Monitor Arm| What it is and Things to Consider When Choosing One
There are many different types of technology out there that can make your life easier. A monitor arm is one such piece of technology. Monitor arms allow you to easily and quickly adjust the position of your monitor, which can lead to improved comfort and productivity. Choosing the right monitor arm is essential to having an ergonomic and productive workstation.
There are several factors to consider when making your decision, such as the weight of your monitor, the size of your desk, and the type of mount you need. Other factors to consider include the arm’s weight capacity, adjustability, and mounting options. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of using a monitor arm and discuss some of the best options on the market. We will also provide some tips on choosing the perfect monitor arm for your needs. Stay tuned!.....More
What is a Monitor Arm?
A monitor arm is an adjustable piece of hardware that attaches to a desk or table and holds a computer monitor. They typically have one or more joints that allow the user to adjust the monitor’s height, angle, and orientation. This can help optimize viewing comfort and reduce eye strain. Monitor arms are available in both manual and motorized versions. Some models are also designed for laptops, tablets, or other devices in addition to monitors.
Does a Monitor Arm Make Your Life Easier?
A monitor arm can be a great addition to any office or home. Not only do they free up desk space, but they also provide many health benefits. Here are just a few of the reasons you should consider using a monitor arm:
- 1. Ensures that You Retain a Natural Posture
- The monitor arm positions the computer screen at a height and angle that helps you maintain a neutral spine posture. This is important because it’s easy to slouch and develop bad posture habits when working at a computer for long periods of time. A monitor arm keeps the screen at the correct height so that you don't have to strain your neck to look up or down, and it tilts the screen so that you don't have to hunch over to see it. This helps you stay in a more neutral position, which is better for your spine and overall health.
- 2. Significantly Reduces Eye and Neck Strain
- It is almost inevitable that people who spend most of the day using computers often suffer from neck and eye strain. Whether or not that person knows their way around a computer really doesn't matter, as things like monitor height, position, and even mouse placement can all affect a user's comfort level.
- A monitor arm helps reduce eye strain by allowing you to adjust the height, angle, and distance of your monitor to match your individual work habits and comfort preferences. ThiInn, this reduces the need to constantly readjust your head and neck to see the screen correctly, which can cause fatigue and eye strain.
- Additionally, many monitor arms also provide 360-degree rotation, which allows the user to easily adjust the monitor’s angle for optimum viewing.
- 3. Conserves Desktop Real Estate
- A monitor arm can save desk space because it frees up the area on your desk that your monitor typically occupies. It can also help with organization because it gives you a place to put your keyboard, mouse, and other office supplies. This can make your work area look neater and more organized.
- Some monitor arms also come with built-in cable management systems, which help keep cords organized and tidy. This can be really helpful in small spaces where every inch of desk space is valuable.
- 4. Makes Using a Standing Desk Less Complicated
- A monitor arm is beneficial to sit-stand versatility because it allows the user to adjust the monitor’s height. This is important because when transitioning between sitting and standing, the optimal monitor height will also need to change. With a monitor arm, the user can adjust the monitor’s height to be in an optimal viewing position regardless of sitting or standing position.
- 5. Boosts Productivity Bay Allowing You to Multitask
- Dual monitor arms can improve multitasking by giving you more screen real estate to work with. This allows you to have multiple windows open at the same time, which can be very helpful when you need to reference multiple documents or screens at the same time.
- Another great benefit of having dual monitors is that it allows you to use one screen for your primary task and the other screen for reference materials or tools that you need to use often. This way, your main screen is always free and available for whatever task you need to focus on at the moment.
- Second, they help you to stay organized and focused. When your monitors are positioned correctly, it's easier to scan all of the information on your screens quickly and make decisions effectively. This leads to improved productivity and less wasted time.
How Do You Settle on the Best Monitor Arm for Your Needs
There are a lot of monitor arms on the market th,ese days. How do you settle on the best one for your needs? Here are a few tips to help you choose:
- 1. Check how It Attaches To Your Desk
- There are two types of monitor arm mounts: clamp and grommet. Clamp mounting attaches the monitor arm to the edge of the desk or table. It is a less secure mount, but more flexible. It can also leave marks on furniture and is not as aesthetically pleasing.
- Grommet mounting, on the other hand, attaches the monitor arm to a hole in the desk or table. It is more secure than clamp mounting but cannot be moved about on different parts of your workstation. It is also more aesthetically pleasing.
- There is no clear consensus on which type of mounting is better. Luckily, you can opt for an arm that incorporates both mounting styles. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference which type of mount you choose.
- 2. Ensure it’s VESA Compatible
- VESA mounting standard, named after an industry consortium, VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) is a standard that dictates the distance between the four screw holes on the back of a monitor so that it can be mounted to a specific bracket, arm, or stand.
- The two most important computer monitor VESA-compliant sizes are 75*75 and 100*100. A 100*100 mount or arm will fit any monitor within those dimensions, whereas a 75*75 mount or arm will only fit monitors within those dimensions. If you have a monitor that is not within either of those dimensions, you will need to purchase a non-VESA compliant mount or arm.
