What are the Various Types of Monitor Arms?

The main types of monitor arms are single arms for one screen, dual arms for side-by-side displays, adjustable gas spring arms, space saving wall mounts, desk mounts, and heavy-duty triple arms for multiple monitor setups.

If you’re looking to free up some desk space or improve your workstation ergonomics, one of the best upgrades you can make is getting a monitor arm. Monitor arms are mounting solutions that hold your display on an adjustable arm, allowing you to position your screen for optimal comfort and productivity.

But with so many options on the market, it can be tricky to figure out which type of monitor arm works best for your needs and setup. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through the six main types of monitor arms so you can make an informed decision.

We’ll compare the capabilities and limitations of each style so you can determine the best monitor arm based on your desk space, budget, and needs. Whether you want maximum ergonomics or simply some extra room to stash notebooks and desk accessories, a quality monitor arm makes a big difference. Let’s dive in!

Why Use Monitor Arms?

Monitor arms provide a number of compelling benefits that make them worth investing in for your home office, workstation, or gaming setup:

Ergonomic Adjustment

The ability to independently adjust your display’s height, distance, angle, and side-to-side positioning enables you to create a truly customized setup. This reduces neck, shoulder, and eye strain for improved comfort. Monitor arms let you position the screen at precisely the right ergonomic position for your body.

Space Saving

Flat panel displays mounted on arms clear up desk space since they eliminate the stand footprint. With your monitor hovering above your work area, you gain back a significant bit of real estate for multitasking.

Cable Management

Many monitor arms route cables through the arm itself for a streamlined look. No more wrestling with a tangle of cords behind your screen. It reduces clutter so your desk looks clean and professional.

Flexible Viewing

Find your perfect viewing position by extending, retracting, pivoting and tilting your display smoothly along the durable arm. Easily switch between landscape and portrait orientations. Monitor Arms offer a full range of motion.

Types Of Monitor Arms

There are 6 types of monitor arms. We will compare the capabilities and limitations of each arm types.

1. Single monitor arms
2. Dual monitor arms
3. Triple monitor arms
4. Gas spring arms
5. Wall mounted arms
6. Desk mounted arms

1. Single Monitor Arms

Single monitor arms, as the name suggests, are designed to hold one display. They feature an arm with adjustable joints that extends out from a clamp or base, with a mounting bracket for your monitor on the end.

The arm itself offers a full range of motion, with standard adjustments including:

• 360° swivel
• Tilt
• Height adjustment
• Extension/retraction of arm length

This allows you to move your monitor left/right, tilt up/down, change the height, and pull it closer or push it further away. Quality single arms have very flexible and robust movements to dial in your ideal viewing position.

In terms of mounting, most single arms come with either a desk clamp or a grommet mount:

• Desk clamp – A clamp on the base squeezes onto the side of your table or desktop for secure attachment. Often best for limited workspaces.
• Grommet mount – Inserts into a grommet hole in your desk to keep the base firmly mounted. Best for larger and thicker work surfaces.

Weight limits on single arms often support 17-27 inch monitors weighing 10-20 lbs. While suitable for most standard displays, larger screens may require a more heavy-duty arm. We’ll compare capacity next when looking at dual and triple monitor setups needing more muscle.

Overall, a single monitor arm promotes ergonomics by allowing you to put your screen exactly where you want it. The flexible adjustments lead to healthier neck and eye positioning.

2. Dual Monitor Arms

• If you want to take your productivity to the next level by having two screens side by side, a dual monitor arm is the solution.
• Dual arms have an extra horizontal crossbar that enables holding two monitors instead of one. Many also allow the displays to slide left and right along the crossbar for optimal spacing and alignment.
• With dual monitor arms, you get the same range of motion as a single arm, including height adjustment, tilt, and swivel positioning for each display. This level of independent customization creates the most comfortable and ergonomic alignment for your eyes and neck.
• Since they carry the load of two monitors, dual arms have an increased weight capacity compared to single arms. The pole and base tend to be burlier and wider to provide stability for the heavier load. Weight limits range from 15-30 lbs per display.
• Brands like EleTab, Vivo, and North Bayou make quality dual arms to suit a variety of desk types and user needs. Consider monitor size, weight, and ideal placement when selecting yours.
• The main downside to dual arms is typically increased costs given their expanded capabilities and materials. But the productivity you gain from rocking two screens makes the investment worthwhile.

So if you want to level up your workstation with some multi-monitor magic, a sturdy and adjustable dual arm does the job beautifully. Positioning freedom keeps both you and your screens happy!

3. Triple Monitor Arms

For power users who want the ultimate in multi-monitor real estate, triple monitor arms enable mounting three displays on a single stand.

