Apple’s MacBooks are great, but—as with all laptops—using one isn’t that great for your back or neck.
Continual bowing of the head to see a screen can lead to a stiff neck and what doctors scarily call spinal stenosis, which can compress blood vessels and displace nerves—cutting off blood supply to the brain. That’s not a good thing.
Your screen should be at a comfortable height that doesn’t make you bend your neck down to see it. Try to make sure your eyes are in line with the screen while sitting with a straight back. This also helps when making video calls, so the other people aren’t stari…
Apple’s MacBooks are great, but—as with all laptops—using one isn’t that great for your back or neck.
Continual bowing of the head to see a screen can lead to a stiff neck and what doctors scarily call spinal stenosis, which can compress blood vessels and displace nerves—cutting off blood supply to the brain. That’s not a good thing.
Your screen should be at a comfortable height that doesn’t make you bend your neck down to see it. Try to make sure your eyes are in line with the screen while sitting with a straight back. This also helps when making video calls, so the other people aren’t staring up your nostrils.
Using a laptop stand also makes using a separate keyboard and mouse much easier. See our roundups of the best Mac keyboards and best Mac mouse. And, after use, you can hide away your keyboard under the raised stand on certain models.
Some stands raise the laptop to eye level, and others—known as “vertical” or “closed” stands—just keep the MacBook closed for minimal desk disruption if you have connected external displays to increase your screen size—learn how to set up a second screen for a Mac.
The eye-level, open laptop stands are more ergonomic, raising the MacBook screen so that you are not straining your neck muscles, shoulders and back. It should also reduce screen glare, which means less eye strain and fewer headaches. On such a stand, the MacBook’s webcam will also be at a more natural level with your head, meaning less video calls with people looking up your nose or down on your head.
Buy a vertical/closed laptop stand to keep your desk tidy and free up space for other stuff—be that a charger for your iPhone, backup hard disk, or a cup of coffee.
Both types of stand should also raise the laptop, raising it off the desk and keeping it cooler. If a laptop gets too hot, its performance is likely to suffer.
A laptop stand also works nicely with a MacBook docking station, which can multiply the number of ports and slots available to you and allow for multiple larger displays. Some stands even have their own integrated USB-C hub, which is a very clever addition.
We’ve rounded up the best laptop stands for MacBook that we can find, each with its own special features. Most mimic the clean metal lines of the MacBook range, while others think differently.
Twelve South Curve Flex – Most stylish flexible MacBook stand
Pros
- Stylish
- Multiple height and tilt settings
- Portable
Cons
- Expensive
Price When Reviewed: $79.99
Best Prices Today:
$79.99
Twelve South
$79.99
Many laptop stands are rigid and offers little flexibility. The Cuve Flex, from premium accessory maker Twelve South, remedies this limitation with both height and tilt adjustability.
It can elevate your MacBook screen and camera up to 22 inches (56cm) so it can be close to eye level and aligned with an external screen if you have one. This flexibility is better for your neck, back and eyes. You can angle the MacBook’s keyboard from 0 to 45 degrees.
The Curve Flex is not just flexible; it’s portable, too. It weighs 28oz (795g), folds flat and comes with a padded neoprene travel sleeve.
While it costs more than the original fixed-position Curve and even cheaper Curve SE (reviewed below), and indeed many of the MacBook stands tested here, the flexibility and portability justify the extra expense.
The Curve Flex is available in matte black or white.
Twelve South also has a companion stand for the external display you might connect to your MacBook. The Curve Riser will put your second screen at a similar height to the laptop, and includes a handy shelf for a docking station or other device.
Plugable Portable Foldable Laptop Stand – Best portable MacBook stand
Pros
- Portable (fits in laptop bag)
- Foldable
- Four angle settings
Cons
- Doesn’t raise MacBook
- Expensive outside of the U.S.
Price When Reviewed: $29.95
Best Prices Today:
$29.95
$29.95
$29.95
Plugable’s Foldable Laptop Stand is more portable than most, being collapsible and lightweight (12.6oz, 356g). You can simply fold it up, and pack it in your bag or suitcase for travel like a slim notebook. It folds into a neat 9 x 4.35 x 0.6-inch (23 x 11 x 1.5cm) package.
