Buying Guide
The Best Premium Monitor Arms
From the HUANUO 40-inch dual to the Ergotron LX vertical dual: 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
Premium monitor arms add smoother gas springs, higher weight limits and cable routing. This set runs from the premium end down.
We sorted these picks by max screen size, max load per arm and monitors, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips VESA, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Premium Pick
Ergotron LX Vertical Stacking Dual Monitor ArmThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with two screens stacked vertically.
Best for: Buyers who want two screens stacked vertically and can spend more than the Ergotron LX Dual costs.
Check price for Ergotron LX Vertical Stacking Dual Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Ergotron LX Dual Monitor ArmA 7 to 20 lb range per screen.
Best for: Buyers who want 7 to 20 lb range per screen.
Check price for Ergotron LX Dual Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Ergotron LX Single Monitor ArmA 7 to 25 lb range.
Best for: Buyers who want 7 to 25 lb range.
Check price for Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Ergotron LX Pro Premium Single Monitor ArmA 4 to 22 lb range.
Best for: Buyers who want 4 to 22 lb range.
Check price for Ergotron LX Pro Premium Single Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Load Rating
HUANUO Premium Dual Monitor Stand with USB (13-40 in)The highest load rating here (26.4 lbs).
Best for: Buyers who put load rating first.
Check price for HUANUO Premium Dual Monitor Stand with USB (13-40 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
Ergotron LX Vertical Stacking Dual Monitor Arm
The Ergotron LX vertical dual stands out for two screens stacked vertically, and it adds a tall pole.
Best for
- Buyers who want two screens stacked vertically and can spend more than the Ergotron LX Dual costs.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the HUANUO 40-inch dual was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 40 in screen size limit and is rated for 22 lbs. On screen size limit it ties with the HUANUO 40-inch dual at 40 in. On load rating it ties with the Ergotron LX Pro at 22 lbs.
Like the Ergotron LX Dual, it has a two-piece clamp or grommet mounting, while the Ergotron LX Pro uses a two-piece clamp mounting. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 or 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the Ergotron LX vertical dual; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the Ergotron LX vertical dual's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. Only the Ergotron LX Dual came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 40 in
- Max load per arm
- 22 lbs
- Monitors
- 2, stacked
- Mounting
- Two-piece clamp or grommet
Pros
- Takes ultrawides up to 40 inches
- Two screens stacked vertically
- Tall pole
- 7 to 22 lb range per screen
Cons
- Costs more than the HUANUO 40-inch dual at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Ergotron LX Dual Monitor Arm
Ergotron's LX Dual holds two 27-inch screens from 7 to 20 lb each with 13 inches of lift.
Best for
- Buyers who want 7 to 20 lb range per screen.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: tops out at 27-inch screens.
Why we like it
Its clamp is low profile. Its 27 in screen size limit is the smallest in this group; the Ergotron LX vertical dual leads at 40 in. Its 20 lbs load rating is the lowest in this group; the HUANUO 40-inch dual leads at 26.4 lbs.
It shares a two-piece clamp or grommet mounting with the Ergotron LX vertical dual; the Ergotron LX Pro goes with a two-piece clamp mounting. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 or 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the Ergotron LX Dual; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the Ergotron LX Dual's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Ergotron LX and the pricier Ergotron LX vertical dual, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 27 in
- Max load per arm
- 20 lbs
- Monitors
- 2
- Mounting
- Two-piece clamp or grommet
Pros
- 7 to 20 lb range per screen
- 13 inches of lift
- Low-profile clamp
Cons
- Tops out at 27-inch screens
- Screen size limit trails the Ergotron LX vertical dual (40 in)
- Load rating trails the HUANUO 40-inch dual (26.4 lbs)
The catch
The trade-off is screen size limit; for more, the Ergotron LX vertical dual comes in at 40 in.
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm
Ergotron's LX holds 7 to 25 lb screens up to 34 inches with 13 inches of lift.
Best for
- Buyers who want 7 to 25 lb range.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the HUANUO 40-inch dual, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It ships with a two-piece clamp and a grommet mount. On screen size limit it ties with the Ergotron LX Pro at 34 in. On load rating it sits mid-pack at 25 lbs: the HUANUO 40-inch dual is rated for 26.4 lbs, and the Ergotron LX Dual comes in at 20 lbs.
