Watch CBS News

The 5 best laptop stands for 2024 double as cool decor

The 5 best laptop stands for 2024
Human Centric, Gustav, Amazon, Moft, Branch Furniture

A laptop stand has one core objective -- to provide a more comfortable and ergonomic experience. A laptop stand positions the computer at a slight angle to make typing more comfortable. It also sets the display at a better angle to help alleviate neck and shoulder tension. 

Meanwhile, some laptop stands are designed to raise the laptop up to eye level when someone is sitting comfortably at a desk or using a standing desk. And the best of the best look terrific, too.

Keep reading to learn about the most functional, visually attractive and nicely designed laptop stands available right now.


What is the best laptop stand in 2024?

Our team of in-house tech experts have curated this roundup of the best laptop stands. Each is designed for home or office use. We sought out models that are not only functional, but that offer a beautiful aesthetic and that showcase a high level of craftsmanship. 

If you're on a budget and in a hurry, you can't go wrong with Amazon's basic laptop stand, which will set you back less than $30.

Best laptop stand overall: HumanCentric laptop stand

HumanCentric Laptop Stand
HumanCentric

We selected this laptop stand because it offers a modern, minimalist design, as well as a sturdy base and platform for raising your laptop computer to a more comfortable height. This stand requires using an external (Bluetooth or wired) keyboard and mouse with your computer. The stand is best used when working from a traditional or standing desk, or any table.

This HumanCentric laptop stand has a sturdy, anodized aluminum base with a wooden platform that comes in your choice of black walnut or maple. It will support up to a 16-inch laptop and hold it firmly in place. 

If you like the design of this laptop stand, the folks at HumanCentric offer a nice collection of matching desk accessories, including a desk shelf, headphone stand and color-coordinated desk mats.


Best desktop organizer and laptop stand: Gustav Original XL 

Gustav Original XL Desk Organizer and Mobile Laptop Stand
Gustav

For someone who works from home and doesn't have a dedicated home office space, we love this handcrafted Gustav Original XL desk organizer and laptop stand. It's made from premium wood, wood veneer, aluminum and felt. 

As a laptop stand, it brings the computer closer to eye level and allows users to adjust the tilt angle. But this unit is also a portable and wonderfully designed desk organizer. It allows someone to set up a highly functional workspace on just about any flat surface and keep everything they need within easy reach.

The Gustav Original XL can hold your computer, charger, mouse and keyboard, along with other accessories within its two compartments. Carry it around using its integrated center or end handles, or stored it easily to to free up space.

Winner of several international design awards (including the Red Dot Design Award), the Gustav Original XL desk organizer is a desktop toolbox that will help you stay organized. It comes in a variety of colors and offers a unique, yet simple appearance. The size of the stand works nicely with a laptop up to 15 inches. As a desk organizer, it can also accommodate a full-size keyboard when being used for storage.


Best portable laptop stand: Moft adhesive laptop stand

Moft Adhesive Laptop Stand
Moft

You may be thinking, how can such as inexpensive and thin stand made from vegan leather and thin sheets of fiberglass support a laptop at an ideal angle? Well, this uniquely designed stand does its job extremely well when used with any laptop between 11 and 16 inches, and it easily attaches to the bottom of a computer. It also folds completely flat. 

When folded, the Moft stand adds just 0.1 inches to the thickness of a computer and it weighs a mere three ounces. This makes it super easy to carry around. It unfolds and sets up in seconds and can be adjusted at one of two heights and angles for comfy typing and viewing.

While the stand gets attached to the bottom of a laptop using supplied adhesive, it can easily be removed at any time and leaves no residue. The stand has a weight capacity of 11 pounds. It also comes in four color options. 

Out of all the laptop stands we evaluated, this one from Moft offers the most versatility and best value, especially for people who travel with their laptop computers and use it wide range of locations. After just a few minutes using this $25 laptop stand, you'll wonder how you've been living without it.


Best laptop stand with a modern design: Branch Furniture adjustable laptop stand

Branch Adjustable Laptop Stand
Branch Furniture

Branch Furniture is the maker of the Duo standing desk, which was recently our pick for best standing desk.

The company has also designed a nice collection of desk accessories -- including this laptop stand -- that can be used with any desk. It features a simple design, but is both height and angle adjustable. The height can easily be adjusted between two and seven inches.

We like that this stand offers an anodized aluminum base that's both compact and sturdy. It relies on a medium-density fiberboard surface that comes in your choice of two colors. 

The stand comes fully assembled and, thanks to its ergonomic design, can help to reduce or eliminate muscle fatigue in someone's neck, shoulders, arms and wrists. It works with just about any size of laptop and will add a nice visual aesthetic to any desk.


Best budget laptop stand: Amazon Basics laptop stand riser

Amazon Basics Laptop Stand Riser
Amazon

If you're on a budget, but want to benefit from using a laptop stand at home or at the office, you can't go wrong with this Amazon Basics laptop stand riser. It's priced at just $28 and works with just about any laptop computer between 10 and 17 inches.

We like the open design of this stand because it's both height and angle adjustable. It's made from lightweight aluminum and uses non-slip rubber pads on the bottom of the stand and on the platform where you place your computer. 

While it weighs only 1.7 pounds, the stand has a weight capacity of 11 pounds. It measures 10 x 8.6 x 6 inches when unfolded, but can fold almost completely flat for easy storage or transport. 


How to choose the best laptop stand

Start by focusing on how and where you'll be using the laptop stand and whether you need it to be portable. Also consider how a stand's design and adjustability can make you more productive and comfortable. Here are five key things to consider when choosing which laptop stand is ideal for you:

  • Design: Determine if the stand is best used at a desk and typing on the laptop directly, or if the stand elevates the laptop to eye level. That'll make it more ergonomic, but requires an external keyboard and mouse.
  • Size and weight capacity: Ensure the laptop stand you choose can accommodate your computer and that it will hold the computer firmly in place -- without sliding, shaking or tipping when you use it.
  • Durability: Choose a laptop stand that will stand up to the rigors of everyday use, whether it's a model that'll permanently sit on your desk, or one that you'll carry around with you.
  • Appearance: For this roundup, we specifically sought out laptop stands with unique, modern or minimalist appearances that will enhance the visual aesthetic of your workspace, yet offer the durability and functionality you need to be more productive and comfortable. 
  • Adjustability: Ideally, you want a laptop stand that can be adjusted, so it perfectly suits your workspace, as well as your own height. The goal is to improve ergonomics, so you can alleviate wrist, arm, neck and shoulder muscle stress or fatigue that often results from using a computer for extended periods. 

For expert advice on choosing the best tabletAndroid-based tabletApple iPadtablet for kidsdesktop computerwireless headphonesnoise cancelling earbudslaptop computerbudget-friendly laptop computerChromebooklaptop computer for collegesmartwatchAndroid smartphone or cell phone, be sure to check out our extensive and continuously updated tech coverage.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.