A display is basically an electronic output device that presents data or images in visual form. In this post we will share details of display mount buying guide and learn more about how displays come in all manner of shapes and sizes, from 11-inch tablets to 24-inch monitors, and 100-inch TVs.
The display mounts made to support them are no different. They are available in several configurations and designs, ranging from a tight display mount that you can install in a tight cubicle to a large mount bracket that can support a 100-inch display.
But what is a display mount? It’s a supportive arm or bracket that is designed to hold up a tablet, computer monitor, laptop, TV, or other display screens. Display mounts are applicable in several areas, including workstations, conference rooms, information kiosks, productions studios, retail environments, security stations, point of purchase areas, and at home, just to name a few.
Finding the right mounting solution for your specific needs can be overwhelming as there are thousands of models available in the market to choose from. Every single unit brings a different application and a unique set of features.
This seemingly considerable amount of options mean you can get exactly what fits your specific needs. But with all the things you have to take into account, the buying process can get a bit tricky. When deciding what display mount is best for you, it’s important to first understand your display and then the environmental needs.
There are a few questions that you’ll need to ask yourself when selecting a display mount, such as:
What is your mounting surface?
Where is your mounting location?
Is there enough clearance to mount your display?
What is the screen size of your display?
How much weight is needed to mount your display?
How many display devices do you want to support?
What kind of viewing adjustments do you need?
What is your budget?
In this article, we have covered the most important information there is to know about display mounts, including the different types, important features, as well as quick tips and tricks for using them. As you read through it, you will get answers to each of the above questions. This will help you build a list of requirements for your best-fit display mount, thus helping you make a perfect choice. Let’s get right into it:
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need a Display Mount?
The most important question that needs to be answered is perhaps why you want to mount your display(s). There are several reasons why people decide to buy display mounts and the most common ones are detailed below.
It allows for a more comfortable, ergonomic working posture
Office workstations cannot all be customized to everyone’s needs. Computer monitors are usually placed on the desks and assumed to be a one-size-fits-all solution. The problem is immobile monitors that are placed way below eye level of too high can encourage poor posture habits like hunching over, leaning awkwardly back, or slouching in order to view your screen.
This can result in detrimental health issues like weakened muscles and chronic neck, spinal, and back pain. While there are a lot of things go into correcting one’s posture, the first one is raising your monitor to the ideal, ergonomic height.
Mounts allow you to personalize your displays in order to find a setup that encourages proper sitting positions. Most feature tilt mechanisms and easy-to-adjust heights so you can choose the most comfortable viewing position.
It reduces eye and neck strains
It’s no news that digital screens can cause one’s eyes to tire, especially those who work on a computer all day. As mentioned above, monitors in traditional work stations often end up being too close to users’ faces or are either too high or too low.
You’ll be forced to strain your eyes and neck to view your screen, which in turn causes fatigue, neck pain, dry and tired eyes, and even blurred vision. Display mounts help to eliminate all those eye and neck issues by allowing you to adjust your display screen at the optimal viewing angle, distance, height, and position. If you are using more than one display screen at the same time, a multi-monitor stand can help you arrive at the perfect alignment.
Increases productivity
Whether you are programming, tracking stock exchanges, doing office work, or even gaming, mounting your display screen automatically reduces the hassle involved in your work. Also, display mounts allow for dual and multi-monitor desk setup.
These kinds of setups open up a whole world of possibilities in case you need to set up multiple screens to achieve the most comfortable and natural working experience. Two or more mountable monitors are quite popular among desk workers.
They allow one to work more efficiently since you can allocate certain tasks to different screens. You’ll also be able to open multiple files simultaneously without needing to switch between windows, thus giving you total command over the visual display of your work.
Multi-monitor stands can be set up in different ways, including one monitor on top of the other, side-by-side, landscape or portrait, or even three or more monitors horizontally aligned for a panoramic experience. Either way, the best monitor for dual setup will simplify multitasking and maximize your productivity.
Convenience
Display mounts allow you to put the monitor, TV, or laptop in almost any location, thus allowing for a more convenient and effective display.
It allows you to collaborate more easily
How many times at work have you had to call a co-worker over to your desk to show them something you are working on? Well, a display mount allows you to shift your screen easily whenever you want to share your work, thus promoting cooperation. If this is an important feature to you, consider a model that will allow 180° of horizontal rotation and is easy to swivel from side to side.
Optimizes space
Display mounts attach to the back of the desk, or the ceiling above, or the wall behind it. This helps to de-clutter your desk and free up valuable surface space where the monitor used to sit. It is also possible to install multiple monitors on one mount, thus minimizing the amount of space they would otherwise consume.
There are even models that come with drawers and compartments for extra storage. Additionally, the best monitor arm will come with a cable management system to take care of unsightly cords. A cleaner, more organized setup/workspace makes you more productive.
