Who this setup suits

Side-by-side workers with small desks

If the dashboard and report must stay visible together, independently positioned screens can help you arrange them without two monitor feet occupying the work surface.

Reference-screen users with narrow desks

If you consult the second display occasionally rather than comparing both screens continuously, a vertical layout may fit where side-by-side placement does not.

Compatibility-first home-office buyers

Check each monitor’s weight and VESA mounting pattern alongside the desk’s mounting surface before choosing a clamp, grommet or freestanding design.

What to check before buying

For a dashboard and report on a small desk, decide whether both screens need equal attention, then check that your preferred layout fits the monitors and desk.

Side-by-side desk arm

Choose it when: You regularly compare the dashboard with the report and have a suitable desk edge or grommet for mounting.

Trade-off: Removing monitor feet frees worktop space, but two screens still need enough horizontal room and must meet the arm’s individual limits.

Vertical stacking stand

Choose it when: Desk width rules out comfortable side-by-side placement and the upper screen is chiefly for reference.

Trade-off: Stacking separates the displays vertically; a freestanding model such as the V7 DS1FSDS also needs room for its base.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Usable desk space Check for a usable rear edge or grommet, and allow for the full width of both screens. I need room for my keyboard and documents while keeping both displays visible. Around 42% of consumers put preserving worktop space first.
Screen positioning Check whether each screen can be adjusted independently to the height and angle you need. When I move between the dashboard and report frequently, I need both screens positioned for easy viewing. For around 33% of consumers, that positioning is the primary concern.
Monitor and desk fit Check each screen’s weight and VESA pattern against the per-display limits, then measure the mounting surface. I cannot use a mount that does not fit my monitors or desk, even if its layout looks right. Compatibility comes first for around 25% of consumers.

Common buying mistakes

  • Checking screen size but not weight

    Monitors with the same diagonal size can differ in weight and depth, while an arm’s load range may apply to each display separately.

    Check each monitor’s weight without its original stand, its VESA pattern and any depth-related mounting guidance from the arm maker. Do not treat a combined load figure as a per-screen allowance.

  • Ordering a clamp arm before measuring the desk

    Clamp and grommet installation limits can differ even on the same model. BONTEC specifies different desk-thickness ranges for the two mounting methods on its GDM7502.

    Measure the desk edge or grommet and check underneath for drawers, crossbars or cable trays. If neither fixing suits the desk, allow worktop space for a freestanding base.

  • Choosing a stack just because the desk is small

    A vertical layout saves width but separates the dashboard and report, which may be inconvenient when you compare them repeatedly.

    Choose stacking when width is the main constraint and the upper display is mostly for reference. If both screens need frequent attention, check whether a side-by-side arm and the combined screen width will fit.

  • Assuming adjustability settles screen placement

    An adjustable mount still needs to be set up for the person using it.

    The Health and Safety Executive advises placing the top of a display at eye level and the screen about an arm’s length away. Position the main screen in front of you where possible, then angle the report screen towards you.

Brands to consider

Ergotron

The LX Dual Side-by-Side Arm is a desk-mounted option for independently positioning two screens.

  • Ergotron specifies displays up to 27 inches and 3.2–9.1 kg each, with VESA 75 × 75 mm or 100 × 100 mm mounting and a clamp for desk edges up to 66 mm thick.
  • Ergotron describes this LX model as discontinued or phasing out. Check the exact model offered rather than assuming another LX arm has the same limits.

BONTEC

The GDM7502 is a gas-spring dual arm with clamp and grommet mounting options.

  • BONTEC specifies 13–34 inch displays weighing 2–9 kg each and VESA 75 × 75 mm or 100 × 100 mm mounting for this model.
  • Its clamp and grommet fittings have different supported desk-thickness ranges; check the range for the fitting you intend to use.

V7

The DS1FSDS is a freestanding vertical stand for desks where screen width is the main constraint.

  • V7 specifies two 10–27 inch displays of up to 7.9 kg each, with VESA 75 × 75 mm or 100 × 100 mm mounting.
  • Its stacked arrangement separates the screens vertically and its base occupies worktop space.

Humanscale

Humanscale offers modular monitor-arm configurations, including dual and stacked arrangements.

  • The range offers different arm and screen arrangements to consider when a standard dual-arm configuration does not suit the monitors.
  • Check the capacity and fit of the exact arm, slider or crossbar configuration; one system’s limits do not apply across the range.

Joybuy product choices

This dual-monitor stand is a choice to assess for keeping a dashboard and report visible together. Confirm its mounting method and fit before deciding whether it will free the desk space you need.

DELL Pro Dual Monitor Stand MDS19

DELL Pro Dual Monitor Stand MDS19

Consider this two-monitor stand if you want the dashboard and report visible together. Check how it attaches to your desk, the VESA fit and the limit for each monitor; if height travel matters to you, confirm the adjustment range before ordering.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What should I measure before buying a clamp-mounted dual monitor arm?

Measure the desk edge and any grommet hole, then check each monitor’s weight without its stand, dimensions and VESA pattern against the exact arm. For example, BONTEC specifies 2–9 kg per monitor and VESA 75 × 75 mm or 100 × 100 mm for its GDM7502, with a 10–85 mm desk-thickness range for the clamp and 10–50 mm for grommet mounting.

Should a dashboard and report be side by side or stacked?

Choose side-by-side positioning if you compare the dashboard and report frequently and have enough width for both screens. A vertical stack is more suitable when width is limited and the second display is mainly for occasional reference; allow space for the base if you choose a freestanding model.

How should I position the screens after mounting them?

Use the mount’s adjustments to place the main screen in front of you and angle the report screen towards you. The Health and Safety Executive advises placing the top of a display at eye level and keeping the screen about an arm’s length away.

Do UK display-screen-equipment rules require a dual monitor arm?

A dual monitor arm is not specified as the required solution in the Health and Safety Executive guidance cited here. The HSE says the UK Display Screen Equipment Regulations apply to workers who use display-screen equipment daily for continuous periods of an hour or more; choose the screen arrangement to suit the workstation rather than treating an arm as a universal requirement.