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📂 Category: Gear,Gear / Buying Guides,Gear / Products / Accessories,Gear / Products / Computers,Eyes Up
✅ Key idea:
What to look for in a laptop stand
When shopping for a laptop stand, think about how and where you will use it and how much you are willing to spend. Here’s what you need to consider:
Do you need portability? If you’re on the go or like to work from a coffee shop, choose a foldable laptop stand that fits in your bag. Some models even double as holsters, like Moft’s Carry Sleeve.
Physical preferences? Laptop stands come in a variety of materials – aluminum, steel, plastic, wood, etc. Aluminum models are generally lightweight and excellent for heat dissipation. Steel stands are sturdier but heavier, and plastic tends to be less expensive but also more wobbly. If aesthetics are important, some wood models like Grovemade’s Walnut Stand or Oakywood Laptop Stand add more warmth and polish to your space.
How adjustable? Everyone’s workspace is different, and everyone is different, so most people benefit from an adjustable stand that lets you adjust your settings. If you use a sit-stand desk, you’ll need a stand that fits both positions. Some stands can also act as sit desk converters, so you don’t have to buy a new standing desk.
Do you use an external keyboard and mouse? If not, choose a sturdier position. Laptop stands tend to be lightweight and wobbly if you’re typing directly on your laptop. Note: The correct keyboard and comfortable mouse can prevent muscle strain.
Extra features? Some racks come with extras like built-in cable management and storage compartments. Be prepared to spend a little more.
Do laptop stands improve posture?
Yes they can. Working on a laptop over a desk for long periods can form very bad posture habits. Due to the height of your laptop screen, your neck will always face down, and you will find yourself hunched or slouched to get more comfort. The goal is to get the laptop screen height as close to eye level as possible. While an office chair or standing desk can raise the height of your laptop screen, that will mess with the angle of your elbows and wrists, which is also an ergonomic mistake.
Should you use a laptop stand without an external keyboard?
Maybe not. Although you can certainly use your laptop’s keyboard or touchpad in case you need it while raising it on the laptop stand, this is not the best ergonomic decision. All the experts I spoke to told me that you want to keep your arm as close to a 90-degree angle as possible, which allows you to use your mouse and keyboard in a more natural position. So, yes, if you are using a laptop stand, you will also need to get an external mouse and keyboard.
Why use vertical laptop stand?
There is by no means a need for vertical laptop stands. However, it’s a great way to save space on your desk if you have a nice monitor and don’t plan to use your laptop screen. Since you can now connect your laptop to a closed monitor, it’s an easy way to store your laptop vertically and free up space. The standard horizontal laptop stand is used when you want to use your laptop screen in a dual-monitor setup, paired with an external monitor. Vertical laptop stands tend to be pretty simple small products, so just make sure they fit your laptop and look nice on your desk – something like the Corethink vertical laptop stand I mentioned above.
More laptop stands to consider
There is no shortage of computers available, and most of them get the job done. Although this wasn’t one of my top picks, it still has some perks worth considering.
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Rain iLevel2 Design for $65: I wanted to like Rain Design iLevel2, assuming it was a bestseller for a reason. Adjusting the height is easy—you move the front level—but even at its lowest setting (5.4 inches), it’s still too high for some settings. It maxes out at 7.9 inches, which works well if you’re using an external keyboard. However, writing directly on your laptop while it is on this stand is prohibited; There is a noticeable sway that feels unstable and can be distracting.
Uncaged Ergonomics WorkEZ Best laptop stand for $40: If you like the Nnewvante stand but want something a little more compact, this is worth a look. It’s not as sturdy as other picks, but the legs make it versatile enough that you can use it on a table, bed, or sofa, depending on how you propped it up.
FluidStance Lift Laptop Stand for $79: The FluidStance Elevating Easel is a magnetic whiteboard that can be used as a surface for jotting down notes and tasks. The steel construction won’t budge or snap, and there are built-in slots for cable management. Note that it’s not collapsible, so I’ll leave it at home. Bonus: The elevator is made in the United States from mostly recycled steel.
Arlo Skye Stowaway Lap Desk for $125: I appreciated the laptop desk pad and its built-in storage compartment for a sleeveless laptop (up to 14 inches), as well as room for a slim notebook and pen. It’s great for working from bed or sofa, and there’s a slot to hold your phone or tablet. This is also a solid choice for kids. They can draw and color while keeping their supplies together. It is expensive for what it is, though.
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Moft Invisible Stand for $25: The Moft Invisible Stand is made of MOVAS-P vegan leather and folds like origami to give you two adjustable angles: 25 degrees for viewing purposes and 15 degrees for writing or drawing. It looks flimsy, but it holds up to 11 pounds and folds flat when not in use. If you can’t get your hands on one (they’re often sold out), the Carry Sleeve is another option that can be used as a laptop sleeve — but note that it’s not compatible with tablets.
FlexiSpot SC-4U Adjustable Laptop Stand for $50: This stand looks like the sibling of our discontinued pick from ObVus Solutions. It’s not as tall (max. 10.6 inches) but it would fit better on a small desk or in a bag. It’s difficult to adjust, which isn’t necessarily a downside, as it means it won’t budge once it gets to the angle you want. Bonus points for the swivel base, which is great if you’re collaborating with co-workers.
Laptop stands to avoid
Amazon is full of laptop stands, many of which come from companies you may not have heard of. While some of these items are of higher quality, we have encountered a few with serious issues.
Tonmom laptop stand: When something costs less than $10, you can’t have high expectations. I liked the idea of a very portable laptop stand, something you can take on a plane or to a coffee shop. This got a lot of good reviews on Amazon. While the Tonmom laptop stand folds into something you can put in a backpack (and comes with a cute velvet bag), it feels very wobbly. It has so many floating parts that I never felt like my laptop was secure. It can easily slip if something hits it while securing the laptop.
Jojonicki Laptop Stand: I tried this as a cheaper alternative to the Amazon Basics model, but it failed on many levels. I like that it’s not as tight as the Amazon Basics stand, which means it’s easier to adjust while feeling stable. But this is where my compliments end. My unit came with cracks and faded paint along the edge of the metal base. I think this wear will get worse over time. The most egregious failure was that my unit wouldn’t lie completely flat on the table, because it used cheap pads on the bottom instead of proper silicone feet. A laptop stand that does not lie flat on the table is a big problem.
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