It works well with a standing desk
Sit-stand work stations are becoming quite popular as they offer several health benefits and increase productivity. Depending on whether you are seated or standing, you’ll have to make slight changes to the height or angle of your monitor to ensure maximum comfort. A display mount is a perfect companion for such a setup as it easily adjusts to each position as you move.
Security
Display screens in public spaces need to be protected and physically mounting them on a wall, ceiling, or other location helps to minimize the risk of damage or theft.
How to Choose a Display Mount
Once you are ready to cash on all the above benefits, it’s time to go shopping. As mentioned earlier, there are several types of display screens, including TVs, computer monitors, tablets, and more. The mounts required to support them varies as much.
The best monitor mount will turn a basic workstation into a productivity powerhouse. TV mounts, on the other hand, free up some space and provides optimal viewing for all viewers, whether at home or in retail environments. Tablets are the perfect compact and mobile computing solution.
They can be used in the boardroom, as a point of sale device, or as an additional screen at your dual-screen setup. Having a display mount for your tablet can help provide security when the device is left unattended and increase comfort when in use.
The basic criteria for choosing a display mount will primarily depend on the physical features of the screen you want to mount. All of the below factors will also come into play, just ensure they are specific to your display screen.
There are thousands of display mounts available on the market. Here’s a look at some basic criteria to consider when choosing the best display mount for your needs:
Type of Mount
Display mounts are available in various mounting options. The right style for your needs will depend on how permanent your workstation is; most importantly, make a point of finding one that is compatible with the environment you’re installing it in. Here are the most popular mounting styles:
Wall mounts: This is one of the most permanent mounting styles, securing the display to a wall. Wall mounts hang the closest to the wall than other display mounts, thus offering the lowest profile. They also free up floor space and increase the available table/desk space, particularly in office applications, making them a popular option for those who want unobstructed desk space and an attractive work area.
Wall mounts come in many varieties; the simplest and cheapest options mount directly to one spot and have no panning or tilting options. There are, however, more complex options that add simple panning, tilting, and some rotation for landscape mode, as well as simple jointed extension arms and multi-joined gas spring stabilization arms.
The need for permanent installation on the wall makes wall mounts unsuitable for most offices and rental spaces as it offers limited ergonomic positions. Plus, they need a lot of prerequisites. While wall mounts are studier and will support more weight, they can’t handle multiple monitors well. After installing two displays, and not big ones, the weight will be too much for the mount to handle and you’ll have to install multiple mounts.
Ceiling mounts: As another permanent mounting style, ceiling mounts offer a space-saving and sleek solution in digital signage applications for areas with limited floor and wall space. Many are height adjustable to allow you to display the TV to your preferred height/distance from the ceiling.
Like wall mounts, ceiling mounts also feature many of the same motions, including models with a fixed, tilting, or swiveling solution. Tilting features allow you to adjust for lighting while swiveling solutions help to accommodate various viewing angles.
Since ceiling mounts can be adjusted and secured at various angles, they allow for installation on both sloped and level ceilings.
Desk mounts: This mounting style maximizes table/desk space while offering an easy to touch adjustment for varied tasks. Desk clamps are available for multiple displays, including computer monitors, laptops, tablets, and even phones. You can find them in single, dual, and quad models, and come with a tilt, swivel, and screen rotation for adjusting viewing angles.
How the display attaches to the desk is crucial because if the monitor is not stable, it will cause the screen to move or worse, damage the monitor or desk. A monitor mount for desk can be attached to the desk using either a C-clamp or grommet mount.
The former is the more popular version and the easiest method to install a monitor arm. All you have to do is attach the monitor arm to the edge of the desk. Edge clamp-mounting allows you to retain a little bit more distance between your eyes and the monitor.
Moving it around is just as easy; simply loosen the clamp and move it to another location. Make sure your desk width is compatible with the clamp’s size so it attaches and tightens securely.
As for grommet, you’ll need a hole on the desk’s top surface. The monitor is secured through the hole on the desk and fastened from below using screws. Some desks come with a pre-made grommet hole but if yours doesn’t have it, you can modify the desk yourself.
This is a more permanent mounting solution and an equally stable alternative to a C-clamp. Grommet mounts are ideal for those who want to mount the maximum amount of weight while still getting the minimum amount of desktop obstruction.
This option also allows you to position the monitor exactly where you want it to be. Some models even allow for double, triple, and even quadruple-monitor setups. Single-monitor configurations are cheaper but the prices increase for more elaborate models.
Free standing mount: This is the simplest mounting style. Here, the mount base is weighed securely down by a heavy plate where it sits at the back of your desk supporting the monitor arm. It is one of the best dual monitor mounts and also available for freestanding TV mount.
