The difference between a compression spring and gas spring in monitor arms
How does a gas spring work?
A gas spring has compressed gas, specifically nitrogen, inside of the cylinder. When the piston rod is pushed inside of the cylinder, the pressure of this compressed gas creates a force. This output pressure of gas creates the ability to move the monitor around.
The inside of certain gas springs contain a bit of oil. This oil protects the gas spring from damage caused inside due to friction. The oil slows down the movement of the piston rod, provides damping at the end and also helps to lubricate the seal and rubber for a smoother movement.
How does a compression spring work?
A compression spring does not work with gas. It is a coil spring, meaning that it is arranged into several circles above each other. This type of spring gets energy when it is under compression. A small compression spring can for example also be found in a pen. If you would compress the spring, so squeeze it together, it would bounce away. That is because it wants to get back to its initial length before it was compressed. That is where this type of spring gets its name from. This type of spring does not need any lubrication and has a more simplistic design.
The disadvantage of using a gas spring
As gas springs have a more complicated design with several components, this is more prone to get damaged internally. The seal of the gas spring is essential to keep the nitrogen inside of the cylinder. Without this nitrogen, a gas spring would not work. This seal can wear out or get damaged, as the inside of this seal contains rubber. Rubber corrodes and cracks naturally over time.
When this happens, the seal is unable to keep all the nitrogen in, causing gas to leak out of the spring. The fewer gas is inside, the less force can be created. This means that the gaspring in the monitor arm will likely not be able to hold your monitor up anymore and after adjusting it by tightening the tension of the spring several times, you would have to purchase a new monitor arm.
The advantage of using a compression spring
A compression spring, however, does not work with gas and thus no gas can escape. This makes the compression spring more durable, as it will keep its ability to hold your valuable monitor. With the weight indicator of MOMO, you can visually see the level of tension you have applied for your monitor. This makes it visually easier to adjust a little when needed. With MOMOs compression spring, you would only need to readjust when you are ready to upgrade your monitor to one with a different weight!
The importance of a constant force with monitor arms
It is however important with compression springs that the force that originates from compression, is constant throughout the entire movement of the monitor arm. If this is not the case, then you would need to use more and more strength to compress the spring, and thus to move the monitor arm to your preferred position. With our MOMO Motion+ models we have ensured that this constant force is applied throughout the entire movement of the monitor arm. This creates the OneFinger™ Movement, that allows you to move your monitor with ease. This even works with monitor mounts for 2 screens
Read more about...
Sign up for our newsletter
Be the first to receive discounts and promotions? Sign up for our newsletter.
- Copyright
- Privacy policy
- Disclaimer
- Cookies
- Webshop conditions
- Complaints & Disputes
- Colophon
- © Vogel's Products BV 2025