It doesn’t raise the MacBook like other laptop stands do, but it does bring the screen closer to eye level than sitting flat on the desk. There are four viewing angle: 25°, 30°, 45° and a steep 60 degrees.
It will work with any laptop 12in-17in, and with some hidden tabs will also support an iPad.
The base feels secure on your desk and will fit an average airplane seat tray or in a tight gap by the window (and power point) of your favorite café.
Lululook 360 Rotating Foldable Laptop Stand – Rotating laptop stand
Pros
- Rotates 360 degrees
- Multiple height settings
- Foldable and portable
Cons
- Will topple if tilted too much
Price When Reviewed: $89.99
Best Prices Today:
$65.99
Lululook
$89.99
Ideal for shared laptops in meeting or other group environments, a rotating laptop stand offers a 360° rotatable axis on the base, so you can flexibly swing the laptop round to show the screen or share the camera.
This laptop stand also boasts a handy mechanical arm that can raise the screen by 10 inches.
The spin is smooth and has a reassuring clicking noise as you spin it. It’s great for meetings where you can quickly turn the screen to your colleagues or even hand over control in presentations.
It will take up to a 17-inch laptop, but don’t tilt it too much or it will topple backwards. The UGreen Swivel Laptop Stand feels more sturdy but we prefer the looks of the Lululook rotating stand.
Made of lightweight aluminum alloy, the well-built stand is foldable so can be carried around in a laptop bag when you are between offices.
It features a cut-out base to help dissipate heat to cool the MacBook.
Rain Design mBar pro+ – Best minimalist MacBook stand
Pros
- Minimalist design
- Lightweight
- Foldable
Price When Reviewed: $64.90
Best Prices Today:
$57.90
$58.41
$64.39
Rain Design
$64.90
The mBar Pro+ is the top-end thin aluminum minimalist laptop stand from Rain Design. It raises the MacBook nearly 5 inches from the desk and provides a comfortable, sturdy typing angle. It folds up to 9.6 x 6.3 inches (24 x 16cm) and only 0.5 inches (1.2cm) thick. At 0.45lb (205g) it’s portable, and perfect for taking to the local café or WeWork.
Also in the range is the basic mBar stand ($25), which raises a MacBook about 3 inches. Although it doesn’t fold up, it weighs just 3.5oz (100g). The mBar Pro ($55) is similar but folds.
All are available in MacBook-matching Silve, Space Gray or black.
Aulumu G07 POP-UP Laptop Kickstand – Best simple portable MacBook stand
Pros
- Minimalist design
- Super lightweight
- Foldable
Price When Reviewed: $25.98
Best Prices Today:
$25.98
Aulumo
$25.98
This portable pop-up leg stand for laptops includes a built-in spring that means it can be activated with a click and folded back just as easily. Its beauty isn’t just the convenience and ergonomic benefits but the fact that once attached the mini zinc alloy legs (1.4oz or 40g each in weight) stay in place as you travel around.
With a smooth round edge and non-abrasive polyurethane surface, the legs stick parallel to the underside of the MacBook and shouldn’t scratch or dent the surface. Anti-slip rubber pads are also included.
Urmust Laptop Notebook Stand Holder – Best laptop stand for small desks
Pros
- Multiple height settings
- Foldable
- Color options
Cons
- Plain
Price When Reviewed: $34.99
Best Prices Today:
$27.99
$29.99
$50.79
Working from home and remote learning is forcing a lot of to work in small, tight spaces. And, in safer times, that coffee shop is convenient, but not designed for healthy laptop use.
The adjustable, aluminum-alloy Urmust Laptop Notebook Stand Holder raises the laptop to a more ergonomic height–up to 10 inches for the screen—leaves the little desk space you have for you to spread out papers and books, and maybe room for that cup of coffee. It also tilts between 0-90°.
There’s anti-slip rubber on the feet, so shouldn’t scratch your surface, while remaining stable while in use. It can hold 4kg and up to 15.6in laptops.
Super narrow, it works well in small spaces. Plus, it’s lightweight and foldable, so can be stored away out of sight when not required–or carried around with you.
It’s even available in seven colors, from Silver, Black, Rose Gold and Grey, to Red, Blue and Blueish Grey.
