A monitor arm might be the single best upgrade you can make to a home office. It clears your desk surface, puts your screen at the perfect eye level, reduces neck strain, and lets you quickly switch between sitting and standing heights. These are the best monitor arms in 2026.
Best Picks
- Best Single Arm: Ergotron LX — best build quality, buttery smooth movement
- Best Dual Arm: Ergotron LX Dual — best dual arm under $200
- Best Budget: VIVO Adjustable Monitor Arm — solid value under $40
- Best Ultra-Wide: Ergotron HX Heavy Duty — supports monitors up to 42 lbs
Why a Monitor Arm Changes Everything
Most monitor stands only adjust height by an inch or two and cannot tilt or swivel meaningfully. A monitor arm gives you full range of motion: height, depth, tilt, swivel, and rotation. This lets you:
- Bring the screen exactly to eye level (eliminating neck strain)
- Push it back when you need desk space, pull it close when reading
- Rotate to portrait mode for coding or reading long documents
- Adjust instantly when switching between sitting and standing
Monitor Arms Reviewed
1. Ergotron LX — Best Overall
The Ergotron LX is the benchmark for monitor arms. The tension mechanism is smooth and precise, holds position perfectly, and the build quality feels genuinely premium. It supports monitors up to 34 lbs and 34 inches. One-time adjustment and it stays where you put it for years. Get the Ergotron LX →
2. Ergotron LX Dual Stacking Arm
Two independent arms on a single pole mount, allowing independent positioning of each monitor. Perfect for productivity setups where you use two screens at different heights or angles. More stable than most dual arms at this price. View Ergotron LX Dual →
3. Amazon Basics Monitor Arm
Made by Ergotron under the Amazon Basics brand, this is functionally near-identical to the LX at a lower price point. If you’re on a tighter budget, this is the best value single monitor arm you can buy. Check Amazon Basics Monitor Arm →
4. VIVO Dual Monitor Stand
A budget dual arm option that gets the basics right. Not as smooth as Ergotron and won’t hold position quite as well under heavy loads, but perfectly functional for standard 24–27 inch monitors. See VIVO Dual Monitor Arm →
What to Check Before Buying
- VESA compatibility: Most monitors support 75x75mm or 100x100mm VESA. Check your monitor’s back panel.
- Monitor weight: Each arm has a weight limit. Weigh your monitor before buying a budget arm.
- Desk clamp vs. grommet: Most arms clamp to the desk edge. Grommet mount goes through a hole in the desk — more stable but requires a hole.
- Desk thickness: Clamp arms need a desk that’s not too thick. Check the arm’s max clamp depth against your desk.
Final Verdict
The Ergotron LX is worth every penny if you can afford it. For dual monitors, the LX Dual is the best setup under $200. On a tight budget, the Amazon Basics arm (also made by Ergotron) is the best bang for your money. Browse all monitor arms →