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While you drive, there’s a lot happening, so a second pair of eyes can help you stay safe. A dash cam provides this extra vigilance and helps give you peace of mind while out on the road. The best dash cams monitor in high-res video what’s happening while you’re behind the wheel, with timestamps and GPS coordinates. They can even record while your car is parked, helping you keep tabs on your car while you’re away. When choosing the best dash cam for your needs you should first consider if you want a front, front/interior, or front/rear model. Additionally, you’ll want to decide on how wide a viewing angle you’ll need. Then there are special features to take into account, such as voice control or parking assist. Since there are a number of reasons to use a dash cam, we understand that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all model. With that in mind, we’ve curated a list of the best dash cams of all types with various features and prices below. PROMOTION70mai A810 | Ultra HD 4K Dual Camera Extreme Clarity at each side. Extreme Security by your side. 70mai Ultra HD 4K A810 boosts day and night vision to the next level with Sony’s best in class STARVIS 2 IMX 678 image sensor and 70mai’s self-developed HDR algorithm. Exclusive 20% Off with Code: PCWorld20 For even more information on what to look for when buying a dash cam, scroll to our buyer’s guide under our best picks. And after you’ve bought a dash cam, save yourself some time and frustration by reading our guide on how to install a dash cam. Updated 2/29/2024: Check out our review of the Rove R2-4K dash cam. This compact, affordable, single-channel cam offers integrated GPS and phone connectivity, in addition to good captures. At its listed price of $130 it doesn’t trump our current pick for the best front-only dash cam — the Miofive 4K (see below) — but at the current Amazon price of $80, it’s a good deal for bargain hunters. Definitely worth considering. Nextbase 222X – Best budget front/rear dash cam Pros Good front/rear-view day video Decent front/rear-view night captures 48-hour, battery-supported parking mode and after-incident capture Cons Modest video quality compared to pricier Nextbase models Modular port, but no add-on modules No GPS If you really want to save money, this Walmart-exclusive Nextbase 222X front-and-rear camera duo offers great value. The 1080p/720p video is a compromise, but video quality is still good, it has a nice magnetic mount, a clear 2.5-inch screen, and a battery-supported parking mode. Read our full Nextbase 222X Dash Cam review 70mai 4K A810 – Best midrange front/rear dash cam Pros Excellent front captures GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity Phone app Cons So-so rear capture processing Non-standard rear camera cable Best Prices Today: $152.99 at 70mai$179.99 at Amazon The market today is now saturated with 4K-front/1080p-rear camera setups, but the 70mai 4K A810 stands out from the rest. It’s absolutely loaded with great features such as onboard GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth for phone connectivity. The 3-inch IPS display provides a colorful and crisp image and it can be powered either via USB Type-A or Type-C cables. It also gives you advanced features like lane-departure and forward-collision warnings. All of that plus the A810 captures crystal-clear 4K images with the front camera and 1080p with the rear camera. Most other competitors don’t offer nearly the same features or image quality for the price either. For these reasons, the 70mai 4K A810 is an absolute midrange bargain among dual-channel dash cams. Read our full 70mai 4K A810 dash cam review Cobra SC 400D – Best premium front/rear dash cam Pros Excellent video captures, day and night, front and back 3-inch touchscreen display Voice control Alexa support (if you care) 2160p (4K UHD) if you want it Cons Very expensive Rear camera isn’t removable Best Prices Today: $395.95 at Amazon$399.99 at Best Buy Our review of the Cobra SC 400D left us smitten. It’s pricey, yes, but it delivers the goods with stunning images—4K for the front, 1080p in the rear—day or night. In addition to that it has all the trappings of a premium product: a sturdy magnetic mount with integrated GPS, a crisp 3-inch touchscreen display, and Alexa support for finding businesses and the like when you are on the road. It can also be expanded with an optional 120-degree FOV cam for the interior. Read our full Cobra SC 400D review Nextbase 622GW – Best premium front/rear runner-up Pros Stellar day and night captures Modular add-on 1080p cameras provide interior and rear coverage Alexa voice control and automatic emergency notifications Cons Expensive Best Prices Today: $349.99 at Best Buy$399.99 at Nextbase$499.98 at Amazon Prior to our review of the Cobra SC 400D above, the 622GW front/rear system was our hands-down favorite. And, really, it shares virtually all the same attributes as its rival—nice design and build quality, excellent day and night captures, drive mapping, a wonderful 3-inch display, emergency response to accidents, Alexa support, and the ability to add a third camera for interior views. Like the 400D, it carries a premium price tag. But in the end, you can’t go wrong with either model. Read our full Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam review Viofo A229 Plus – Best 3-channel dash cam Pros Front, interior, and rear cameras Discrete interior camera for versatile placement Colorful, detailed captures Rear captures are as good as the front captures Phone connectivity Cons Lots of wires to hide Best Prices Today: $269.99 at Amazon A dash cam is all about monitoring and recording your surroundings, and for that it’s hard to beat a 3-channel system. Combining front view, interior view, and rear view, a 3-channel dash cam makes sure nothing is missed. The Viofo A229 Plus is our pick for best 3-channel system due to strong 1440p front and rear captures, 1080p interior captures, and a whole host of great additional features. Not only do the front and rear view cameras offer solid resolutions, but the interior cam is discreet and all are easy to install. The Viofo A229 Plus also comes with an onboard mic for recording audio or receiving voice commands — an extremely convenient feature while driving. The A229 comes with GPS tagging, motion detection, and a parking mode as well. Needless to say, it’s chock-full of amenities and features. A 3-channel dash cam might not be for everyone, but if you need one, the Viofo A229 should be at the top of your list. Read our full Viofo A229 Plus 3-channel dash cam review Vantrue N5 – Best for 360 degree view Pros 4-channel, nearly surround coverage Good