Best Dual Monitor Stand Buyers’ Guide
Two screens can help streamline your overall workflow. However, to get the most out of two screens, you must position them correctly. It is where dual monitor stands come in. These stands can place your monitors at any height, position, and orientation.
However, getting the perfect dual monitor stand can be challenging. You are relying on the stand to hold your monitors firm. If the stand fails to do so, your viewing experience will be hampered. In the worst-case scenario, the monitor may fall and break.
This article will discuss how to get the best dual monitor stands money can buy. So, let’s get right into it.
The Most Important Features to Consider
In this section, we’ll look at the factors one has to consider for getting the best dual monitor stands the market has to offer.
VESA Compliance
Most people who look for monitor arms don’t know about VESA compliance, but it’s the most important thing and the first aspect to consider when looking for monitor stands or mounts. Most modern computer monitors come with VESA-compatible backs of either 75 × 75 mm or 100×100 mm. You have to get a stand compatible with the support on the back of your monitor.
Monitors from cheaper brands sometimes don’t come with VESA compatible back. In such cases, you will have to purchase an aftermarket adapter that can help you use a VESA stand with it. However, this restricts you from using certain mount features, the installation process is challenging, and the whole setup feels clunky.
Size of the Monitor
Another crucial aspect that you must consider is the size of your monitor and cross-check that with the width of the monitor arm. Unless the two factors are compatible, your monitor arms will be useless. Let us explain.
When you position your monitors on the desk, you probably won’t set them facing forward at a 90-degree angle. Instead, you’ll put them, so they face you at a 90-degree angle. So, there will be some angle between the monitors.
Now, get this, the distance between the two monitors would be the summation of half the length of each monitor. However, the effective space is usually less than that as the monitors are positioned at an angle.
Yet, ensuring they can span equal to that specific sum is essential because it will give you more headroom for making changes.
Weight of the Monitor
The maximum weight capacity of the monitor also has to be considered. There are cases where the monitor is too heavy for the mount. Thus, it hampers the viewing experience while restricting some of the features.
For example, if the monitor is too heavy, it will pull the stand down. It will keep you from tilting the monitor up, which is essential when standing and working or using a standing desk. The arm itself might sink towards the desk, and it’ll eat up some of your desk space, not to mention it’ll be an eye sore.
Finally, a monitor that’s too heavy for the arm can also restrict tilting functions. So, before you buy a monitor stand for yourself, you need to check if the monitor stand is capable of holding the weight of your monitors.
Mount type
There are different mount types of monitor stands as well. You can choose between two popular mount styles, the grommet style and the clamp style. There are a lot of differences between the two types, so it’s essential to consider this with importance.
The grommet style requires you to bore a hole through your desk. You have to place the mount on the hole and insert the grommet from the bottom of the desk. The advantage of this mount type is that it’s very stable and looks clean.
However, it’s permanent, and there’s no room for mistakes.
On the other hand, we have clamp mount types. It is a c-shaped mounting system that usually wraps around the edge of the desk. It comes with a screw system to tighten the clamp around the desk. While this doesn’t leave any permanent mark on your desk, it doesn’t look clean either. Also, some users claim this isn’t as reliable as the clamp may fail. If it does, the whole setup will fall.
Height Adjustment
Height adjustment is crucial as you may have to change the monitor’s height depending on how you view them. Also, some people change the monitor’s height based on whether they’re working or using the monitors for entertainment. So, the maximum height adjustability must b considered.
If you want to get the best out of your monitor stands, you need to check whether each of the arms can be adjusted separately. There are two types of monitor stands in terms of height adjustability. There are spring-type stands and ones with gas-assisted adjustability.
Between the two, spring-type stands are cheaper, but they’re more fragile as the spring is likely to decay over time. So, in the future, you may not get the same level of usability.
On the other hand, gas adjustability is a bit more expensive but much more durable. So, these are highly recommended.
Cable Management
Picture your desk, and your monitor stand with cables sprawling all over them. Does this picture trigger the OCD in you? If yes, then you need a monitor stand with cable management facilities.
There’s a lot to choose from in this aspect. Cheap monitor stands don’t come with cable management facilities at all. Some of the more expensive products come with clips that allow you to attach the cables across the back of the arm, so they’re invisible from the front.
The best type of monitor arms come with built-in sheaths through which you can run the cables. The cables are kept covered in such cases, so they aren’t visible from any angle.
