The Best Monitor Arms For A Thick Desk {Top 5}

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Monitor arms are mounted to a desk by either a C-clamp (that slots over the desk edge), or a Grommet (that holds the arm in position using a hole in the desk surface).

The problem that comes with using a monitor arm on a thick desktop, or a desk that has full width drawers is that the C-clamp often isn’t wide enough to slot over the work surface.

In fact the widest C-clamp on an ‘off the shelf’ monitor arm can accommodate only a 4″ desk thickness at the very most. 

This article will consider a range of single and dual monitor arms that are fitted with the widest C-clamps available, as well as looks into a couple of alternative ideas for how a monitor arm can be incorporated into your setup without compromising on the look of desktop.

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Off the shelf monitor arms with the widest clamps

Brand	Model	Single or Dual	Maximum Desk Thickness Using Clamp	Maximum Desk Thickness Using Grommet	Max Monitor Size	Max Weight
HUANUO	HNDS6	Single	3.74″	3.74″	27″	14.3lbs
MOUNTUP	MU0004	Single	3.54″	3.34″	32″	17.6lbs
HUANUO	HNSS12	Dual	3.5″	3.5″	35″	26.4lbs
VIVO	GM1BB	Single	3.5″	3.5″	32″	17.6lbs
VIVO	V200G	Dual	3.3″	3.3″	32″	26.4lbs

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What are some of the best monitor arms for a thick desk?

Our Pick – HUANUO HNSS12 Single Monitor Arm

The winner, and in our opinion best pick for a monitor arm at the time being for a thick desk goes to the Huanuo HNSS12. 

A solid performer across all categories, the HNSS12 has the capability of providing mobility to heavy screens up to 35″ in size, whilst securing everything in place with a clamp that slots over thick desktops up to 3.5″ in depth. 

The length of the arm when fully extended (almost 2 feet!) means this unit is better placed than any other to slot into a set-up on a multi-functional work space like a drawing table or craft station.

Simply attach the stand on the far corner of the desk and swing the monitor into action when needed. 

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Budget Pick – MOUNTUP MU0004 Single Monitor Arm

The low cost of the MOUNTUP MU0004 has made it a bestseller in the monitor arm category wherever it’s sold. 

For our purposes, the C-clamp width of 3.54″ is really handy, and with no sacrifice on functionality (switch between landscape and portrait, tilt of 135 degrees etc.) at behest of cost there’s hardy a negative to mention. 

If you’re monitor is within the 95th percentile of weight and size (i.e. it’s no bigger than 32″ and weighs no more than 17.6lbs) then this arm should definitely make your shortlist. 

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Also Great – HUANUO HNDS6 Dual Monitor Mount

Throughout all of our searching the Huanuo HNDS6 was the only monitor arm, single or dual, which offered the ability to attach to a desk with an edge thicker than 3.5″. 

As the primary design feature being assessed in this post, the ability to clamp onto at desk of up to 3.74″ in thickness meant  the HNDS6 won the ‘attach to the greatest width’ award by some margin.

Be mindful however that there are limitations on the weight bearing capabilities of this unit. Whilst 14.3lbs for each arm covers most monitors, it won’t cover them all. 

A further point to be aware of is that the fantastic articulated arms need about 6″ of room behind the desk to operate through all of their potential configurations.

They do however offer so many pivot points that you’ll likely have no issue customising a set-up that works for you whilst also allowing your desk to remain flush with a wall. 

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Also Great – Vivo GM1BB Premium Pneumatic Monitor Arm

Vivo have shown a little creativity by cleverly incorporating some neat blue LED lights into the casing of the GM1BB. A nice touch to if your gaming set-up features accents in blue or white. 

Of course, you don’t buy a monitor arm for its lights alone (they can be switched off by the way) and when measured and compared with others on this list the GM1BB is decent, if not a world beating unit. 

The ability to clamp onto a desk as wide as 3.5″ in thickness sure is useful but there are a little concerns raised amongst the reviews with build quality reportedly hit or miss with the weight of even light monitors causing the arm to sink.

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Also Great – VIVO V200G Heavy Duty Dual Monitor Arm

The Vivo V200G has the strength of build to bring swivel, tilt, height and rotation options to not one but two heavyweight screens. 

As our article on monitor arms for heavy displays showed, this capability allows it to support almost all of the 32″ monitors sold today.

The monitor arms themselves can be independently rotated to create a setup with one or two vertical monitors, with the adjustable pneumatic arms respecting and holding even the most miniscule of tweaks in screen position.