captures Embedded and watermarked GPS Voice control and phone connectivity Cons Pricey Uses lots of storage Best Prices Today: $399.99 at Vantrue The Vantrue N5 offers the most complete coverage of any dash cam system we’ve ever seen. It comes with 4-channels including a front, rear, and dual cabin cameras (one in the front facing aft and another in the rear facing forwards). All of these cameras allow you to see not only what is happening outside your vehicle, but also within it, and they even catch some blind spots that front/rearview cameras might miss. The N5 offers much more than just thorough coverage. It comes with watermarked GPS on board and excellent capture quality—the front cameras is capable of 1440p with superb night captures as well. You can also control the system via voice control and it offers great connectivity features as well. Overall, there is no other dash cam on the market that does a better job of capturing events in and around your car. Read our full Vantrue N5 dash cam review Miofive 4K – Best front-only dash cam Pros Compact, fully integrated design Very affordable for 4K with GPS Friendly voice notifications 64GB of internal storage Good day and night captures Cons Internal storage isn`t replaceable macOS won`t read the internal storage Best Prices Today: $129.99 at Amazon Prior to our review of the Miofive 4K, we would have tapped the Car and Driver Eye2 Pro as the best front-only dash cam with 4K, a fine product in its own right. But the Miofive costs $100 less, and offers integrated GPS as well as great video captures, 64GB of internal storage, a compact design, friendly voice notifications, and a super straightforward setup. So not only is this our favorite front dash cam with 4K, it’s our favorite front cam overall. Read our full Miofive 4K dash cam review Garmin Dash Cam 57 – Best front-only runner-up Pros Colorful, detailed captures day and night Small enough to hide behind your mirror Super-convenient magnetic mounting Phone and cloud connectivity Cons No rear camera option Best Prices Today: $227.99 at Amazon This small but mighty front dash cam has it all: great 1440p video with a 140-degree field of view, integrated GPS and driving assistance, good phone connectivity, an easy and convenient magnetic mounting system, and the backing of Garmin’s good name. Read our full Garmin Dash Cam 57 review iOttie Aivo View – Most stealth front-only cam Pros Easy to set up and use Very good day and night captures Magnetic mount Minimalist styling and operation Cons Requires iOttie account to set up and use Best Prices Today: $139.95 at Amazon For minimalist types, iOttie’s Aivo View consists of just a small camera that magnetically attached to a semi-permanent mount. It uses your phone as the interface and viewer. It can capture at up to 1600p/30 frames per second, or as low as 720p to save space on your inserted SD card. It also offers integrated GPS. The Aivo View does require that you set up an iOttie account. If that doesn’t sit well with you, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is another excellent choice for stealth operation, measuring just 1.23 x 2.1 x 1.5 inches—small enough to remain hidden behind your sun visor. It doesn’t have GPS, however. Read our full iOttie Aivo View dash cam review Cobra SC 201 – Best budget front/interior dash cam Pros Excellent video, especially at night Front and interior cameras for ride-givers GPS with automatic setup Included 16GB SD card Cons No captures without 12-volt Buggy software at the time of testing App does not support smartphones running Android 7 or older Best Prices Today: $179.95 at Amazon$179.99 at Best Buy Dash cams are all about capturing the action, and few do it better than the front/interior Cobra SC 201. The exterior night video, especially, is unsurpassed in its ability to show details in dark surroundings and it offers a laundry list of features including GPS and cloud uploads. The company even includes a 16GB SD card. It’s well worth the money for what you get—just don’t try to use the cloud functionality with an older phone OS. Read our full Cobra SC 201 Smart Dash Cam review Garmin Dash Cam Tandem – Best front/interior dash cam Pros Very easy to install and use Compact profile Excellent magnetic mount 360-degree front/interior view (minus obstructions) Cons Expensive Average captures Best Prices Today: $281.55 at Amazon$299.99 at GarminNot Available at Adorama Garmin’s front/interior camera is easy to install, features a compact body that helps it avoid detection, and has an excellent magnetic mount—all useful features that make up for the average 1440p/720p video capture quality. The Tandem doesn’t have a display; it nicely uses Bluetooth (as opposed to Wi-Fi) to connect to your phone, where Garmin’s easy-to-use app lets you configure settings—although the defaults are spot-on. Read our full Garmin Dash Cam Tandem review 70mai X200 Dash Cam Omni – Most fun dash cam Pros Unique, attractive design Motorized, 360 degree rotatable camera Highly detailed, colorful captures Cons Mild shimmer and more in captures Can’t be easily removed from vehicle Must be registered before use. Best Prices Today: $199.99 at 70mai$199.99 at Amazon Most dash cams have the same basic uninspired design, with very little innovation in the market. Fortunately, the 70mai X200 Dash Cam Omni has come around to fix that. Looking like something out of Wall-E, the pill-shaped camera uses a clever covering to hide a motorized 1080p, 60fps camera, that can rotate 360 degrees. It’s not just about the aesthetics with this dash cam either; the camera actually captures colorful and detailed video and images, day or night. It’s also easy to set up, has an app to control the camera, and comes with integrated GPS. It might be a bit off the beaten path compared to the standard dash cam, but the unique design and effective capture quality make the 70mai X200 much more than just a novelty. Read our full 70mai X200 dash cam review What to look for in a dash cam We’ll step you through what to think about when you’re shopping for a dash cam, from video capabilities, recording options, power connections, and more.  Video capabilities Dual-channel support: This is what you’ll need if you want to run both front and rear, or interior (cabin-view) cameras. Interior cameras are generally situated on the dash cam, but rear cameras are separate and require additional cabling.  