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The best laptop stand for your desk depends on one simple question:
Do you normally work with the laptop open, or do you keep it closed and use external monitors?
Those are two very different setups, and I wouldn’t buy the same type of stand for both.
If the laptop stays open, I want an adjustable stand that raises the screen and lets me position it beside an external monitor. My pick is the Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Stand.
If the laptop normally stays closed because you use a docking station and external monitors, I would save the desk space and use the HumanCentric Vertical Laptop Stand.
Best Laptop Stands for Desk: Quick Picks
| Best For | Laptop Stand | Why I Recommend It |
|---|---|---|
| Open Laptop | Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Stand | Adjustable height and angle, rotating base and room for larger laptops |
| Closed Laptop / Docking Station | HumanCentric Vertical Laptop Stand | Keeps a closed laptop upright and gets it out of the way |
My quick recommendation: If the laptop screen is part of your workspace, buy the Lamicall. If you normally run external monitors with the laptop closed, buy the HumanCentric.
Best Laptop Stand for an Open Laptop: Lamicall Adjustable Stand
The Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Stand is the one I would choose when the laptop itself remains part of the working setup.
Instead of leaving the laptop flat on the desk, the stand lets you raise and angle the screen so it can sit closer to the height of an external monitor.
That’s useful if you use the laptop as a second or third screen, especially when most of the rest of your setup is already at normal monitor height.
The current Lamicall design supports laptops from roughly 10 to 17.3 inches and combines an adjustable hinge with a 360-degree rotating base.
That rotating base isn’t essential, but it is useful if you occasionally turn the screen toward someone else or need to reposition the laptop without dragging the entire stand across the desk.
Why I Like It for a Work Desk
- Raises the laptop screen instead of leaving it flat on the desk.
- Adjustable angle makes it easier to line up with your external monitor.
- Works with a wide range of laptop sizes.
- 360-degree rotation makes repositioning easy.
- Aluminum construction gives it a cleaner workstation look than a basic plastic riser.
- Open design leaves airflow around the laptop.
The biggest advantage isn’t the stand itself. It’s what raising the laptop does to the overall workstation.
If the laptop screen sits several inches below your main monitor, you constantly move your eyes and head between two different heights. Raising it closer to the external display makes a multi-screen setup feel much more natural.
Best for: People who actively use the laptop screen while working.
Skip it if: Your laptop stays closed most of the day. In that case, an adjustable stand uses more desk space than necessary.
Best Vertical Laptop Stand: HumanCentric
If you normally use your laptop closed with external monitors, I would go in the opposite direction.
Instead of raising the laptop, get it out of the way.
The HumanCentric Vertical Laptop Stand holds a closed laptop upright so it takes up only a small strip of desk space.
That’s the setup I prefer for someone who has turned a laptop into a permanent desktop-style workstation with a docking station, external keyboard, mouse and one or more monitors.
Why a Vertical Stand Makes Sense With a Dock
Once the laptop screen isn’t being used, there is very little reason for the computer to occupy a large section of the desk.
A vertical stand reduces its footprint and keeps the laptop accessible for the one cable that normally connects it to the dock.
- Uses much less desk space than laying the laptop flat.
- Keeps the laptop upright beside or behind the monitor.
- Automatic gripping design adjusts around the laptop.
- Protective contact surfaces help prevent scratches.
- Aluminum construction fits cleanly into a permanent desk setup.
- Works especially well with a one-cable docking-station setup.
HumanCentric lists the stand for laptops up to roughly 1 inch thick, which covers most conventional laptops.
As with any vertical stand, I would still check the thickness of an unusually large gaming laptop or workstation before ordering.
Best for: Closed-laptop setups with external monitors, keyboard, mouse and docking station.
Skip it if: You actively use the laptop display while working.
Adjustable vs Vertical Laptop Stand
| Feature | Adjustable Stand | Vertical Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop Screen Used | Yes | No |
| Raises Screen | Yes | No |
| Desk Space | Uses more | Uses very little |
| External Monitor Setup | Excellent | Excellent |
| Docking Station Setup | Good | Excellent |
| Best For | Open-laptop workstation | Closed-laptop workstation |
This is why I wouldn’t call one style universally better.
The correct choice comes down to whether the laptop screen is useful to you.
If it is, raise it.
If it isn’t, get it off the main working area of the desk.
Do You Need a Laptop Stand?
Not everyone does.
If you work directly from a laptop for short periods and are comfortable with the screen position, there isn’t much reason to buy another piece of equipment.
A stand starts making much more sense when the laptop becomes part of a permanent desk setup.
I would consider one if:
- you use an external keyboard and mouse;
- you have an external monitor;
- the laptop screen sits noticeably lower than your monitor;
- you want to use the laptop as another display;
- you use a docking station;
- you normally keep the laptop closed;
- you want more usable desk space.
Why Laptop Screen Height Matters
The biggest reason to use an adjustable laptop stand isn’t to make the desk look better. It’s to get the screen into a more useful position.
A laptop placed directly on the desk naturally puts the screen much lower than a typical external monitor.
When you’re using an external keyboard and mouse anyway, there’s no reason the laptop screen has to stay at keyboard height.
Raise it until the screen works comfortably with the rest of your displays.
You don’t need to chase one exact measurement. Your chair height, desk height, monitor size and viewing distance all affect the final position.
The goal is simply to avoid spending the entire workday looking sharply downward at a screen sitting flat on the desk.
Best Laptop Stand for an External Monitor Setup
If you’re using both the laptop display and an external monitor, I would choose the Lamicall adjustable stand.
Place the laptop beside the main monitor and adjust its height until the displays feel like part of the same workstation rather than two unrelated screens.
