Long warranty: Monitor arm technology isn’t something that will change radically and warrant a replacement every year or two. Instead, you should expect a monitor arm to last many years and adapt to changes such as a new desk or display. It’s furniture. Because of that, we looked at warranty length and customer support to see which companies would stand behind their models and the arms’ expected years of performance while holding up an expensive monitor (or two). Note that monitor arm warranties don’t include damage to the monitor itself. Setup is simple. The monitor has an included clamp and grommet mount. Installation is mostly handled with a bundled Allen wrench, though you’ll still need a Philips head screwdriver to attach your monitor to the VESA mount. Most owners will be able to install smaller monitors (24 to 27 inches) alone, but help is recommended for larger displays. The Huanuo HNDS12 represents a middle ground for shoppers who want an upgrade in quality but need to respect their budget. The Workstream by Monoprice single monitor arm is a no-frills solution that delivers basic monitor arm features at an exceptionally low price.

In many ways, a keyboard support is the heart of an ergonomic workstation. As reach and vision drive posture, our keyboard tray allows the user to sit in a healthy, neutral posture through bringing the keyboard and mouse to the user in an ergonomic position. Each arm is rated to hold between 4.4 and 14.3 pounds. That’s not a lot: The Workstream by Monoprice arm is rated up to 20 pounds. Still, it’s enough to handle a huge majority of 24- and 27-inch monitors, and the monitor arms provided plenty of lift in our testing.In today’s fast-paced, agile work environment, there’s no time for discomfort. M10, part of Humanscale’s revolutionary new monitor arm line, instantly improves the comfort, health and productivity of any workspace. Built to hold heavier equipment, it's optional strong triple crossbar allows M10 to hold up to three monitors or 21.8 kg (48 lbs.) – all while maintaining a simple and sleek design.

Instead of using a gas cylinder to counterbalance the weight of the monitor, the M2 monitor arm uses extension spring technology. Without clunky mechanisms to complicate the design, the M2 offers uncompromising lightweight, long-term durability and an ultra-thin design that complements flat-panel monitors and attachments for a truly flexible workstation. Humanscale M8 Monitor Arm Each monitor arm is almost all metal with only a small piece of plastic to provide cable routing. The arm also has gas springs capable of lifting up to 26 pounds of weight, which is enough to handle 32-inch widescreen and 34-inch ultrawide monitors. Smoothness of motion: We preferred monitor arms that were firm enough to stay put while we worked but could reposition easily and didn’t require too much force. Monitor size limits should be respected as well. It might be possible to attach a 40-inch monitor to an arm meant for a 32-inch monitor. The 40-inch monitor may even come within the arm’s weight limit. A larger monitor will distribute weight differently, however, which could cause an arm’s tension mechanism to fail. How we test monitor arms The monitor arm has an all-metal construction that in some ways feels sturdier than the Ergotron LX, as the Workstream doesn’t include as much plastic cladding. It’s not entirely a win, though, as the plastic that exists feels frail (and I even broke a small, though unnoticeable, bit while adjusting the monitor).

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Featuring innovations like Humanscale’s patented Weight-Compensating Spring Technology and Smart Stop functionality, M8.1 enables the personalization and flexibility needed for today’s evolving workplaces. Instead of using a gas cylinder to counterbalance the weight of the monitor, the M2 monitor arm uses extension spring technology. Without clunky mechanisms to complicate the design, the M2 offers uncompromising lightweight, long-term durability and an ultra-thin design that complements flat-panel monitors and attachments for a truly flexible workstation. It’s easy to set up and use. The monitor’s clamp works similarly to other monitor arms I tested, but it’s more refined and requires fewer screws (a grommet is also available). The VESA mount is also excellent, providing a simple clip design that’s secure and can be easily pre-mounted to a monitor for simple installation. The way this mount works accommodates monitors that have a slightly recessed mount position, which may cause problems for other monitor arms.