A decently wide field of view: You’ll see cameras with as little as 90-degrees field of view, but you’ll catch more of what’s around you if you go for 120 to 140 degrees. Some cameras offer 160- to 180-degree lenses. Note that the wider the field of view, the more fish-eye distortion there is, and more processing is involved to compensate. Day and night video recording (night quality is a big variant) Infrared lighting is important if you want to assure good captures of nocturnal events inside the cabin of your vehicle. HDR (high dynamic range) isn’t necessary, but it does make for more detailed video because of better contrast. It also generally indicates richer color. WDR (wide dynamic range) is much like above, except it usually refers to only color and not contrast. Do you need 4K UHD? It’s easy to fall victim to the specsmanship of a higher-res image. In our tests, the gain in detail from 4K video (2160p) can vary, but the storage investment is consistently heavy: four times the storage of 1080p, or around 1GB for every three minutes of video. For most purposes,1080p is the more frugal everyday choice. Don’t avoid 4K UHD—which is a feature in our best overall picks—but read the reviews first so you know whether the cost is justified. Recording options Continuous loop recording to minimize storage requirements. Video is recorded, then immediately overwritten at a specified interval unless saved. Video is saved (protected from overwriting) automatically when an incident is detected. Most dash cams will overwrite older recordings when they run out of space.  Cloud storage is available with a few dash cams. Uploading to the cloud in real time is a nice hedge against damage and theft—assuming the thief isn’t smart enough to kill the dash cam immediately. It’s handy for those managing fleets of vehicles, too, as incident videos are safely stashed online. Self-powered recording when power fails, so that you can be sure to capture all of an incident. This requires a battery or large super-capacitor (see below in “Power connections”). The camera should have a setting that allows you to specify how long the camera runs off 12-volt before shutting down.  Incident recording triggered by impact (G) sensors, or when in parking mode (see below), by motion detection. MicroSD card storage. Pricier dash cams bundle a storage card. Some come with larger cards, and some budget models come without. There are often bundles available with the card. Some cameras opt for hard-wired internal storage, like the Miofive 4K. Power connections Something most people don’t consider before they buy is that dash cams connect to a power source in your car via a physical cable. That cable can sometimes be tucked out of the way, but more likely than not you’ll have loose cable hanging somewhere. You can sometimes fix this with a longer or shorter cable (or a professional installation). Keep that in mind as you consider your power options: Auxiliary 12-volt power (adequate): Most vendors have stuck with powering their dash cams via the auxiliary 12-volt power socket (also known as the cigarette lighter) and USB cables. It can lead to an unsightly cable run, and the power disappears when you turn off the car, but it’s universal and easy. Hard-wired 12-volt power (better): Most vendors offer kits that connect the dash cam directly to a constant 12-volt source in your wiring harness behind the dash. This provides always-on power, but it isn’t particularly easy to install. OBD-II 12-volt power (better): Outliers like the Owl and PureCam use the OBD-II connector for constant 12-volt power. OBD-II-to-USB power cables are now available separately (as an alternative to hardwiring kits that draw constant 12-volt power from the wiring harness). I recommend one with a USB Type-A port, which will accommodate any dash cam. Most of those with captive cables I’ve seen are mini-USB. The only downside is a long cable run, as the OBD-II port is usually next to the driver’s left knee, under the dash. Rearview 12-volt power (better): Another option that features a super-short cable run is powering your dash cam using your auto-dimming rearview mirror. You can find adapters for this at Dongar Technologies. If your car qualifies, this is by far your best option. Battery (or super-capacitor) power: Many dash cams come with super-capacitors, which allow the dash cam to operate for a brief period after losing regular power—such as during a collision. They don’t record for very long though, and sometimes not at all. A battery gives you a better chance of recording an entire incident, even when 12-volt power is lost. If run time is sufficient, it also allows you to record for a while with the car turned off.  Other handy features Phone connectivity is not essential, but can make offloading video and configuring the dash cam easier. We’ve noticed just recently (12/15/2020) that phone apps are starting to require later versions of Android. If you’re rocking anything older than 8, keep that in mind. GPS: This feature could be the tipping point if you use your captured video to resolve a dispute. Watermarking the video is common, but when embedded into the video, GPS info is also immensely useful for mapping your travels. GPS will also automatically set the time in better cameras. Parking monitoring: This can mean two things. Running the dash cam continuously in low frame-rate mode to save card space and battery, or running in standby mode and awakening when motion or g-forces are detected. We’ve reviewed cameras that have a battery large enough to monitor the car with the 12-volt turned off for several days, but most cameras require a constant 12-volt source. How we test dash cams Few people are as well situated geographically as I am to test dash cams. Within two blocks there are major four- and six-lane thoroughfares, numerous bike lanes, joggers, dog walkers, oblivious ear-budded pedestrians, and a major bus nexus serving both public and private coaches. The opportunities for near-accidents are endless. For every dash cam, I mount it in my car, judging the ease and convenience of doing so. Tip: Many dash cams rely on adhesive for mounting to your windshield. Hot conditions can make it next to impossible to remove the film that protects the adhesive. Remove the film in a cool environment, or place it in the fridge for a minute or two before installing it. I put each dash cam through several days’ and nights’ worth of driving, recording video and judging the image quality. All the dash cams I’ve reviewed in the last couple of years take good daytime video. However, night video is often plagued by murky shadows and headlight flare. That said, quality is improving rapidly with the introduction of new sensors. Take a close look at the night shots in each review.  