual Monitor Desk Mount (13-30 in) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Highest Load Rating1 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
- Buyers who put load rating first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Amazon Basics dual was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its clamp fits desks up to 3.15 inches thick. It matches the WALI ultrawide on screen size limit (49 in). Its 37.4 lbs load rating is the highest here; the WALI ultrawide comes next at 33 lbs.
You get a dual C-clamp or grommet mounting here, which sets it apart from the VIVO dual pole and its a C-clamp or grommet mounting. It also offers 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. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the VIVO dual pole.
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 Amazon Basics dual at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
WALI Ultrawide Single Monitor Arm (17-49 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
WALI's ultrawide arm takes curved screens up to 49 inches and 33 lb.
Best for
- Buyers who want curved screens up to 49 inches.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Amazon Basics dual, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its clamp fits desks up to 1.96 inches thick. On screen size limit it ties with the ErGear heavy duty at 49 in. On load rating it sits mid-pack at 33 lbs: the ErGear heavy duty is rated for 37.4 lbs, and the VIVO dual pole comes in at 22 lbs.
It also offers a 33 lb capacity. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 or 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the WALI ultrawide; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the WALI ultrawide's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. When we checked, only the WALI dual and cheaper picks cost less, and the VIVO dual pole cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max screen size: 49 in
- Max load per arm: 33 lbs
- Monitors: 1
- Mounting: C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- Takes ultrawides up to 49 inches
- 33 lb load per arm
- Curved screens up to 49 inches
- 33 lb capacity
Cons
- Costs more than the Amazon Basics dual at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
Amazon Basics Adjustable Dual Monitor Desk Mount on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Amazon Basics dual stands out for a 22 lb limit per arm, and it adds a clamp for desks up to 4.25 inches thick.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the WALI dual.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: screen size limit of 32 in, behind the ErGear heavy duty (49 in).
Why we like it
It also offers a 32 in screen size limit and is rated for 22 lbs. It matches the WALI dual on screen size limit (32 in). It matches the WALI dual and the VIVO dual pole on load rating (22 lbs).
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the Amazon Basics dual; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the Amazon Basics dual's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. It undercut the WALI dual and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: screen size limit of 32 in, behind the ErGear heavy duty (49 in). If that matters, the ErGear heavy duty comes in at 49 in.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max screen size: 32 in
- Max load per arm: 22 lbs
- Monitors: 2
- VESA: 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting: C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- 22 lb limit per arm
- Clamp for desks up to 4.25 inches thick
- Screens up to 32 inches
- Screen size limit of 32 in, ahead of the VIVO dual pole
Cons
- Screen size limit of 32 in, behind the ErGear heavy duty (49 in)
Strong Alternative4 of 5
WALI Dual Monitor Arm (13-32 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the WALI dual brings to the table is a 22 lb limit per arm, plus screens up to 32 inches.
Best for
- Buyers who want 22 lb limit per arm.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Amazon Basics dual, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 32 in screen size limit and is rated for 22 lbs. It matches the Amazon Basics dual on screen size limit (32 in). It matches the Amazon Basics dual and the VIVO dual pole on load rating (22 lbs).
It also offers C-clamp or grommet mounting. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 or 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the WALI dual; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the WALI dual's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. Its price falls between the Amazon Basics dual and the WALI ultrawide, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max screen size: 32 in
- Max load per arm: 22 lbs
- Monitors: 2
- Mounting: C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- 22 lb limit per arm
- Screens up to 32 inches
- C-clamp or grommet mounting
- Screen size limit of 32 in, ahead of the VIVO dual pole
Cons
- Costs more than the Amazon Basics dual at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
VIVO Dual Monitor Desk Mount (13-30 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The VIVO dual pole is built around a steel pole mount, with a 22 lb limit per arm on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want steel pole mount.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size limit matters most to you; the ErGear heavy duty offers 49 in.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 30 in screen size limit and is rated for 22 lbs. On screen size limit it trails the group at 30 in, while the ErGear heavy duty comes in at 49 in. On load rating it ties with the Amazon Basics dual and the WALI dual at 22 lbs.
