The Ultimate MacBook & iMac Stand Buying Guide

In an era where Apple devices like MacBooks and iMacs grow in popularity for recreational and work use, it’s increasingly important to have the right stands and risers to set these devices on. Having your iMac or MacBook set at the right level can save you from years of repetitive stress-injury issues as well as keep your back from experiencing poor posture and associated pain. 

The best MacBook and iMac stands help combat the dreaded tech neck (yes, that’s a thing). You know, that strain on your spine due to keeping your head bent for hours as you look down at your screen while working. This guide covers various adjustable laptop stands that can elevate the height and angles to a comfortable viewing position. Besides, these stands allow for optimal air circulation, preventing your MacBook or iMac from overheating or shutting down.

Also, when you want to create a portable workstation, having a provision for an external keyboard and mouse is a plus. Hence, this buying guide offers an in-depth look at laptop stands with stylish designs that allow the seamless addition of these accessories. 

All our selections are lightweight and compact, which helps minimize any additional weight to your laptop bag. Other notable features include using a cable management system that declutters your workspace and keeping your laptop off the table, away from dirt and spills. So if you’re in the market for a truly great MacBook or iMac stand, here is a summary of our top recommendations: 

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

SLIMMEST MACBOOK STAND

The slimmest MacBook stand is the MOFT Laptop Stand. At a mere 3mm in thickness, it supports up to 18 lbs, including 15.6″ laptops.

BEST MACBOOK FOR A STANDING DESK

If you are a DJ looking for the best MacBook for a standing desk, consider getting the Griffin Elevator Laptop Stand. It fits old and new MacBook versions, leaving you ample space to set up your digital interface.

BEST MACBOOK STAND FOR MINIMALISTS

The Twelve South Curve for MacBooks and Laptops uses an elegantly curved aluminum stand requiring no assembly. This stand relies on raised edges and minimalistic silicone pads to stabilize your MacBook. It uses minimal space, supports 11″ to 17″ laptops, making it the best MacBook stand for minimalists. 

BEST ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT MACBOOK STAND

The MOFT Laptop Stand is an ultra-slim laptop stand with two adjustable height settings for improved body posture. It is easy to fold and attach to a flat surface.

BEST LOOKING MACBOOK STAND

The elago L2 Laptop Stand is our pick for the best-looking MacBook Stand. It uses a one-piece design comprising premium aluminum alloy. Plus, it has a quality finish that blends in well with your MacBook’s sleek design. 

BEST PLASTIC STAND FOR YOUR iMAC

We think that the AboveTEK Premium Acrylic Monitor Stand is the best plastic stand for your iMac, retailing in a transparent style that blends into any interior décor. It supports monitors and laptops of up to 50 lbs. And it lifts the display by up to 30 inches. 

BEST WOODEN STAND FOR YOUR MACBOOK

The best wooden stand for your MacBook is the Grovemade Wood Laptop Stand. It retails in attractive walnut and maple wood finishing. And, it can support up to 200 pounds, meaning that in a pinch, you can use it for some other mega-weight bearing purpose. 

1. Twelve South HiRise for MacBook

When you unbox the Twelve South HiRise for MacBook, it arrives fully assembled. The MacBook stand will elevate your MacBook by up to 6 inches to an ergonomic viewing height. It does this using a rear piston that also aligns the laptop to an external display. Further, the metallic design promotes easy airflow to the computer for an unheated and quieter performance. And, you can set it up on any tabletop surface without worrying about it wobbling, slipping, or making scratch marks on your desk.

2. elago L2 Laptop Stand

If you want to avoid slouching, consider getting the eLago L2 Laptop Stand, a seamless quality aluminum alloy that elevates your laptop to an eye-level position. It is a single-piece, sturdy design that also acts as a heat sink. Here, heat dissipation from your MacBook goes through the aluminum and out via the bottom section. On top of the stand are five rubber panels that secure your laptop, preventing it from sliding around or getting scratches. The back of the MacBook laptop stand has two cutouts to help you organize your cables for an organized workspace.

3. AboveTEK Laptop Stand

When you want to work outdoors, carry the AboveTEK Laptop Stand for its multipurpose uses. This large, lightweight, and foldable MacBook Pro stand can double up as your bed sofa table, a reading holder, standing desk, a drawing table, a breakfast tray, or a camping table when out camping. It uses an adjustable Z-type dual-arm design that will support laptops weighing up to 22 lbs. Its premium aluminum alloy build dissipates heat well, keeping your computer well ventilated. And its anti-slip rubber grips ensure your iMac remains firm as your work. This laptop stand is excellent for gamers or anyone who prefers to use a mouse instead of a touchpad.

4. Griffin Elevator Laptop Stand

Are you using the older MacBook Pro Silver or the new Gold, or Space Grey? If so, the Griffin Elevator Laptop Stand will match it perfectly. For, it features a minimalistic brushed aluminum body for a stylish yet functional finish. Even though it fits most laptops and PCs, its compatibility is based on the MacBook Pro (13-inch & 15-inch), MacBook Air (11-inch & 13-inch), and the 2015 MacBook. This laptop stand uses a clear panel to prevent your laptop from slipping. And, rear rubber grips guard your desk against getting scratches.

5. Twelve South Curve for MacBooks and Laptops

As the name suggests, the Twelve South Curve for MacBooks and Laptops is a simplistic ergonomic laptop stand comprising a curved base and arm with anti-slip silicone pads. It lifts your laptop by up to 6 inches to an ergonomic height ideal for working. Then, there is a cooling zone underneath the arms, preventing your machine from overheating.