How Much Space Is Available?
When buying wall or ceiling mounts, you need to consider the amount of wall or ceiling space available, as well as the size of the display screen. Alternatively, a TV cart can be used if the display needs to be mobile or if the infrastructure in the room doesn’t support wall or ceiling mounts.
For desk mounts, your choice of display mount will greatly depend on your workspace. The best monitor arms will require minimal space on the desktop. You can find short reach arms for a more compact desk, articulating arms that provide fluid movement as needed, longer arms for applications that require extensive reach, and more. A cubicle hanging monitor mount can also eliminate the need for allocating space for your monitor.
Then, there’s the group that dreams of creating the ultimate multi-monitor workstation. The problem is it’s not easy to find a computer desk for two monitors or more. In that case, consider multi-monitor mounts as they offer a single and compact desktop footprint while providing multiple screens for increased efficiency and productivity.
How Many Screens Do You Want To Support?
Most workstations only need a single display in which case you will need a single mount. Such mounts only have one arm that can be attached to a monitor.
If you own more than one monitor then a dual or multi-monitor stand is the way to go unless, of course, you can afford an additional mount and have enough space to install them.
For some professionals, particularly those who work on multiple applications and programs like developers and programmers, a dual mount would be more ideal.
Then some need to open multiple windows simultaneously. For instance, traders and those who work in the financial markets often need to keep track of many variables, prices, and market all at the same time. If that’s you, consider multiple mounts.
Single and dual mount models are easily available in all of the categories. Multi-monitor stands, on the other hand, are much more common as free-standing mounts or through-the-desk mounts, and not generally offered in wall-mount options due to the extra weight.
If you decide to get multi-monitor stands, you might want to consider premium, heavy-duty options that can support the extra weight. This will not come cheap.
Cost of the display mount
The cost of display mounts is a bit all over the map. You will find a low profile computer monitor wall mount for around $20 online. The best monitor arm with quality steel pipe will start at around $100 and go up to $400 or more if it’s a gas spring model.
Basically, you get what you pay for. The more features a display mount possesses, the more it will cost. Lower cost mounts are usually less stable and come with only the standard features, making them a good choice if you don’t need much flexibility.
But if a standard one won’t fit your needs, it’s best to consider a custom system. It may seem expensive now but it will save you money in the long-run as it offers you many years of service.
While it’s true that price and quality go hand-in-hand when it comes to display mounts, this is not always the case. Go, for one that’s best suited for your needs and within your budget.
Adjustability of the display mount
Depending on the purpose of the display screen, being able to adjust its position, head, or height can be very important. Adjustability options for display mounts include fixed, tilting, and full-motion articulation.
A fixed mount provides users with a low-profile that attaches tightly to the wall, ceiling or desk. A tilting mount allows you to tilt the screen for minimal glare and a more comfortable viewing angle.
A full-motion articulating mount provides a full range of motion (move the display away or closer, up or down, and even swivel it from side to side), thus creating a more comfortable solution for multiple viewing scenarios.
Being able to adjust the tension of these adjustments is crucial so you don’t sacrifice stability for this added versatility. Ease of adjustments is equally important; if the process requires disassembly, is tedious, and time-consuming, then it might not be worth the effort.
Weight capacity of the display mount
All display mounts come with weight restrictions. So, when choosing a mounting solution, it’s important to consider your display’s weight and ensure it doesn’t exceed the mount’s maximum load capacity. If you’re looking for a multi-monitor stand, check to see if the weight capacity is per monitor or total.
For example, if the weight specifications say 25 lbs. per monitor, then each display should not weigh more than 25 lbs. But if it says the total weight capacity is 150 lbs, then you’ll have to add up the weight of each of your monitors and the total should be no more than 150 lbs.
Security features of the mount
Display screens are a great addition in areas that experience high foot traffic like retail shops, offices, and even information kiosks. In either scenario, there’s a possibility that they could be left unattended, which increases the risk of damage or theft. In that case, consider mounting solutions that are equipped with anti-theft features to ensure your displays stay safe and secure at all times.
Add-ons on the mount
Display mounts come with additional accessories and extras that offer more convenience and comfort. This includes things like a pull-out drawer, side shelf, attachments like laptop or tablet holders, keyboard tray, or even space on/around the base of the mount to help store office supplies.
The best monitor mounts will offer these and more, just keep in mind that every added feature adds to the overall price of the display mount. In that case, only stick to the basic features that you’ll actually need.
Cable management
This is a valuable feature that’s usually forgotten when it comes to choosing display mounts. If you have a workstation, chances are you have a keyboard, mouse, charging cable, or other pieces of cords. In that case, consider a monitor mount that has an integrated cable management system to accommodate your wires neatly and keep a clutter-free desk.
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