You finally decided to upgrade your desk setup with a monitor arm. You picked one with great reviews, installed it, and... your monitor slowly droops down like a sad flower. Yeah, been there.
Choosing a monitor arm seems simple until you realize there are dozens of specs to consider: VESA patterns, weight limits, desk thickness, gas spring vs mechanical—the list goes on. Get it wrong, and you're stuck with a wobbly arm, a damaged desk, or worse, a monitor that crashes onto your keyboard.
TL;DR: Before buying a monitor arm, check three things: your monitor's VESA pattern (usually 75x75 or 100x100mm), its weight (add 2-3 lbs buffer), and your desk thickness. Gas spring arms offer smoother adjustment but cost more. Skip the $25 Amazon specials—they almost always droop.
Why You Need a Monitor Arm
A monitor arm isn't just about aesthetics (though a floating monitor does look clean). You get real benefits:
Ergonomic positioning. Your monitor's top edge should be at or slightly below eye level. Most stock stands can't achieve this, forcing you to look down and strain your neck.
Desk space recovery. Monitor stands eat up 8-12 inches of desk depth. An arm clamps to the edge, giving you that space back for your keyboard, coffee, or that plant you keep meaning to water.
Flexibility. Need to share your screen with a coworker? Swivel it. Want to switch between landscape and portrait? Rotate it. Working from a standing desk? Adjust the height in seconds.
Cable management. Most arms have built-in cable channels, turning your spaghetti of wires into a clean single run.
If you're using a single monitor, check our best gas spring monitor arms guide. For dual setups, see our best dual monitor mounts recommendations.
Step 1: Check VESA Compatibility
VESA is the universal mounting standard for monitors. Look at the back of your monitor—you'll see four screw holes arranged in a square pattern. The distance between these holes is your VESA pattern.
Common VESA patterns:
| Pattern | Hole Distance | Typical Monitor Size |
|---|---|---|
| 75x75mm | 75mm apart | 15-24 inch |
| 100x100mm | 100mm apart | 19-32 inch |
| 200x100mm | 200mm x 100mm | 23-34 inch ultrawide |
Most monitor arms support both 75x75 and 100x100mm patterns. If you have a larger ultrawide or a 200x100mm pattern, you'll need a VESA adapter plate (usually sold separately).
⚠️ Warning: Some monitors (especially older iMacs and certain gaming monitors) don't have VESA mounts at all. Check before you buy.
Step 2: Know Your Monitor's Weight
This is where most people mess up. They see "supports up to 17 lbs" and assume their 14 lb monitor will work fine. It doesn't.
The weight buffer rule: Always leave 3-5 lbs of headroom. A 14 lb monitor needs an arm rated for at least 17-19 lbs. Why? Because:
- Curved monitors shift weight forward, adding leverage stress
- Accessories like webcams and light bars add 1-2 lbs
- Arms perform poorly at their weight limits—they droop, tilt, or won't hold position
Where to find your monitor's weight: Check the spec sheet on the manufacturer's website. Look for "weight without stand"—that's the number you need.
For heavy monitors (over 20 lbs), you'll need a heavy-duty arm. Our best heavy duty monitor arms guide covers options that won't buckle under the weight.
Step 3: Check Your Desk
Your desk matters more than you think. Measure these before buying:
Desk thickness: Most clamps work with 0.4-3 inch thick desks. Measure yours before buying.
Desk material:
- Solid wood/MDF: Ideal. Can handle the clamping pressure.
- Particleboard/IKEA desks: Works, but may dent over time. Use a reinforcement plate.
- Glass: Requires special mounts or grommet installation. Don't clamp directly.
- Hollow-core: Risky. The clamp can crush through. Use grommet mount or reinforcement.
Edge clearance: You need 2-3 inches of clearance from the back edge to the wall. Some arms extend behind the desk when rotated.
Desk edge shape: Beveled or rounded edges over 1 inch can reduce clamp stability. Flat edges work best.
Step 4: Choose Your Mount Type
There are three main ways to attach a monitor arm to your desk:
Clamp Mount (Most Common)
A C-shaped clamp wraps around your desk edge. No drilling required, easy to reposition.
Best for: Most users, renters, anyone who might move their setup.
Limitations: Needs desk edge access, may not work with thick desks or back panels.
Grommet Mount
Bolts through a hole in your desk (usually an existing cable management hole). More stable than clamp mounts.
Best for: Permanent setups, heavy monitors, desks with cable holes.
Limitations: Requires a hole, harder to reposition.
Wall Mount
Attaches directly to the wall, freeing up all desk space.
Best for: Small desks, shared workspaces, eliminating desk vibration.
Limitations: Requires wall drilling, less flexibility to move.
