Best Monitor Arms and Mounts (2026)

What are the best monitor arms and mounts in 2026?

Summary

A monitor arm clamps to the desk edge or bolts through a grommet hole and holds the screen on a spring or gas-spring arm, so you can raise, lower, pull, push and rotate it and free the desk underneath. The guides that put arms on real desks in 2025 and 2026 agree on a short list but not on its order. Wirecutter, which tested more than 25 arms, and Tom's Guide both name the Herman Miller Jarvis Single Monitor Arm the best overall: it moves smoothly through a wide range, holds monitors up to 32 inches steadily and is easy to set up [src1, src3]. PCWorld, whose guide does not include the Jarvis, names the Ergotron LX Pro its best single-monitor arm, and Wirecutter found “little difference” between the two in smoothness, range and sturdiness, with the LX Pro taking slightly bigger and heavier monitors (34 inches and 22 lb against 32 inches and 19.8 lb) [src1, src2]. BTOD, an office-furniture dealer that ranked 20 arms, puts the Humanscale M10 first and the Ergotron HX second [src4].

At the low end, PCWorld and BTOD both pick the HUANUO FlowLift Single Monitor Mount (SS6): about $37 on Amazon when we checked on 2026-10-13, easy to install, but with a light-duty clamp and cable covers that hold few wires [src2, src4, src17]. For heavy screens and ultrawides up to 49 inches, PCWorld and BTOD both pick the Ergotron HX, rated 20-42 lb; its 20 lb minimum rules out light monitors [src2, src4, src10]. For the smoothest movement, Wirecutter and Work While Walking point to the Ergotron Trace, which slides straight up and down a column instead of arcing on an elbow, at about twice the Jarvis's price [src1, src6, src11, src7].

Several good arms are the pick of a single guide we read, so they are listed as also tested rather than ranked: PCWorld's budget pick, the MSI MAG MT201, rated for 44 lb and 49-inch screens; Wirecutter's budget pick, the Mount-It Single Monitor Desk Mount; BTOD's best overall, the Humanscale M10; PCWorld's best dual arm, the Ergotron LX Dual; and Tom's Guide's best simple arm, the original Ergotron LX [src1, src2, src3, src4].

Top 10 Models Compared

The table's prices are refreshed from our latest check of the exact configuration each row links, except the Jarvis's, which is Herman Miller's store price. Weight ranges give the arm's minimum and maximum load; the clamp column gives the desk thickness the included clamp fits.

Best for Each Use Case

Top Pick: Herman Miller Jarvis Single Monitor Arm — See at Herman Miller

Wirecutter tested more than 25 arms and chose the Jarvis: “It moves smoothly into a wide range of positions and angles, holds monitors up to 32 inches in size steadily and securely, and is easy to set up.” It has a 13-inch vertical range that lifts the centre of the VESA mount to 19.8 inches above the desk, reaches 24 inches side to side and 23.8 inches forward, and pans 360 degrees; it had the slimmest base of any arm Wirecutter tested and a slot to store the hex key [src1]. Wirecutter's complaints: it was slightly harder to set up than the Ergotron LX Pro and hard to set up alone, it wobbles a bit with a large monitor extended far out, tilting takes more force than raising, and the cable clips feel cheap. Wirecutter also cites a buyer whom customer support told that a curved monitor, or one shifted too far forward, lowers the weight the arm can hold, so check with support before mounting a heavy curved screen [src1]. Tom's Guide, which names it the best monitor arm overall, set it up in about 20 minutes with clamp and grommet hardware in the box and found its range of motion large, but notes it is not for big ultrawides [src3]. Herman Miller sells it under the Fully brand at $195 with a 10-year warranty [src7]; Wirecutter's guide lists it at $175 and Tom's Guide's spec box gives a 5-year warranty, so go by the store page. When we checked on 2026-10-13, Herman Miller listed the white arm in stock and the black and silver arms on backorder, with an estimated 13 weeks to ship the black one [src7].

Best for Larger Monitors: Ergotron LX Pro — Check price

PCWorld's best single-monitor arm: “The Ergotron LX Pro is a practical, effective, easy-to-use monitor arm.” Its desk clamp has a handhold that tightens without tools, the arm sections slip into place, and the wide clamp spreads the force so it is less likely to damage a weak desk. It holds monitors up to 34 inches and 22 lb, lifts 13 inches, tilts 85 degrees and turns a full 360; cables run through channels under detachable covers, and the warranty is 10 years. PCWorld says it fixes its complaints about the older Ergotron LX, with a more compact base and a better look, and its only downgrade is the lower maximum weight [src2]. Wirecutter picks it for larger or heavier monitors than the Jarvis takes and “found little difference” between the two in smoothness, range and sturdiness; the LX Pro reaches about 2 inches further forward, which helps on desks deeper than 30 inches, and was slightly easier to install. Its flaw: the tension screw sits behind the monitor and can be hard to reach. Wirecutter recommends the LX Pro Tall Pole version, which this card does not link, for people over 6 feet [src1]. Ergotron's listing gives a 4 lb minimum load, a clamp for desks 0.4-2.4 inches thick, and a grommet mount sold separately (98-728-292). When we checked on 2026-10-13, Amazon offered the Matte Black arm we link only with a future availability date [src9].