Cord Length
There are mainly two cables that you’ll be using with each monitor. The first one is the power cable of the monitor itself. Thankfully, most monitors come with a power cable long enough to be routed to the monitor from the power outlet. If that can’t be done, use an extension and plug the cable nearby, let’s say under the table.
However, the same can’t be said for the display or HDMI cable. The HDMI or display cable that the monitor comes with isn’t usually very long. If you want to do proper cable management, you’ll fail with short cables as you’ll have to drag the cable across the table, where it’ll be visible.
Thankfully, you can purchase aftermarket HDMI and display cables of all lengths. So, even if the stock cables don’t work out for you, you must buy aftermarket cables based on the monitor stands you purchase.
Is It Modular?
Non-modular monitor stands come with fixed arms that can’t be removed, whereas modular ones allow you to add or remove monitor stands as necessary. It may not be essential for everyone, but it’ll surely come in handy for those who plan on adding an extra monitor in the future or may have to remove one of the monitors.
If you have to add an extra monitor, you can purchase a modular arm and install it. If you have to remove the monitor, you can remove the arm as well, and in that case, you won’t have to work with an extra arm hanging over the desk.
Space Constraints
One of the minor aspects of the process, which the buyers often overlook, is space constraints. It applies to those planning on putting their desks in front of a wall. It would be best to consider how much space there will be in front of the walls. Most dual monitor stands retract backward. If there’s not enough space to facilitate that, you won’t be able to position them correctly.
What Are The Differences Between Stand, Clamp, Or Wall Mount?
You have three options to choose from when buying a dual monitor stand. You can get a stand, a clamp, or a wall mount. So, which one should you pick?
You should get a stand if you’re fine sacrificing some desk space. These take up more desk space but are considered a bit more stable. Also, stands are very commonly found, and they’re the only resort you have if you have a thick table that isn’t compatible with a clamp or when you can’t bore holes into your wall.
Then we have clamps. These don’t look as clean as stands or wall mounts, but they’re straightforward to use. They also don’t eat up any desk space, so they’re great for smaller desks. Clamp-style dual monitor stands are also cheaper, which makes them more accessible. However, these don’t look as clean as the other types.
Finally, we have the wall mounts. These are widely used because they look clean and don’t use any desk space. However, not everyone can use these, as many have restrictions regarding drilling holes in their apartment or home.
FAQ
What Cords Do I Need For Dual Monitors?
It depends on the monitor you’re using and not the stands. Most modern monitors work with HDMI cables. If we’re talking about high-end monitors, you’ll need a display cable to juice the most out of it.
What Is The Best Way To Position Two Monitors?
There are three ways of positioning two monitors. Firstly, you can set the primary monitor directly in front of you and place the secondary monitor on the side at portrait orientation. Secondly, you can put both the monitors on landscape orientation side by side, in which case you’ll have to put them both at an angle. Thirdly, you can set the primary monitor in front while the second one is on top of the primary one.
How We Picked The Best Dual Monitor Stands
When we had to pick up dual monitor stands, we mainly considered compatibility, adjustability, mount type, and arm length. We failed to factor in the space constraints, which we regret even today.
Why Should I Use A Dual Monitor Stand?
It would be best if you used a dual monitor stand for a few reasons. Firstly, it can help you use two monitors seamlessly. Secondly, it can save space. Thirdly, it grants you the flexibility to alter the position and angle of the monitors as necessary.
Does A Dual Monitor Arm Save Space?
Yes, a dual monitor arm saves a lot of desk space as you don’t have to put the stand on the desk. Instead, it takes a bit of space on the edge of the desk, especially if it’s clamping a style stand. Modern monitors come with huge stands to balance the monitor’s weight properly. Branding is also an underlying reason, as larger stands look cooler.
However, they take up a lot of desk space, and if you’re using a small desk of only 2 feet wide, you’ll sometimes struggle to keep the keyboard. Then, imagine having two monitors side by side! With some models, that’s not even possible.
So, we recommend dual monitor stands instead.
How Much Weight Can A Dual Monitor Stand Hold?
It depends entirely on the monitor stand you’re using. Usually, dual monitor stands can hold anywhere from 18 to 44 pounds per arm. The average monitor weight is around 10 pounds, so most stands should be able to help you mount monitors unless they’re faulty.
Check out here: Best Vertical Monitor Stand Review In 2022
Conclusion
Dual monitor stands are one of the most useful accessories for your monitors. These will not only help you streamline your workflow, but they’ll also free up some of your desk space so you can have a clean setup or put more stuff on your desk. But before you get one, make sure to follow the guidelines we provided above. It will help you get a hassle-free experience in the future.
