A Laptop Stand Can Save Your Back—Here Are Our Favorites
Laptops are everything, but they're terrible for ergonomics … unless you own a laptop stand. Whether you're working from home, pulling an all-nighter on a big project, or binge-watching Love Is Blind, you're unfortunately setting yourself up for back, neck, and wrist strain. For optimal comfort, the top of your screen should be just above eye level, and your keyboard just below elbow height—an arrangement you're never going to get with a laptop computer sitting flat on your desk. A second monitor would be the ideal solution because it offers more screen real estate and adjustable height. But not everyone has the budget or room for an entire desktop setup.
What to Look For In a Laptop Stand
When shopping for a laptop stand, think about how and where you’ll use it, and how much you’re willing to spend. Here’s what you need to consider:
- Do you need portability? If you commute or like to work from a coffee shop, opt for a foldable laptop stand that fits in your bag. Some models even double as cases, like Moft’s Carry Sleeve.
- Material preferences? Laptop stands come in a variety of materials—aluminum, steel, plastic, etc. Aluminum models are generally lightweight and excellent for heat dissipation. Steel stands are sturdier but heavier, and plastic tends to be more affordable but also wobblier. If aesthetics matter, some wooden models like Grovemade’s Walnut Stand add a bit more warmth and polish to your space.
- How adjustable? Everyone’s workspace is different, and everybody is different, so most people benefit from an adjustable stand that lets you tweak your setup. If you’re using a sit-stand desk, you’ll want a stand that accommodates both modes. Some stands can even act as sit-stand desk converters, so you don’t have to purchase a new stand-up desk.
- Do you use an external keyboard and mouse? If not, go for a sturdier stand. Portable laptop stands tend to be lightweight and wobbly if you’re typing directly on the laptop. Note: The right keyboard and gaming mouse can prevent muscle strain. (You don't need to be a gamer to use a gaming mouse!)
- Extra features? Some stands come with extras like built-in cable management and compartments for storage. Be ready to spend a little more, though.
A laptop stand is a more affordable and adaptable alternative, especially if you're like me and move around between different workspaces. Beyond improving your posture, the right laptop stand also helps with productivity and performance. It helps your device run cooler by boosting airflow and dissipating heat; it's a small upgrade, but it makes a huge difference, especially if you're running demanding programs or gaming for hours on end.
Need more gear for your home office? Read our guide to Everything You Need to Work From Home Like a Pro.
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- Photograph: Branch
Best Overall
Branch Adjustable Laptop StandBranch’s Adjustable Laptop Stand is one of the most well-rounded options out there. It lifts your screen up to 7 inches high, adjusts to almost any viewing angle, and is sturdy enough that it won’t bounce or shift during use. Made of anodized aluminum with a medium-density fiberboard surface (available in walnut and woodgrain), it offers a clean, minimalistic aesthetic. At just $65, it’s an affordable pick, especially compared to other wooden models. It’s tough to adjust, but that’s not much of a downside as it is a testament to its durability. It’s collapsible, but it's not my first choice for travel, as the metal hinges can get in the way. But for an office setup, this is my favorite.
Specs: Dimensions: 13.5"W x 9.5"D x 2-7"H Weight: 3 pounds No assembly required - Photograph: Rain Design
Best Portable
Rain Design mBar Pro+Despite its thin aluminum frame, this simple Rain Design stand is rock solid. Don’t worry about it buckling while you type away in your living room, office, or airport. The fixed height raises your laptop 5.5 inches, and it folds up to just 9.5 x 6 inches—small enough to fit into any bag that fits your tablet or laptop. I also appreciate that it comes with a svelte carrying sleeve for easy packing. Bonus: It weighs less than a pound.
If you need something a bit lower, there’s also the foldable mBar pro ($55) or the mBar fixed stand ($25), both of which elevate your laptop 3 inches.
Specs: Dimensions: 9.6"W x 10.8"D x 5.5"H (unfolded) Weight: 0.45 pounds No assembly required
- Photograph: Logitech
A Packable Office
Logitech Casa Pop-Up DeskLogitech has mastered the office on the go. Its bestseller Casa Pop-Up Desk (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is about the size of a small textbook when closed, so it should be able to fit in a laptop backpack or tote bag. Open it up and access a full setup: a Bluetooth keyboard, trackpad, a USB-C charger, and a stand for your laptop.
The accessories are pretty standard but function well for working from a coffee shop or even from home if you don't want to spring for an entire desk setup. I tested the pink, which is very cutesy. To play with the settings, like pointer speed or keyboard shortcuts, you'll need to download Logi Options+.