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the Ergotron LX; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the Ergotron LX's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. It was priced above the Ergotron LX Pro and below the Ergotron LX Dual at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 34 in
- Max load per arm
- 25 lbs
- Monitors
- 1
- VESA
- 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting
- Two-piece clamp and grommet
Pros
- 7 to 25 lb range
- 13 inches of lift
- Two-piece desk clamp and grommet mount
- Screen size limit of 34 in, ahead of the Ergotron LX Dual
Cons
- Costs more than the HUANUO 40-inch dual at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
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
- Buyers who want 4 to 22 lb range.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the HUANUO 40-inch dual cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The grommet mount is sold separately. It matches the Ergotron LX on screen size limit (34 in). It matches the Ergotron LX vertical dual on load rating (22 lbs).
A two-piece clamp mounting is unique to it among these picks, while the Ergotron LX Dual uses a two-piece clamp or grommet mounting. You also get a 4 to 22 lb range. 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.
Confirm your desk edge fits the Ergotron LX Pro's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper HUANUO 40-inch dual and the pricier Ergotron LX, at the time of writing.
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 Ergotron LX Dual
Cons
- Costs more than the HUANUO 40-inch dual at the time of writing
Highest Load Rating5 of 5
HUANUO Premium Dual Monitor Stand with USB (13-40 in)
HUANUO's premium dual stand takes two 13 to 40 inch screens at 26.4 lb per arm.
Best for
- Buyers who put load rating first.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
USB ports sit in the base. On screen size limit it ties with the Ergotron LX vertical dual at 40 in. Nothing else here matches its 26.4 lbs load rating; the Ergotron LX comes closest at 25 lbs.
No other pick in this guide offers a dual C-clamp or grommet mounting; compare the Ergotron LX, which has a two-piece clamp and grommet mounting. Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 / 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the HUANUO 40-inch dual; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the HUANUO 40-inch dual'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 Ergotron LX Pro was closest.
Key specs
- Max screen size
- 40 in
- Max load per arm
- 26.4 lbs
- Monitors
- 2
- VESA
- 75x75 / 100x100
- Mounting
- Dual C-clamp or grommet
Pros
- Takes ultrawides up to 40 inches
- 26.4 lb load per arm
- Built-in USB ports
- Dual C-clamp or grommet mounting, the only one here
How We Chose These Premium Monitor Arms
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 set side by side five monitor arms on screen size limit, load rating, monitors and VESA from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and VESA is missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Ergotron LX vertical dual to the HUANUO 40-inch dual, state screen size limit, load rating and monitors.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ergotron LX vertical dual and the Ergotron LX Dual give no VESA.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the HUANUO 40-inch dual ($100 to $150) to the Ergotron LX vertical dual ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Premium Monitor Arm
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 27 in (the Ergotron LX Dual) to 40 in (the Ergotron LX vertical dual). For less, the HUANUO 40-inch dual is the runner-up at 40 in ($100 to $150 tier).
Load rating
Here load rating runs from 20 lbs on the Ergotron LX Dual to 26.4 lbs on the HUANUO 40-inch dual, a 32% spread. Start with the HUANUO 40-inch dual if load rating decides it.
A white desk with an ultrawide monitor, a PC and plants What to check at home
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 or 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the Ergotron LX vertical dual; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter.
Features beyond the spec table
The Ergotron LX vertical dual: a tall pole. The Ergotron LX Dual: 13 inches of lift. The HUANUO 40-inch dual: a 26.4 lb limit per arm.
A wooden desk with a monitor on an arm, a desk mat and a compact keyboard Budget
$100 to $150 buys the HUANUO 40-inch dual; $150 to $250 buys the Ergotron LX Pro and the Ergotron LX; $250 to $500 buys the Ergotron LX Dual and the Ergotron LX vertical dual at our last check.