- If you're looking for a monitor arm and want to make sure it's compliant with VESA, be sure to look for the VESA certification logo. This will ensure that the arm will be compatible with most monitors on the market.
- If you have a monitor that is not VESA compliant, you may need an adapter to use a VESA compliant arm. An adapter would be a piece that goes between the arm and the monitor, making the hole pattern on the arm match the hole pattern on your monitor.
- 3. Weight
- When you are looking to purchase a monitor arm, one of the main factors you will want to take into account is the weight of your monitor. This is important because you need to make sure that the arm you select can support the weight of your monitor.
- If you have a smaller monitor, almost any arm will work. However, if you have a larger or heavier monitor, then you need to make sure that the arm is rated for that weight. Not all arms are rated for every weight, so it is essential to check before making your purchase.
- 4. Cable Management System
- When choosing a monitor arm, it's essential to consider the cable management system. Some arms have a built-in system that allows you to route the cables through the arm and down to the desk, while others require you to use an external cable management system.
- The built-in cable management system is a nice feature because it keeps all of the cables neatly organized and out of sight. It's also helpful because it prevents the cables from getting tangled. Look for a monitor arm with an integrated or detachable cable management system to best meet your needs.
- 5. Stability
- Stability is an important factor to consider when purchasing a monitor arm. A stable monitor arm will help reduce the amount of vibration and movement transmitted to the monitor due to sudden movement or interference. As you type or lean on your desk, you will notice that monitor arms tend to exaggerate the movement of the screen. In order to ensure stability, look for an arm that has a heavy base and is made from sturdy materials. Again, cheap arms and monitor arms that extend far from the mount experience more instability. If you experience this, get a quality monitor arm, preferably one fixed onto a pole mount.
- 6. Ease of Adjustability
- If you need to adjust your monitor frequently, you'll want an arm with easy, intuitive adjustments. We would recommend purchasing an arm with gas or a spring-assisted mechanism. This will make it very easy to make small adjustments to the height and position of your screen.
- If you don't need to adjust your monitor often, then any arm, including fixed or manual arms, will do. Just be sure to test out the arm before making your purchase to ensure it's comfortable for you to use.
- 7. Maximum Supported Screen Size
- The maximum screen size supported mainly affects dual-arm set-ups. Dual-arm mounts are designed to work with monitors of various sizes. The arms can be easily extended or retracted to accommodate different monitor sizes. Ensure that the arms have enough extension to prevent the mounted screens from overlapping.
- Monitor arms also have a size restriction indicated by the manufacturer. The size stated usually includes the overall size, not just the frame size. The size of the monitor affects the purchase of a monitor arm because it can create leverage issues. Larger monitors have more width and height, which affects the amount of leverage applied at the fulcrum point of the arm.
- Too much leverage can cause damage to the mounting or pivot points on the desk or wall. Additionally, too much weight at one end of an arm can cause the monitor to tilt, thus creating stability issues. It is important to select an arm that is capable of handling both the weight and size of your monitor.
- 8. Surface Restrictions
- If you have a thick desk, you'll need a monitor arm with a wider span in order to mount it. Desk edge restrictions and thickness can also affect the type of monitor arm you purchase, as some models are designed to work with a specific range of desk thicknesses.
- Some surfaces may also have knife edges which may cause a problem when clamping the arm to the surface. For such surfaces, ensure that the clamp goes well into the surface for a secure mount. It is also important to consider that certain surfaces make grommet mounting more challenging, e.g., surfaces without holes for mounting. Choose the alternative if this is the case.
- 9. Desk Depth
- The depth of your desk is also very important because if mounted too far out from where your face will be, it can lead to eyestrain, improper posture (hunched back, strained neck), and potential migraines. Make sure you take measurements of the space between where you will be sitting and the back of your desk to ensure that whatever product you purchase has enough depth for it to be mounted comfortably.
Our Recommendation
If you're like most people, you spend hours in front of your computer. Whether you're working, browsing the Internet, or streaming a movie, it's important to have an ergonomic workstation that supports good posture. One way to improve your comfort and posture is by using a monitor arm. If you’re in the market for a monitor arm, it’s important to consider all of your needs and find the perfect fit.
So, what are you waiting for? Go check out our VESA-compliant dual monitor mount F7D/F8LD with an internal cable management system. This sleek and stylish mount can accommodate two monitors up to 36” in size and 22 lbs each. With its 180-degree rotation, adjustable height up to 525mm, and tilt function (-85 to 15°), you can customize your viewing experience to fit your unique needs.
The built-in cable management system keeps cords tidy and organized, while the aircraft-grade aluminum construction ensures stability and durability. Plus, the integrated quick-release design makes it easy to attach or detach your monitors quickly and easily. Alternatively, check out one of our single arm monitor arms (Single Monitor Mount D7L). Ready to buy? Head on over to our website today!