Specs: Dimensions: 9.05"W x 11.41"D x 6.29"H (unfolded) Weight: 2.65 pounds (with keyboard, mouse, and cable) No assembly required - Photograph: Grovemade
Most Luxurious
Grovemade Walnut Laptop StandBranch's stand is beautiful, but if you want something even more luxe and made from real wood, go with Grovemade’s Walnut Laptop Stand. It’s made of solid walnut, hand-sanded, and finished with vegetable-based oil. You just have to shell out for it. Editor Julian Chokkattu recommends it in his Home Office Gear guide, saying it's best suited for a desk or table to make room for a separate keyboard and mouse (though you can use it on a couch, too). It has a stainless-steel stop to keep your laptop from sliding off, and it’s lined with leather to protect from scratches. The stand's feet are made of natural cork to prevent it from moving around. It supports up to 200 pounds.
We also like Grovemade's Walnut Laptop Riser ($200) and the Desk Shelf ($260 for medium). All the products come in other wood options too.
Specs: Dimensions: 20.5"W x 11.5"D x 6"H Weight: 2.96 pounds No assembly required
- Photograph: Amazon
Best for $50
Rain Design mStandI love this sleek single-piece aluminum stand for its high-quality stability and its cooling effect. The tilt design brings the laptop screen closer while also improving airflow. The anodized aluminum look also complements MacBooks’ aesthetic, giving off an industrial, modern vibe. The wide base makes it one of the most stable stands I’ve tested. Plus, I like the space-saving keyboard slot underneath, which helps keep my desk clutter-free.
Specs: Dimensions: 10"W x 7.5"D x 5.9"H Weight: 3 pounds No assembly required - Photograph: Amazon
An Affordable Stand for Multiple Devices
Dual Monitor StandI used this Hemudu Dual Monitor Stand for a couple of years, and it’s still holding up. It’s strong enough to support my monitor, my laptop, and the occasional 10-pound cat skipping across. The tempered glass top is a refreshing take from the industrial-looking options and gives a contemporary vibe. It’s not portable, and standing while working isn’t an option with this one. But if you’re primarily sitting at your desk, it does the job for a steal.
Specs: Dimensions: 42.9"W x 9.5"D x 3.4"H Max weight capacity: 88 pounds Assembly required (don't worry, it's easy)
- Photograph: Moft
A Desk Sidekick
Moft Smart Desk MatMoft is known for its origami-based designs, which you can tell by looking at this folding desk mat. It's a convenient work companion. At just shy of 20 inches long and magnetic, it can balance your laptop with room to snap on your phone to the wireless charger and keep a to-do list in view with its memo holders.
There are three bundles to choose from, each with different accessories. The Digital Kit ($158) comes with a tablet holder, cable organizers, and a wireless charging pad with a sticker to make any phone magnetic. The Paper Kit ($128) has book and memo holders, and the full kit goes for $187. All kits include a nice wrist rest—former reviewer Medea Giordano vouches it’s the best she has ever tried—that doubles as a leg cushion if you attach it to the bottom of the mat and work from the couch. You can add an Apple Watch holder for $14.
There are also two NFC hot spots embedded in the mat, which you can customize to your liking using the Shortcuts app on iPhones. If you have an Android, you'll need to download the NFC Tools app, then go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences, and you should see an NFC option. Giordano used it to automatically set timers for a more structured workday.
Specs: Dimensions: 19.8"W x 11.8"D x 0.3"H Weight: 55.6 ounces No assembly required - Photograph: Twelve South
A Portable Favorite (for External Keyboard Users)
Twelve South Curve Flex Laptop StandReviewer Brenda Stolyar raves about this Twelve South stand after using it for the past few months. You can push it down or stand it up to 22 inches high, and you can adjust your keyboard angle by up to 45 degrees. When using an external monitor, Stolyar says she can align her MacBook at the proper height alongside it; if she's working solely off the MacBook, she can place it at a comfortable viewing angle.
Portability-wise, it folds flat and comes with a padded neoprene travel sleeve. Her only gripe is that it’s wobbly when typing; she uses hers with an external keyboard at home. It also comes with a hex hinge tool to tighten the hinges should you need to.
★ Alternative: Twelve South's Curve SE ($40) isn't adjustable, but it raises laptops to the right level for comfortable side-by-side working. It's like the original Curve, but this one clicks together for easier mailing. It's also a little wobbly if you aren't using an external keyboard.
Specs: Dimensions: 10.4"W x 8.8"D x 1.18" to 10.78"H Weight: 1.75 pounds No assembly required
- Photograph: Nnewvante
Best for Bed
Nnewvante Laptop StandI work from home, and some days, I just can’t leave my bed in the morning or make it off the couch after lunch. The Nnewvante, which is also in our Home Office Gear guide, is a great stand for those lazier days. You can't adjust the stand's height, but you can raise the base to an angle suitable to whatever you're doing—sketching, watching a movie on a tablet, eating breakfast, or typing on a laptop—and the built-in stopper keeps things from sliding off into your lap. You can also potentially put it on your desk for a low-maintenance sit-stand desk converter.