Twelve South Curve SE – Best fixed MacBook stand
Pros
- Stylish
- Decent height
- Great price
Cons
- Only one height setting
Price When Reviewed: $19.99
Best Prices Today:
$19.99
Twelve South
$19.99
Elevating your screen to an ergonomic height is important for relieving neck strain on your muscles and vertebrae. A quality laptop stand will do just that for you.
One of our favorites is the Curve from premium Mac accessory maker Twelve South. A recent addition to the Curve family—see also the Curve Flex reviewed above—is the slightly cheaper Curve SE, which is exactly the same as the original fixed Curve but you need to assemble the three pieces yourself.
Don’t worry, it’s super easy to snap the pieces together, and actually makes the stand easier to transport. For ultimate portability, though, the more adjustable Curve Flex folds down to a handy package.
The Curve SE and original Curve stands are not as flexible as their adjustable sibling, the Curve Flex, although they do raise your MacBook 6.5 inches off your desk so you can sit up straight and look directly at your screen—and so feel less tension in your neck and shoulders.
They also keep your laptop cool with air flowing underneath it.
The metal design features non-slip silicone grips on the bottom and arms. Both Curve and Curve SE look fantastic, just like your MacBook.
While the pre-assembled Curve is available in Apple-friendly matte black and white, the Curve SE is in Silver only.
An alternative fixed laptop stand, the $49 Rain Design mStand is another sturdy option, below, and is available in a wide range of colors: Black, Gold, Midnight, Silver, Space Gray and Starlight. There’s even a rotating version, the $59 Rain Design mStand 360.
Rain Design
MOFT Z Sit-Stand Laptop Desk
Pros
- Height adjustable
- Foldable and flexible
- Stylish
Price When Reviewed: $69.99
Best Prices Today:
$59.99
Moft
$69.99
Measuring 11-x-9.4 inches (28-x-24cm), this multi-angle laptop stand lies flat at around the same size as a small MacBook, so can be easily stored out of sight or even carried between meetings. It weighs 34oz (960g) so isn’t lightweight but is certainly transportable.
Made of polyurethane leather and stiff fiberglass, it can be folded up into four different sitting viewing angles—25, 35, 45 and 60 degrees—and creates a small 10-inch laptop table in Standing Mode where it creates a sturdy Z-shaped structure..
It can hold up to 22lbs (10kg).
Depending on the country you are buying in, it is available in up to four colors: Black, Gray, Blue and Orange.
Twelve South HiRise Pro for MacBook – Best MacBook stand for wireless iPhone charging
Pros
- Height adjustable
- Housing for Apple MagSafe Charger
- Stylish
Cons
- No tilt
Price When Reviewed: $79.99
Best Prices Today:
$79.95
$79.95
$79.99
Twelve South
$79.99
Twelve South makes a range of quality laptop stands for MacBooks. It’s one of the few third-party manufacturers that feature on Apple’s own Accessories store, and there are several of its MacBook stands in this roundup.
The HiRise Pro is height-adjustable—raising the screen 2.5 to 6 inches—and also features a hidden cut-out chamber that can invisibly host Apple’s MagSafe Charger (not included, and an extra $39/£39) at the stand’s base so you can wirelessly charge (at up to 15W) an iPhone (12, 13, 14 or 15), 25W on the iPhone 16, or your AirPods (at 5W) if in a wireless charging case. This will keep your desk space at a maximum while always having your iPhone within reach.
The stand is height adjustable, although it doesn’t reach the heights of some of the MacBook stand tested here. There’s a screw at the back that you adjust to the best height for your setup.
It is compatible with all sizes of Apple’s MacBooks, up to 16 inches.
An alternative is the Alogic Elite Power Laptop Stand with Wireless Charger, which we have reviewed. This can raise the laptop 8 inches and has a Qi wireless charging pad at its base. While you don’t need to supply your own MagSafe Charger, the stand’s pad isn’t magnetic so you have to be very precise in positioning your phone. It also maxes out at 7.5W rather than MagSafe’s 15W charging power.
Rain Design iLevel – Simple-to-adjust laptop stand
Pros
- Height adjustable
- Stylish design
Cons
- Chunky
Price When Reviewed: $64.90
Best Prices Today:
$58.40
$58.41
$59.88
$64.65
The iLevel laptop stand from Rain Design looks a bit chunky but features a neat sliding knob that you can use to very accurately and simply adjust the screen height and angle to your preferred position.
