When you are on the market for a dual monitor arm you can easily be overwhelmed by the number of options and suppliers out there. However, if you know what you need, the search becomes way easier as you can narrow down from hundreds of options to just a dozen. So what exactly do you need to know before looking for a double monitor arm? And ultimately, what are the best dual monitor arms suitable for monitors?

Know your monitor(s)

You will be surprised with how many enquiries TecnoTools receives each month from customers wanting to know if a specific monitor arm is compatible with their monitor, but they do not know what monitor they have. Each monitor has a model number, with this number you can go online and find out everything you need to know to be able to select a compatible monitor arm. At TecnoTools we always help our customers to find out the correct model number of their monitors, but if this information is already known, it makes the process of finding the right product easier and faster.

You can find the monitor model on the instruction manual and sometimes in the box. However, if you do not have these any more, there is still a way to find out the monitor model number. The article How to Find Advanced Display Info of Your Monitor can definitely help you out to complete the task.

Once you know what monitor you have, you need to see just two basic information: if the monitor is VESA compatible (if so, what the VESA pattern the monitor has); and how heavy the monitor is. 

VESA standard defines the placement of the holes on the back of the monitor. VESA standard hole pattern mounts have the exact hole patterns of the monitor already built into them. The patterns may vary depending on the size of the display. If you need assistance with VESA patterns, please read the article: What is vesa pattern?

Some monitors can be straight or curved, but this does not really matter, as long as the display has the same VESA pattern, and its weight is within the limits of the dual monitor arm, it will be compatible.

What type of dual monitor arm do you need?

The term dual monitor arm is quite simple and straightforward: two arms supporting two monitors side by side in an optimal position to make it comfortable to the user. However, do you know how exactly the arms will be supported? If it is going to be supported off a tabletop, you can use a dual monitor stand, but you can also have it clamped on the desktop. Depending on the application, you might need the monitors on the wall, in that case you will need a monitor wall mount. So, as you can see there are still a few things you need to think about.

Dual Monitor Arm with Desktop Clamp/Grommet

If you choose to use a monitor stand, it is nice and easy. You do not need to worry about installing the stand anywhere, all you need to do is to sit it on your table and that is it. The disadvantage of this type of monitor arm is when you need to change the position of the monitors. Actually these products were not designed to allow changing position of the monitors. Some models might allow you some minimal adjustment, but not much at all. If using a dual monitor stand, you need to set up a specific position and leave it. This might not be suitable for everyone. That is why dual monitor arms with clamp/grommet have been created.

Dual monitor arms featured with grommet are firmly clamped onto the tabletop, which means it is highly adjustable. You can normally move the monitors independently and in all directions, vertically or horizontally. If you are looking for an ergonomic monitor arm, this is the product for you. So you can use this type of monitor arm, the tabletop must have a minimum and maximum thickness. If it is too thin, it is probably strong enough to hold the arm, plus two monitors; if it is too thick, then the clamp might not fit. So it is important to check with the manufacturer the suggested tabletop thickness. 10 to 50mm thick is the usual requested thickness of tabletops. So most desktops out there should be able to hold a double monitor arm with clamp.

Monitor wall mount, or even ceiling monts are normally used when the screens are on display in public places. So the ergonomics property of these products are usually not important, as it is unlikely there will be someone sitting in front of the monitors for long periods of time. However, because wall mounts are firmly installed on the wall, the screens are highly adjustable. The idea is to be able to place the monitors in a way they can be seen easily regardless where the viewers are in the room. The only downsides of this type of monitor arm is that the wall must be strong enough to support the weight of the arm, plus two monitors. So if you do not have a concrete wall, you need to be able to find the stud within the wall, so the arm can be install onto them.

Dual monitor wall mount

Is there any limitation for dual monitor arms?

If you follow the steps mentioned above, you will be able to confidently search and find the dual monitor arm that is best for your application. Monitor arms are inexpensive for the benefits they provide for their users, such as saving desk space, keeping the workstation neat and tidy and, most of all, allowing the users to have monitors in an ergonomic position. However, there are limits.

Most dual monitor arms are limited to 35” and 8kg each screen. Larger monitors will need non-standard arms, and these can be more expensive and not that easy to find. If you have large screens and cannot find a suitable arm on our website, do not hesitate to contact TecnoTools’s customer service, as we can source unconventional monitor arm to suit your needs.

TecnoTools also offer 12-month warranty in our broad range of monitor arms and fast shipping Australia wide.