Monitor mount types

Maybe you decided to buy a monitor that is either curved or flat. Now you have the headache of deciding whether you need a stand or the monitor to be mounted. Our experts did countless hours of research to help you decide below whether you need your monitor mounted and what type of mount works best for your situation. We even included our favorite depending on your situation.

Important notes before deciding

VESA mount

It is the standard for attaching monitors to mounts. Usually you need 4 holes that are defined based on the mount for the vesa compliance. For mounting holes to the wall, the vesa mount can be anywhere from 2 to 4 holes depending on the mount. You’ll want to read the instruction manual for proper easy installation of the monitor wall mount.

Types of monitor mounts

• Wall mounts
• Side Clamp Desk Mounts
• Freestanding Mounts
• Through the desk stands
• Dual Monitor Arms
• Multi-monitor Arms

Monitor Wall Mounts

Types of Monitor wall mounts

Regular Wall Mount or Monitor Wall Mount

Advantages

If you are using a single monitor, then it will be best to use a regular wall mount. It will be sturdy and secure.

It will maximize your work space and desk.

You can just buy 2 single stationary wall mounts to make sure they are secured and not overloaded in terms of weight. The wall mount will determine the maximum weight of the computer monitor allowed.

It will allow for optimal viewing and desk space.

A monitor wall mount is best for used in a place you own or will stay for multiple years. If you are fine with unmounting your monitor and having to spackle and repaint your wall when you move out, then the monitor wall mount is the mount for you.

Disadvantages

A monitor wall mount can only support one monitor per mount because of the weight capacity. It does not have much swivel.

The downside for a monitor wall mount is the need for a stud so it can be properly mounted.

Having to unmounting your monitor and having to spackle and repaint your wall when you move out.

Side Clamp Desk Mounts

This can either be a single monitor mount or dual monitor mount. The mount will have a monitor arm, which can adjust the height of the monitor and angle of the monitor. These mounts attach directly to the desk and create more space for you to work with.

Advantages

Since you can swivel and angle your computer monitor better with this mount, you will have better posture from these monitor arms. The days of needing to hunch over and position your screen are over.

Easy installation and easy to move around.

The arm mount will be sturdy when you attach it to the desk.

Disadvantages

Less desk space than a wall mount.

Can leave marks on your desk, if it is attached too tight.

Freestanding Mounts or Monitor stands

Your monitor will not be mounted to the wall. So it might take less desk space but makes it easier installation for people that are renting or not staying in their home office long term. This stand is best for a single monitor since it does not have the ability to rotate or turn on the desk.

Advantages

No mounting

can adjust or reposition easier on the desk

Disadvantages

Less space on desk

lack of swivel

Dual Monitor Arms

Advantages

They can swivel and be secure.

The screens can be displayed and adjusted either vertically or horizontally.

They allow for more desk space and room

Easy to install

Disadvantages

Even though the monitors and arms are attached to the desk, they can still bounce a little bit on the desk.

Multi-monitor Arms

Advantages

Similar to dual monitor arms, multi monitor arms offer more room and display.

The monitors will be secure in the arm mount.

Disadvantages

The mount could wobble depending on how tight you make the arm mount on the desk.

Depending on the monitor arm or mount, you might be restricted on how large the monitors can be.

Other things you can do to make the monitor better

Tilt your monitor

Reduce glare

Sit further away from screen

Less eye strain

Our Favorite

If staying in your office or home long term or have multiple monitors, we would use dual monitor arms. We like to just attach the monitor on the desk as opposed to the wall itself, even though it reduces the desk space a little bit.

If staying in your office or home short term or only have 1 monitor, we would recommend using the monitor stand. We like not having to mount the arms or computer monitor onto the desk or wall in the room, even if we have less room to work with on the desk.

Recap

All mounts except freestanding mount require a VESA(video electronics standards association) mount.

The hardest to mount are wall mounts, but they will save space.

The easiest to mount or might not even need to mount are freestanding mounts. However, they do not save space.

Check the user manual on how to properly put together the mounts.