If you’re going to college, the first thing you’re going to need is a laptop, obviously. And the best accessory for a laptop is an external monitor. If you’ve got those basics covered, the next accessory you should apply is a VESA monitor arm. Here’s why.
Dorms and student apartments are tiny. Odds are pretty good that they’ll be equipped with a desk, and that desk is going to be on the small side. So desktop space will be at a premium…and you’ve already got a laptop, a monitor, and probably a book or two eating it up. Throw in a phone for constant texting and a bit of food, and all of a sudden this Jenga tower is wobbling.
An easy way to clear up space is to elevate that monitor with a VESA arm. Clamped to the back of the desk (not drilled, because it’s school furniture!), the screen is now not only out of the way, it’s at an ideal ergonomic position for hours of studying…or whatever else you’re doing on your PC.
Here are three picks for the best VESA monitor arms for students. If you’ve got a little extra in your tech budget, don’t head off to school without one.
Further reading: Best monitor arms 2025: The ultimate in flexibility
Basic monitor arm pick: Workstream by Monoprice
Matt Smith/Foundry
This affordable and tough arm is a great place to start. It includes a wide range of motion with two rotating sections, the upper of which can also move up and down, and a VESA head that moves in pretty much any way you want it. That includes a full rotation so you can set a monitor in vertical mode.
With a tough clamp on the end and integrated cable management, it’s everything you need for a basic setup at a super-low price. If you need something even cheaper, check out the Huanuo HNSS6 Single Monitor Arm — it’s our favorite under $50.
Get a Workstream VESA monitor arm
Upgrade monitor arm pick: Ergotron LX
Matt Smith/Foundry
This Ergotyron model can do everything the Workstream can, and then some. With a wider base and an elevated primary arm, it grants an even greater range of movement for awkward positioning or even standing desks. And you can even pick from a few different colors, if that’s your thing.
It’s also rated for up to 25 pounds of weight, making it a great pick for oversized screens like “ultrawide” monitors or small TVs. It comes with a fantastic ten-year warranty, so it’s sticking with you for college and beyond.
Get an Ergotron LX VESA monitor arm
Ultimate pick monitor arm: Humanscale M2.1 with M/Connect
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Ready to go beyond basic ergonomics? This arm combines stylish stainless steel construction and slaps a full-on USB-C laptop dock at the base, adding charging and data capabilities for USB-C and USB-A gadgets.
The whole setup is customizable — you can add the dock to single, double, or triple mounts, and even color-coordinate the base to your decor. But you need to use Humanscale’s site to order all the parts, so this stuff ain’t cheap. The least-expensive combination of dock and monitor arm starts at around $500.
So yeah, maybe save this upgrade for graduate school. You can get the same functionality (without the style) by combining a standard mount and any USB-C dock.
Get a Humanscale M2.1 VESA monitor arm