Laptop Stands: Do You Actually Need One? ($20-$80 Comparison)
After a year of neck pain from hunching over my laptop, I tested 7 different laptop stands to find what actually fixes posture without breaking the bank.
Here's what I learned: most people buy the wrong stand for their needs.
The Problem: Laptop Neck
Laptops force you to look down 15-30 degrees. After 2-3 hours, your neck screams.
The fix: Raise the laptop screen to eye level.
But there's a catch: You can't type comfortably when the keyboard is raised.
Solution: Laptop stand + external keyboard + mouse.
The Four Types of Stands
1. Fixed Stands ($15-$30)
Single angle, lightweight, portable.
2. Adjustable Stands ($30-$50)
Multiple height/angle options.
3. Vertical Stands ($20-$35)
Holds closed laptop upright (for clamshell mode).
4. Premium Stands ($60-$150)
Metal, weighted, fancy designs.
Budget Fixed Stand: Nulaxy C3 — $20
Pros:
- Cheap
- Folds flat for travel
- Rubber pads protect laptop
- Stable enough for most laptops
Cons:
- Fixed angle (can't adjust)
- Plastic (feels cheap)
- Not great for heavy 17" laptops
- Slight wobble when typing (use external keyboard)
My take: Perfect for testing if you even like laptop stands. If it helps, upgrade later.
Best for: Budget users, students, testing the concept
Best Adjustable: Rain Design mStand — $50
Pros:
- Aluminum (looks premium)
- Weighted base (no wobble)
- Cable management cutout
- Matches MacBooks (silver)
- Lasts forever (I've had mine 3 years)
Cons:
- Fixed height (not adjustable despite name)
- Expensive for aluminum
- Heavy (not portable)
Real-world use:
- Rock solid (zero wobble even when typing)
- Raises screen 5.5" (perfect for most people)
- Looks professional
- Aluminum dissipates heat
My take: This is what I use daily. Expensive but worth it if you use a laptop as your main machine.
Best for: MacBook users, permanent desk setups, anyone who values aesthetics
Most Adjustable: Nulaxy C5 — $35
Pros:
- Fully adjustable (height + angle)
- Sturdy (holds up to 17" laptops)
- Rubber grips prevent sliding
- Folds flat for travel
- Phone holder on base
Cons:
- Plastic (not premium feeling)
- Slightly wobbly at max height
- Hinges loosen over time
My take: Best bang-for-buck adjustable option. I'd buy this over mStand if I didn't care about looks.
Best for: People who move between standing/sitting desks, laptop + monitor setups
Best Vertical Stand: Twelve South BookArc — $50
Pros:
- Saves desk space (laptop stands upright)
- Weighted (stable)
- Premium aluminum + leather
- Adjustable width (fits most laptops)
- Looks like art on your desk
Cons:
- Only works in clamshell mode (laptop closed)
- Expensive for what it is
- No adjustability
Real-world use:
- Perfect for MacBook + external monitor setups
- Frees up massive desk space
- Laptop stays cool (vertical airflow)
My take: Only buy if you use external monitor 100% of the time. Otherwise get mStand.
Best for: Clamshell mode users, minimal desk setups, single monitor workflows
Premium Option: Twelve South HiRise Pro — $80
Pros:
- Height adjustable (2.5" to 5.7")
- Front support arm (lifts from front, not back)
- Internal storage shelf
- Metal + leather
- Weighted base
Cons:
- Expensive ($80 for a stand!)
- Heavy (not portable)
- Overkill for most people
My take: Beautiful but unnecessary. mStand does 95% of this for $30 less.
Best for: People who want the absolute best, adjustable height without plastic
Portable Option: Roost Laptop Stand V3 — $75
Pros:
- Weighs 6 oz (ultra-portable)
- Folds to 13" x 1.5"
- Height adjustable
- Works in coffee shops/airports
- Sturdy despite being lightweight
Cons:
- Expensive
- Fiddly to set up
- Plastic arms feel fragile (they're not, but look it)
My take: Only makes sense if you work from cafes/airports regularly. For home, get mStand.
Best for: Digital nomads, frequent travelers, remote workers on the go
Do You Actually Need a Stand?
Buy a stand if:
- You use your laptop as main computer (4+ hours/day)
- You get neck pain from looking down
- You have an external keyboard + mouse
- You use a monitor + want laptop as secondary screen
Skip the stand if:
- You use a desktop computer
- Your laptop is only for couch/bed use
- You don't have external keyboard (defeats the purpose)
- You move around constantly (portability matters)
My Setup (What I Actually Use)
At desk:
- Rain Design mStand ($50)
- External monitor (27" 1440p)
- Mechanical keyboard + mouse
- Laptop screen as secondary display
On the go:
- Nulaxy C3 ($20) — folds flat in backpack
- Compact keyboard (Keychron K3)
- Portable mouse
Result: Perfect ergonomics at desk, good-enough on the road.
The Cheap DIY Alternative
Stack books to raise your laptop. Free. Ugly, but works.
Pros: Free
Cons: Unstable, blocks airflow, looks terrible
If you're skeptical about stands, try this for a week. If it helps, buy a real stand.
Accessories You Need
External Keyboard — $30-$100
You can't type comfortably when laptop is raised. Get a separate keyboard.
Logitech K380 — $30 (budget)
Keychron K3 — $90 (mechanical)
External Mouse — $25-$100
Same reason. Laptop trackpad is now 6" higher and awkward.
Logitech M720 — $25 (budget)
Logitech MX Master 3S — $100 (premium)
My Recommendations
Best Budget: Nulaxy C3 ($20)
Cheap, portable, good enough to test the concept.
Best Value: Nulaxy C5 ($35) ⭐
Fully adjustable, sturdy, best bang-for-buck.
Best Premium: Rain Design mStand ($50)
Aluminum, rock solid, lasts forever. What I use daily.
Best Portable: Roost V3 ($75)
Ultra-light, fits in backpack, perfect for nomads.
The Bottom Line
For most people: Nulaxy C5 ($35)
Adjustable, sturdy, cheap.
For MacBook + desk setup: Rain Design mStand ($50)
Premium, stable, looks great.
For clamshell mode: Twelve South BookArc ($50)
Saves desk space, vertical storage.
For travel: Roost V3 ($75)
Lightweight, portable, actually works on the go.
Do you use a laptop stand? Worth it or gimmick? Drop a comment!
Disclosure: This article contains Amazon affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I've personally tested.
Top comments (0)