Made from anodized aluminum, the iLevel2 raises the back of a MacBook between 6.5 and 8.5 inches above the desk.
While we never found raising an adjustable stand very difficult, it couldn’t be simpler than with this sturdy stand, which is available in Silver, Space Gray and Black..
Hyperdrive 7-in-1 USB-C Hub Laptop Stand – Best portable MacBook stand with built-in USB-C hub
Pros
- Built-in USB-C hub
- integrated cable
- Portable
- Foldable
Cons
- USB-C not Thunderbolt
Price When Reviewed: $99.99
Best Prices Today:
Hyper
$99.99
This clever USB-C hub is a laptop stand that also includes a range of ports to expand those on the connected MacBook.
It features a 5Gbps USB-C port, two 5Gbps USB-A ports, both SD and microSD card slots and an HDMI port for attaching an external display, which will also help you achieve a better ergonomic position.
You can add memory sticks or other external storage devices, or a wired mouse or keyboard if you fancy. The connection is USB-C rather than Thunderbolt so doesn’t offer the full bandwidth but it is still compatible with modern MacBooks.
Some rival hub/stand combos don’t include the built-in cable so you need to use another of your laptop’s Thunderbolt ports to keep it charged, but the Hyperdrive stand connects to your MacBook (13-16in) using its own integrated USB-C cable, leaving the separate USB-C port on the hub free for other devices or more likely a USB-C PD wall charger. It can support up to 100W MacBook charging power.
It’s lightweight (308g or 11oz) and collapsible and can be used in five ergonomic positions.
The base features a silicon layer of cushioning to keep your MacBook securely in position.
- Two USB-A 3.0 ports (5Gbps)
- HDMI – 4K at 30Hz
- UHS-I SD and microSD card slots for adding affordable, portable storage
Twelve South BookArc Flex – Stylish closed MacBook stand
Pros
- Minimal & stylish
- Closed design
- White, black or chrome options
Cons
- Laptop must be closed
Price When Reviewed: $39.99
Best Prices Today:
$29.99
Twelve South
$39.99
$49.95
A closed laptop stand will save you space on your desktop and let you focus on your external display or displays..
Twelve South, maker of some of our favorite MacBook stands, offers the minimalist metal BookArc Flex, a stylish closed MacBook stand. BookArc Flex holds your MacBook vertically for a MacBook mini desktop setup.
Cleverly, the MacBook’s own weight draws the stand’s supporting arcs together to gently cradle the Mac. It will automatically adjust to any size MacBook—even the 16-in Pro—up to 1-inch thick without the additional inserts that some closed stands require.
There are three finishes: matte black and matte white, and a premium chrome edition with a mirrored finish.
PWR+ Ergonomic Laptop Stand – Most adjustable laptop stand
Pros
- Multiple height settings
- Stable
- USB fans
Cons
- Bulky
Price When Reviewed: $44.90
Best Prices Today:
$39.99
The PWR+ Ergonomic Laptop Stand is like a small Transformer, which can morph into just about any shape you need from a laptop stand.
It has varying heights (much higher than most of the laptop stands reviewed here), and can be angled as you please as a traditional stand or have its surface flat to be used as a table.
It even has two USB-powered fans in its tabletop, which will keep your laptop cooler and more efficient.
It’s versatile enough to be used as a standing tray in bed if you fancy—handy when you fancy stretching out in your “home office”.
It’s not heavy, but it is bulkier than some other collapsable stands. It can easily be folded up to store, however.
Anker 675 USB-C 12-in-1 Docking Station and Monitor Stand
Pros
- Stylish Stand/Hub combo
- Raises monitor height
- Fast USB ports
- Wireless phone charging
Cons
- Stand not height adjustable
Price When Reviewed: $249.99
Best Prices Today:
$249.99
Anker
$249.99
This stand can take a laptop of any size or a large external display. It comes with a row of fast ports and even a wireless charging pad on top.
It would probably best suit a desktop setup of a MacBook in a closed stand connected to this stand’s able hub via USB-C to one of the laptop’s Thunderbolt port.
Then you can place the external display on the stand—so it’s more a monitor stand that works with a MacBook, than a laptop stand on its own.
