The Ergotron LX and an Amazon Basics monitor arm are the two ends of the single-arm market: one is the premium standard everyone measures against, the other costs about a tenth as much. This comparison is for anyone wondering whether the extra £170 or so buys anything that matters on a home-office desk. Short answer: yes if you move your screen often or your monitor is heavy, no if you set it once and leave it.
Prices on Amazon UK (September 2026): the Ergotron LX Premium single arm is £189.99, rated 4.6 stars from more than 6,400 ratings. The Amazon Basics Gas Spring Single Monitor Arm is £21.98, rated 4.0 stars from about 1,320 ratings. An Amazon Basics Adjustable Single Monitor Arm is also listed at £20.73 (4.4 stars).
At a glance
| Ergotron LX | Amazon Basics gas-spring arm |
Type | Constant Force gas spring | Gas spring, adjustable tension |
Weight range | 3.2–11.3 kg | Check the listing for the exact range |
VESA | 75×75 and 100×100 mm | 75×75 and 100×100 mm (check listing) |
Material | Die-cast aluminium | Mostly steel and plastic |
Warranty | 10 years | Shorter Amazon Basics warranty (check listing) |
UK price (Amazon) | £189.99 | £21.98 |
Rating | 4.6 (6,400+ ratings) | 4.0 (1,320 ratings) |
Build quality
The LX is solid die-cast aluminium with no flex even with a 7 kg screen on a long reach, and a polished finish that resists scuffs. Budget arms typically use thinner steel sections and plastic covers, which flex more and show wear sooner. The lower 4.0 star rating on the gas-spring Amazon Basics arm reflects the usual budget-arm complaints: sag over time, stiff joints and clamp creak.
Movement and holding position
This is where the price gap earns its keep. The LX’s Constant Force spring applies the same lifting force across its travel, so the screen glides with one finger and stays exactly where you leave it. A budget gas-spring arm can feel stiffer and may need periodic re-tensioning to stop drifting. If you set your screen height once and never touch it, you will barely notice; if you swing the monitor in and out or share it between sitting and standing, you will.
Fitting and cable management
Both use a clamp to the desk edge and a VESA plate on the monitor. The LX ships with both clamp and grommet mounts and clean built-in cable clips. Budget arms usually include a basic clamp and simpler cable clips, and assembly is similar (about 15 minutes with an Allen key).
Compatibility
- Monitors under about 3 kg can float on the LX’s spring; a budget arm with adjustable tension can suit very light screens better.
- Heavy 32-inch panels and ultrawides over 11.3 kg need the Ergotron HX.
- Check the exact weight range on the Amazon Basics listing before buying; it varies by model.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
Ergotron LX | Effortless one-finger adjustment, all-aluminium build, 10-year warranty | Costs around nine times as much |
Amazon Basics arm | Around £22, does the basic job | Stiffer, less refined, shorter life, more sag risk |
Which should you buy?
Buy the Ergotron LX if you use the arm daily, share it between sitting and standing, run a monitor of 6 kg or more, or want something you will move from desk to desk for a decade. Buy the Amazon Basics arm if you have a light-to-medium monitor, set it once, and every pound counts. For a middle option, see our best monitor arms roundup.
Verdict
For most people who will actually adjust their screen, the LX is worth the money. If the arm will sit untouched, an Amazon Basics arm at about £22 is a perfectly sensible buy.
