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 The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
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.
Our take Check price for ErGear Single Monitor Mount (13-32 in) (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.
Our take Check price for WALI Single Monitor Arm (13-34 in) (opens in a new tab)
Gas Spring Tension
Amazon Basics Gas Spring Single Monitor Arm
A gas spring tension.
Best for: Buyers who want a gas spring tension.
Our take Check price for Amazon Basics Gas Spring Single Monitor Arm (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
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.
Our take Check price for ErGear Single Monitor Arm (13-34 in) (opens in a new tab)
Largest Screen Size Limit
Amazon Basics Adjustable Single Monitor Arm
The largest screen size limit here (38 in).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size limit first.
Our take Check price for Amazon Basics Adjustable Single Monitor Arm (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
ErGear Single Monitor Mount (13-32 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ErGear's pole-mounted single arm holds 13 to 32 inch screens up to 17.6 lb.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
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 dimensions & 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)
Highest Load Rating2 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
- 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 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
- Costs more than the ErGear pole single at the time of writing
Gas Spring Tension3 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
- Buyers who want a 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 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 Amazon Basics single (38 in)
Also Consider4 of 5
ErGear Single Monitor Arm (13-34 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Adjustment
- We noted gas, mechanical spring or pole-collar height adjustment.
- 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.
- Mounting
- We checked clamp and grommet options and listed desk thickness ranges.
What to Look for in a Monitor Mount for Desk
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much load rating you need
Among these picks, load rating runs from 15.4 lbs on the Amazon Basics gas single to 26.4 lbs on the WALI single. Match this to what you will actually do with it, then let price decide between the picks that qualify.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to Choose a Monitor Mount for Desk
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | 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 a gas spring tension | Amazon Basics gas single | A 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
Figures as each maker states them.
| 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 do these monitor arms compare on screen size limit?
The Amazon Basics single leads at 38 in, ahead of the WALI single at 34 in; the Amazon Basics gas single sits at the other end with 27 in.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
Start with the ErGear pole single, the lowest-priced pick when we checked. The Amazon Basics single is the premium end, so the spread between them shows what extra money buys here.
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.
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.
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 a 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 thickness.