The 10 Best Laptop Arms

Editor's Notes

December 08, 2020:

Due to availability issues, this update required an extensive overhaul involving the addition of seven new models. One of these, the Pyle Portable, is uniquely suited for DJ use, thanks to its second platform that is perfect for a sound mixer. We also added several models designed for traditional office use, like the Loctek Standing, a heavy-duty option that is easy to swivel and adjust its height.

We also added a couple of budget-friendly options, like the Gibbon Mounts Single, Huanuo Notebook, and the Vivo Extension.

Laptop arms are more than just a great way to reduce clutter on your desk, they're also beneficial for ergonomics. Ideally, your laptop should be positioned at eye-level, where you can view the screen easily without bending your neck. When you look straight ahead, your eye line should focus naturally on the top 1/3 of your screen.

If you don’t already have a desk to mount your laptop arm to, this collection of computer desks should provide some good variety to choose from. Or, if you enjoy the benefits of a standing desk, one of these height adjustable desks could be what you’re looking for.

September 11, 2019:

Dual monitors are a practical necessity for information workers. When you have many windows open and sometimes need to compare data or documents side by side, it's just more efficient to have more than one screen. One of these laptop arms lets you enjoy the increased productivity of multiple monitors without cluttering up your work space. But even if you just use a single laptop, it doesn't have to take up permanent real estate on your computer desk when you place it on a stand. You can raise or lower it to different heights and adjust the viewing angle to where it's most comfortable for you. Then, when you're not using it, rotate it out of the way with a simple swing of the arm.

If you're using the mount for a monitor, make sure your monitor is VESA compatible. The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) publishes a set of standards that defines the dimensions and placement of holes that are used to attach flat-panel displays to a mounting bracket or plate. Look for four holes in a square pattern on the back of your display. For computer monitors, these holes are usually 75 or 100 mm apart, and the laptop arms we've chose are designed to match these distances.

You'll want an arm that doesn't sag with the weight of the device that's mounted on it, but that lets you adjust the angle and placement easily. For this and other reasons, we like the Viozon 2-in-1 and gave it one of our top slots. In this update, we also replaced several items due to concerns about their availability.