A laptop stand is one of the cheapest ergonomic upgrades you can make. It raises your screen to eye level, improves cooling, and frees up desk space. These are the best options for every setup.
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Why a Laptop Stand Is Essential
Using a laptop directly on the desk surface creates a structural ergonomic problem: the keyboard and screen cannot both be at the correct height simultaneously.
At desk height, the keyboard is correct but the screen is too low — forcing you to look down and compress your cervical spine all day. Raise the screen to eye level and the keyboard is too high — causing shoulder elevation and wrist strain.
The solution is simple: a laptop stand that raises the screen to eye level, combined with an external keyboard and mouse on the desk surface. This is the minimum viable ergonomic laptop setup.
A laptop stand also improves laptop cooling significantly — raising the base allows air to circulate under the device.
Vertical vs Horizontal Stands
Horizontal stands (angled risers): Hold the laptop at a fixed or adjustable angle. Screen raises 4–6 inches. The laptop keyboard is still accessible (though you should use an external one). Best when desk space is available and you occasionally use the laptop screen as a reference display.
Vertical stands (upright cradles): Hold the laptop on its side in a narrow footprint — typically 2–3 inches wide. Eliminates the laptop from the desk surface almost entirely. Requires an external monitor for all work. Best for setups where desk space is at a premium or the laptop is purely a CPU used with an external display.
Fixed vs Adjustable
Fixed height: Less expensive, simpler, more stable. Best if you use it at one desk with one chair and one monitor setup.
Adjustable height: More expensive, allows you to dial in the exact ergonomic position for your specific chair and monitor combination. Best if you use the stand in multiple contexts or want precise positioning.
The Best Laptop Stands
Best Overall: Rain Design mStand (~£40)
Aluminium construction, a fixed 5.9-inch rise, and a clean minimalist design. Excellent build quality. The cable management channel routes the power cable discreetly. Works with any laptop up to 17 inches. The most popular horizontal stand for good reason.
Best Adjustable: Nexstand K2 (~£30)
Folds completely flat for travel. Adjustable height from 4 to 12 inches. Lightweight and surprisingly sturdy. The best option if you work from multiple locations.
Best Vertical: Twelve South BookArc (~£50)
Premium aluminium vertical stand with a soft insert that holds the laptop securely without scratching. Reduces the laptop footprint to a 2-inch column. The cleanest single-monitor desk setup available.
Best Budget: Nulaxy Laptop Stand (~£18)
Adjustable, aluminium, and works. Not as refined as the premium options but provides the ergonomic benefit at minimal cost. The right choice if you are testing whether a laptop stand improves your setup before investing more.
Best With Built-in Hub: Kensington SD1650P (~£120)
A laptop stand with a built-in USB-C hub (dual 4K display output, USB-A ports, ethernet, SD card). Eliminates a separate dock for most setups. Premium but genuinely useful.
The Complete Setup
A laptop stand works best as part of a complete ergonomic configuration: laptop on the stand at eye level, external keyboard and mouse on the desk surface, external monitor as the primary display.
For the full ergonomic positioning guide, see our ergonomic home office setup guide.
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