Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Ergotron LX Monitor Arm
Best OverallNorth Bayou Monitor Arm
Best Budget Single ArmPrice
$150-$170
$25-$45
Summary
The most consistently recommended monitor arm across Reddit and expert sites. Smooth gas-spring adjustment, rock-solid build, and wide compatibility make it the default choice for most setups.
A reliable, no-frills budget arm with a strong following in Asian PC-building communities. Users report solid performance after a year of daily use with zero issues.
Pros
- Gas-spring mechanism allows effortless, smooth height and angle adjustments
- Wide weight and VESA compatibility covers most standard monitors
- Consistently recommended across multiple Reddit communities and expert review sites
- Excellent cable management built into the arm
- Very affordable, typically under $40
- Reliable long-term performance reported by users after 1+ year of use
- Good option for budget builds and secondary monitors
- Widely available internationally
Cons
- Premium price point (~$150-$170) compared to budget alternatives
- Not ideal for very heavy ultrawide or large-format monitors
- Plastic components on some joints feel less premium than the price suggests
- Basic aesthetics with limited cable management
- Lower weight capacity than premium arms
- Less range of motion and adjustment precision than Ergotron
Our take
If you only want to think about this once, buy the Ergotron LX. It's the benchmark every other arm gets compared to, and it earns that status.
North Bayou won't win any design awards, but if you need a functional arm under $40 that won't let you down, the community consensus is clear: it just works.
Buy