I try all the features: Buttons, display controls, apps. Aside from rear-view support and GPS, the most salient differences between the products are the interface controls and extra features, such as the lane departure and collision warnings that you get with some models. I try them…and I turn them off. In practice, they usually tell me I’m changing lanes, in heavy traffic, or have just been cut off. I know that. Additionally, the collision warnings generally come too late to do anything but distract you at exactly the wrong time.  Note that the one thing I can’t relate to you is the longevity of any dash cam, as my testing occurs over a relatively short amount of time. Please check user reviews on various sites and pay attention to the warranty. FAQ 1. Do I really need a dash cam? The use of dash cams in consumer vehicles is a relatively recent trend, and people have been driving just fine without them for a long time. However, while it might not be necessary, there are legitimate benefits to using a dash cam in your car.  Many people who purchase and install dash cams use them as a type of insurance policy for their actions and those of others on the road. Dash cams can protect you from other drivers in a number of ways. They can help you prove your innocence in the event of an accident. They may also act as a deterrent against aggressive drivers. And some dash cams come with features that have motion-sensor parking modes that can record any possible hit-and-runs or thefts while you are away from your car. In the end, it’s ultimately up to you as to whether you believe the possible benefits of buying and using a dash cam are worth the investment. 2. Is it legal to use a dash cam? Yes, in all U.S. states, dash cams are legal. However, it’s best to check with your particular state’s traffic laws to determine what type of dash cam you should use. For example, not all states allow a dash cam to be mounted to a windshield—it’s best to do a little research before you buy. 3. Will a dash cam drain my car battery? Probably not. And by that, we mean almost certainly not. A standard dash cam with front and rear coverage, motion detection, and Wi-Fi all operating while your car is parked will only consume about 0.25 to 0.45 amps per hour. A typical small or midsize car battery is rated at 45 amp hours. This means that while your car is turned off it will take a few days for your car battery to get low from powering your dash cam. Another feature that’s becoming more common in dash cams is a low-voltage cutoff as a safeguard against dead batteries. This feature automatically shuts-down your dash cam if it senses that the power drops below a certain threshold. So you can rest assured knowing that your dash cam won’t kill your car battery. 4. How much storage should I have for my dash cam? Dash cams use removable SD or microSD cards to store recorded data. Unlike your phone or mobile device, which stops you from adding more pictures or videos when the memory is full, a dash cam instead just uses an overwrite function to record over old data. Therefore, you shouldn’t have to worry about your dash cam shutting off because the memory card is full.  That being said, if you want to ensure that you aren’t overwriting valuable old data, you’ll want to get an adequate-sized memory card, and consider the resolution at which the camera captures the video. 4K recordings take up a lot more space than 1080p recordings. We believe that the sweet spot for a memory card is somewhere around 128GB. Even if you are recording in 4K, this will allow you to record continuously for around five hours, or around 20 hours if you record at 1080p. Thankfully though, memory cards are relatively cheap and you won’t need to break the bank if you opt for even more storage capacity. Dash Cams Read...

If you’ve purchased anything from Dell in the past seven years, it’s likely that the Dark Web now knows as well. Dell is confirming a data breach that reportedly covers “49 million customer records,” according to Bleeping Computer. While Dell is confirming that a breach occurred, the scope of the breach hasn’t been confirmed. A hacker on the Dark Web is reportedly claiming that the breach involves the 49 million records, with information that dates back seven years ago to 2017. What Dell is telling people, according to the report, is that name, address, and hardware, service, and order information was leaked. If you’ve purchased anything from Dell, or engaged with customer support for a service or warranty request, that information is likely available to whoever wants to buy the information. So far, Dell is not saying that any financial information was breached, including credit cards or payment information, or even your telephone number or email address. That’s good, but as Bleeping Computer points out, it does leave you potentially vulnerable to a physical attack — i.e. someone sending a letter and using your Dell service history as “proof” that the contact is legitimate. Such a followup could include asking for financial information, however, or some other attack that tries to extract personal information. Right now, Dell doesn’t believe that there is “significant risk,” and they’re probably right if the initial scope of the breach is accurate. If you have purchased a Dell PC or peripheral, though, keep an eye open for suspicious activity. Laptops, Security Software and Services Read...

Wow, Corsair owns a lot of stuff now. The gaming accessory company first branched out into full-blown PCs by buying Origin, then streaming gear with Elgato, super-premium controllers with Scuf, and boutique keyboards and audiophile gear with Drop (formerly Massdrop). The company now has its sights on Fanatec, a maker of high-end gear for fans of simulation racing. If you’re not up on the sim scene, Fanatec sells seriously pricey racing wheels, pedals, shifters, and even full racing chairs and “cockpits” for building a dedicated simulation rig. It’s the kind of stuff you see in the office-slash-gaming den of someone who’s poured multiple thousands of dollars into an amazing racing game setup. It fits in with Corsair’s ambitions of delivering everything a high-end gamer wants, from monitors to mice to manual gearboxes. Corsair made the announcement in a press release, quoting both its own CEO and the CEO of Endor, owner of the Fanatec brand. The deal is in “exclusive negotiations” at the moment, and not finalized, because Endor has 70 million euros (about $75 million USD) in debt that needs to be addressed. But that should be small potatoes for Corsair, which claimed $1.4 billion in earnings in 2023. Corsair’s expansions as of late have definitely steered towards the premium end of the market — Fanatec’s most expensive racing wheel is $1,500, for example. It’ll be interesting to see if the company keeps Fanatec in its own, extremely specialized space, or more completely integrates it into the parent company a la Elgato and Scuf. Video Games Read...

