However, one key accessory is often overlooked: a monitor stand. A single piece of wood, glass or metal can transform your remote working (or PC gaming) experience for the better, lifting your monitor/s to a more ergonomic height for video calls. Without having to hunch over or look up, it should improve your posture too. There are plenty of great options out there, but we’ve been lucky enough to review some of the finest. Here are our picks of the best monitor stands you can buy. All of the following are compatible with both Windows and Mac. While you are waiting for a professional stand from the options below, try using a sturdy, weighted shoebox, which is usually much more stable than a pile of wobbly books—although a heavy all-in-one PC or iMac might be too much weight.
Why you need a monitor stand
Pain in the neck? Stiff back when you get up from your desk? It’s likely your computer screen is at the wrong height, and you’re damaging your vertebrae for hours every day.
Inexpensive Height adjustable
Basic Not pretty
This monitor stand has broad column-style stackable legs with non-skid feet, so you can choose the perfect height (from 4-8 inches) for you. It is not pretty but has 11 inches of storage space underneath for laptops, keyboards, and game consoles, or maybe that essential packet of biscuits. And your neck will thank you very quickly. It can handle monitors or computers weighing up to 10kg (22lb).
Built-in hub Stylish
Expensive
It does a good job of raising the screen to a height where I’m not looking down at it and damaging my neck muscles and vertebrae. Yet, it is more than just a monitor stand, as its front is bristling with USB ports (three USB-A and one USB-C) plus SD Card readers and an audio jack. Just plug it into the back of your PC or Mac with the neatly hidden built-in cable (USB-A or USB-C). Use the SD Card readers to create inexpensive and super-fast backups, and never again have to fiddle around at the back of your computer trying to find the spare USB port.
Highly adjustable
Bulky to store
There are cooling fans on the base, which you can even power via a USB charger—a cable is included. There’s no assembly required, except for an optional smaller stand that can be connected to the side, which I still haven’t worked out how to attach. It takes a few tries to work out how to angle the legs, but it’s pretty easy when you get the hang of it. It’s all done with buttons at each leg’s adjustment point. As soon as you see its versatility and sturdiness, you can dream up all sorts of uses, but as a monitor or laptop stand it works very well, and will free up space underneath for keyboard and mouse when not in use. It’s foldable and weighs about 1.8kg.
Height adjustable Sturdy
Large
It’s a lot more than just a monitor stand, and will get you off your seat, and standing in no time. When you want to sit down again, just squeeze the handle to return the converter to a lower position. Unlike a full standing desk, a desk converter such as Flexispot’s M7 AlcoveRiser, requires very little construction. It doesn’t need external power as it has a smooth, easy-to-operate pneumatic lift system via a side handle. It’s pretty massive, though, at 88cm by 59cm (35-x-23.2in), and will likely take up a lot of your available desk space. The surface could hold two small displays or one large monitor, with some space for your desk essentials—pens, paper, and a cup of coffee – that would otherwise be a foot or so lower on the table or desk. A U-shaped desktop cut-out over the detachable keyboard tray will let you place up to a 17in laptop, attached to the higher external display, or just your keyboard.
Under stand storage and shelf Choice of colors
Expensive
It fits monitor bases up to 25.5cm (10 inches) wide and 24.5cm (9.6in) deep, and is best for round or square-shaped monitor bases, but not for wide arc-shaped stands that will tend to be too wide. The integrated shelf allows for a device 4.45cm high, 24.5cm deep and 25.5cm wide. This is not a cheap computer monitor stand, but you are paying for the solid looks and handy shelf, and it’s a lot better looking than most of the plastic stands you’ll find online.
Simple Sturdy
Basic
There are a further four side storage pockets, with two compartments on each side for your tablet, phone, calculator, pens and other office supplies.
Lots of storage Choice of finishes
Some models not available outside US
There’s even a slot for your phone and/or tablet to sit. In the US there is a decent range of wood finishes, but it’s only black in other territories.
Three height settings
Basic Expensive
It much safer than a pile of books, and is adjustable with three height settings (3 to 6 inches). The wide platform design fits any monitor up to 24in and can hold up to 36kg (80lb). There’s just under 30cm of height beneath the stand for you to store a keyboard, mouse, etc. It does seem a little expensive for what it is, but it will help you avoid neck strain, and that’s probably worth any money. Long-term bowing of the head can lead to cervical dislocation and spinal stenosis. This can compress blood vessels and displace nerves, which can cut off blood supply to the brain, causing dizziness as well as a sore neck and numbness in the elbow. Headaches, insomnia, neck stiffness, sudden dizziness, or weakness in the arms—all can be caused by the way you sit at your desk and view your computer screen. A monitor stand is the first step to solving these symptoms. Your monitor should be at a comfortable height that doesn’t make you tilt your head up to see it or bend their neck down to see it. Your eyes should be in line with the screen about 2-3 inches below the top of the monitor. Even a slight lift will relieve your neck muscles of some strain. You can just put your screen on a pile of books, but just how stable does that look? You don’t want a screen—and certainly not an iMac or all-in-one PC—falling onto your keyboard or off the back of the desk. Neck strain is no laughing matter, and difficult to recover from if you don’t address it quickly—so let’s get serious about this. Also, consider how you look on video calls. Don’t have others look up your nostrils if your webcam is too low. Try to have your camera at the same level as your eyes, if possible, so you are on the same level as your viewer. While you are waiting for a professional stand from the options below, try using a sturdy shoebox, which is usually much more stable than a pile of wobbly books – although a heavy all-in-one PC or iMac might be too much weight. These stands will work with laptops, too, but we’ve also rounded up our best laptop stands. Simon was Editor of Macworld from the dark days of 1995 to the triumphant return of Steve Jobs and the launch of the iPhone. His desk is a test bench for tech accessories, from USB-C and Thunderbolt docks to chargers, batteries, Powerline adaptors and Fitbits.
