Our picks
Best for large monitors
1. Ergotron HX Desk Dual Monitor Arm (45-476-224)
Ergotron’s HX dual arm holds two monitors up to 32 inches and, according to Adorama’s listing, up to 35 lbs each, which covers heavier 32-inch screens that budget arms can’t. Its counterbalanced arms give up to 11.5 inches of height adjustment, it comes with both a desk clamp and a grommet mount, and Ergotron backs it with a 10-year warranty. It is the most expensive stand here.
Pros
- Two monitors up to 32" and 35 lbs each
- 11.5" of counterbalanced height adjustment
- 10-year warranty; clamp and grommet mounts included
Cons
- The most expensive pick
- Larger and heavier than it needs to be for two 24" screens
Best for two 24-inch monitors
2. Ergotron MXV Desk Dual Monitor Arm (45-496-224)
The Ergotron MXV dual arm is sized for a pair of monitors up to 24 inches. It tilts and rotates your screens and carries the same 10-year warranty as the HX. Retailer listings we checked don’t give a per-arm weight limit, so check your monitors’ weight against Ergotron’s own spec sheet before you buy.
Pros
- Sized for two 24" monitors
- 10-year warranty
- Tilt and 360° rotation
Cons
- Monitors up to 24" only
- Weight limit not listed by the retailers we checked
Best budget clamp mount
3. VIVO Dual Monitor Desk Mount (STAND-V032)
VIVO’s dual desk mount holds two screens from 13 to 32 inches and up to 22 lbs each on a steel and aluminium pole. It clamps to a desk up to 3.25 inches thick or mounts through a grommet hole, and each screen tilts +90° to -90°, swivels 180° and rotates 360° for portrait or landscape. Its listing describes tilt, swivel and rotation but no gas spring, so height is set by moving the arms along the 17-inch pole: fine if you set it once, slower if you adjust through the day.
Pros
- Screens 13–32" up to 22 lbs each
- C-clamp or grommet mount
- Tilt, swivel and portrait rotation; cable clips
Cons
- Height is set on the pole, not spring-balanced
- Two confirmed US retailers
Also at: Walmart
Best freestanding stand
4. Mount-It! Dual Monitor Desk Stand (MI-102781)
The Mount-It! stand is the pick if you can’t clamp or drill your desk: it stands on its own base (a grommet option is included too). It holds two screens up to 32 inches and 17.6 lbs each on standard 75 x 75mm or 100 x 100mm VESA mounts, and each screen tilts ±45° and rotates for portrait use.
Pros
- Freestanding base, no clamping needed
- Screens up to 32" and 17.6 lbs each
- VESA 75 and 100
Cons
- Lower weight limit than the clamp mounts
- Only one confirmed US retailer (Best Buy)
A dual monitor arm lifts two screens off your desk, sets them at the same height and lets you angle each one exactly where you want it. Choosing one comes down to three numbers: your monitors' size, their weight, and their VESA mounting pattern (the four screw holes on the back). Get those right and almost any arm here will work. If you're still setting up two screens, our dual monitor setup guide covers cables and arrangement, and our guide to choosing a home-office monitor covers the screens themselves.
The short version
- Best for large monitors: Ergotron HX Dual. Two 32" screens up to 35 lbs each, 10-year warranty.
- Best for two 24-inch monitors: Ergotron MXV Dual. Compact, 10-year warranty.
- Best budget clamp mount: VIVO STAND-V032. 13–32" screens up to 22 lbs each.
- Best freestanding stand: Mount-It! MI-102781. No clamping needed.
How they compare
Stand | Screen size | Weight per screen | Mounting | Height adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ergotron HX Dual | Up to 32" | Up to 35 lbs | Desk clamp or grommet | Counterbalanced, 11.5" |
Ergotron MXV Dual | Up to 24" | Not listed by retailers | Desk mount | Articulating arm |
VIVO STAND-V032 | 13–32" | Up to 22 lbs | C-clamp or grommet | Slide along a 17" pole |
Mount-It! MI-102781 | Up to 32" | Up to 17.6 lbs | Freestanding or grommet | Along the pole |
Check your monitors first
- VESA pattern. Look at the back of each monitor for four screw holes in a square: 75 x 75mm and 100 x 100mm are the common sizes, and all four picks support 100 x 100mm. Some slim monitors have no VESA holes and need an adapter.
- Weight without the stand. Your monitor's spec sheet lists its weight "without stand". That is the number to compare with an arm's limit. Curved and 32-inch monitors are often heavier than you'd expect.
- Desk edge. A clamp needs a solid desk edge within its thickness limit (3.25 inches for the VIVO) and room behind the desk. Glass desks and thin or hollow tops aren't a good match for clamps; a freestanding stand avoids the problem.
Arm or stand?
Gas-spring and counterbalanced arms, like the Ergotron HX, let you pull a screen up, down or closer with one hand and it stays put. That is useful if you switch between sitting and standing. Pole mounts, like the VIVO and Mount-It!, set the height once with a clamp or collar. They cost less and are perfectly fine if you rarely move your screens.
Installing a dual monitor arm
- Mount the base first. Tighten the clamp or grommet to the desk before any weight goes on it, and check it can't rock.
- Attach the VESA plates to the monitors while they lie face down on a soft surface, using the screws that fit your monitor's holes.
- Hang the monitors on the arms one at a time, with someone to help for larger screens.
- Adjust the tension on spring or counterbalanced arms until each screen stays where you leave it, following the maker's instructions.
- Route the cables through the arm's clips or channels, leaving enough slack to move the screens through their full range.
Two monitors or one ultrawide?
If you don't own two monitors yet, a single ultrawide is worth considering: one screen, one cable and no gap in the middle. Our Best Ultrawide Monitors for Work guide covers the options, and an ultrawide can go on a single-monitor arm later if you want the desk space back.
How we chose
These recommendations are research-based: we have not tested these products ourselves. Every figure quoted here comes from the manufacturer’s or a retailer’s own published spec sheet (linked under Sources), not from a shopping listing title. We only considered new, named-brand stands from at least one major US retailer, and dropped unbranded listings with no traceable model number. We weighted monitor size and weight limits, mounting options and warranty. We don't compare prices between retailers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a monitor arm fits my monitors?
Check three things on your monitor’s spec sheet: the VESA pattern (usually 75 x 75mm or 100 x 100mm), the weight without its stand, and the screen size. Each must be within the arm’s listed limits.
Can I use a monitor arm on a standing desk?
Yes. A clamp or grommet mount moves with the desktop, so the screens rise and fall with it. Check that the desk’s edge thickness is within the clamp’s range and that cables have enough slack for the full height range.
What if my monitor has no VESA holes?
Some slim monitors have no VESA mount. Look for the monitor maker’s own VESA adapter, or a universal adapter bracket rated for your monitor’s size and weight.