A quality monitor arm is one of the best upgrades you can make to your home office setup. Not only do monitor arms provide you with more options to move and position your displays around your desk, but they also free up usable space on your desk surface. Plus, they help your setup look cool. The only catch is the price. Most monitor arms worth buying will set you back close to $200, and heavy-duty arms capable of holding two large displays are even pricier. The good news is that if you buy a good-quality monitor arm, you’ll likely never need to replace it. That’s why it’s important to choose wisely with your first monitor arm purchase, so you have confidence that it’s money well spent. To help you in that endeavor, we’ve put several popular monitor arms through their paces to find the best of the bunch. Below you’ll find our curated list of recommended monitor arms, with thorough explanations of what qualities made them stand out. And below that, we point out some arms that we weren’t so keen on — to provide a point of comparison. If you’re still on the fence about whether a monitor arm is worth the money and the time it takes to set up, read our article that answers why a monitor arm is most definitely worth it. From the flexibility to the increased desk space to the professional aesthetic, you’ll wonder why you’ve been settling for the limitations of a standard-issue monitor stand for so long! Further reading: See our roundups of the best monitors and best home office monitors for display recommendations. Ergotron LX – Best monitor arm Best Prices Today: $204.82 at Amazon$205 at Lenovo$275 at CDW The Ergotron LX is a sturdy, practical monitor arm that can handle most monitors. It’s easy to set up, easy to use, and (when purchased in its white or polished aluminum colorway) attractive. Ergotron positions the LX as an entry-level monitor arm, but the company’s definition of “entry level” exceeds most competitors. The arm is primarily constructed from metal, with some plastic cladding, and can support monitors that weigh up to 25 pounds. Ergotron recommends sticking to monitors 34 inches wide or smaller. The monitor arm is backed by a 10-year warranty. The arm has a healthy range of adjustment that includes 13 inches of lift, 75 degrees of tilt, 360 degrees of rotation, and 360 degrees of pan (or swivel). While not as smooth as the Herman Miller Flo, I was able to adjust the monitor arm left, right, forward, and back without standing. Setup is simple. The monitor has an included clamp and grommet mount. Installation is mostly handled with a bundled Allen wrench, though you’ll still need a Philips head screwdriver to attach your monitor to the VESA mount. Most owners will be able to install smaller monitors (24 to 27 inches) alone, but help is recommended for larger displays. Ergotron also avoids any serious flaws. I have a few nitpicks, sure. I think the clamp could be smaller. The white colorway doesn’t have a color coordinated VESA mount. And the arm’s overall design looks a bit industrial. Still, this is a bomb-proof mount, and it’s available under $200.   Workstream by Monoprice – Best budget monitor arm Best Prices Today: $52.06 at Amazon The Workstream by Monoprice single monitor arm is a no-frills solution that delivers basic monitor arm features at an exceptionally low price. The monitor arm has an all-metal construction that in some ways feels sturdier than the Ergotron LX, as the Workstream doesn’t include as much plastic cladding. It’s not entirely a win, though, as the plastic that exists feels frail (and I even broke a small, though unnoticeable, bit while adjusting the monitor). It provides a good range of adjustment, with 13.2 inches of height and 90 degrees of tilt, swivel, and rotation. The arm’s height and tilt adjustment are comparable to others on this list, but it can’t swivel in a full circle, which may prove annoying if you frequently move a monitor arm to share your screen with colleagues. The Workstream’s slim budget is felt in its difficult setup and stiff operation. Users will need to install several screws for a clamp or gromet mount. More screws may need to be adjusted once the arm is in place, as its default tension proved inadequate for supporting a 32-inch monitor. Monoprice lists the monitor as capable of supporting 20 pounds, but I felt the 32-inch monitor (which weighed 15 pounds) was pushing the Workstream to its limits. Monoprice also skimps on the warranty, offering just one year of coverage. These flaws are easily excused by the Workstream’s $60 price tag. It’s clearly less capable, less attractive, and more difficult to use than Ergotron’s LX, but it offers a good range of adjustment and durable construction for less than half the price. It’s an ideal choice for shoppers on a tight budget, as well as those who plan to install a small, light 24-inch or 27-inch monitor. Herman Miller Flo – Best upscale monitor arm Best Prices Today: $236 at Herman Miller Want a monitor arm that gets the job done and looks good doing it? The Herman Miller Flo is for you. The Flo’s design sets it apart from the pack. Herman Miller ditches the angular, industrial design of many competitors for a smooth, natural look. While clearly designed for a corporate office, it also fits in with a home office setup, where its friendly, approachable look helps it blend in with its surroundings. The Flo is backed by a 12-year warranty and offers 24/7 customer service. It’s easy to set up and use. The monitor’s clamp works similarly to other monitor arms I tested, but it’s more refined and requires fewer screws (a grommet is also available). The VESA mount is also excellent, providing a simple clip design that’s secure and can be easily pre-mounted to a monitor for simple installation. The way this mount works accommodates monitors that have a slightly recessed mount position, which may cause problems for other monitor arms. The monitor’s range of adjustment isn’t much different from other high-end monitor arms. It offers 13.3 inches of vertical adjustment, 80 degrees of tilt, and 360 degrees of swivel and rotation. That’s essentially identical to the less expensive Ergotron LX. The Flo’s operation is smoother, however: I found I could adjust a monitor’s height with a mere nudge. Surprisingly, the Flo has a listed weight limit of 20 pounds and recommends use with monitors weighing at least 7 pounds. Most monitors fit within this range, but some heavier models won’t be compatible with the Flo. Herman Miller lists the Flo at $295, which is a lot to ask for a single-monitor arm. The Ergotron LX offers similar features at a much lower price. However, the Flo is a smoother, more appealing monitor arm, and worth the upgrade if you want form with your function. Ergotron HX – Best heavy-duty monitor arm Best Prices Today: $345 at Lenovo$349 at Amazon$349 at CDW It’s natural, given the only slight difference in name, to think the Ergotron HX is merely an uprated version of the Ergotron LX. That’s not the case. This is an entirely different monitor arm which pairs its increased capacity with improved build quality and a more professional