Best Budget: HUANUO FlowLift Single Monitor Mount (SS6) — Check price

PCWorld calls the Huanuo HNSS6 “easily our go-to recommendation for shoppers looking to buy the least expensive monitor arm that can still fulfill its job”: three screws to install, a clamp whose spacing adjusts without removing screws, and a gas spring that held panels up to 32 inches and 12 lb “with ease.” Its weak points are fiddly cable covers that hold few wires and a gas spring that can weaken over time; PCWorld found it harder to set up than the Ergotron LX [src2]. BTOD ranks the same Amazon listing its best budget arm, noting a five-year warranty and beefed-up pivot and tilt parts, but a light-duty clamp and grommet [src4]. In BTOD's June test of five cheap Amazon arms it held a forward-tilted monitor without sinking back, and BTOD judged it worth the extra $5 over the North Bayou for its cable management and documented warranty [src5]. HUANUO rates the SS6 for 13-32-inch screens up to 19.8 lb and desks 0.59-3.54 inches thick, with a warranty of up to five years, and lists it at $49.99 direct [src8]; its Amazon listing gives a 4.4 lb minimum [src17]. BTOD's write-up quotes a lower 14.3 lb maximum, so leave a margin with a heavy 32-inch screen [src4]. Amazon listed the Black arm we link at $36.99 when we checked on 2026-10-13 [src17].

Best for Heavy and Ultrawide Monitors: Ergotron HX — Check price

PCWorld's best heavy-duty single-monitor arm, and “an entirely different monitor arm” from the LX: rated for 42 lb and 49-inch screens, it carried a 32-inch widescreen and a 38-inch ultrawide of about 15 and 20 lb, and its larger moving parts “felt extremely smooth.” It lifts 11.5 inches, tilts 75 degrees and swivels 180, less than the LX, and PCWorld finds it a bit much for a home office [src2]. BTOD ranks it second of 20 as the best-built arm and ran a 49-inch Samsung G9 on it, but the spring in its monitor head was so strong that it tipped a 42-inch OLED upward and could not be loosened enough, and its Velcro cable ties feel cheap for the price; BTOD notes it carries the same 10-year warranty as the Humanscale M10 for almost 40% less [src4]. Ergotron's listing gives a 20 lb minimum, VESA 200x100 and 200x200 support as well as 75 and 100, a clamp for 0.4-2.6-inch desks with a grommet mount in the box, and says the 49-inch Odyssey G9 needs the separate HX Heavy Duty Tilt Pivot (98-540-216) or a bundle that includes it (45-647-224 or 45-647-216). When we checked on 2026-10-13, Amazon listed the Standard Pivot, Polished Aluminum arm we link in stock at $319.99, with low stock [src10].

Smoothest Movement: Ergotron Trace — Check price

Wirecutter suggests the Trace “for the absolute smoothest adjustment”: it “moved more effortlessly, both vertically and horizontally, than the Herman Miller Jarvis Single Monitor Arm and the other monitor arms we tested,” and its wider column reduces wobble. Against that, it costs far more than Wirecutter's picks, takes more desk space, and wraps its cable management around the front of the arm [src1]. Work While Walking's lab test explains why it feels different: the screen travels straight up and down a column instead of arcing on an elbow, so it stays centred on the keyboard when you move between sitting and standing, and it is “better than any other monitor arm we've ever tested in terms of ease of movement for sharing screens.” It also damps vibration, which suits standing and treadmill desks, but it does not reach as high or extend as far as other arms [src6]. Ergotron's listing gives 6.5-21.5 lb, screens up to 38 inches, 11 inches of lift, a clamp for desk edges up to 2.5 inches, a grommet (98-492-009) and slim clamp (98-490-224) sold separately, and a 15-year warranty. When we checked on 2026-10-13, Amazon listed the Matte Black arm we link in stock, with low stock [src11].

Also Tested: MSI MAG MT201 (PCWorld's budget pick) — Check price

PCWorld's best budget single-monitor arm, rated for 49-inch screens and 44 lb; its spring tension held the 32-inch monitors PCWorld tried. Setup takes 15 to 20 minutes with many screws, several adjustments need an Allen key, and the build is plastic cladding over a metal frame, but it felt sturdy and has a quick-release VESA plate. PCWorld calls it “the minimum viable monitor arm,” with a $99.99 list price and Amazon prices that often run $60 to $80 [src2]. MSI's listing gives 4.4-44 lb, 17-49-inch screens and a clamp for desks 0.39-3.35 inches thick. Amazon listed it at $99.99 when we checked on 2026-10-13 [src14]. It is not ranked because PCWorld is the only guide we read that tested it.

