Best laptop stands: 5 adjustable laptop stands for comfortable desktop use

These best laptop stands are ideal for typing comfort and that work-ready desktop feel. Whether you're after an adjustable laptop stand, one that's basic or elevating, check out our list

The best laptop stands for your home office
(Image credit: John Lewis)

In the market for the best laptop stand you can buy? As nice as it would be to have the perfect home office setup, the reality for most of us is that working from home often just includes copious amounts of coffee, any free surface we can find, and a laptop.

So why not make WFH just a bit more comfortable by investing in an adjustable laptop stand? From the most ergonomic to stands with built in cooling fans, we've rounded up our pick of the best...

Find more home office accessories in our buyer's guide. For home office design advice, see our dedicated feature.

What is the best laptop stand?

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

We think the best laptop stand you can buy is the Rain Design mStand. It's adjustable, ideal for MacBook users and it's made from sturdy aluminium. Find out more below.

How to buy the best laptop stand

Colour

Down to personal preference mostly, many laptop stands are only available in one colour. If you're after more than standard black, opt for the Lavolta Folding Laptop Table, available in black (of course), blue or silver.

Weight

If you're going to be transporting your laptop stand around, be wary of its weight. Our lightest is the Ergonomic Aluminium Portable Cooling X-Stand.

Laptop size

Before purchasing a laptop stand, ensure your laptop fits on it. Some are only compatible with certain laptops, so be sure to check.

Adjustable?

An important feature if you want to be comfortable while you work, some laptop stands feature an adjustable rotating base and even a mouse board to ensure your eye level and laptop screen are at the right height to avoid back problems.

Material

Our choices are made of everything from metal to aluminium and steel. 

The best laptop stands

Best laptop stand you can buy: Rain Design mStand

1. Rain Design mStand

Best laptop stand you can buy: a surprisingly gorgeous and practical addition to the desktop

Specifications

Best for: MacBook users
Colour: Silver
Weight: 1.4kg
Laptop size: MacBooks 13 - 17”
Adjustable: Rotating base
Material: Aluminium

Reasons to buy

+
Handy swivel stand 
+
Looks very attractive 

Reasons to avoid

-
No longer a choice of colours

The clever patented design of this laptop stand is ultimately what gives it our top spot, but we also have to mention how good it looks, too. Made to match Apple products, it’s a handsome companion for the MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. The top surface features rubber pads to keep the brushed metal outer of the laptop from getting scratched, and the 360-degree swivel base makes adjusting your position or working (or shopping, or booking a holiday) with a partner easier. The aperture at the back also allows any cables to be neatly organised, so there’s no compromise on aesthetics if you keep your laptop set up at all times. 

Shop more Rain Design products at Amazon

Best adjustable laptop stand: Lavolta Folding Laptop Table Desk Tray Stand with Mouse Board and Cooling Pad

2. Lavolta Folding Laptop Table Desk Tray Stand with Mouse Board and Cooling Pad

Best adjustable laptop stand: whether working from bed or the boardroom, this stand adjusts in a second

Specifications

Best for: Adaptable angles
Colour: Black, yellow, silver, red, blue
Weight: 1.42kg
Laptop size: 7 - 15”
Adjustable: Removable mouse board, adaptable auto-locking parts
Material: Metal

Reasons to buy

+
Supremely adjustable 
+
Built in cooling pad 

Reasons to avoid

-
Some colours cost more 

On first glance, this folding laptop stand looks rather odd with its almost anthropomorphic legs, but personally, we dig the borderline industrial design, and the practical applications for its quirky looks couldn’t be more useful. This phenomenally adjustable laptop stand makes our list for precisely that reason, it can be bent and tilted any which way to suit your sitting position, adaptable to desktop, coffee-table-top or even lying down on the sofa. Whichever way you prefer to work, the in-built cooling pad is sure to be an appreciated touch. 

