When you have dual monitors you kind of want to use them as they are supposed to be used. As the bezels get thinner every year on each new model that comes out, having your dual monitors right next to each other is becoming better and better. That brings us to the question, are dual monitor stands universal?
In order to sell more monitors, manufacturers are starting to adhere more to the standards set out by the Video Electronics Standards Association. So, while not all monitors are universal, the stands are. This is unless they are made by manufacturers as a proprietary stand for their monitor.
When you are buying tech or peripherals for your tech, it is always best to do as much research as you can. That is why in this article, I am going to try and answer all of your questions regarding your monitor stands. So, with that being said, for everything you need to know, keep reading. We even have a little bonus section at the end.
What Is A Dual Monitor Stand?
When it comes to monitor stands, people tend to immediately think of wall-mounts. This train of thought isn’t exactly wrong. However, it isn’t exactly right either. Let’s take a look at what a monitor stand is. Specifically, let us look at what a dual monitor stand is.
A dual monitor stand can be mounted to your desk or to the wall. Therefore, it is not a traditional monitor or TV mount. It allows you to attach both monitors to the arms of the stand. On most monitor stands you can pull the arms away from each other or bring them right up against each other.
Are Dual Monitor Stands Universal?
The only time that a dual monitor stand will not be universal is if the stand is proprietary. This means that it is released by the manufacturer and intended for their monitors. However, there is a slight catch to all of this and it all has to do with the Electronic Standards. There is an organization that comes up with these standards.
The “Video Electronics Standards Association” also known as VESA, is the organization that determines the standards for things like dual monitor stands and mounts. So, they will set the standard for how far apart each hole in the back of a monitor should be. Then, the stands will be made accordingly.
When talking about propriety dual monitor stands, I said that there was a catch. See, most people will rather buy something when they know that there is some flexibility in terms of the add-ons. So, if a manufacturer does not meet these VESA standards it might turn a lot of potential customers away.
What most manufacturers will do is promote their monitor stands as being the best way to mount their monitors. However, most manufacturers will still adhere to the VESA standards.
Can You Mount Curved Monitors?
Now we are starting to get into some tricky stuff. I do have some good news for those of you that have dual curved monitors. Let’s get into it.
You can get a stand for dual curved monitors. With that said, you need to get a monitor stand that is dedicated or at least built in a way that it supports dual curved monitors. You will find that any stand that does work with curved monitors will be labeled as such.
Most dual monitor stands that are built for curved monitors will also give your specifications for the stand. Mainly, they will tell you what the size limit of the monitor that you can use on the stand is.
Here’s How You Know That Your Monitor Can Be Mounted
I am sure we have already helped those who didn’t understand what VESA is. Now you should know what it is, what it stands for, and what its purpose is. So, with this knowledge, how do you know whether or not your monitor can be mounted on a universal dual monitor stand?
It’s rather simple. If you look at either the back of your monitor or on the box that it came in, it should have the visa stamp on it or a symbol. If you cannot find that, it is possible that your monitor cannot be mounted on a universal stand but don’t give up just yet.
You can always use Google to find out whether or not your monitor is universal and adheres to the VESA standards.
How To Choose A Monitor Stand
We have already discussed the VESA standards. So, I am sure that you know that this is the first thing that you need to take into account. However, when buying any monitor stand or mount, there are other things that you need to consider.
- You have to check the size of the monitors that you want to mount and you should then be able to see what the size limit for the monitor stand is.
- You also need to know how many monitors you want to Mount. If you are reading this article, I can assume that you want to mount two monitors.
- The final thing to consider is more to do with your personal preference and budget. Obviously, the more you are willing to spend, the better the stand will be.
Best Dual Monitor Stand
Now that we have gone through what you should look out for when buying a monitor stand, let’s take a look at my favorite one.
HUANUO Dual Monitor Mount Stand: $80
This dual monitor stand has long arms. You can either spread your monitors far from each other or you can have them up close together. It can support heavier screens weighing about 26 lbs.
The arms are fully adjustable and allow you to swivel the screens completely. Trust me, being able to hold both the screens on one stand is phenomenal especially when you can swivel them.
Finally, the stand adheres to VESA specifications. Oh, and it mounts to your desk so you don’t need to mess around with drilling into your wall.
Do You Need Stand For Dual Gaming Monitors?
The answer to this question depends on whether or not you use both monitors to run the same game at the same time or if you use one monitor for gaming and the other for multitasking. However, regardless of that, having a dual monitor stand is very beneficial.
If you play one game on both monitors at the same time, you kind of need them to be properly aligned and a dual monitor stand can help you with this. If you multitask with the dual monitor setup then it does not really matter. It is still better to have the stand though.
Are Single Monitor Stands Universal?
The same rule applies to a single monitor stand as it does with dual monitor stands. So, as long as the monitor and the stand are built according to the VESA standards, then they will fit together.
Do Dual Monitors Have To Be The Same Brand?
Here is a small snippet from a previous article that I wrote. If you find it interesting, go give it a read.
No, dual monitors do not, or even should not, have to be the same brand. Some gamers might argue that it’s better to have dual monitors of the same brand and model, but this is mainly for aesthetic reasons and comes down to personal preference.
When setting up a dual monitor setup, you should know what you need it for. Are you just trying to have a more convenient setup for gaming? Are you intending on using the monitor’s side by side running the same game? For each of those setups, the recommendations are different.
To continue reading, click here.
Conclusion
This is where I like to give my personal opinion on the matter. It is always best if you get a strong high-quality stand. There is no point in trying to save a penny when a cheap stand could end up costing you a lot more. After all, monitors, especially gaming ones, aren’t that cheap.