Monitor Arm Buying Guide: Single vs. Dual Setups (Singapore)

6 min read

VESA compatibility, weight capacity, gas spring vs. friction arm — the four things that actually determine whether a monitor arm works for your setup.

Monitor arms look like a simple accessory until you've bought the wrong one — too weak for your monitor, incompatible mount, or a dual arm that can't hold both screens at the height you want. Here's what actually matters before you buy.

Check VESA compatibility first

VESA is the mounting pattern on the back of your monitor, given as two numbers in millimeters (e.g. 100x100mm — the most common size for monitors under 32"). Almost every monitor arm on the market supports 75x75 and 100x100. Ultrawide and larger 32"+ monitors sometimes use 100x200 or larger patterns, so check your monitor's spec sheet, not just the arm's, before buying — a mismatched VESA pattern is the single most common return reason.

Weight capacity has a real margin problem

Manufacturers list a maximum weight capacity, but arms perform best in the middle of their range, not at the top. If your monitor weighs 6kg, don't buy an arm rated for exactly 6kg — buy one rated 8-10kg so the gas spring has margin to hold position without drifting down over months of use. This matters even more for ultrawide and curved monitors, which are heavier than their screen size suggests.

Gas spring vs. friction arm

• Gas spring arms hold position with a counterbalance spring and let you move the monitor with one finger. Better for people who adjust height/angle throughout the day (standing desk users especially).
• Friction arms use tension knobs you tighten manually. Cheaper, but they loosen over time and need periodic re-tightening.

If you're pairing the arm with a standing desk, get a gas spring arm — you'll actually use the adjustability instead of avoiding it because it's annoying to move.

Single arm vs. dual arm setups

A single arm frees up desk space and is the right call if you use one primary monitor. A dual arm (either a shared crossbar or two independent arms on one clamp) is worth it when:

• You genuinely use both monitors daily, not just one primary and one occasional
• You want to angle the second monitor inward without it colliding with the first
• Desk depth is tight and you need the screens pulled closer or pushed back independently

For dual setups, independent arms (rather than a fixed crossbar) give you more flexibility to angle each screen toward you, which reduces neck strain compared to two flat, parallel screens.

Clamp vs. grommet mount

Clamp mounts attach to the desk edge and are easiest to install or move later. Grommet mounts go through a hole in the desktop and sit slightly more stable for heavier setups, but they're permanent once installed. If you don't already have a grommet hole, clamp mounting is the simpler choice for almost every home setup.

What to buy

Ulti's monitor arms cover both single and dual configurations with gas-spring adjustment and standard VESA compatibility, and mount cleanly to both the Arc Pro and Aura Pro standing desks. If an arm you already own is sagging, dropping or too stiff, use our monitor arm tension adjustment guide before deciding that it needs replacing.

The bottom line

Match VESA pattern exactly, buy weight capacity with margin rather than at the limit, and choose gas spring over friction if you'll actually adjust it during the day. Get those three right and the arm will outlast several monitor upgrades.