More Laptop Stands to Consider
There’s no shortage of computer stands out there, and most of them get the job done. While these didn’t quite make my top picks, they still have some perks worth considering.
Rain Design iLevel2
Photograph: Rain Design
Rain Design iLevel2 for $65: I wanted to love the Rain Design iLevel2, assuming that it was a bestseller for a reason. Adjusting the height is easy—you slide the front level—but even at its lowest (5.4 inches), it still feels too high for some setups. It maxes out at 7.9 inches, which works fine if you’re using an external keyboard. Typing directly on your laptop while it’s perched on this stand, however, is a no-no; there’s a noticeable wobble that feels unstable and can get distracting.
Uncaged Ergonomics WorkEZ Best Laptop Stand for $40: If you liked the Nnewvante stand but want something a bit more compact, this one is worth a look. It’s not as sturdy as other picks, but the legs make it versatile enough so that you can use it on a table, bed, or couch, depending on how you’re propped up.
FluidStance Lift Laptop Stand for $79: FluidStance’s Lift Stand is a magnetic whiteboard that doubles as a surface for jotting notes and to-dos. The steel build won’t budge or buckle, and there are built-in notches to manage cables. Note that it’s not foldable, so I would leave this at home. Bonus: The Lift is made in the US from mostly recycled steel.
Arlo Skye Stowaway Lap Desk for $125: I appreciate the lap desk’s cushion and its built-in storage compartment for a caseless laptop (up to 14 inches), plus space for a thin notepad and pen. It’s great for working from bed or the couch, and there’s a slot for holding up your phone or tablet. This is also a solid option for kids. They can draw and color while keeping their supplies together. It is expensive for what it is, though.
Moft Invisible Stand
Photograph: Moft
Moft Invisible Stand for $33: The Moft Invisible Stand is made of MOVAS-P vegan leather and folds like origami to give you two adjustable angles: 25 degrees for viewing purposes and 15 degrees for typing or sketching. It feels flimsy, but it holds up to 11 pounds and folds flat when not in use. If you can’t snag one (it’s often sold out), the Carry Sleeve is another option that doubles as a laptop sleeve—but note it’s not compatible with tablets.
FlexiSpot SC-4U Adjustable Laptop Stand for $50: This stand feels like the sibling of our discontinued pick from ObVus Solutions. It doesn’t get as high (a maximum of 10.6 inches) but would fit better on a small desk or in a bag. It’s tough to adjust, which isn’t necessarily a downside, since it means it won’t budge once you get it to the angle you like. Bonus points for the rotating base, which is great if you’re collaborating with coworkers.
Laptop Stands to Avoid
Amazon is filled with laptop stands, many of which come from companies you may not have heard of. While some of these are higher quality, we’ve come across a few with serious problems.
Tonmom Laptop Stand: When something costs under $10, you can’t have high expectations. I liked the idea of an extremely portable laptop stand—something you could take on a plane or to a coffee shop. And this one had tons of good reviews on Amazon. While the Tonmom Laptop Stand does fold down to something you could toss in a backpack (and comes with a nice velvet bag), it feels very wobbly. It has so many free-floating parts that I never felt like my laptop was safe. It could easily slide out if something bumped it while the laptop is secured.
Gogoonike Laptop Stand: I tried this one as an even cheaper alternative to the Amazon Basics model, but it fails on many levels. I like that it’s not as tight as the Amazon Basics stand, meaning it’s easier to adjust while still feeling firm. But that’s where my compliments end. My unit came with nicks and faded paint all along the edge of the metal base. My guess is that this wear and tear will only get worse over time. The most egregious failure was that my unit wouldn’t sit completely flat on the table, as it uses cheap pads on the bottom rather than proper silicone feet. A laptop stand that doesn’t sit flat on a table is a big problem.
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