How to Choose a Premium Monitor Arm
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want two screens stacked vertically and can spend more than the Ergotron LX Dual costs | Ergotron LX vertical dual | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with two screens stacked vertically |
| Buyers who want 7 to 20 lb range per screen | Ergotron LX Dual | A 7 to 20 lb range per screen |
| Buyers who want 7 to 25 lb range | Ergotron LX | A 7 to 25 lb range |
| Buyers who want 4 to 22 lb range | Ergotron LX Pro | A 4 to 22 lb range |
| Buyers who put load rating first | HUANUO 40-inch dual | The highest load rating here (26.4 lbs) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ergotron LX vertical dual leads on screen size limit at 40 in, ahead of the HUANUO 40-inch dual at 40 in. "Not listed" marks VESA where the Ergotron LX vertical dual and the Ergotron LX Dual leave the figure out.
| Monitor Arm | Max screen size | Max load per arm | Monitors | VESA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ergotron LX vertical dual | 40 in | 22 lbs | 2, stacked | Not listed |
| Ergotron LX Dual | 27 in | 20 lbs | 2 | Not listed |
| Ergotron LX | 34 in | 25 lbs | 1 | 75x75 / 100x100 |
| Ergotron LX Pro | 34 in | 22 lbs | 1 | 75x75 / 100x100 |
| HUANUO 40-inch dual | 40 in | 26.4 lbs | 2 | 75x75 / 100x100 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the HUANUO 40-inch dual, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Ergotron LX vertical dual at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Monitor Arms |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | HUANUO 40-inch dual |
| About $150 to $250 | Ergotron LX Pro, Ergotron LX |
| About $250 to $500 | Ergotron LX Dual, Ergotron LX vertical dual |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HUANUO 40-inch dual ahead of the Ergotron LX on load rating?
The HUANUO 40-inch dual tops load rating at 26.4 lbs; the Ergotron LX follows at 25 lbs, 6% apart. The spread runs down to the Ergotron LX Dual at 20 lbs.
Is the Ergotron LX vertical dual worth paying more than the HUANUO 40-inch dual?
The Ergotron LX vertical dual matches or trails the HUANUO 40-inch dual on screen size limit and load rating, so pay more only for a feature the spec sheet doesn't cover. The HUANUO 40-inch dual leads on load rating (26.4 lbs). The HUANUO 40-inch dual sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the Ergotron LX vertical dual in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them.
What makes the HUANUO 40-inch dual the Highest Load Rating?
The label rests on the highest load rating here (26.4 lbs). The Ergotron LX is next on load rating at 25 lbs, so this pick's 26.4 lbs is 6% further out. It is aimed at anyone who puts load rating first.
Do the Ergotron LX vertical dual and the Ergotron LX differ on mounting?
The Ergotron LX vertical dual and the Ergotron LX Dual use two-piece clamp or grommet; the Ergotron LX uses Two-piece clamp and grommet; the Ergotron LX Pro uses two-piece clamp; the HUANUO 40-inch dual uses Dual C-clamp or grommet.
What should I check before buying the Ergotron LX Dual?
Check the back of your monitor for a 75x75 or 100x100 VESA pattern before ordering the Ergotron LX Dual; curved and some slim monitors need an adapter. Confirm your desk edge fits the Ergotron LX Dual's clamp range and has no rear lip or drawer rail in the way. In this guide it ranks second of 5, and fifth of 5 on screen size limit (27 in).
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ergotron LX vertical dual and the Ergotron LX Dual apart?
The Ergotron LX vertical dual: two screens stacked vertically. The Ergotron LX Dual: a 7 to 20 lb range per screen. The Ergotron LX: a 7 to 25 lb range.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ergotron LX vertical dual, chosen for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with two screens stacked vertically. Look at the Ergotron LX Dual for a 7 to 20 lb range per screen, the Ergotron LX for a 7 to 25 lb range and the Ergotron LX Pro for a 4 to 22 lb range if those matter more to you.
Match the arm's weight range to your monitor, or it will drift.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Monitor Arms
- Related guideThe Best Dual Monitor Arms
- Related guideThe Best Desk-Mount Monitor Arms
- Lower budgetThe Best Monitor Arms Under $30
- Similar guideThe Best Monitor Arms, Compared
- 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 Light Bars
- 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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