Verdict: RGB Arms That Are More Than Just Flash
RGB monitor arms are desk-mounted adjustable display arms that add colorful lighting, free up workspace, and improve ergonomic positioning for single or multi-monitor setups while keeping cables tidy and screens securely supported. The MSI MPG MT201RG (single) and MT201DRG (dual) nail that definition: they are well-built RGB monitor arms with gas-spring adjustment, sensible cable management, and support for a single ultrawide up to 49 inches or two 35-inch monitors side by side, each up to 20kg. In practice, they feel purpose-made for creators, professionals, and gamers who want a clean dual monitor mount that also contributes to desk setup lighting instead of fighting it. At £89 for the MT201RG and £149 for the MT201DRG, the question is not stability or ergonomics—they are solid—but whether hardware-only RGB control and the gamer aesthetic fit how you work.
| Spec | MPG MT201RG (single) | MPG MT201DRG (dual) |
|---|---|---|
| Supported screens | 17"–49" flat or curved | Up to two 35" displays, identical features |
| Max weight per arm | 2–20kg / 4.4–44lbs | 2–20kg / 4.4–44lbs per arm |
| VESA support | 75×75 / 100×100mm | 75×75 / 100×100mm |
| Adjustability | Tilt -20° to 50°, swivel -90° to 90°, pivot -180° to 180°; 500mm vertical, 542mm horizontal extension | Same adjustment ranges as single arm |
| Mount type | Desk clamp or grommet, table mount, desk thickness 10–85mm (clamp), 10–48mm (grommet) | Desk clamp or grommet, same thickness limits |
| Lighting | 20 dynamic RGB LED modes, base-button control only | 20 dynamic RGB LED modes, base-button control only |
| Colour & finish | Matte black & dark grey | Matte black & dark grey |
| Price | £89 | £149 |
Design, Build, and Desk Space Gains
Visually, MSI leans hard into gamer styling. Both arms are matte black and dark grey, accented with RGB strips and an illuminated MSI logo on the base and arms. They clamp or grommet onto the desk rather than a wall, supporting surfaces up to 85mm thick in clamp mode and 48mm via grommet. You do need a screwdriver for the initial install despite the ‘tool-free’ marketing, which really applies to the VESA quick-release and day-to-day monitor swapping. In return, you gain a lot of usable desk area compared with bulky stock stands: more room for a wide mouse mat, controllers, chargers, or drawing tablets, and easier cleaning with fewer obstacles and hidden cables. For anyone working across two displays, the MT201DRG’s dual monitor mount layout keeps both screens floating and aligned while cables run through the arm channels instead of spilling across the desk.
Pros
- Free up significant desk space compared with monitor stands, especially in multi-monitor setups.
- Integrated cable management channels keep wires tidy and out of sight.
- Gas-spring full-motion arms support ergonomic height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustment.
- Supports heavy and large displays up to 20kg and 49 inches on the single arm.
Cons
- RGB lighting modes are only controllable via a physical button on the base; there is no software or setup-wide sync.
- Initial installation is not truly tool-free and still requires a screwdriver.
- Aggressive RGB styling may not suit minimal or strictly professional-looking offices.
- Dual arm model limited to 35-inch screens per side despite single arm’s 49-inch support.
Ergonomics and Everyday Use: Stability Over Spectacle
Under the RGB, what matters is how these adjustable display arms hold up through long work or gaming sessions. Both models use gas springs, which allow you to move even a 20kg monitor up, down, forward, and back with relatively light effort. Tilt from -20° to 50°, swivel from -90° to 90°, and pivot a full -180° to 180° grant plenty of flexibility to fine-tune eye level and angle. Forward and backward extension up to 542mm horizontally and 500mm vertically means you can pull a display closer for detail work or push it back for a more relaxed posture. For dual setups, the MT201DRG keeps two 35-inch panels aligned while letting each move independently. According to MSI information, both arms provide "full motion for customizable viewing angles tailored to your everyday use". In practice, that combination of strength and adjustability is what makes them suitable for extended creative or productivity sessions where neck and shoulder strain otherwise creep in.
Lighting Control and Who These Arms Are Really For
The RGB story is mixed. On the plus side, 20 dynamic RGB LED modes along the base and arms turn the mounting hardware into part of your desk setup lighting rather than an afterthought. The channels keep cables from blocking the LEDs, so the effect looks neat even with multiple peripherals attached. On the downside, lighting control is entirely hardware-based: a button on the arm base cycles modes, and there is no way to sync with keyboards, mice, or case lighting via software. For users who already run unified lighting ecosystems, this feels like a missed opportunity. But for creators and professionals who care more about organized multi-monitor workspaces without cable clutter than perfect RGB coordination, the trade-off is acceptable. You get reliable desk-mounted support for an ultrawide or dual-stack layout plus some colorful flair, without sacrificing stability or clean cable management.
Buy if / Skip if
- Buy the MSI MPG MT201RG if you want an RGB monitor arm that can handle a single 49-inch, 20kg ultrawide securely while freeing desk space.
- Skip the MSI MPG MT201RG if you need fully software-synced desk setup lighting and integration with existing RGB control suites, which these arms do not offer.
- Buy the MSI MPG MT201DRG if you run a dual 35-inch monitor mount and want independent full-motion adjustment with tidy cable management on both arms.
- Skip the MSI MPG MT201DRG if you prefer minimal, non-RGB hardware for a more understated professional office environment.
- Buy the MSI MPG MT201RG if you are a creator or professional seeking ergonomic positioning, extra desk space, and an organized single-monitor workspace.
- Skip the MSI MPG MT201DRG if initial installation effort is a deal-breaker; despite quick-release VESA, the first setup still needs tools.
- Buy the MSI MPG MT201DRG if you want dual monitor arms with gas-spring stability, full-motion ergonomics, and desk-mounted installation instead of wall mounting.
- Skip the MSI MPG MT201RG if you have no interest in RGB monitor arms and would rather pay for simpler, cheaper non-lit adjustable display arms.
