Best Laptop stand 2023 • 6 Laptop stands Reviews

What is a laptop stand and how does it work?

If you work on a laptop, you may be familiar with the pains that appear in your upper body after hours of sitting in front of the screen. The hands, shoulders, and neck tend to get the most stressed from these positions. But there’s a tested solution called a laptop stand. Put your laptop on a laptop stand for a better and more ergonomic position.

What types of laptop stands are there?

There are many different models of laptop stands. In the following sections, we will take a closer look at the different types to form an opinion about the market’s available products. This way, you will find the best option for your needs even without having personally tested them.

Folding Laptop Stands

For users who are looking for versatility, folding models are the best; they facilitate both ventilation and support. They are also easy to transport, as they can fold down. In addition to being usable at a desk, folding stands can also be used on a bed or sofa.

Cooling Laptop Stands

Some laptop stands also come with cooling bases. These are normally fixed supports and have several fans to ventilate your computer. They are normally designed for those who use their laptops for gaming, considering the rise in the device’s temperature caused by the intense use by most video games.

Metal Laptop Stands

If you do not plan on taking your laptop around many places, the bases made of a single piece of metal or plastic are your best option. The metal ones are usually made out of steel or aluminum, with nonslip rubber or silicone appliqués. Some models even have a mouse tray or accessories like pencil holders.

Convenient Laptop Stands

There are also laptop stands that incorporate a pad or cushion capable of molding to the users’ lap. They are designed for recreational use, such as watching a series comfortably in an armchair or surfing the net while lying in bed. To provide convenience, some models also incorporate a small LED lamp.

Shopping Criteria for Laptop Stands

Currently, there is a wide range of laptop stands on the market, which makes it difficult to choose the most suitable one for your needs. In this section, we go over some key characteristics that will help you form an opinion on the topic and which you should therefore consider when comparing and buying a laptop stand. This way, you will find the best option for you even without having to personally test the product first. We also offer you some additional tips that will be useful when purchasing a stand. The following are key aspects to consider.

• Laptop size in inches
• How you use your laptop
• Cooling bases
• External keyboard and mouse

Laptop Size in Inches

Before buying a laptop stand, make sure it is compatible with the size of your laptop. If you buy one that is too small, you run the risk of it not being able to support the weight of the laptop, meaning it may fall. On the other hand, keep in mind that the larger the computer, the wider the base needs to be. You should therefore compare your equipment first.

Virtually all laptop bases are designed and tested to easily support laptops up to 15 inches, the standard screen size. However, if your laptop is between 16 and 18 inches, be sure that the base you are buying is compatible. Metal bases are recommended for screens of this size.

Using Your Laptop With a Stand

How you use your laptop will make a difference in the type of stand you buy. If you use your laptop leisurely, a stand with cushions may be very useful. In this case, cooling will not be much of a problem since the computer is only being used for shorter amounts of time.

However, if you use your computer for work, it is best to opt for a stand with adjustable height support. This way, the long hours of work on a laptop will not take a toll on your health.

Cooling Bases: The Best Option for Gamers

Currently, laptops are equipped with very efficient and quiet cooling units. However, when the ambient temperature is high, it can cause damage to the laptop’s components. Cooling bases are an ideal and tested solution to this problem.

If you use your computer for gaming, we advise that you choose a laptop stand with a cooling base, as this will help to extend the life of your device. Likewise, if you work with video editing and graphic design programs, cooling bases should likely be your first choice, too.

External Keyboard and Mouse

Even if you are used to working on your laptop’s keyboard, if you place it on a stand, you may have to buy a wireless mouse and keyboard. Many laptop stands—especially models with adjustable legs—raise the device between 5 and 15 cm above the table’s surface, making it difficult to use your keyboard.

Other models, on the other hand, do not require you to purchase other accessories. This is the case for models designed to be used on beds and sofas that have low angles of inclination. In these cases, the hands can continue resting on the laptop, thus avoiding a posture that can harm us. Once you have formed an opinion about your requirements, you can decide between those two options.

Related Links and Sources

• https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-laptop-stands/
• https://www.thebalancesmb.com/best-laptop-stands-4844044
• https://nomadific.com/best-portable-laptop-stands/
• https://www.pcmag.com/picks/6-laptop-stands-to-help-clear-the-desk-clutter?test_uuid=001OQhoHLBxsrrrMgWU3gQF&test_variant=b

FAQ

Why is it important to use a laptop stand?

The main reason to use a laptop stand is, in our opinion, to prevent discomfort and even injury, not to increase productivity or prevent heating of the laptop. When we have the computer on the desk, we are looking down, when ideally, it is better to have the screen aligned horizontally with our eyes. This is achieved with most laptop stand models. When working on your computer, you should remember that your body should form a 90 degree angle with your main joints: knees, hips, and elbows. The main thing is that the computer screen is in front of your eyes. Some bases raise the laptop so much that you need to have an external keyboard and mouse, so keep this in mind when you are choosing one.

What should I keep in mind when purchasing a laptop stand with ventilation?

Although current laptops generally have very efficient cooling systems, a marathon work day, or using the laptop for long hours of gaming can raise its temperature quite considerably. To avoid this, you can use a base with an active cooling system (like fans) which have been tested in order to help lower the heat of your computer. Metallic bases with ventilation usually have better results than plastic ones. Although they tend to be somewhat more expensive, they are more durable, which justifies the investment. Take into account the size of the base, as well as the number of fans it has. The latter is essential for proper cooling. More fans does not necessarily mean better cooling, and sometimes two or three powerful and well placed plans are enough. Watch the power of the fans in the area where the computer rests. In some cases, dust and lint can accumulate between the base and the laptop and affect its performance. The power of the fans is usually measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), that is, the volume of air that passes through them in this measure of time. The higher the CFM of the cooling base, the more noise that the fan will make, which is an important factor to consider when deciding between models.

How to turn a laptop into a desktop PC with a vertical stand?

Have you ever considered using your laptop as if it were a desktop PC? To do this, you will have to get a base that allows you to place it closed in an upright position. By placing your computer vertically, you will have a lot of space on your work desk. In addition, you can get a monitor that is larger than your laptop screen. The only downside? With some models, to press the power button you have to open the lid, which is a minor discomfort compared to the advantages offered by vertical bases.

Are there laptop stands for the car?

Although the interior of a car does not seem like the ideal place for a laptop, there are people who need to use the computer in the car for work. To meet this need there are laptop stands that can be adapted to both the front and the rear seats of the car. Some models act as briefcases that hang on the back of the front seats. In addition to serving as storage spaces, opening them will give you a horizontal base to work comfortably while sitting in the backseat. They have been tested to be very useful accessories for traveling on long journeys.