The best laptop stands

The Steklo X-Stand has a simple design that's lightweight and portable, plus, it's very affordable.

The Steklo X-Stand laptop stand is inexpensive when compared to other options. It also does a nice job of lifting the laptop a couple of inches above your desk to keep it cool by allowing air to flow around it.

However, this small size means the Steklo stand may not work well for those of you who need a laptop stand that will elevate the laptop screen to your eye level. The lightweight aluminum stand is quite portable, though, so it may be good for students or frequent travelers.

You can use the Steklo stand with laptops that range in size from 12 to 17-inches. It folds down to a very small size and weighs just 5.8 ounces.

Reviewers from Portable Laptop Stands, MacInfo, and iMore recommend this stand as an affordable, portable option that works well in a pinch. An Amazon reviewer agrees, saying this laptop stand also is comfortable to work on and use in all types of situations.

Pros: Great price point for a laptop stand, good option for allowing air to flow around the unit to keep the laptop cooler, extremely lightweight and portable for use while traveling, comfortable to use

Cons: Hard plastic design doesn't grip laptop, doesn't provide many ergonomic benefits, materials don't seem like they'll hold up

Buy the Steklo X-Stand on Amazon for $22.99

The fully adjustable Roost Laptop Stand collapses down to a small size when you're not using it, plus, it's lightweight and sturdy.

If you feel a little leery about trusting your laptop to the Roost Laptop Stand, it's understandable. This fold-down stand weighs less than half a pound, which may have you questioning its toughness. But have no fear — this is actually a very sturdy and strong laptop stand that can hold your precious PC.

The Roost stand gives you the option of adjusting the height of the top of the laptop screen from 6 to 12 inches, so you can position the screen for your exact needs. Note: Many found it difficult to adjust the height, including Wirecutter and Amazon reviewers.

At only 5.8 ounces, this stand ranks as one of the lightest in our guide. Even so, it's very tough and sturdy. The rubber grips ensure that it won't move around on your desk and your laptop will stay safely in place.

It can hold most laptops with ease. One Amazon buyer successfully used it with a 17-inch laptop. According to Roost, as long as the keyboard section of the laptop measures 0.75 inches in thickness or less, this laptop stand will support it successfully.

Pros: Folds down to a small size for carrying anywhere, lightweight laptop stand that provides a sturdy base, rubber grips will hold most laptops in place tightly, works with many different models of laptops

Cons: Expensive laptop stand, difficult to adjust height

With six levels of height adjustment, the Goldtouch Go! Travel Laptop and Tablet Stand allows you to adjust the height of your screen, no matter where you're working.

The versatile Goldtouch Go! Travel Laptop and Tablet Stand is perfect for people who travel a lot for work because it's compact, lightweight, and adjustable.

The stand folds down to a small size that's great for traveling, and it has six levels of height adjustments that are useful when you don't quite know where you'll be working. It only weighs one pound, so it's easy enough to stow in your carry-on bag or suitcase.

Goldtouch's stand is made of aluminum and although it's small, it can hold laptops up to 17-inches in size. It's durable and quite sturdy, too.

The Goldtouch Go! is perfect for the person who has to travel for work, while also using a laptop several hours per day. One Amazon buyer says it folds flat for easy transportation, and others say it was just right for their carry-on bag.

One Amazon reviewer says this stand doesn't work well on airplanes, though, because it doesn't seem to fit the airplane tray table properly.

Pros: Has six height adjustment options for good versatility while traveling, folds down to a small size, ships inside neoprene bag for easy carrying while traveling, lightweight unit can handle large laptops

Cons: Requires an external keyboard and mouse for best working conditions, doesn't fit well on airplane tray tables