- A laptop stand makes it more convenient and comfortable to use a laptop on a desk.
- Of all the laptop stands we've looked at, the Rain Design mStand360 Laptop Stand is the best with its 360-degree swivel base and sturdy design.
For some people, using a laptop equals back pain, neck pain, and headaches. If this describes you, don't blame the laptop. Instead, these problems are almost certainly related more to your desk, chair, and laptop setup.
To deal with these problems, we'd suggest swapping the ibuprofen for a laptop stand (also called a laptop riser). The stand will make the laptop more comfortable to use, limiting the aches and pains. According to Dohrmann Consulting, making workstations more ergonomic helps people stay pain-free, leading to fewer missed workdays and more productivity during work times.
Now think about how you sit at a desk and work on a laptop. As Wirecutter points out, you're probably hunched over, tilting your head downward to see the screen. This will not be comfortable during a long working session, leading to aches in the neck, back, and shoulders.
UCLA Ergonomics says you want the top of the screen to be a few inches above your eye level when you are seated. Having the keyboard and the display screen connected makes it nearly impossible to use the laptop at a desk in a proper ergonomic position because the monitor will be too low. The laptop stand will raise the level of the screen to eye level, making it more comfortable for you to use.
With the laptop stand, you almost certainly will need to purchase an external keyboard and mouse, because the keyboard on the laptop may not be comfortable to use once the laptop is positioned on the stand. You also could use an external monitor on a stand attached to the laptop instead of a laptop stand to raise the display to eye level, but this is a much more expensive option.
Depending on your needs, you'll want to get a laptop stand that's fixed or has an adjustable height, a good-looking design, strong build quality, and easy portability. Some stands also have slots for cable management or bases that swivel.
Here are the best laptop stands you can buy:
- Best laptop stand overall: Rain Design mStand360 Laptop Stand
- Best inexpensive laptop stand: Steklo X-Stand
- Best laptop stand for travel: Roost Laptop Stand
- Best alternative stand for travel: Goldtouch Go! Travel Laptop and Tablet Stand
Updated on 10/28/2019 by Les Shu: Updated prices, links, and formatting. We are currently researching and testing new options for an upcoming update.
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