Best Ergonomic Laptop Stand: Top Picks and Buying Guide

In the market for an ergonomic laptop stand? Then you’ve come to the right place!

Today, we’re reviewing our top 5 picks for the best stands but first let’s go over some key information which will help you pick the right stand for your laptop.

What to Look for in a Laptop Stand

A laptop stand is a handy device designed to raise your laptop’s screen to a more ergonomic viewing height and possibly clear some space for a full-size keyboard and mouse. When shopping for the best ergonomic laptop stand, you need to consider the following features to make sure you end up with the right product for your needs and budget and the type of laptop computer you have.

Adjustable Height

The most important feature in any effective laptop stand is its flexibility when it comes to providing different positions for your laptop whether you’re sitting or standing. The common ergonomic recommendation from OSHA for laptop positioning is to place the monitor at eye level.

Although a fixed-height laptop stand is still a better alternative to staring down at your laptop, it’s no match to the convenience you get from a stand with adjustable height.

Adjustable Angle

Putting your laptop’s monitor at eye level isn’t the only thing a stand should help with — it also needs to give you a proper angle. This is important for typing ergonomics given that you’re using the laptop’s keyboard.

Portability and Stability

Laptop stands come in a wide variety of designs. One of the parameters you need to figure out is portability.

Ask yourself the following: do I want a stand that I can permanently set on my desk (at home or in the office)? Or do I need something portable so I can comfortably use my laptop wherever I go?

If you decide on the latter option, be sure to pick a stand that’s easily foldable so you can quickly toss it into your laptop bag for extra convenience when traveling. Not to mention, it also has to be lightweight so you can carry it without issues.

At the same time, you need the stand to be sturdy enough to support your laptop’s weight. After all, the last thing you want is for your expensive laptop to accidentally fall.

Even parts as simple as rubber or silicone pads to help grip the bottom of the laptop can be very useful.

Compatibility

Also, you can’t forget to consider your own laptop. Review its dimensions to make sure it’ll physically fit on the stand you plan to buy.

Luckily, most laptop stands are built to accommodate even the largest laptops. However, some are designed with certain features that affect the footprint or thickness of the laptop it can support.

Air Circulation

Finally, keep in mind whether the laptop stand allows your laptop to efficiently circulate air. For example, if your laptop’s fans push air down through the bottom, the stand should be equipped to let that air escape. Otherwise, overheating and sudden shut-downs may occur.

5 Best Ergonomic Laptop Stands

1. Rain Design mStand Laptop Stand

First up, the mStand by Rain Design is all about simplicity and elegance. It’s strong too, constructed out of quality aluminum to accommodate even the heaviest laptops.

Looks-wise, this stand is sleek. It particularly suits Macbook owners since it’s available in 3 colors that match those of Apple’s notebooks.

The mStand will lift your laptop’s screen 5.9 inches up. It also features a hole for better cable management to help you keep your desk space organized.

2. Nexstand Laptop Stand

The Nexstand Laptop Stand is an excellent choice if you’re looking for something affordable yet reliable. It’s easy to set up and collapse, holding laptops up to 15 inches high.

You do need to be a bit more careful with this stand since it can be less secure than other candidates on the list.

For example, the included 6 height settings aren’t clearly distinguishable from one another. This is why you need to double-check that the stand is fully locked in position before placing your laptop on top of it.

3. Roost Laptop Stand

If you’re looking for a compact stand that you can easily pack on the go and use in a variety of locations, then the Roost stand could be exactly what you need.

It can lift your laptop as high as 12 inches and as low as 6 inches off the table. When it’s time to hit the road, this stand collapses down to 13 inches long and 1.25 inches wide.

The Roost stand also features a few preset angles for positioning the monitor and keyboard. Construction-wise, it’s made of lightweight plastic to boost portability but it’s rock-solid when it comes to stability.

Thanks to the pivot clips, the stand achieves a solid grip when you slide your laptop into place, so you don’t have to worry about it sliding around. Unfortunately, the pivot clips limit the stand to laptops of 0.75 inches maximum thickness.

4. Rain Design iLevel2 Laptop Stand

The Rain Design iLevel 2 Laptop Stand may be a bit pricey, but its build quality and easy adjustability are definitely worth the money. It can accommodate laptops sized 11 to 15 inches with a sturdy grip.

The design here is simple and practical yet with a stylish look. The adjustment is also pretty easy compared to other candidates on the list: you just slide a knob left and right to tilt the platform upward and downward.

5. obVus Solutions Adjustable Laptop Tower Stand

Last but not least, this laptop stand from obVus Solutions is sturdy, lightweight, and sleek — all the qualities you’d need in such a gadget.

It can raise your laptop screen from 21 inches up to 28 inches. It also offers adjutable angles so you can achieve the right position for your home or work setup.

We did notice that it requires some elbow grease to change the height and angle, but this can be a good thing since it prevents the stand from easily collapsing while you’re working.

Wrap Up

There you have it, our top 5 picks for the best ergonomic stand along with tips to help you choose the right product for your needs and budget.