look. First, let’s talk weight. The Ergotron HX is rated to hold monitors that weigh up to 42 pounds and screen sizes up to 49 inches. That’s an extraordinarily high weight limit—I haven’t reviewed a single monitor in 2023 that exceeds it. I attached both a 32-inch widescreen and 38-inch ultrawide monitor, which weighed roughly 15 and 20 pounds, respectively, and the HX easily handled both. The use of plastic is minimal and reserved for small portions of cladding that appear used only for cable routing. The arm’s moving parts include larger, sturdier mechanisms, and felt extremely smooth in my use. Ergotron backs the arm with a 10-year warranty. The monitors range of adjustment is a bit limited compared to the LX. It offers 11.5 inches of height, 75 degrees of tilt, 180 degrees of swivel, and 360 degrees of rotation. However, a somewhat more limited height adjustment is typical in this category due to the size of monitors these stands are expected to carry. The monitor arm’s impressive design also provides a more robust look. This could be a con for some, however, as the arm can seem a bit…much in a home office setup. It’s an expensive arm, as well. Expect to pay about $350. The Ergotron HX is an obvious choice if you want to mount an ultrawide, super-ultrawide, or large format widescreen monitor on your desk. Humanscale M2.1 with M/Connect – Best monitor arm w/ built-in dock Best Prices Today: $356 at Humanscale The Humanscale M2.1 with M/Connect laptop docking station is an attractive, robust, and modern monitor arm that can expand your laptop’s connectivity without taking up additional space on your desktop. Humanscale’s entry-level M2.1 doesn’t include a laptop dock, but it’s designed to accommodate the M/Connect 3, which nestles snuggly into the base of the arm. Most home office shoppers will likely choose the M/Connect 3 USB Data Hub, which currently retails for $253 (on top of the M2.1’s base price of $356). The hub adds three USB-C ports and two USB-A ports. If you want even more ports, the $600 M/Connect 3 Pro Dock adds two more USB-A ports, two more USB-C, Ethernet, and two DisplayPort ports. The M/Connect 3’s added connectivity is an excellent way to expand the ports on a laptop. Its central location makes the ports easy to access and keeps them firmly located in a set position on your desk (as opposed to freestanding hubs and adapters, which tend to get shoved around, or off, a desk). It’s also a good alternative to a USB-C monitor. We like USB-C monitors, but packing connectivity into the monitor can make it difficult to access some ports, as most are located on the rear of the display. Connectivity aside, the Humanscale M2.1 is a robust, if conventional, monitor arm. It can handle monitors between 5 and 15 pounds, which is enough to support the vast majority of widescreen monitors under 32 inches in size. It also has a “smart stop” feature, which lets users customize the amount of rotation the arm allows, and easy-to-use quick release joints that are handy when disassembling or moving the arm. The arm isn’t as smooth in operation as the Herman Miller Flo, but it remains easy enough to adjust. Ergotron LX Dual Monitor Arm – Best dual monitor arm Best Prices Today: $405 at Lenovo$415 at Amazon$415 at CDW Two monitors are always better than one, and the same goes for monitor arms. It’s no surprise, then, that Ergotron’s LX Side-by-Side ranks as our best dual monitor arm. The Ergotron LX Side-by-Side pairs two LX monitor arms together on one mount. The look, feel, and specifications of each arm are close to its standalone sibling. Monitor size is one exception: While the standard LX is rated for monitors up to 34 inches, the Side-by-Side’s arm is only rated for monitors up to 27 inches. The monitor arms aren’t long enough to fit two 32-inch or 34-inch monitors side-by-side. Vertical arrangements are also supported, though only if one of the two monitors is small (less than 23 inches diagonal). Look and feel is otherwise similar to the standard Ergotron LX, and that’s why the dual monitor arm also earns a recommendation. The dual-monitor arm provides the same winning balance of build quality, adjustability, and smooth operation, and it’s backed by the same 10-year warranty.  Pricing is a bit higher at $330, which is a slight savings compared to buying two LX arms individually. Workstream by Monoprice Dual Monitor Arm – Best budget dual monitor arm Best Prices Today: $95.75 at Amazon$99.99 at Monoprice The same logic that applies to our favorite dual monitor arm also to the budget model, giving Monoprice’s Workstream Dual Monitor Arm a clear path to victory. In fact, the dual arm’s pricing is even more impressive. The Workstream Dual Monitor is four times less expensive than the Ergotron LX Side-by-Side. I’m a bit shocked by the quality Monoprice can offer at a $100 price point. Ergotron’s alternative is more attractive and easier to use, but is it four times better? That’s a tough call. The Workstream’s downsides are identical to standard model. Build quality is impressive for the price, but the arm is difficult to set up and not as smooth in operation. I’m also doubtful the arm is capable of handling two 20-pound monitors, as its spec sheets claim. Fortunately, 27-inch monitors (the largest this arm can handle side-by-side) usually weigh less than 10 pounds, so weight capacity shouldn’t be an issue. Huanuo HNDS12 – Best mid-range dual monitor arm Best Prices Today: €94.89 at Amazon DE$139.99 at Amazon The Huanuo HNDS12 represents a middle ground for shoppers who want an upgrade in quality but need to respect their budget. Each monitor arm is almost all metal with only a small piece of plastic to provide cable routing. The arm also has gas springs capable of lifting up to 26 pounds of weight, which is enough to handle 32-inch widescreen and 34-inch ultrawide monitors. There’s one unusual feature: a USB hub. This includes two USB ports that are placed at the front of the arm base. Each of these will need to plug in to your computer, which might be a problem if you have a laptop with just a few ports, but it’s a functional bonus. The Huanuo HNDS12, like the HNDS6 (below), is a bit fiddly to set up. It has two clamps that need to be adjusted and roughly a dozen screws that need to be installed. The gas springs also require a bit of adjustment to reduce the force provide, at least when used with a 24-inch or 27-inch monitor.  