Buying Guide
The Best Monitor Mount for Desk
From the ErGear pole single to the Amazon Basics single: five monitor arms ranked on screen size limit and load rating, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A desk monitor mount frees the space under the screen and lets you set its height. Check the VESA pattern and weight limit first.
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 tension, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
ErGear Single Monitor Mount (13-32 in)A lower price than the WALI single and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the WALI single the next step up.
Check price for ErGear Single Monitor Mount (13-32 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Load Rating
WALI Single Monitor Arm (13-34 in)The highest load rating here (26.4 lbs).
Best for: Buyers who put load rating first.
Check price for WALI Single Monitor Arm (13-34 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Amazon Basics Gas Spring Single Monitor ArmAdjustable gas-spring tension.
Best for: Buyers who want adjustable gas-spring tension.
Check price for Amazon Basics Gas Spring Single Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ErGear Single Monitor Arm (13-34 in)A 13 to 34 inch screen range.
Best for: Buyers who want 13 to 34 inch screen range.
Check price for ErGear Single Monitor Arm (13-34 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Screen Size Limit
Amazon Basics Adjustable Single Monitor ArmThe largest screen size limit here (38 in).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size limit first.
Check price for Amazon Basics Adjustable Single Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
ErGear Single Monitor Mount (13-32 in)
ErGear's pole-mounted single arm holds 13 to 32 inch screens up to 17.6 lb.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the WALI single the next step up.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: screen size limit of 32 in, behind the Amazon Basics single (38 in).
Why we like it
On screen size limit it sits mid-pack at 32 in: the Amazon Basics single comes in at 38 in, and the Amazon Basics gas single comes in at 27 in. On load rating it sits mid-pack at 17.6 lbs: the WALI single is rated for 26.4 lbs, and the Amazon Basics gas single comes in at 15.4 lbs. It also offers a 17.6 lb limit and the lowest price among the arms here.
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 or 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the ErGear pole single; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the ErGear pole single's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the WALI single was closest.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 32 in
- Max load per arm
- 17.6 lbs
- Monitors
- 1
- Tension
- Pole collar
- Mounting
- C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- Steel pole
- 17.6 lb limit
- The lowest price among the arms here
- Screen size limit of 32 in, ahead of the Amazon Basics gas single
Cons
- Screen size limit of 32 in, behind the Amazon Basics single (38 in)
The catch
What it gives up: screen size limit of 32 in, behind the Amazon Basics single (38 in); by contrast, the Amazon Basics single comes in at 38 in.
Highest Load Rating2 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
- Buyers who put load rating first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the ErGear pole single cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It takes screens up to 34 inches. It matches the ErGear single on screen size limit (34 in). Nothing else here matches its 26.4 lbs load rating; the Amazon Basics single comes closest at 22 lbs.
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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper ErGear pole single and the pricier Amazon Basics gas single, at the time of writing.
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
- Costs more than the ErGear pole single at the time of writing
Also Consider3 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
- Buyers who want adjustable gas-spring tension.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: tops out at 27-inch screens.
Why we like it
The spring tension adjusts. Its 27 in screen size limit is the smallest in this group; the Amazon Basics single leads at 38 in. Its 15.4 lbs load rating is the lowest in this group; the WALI single leads at 26.4 lbs.
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 Amazon Basics single (38 in)
The catch
If screen size limit is your priority, the Amazon Basics single (38 in) is the stronger choice.
Strong Alternative4 of 5
ErGear Single Monitor Arm (13-34 in)
ErGear's single arm takes 13 to 34 inch screens up to 19.8 lb.
Best for
- Buyers who want 13 to 34 inch screen range.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ErGear pole single was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It mounts by C-clamp or grommet at a low price. On screen size limit it ties with the WALI single at 34 in. On load rating it sits mid-pack at 19.8 lbs: the WALI single is rated for 26.4 lbs, and the Amazon Basics gas single comes in at 15.4 lbs.
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the ErGear single; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the ErGear single's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. When we checked, only the Amazon Basics gas single and cheaper picks cost less, and the Amazon Basics single cost more.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 34 in
- Max load per arm
- 19.8 lbs
- Monitors
- 1
- VESA
- 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting
- C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- 13 to 34 inch screen range
- C-clamp or grommet mounting
- Low price for a 34-inch arm
- Screen size limit of 34 in, ahead of the ErGear pole single
Cons
- Costs more than the ErGear pole single at the time of writing
Largest Screen Size Limit5 of 5
Amazon Basics Adjustable Single Monitor Arm
Amazon Basics' single arm takes 32-inch screens or 38-inch ultrawides up to 22 lb.
Best for
- Buyers who put screen size limit first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the ErGear pole single cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its clamp fits desks up to 4.25 inches thick. Nothing else here matches its 38 in screen size limit; the WALI single comes closest at 34 in. Its 22 lbs load rating ranks second of 5 here, behind the WALI single (26.4 lbs) and ahead of the Amazon Basics gas single (15.4 lbs).
