You may not think you need a MacBook stand, but it’s easily one of the must-have accessories for your desk. Not only do they help you view your laptop more conveniently and comfortably, but they can also help prevent it from overheating. Our two tech editors researched and tested several stands to help you find the best one for your desk or to take with you on the go.
If you want to add a laptop stand to your workstation, there are a few factors to consider before making a purchase. Looks obviously aren't everything, but since you'll look at the stand all day, you'll definitely want it to match your decor and design preference.
Brandon Carte/Best Products
You'll also want to evaluate your workspace and decide whether you want a MacBook stand that is designed for an open or closed MacBook. The advantage of stands that accommodate closed computers is that you have more desk space, and these are a good option for folks with larger-sized monitors. If you plan on using your laptop's built-in screen, however, you should get a stand that can hold your MacBook while it's open or unfolded. I've listed the dimensions for our recommended picks as width by height by depth.
How We Chose
Over the course of a month-long testing period, I tested a dozen MacBook stands in my home office, as well as the portable stands at various coffee shops throughout the city (prior to the global pandemic). For each of the below picks, I considered the following criteria when using them:
How sturdy is the stand?
Is the stand ergonomic?
Does it improve the viewing angles of the display?
Does it take up a significant amount of desk space?
Does it help prevent a laptop from overheating?
Does it look nice and easily blend in with office decor?
Our picks are stylish, sturdy, and small enough that they won't take up too much precious desk space. Shop our favorite laptop stands below.
You can store your keyboard and mouse underneath it
Awkward to travel with
Key Specs
Dimensions: 10 x 5.9 x 7.5 inches
Material: Aluminum
Compatibility: 12- to 17-inch laptops
Colors: Silver, gold, space gray, black
The mStand by Rain Design is the best laptop stand around. Crafted from aluminum, the accessory features a neat cable organizer and a design that facilitates better airflow around your laptop. You can store your wireless keyboard and mouse — or another laptop — at the stand's base, too.
Our tests found the mStand to not only be a premium-looking offering, but also a strong and stable performer that's definitely worth making room for on your desk.
The stand comes in gray, silver, and gold to match your MacBook. It's also available with a 360-degree swivel base for a small up-charge.
Compatibility: All laptops that are at least 10.2 inches wide and up to 7 pounds
Colors: Black or white
If you want an ultra minimalistic stand with a simple design, consider this offering from Twelve South. Although it isn't adjustable or portable, it does offer cooling that’s superior to other options, thanks to its open-faced design. If your laptop runs hot, it's definitely worth considering.
This aluminum option elevates your MacBook by 6.5 inches, and I appreciate that it keeps the palm rest of your computer accessible, so you can easily open your laptop's lid one-handed. I also love its jet-black color that complements both the space gray and silver MacBook stunningly.
Makes your laptop wobble when the stand isn't unfolded
Key Specs
Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.7 x 0.12 inches
Material: PU and fiberglass materials
Compatibility: 12- to 17-inch laptops
Colors: Black, blue, gray, silver, orange
This ingenious stand sticks to the bottom of your laptop. It'll help improve your posture and make typing a better, more ergonomic experience.
The MOFT stand, which is compatible with 13-, 15-, and 16-inch laptops, lets users pick from three different heights to type from. It supports up to 18 pounds, so don’t hold back from typing with all your might!
For those looking for something a little more adjustable, MOFT also makes a similar stand called the Z 5-in-1 Sit-Stand Desk that can reach heights of up to 10 inches, and be configured in four different modes — between 25 and 60 degrees.
Compatibility: Laptops that weigh at least 2.6 pounds
Colors: Silver
Another solid option from Rain Design, the iLevel 2 stand is an adjustable and attractive aluminum stand that effectively elevates your laptop to eye level. Compared to the mStand, this one isn’t fixed and lets you adjust the height of your laptop by sliding a small knob. This adjustable offering is also a top pick by Wirecutter.
It works well with laptops of all shapes, thicknesses, and screen sizes. Technically, it doesn’t have any cable management slots, but you can easily stash wires or a thin Bluetooth keyboard on its backside — underneath your laptop.
