Quick answer: the weight a monitor arm has to carry is the monitor's weight without its stand — the figure manufacturers list as “Weight without stand”, not the boxed weight. Take that number, add anything else you'll hang on the arm (webcam, laptop holder), and allow another 10–20% if the screen is curved or front-heavy. If the result sits under the arm's rating (9 kg for ZEN-0, 10 kg for ZIMPLEX, 12 kg for ASTRO), you're fine. And remember that gas springs have a minimum weight too — a monitor under 2 kg can be just as much of a problem.
Why weight matters more than screen size
A gas-spring arm works by balancing forces: the spring pushes up exactly as hard as the monitor pushes down, so the screen “floats” wherever you leave it. If the monitor is heavier than the spring's range, the screen drifts down. If it's lighter, the screen springs up to the top even at the lowest tension setting. The inch size is only a rough proxy — one 27" monitor weighs 3.5 kg, another weighs 7 kg. Weight is what decides whether the arm behaves.
Trick 1: find the “without stand” figure
- In the spec sheet, look for Weight without stand, Net weight (without stand) or Panel only. It is usually 1–3 kg less than the “with stand” figure, depending on the model.
- If the listing only gives a total, go to the manufacturer's site — the full specifications page usually gives both. Retail pages often show just one.
- If you can't find it at all, use a bathroom scale: weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the monitor with the stand removed, and take the difference. An error of 0.1–0.2 kg is fine.
- Never use the weight on the box — it includes packaging, foam, stand and cables, and can be 2–4 kg off.
Trick 2: add what else you'll hang on the arm
The arm carries everything on the VESA plate, not just the panel. A heavy webcam, a monitor light bar, or a laptop holder on the arm (plus a 15" laptop at 1.5–2 kg) all count. Add them before comparing with the rating.
Trick 3: curved and front-heavy screens — allow 20%
An arm's rating assumes a flat panel with its mass centred on the VESA plate. Curved monitors are different: the panel wraps toward you, moving the centre of gravity forward of the plate and putting more torque on the joints than a flat screen of the same weight. The result is a curved screen that is “within the limit” on paper but slowly nods forward in use.
Some makers therefore publish two limits — our TRAZER V2 is rated 30 kg for flat screens but 22 kg for curved, about 25% less. For arms with a single figure, use a simple rule: curved screens, front-heavy screens (built-in speakers or soundbar), and screens you'll extend far out — count the weight at 120%, then compare. A 7.5 kg 32" curved panel counts as 9 kg → ZEN-0 (9 kg) is right at the edge; ZIMPLEX (10 kg) or ASTRO (12 kg) is more comfortable.
Trick 4: don't forget the minimum
Most gas-spring arms quote a range, such as 2–9 kg, and the first number matters as much as the second. A 13–16" portable display or a very slim 22" panel can weigh under 2 kg, and the spring will push it to the top of its travel permanently. For very light screens, a mechanical-spring arm like the Easy HAS (0–8 kg) with no minimum works better, or the ASTRO, rated from 13".
Which monitor suits which arm
| Your monitor (weight without stand) | Arm | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable / very light, under 2 kg | Easy HAS | 0–8 kg, 17–32" | ฿1,500 |
| Office 22–27", roughly 3–6 kg | ZEN-0 / CORE | 9 kg, 17–32" | ฿1,290 |
| Flat 27–32" at 6–9 kg, or curved 27–32" under 10 kg after the allowance | ZIMPLEX | 10 kg, 17–32" | ฿1,350 |
| 34–35" ultrawide, or a 9–12 kg 32" | ASTRO | 2.5–12 kg, 13–35" | ฿2,990 |
| Large / curved 34–49" up to 20 kg | HYPERION | 2–20 kg, 17–49" | ฿4,200 |
| Super-ultrawide / heavy curved 24–57" | TRAZER V2 | Flat 30 kg / curved 22 kg, 24–57" | ฿3,500 |
| 49–57" screen or TV up to 27 kg | TITAN | 27 kg, 17–57" | ฿3,600 |
Note that the arm's screen-size range is a limit too. A 34" panel that weighs only 6 kg still shouldn't go on an arm rated 17–32": the wider screen puts more leverage on the joints than the arm was designed for.
Checklist before you buy
- Monitor weight without stand = ____ kg
- Add anything else on the plate = ____ kg
- Curved / front-heavy / extended far out → multiply by 1.2
- The result must be below the arm's maximum and above its minimum
- Screen size is within the arm's range, and the back has 75x75 or 100x100 VESA holes (how to check VESA)
Frequently asked questions
My monitor is exactly at the limit — is that OK?
It works, but you'll run the spring at maximum tension with no adjustment left. Where possible choose an arm with 10–20% headroom: the screen holds steadier and the spring works less hard over the years.
Is a twin arm rated for both screens combined, or each?
Each. Every arm has its own spring — ZIMPLEX Twin carries 10 kg per arm, and each screen has to pass on its own.
Can a curved monitor go on an entry-level arm?
Yes, if the weight is still under the limit after the 20% allowance. Most 27" curved panels weigh 4–6 kg and clear ZEN-0 and ZIMPLEX easily. Trouble usually starts with 32"+ curved screens that have built-in speakers.
The screen slowly tilts forward — do I need a new arm?
Increase the spring tension first (there's an adjustment screw on the arm). If it still drifts at maximum, the monitor is beyond the range and you need the next arm up.
Can I use a kitchen scale?
Not recommended — most max out at 5 kg and the platform is too small to balance a monitor. Use a bathroom scale and hold the monitor.
The bottom line
Read the “without stand” weight, add what you'll hang on, allow 20% for curved screens, and pick an arm with headroom — there's an option for every weight from 0 to 30 kg in the Monitor Arms collection, and if you're still unsure, our full monitor arm buyer's guide walks through the rest. Orders over ฿800 ship free in Thailand.
Reader code: enter ERGONOZWELCOME15 at checkout on shop.ergonoz.com for 15% off your order (one use per customer).
About ERGONOZ — a Thai ergonomics brand designing monitor arms, standing desks, and ergonomic chairs for the way you actually work. Read the brand story at ergonoz.com.