If wall mounting interests you, check our best wall mount monitor arms guide for options that won't pull out of your drywall.
Step 5: Single vs Dual vs Triple
Single arm: One monitor, maximum flexibility. Best for most home office setups.
Dual arm: Two monitors on one pole. Saves a clamp point but limits individual positioning. Great for side-by-side setups.
Triple arm: Three monitors, typically for trading, gaming, or video editing. Requires a sturdy desk and careful weight distribution.
Pro tip: If you use monitors of different sizes, consider two single arms instead of one dual arm. You'll have more flexibility to position each screen independently.
For triple monitor setups, our best triple monitor arms for 34-inch displays guide covers the heavy-duty options you'll need.
Step 6: Gas Spring vs Mechanical Spring
The internal mechanism determines how smoothly your arm adjusts and how long it lasts.
Gas Spring Arms
Use a pressurized gas cylinder (like an office chair) for smooth, effortless height adjustment. Just push or pull the monitor to reposition.
Pros:
- Smooth, one-handed adjustment
- Holds position reliably
- Feels premium
Cons:
- More expensive
- Gas can leak over time (5-10 years)
- Heavier monitors may cause slow drift
Mechanical Spring Arms
Use a traditional coiled spring with tension adjustment screws.
Pros:
- More durable long-term
- Easier to repair
- Often cheaper
Cons:
- Requires Allen wrench to adjust tension
- Less smooth movement
- May need periodic re-tensioning
My take: Gas spring arms are worth the premium if you adjust your monitor daily. Mechanical springs work fine if you set it once and forget it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Based on countless Reddit horror stories, avoid these mistakes:
Mistake 1: Buying the cheapest option
Those $25-40 Amazon arms with 4.5-star ratings? Many are review-farmed junk. They droop within weeks, have wobbly joints, and use cheap gas springs that leak. Budget at least $50-70 for a single arm, $80-120 for dual.
Mistake 2: Ignoring weight limits
"My monitor is 14 lbs and the arm says 17 lbs, should be fine!" No. You need buffer. Aim for an arm rated 20-30% above your monitor's weight.
Mistake 3: Not checking desk compatibility
IKEA Linnmon desks (hollow-core) are notorious for getting crushed by monitor arm clamps. Either use a grommet mount or add a reinforcement plate.
Mistake 4: Forgetting about cable length
Monitor arms add reach. Your existing cables might be too short once the monitor is extended. Measure your cable run before installing.
Mistake 5: Skipping the tension adjustment
Most drooping issues aren't defective arms—they're improperly tensioned. Read the manual and adjust the tension screw for your monitor's weight.
Which Monitor Arm is Right for You?
| Your Situation | Recommended Type | Key Feature to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Single 24-27" monitor | Gas spring single arm | 15-20 lb capacity |
| Dual 27" monitors | Dual arm on single pole | Independent arm adjustment |
| 34"+ ultrawide | Heavy-duty single arm | 25+ lb capacity, 200mm VESA |
| Standing desk user | Gas spring with tall pole | 18"+ height range |
| Small desk | Wall mount | No desk footprint |
| IKEA/particle board desk | Grommet mount | Reinforcement plate included |
Still not sure which specific model to buy? Check our detailed guides:
- Best gas spring monitor arms for smooth adjustment
- Best dual monitor mounts for two-screen setups
- Best heavy duty monitor arms for large displays
- Best ceiling mount monitor arms for unique setups
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mount any monitor on an arm?
Most monitors with VESA mounting holes (75x75 or 100x100mm) work with standard arms. Check your monitor's back panel for four screw holes in a square pattern. Some monitors, especially older iMacs and certain curved gaming monitors, lack VESA mounts entirely.
How much should I spend on a monitor arm?
For a quality single arm, expect $50-100. Dual arms run $80-150. Premium brands like Ergotron and Humanscale cost $150-300+ but offer superior build quality and longer warranties. Avoid anything under $40—the savings aren't worth the headaches.
Will a monitor arm damage my desk?
Not if installed correctly. Use the included padding, don't over-tighten the clamp, and consider a reinforcement plate for particle board or thin desks. Glass desks require special mounts—never clamp directly to glass.
Why does my monitor arm keep drooping?
Usually improper tension adjustment. Most arms have a tension screw (often requiring an Allen wrench) that needs to be set for your monitor's weight. If it still droops after adjustment, your monitor may exceed the arm's actual capacity.
Gas spring or mechanical—which lasts longer?
Mechanical springs typically outlast gas springs (10-15 years vs 5-10 years). However, gas springs offer smoother daily adjustment. For "set it and forget it" users, mechanical is fine. For frequent adjusters, gas spring is worth the trade-off.