The Herman Miller Ollin and the Herman Miller Flo are two of the best high-end monitor arms you can buy, but they serve different users. The Ollin is a highly responsive arm designed for effortless, "finger-touch" adjustment of lightweight screens, making it ideal for constant repositioning. In contrast, the Flo is a versatile and robust workhorse that accommodates a wider range of monitor weights and prioritizes stability and a foolproof setup.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right Herman Miller monitor arm for your desk setup.
Herman Miller Ollin Monitor Arm
The Ollin is Herman Miller's premium, dynamic monitor arm engineered for unparalleled smoothness and responsiveness. It utilizes a technical cord spring mechanism that allows it to feel incredibly light and easy to adjust with just one hand. This design makes it a top choice for users with lightweight monitors, laptops on a tray, and touchscreens that need to be moved frequently throughout the day.
- What it is: A dynamic monitor arm with a spring-based mechanism for effortless, precise adjustment of lightweight screens.
- Key features: Technical spring system allows "finger-touch" low-friction movement, supports displays from 0 to 20 pounds, 180-degree rotation stop to prevent collisions.
- Price: Around $325
- Dimensions: Vertical adjustment range of 13.5", horizontal reach of 26.5".
- Materials/Construction: Main components made from powder-coated aluminum, with an integrated cable management system to keep your desk tidy.
- Style: Sleek, minimalist, and compact. It has a modern, organic design that seamlessly blends into a clean desk aesthetic.
- Pros: Exceptionally smooth and effortless adjustment. Perfect for sit-stand desks where frequent height changes occur. Ideal for very light displays or touchscreens that other arms struggle with. Svelte design takes up minimal visual space.
- Cons: Has a strict weight limit of 20 lbs and is not suitable for heavier monitors. Higher price point for its specific use case. Lacks an external tension gauge for setup.
The Ollin is perfect for creative professionals, active sit-stand desk users, and anyone who values fluid motion over sheer strength for their lightweight screen.
Shop this product: store.hermanmiller.com/office-accessories/ollin-monitor-arm/2542562.html
Herman Miller Flo Monitor Arm
The Flo Monitor Arm is one of Herman Miller's most popular ergonomic solutions, known for being a durable and versatile "jack-of-all-trades." It uses a patented geometric spring system and a visual weight gauge that makes installation simple and reliable. The Flo is a common sight in corporate offices and busy home workspaces as a dependable workhorse that confidently supports a wide range of standard monitors.
- What it is: A versatile and reliable monitor arm with a patented geometric spring system and a user-friendly setup.
- Key features: Patented geometric spring mechanism, visual indicator weight gauge for easy tension adjustment, supports screens from 7 to 20 pounds.
- Price: Around $265
- Dimensions: Vertical adjustment range of 13", horizontal reach of 20.6".
- Materials/Construction: Built with a mix of aluminum and steel components for maximum stability and durability. Features clip-on cable management guides.
- Style: Utilitarian and classic ergonomic. Its design is more functional and robust than sleek, designed for performance in any work environment.
- Pros: Incredibly easy to set up thanks to the visual weight gauge. Handles a broad scope of monitor weights with great stability. A slightly lower price point makes it an excellent value. A tried-and-true design that’s durable and trustworthy.
- Cons: Adjustment feels more controlled and deliberate, rather than Ollin's "finger-touch" smoothness. The aesthetics are more industrial and functional than premium. Horizontal reach is slightly less than the Ollin.
The Flo provides best-in-class stability and reliability for nearly any standard office setup, especially for those who want a one-and-done solution.
Shop this product: store.hermanmiller.com/office-accessories/flo-monitor-arm/4088.html
Ollin vs. Flo Monitor Arm Comparison
Movement & Adjustability
The biggest difference between the Ollin and the Flo is the feel of their movement. The Ollin uses a technical cord spring system that provides an incredibly smooth, low-friction glide. Adjusting it requires close to zero effort, you can move a lightweight screen around with a single finger. This makes it superior for constant micromovements, tilting, and rotating throughout the workday.
The Herman Miller Flo features a patented geometric spring that delivers a more controlled, deliberate motion. While still quite smooth, it feels more robust and purposeful, providing great stability once in position. This predictability is ideal for standard office work where you set the monitor to your ideal ergonomic height and largely leave it there, only making occasional adjustments or moving it out of the way.
Installation & Setup
When it comes to initial setup, the Flo has a distinct user-friendly advantage: its visual weight indicator gauge. This dial allows you to set the spring tension to match your monitor's weight before you mount the screen, taking all the guesswork out of the process. You simply turn the knob to the correct setting, attach your monitor, and it works perfectly. It’s nearly foolproof.
