Our selection of the best laptops remains. Are you sitting comfortably?
Having one of the best laptop stands can be one of the most important tools for busy creatives. While much more convenient than desktop computers, laptops are not designed to be used for long periods of work. The clue is in the name, which is often worn on people’s laps, the very nature of the device means that instead of working with a screen at eye level, you will be hunched over to look at the screen.
This is where the best laptop stand can be a lifesaver (and lifesaver). Ergonomics is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a booth, but you’ll also want to think about portability, particularly if you use a shared workspace. Some of the stands listed here even fold flat so you can store them in your laptop bag.
If your device tends to get hot, you may want to choose a stand with built-in fans for additional cooling, or at least a well-ventilated design (alternatively, you can choose one of the best laptop cooling pads). Don’t miss our roundup of the best laptops for graphic design too if you’re thinking of upgrading your device.
The Best Laptop Stands Available Now
01. Twelve South HiRise for MacBook
Best overall laptop stand provides great lift
Supported laptop size: up to 15 inches | Weight: 0.86 kg | Colour: silver | Fans: Do not
- Adjustable height
- Elegant and simple design
- No ‘lip’ to support the laptop
- Not for larger laptops
If you’ve invested in a new Apple device, you’re going to want a suitable smart mount to match, and the Twelve South HiRise Adjustable Stand for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air it is exactly that. Not only does it look like the part, finished in brushed aluminum, but it’s also a practical choice for creatives thanks to its spring-loaded piston design. This feature allows you to raise your laptop up to six inches, so you can position it at the same level as a desktop monitor with the flick of a switch. The only downside to its minimalist design is that there is no “edge” to prevent your laptop from sliding forward, but the non-slip surface should keep it in place.
02. Bosvision ergonomic folding X-bracket
The best laptop stand is perfect for working on the go
Supported laptop size: up to 17 inches | Weight: 0.18 kg | Colour: silver | Fans: Do not
- Very light
- Folding design
- Not adjustable
- Not the most elegant
The superportable Ergonomic aluminum X-bracket for portable cooling It has a very simple design, but does an excellent job of holding your laptop at a more comfortable angle for working and viewing. It lacks fans, but its open, cross-shaped design means there will be good airflow under your laptop to keep it from overheating, with rubber feet to keep it away from your desk. This little stand is also extremely portable, weighing just 18 grams, and neatly folds into a package small enough to fit in your laptop bag. A useful addition to any designer’s toolkit, and affordable too.
03. Thermaltake MassiveTM Laptop Cooler
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The best cooled laptop stand knows when to relax
Supported laptop size: up to 17 inches | Weight: 1.07kg | Colour: silver and black | Fans: Yes
- Temperature sensor
- Powerful fans
- Pretty thick
- Not very adjustable
the Thermaltake MassiveTM Laptop Cooler It will keep your laptop cool during demanding tasks like video playback, preventing overheating and prolonging the life of its components. This certainly isn’t the fanciest laptop stand (it was created with gamers in mind, not designers), but it’s definitely one of the smartest. It features a temperature sensor that detects heat in four different areas and responds automatically, plus manual controls if you want to take things into your own hands. The angle and height of the laptop stand can be adjusted with a pair of adjustable legs on the back for more comfortable viewing.
04. Rain Design mStand360
The best desktop laptop stand looks sleek and swivels in style
Supported laptop size: up to 17 inches | Weight: 1.63 kg | Colors: Silver, space gray, gold | Fans: Do not
- Available in Apple color combinations
- Swivel base
- Some colors only for pre-order
- Angle not adjustable
This attractive device is one of Rain Design’s best-selling laptop stands, with the added benefit of a 360-degree swivel base. the Rain Design mStand 360 is another stand designed with MacBooks in mind and is available in a variety of color combinations to match Apple designs. It features rubber grips to keep your laptop firmly in place, plus a cable management hole on the back to keep cables neatly out of the way. If you also use an iPad for work, the Rain Design range also includes a tablet stand that will keep it at the same height for a dual-screen setup.
05. Foldable Desk Tray Holder for Lavolta Laptop Table
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The best laptop stand in bed will keep you sitting comfortably
Supported laptop size: up to 15 inches | Weight: 1,76kg | Colors: black, blue, silver | Fans: Yes
- Highly adjustable
- Two cooling fans
- Not the prettiest option
- A little heavy
To work comfortably in bed or at a desk, the Lavolta Foldable Laptop Desk Tray Stand with Mouse Board and Cooling Padit’s hard to beat. Its self-locking joints rotate a full 360 degrees, allowing you to choose the perfect height and angle, wherever you are working. It features two built-in fans, powered by your laptop’s USB port (though there is also a fanless version available if you prefer), and it even offers a removable mouse plate to keep your hand in a more natural position (take a look to our guide to the best mouse). Its chunky, articulated design won’t be to everyone’s liking, but we think the versatility of this stand more than makes up for any stylistic concerns.
06. BookArc Doce Sur booth
The best vertical laptop stand is a neat space saver
Supported laptop size: depends on the interchangeable insert | Weight: 445 g | Colour: silver | Fans: Do not
- Sleek and minimalist design
- Can fit notebooks of various sizes
- Surprisingly heavy
- Additional inserts are sold separately
The Twelve South BookArc Stand it’s a bit different from the other entries on our list. Laptops can take up a great deal of valuable desk space when not in use, collecting dust and taking up space that you could otherwise use for sketchbooks and other work. That’s where laptop vertical stands come in. The Twelve South Bookarc Stand has been specially designed for MacBooks and will keep your computer cleanly out of the way when powered off or connected to an external monitor and keyboard. Its sleek design complements Apple hardware and there are interchangeable inserts available for laptops of different sizes. All inserts are soft and flexible, so you don’t need to worry about your MacBook getting scratched.
07. Wooden Portable Laptop Stand
The best wooden laptop stand is a pinewood wonder
Compatible Laptop Size: 13 inches | Weight: N / A | Colour: Walnut | Fans: Do not
- Great looking walnut design
- Includes keyboard space
- Designed for smaller laptops
- Not adjustable
Aluminum laptop stands are fine if you prefer a sleek, modern aesthetic, but if you lean more towards natural materials or want something to fit in a more traditional looking workspace, then a wooden laptop stand could. be a better choice. The wooden laptop stand is designed to fit 11-16 inch Macbooks, raising the screen to a comfortable height and providing room to neatly place a keyboard underneath. Each stand is made to order from solid walnut, so delivery will take a few days longer than other laptop stands, but the result is well worth it.
08. HP Dual-Hinge Notebook Stand II
The best adjustable laptop stand is solid and reliable
Compatible Laptop Size: up to 17.3 inches | Weight: 3,6 kg | Colour: black | Fans: Do not
- Adjustable height and tilt
- 360 degree panoramic
- Very heavy
- Really expensive
If you have difficulty feeling comfortable when working, HP Dual Hinge II Notebook Standit could be exactly what you need. Its height can be adjusted and locked, it can be tilted to an ergonomic position, and the thick base offers a 360-degree panorama. If you own an HP laptop, you can take advantage of this stand’s docking station, which allows you to connect peripherals such as keyboards, mice, drawing tablets, and external hard drives directly to the stand. However, it also works perfectly as a versatile and sturdy stand for any other laptop, and its considerable weight helps keep it stable while you experiment.