Still, the HNDS12 is a good pick at its regular retail price of $140, which often drops as low as $110 when on sale. It looks attractive and offers plenty of force for holding larger monitors. Monitor arms that we don’t recommend Humanscale M8.1 Best Prices Today: $545 at Humanscale Humanscale is synonymous with high-end office furniture: The Freedom chair is something of an icon in executive offices across the globe. But Humanscale’s high-end office hardware is at times an awkward fit for a home office, as the M8.1 demonstrates. The Humanscale M8.1 looks similar to the M2.1, but it’s upgraded to handle monitors between 6 and 28 pounds (almost double the M2.1 in our list above). That’s enough to handle nearly any monitor available today, including large ultrawides like the Dell Ultrasharp U4025QW. The arm can also handle two monitors of the appropriate combined weight and offers a “crossbar” to support them both on a single arm. That’s good, and useful, but pricing is an obstacle. The arm starts at $545, but the crossbar (required to use two monitors) ups the price to $686. The M/Connect 3 laptop dock is also available to the M8.1 but, of course, adds even more to the price. That’s a bit hard to accept when the Ergotron HX, which supports monitors up to 42 pounds, starts at $350, or $585 for the dual-monitor crossbar version. Ergotron’s alternative feels as sturdy, supports even larger and heavier displays, and is less expensive. The Humanscale M8.1 has features you won’t find on the Ergotron, such as an optional laptop dock and customizable arm rotation, and it’s a fine selection if price is no obstacle. In most cases, though, the M8.1’s price will be hard to justify. Huanuo HNDS6 Best Prices Today: $67.99 at HuanuoNot Available at Amazon Huanuo’s HNDS6 is a budget dual-monitor arm that’s popular on Amazon (in fact, it’s listed as the best-seller in Computer Monitor Arms). It provides a reasonable level of quality at a low price but fails to unseat the Workspace by Monoprice Dual Monitor Arm on our list. We’ll begin with the positives, which, to be clear, outweigh the problems. The Huanuo HNDS6 carefully walks the value tightrope to deliver a decent dual-monitor arm at a typical price of $60 (which can dip below $50 on sale). The arm’s metal construction feels rigid and looks durable. Each arm is rated to hold between 4.4 and 14.3 pounds. That’s not a lot: The Workstream by Monoprice arm is rated up to 20 pounds. Still, it’s enough to handle a huge majority of 24- and 27-inch monitors, and the monitor arms provided plenty of lift in our testing. We’re not a fan of the arm’s installation. It has two clamps instead of one unified clamp, which is strange, because the base of the monitor arm is one solid piece. There are roughly a dozen screws to install. And the included cable routing can prove hard to tighten once several cables are held within the routing. The Huanuo HNDS6 is a decent dual-monitor arm for the price and worthwhile on a discount (it was once sold for just $38). In general, though, we think the Monoprice Workstream Dual Monitor Arm provides more for a similar price. What to look for in a monitor arm Purchasing a monitor arm is a bit different from purchasing most home office gear. A monitor arm, unlike a monitor, is a hefty, durable piece of equipment that never really goes obsolete. It must also support the specific functions you want out of the box, since upgrades and customization tend to be limited. Adjustability and range of motion The range of adjustability and motion a monitor arm can offer is a critical but often overlooked feature. A monitor arm should adjust for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot—and it should do so without tools. All the monitor arms we recommend meet this standard, but some differences remain. Only some monitor arms provide 360 degrees of swivel, meaning the neck of the monitor arm can be rotated to any position. That’s handy if your desk is in the middle of your room since you can use the monitor from various positions. Most inexpensive monitor arms ditch adjustability and stick with simple tension mechanisms that are secured by a screw. It’s inexpensive but fixes the monitor’s position in place once it’s adjusted. We recommend avoiding mounts that use this strategy. Ease of installation and adjustment None of the monitor arms tested were difficult to install, but the difference between budget and premium models was clear. Budget models require more screws to install, and the default tension of the arm’s adjustment mechanism is less likely to be suitable out-of-the-box. The ease of adjustment varies greatly, too. All the monitor arms we surveyed require an Allen wrench to adjust tension (which is necessary if the arm seems too stiff or loose), but some were much more difficult than others. The Herman Miller Flo felt smooth and effortless, while the Workstream by Monoprice required serious torque. Cable management Proper cable management is important if you value a clean, clutter-free desk. This is one aspect of design that didn’t improve with pricing. The Herman Miller Flo’s cable management was basic, while the Workstream by Monoprice hid cables well. This did come with a trade-off, though, as the Flo’s seemed least likely to cause cables to bind while moving the monitor. While cable management is useful, none of the monitor arms I tested can handle the full complement of cables that might be attached to a high-end USB-C monitor (like the Dell U3223QE). This is an aspect of monitor arm design that manufacturers could improve. Maximum supported size and weight It’s important to buy a monitor arm that can handle the monitor you own. This won’t be a major concern if you own a 24-inch or 27-inch monitor, as most such monitors weigh 10 pounds or less. With that said, it’s wise to double-check the monitor’s weight before buying a monitor arm. Remember the monitor’s weight can exclude its stand. Larger 32-inch, 34-inch, and 49-inch monitors are more difficult to handle and may require an upgrade to a “heavy duty” monitor arm. Monitor size limits should be respected as well. It might be possible to attach a 40-inch monitor to an arm meant for a 32-inch monitor. The 40-inch monitor may even come within the arm’s weight limit. A larger monitor will distribute weight differently, however, which could cause an arm’s tension mechanism to fail. How we test monitor arms Every monitor arm we recommend was personally tested first-hand at a PC World contributor’s home or the PC World office. We examine the quality, ease of installation, and range of adjustment of each arm to verify it meets the manufacturer’s claims. The monitors we use to test arms can vary over time, but generally include at least one 27-inch and one 32-inch widescreen monitor. Monitor arms rated for “heavy duty” use were tested with at least one monitor that weighs 20 pounds or more. FAQ 1. Is a monitor arm worth it? Whether a monitor arm is worth the price is subjective, but we believe our recommended monitor arms are worth making the investment. A monitor arm is easier to use than a stand, allows a wider range of adjustment, and keeps your desk clear of clutter. They’re also durable—there’s a good chance you’ll replace a monitor before the monitor arm. 2. Are monitor arms compatible with my monitor? Nearly all monitors, and nearly all monitor arms, use the VESA mounting standard. The 100x100mm bolt pattern is by far the most common, though 75x75mm is sometimes used as an alternative. All the monitor arms we recommend support both bolt patterns. Not sure that your monitor supports VESA? Check the rear of the monitor. The VESA mount can be found in the center of the monitor, and the bolt pattern can be verified with a ruler or tape measure. This is likely beneath the neck of your monitor’s stand if you have one attached. It’s possible to mount a monitor that lacks a VESA mount, but you’ll need to purchase a VESA adapter. It’s a large, X-shaped device that clamps to the rear of the monitor. 