The Herman Miller Ollin requires a bit more of a trial-and-error approach. After mounting the screen, you use an Allen key to adjust the tension until the monitor holds its position without drifting up or down. While this process is straightforward, the Flo’s visual gauge makes setup faster and more confidence-inspiring for first-time users.
Weight Capacity & Compatibility
Your monitor's weight is a crucial factor. The Ollin is specifically designed for lighter loads, with a weight range of 0 to 20 pounds. It truly excels with displays under 15 pounds, as well as laptops or tablets on trays, where its effortless counterbalancing shines.
The standard Flo monitor arm handles a weight range of 7 to 20 pounds. Its mechanism is better suited for the bulk of typical 24- to 27-inch office monitors that fall within this window. Its sturdy operation provides slightly more peace of mind when holding a monitor close to its 20-pound limit. For heavier screens, Herman Miller offers Flo Plus and dual-monitor configurations.
Design & Aesthetics
Both arms come in standard finishes like black, white, and silver to match any office decor, but they have different design languages. The Ollin is noticeably sleeker and more minimalist. Its arms are slimmer, and its profile is more discreet, making it a great aesthetic choice for design-focused desk setups.
The Flo presents a more industrial, classically ergonomic look. Its components appear more mechanical and robust. While still a well-designed product, its aesthetic prioritizes function over form and has a more corporate-standard feel compared to the Ollin's understated elegance.
Price & Value
As premium products from Herman Miller, both arms represent a significant investment in your ergonomic health. The Ollin is typically priced slightly higher than the Flo. The value proposition for each is directly tied to your specific use case. The Ollin's value comes from its unmatched responsiveness for lightweight screens and dynamic workflows. The Flo’s value lies in its dependable versatility, ease of setup, and robust stability for the vast majority of users.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both the Ollin and Flo are exceptional monitor arms backed by a 12-year warranty, but they are engineered for different priorities.
Choose the Herman Miller Ollin if:
- Your monitor, laptop, or tablet is very light (under 15 lbs).
- You constantly reposition your screen for collaborating, sketching, or varied tasks.
- You value an incredibly smooth, "finger-touch" adjustment feel above all else.
- A minimalist, sleek aesthetic is a top priority for your workspace.
Choose the Herman Miller Flo if:
- You are using a standard 24" to 32" monitor that weighs between 7 and 20 lbs.
- You want the easiest possible setup, thanks to the visual tension gauge.
- You prioritize uncompromising stability and reliable, long-term performance.
- You want a proven, versatile workhorse that can handle almost any standard office setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Ollin and Flo monitor arms?
The main difference is the feel of the adjustment and the intended monitor weight. The Ollin uses a technical spring for effortless, "finger-touch" movement with lightweight screens (0-20 lbs). The Flo uses a geometric spring for controlled, stable movement and excels with a broader range of standard monitors (7-20 lbs), featuring a user-friendly weight gauge for easy setup.
Can the Ollin handle a heavy ultrawide monitor?
No. The Ollin is strictly limited to 20 pounds. Using it with a monitor that exceeds this limit will cause the arm to fail and will void the warranty. For heavy ultrawide monitors, you should look at heavy-duty versions of the Flo or other arms designed for higher weight capacities.
Which Herman Miller arm is better for a standing desk?
Both are excellent for standing desks because they offer extensive vertical and horizontal adjustment ranges. However, if your sit-stand routine involves frequent micromovements in screen height and depth, the Ollin's fluid motion might provide a slight edge in usability.
How difficult are the Ollin and Flo to install?
Neither is difficult to install. Both come with a desk clamp mount and can be set up in minutes. The Flo is slightly easier because its visual weight tension gauge removes any guesswork in an important step of the process.
Which arm has better cable management?
Both offer very effective integrated cable management solutions that discreetly route cables along the arm's underside. The aesthetics differ slightly - Ollin's is built into the arm's shell while Flo uses snap-on channels - but both function equally well to keep your desk clean.
Are there other versions of the Flo monitor arm?
Yes, Herman Miller offers single heavy-duty and dual-arm versions of the Flo, which can support heavier monitors or two at once. This makes the Flo product family more versatile for power users with complex display setups.
Why are Herman Miller monitor arms so expensive?
The price reflects their advanced ergonomic engineering, high-quality materials, precision manufacturing, and extremely durable designs. The fluid motion and long-term reliability are what you are paying for, all backed by an industry-leading 12-year warranty.
Can I mount a laptop on the Ollin or Flo?
Yes, both arms are compatible with VESA-mountable laptop trays (sold separately). Given that most laptops are lightweight, the Ollin is an especially good choice for this application due to its responsiveness.
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