Browse more Lavolta products at Amazon

Best quick-fix laptop stand: Ergonomic Aluminium Portable Cooling X-Stand

3. Ergonomic Aluminium Portable Cooling X-Stand

Best quick-fix laptop stand: supremely simple and elegantly ergonomic

Specifications

Best for: Temporary setup
Colour: Silver
Weight: 0.141kg
Laptop size: 12 - 17”
Adjustable: No
Material: Aluminium and steel

Reasons to buy

+
Can be folded away when not in use 
+
Simple but effective cooling and optimisation 

Reasons to avoid

-
Can look a bit rough and ready
-
Not adjustable 

If you’re in the market for a laptop stand but don’t have the space to have it as a permanent desktop fixture, or simply don’t like the look of having a stand out at all times, why not go for one that can be stored in a drawer until it’s needed? This x-shaped laptop stand is bare-bones, but very clever and attractive in its simplicity – the open design means that lots of airflow to the bottom of the laptop is a given, and the two little rubber feet at the back create the perfect angle for typing as well as optimum eye level. It’s so small and lightweight, it also has the unique distinction of being the only stand on our list you could conceivably take away with you for business travel, with its fold-flat design. 

More BosVision products at Amazon

Best laptop stand for summer: Trust Azul Laptop Cooling Stand with Dual Fans

4. Trust Azul Laptop Cooling Stand with Dual Fans

Best laptop stand for summer: keep your cool while working or gaming with this fantastic laptop stand

Specifications

Best for: Cooling
Colour: Black
Weight: 0.475kg
Laptop size: Up to 17.3”
Adjustable: No
Material: Steel mesh

Reasons to buy

+
In-built USB-powered fans 
+
Atmospheric blue glow 

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the most attractive
-
Not adjustable

While our previous choice, the cooling x-stand, gives laptop fans room to cool off with its minimal design, there is an alternative if you want something a bit more permanent or sturdier-sounding. This Trust Azul laptop stand has a pretty straightforward solid design that holds your laptop in optimum position for comfortable use. Cleverly built into the body are dual USB-powered fans which circulate air to the bits of the laptop that need it most. It runs the risk of looking a little bulky and industrial in a home office, but its blue-lit fans are rather attractive when in use and the integrated cable storage keeps things tidy.

Find more Trust products at Amazon

Best luxury laptop stand: BDI Bink Salt Laptop Desk

5. BDI Bink Salt Laptop Desk

Best luxury laptop stand: a twist on the usual offerings for changeable home-workers

Specifications

Best for: Indoor-outdoor
Colour: White
Weight: 11kg
Laptop size: Any size
Adjustable: No
Material: Aluminium and steel

Reasons to buy

+
Good if you don’t have a permanent setup 
+
Non-bulky standing desk alternative 

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the most portable 
-
Not adjustable

While far from the most portable option on our list, this BDI laptop desk is still a more movable improvement on the traditional computer desk. If you don’t have a dedicated office space where you can keep your laptop on its stand, this standing desk-meets-accent table is a clever alternative. In powder-coated steel, it’s durable enough to live outdoors as well as indoors, so if you’re lucky enough to often find yourself able to work outside, this might be a more attractive idea than hauling a tabletop laptop stand about.

Browse more BDi products at Amazon

Want more office inspiration?

Annie Collyer
Head Ecommerce Editor

Hi! I'm Annie, and I'm the Head Ecommerce Editor at Real Homes. I've been part of the Real Homes team since 2018, when I joined as Deals Editor. Along with covering major sales events — from Black Friday to Amazon Prime Day — I review home must-haves so that you can buy with peace of mind. Mostly focusing on home fragrance and sleep, as well as a few vacuum cleaners, I've tested pretty much every item you can think of that you need in your home. I live on the outskirts of the city in a two-bed apartment with my husband and my pug, Doug. So I am always searching for compact alternatives and ways to save floor space. What about when I am not typing away? Well, you'll find me enjoying an iced coffee (no matter the season) and trying out the latest brunch spots the city has to offer, or booking my next holiday. Where else can you find my words? Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, Gardeningetc, and Woman & Home.