Best Monitor Arms UK (2026)
A monitor arm frees up desk space and makes it far easier to get your screen at the right height and angle, but quality varies enormously with price. This guide compares arms hands-on tested by PCWorld, spanning budget picks to premium dual-monitor mounts.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
Ergotron LX Pro
Best single-monitor arm
PCWorld's top pick, with a wide clamp that spreads force safely across your desk and a genuinely tool-free setup thanks to a comfortable handhold clamp mechanism. Build quality feels competitive with far pricier arms, though its 22lb weight limit is slightly lower than its predecessor's.
- Genuinely tool-free clamp setup
- Wide clamp reduces desk damage risk
- Build quality rivals pricier arms
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ergotron LX Pro | Best single-monitor arm | Up to 34in / 22lbs, 13in height adjustment, 10-year warranty | Check price |
| MSI MAG MT201 | Best budget | Up to 49in / 44lbs rated, spring tension, quick-release VESA | Check price |
| Huanuo HNSS6 Single Monitor Arm | Best under £50 | Up to 32in / 20lbs, gas spring, 3-screw install | Check price |
| Herman Miller Flo | Best premium single-monitor arm | Up to 20lbs, 13.3in height adjustment, 12-year warranty | Check price |
| Ergotron HX | Best heavy-duty | Up to 49in / 42lbs, minimal plastic, 10-year warranty | Check price |
| Ergotron LX Dual (Side-by-Side) | Best dual-monitor arm | Two arms rated up to 27in each, 10-year warranty | Check price |
| Monoprice Workstream Dual Monitor Arm | Best budget dual-monitor arm | Roughly a quarter of the price of the Ergotron LX Dual | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best single-monitor arm
Ergotron LX Pro
PCWorld's top pick, with a wide clamp that spreads force safely across your desk and a genuinely tool-free setup thanks to a comfortable handhold clamp mechanism. Build quality feels competitive with far pricier arms, though its 22lb weight limit is slightly lower than its predecessor's.
- Max monitor size
- 34in
- Weight capacity
- 22lbs
- Height adjustment
- 13in
- Tilt
- 85 degrees
- Warranty
- 10 years
Pros
- Genuinely tool-free clamp setup
- Wide clamp reduces desk damage risk
- Build quality rivals pricier arms
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Lower weight limit than the older Ergotron LX
Best budget
MSI MAG MT201
An inexpensive arm rated well beyond what most monitors need, with a quick-release VESA mount that's a nice touch at this price. PCWorld found the arm itself sturdy once built, though assembly is fiddly, taking 15-20 minutes with numerous awkwardly-placed screws.
- Max monitor size
- 49in (rated)
- Weight capacity
- 44lbs (rated)
- Tension system
- Spring
- VESA mount
- Quick-release
Pros
- Sturdy once assembled
- Quick-release VESA mount
- Sleek, professional look
- Often discounted well below MSRP
Cons
- Fiddly 15-20 minute assembly
- Plastic cladding over metal frame
Best under £50
Huanuo HNSS6 Single Monitor Arm
PCWorld's go-to pick for the cheapest monitor arm worth buying. Setup needs just three screws, and the adjustable clamp spacing is more intuitive than rivals like the MountUp arm, though cable management covers are described as finicky and gas springs can lose tension over time.
- Max monitor size
- 32in (rated)
- Weight capacity
- 20lbs (rated)
- Tension system
- Gas spring
Pros
- Very low price for a genuinely usable arm
- Simple 3-screw installation
- Intuitive adjustable desk clamp
Cons
- Finicky cable management covers
- Gas spring tension can fade over time
- Less smooth than pricier arms
Best premium single-monitor arm
Herman Miller Flo
PCWorld found the Flo's operation the smoothest of any arm tested, adjustable with a mere nudge, with a refined VESA clip mount that handles recessed monitor mounts other arms struggle with. It's backed by a 12-year warranty and 24/7 support, though the price is steep for a single-monitor arm.
- Weight capacity
- 20lbs (7lb minimum recommended)
- Height adjustment
- 13.3in
- Tilt
- 80 degrees
- Warranty
- 12 years
Pros
- Smoothest adjustment of any arm tested
- Refined VESA mount handles recessed monitors well
- 12-year warranty with 24/7 support
- Attractive, approachable design
Cons
- Expensive for a single-monitor arm
- 20lb weight limit rules out some heavier monitors
Best heavy-duty
Ergotron HX
A completely different, sturdier arm from the standard LX line rather than just an uprated version, easily handling both a 32in widescreen and 38in ultrawide in PCWorld's testing. Moving parts felt extremely smooth, though the height adjustment range is more limited than the LX and the design can feel bulky in a home office.
- Max monitor size
- 49in
- Weight capacity
- 42lbs
- Height adjustment
- 11.5in
- Warranty
- 10 years
Pros
- Handles very large or heavy monitors with ease
- Minimal plastic, sturdy mechanisms
- Extremely smooth movement
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- More limited height adjustment than the LX
- Can look bulky in a home office
- Expensive
Best dual-monitor arm
Ergotron LX Dual (Side-by-Side)
Pairs two LX arms on a single mount, keeping the same winning build quality and smooth operation as the standalone LX Pro. Each arm is rated for monitors up to 27in side-by-side (smaller if stacked vertically), which is worth checking against your own screens before buying.
- Max monitor size
- 27in per arm (side-by-side)
- Warranty
- 10 years
Pros
- Same build quality and smooth operation as the single LX
- 10-year warranty
- Supports both side-by-side and vertical arrangements
Cons
- 27in per-arm limit rules out larger monitor pairs
- Costlier than buying budget dual arms
Best budget dual-monitor arm
Monoprice Workstream Dual Monitor Arm
PCWorld was impressed by the build quality on offer at around a quarter of the Ergotron LX Dual's price. It shares the same downsides as Monoprice's single-arm model: fiddlier to set up and less smooth in operation, and PCWorld was doubtful it fully lives up to its claimed 20lb-per-arm capacity.
- Weight capacity
- Claimed 20lbs per arm
Pros
- Impressive build quality for the price
- Large saving over premium dual arms
Cons
- Fiddlier setup than premium arms
- Less smooth in operation
- Real-world weight capacity likely below claimed spec
Buying guide
Gas spring or spring tension arm?
Gas spring arms tend to feel smoother and are common on premium arms, but the gas cylinder can lose potency over years of use. Mechanical spring-tension arms, like the MSI here, avoid that specific failure mode, though quality still varies a lot between models.
How do I know if my monitor is compatible?
Check your monitor supports a standard VESA mounting pattern (usually 75x75mm or 100x100mm) on the back, and confirm its weight falls comfortably within the arm's rated capacity, ideally well under the maximum rather than right at the limit.
Is a heavy-duty arm worth it for a normal-sized monitor?
Not usually. Heavy-duty arms like the Ergotron HX here are built for large ultrawide or 40-inch-plus monitors. A standard single-arm like the Ergotron LX Pro comfortably handles most 27-34in monitors at a lower price.
Will a monitor arm damage my desk?
A well-designed arm with a wide clamp, like the Ergotron picks here, spreads clamping force across more of your desk's edge, reducing the risk of marks or damage. Still, take care not to over-tighten any clamp, and check your desk's edge thickness is within the arm's supported range before buying.
Sources
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