Read our full Anker 675 USB-C 12-in-1 Docking Station and Monitor Stand review
Satechi Dual Laptop Stand – Best closed dual laptop/tablet stand
Pros
- Holds both laptop and tablet
Cons
- Laptop must be closed
Price When Reviewed: $39.99
Best Prices Today:
$39.99
$39.99
Satechi
$39.99
This 2-in-1 stand is great to keep your desk tidy when you sport both MacBook and iPad.
The Satechi Dual Vertical Stand can cradle up two laptops, two tablets, or two smartphones vertically at the same time. It’s a closed design so works well with a dock allowing for an external display for the laptop.
While sleek, the stand is sturdy with a weight-balancing base and frame built from stress-resistant aluminum.
An internal silicon mat has protective grip beds to protect electronics from unwanted scratches, and non-slip pads keep your devices upright and protected.
Bestand Aluminum Cooling Stand – Best stand for cooling laptop
Pros
- Decent height setting
- Cooling holes
Cons
- Only one height setting
Price When Reviewed: $39.98
Best Prices Today:
$38.99
If you need a stand that keeps the MacBook open with screen showing, the Bestand Aluminum Cooling Stand looks the part in either Silver or Gray to match your Apple laptop.
It lifts your MacBook to eye level, which should be better for your posture, back and neck.
There are three strip-shaped holes to the pad that the MacBook sits on, which should offer some degree of cooling compared to stands without such basic ventilation.
Another hole at the back allows for cable management and can be used as a handle, too.
There are optional extras that allow you to add your iPhone to the stand.
Rain Design mTower – Minimal closed stand
Pros
- Minimal
- Closed design
Cons
- Laptop must be closed
Price When Reviewed: $44.90
Best Prices Today:
$43.90
$44.91
Raindesign
$49.90
$67.71
The mTower from Rain Design is a simple, minimal vertical (closed) stand that saves you desk space and elevates the MacBook’s vent to keep your laptop cool.
Its anodised aluminum body–that allows the MacBook to “float” above it–neatly matches the design and color of the Space Gray and Silver MacBooks.
It raises the laptop 88mm (3.5in) off the desk, and fits the 12in MacBook, 13in/14in/15in/16in MacBook Pro and 11in and 13in MacBook Air. It includes a number of inserts to make sure your MacBook fits snuggly.
It’s for use in setups where you have a second or third screen as the screen remains closed.
Twelve South BookArc – Most elegant closed laptop stand
Pros
- Stylish
- Great price
Cons
- Laptop must be closed
Price When Reviewed: $19.99
Best Prices Today:
Twelve South
$19.99
$26.99
$59.99
The BookArc, from Twelve South, is a simple, elegant stand that lifts your closed Apple laptop off your desk, and supports the MacBook in closed-display mode for a less cluttered desk when paired with one or two external displays.
It has been designed to match the design aesthetic of Apple’s laptops, and works with the MacBook, MacBook Air (2018-2022) and MacBook Pro (2016-2022) including 13in, 14in, 15in and 16in models.
An insert is included with the BookArc so that each laptop fits perfectly.
OMoton Vertical Laptop Stand – Simple closed stand
Pros
- Adjustable widths
Cons
- Laptop must be closed
- Plain
Price When Reviewed: $26.99
Best Prices Today:
$24.99
$26.99
The OMoton Vertical Laptop Stand is a simple, small-footprint design, but with a clever underside.
Flip the aluminum stand over and you’ll find four adjustable screws (it comes with a tool to turn them) so you can determine its width to fit your laptop–from 14mm to 40mm.
Really skinny laptops will still feel some wobble, but you wouldn’t want it gripped too tight anyway. It’s reassuringly heavy at 600g.
The inner (and bottom) features anti-slip silicone, which should also stop any scratching of the laptop shell.
The OMoton stand is available in Black, Gray, and silver.
It measures 150mm x 97mm x 47mm.
There’s also a double version, if you want to keep your tablet nearby.
You might also consider one of our best monitor stands for PC or Mac, which can also raise your laptop. Satechi even has a special iMac stand that really looks the part.
Author: Simon Jary, Contributor, Macworld
Simon has over 30 years of expert experience testing and reviewing ever-smaller and more powerful tech accessories, from USB-C and Thunderbolt docks to chargers, batteries, hubs and adapters. A former Editor of Macworld, he has contributed to PCWorld, Tech Advisor and TimeOut, as well as national newspapers such as The Times, Independent and Telegraph.