• Triple arms build on the expanded weight capacity and wider pole design of dual arms to seamlessly support three screens instead of two.
• Depending on the specific model, they handle anywhere from 30-100+ lbs of total monitor weight. So you can equip some seriously large or curved displays without stability issues.
• Triple arms offer the standard range of motion for independently adjusting each monitor’s height, distance, tilt, and rotation just like single and dual arms.
• Having three screens aligned side-by-side requires very careful ergonomic positioning to avoid excessive head turning or eye darting. Triple arms allow you to fine-tune alignment.
• Popular well-built triple arm options come from Mount-It!, Vivo, and Loctek with clamps or grommets to fit your desk.
• The main downside of triple arms is higher costs given the extreme durability required. Weight capacity also maxes out at three monitors, so going beyond that requires even more customization.

If maximizing desktop real estate is critical for your productivity and you have the available desk depth, triple monitor mounts give you pixels for days! Just be ready to pay for all that adjustable capability in order to seamlessly wrangle three screens.

4. Gas Spring Monitor Arms

Gas spring monitor arms represent an advanced arm design that utilizes an adjustable gas spring cylinder to create smooth, effortless height adjustments.

How Gas Spring Arms Work

Instead of a manual spring or tension knob to control height movement like in standard arms, gas spring arms have an integrated gas cylinder mechanism similar to an office chair. Nitrogen gas inside the cylinder compresses or expands to allow the arm to glide up and down based on the weight it is supporting.

Adjustable Tension

A major benefit of this cylinder design is that it automatically self-tensions based on the size and weight of your monitor. Just attach your display, then gently reposition the arm up/down until it stays put at your desired height. This self-balancing capability makes setting up perfect tension a breeze. No more guesswork!

Smooth Adjustments

The gas spring enables near-instantaneous height changes without jerky pulling or distorted springs over time. Just lightly tap the monitor and the cylinder gracefully drops or lifts it into place. Finding the perfect viewing position for your body takes mere seconds.

While the smoother adjustments and easier installation make gas spring arms very user-friendly, their advanced internal technology does bump up the price. But if you want effortless adjustments, gas springs like the Amazon Basics or Loctek Monitor Arm are a great pick!

5. Wall Mounted Monitor Arms

If you want to conserve desk space or create a floating monitor aesthetic, wall mounted arms allow you to securely attach your display directly to the wall.

Mounting Capabilities

Rather than sitting on top of your desktop surface, wall mounts use a side or rear mounting bracket to place your monitor directly against the wall. Most feature articulating arms for adjusting viewing angle and distance from the wall even while mounted.

Considerations

Wall mounting requires securely fastening to wall studs or masonry using provided hardware. Toggling or drywall anchors alone often cannot handle heavier monitors. Carefully follow load capacity guidelines.

Cable management also becomes trickier when routing power and display cords through walls compared to desk routing. Consider ways to hide cords along trim or through outlets.

Flexible Viewing

Despite the installation and cable routing considerations, wall mounting offers wonderful versatility. Push the display against the wall for a streamlined mounted appearance, then pull out and pivot the arm for an optimal adjustable position.

So if you crave a floating monitor look and minimal desk footprint, wall mounts like the Full Motion Monitor Arm by Huanuo efficiently gets the job done! Just confirm suitable mounting points first.

6. Desk Mounted Monitor Arms

If drilling holes or having clamp attachments on your nice desk sounds unappealing, desk mounted monitor arms offer an alternative mounting solution.

Desk-Friendly Mounting

Instead of bolting through or squeezing the edges of your desktop, desk mounts use a weighted bottom base that simply sits on top of your work surface. The bottom is often coated in a soft padding or rubber to prevent sliding and surface scratches.

Limited Adjustments

On the downside, the capacity for flexible viewing angles is more limited with desk mounts since their base remains stationary. But they still allow some degree of tilt, rotation, and height adjustments within a more constrained arc.

Monitor Alignment

Desk mount arms like the Vivo Stand-V001 excel when you want monitors aligned side-by-side. Their bases span the length of two displays to keep them uniformly positioned. Weighted stands prevent sliding apart over time.

So if you want monitor mounting without physically attaching to your cherished desk, the base of desk arms provide a convenient positioning alternative. Just expect some reduction in flexibility compared to other arm styles.

Monitor Arm Comparison Chart

Monitor Arm Type	Weight Limit	Adjustments
Single	10-20 lbs	Full range
Dual	15-30 lbs per arm	Full range
Triple	30-100+ lbs total	Full range
Gas Spring	Depends on cylinder	Fewer stops
Wall Mounted	10-20 lbs typical	Tilts but limited arc
Desk Mounted	10-15 lbs	Very limited

Final Draft

Improving your workstation setup with a monitor arm brings ergonomic, productivity, and space-saving benefits. But with so many styles on the market, it’s important to weigh factors like screen size, weight capacity, desk space, budget, and needed range of motion when determining the best mounting solution.

Single arms excel for flexible basic options while dual/triple arms build in capacity for larger multi-screen systems. Gas springs simplify adjustment while wall mounts maximize desk real estate. And desk-mounted options keep surfaces free of clutter.

Hopefully this breakdown gives you a better understanding of the various monitor arm types so you can find your perfect match! Proper alignment and smoothly adjustable viewing encourages healthier long-term use. Your neck and back will thank you.