3. Are monitor arms compatible with my desk? Most monitor arms offer two mounting options: clamp and gromet. A clamp mount is the most common for home office use. A U-shaped clamp fits over an edge of your desk. A screw mechanism is used to secure it. Most clamps are adjusted by hand and fit a wide range of desks. It’s important to double-check a monitor arm’s specifications if your desk is more than an inch thick, as some clamp mounts are too small to work with a thick desk surface. The clamp also requires an edge that’s free of obstructions on both the top and bottom of the desk. Grommet mounts insert into the circular cut-outs found on many desks built and sold for corporate offices. A grommet mount is also a form of clamp, but size of the mechanism is different, and the mount attaches the monitor to the interior of the desk instead of an exterior edge. Nearly all monitor arms ship with a clamp and grommet mount, but grommet mounts are less common. It’s wise to double-check that a grommet mount is supported if that’s how you plan to mount the monitor arm. 4. Will a monitor arm damage my desk? It’s possible that a monitor arm’s clamp mount, if used, will cause minor damage to your desk. It may scratch the desk’s surface when mounted or removed, and over-torquing the clamp might cause a dent on some softer desks, such as those which use a veneer over particleboard. A glass desk can also prove troublesome—refer to the desk’s manufacturer to make sure it’s safe to use a monitor arm. 5. Do monitor arms wobble? A quality monitor arm will tame minimal monitor wobble, though some might come through if the arm is mounted to a thin, light desk. Make sure to mount the monitor arm to a secure surface and adjust the arm’s tension to a level suitable for the monitor you’ve mounted. 6. Should I buy a $25 monitor arm on Amazon? A monitor arm’s price tag can intimidate budget shoppers. Most budget monitors sell for $200 or less. Spending another $150 to $300 for a monitor arm can seem hard to justify. Still, we encourage shoppers to avoid cheap monitor arms found on Amazon and other retailers. The least expensive monitor arms lack a dynamic tension mechanism, like a gas piston or spring. A few arms in the $35 to $50 range use a gas piston, but it’s often a wimpy example barely sufficient for holding a 27-inch monitor. Inexpensive monitor arms also lean more heavily on plastic. That’s not necessarily a problem out-of-the-box, but plastic tends to become brittle over time, which may reduce the lifespan of a monitor arm. Accessories, Computer Accessories, Monitors Read...

There are a lot of Windows-powered alternatives to the Steam Deck. And one of their biggest problems is, well, Windows — it just isn’t designed for these tiny screens, and Valve’s home-brewed SteamOS runs circles around it in terms of interface and access to games. Microsoft is hoping to alleviate at least some of those problems with some updates to the Xbox app. The Xbox app, you’ll recall, is Microsoft’s attempt to unify your gaming interface across PC and consoles…assuming you only use Xbox as a console. (And based on sales data, that’s a pretty small slice of the market. But I digress.) Microsoft introduced a “compact mode” for the app last year, which seems to be little more than a bit of menu shrinking based on my impressions. get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro The newest update should be a bit more substantial, with a new portion of the home interface called “Jump Back In.” It’s basically the same idea as the “continue playing” thingie you see on streaming apps like Netflix. Your nine most recent games will appear right at the top of the UI. Microsoft is also tweaking the Friends panel to make it easier to access on handheld devices. You’ll need to be part of the Xbox Insider program (which is different from Windows Insider, you don’t have to update the whole OS) to get access to Compact Mode and the latest tweaks. You can opt-in via the Windows Store here. Earlier this year, Xbox chief Phil Spencer said Windows is holding gaming handhelds back. It’s good to see Microsoft actively doing something about it. Video Games Read...

Looking for a new display for your desktop or laptop, preferably at a great price? Then you’ll want to check out Amazon’s limited time blowout sale on Samsung monitors. There are over twenty choices for new screens, some with some seriously deep discounts. The cheapest among them is just a hundred bucks, but if you want to go big, the company’s flagship OLED gaming monitor is also on sale. We’re going to highlight a few of our favorite Samsung monitor deals here, but the full sale has something for everyone (including monitors for pros and with smart TV capabilities built-in) if these don’t catch your eye. At the bottom end is this 22-inch 1080p LCD monitor, going for just $99.99, $20 off the retail price. It’s nothing fancy — in fact it’s still rocking an old-fashioned VGA port, in addition to a more modern HDMI. But it is an IPS panel, which has better color accuracy than the cheaper VA designs usually found in this price range. It’s also ever-so-slightly faster than most budget monitors at 75Hz, and includes a headphone jack. Grab three to go with this ultra-discounted triple monitor arm and you’d have an amazing multi-monitor setup for way cheaper than usual. Get a 22` Samsung 1080p monitor for $99.99 In the mid-range I’d go for the 32-inch Samsung Odyssey G55C, a QHD monitor (2560×1440) with a slight curve and some serious speed. At 165Hz and just 1 millisecond response time it has the juice to keep up with the latest multiplayer games, and it’s on sale for a cool $50 off the retail price at $279.99. Get a 32` QHD Samsung gaming monitor for $279.99 For those with a big desk and a big budget, the massive 49-inch Odyssey G93SC is what you want. With the latest super-vibrant, perfect black OLED panel, 5120×1440 resolution (two QHD panels smooshed and curved into one) and 240Hz of speed, it’ll make even the most powerful gaming PCs beg for mercy. This screen comes with some serious side dishes, with USB-C video, an integrated USB hub and KVM switch, displaying dual inputs side by side or picture-in-picture, and even Samsung’s smart TV software for streaming apps and games with no PC at all. This ultrawide OLED launched at $2000 last year, and Amazon normally sells it at $1600. With a $500 discount it’s just $1099.99 today, with an extra coupon on the page for yet another $100 off bringing the final price to $999.99. Okay, a thousand dollars is only “just” so much from an Obi-Wan-style “certain point of view.” But it’s still an impressive discount. Get a 49` Samsung OLED ultrawide gaming monitor for $999.99 Once again: There are over 20 Samsung monitors at steep discounts in Amazon’s sale. But act fast if you’re ready to upgrade, because a banner warns this blowout is only for a limited time. Monitors Read...

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