Your monitor height matters more than you might think. If your screen sits too low, you tilt your head forward, rounding your shoulders and straining your neck. Over weeks and months, that adds up. A good monitor stand, arm or riser fixes this by bringing your display to eye level, and many also free up valuable desk space in the process.
We reviewed the best options currently available in the UK across three categories: laptop stands, desktop monitor risers, and monitor arms. Whether you need a simple riser for a single screen or a fully adjustable arm for a dual-monitor setup, there's something here for you.
What to Look For
Before diving into our picks, here's what matters most:
- Stand type — Laptop stands raise your laptop screen. Monitor risers sit underneath a standalone monitor. Monitor arms clamp to your desk and hold monitors in mid-air, freeing up desk space completely.
- Adjustability — Fixed-height risers are simple and stable. Adjustable stands and arms let you dial in the exact height and angle you need.
- Weight capacity — Check your monitor or laptop weight against the stand's rating. Monitor arms especially need to match your screen size and weight.
- Desk space — Risers sit on the desk surface and often add storage underneath. Arms clamp to the desk edge and lift the monitor off the surface entirely.
- Build quality — Metal stands and arms last longer and wobble less than plastic alternatives. Gas-spring arms offer the smoothest adjustment.
- Ventilation — For laptop stands, look for an open or mesh design that allows airflow to keep your machine cool.
Our Top Picks
Best Budget Laptop Stand — Tonmom Adjustable Silicone Ventilated Stand — from £6.98
At under seven pounds, this is the cheapest way to improve your laptop ergonomics. The Tonmom stand is foldable, portable, and uses silicone pads to grip your laptop securely. The ventilated design helps with airflow, and the adjustable angle means you can find a comfortable viewing position. It folds flat for travel or storage.
It won't win any design awards, but for the price it does exactly what it needs to. A great option if you want to try a laptop stand without committing to a bigger spend.
Best for: Budget buyers, travel, trying out a laptop stand for the first time.
Best Value Laptop Stand — Tonmom Metal Laptop Riser — from £12.99
Stepping up from the budget pick, this metal riser from Tonmom offers a more substantial feel. The removable design means you can adjust the height, and the metal construction provides better stability and durability than plastic or silicone alternatives. Compatible with laptops from 10 to 15.6 inches.
It's a simple, well-built stand that does one job well. If you want something that feels solid on your desk without spending much, this is a smart choice.
Best for: Everyday desk use, single-laptop setups.
Best Adjustable Laptop Stand — Babacom Ergonomic Adjustable Stand — from £16.99
The Babacom stand offers full height and angle adjustability in a compact, ventilated design. The ergonomic tilt options let you position your laptop screen at a comfortable viewing angle, reducing neck strain during long work sessions. The aluminium-alloy construction keeps it lightweight yet sturdy.
A step up in adjustability compared to the Tonmom options, and still very affordable. Ideal if you use your laptop as your primary display and want fine control over the viewing angle.
Best for: Laptop-as-primary-display users, those who want precise angle control.
Best Foldable Laptop Stand — Adjustable Foldable Laptop Stand — from £9.99
This foldable stand hits a sweet spot between the ultra-budget Tonmom and the more premium Babacom. Multiple angle settings, a compact fold-flat design, and a price under a tenner make it a versatile choice. It works with most laptop sizes and provides decent ventilation.
Best for: Portable use, hot-desking, budget-conscious buyers who want adjustability.
Best Monitor Riser — ThingyClub Monitor Stand Riser — from £29.98
If you use a standalone monitor and want to raise it to eye level, the ThingyClub riser is a clean, attractive option. The hickory MDF top with metal feet gives it a premium look that works well in a home office. The space underneath is useful for stashing a keyboard, notebook, or other desk clutter.
Unlike monitor arms, risers are completely stable with no wobble, and they need no clamping or drilling. Just place it on your desk and set your monitor on top.
Best for: Single-monitor setups, those who want a clean desk look with storage underneath.
Best Budget Monitor Arm — BONTEC Dual Monitor Arm — from £35.99
The BONTEC arm supports two monitors from 13 to 27 inches on fully adjustable gas-spring arms. Each arm can tilt, swivel, and rotate independently, letting you position both screens exactly where you need them. The desk clamp fits most desk edges without drilling.
For under forty pounds, getting a dual-arm setup with gas-spring adjustment is excellent value. The build quality is solid for the price, though very heavy monitors may cause some drift over time.
Best for: Dual-monitor setups on a budget, freeing up desk space.
Best Premium Monitor Arm — Ergotron LX Desk Mount — from £118.74
The Ergotron LX is the gold standard in monitor arms. The patented Constant Force technology provides smooth, effortless adjustment at any point in the arm's range. It supports monitors up to 34 inches and 11.3 kg, with a polished matte black finish that looks professional in any setup.
The build quality is in a different league to budget arms — there's no drift, no wobble, and the arm holds position perfectly. It comes with a 10-year warranty. If you move your monitor frequently or want an arm that simply works without fuss for years, this is worth the investment.
Best for: Those who want the best, single large monitors up to 34 inches, professional setups.
How They Compare
| Product | Type | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonmom Silicone Stand | Laptop Stand | from £6.98 | Budget / travel |
| Adjustable Foldable Stand | Laptop Stand | from £9.99 | Portable / value |
| Tonmom Metal Riser | Laptop Stand | from £12.99 | Everyday desk use |
| Babacom Adjustable Stand | Laptop Stand | from £16.99 | Precise angle control |
| ThingyClub Monitor Riser | Monitor Riser | from £29.98 | Clean desk, single monitor |
| BONTEC Dual Arm | Monitor Arm | from £35.99 | Dual monitors on a budget |
| Ergotron LX | Monitor Arm | from £118.74 | Premium single monitor |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a monitor stand or a monitor arm?
It depends on your priorities. A monitor riser is simpler, cheaper, and completely stable — you just place it on your desk. A monitor arm frees up desk space entirely, offers more adjustability, and lets you push the monitor out of the way when you need the desk for other tasks.
What height should my monitor be at?
The top of your screen should be at or just below eye level. Your eyes should naturally fall on the upper third of the display without tilting your head up or down.
Can I use a laptop stand with an external keyboard?
Yes, and you should. Raising your laptop screen to eye level means the built-in keyboard is too high to type on comfortably. Pair a laptop stand with a separate keyboard and mouse for the best ergonomic setup.
How much weight can a monitor arm hold?
It varies widely. Budget arms typically handle 6-8 kg per arm, while premium options like the Ergotron LX support up to 11.3 kg. Always check your monitor's weight against the arm's rating before buying.
Will a monitor arm damage my desk?
Desk-clamp arms distribute force through a padded clamp and typically don't cause damage on solid desks. Very thin or glass desktops may need a grommet mount instead. Most arms include protective pads.
Prices shown are correct at time of writing and may vary. All products featured are available via Amazon UK.