Also Tested: Mount-It Single Monitor Desk Mount (Wirecutter's budget pick) — Check price

Wirecutter's budget pick is as easy to set up as its other picks for about a third of the price, and “swinging the monitor around or changing its height was easier than with any of our other picks.” It is limited to 32 inches and 17.6 lb, the weakest of Wirecutter's picks, wobbles more when the desk is bumped, and its hollow plastic housing feels cheap; Wirecutter reported a 10-year warranty [src1]. Mount-It's listing now states a lifetime warranty and a clamp or grommet for desks up to 1.9 inches thick. Amazon listed it at $74.99 when we checked on 2026-10-13 [src15].

Also Tested: Humanscale M10 (BTOD's best overall) — Check price

BTOD calls the Humanscale M10 the most well-rounded arm it has tested and the best-looking: it held BTOD's 49-inch Samsung G9 with no problems, carries up to 44 lb with a 10-year warranty, and its cable management works well. BTOD prices it at around $550 [src4]. Humanscale's listing says a triple crossbar lets it hold up to three monitors or 48 lb. When we checked on 2026-10-13, Amazon listed the two-piece-clamp model we link at $457.88, shipping after a lead time [src16].

Also Tested: Ergotron LX Dual (PCWorld's best dual arm) — Check price

PCWorld's best dual-monitor arm pairs two LX arms on one mount with the same build, adjustability and 10-year warranty, but each arm is rated for monitors up to 27 inches, too short for two 32- or 34-inch screens side by side; PCWorld quotes about $470 [src2]. Ergotron's listing gives 7-20 lb per arm and a clamp for desks 0.63-2.6 inches thick. Amazon listed the Matte Black arm we link at $324.99 with a future availability date when we checked on 2026-10-13 [src13]. For the case for two single arms instead, see the head-to-head below.

Also Tested: Ergotron LX (Tom's Guide's best simple arm) — Check price

Tom's Guide's best simple monitor arm: it supports monitors up to 34 inches with a 13-inch lift and a 10-year warranty, installs with the tools in the box, and is “expensive for what you get” [src3]. PCWorld says the newer LX Pro fixes its complaints about the LX, though the LX holds more weight, 25 lb against 22 [src2]. Ergotron's listing gives 7-25 lb and includes a grommet mount as well as the clamp. Amazon listed the Polished Aluminum arm we link in stock at $199.99 when we checked on 2026-10-13 [src12].

Key Market Trends (2026)

• The guides split on the best arm. Wirecutter and Tom's Guide pick the Herman Miller Jarvis, PCWorld (whose guide does not include the Jarvis) picks the Ergotron LX Pro, and BTOD picks the Humanscale M10; neither the Jarvis nor the LX Pro is among the eight arms BTOD ranks in its top two tiers. [src1, src2, src3, src4]
• Warranty figures disagree from page to page. Herman Miller's store gives the Jarvis 10 years while Tom's Guide's spec box says 5; Wirecutter reported a 10-year warranty on the Mount-It, whose listing now says lifetime; Ergotron's listing gives the Trace 15 years against 10 on its other arms. Check the seller's page before you buy. [src1, src3, src7, src11, src15]
• The Ergotron HX got cheaper. BTOD says its price fell from about $400 to $327 since BTOD's previous tier list. [src4]
• Cheap arms work, but the clamp is where they save money. BTOD found every sub-$40 Amazon arm it tested held a 27-inch monitor, but warns that cheap spring mechanisms can fail within a year and that entry-level clamps are where costs are cut; PCWorld says the MSI MAG MT201 is a massive gain in quality over most arms in the $25-$50 bracket. [src4, src5, src2]

Important Caveats

• The prices in the tables are refreshed from our latest check of the exact configuration each row links, except the Jarvis's, which is Herman Miller's store price; a price in the text is what we saw on the date it gives. Other finishes of the same arm are separate listings with their own prices.
• Match the exact model. Ergotron sells the LX Pro in a standard and a Tall Pole version and the HX with different pivots and finishes; MSI sells the MAG MT201 alongside the RGB-lit MPG MT201R. The specifications here are for the configuration each row names. [src1, src10, src2]
• All arms here need a VESA 75x75mm or 100x100mm mount on the monitor (the Ergotron HX also takes 200x100 and 200x200mm). Monitors without VESA holes need the maker's adapter. [src10]
• Arms have a minimum load as well as a maximum. Below the minimum the arm drifts upward and cannot be tensioned to hold. Wirecutter also reports that a curved monitor, or one shifted forward on the arm, lowers the weight an arm can hold. [src1]
• Measure the desk before you buy: the clamp ranges above are hard limits, and Wirecutter advises measuring your desktop's thickness before choosing an arm. Grommet hardware is in the box for most arms here but is a separate purchase for the Ergotron LX Pro and Trace. [src1, src9, src11]
• Ergonomic and comfort claims on this card describe workstation setup, not clinical outcomes. Wirecutter's consulting ergonomist advises putting the top of the screen at eye level [src1]. This is not medical advice — if you have persistent neck, shoulder, back or eye pain, see a clinician rather than relying on equipment changes alone.