For the most dynamic viewing experience in the home or office, monitor stands are an important accessory. The best monitor stands provide ergonomic adjustability, sturdiness, and a space-saving form factor. This range of features tends to be limited in the stock mounts that come with a screen.
From extensive three-monitor rigs to the average single-screen setup, these monitor stands will help you get the most out of your computing.
Why would you need a monitor stand?
If you struggle to find the right angle and height with your current stand, a new one can resolve that. A fresh desktop mount provides a fuller range of adjustment for the best, most ergonomic viewing position.
Additionally, if your desktop is feeling cluttered, you probably want to save space wherever you can. Monitor stands that clamp to the back of your desk are the perfect solution. Not only do they free up valuable room on your desk, but they have swivel arms for the most flexibility out of any mount.
Finally, if you have more than one monitor, a specialized stand is a lifesaver. Screens take up a lot of space with their bulky legs. Imagine trying to squeeze a pair, or even a trio, of monitors together with limited desktop capacity. Dual or triple monitor stands minimize the hassle of setting up multiple screens.
Is my monitor compatible with a new stand?
PC monitors and television screens use a universal mounting style called the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) pattern. A VESA pattern describes a four-hole arrangement on the back of a screen and lets you know whether your monitor is compatible with a given VESA mountable plate.
VESA patterns read as “horizontal distance x vertical distance” in millimeters — in other words, the spacing between the four holes. The majority of PC monitors have either a 75mm x 75mm or 100mm x 100mm VESA pattern, and the majority of monitor stands support both!
Best value desk stand for one monitor
Mount-It! Freestanding Single Monitor Desk Stand
($41.99)
The Mount-It! MI-1757 supports a single monitor up to 32” and 17.6 pounds. The VESA mount rotates 360 degrees and tilts 45 degrees up or down for the ideal viewing angle. Height can be adjusted up or down on an 18-inch pole.
For a simple, affordable monitor stand, this one can’t be beat. It features a wider range of adjustment than the average mount included with monitors, and it won’t break the bank.
Best overall stand for one monitor
Mount-It! Adjustable Gas Spring Mount
($74.99)
Mount-It’s MI-1771B is one of the best monitor stands you can get for a single screen. For starters, you can free up a bunch of space by mounting it to your desk with the built-in clamp. From there, you can rest assured that any screen up to 32” and 20 pounds is held firmly by the gas spring arm.
A 90-degree up or down tilt is about as flexible as it gets, and you’re sure to find the right height by adjusting two individual swivel joints. Premium features at a mid-range price make this the best overall monitor stand for a single screen.
Best stand for TV screens
On-Stage FPS5000
($145.95)
Certain professional users call for larger monitors. When you need to mount a flat screen TV, On-Stage’s FPS5000 is the top choice. It’s lightweight, sturdy, and mobile thanks to four locking casters on its base.
This stand supports TVs up to 42” wide and 60 pounds in weight. While the tilt angle is a modest 15 degrees up or down, height adjustment ranges from 37” all the way to 61”, making it ideal for adding monitors to public events.
Best overall desk stand for dual monitors
Mount-It! Freestanding Dual Monitor Desk Stand
($34.99)
Need to mount two monitors with the desktop footprint of one? Look no further than the MI-2781. The freestanding 15” base is no larger than the average single monitor stand, but you’re able to double your screen space with a pair of adjustable arms.
The MI-2781 generously accommodates two monitors up to 32” wide and 22 pounds heavy. The swivel on the VESA plate offers 45-degree up or down tilt, and the joint on each arm allows 180 degrees worth of motion on a 17-inch pole.
Best value desk mount for dual monitors
Mount-It! Full Motion Dual Monitor Desk Mount
($34.99)
When you need to get your monitors off the desk and into the air, the MI-2752 delivers. Like the MI-2781, each arm can hold a screen up to 22 pounds in weight, though the maximum screen size is 27”. This means the MI-2752 is best for small to mid-size monitors, and any situation where surface space is minimal.
The MI-2752 is an excellent value, and perhaps the best choice if your largest monitor is 27”.
Best premium desk mount for dual monitors
Mount-It! Dual Monitor Mount with Gas Spring Arms
($129.99)
The MI-1772 features a pair of the same articulating gas arms as seen in the 1771B. Each arm supports a monitor up to 27” wide and 20 pounds. The gas spring design looks and feels premium, and is quick and easy to adjust for the correct viewing height and angle.
Best stand for three monitors
Mount-It! Triple Arm Freestanding Monitor Stand
($119.99)
Demanding users require ample screen space. When two monitors just aren’t enough, adding a third into the rotation is the only way to go. Of course, that’s a lot of digital viewing space, but also a lot of physical space to manage. The MI-789 is a single stand with a fixed center VESA mount and two articulating arms on each side.
The triple arm monitor stand is supported by an ultra-stable V-shaped base plate. Each plate can handle a monitor up to 24” wide and 22 pounds.