This works especially well when the laptop is used for secondary information such as:
- email;
- Teams or Slack;
- Spotify;
- reference material;
- calendar;
- monitoring dashboards.
Your primary work can stay on the larger external monitor while the laptop becomes a useful secondary display.
If you’re deciding how to arrange the screens, see the Dual Monitor Setup for Work guide.
Best Laptop Stand for a Docking Station Setup
This is where I prefer the HumanCentric vertical stand.
A docking station lets the laptop behave much more like a desktop computer.
You connect your monitors, keyboard, mouse, Ethernet and other devices to the dock, then connect the laptop through the dock’s host cable.
If the computer supports closed-lid operation with your setup, the laptop screen no longer needs to be part of the workstation.
At that point, standing it vertically makes more sense than using valuable desk space to keep it flat.
If you’re still deciding whether you need a dock, see What Is a Docking Station for a Laptop? Do You Need One?
And if you already own one, my Docking Station Setup Guide walks through the full connection and troubleshooting process.
Can You Use a Laptop Closed With External Monitors?
Usually, yes, as long as the laptop and operating system support the display setup you’re trying to run.
In Windows, you can configure what happens when the laptop lid closes through the power settings.
Mac laptops can also operate with external displays while closed in supported configurations.
Just remember that the number of external monitors supported depends on the specific laptop, graphics hardware, connection type and dock.
A vertical stand doesn’t create additional display capability. It simply gives you a better place to put the laptop once you know the closed-lid setup works.
What to Look for in a Laptop Stand for Your Desk
Laptop Size
Check the manufacturer’s supported laptop sizes before buying.
This becomes more important with unusually large 17-inch laptops, thick gaming systems and mobile workstations.
Adjustability
If the laptop remains open, adjustability matters much more than it does with a vertical stand.
You want enough movement to position the laptop naturally with your external display rather than being stuck with one fixed height.
Stability
The stand shouldn’t wobble every time you adjust the screen or touch the laptop.
This matters especially with larger laptops because the weight sits farther from the center of the stand.
Protective Pads
Look for rubber or silicone contact points where the stand touches the laptop and desk.
They help prevent scratches and keep the computer from sliding.
Ventilation
An open stand can improve the amount of air circulating around the bottom of a laptop compared with placing it directly on a flat desk.
That doesn’t turn a laptop stand into a cooling system, but I prefer a design that doesn’t unnecessarily block the underside of the computer.
What About Vertical Laptop Stands With Two Slots?
Dual-slot vertical stands can make sense if you regularly keep two closed devices on the desk — for example, a work laptop and personal laptop.
I wouldn’t buy one just because it has more capacity, though.
If you only use one laptop, a single-slot stand is simpler and usually takes up less room.
Laptop Stand vs Monitor Arm With Laptop Tray
A monitor arm with a laptop tray is another option if you want the laptop completely off the desk.
That can work well, but it adds cost and complexity compared with a normal laptop stand.
I would use a dedicated laptop stand unless you specifically want:
- the laptop suspended above the desk;
- more freedom to reposition it;
- a completely clear desktop;
- the laptop integrated into an existing monitor-arm system.
If you’re already considering monitor arms, see my Best Monitor Arm for Home Office guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best laptop stand for a desk?
For an open laptop, my pick is the Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Stand because it lets you raise and angle the laptop screen and rotate the stand. For a closed laptop connected to external monitors, I prefer the HumanCentric Vertical Laptop Stand because it uses much less desk space.
Is an adjustable laptop stand worth it?
It can be if you use the laptop screen while working. Raising the laptop makes it easier to position beside an external monitor and avoids leaving the display flat at desk height.
Is a vertical laptop stand safe?
Yes, when the stand fits the laptop correctly and has protective contact surfaces. Make sure the computer is stable, isn’t being squeezed excessively and has enough clearance for your particular design and cooling layout.
Should I use a vertical laptop stand with a docking station?
If you normally keep the laptop closed and use external monitors, a vertical stand is one of the cleanest ways to reduce the laptop’s footprint on the desk. The HumanCentric is my preferred choice for that type of setup.
Does a laptop stand improve ergonomics?
An adjustable stand can make it easier to raise the laptop display to a more comfortable viewing position. For a permanent setup, use an external keyboard and mouse so you aren’t forced to reach upward to type on the raised laptop.
Can I use a laptop stand with an external monitor?
Yes. An adjustable stand is especially useful when you want the laptop screen to function as another display beside an external monitor. Raise and position it until both screens feel comfortable to use together.
Should I keep my laptop open or closed at my desk?
Keep it open if the extra screen is useful. Keep it closed if you already have enough external monitor space and would rather reclaim the desk area. Your laptop’s external-display support ultimately determines which configurations are possible.
Final Verdict
Choosing the best laptop stand for your desk is easier once you stop treating every laptop setup the same way.
If you use the laptop display during the workday, I would buy the Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Stand. Raising and angling the laptop makes it much easier to integrate with an external monitor.
If you use external monitors and normally keep the laptop closed, I prefer the HumanCentric Vertical Laptop Stand. It solves the more important problem in that setup: getting the laptop out of the way.
You don’t need a complicated laptop stand. You just need the style that matches how you actually use the computer.
Related Home Office Guides
- What Is a Docking Station for a Laptop? — decide whether your workstation needs a dock.
- How to Set Up a Docking Station — connect monitors, peripherals and troubleshoot common problems.
- Dual Monitor Setup for Work — arrange and configure multiple screens.
- Best Monitor Arm for Home Office — free up desk space and position your displays.
- Best Monitors for Home Office — current monitor recommendations from budget to premium.
- Desk Cable Management — clean up the dock, laptop and monitor cables after the setup is finished.