It also comes with screens from 13 to 30 inches. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the VIVO dual pole; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the VIVO dual pole's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. When we checked, only the WALI ultrawide and cheaper picks cost less, and the ErGear heavy duty cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max screen size: 30 in
- Max load per arm: 22 lbs
- Monitors: 2
- Tension: Pole collar
- VESA: 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting: C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- Steel pole mount
- 22 lb limit per arm
- Screens from 13 to 30 inches
Cons
- Screen size limit trails the ErGear heavy duty (49 in)
- Load rating trails the ErGear heavy duty (37.4 lbs)
- Costs more than the Amazon Basics dual at the time of writing
How We Chose These Monitor Arms Under $40
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five monitor arms on screen size limit, load rating, monitors and VESA as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while VESA has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ErGear heavy duty to the VIVO dual pole, state screen size limit, load rating and monitors.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The WALI ultrawide and the WALI dual give no VESA.
- Price range
- From the Amazon Basics dual to the ErGear heavy duty, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Monitor Arm Under $40
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Screen size limit across these picks
Across these 5 picks screen size limit spans 30 in (the VIVO dual pole) to 49 in (the ErGear heavy duty). For less, the WALI ultrawide is the runner-up at 49 in.
Load rating
Here load rating runs from 22 lbs on the VIVO dual pole to 37.4 lbs on the ErGear heavy duty, a 70% spread. The WALI ultrawide comes second at 33 lbs, in the same price tier as the ErGear heavy duty.
Fit and compatibility
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.
Features beyond the spec table
The Amazon Basics dual: a clamp for desks up to 4.25 inches thick. The WALI dual: screens up to 32 inches. The VIVO dual pole: a 22 lb limit per arm.
How much to spend
Price does little to separate these 5: the Amazon Basics dual through the ErGear heavy duty all landed in the under $50 tier, which leaves screen size limit to decide it.
How to Choose a Monitor Arm Under $40
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put load rating first | ErGear heavy duty | The highest load rating here (37.4 lbs) |
| Buyers who want curved screens up to 49 inches | WALI ultrawide | Curved screens up to 49 inches |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the WALI dual | Amazon Basics dual | A lower price than the WALI dual and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want 22 lb limit per arm | WALI dual | A 22 lb limit per arm |
| Buyers who want steel pole mount | VIVO dual pole | A steel pole mount |
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 WALI ultrawide at 49 in. "Not listed" marks VESA where the WALI ultrawide and the WALI dual leave the figure out.
| Monitor Arm | Max screen size | Max load per arm | Monitors | VESA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ErGear heavy duty | 49 in | 37.4 lbs | 1 | 75x75 / 100x100 |
| WALI ultrawide | 49 in | 33 lbs | 1 | Not listed |
| Amazon Basics dual | 32 in | 22 lbs | 2 | 75x75 / 100x100 |
| WALI dual | 32 in | 22 lbs | 2 | Not listed |
| VIVO dual pole | 30 in | 22 lbs | 2 | 75x75 / 100x100 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ErGear heavy duty ahead of the WALI ultrawide on load rating?
The ErGear heavy duty tops load rating at 37.4 lbs; the WALI ultrawide follows at 33 lbs, 13% apart. The VIVO dual pole closes the ranking at 22 lbs.
Is the ErGear heavy duty worth paying more than the Amazon Basics dual?
The spec sheets show screen size limit (49 in against 32 in) and load rating (37.4 lbs against 22 lbs) in its favour. Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so the gains in screen size limit and load rating cost little extra by tier.
What makes the ErGear heavy duty the Highest Load Rating?
It carries the badge for the highest load rating here (37.4 lbs). The WALI ultrawide is next on load rating at 33 lbs, so this pick's 37.4 lbs is 13% further out. It is aimed at anyone who puts load rating first.
Do the ErGear heavy duty and the WALI ultrawide differ on mounting?
The ErGear heavy duty uses Dual C-clamp or grommet; the WALI ultrawide, the Amazon Basics dual, the WALI dual and the VIVO dual pole use C-clamp or grommet.
What should I check before buying the Amazon Basics dual?
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the Amazon Basics dual; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the Amazon Basics dual's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. In this guide it ranks third of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick, and third of 5 on screen size limit (32 in).
Beyond the specs, what sets the ErGear heavy duty and the WALI ultrawide apart?
The ErGear heavy duty: a 37.4 lb capacity. The WALI ultrawide: curved screens up to 49 inches. The Amazon Basics dual: a 22 lb limit per arm.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ErGear heavy duty, chosen for the highest load rating here (37.4 lbs). Look at the WALI ultrawide for curved screens up to 49 inches, the Amazon Basics dual for a lower price than the WALI dual and the rest when we checked and the WALI dual for a 22 lb limit per arm if those matter more to you.
Check that the VESA pattern on the back of your monitor matches the arm's mounting plate.