6. Rain Design 10032 mStand Laptop Stand

When searching for a balanced and sturdy stand for your MacBook Pro, think of the patented Rain Design 10032 mStand Laptop Stand. It is a seamless aluminum unit, retailing in three aesthetic colour variations on a sand-blasted, silver anodized finish. The stand will hold your computer in place as you work, elevating it to your eye level. It includes a keyboard stash to keep it tucked away when not in use. And convenient cable holes to keep your workspace free of cables and wiring.

7. Soundance Laptop Stand

The Soundance Laptop Stand is an ergonomic aluminum laptop stand for MacBooks, Notebooks, and laptops of 10 inches to 15.6 inches. It elevates the display to your eye level, ensuring you are comfortable for long hours. The arms have raised edges to prevent your laptop from slipping. Then, a ventilation space below allows heat to flow away from the computer. And, there are rubber feet at the base to keep it from sliding or scratching the tabletop.

8. Grovemade – Wood Laptop Stand

Grovemade is a renowned brand for high-quality office and desk accessories that aim at improving your productivity. Its Wood Laptop Stand meticulously elevates your workspace. In turn, it reduces the strain on your neck or eyes due to hunching down when you work. The stand uses high-quality American woods, with natural cork feet that grip your desk and serve as padding. It sits at a depressed angle for better viewing and has a metal stop to guard your laptop against slipping.

9. Razer Laptop Stand Chroma

Do you own the Razer Blade? If so, use the Razer Laptop Stand Chroma when gaming for all-around elevated viewing. Indeed, this laptop stand is custom-designed for the Razer Blade Stealth and the Razer Blade and comes with preloaded lighting effects for a pleasant gaming experience.

10. SKYZONAL Aluminum Notebook Desktop Stand

When you get the SKYZONAL Aluminum Notebook Desktop Stand, you elevate your viewing height by up to 5.9 inches. It is an improved position that keeps you comfortable. Further, this notebook laptop stand includes a keyboard stash that saves on space.

11. obVus Solutions Adjustable Laptop Tower Stand

The obVus Solutions Adjustable Laptop Tower Stand is a portable and retractable aluminum laptop stand aiming to combat back and neck pain associated with poor sitting posture. It shifts from a standing to a sitting position in seconds, allowing you to set a comfortable viewing angle.

12. Twelve South HiRise Pro for iMac/ Displays/ Monitors

When shopping for a laptop stand for your guest lounge, consider getting the luxurious Twelve South HiRise Pro for iMac/ Displays/ Monitors. It features a reversible walnut and aluminum front plate, complete with a padded leather top. Inside the stand is an internal shelf that is adjustable to four different heights. That way, you can vary the laptop height and storage space depending on the items at hand.

13. AboveTEK Premium Acrylic Monitor Stand

Setting up your gaming, workspace, or home study areas with an elevated laptop stand that blends into your current décor while raising your monitor to a comfortable viewing position is a plus. For this exact use, consider getting the AboveTEK Premium Acrylic Monitor Stand. It is a clear acrylic monitor stand that fits monitors of up to 30 inches. Hence, it supplements your TV screen and gives you ample storage space for smaller gadgets.

14. Mount-It! Aluminum Monitor Stand for iMac

If you need a laptop stand that will hold your large screens of up to 32 inches, then Mount-It! The Aluminum Monitor Stand for iMac is your best pick. It features a spacious aluminum platform on rubber feet. The platform has a sleek silver finish. It is lightweight, hence portable. And, it uses a cable management system that helps you declutter your tabletop.

15. Rain Design mBase 27-Inch for iMac

The Rain Design mBase 27-Inch for iMac is a sleek and durable aluminum laptop stand. It has a minimalistic style that uses an aluminum finish to match an iMac aluminum base. Plus, there are integrated drawers and a cable management system to keep your workspace clutter-free.

16. Satechi Type-C Aluminum Monitor Stand Hub with USB-C Data

This aluminum monitor stand from Satechi does more than just lifting your iMac to a comfortable eye-level position. It is a durable iMac and monitor stand that uses built-in expansion ports to accommodate Apple iMac models. Here, you may transfer data of up to 5 Gbps using the available data transfer, USB, and audio jack ports. Besides, there is storage space for your other smaller gadgets.

17. Twelve South Curve Riser Monitor Stand

Here is maybe the most minimalist yet highly functional stand for your iMac. The Twelve South Curve Riser Monitor Stand uses an ergonomic yet stylish design that includes a monitor stand and storage shelves for accessories. It supports your monitor or computer, keeping you comfortable when gaming, working or watching your favourite movie. Plus, it has a spacious heat sink that also works as a storage space for an external keyboard and mouse.

18. Navaris Wood Monitor Stand Riser

The Navaris Wood Monitor Stand Riser is a stylish and functional iMac stand made from real wooden grain with a black, natural, or white stain finish. The stand elevates your iMac to your eye level, helping you maintain a healthy sitting or standing posture. This way, you have ample space underneath for your keyboard, files, folders, or cellphones. It is an innovative way to keep your desk organized while maintaining a healthy working posture.

19. SONGMICS Bamboo 2-Tier Monitor Stand Riser with Adjustable Storage Organizer

If you are shopping for a laptop stand or a stand for your monitor, the SONGMICS Bamboo 2-Tier Monitor Stand and Riser has a solution for you. It is a patented monitor stand and desk storage organizer, using renewable bamboo wood that blends nicely with your interior décor. Here, you get a display section for your laptop, six slots for your stationery, and small electronic gadgets. Plus, two cellphone slots allow you to pick or make calls while working.

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