It also offers 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 was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the ErGear single and the rest.
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
- Costs more than the ErGear pole single at the time of writing
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.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five monitor arms on screen size limit, load rating, monitors and tension as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 6 fields compared are stated for every pick, while tension and VESA have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ErGear pole single to the Amazon Basics single, state screen size limit, load rating and monitors and share C-clamp or grommet mounting.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The WALI single, the ErGear single and the Amazon Basics single give no tension; the ErGear pole single gives no VESA.
- Price range
- From the ErGear pole single to the Amazon Basics single, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Monitor Mount for Desk
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Screen size limit across these picks
The Amazon Basics single tops screen size limit at 38 in and the Amazon Basics gas single sits lowest at 27 in. For less, the WALI single is the runner-up at 34 in.
Load rating
Across these 5 picks load rating spans 15.4 lbs (the Amazon Basics gas single) to 26.4 lbs (the WALI single). If load rating is your first filter, the WALI single sets the ceiling at 26.4 lbs.
A monitor light bar above two monitors on a wooden desk What to check at home
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 or 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the ErGear pole single; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter.
Features beyond the spec table
The Amazon Basics gas single: a 4.4 to 15.4 lb range. The ErGear single: C-clamp or grommet mounting. The Amazon Basics single: a 22 lb limit.
A light bar and two monitors on arms above a keyboard Where your budget lands
Price does little to separate these 5: the ErGear pole single through the Amazon Basics single all landed in the under $50 tier, which leaves screen size limit to decide it.
How to Choose a Monitor Mount for Desk
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the WALI single the next step up | ErGear pole single | A lower price than the WALI single and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who put load rating first | WALI single | The highest load rating here (26.4 lbs) |
| Buyers who want adjustable gas-spring tension | Amazon Basics gas single | Adjustable gas-spring tension |
| Buyers who want 13 to 34 inch screen range | ErGear single | A 13 to 34 inch screen range |
| Buyers who put screen size limit first | Amazon Basics single | The largest screen size limit here (38 in) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Amazon Basics single leads on screen size limit at 38 in, ahead of the WALI single at 34 in. "Not listed" marks tension where the WALI single, the ErGear single and the Amazon Basics single leave the figure out.
| Monitor Arm | Max screen size | Max load per arm | Monitors | Tension |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ErGear pole single | 32 in | 17.6 lbs | 1 | Pole collar |
| WALI single | 34 in | 26.4 lbs | 1 | Not listed |
| Amazon Basics gas single | 27 in | 15.4 lbs | 1 | Gas spring |
| ErGear single | 34 in | 19.8 lbs | 1 | Not listed |
| Amazon Basics single | 38 in | 22 lbs | 1 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the WALI single compare with the Amazon Basics single on screen size limit?
Between the top two, it is 38 in on the Amazon Basics single against 34 in on the WALI single, a 12% difference. The Amazon Basics gas single closes the ranking at 27 in.
Is the WALI single ahead of the Amazon Basics single on load rating?
The WALI single leads at 26.4 lbs, with the Amazon Basics single at 22 lbs. The spread runs down to the Amazon Basics gas single at 15.4 lbs.
Is the Amazon Basics single worth paying more than the ErGear pole single?
On paper it adds screen size limit (38 in against 32 in) and load rating (22 lbs against 17.6 lbs). 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 WALI single the Highest Load Rating?
It carries the badge for the highest load rating here (26.4 lbs). The Amazon Basics single is next on load rating at 22 lbs, so this pick's 26.4 lbs is 20% further out. It makes sense for anyone who puts load rating first.
Do the ErGear pole single and the Amazon Basics gas single differ on tension?
The ErGear pole single uses pole collar; the Amazon Basics gas single uses gas spring. The makers of the WALI single, the ErGear single and the Amazon Basics single don't state tension, so 2 of 5 picks are covered here.
What should I check before buying the Amazon Basics gas single?
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. In this guide it ranks third of 5, and fifth of 5 on screen size limit (27 in).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ErGear pole single, chosen for a lower price than the WALI single and the rest when we checked. Look at the WALI single for the highest load rating here (26.4 lbs), the Amazon Basics gas single for adjustable gas-spring tension and the ErGear single for a 13 to 34 inch screen range if those matter more to you.
Clamp mounts need a desk edge of the listed thickness.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Monitor Arms
- Related guideThe Best Dual Monitor Arms
- Related guideThe Best Desk-Mount Monitor Arms
- Similar guideThe Best Monitor Stand for Desk
- Similar guideThe Best Monitor Light Bars
- Also see: chairs, desks and desk setupHow to choose a monitor arm: VESA pattern, weight range and desk clamps
- Also see: monitors for work and everyday use24 vs 27 vs 32-Inch Monitor
- Similar guideThe Best Monitor Stand Risers
- Similar guideThe Best Ergonomic Monitor Stand
- Topic hubAll monitor arms and accessories 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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