If you’re not using an external keyboard, it’s painful to type on
Key Specs
Dimensions: 12.1 x 2 - 21 x 2.1 inches
Material: Aluminum
Compatibility: Laptops of up to 16 inches
Colors: Silver
The Minder Laptop Tower is a durable and adjustable option that stands tall and folds up for easy transport. Your MacBook rests on its metal base, which can be lifted to 21 inches or tilted in order to achieve the most optimal viewing angle.
In addition to the versatility of the stand, it’s also incredibly sturdy. But if you plan on using your laptop’s built-in keyboard with the stand, you should know there are two protruding tabs at its base that can get in the way when typing. The tabs are used to keep your computer from sliding off, but they may annoy you and irritate your wrists.
The Steklo X-Stand will slightly raise your MacBook for better cooling and an enhanced viewing experience. It'll vastly improve its airflow and keep your computer cool during heavy use.
Best of all, when you don't need it, the desktop stand folds for easier storage and transport. It weighs less than 6 ounces and folds up to only 6 inches long, making it the perfect companion to keep your posture in check while working on the go. This option is a lot more affordable than the Roost stand, but isn't as adjustable.
The Twelve South ParcSlope desktop stand will hold your MacBook at a comfy 18-degree angle, which is perfect for long typing sessions. I recommend this stand for folks who don't plan on investing in a separate mouse, keyboard, or external display.
The ParcSlope stand is made of aluminum and comes in black or silver, making it an awesome match for Apple's notebook. It also features an open-wedge design for better airflow and a clever cutout for easy cable management.
This is a great option if you're planning to connect your MacBook to an external monitor. The Rain Design mTower is made from a solid piece of aluminum, so it offers a sleek and slim look for mounting a closed MacBook.
The accessory also increases the airflow around your computer to keep it cooler, and it works with MacBooks of any size. There are two colors to choose from: silver and space gray.
Material: Stainless steel, American black walnut, or eastern Hardrock maple, wool felt, cork
Compatibility: 2016-2021 MacBook Air / Pro
Colors: Walnut, maple
The Grovemade Wood Dock is a gorgeous MacBook cradle that's crafted from hardwood and stainless steel. A real space saver, the stand elevates your closed laptop and protects it from spills when connected to an external monitor.
While testing the Grovemade dock, I found it to be one of the most attractive stands available. It makes your MacBook look like an art piece, all while saving precious desk space in the process.
The stand comes in walnut or maple to perfectly complement your workspace. Plus, the stand has cork on its base to protect your desk against scratches. There's a merino-wool felt cushion to protect your laptop, too.
Material: Stainless steel, American black walnut, or eastern Hardrock maple, tanned leather, cork
Compatibility: All laptops
Colors: Walnut, maple
As its name suggests, this premium Grovemade stand was handcrafted in Oregon using walnut and vegetable-tanned leather, which will protect your notebook from scratches. Beautiful to look at and touch, the stand can hold up to 200 pounds of weight.
Just in case you feel like splurging, Grovemade has an entire collection of desktop accessories that match the stand. A variant made of maple is also available.
Pricey for a product that’s primarily made of plastic
Key Specs
Dimensions: 13 x 1 x 1.5 inches
Material: Rubber, polycarbonate
Compatibility: Fits all laptops
Colors: Black
If you want a strong and secure stand that’ll keep your laptop stable and you're willing to pay a premium price, you won’t be disappointed with the Roost stand. It comes at a high asking price of around $90, but it's one of the most adjustable, portable, and well-made stands you can buy.
I tested the Roost for a few days and found that it’s the easiest stand to set up and adjust to the perfect height. The Roost is incredibly lightweight, and it'll hardly take up any room in your laptop bag. It comes with a small carrying case and features nonslip feet to keep it planted.
Brandon CarteSenior Electronics EditorBrandon Carte has been the technology editor at BestProducts.com since 2017, where he's been covering the latest gadgets and scouring the internet for the greatest deals; His tech reporting has been featured on TopTenReviews.com and USA Today.
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