A dual monitor setup can massively boost your productivity, but placing two screens on their factory stands consumes valuable desk space and rarely allows for proper ergonomic positioning. The solution? A high-quality dual monitor arm.
But not all monitor arms are created equal. Here is your guide to choosing the right monitor arm for your workspace.
1. Gas Spring vs. Mechanical Spring
The mechanism inside the arm determines how smoothly you can adjust your screens.
- Gas Spring (Pneumatic): Uses compressed gas to counterbalance the monitor's weight. Very smooth, but gas cylinders can degrade over many years.
- Mechanical/Geometric Spring: Uses a physical coiled spring. Extremely durable and provides consistent tension. The CBS Flo Dual is famous for its patented geometric spring technology, offering fingertip adjustment.
2. Weight Capacity and Screen Size
Never buy a monitor arm without checking its weight capacity. If your monitors are too heavy, the arm will sag. If they are too light, the arm will spring upward.
For standard monitors (up to 27 inches and 8kg), most premium arms will work perfectly. However, if you are mounting heavy ultrawide screens, you need a heavy-duty solution like the Humanscale M8.1 or the CBS Ollin.
3. Range of Motion
Consider how you work. Do you need to frequently share your screen with a colleague? Do you switch between sitting and standing? Ensure the arm offers sufficient height adjustment, tilt, and swivel.
For sit-to-stand desk users, a monitor arm is essential to adjust the screen height relative to your eye level, which changes slightly when you transition from sitting to standing.
Top Recommendations
At Chair Dinkum, we recommend the CBS Flo Dual for standard dual setups, and the Humanscale M/Flex system for scalable, multi-monitor environments.
