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 The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
Ergotron LX Vertical Stacking Dual Monitor Arm
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with two screens stacked vertically.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Ergotron LX Vertical Stacking Dual Monitor Arm (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Ergotron LX Dual Monitor Arm
A 7 to 20 lb range per screen.
Best for: Buyers who want 7 to 20 lb range per screen.
Our take Check price for Ergotron LX Dual Monitor Arm (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm
A 7 to 25 lb range.
Best for: Buyers who want 7 to 25 lb range.
Our take Check price for Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm (opens in a new tab)
Two-piece Clamp Mounting
Ergotron LX Pro Premium Single Monitor Arm
A two-piece clamp mounting.
Best for: Buyers who want a two-piece clamp mounting.
Our take Check price for Ergotron LX Pro Premium Single Monitor Arm (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.
Our take Check price for HUANUO Premium Dual Monitor Stand with USB (13-40 in) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
Ergotron LX Vertical Stacking Dual Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ergotron LX vertical dual stands out for two screens stacked vertically, and it adds a tall pole.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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)
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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
Two-piece Clamp Mounting4 of 5
Ergotron LX Pro Premium Single Monitor Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Ergotron's LX Pro holds 4 to 22 lb screens up to 34 inches with 13 inches of lift.
Best for
- Buyers who want a two-piece clamp mounting.
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 dimensions & 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) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Screen size
- We noted the maximum screen size, including ultrawide figures.
- Mounting
- We checked clamp and grommet options and listed desk thickness ranges.
- 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.
What to Look for in a Premium Monitor Arm
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Where these picks differ: load rating
Among these picks, load rating runs from 20 lbs on the Ergotron LX Dual to 26.4 lbs on the HUANUO 40-inch dual. Pick the lowest figure that covers your use; the extra usually costs more than it returns.
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 Premium Monitor Arm
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want the most complete package | 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 a two-piece clamp mounting | Ergotron LX Pro | A two-piece clamp mounting |
| 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
Figures as each maker states them.
| 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
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| 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
Which pick leads on screen size limit?
The Ergotron LX vertical dual leads at 40 in, ahead of the HUANUO 40-inch dual at 40 in; the Ergotron LX Dual sits at the other end with 27 in.
Which pick costs the least here?
The HUANUO 40-inch dual. It undercut the Ergotron LX Pro when we checked, while the Ergotron LX vertical dual cost the most of the group.
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.
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.
Should I get a monitor arm or a riser?
A riser lifts a monitor on its own stand and needs no VESA mount. An arm frees desk space and adds tilt and swivel.
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 two-piece clamp mounting if those matter more to you.
Match the arm's weight range to your monitor, or it will drift.