The smaller surface on the right stays flat and is a good place for morning coffee or tea. There's even a small drawer for storing knick-knacks! And when you're done with it, you can fold up the legs for slimmer storage. Even better, it's made of bamboo.
Specs: Dimensions: 21.65"W x 13.86"D x 12.3"H Weight: 5.9 pounds No assembly required - Photograph: Twelve South
Best for iPads
Twelve South ParcSlopeTwelve South also makes some of our favorite accessories for iPads. The ParcSlope is one of them. It's a minimal stand that raises your device by 18 degrees. If you're using a laptop, it angles it into a slightly nicer typing position for less wrist strain. This is a stand I would purchase if I’m not using an external keyboard or mouse—but this stand is more suitable if you regularly draw or work on an iPad (or another tablet). It keeps it angled just enough to comfortably work on a touchscreen. Bonus: a teeny slot for built-in cable management.
Specs: Dimensions: 9"W x 10"D x 2.75"H Weight: 11 ounces No assembly required
- Photograph: Lention
A Docking Station
Lention C-95 Docking StationEven with Apple bringing back ports, that doesn't help those of us who can't drop $2,000 or more for a new device when we have a perfectly good MacBook Pro at home. If you're in the same boat, the Lention 11-in-1 docking station corrects the frustrating lack of ports. It keeps everything plugged in while staying tucked away beneath your laptop, instead of dangling off the side. It's not much of a stand, but it offers a slight lift, which is better than nothing. You can also pair it with another laptop stand.
This dock includes ports for HDMI, VGA, and DisplayPort; SD and microSD card readers; one USB-C port, two USB 3.0, and one USB 2.0; Ethernet; and a 3.5-mm audio port. You can see a list of compatible (and incompatible) devices on the company's site. For more options, check out our guide to the Best USB Hubs and Docks.
Photograph: FluidstanceHonorable Mentions
More Laptop StandsThere’s no shortage of computer stands out there, and most of them get the job done. While these didn’t quite make my top picks, they still have some perks worth considering.
- Moft Laptop Carry Sleeve for $60: Moft is known for multifunctional designs, like the 5-in-1 stand mentioned above. This sleeve is constructed with recycled fiberglass and vegan leather that is scratch-and-water resistant to protect your computer while it's in your backpack. It can be configured into two heights and two angles: 15 and 25 degrees. There’s also an expandable neoprene panel for bulky items like your laptop charger. It works, but I’d invest in something sturdier for your desk setup and save this for travel.
- Huanuo Magno Module Master Laptop Stand for $50: This magnetic, modular stand is an affordable alternative to the Moft Smart Desk. You can configure it a few different ways, depending on how you like to work, and it comes with both a wrist rest for desk use and a lap cushion for when you’re from anywhere else.
- FlexiSpot SC-4U Adjustable Laptop Stand for $70: This stand feels like the sibling of our discontinued pick from ObVus Solutions. It doesn't get as high (a maximum of 10.6 inches) but would fit better on a small desk or in a bag. It's tough to adjust, which isn't necessarily a downside, since it means it won't budge once you get it to the angle you like. Bonus points for the rotating base, which is great if you're collaborating with coworkers.
- Uncaged Ergonomics WorkEZ Best Laptop Stand for $43: If you liked the Nnewvante stand but want something a bit more compact, this one is worth a look. It’s not as sturdy as other picks, but the legs make it versatile enough so that you can use it on a table, bed, or couch, depending on how you're propped up.
- FluidStance Lift Laptop Stand for $79: FluidStance's Lift Stand is a magnetic whiteboard that doubles as a surface for jotting notes and to-dos. The steel build won’t budge or buckle, and there are built-in notches to manage cables. Note that it’s not foldable, so I would leave this at home. Bonus: The Lift is also made in the USA from majority-recycled steel.
- Lone Birch Flex Laptop Stand for $149: This Lone Birch stand (available in walnut and red oak) is a little cheaper than the one from Grovemade but doesn’t sacrifice any luxury. The flexible arm is the standout here; you can adjust it to lift your laptop about 7 to 9 inches and angle it for a better viewing angle.
- Moft Z 5-in-1 Stand for $70: This stand can be easily configured into five different positions. At its tallest 10-inch height, you can comfortably stand for a little while. If you're standing for most of the day, go for our top pick or consider a standing desk instead. But what I really like about this one is that it's light and folds down to just half an inch thick, so you can take it anywhere without adding much bulk.
- Arlo Skye Lap Desk for $112: I appreciate the lap desk’s cushion and its built-in storage compartment for a caseless laptop (up to 14 inches), plus space for a thin notepad and pen. It’s great for working from bed or the couch, and there’s a slot for holding up your phone or tablet. This is also a solid option for kids. They can draw and color while keeping their supplies together.
