Having tested several cheap, popular laptop stands from Amazon, I was surprised to discover that the AmazonBasics model was one of the best. It’s a bit heavy and difficult to pry open to its maximum 7 inches of height adjustment. But it felt extremely sturdy, easily handling everything from a MacBook Air to a Razer Blade 16. I was never worried about the laptop slipping, thanks to the durable silicone pads used to keep it in place. That’s perhaps the most important thing about a laptop stand, especially one that only costs $30. Compared to all the junky laptop stands I’ve tested around that price, the AmazonBasics one feels the most robust.

My only real gripe is that it takes some serious muscle to pull this thing into the angle you want it at. Fortunately, once you have it where you want it, it won’t be sagging or dropping over time.

The Oakywood Laptop Stand feels like pure luxury. Nobody needs to spend nearly $200 on an immaculately crafted, wood laptop stand, but if you really want to elevate your home workstation, this is how you do it. You can tell it’s made of real wood, and it feels quite durable and heavy. The Oak model I tested is a beautiful, lighter shade of wood, which I prefer to the Grovemade stand listed below (though this isn’t made from a single, curved piece of wood like the Grovemade). I also appreciate how much space there is for hiding accessories underneath, such as a mouse, trackpad, or external SSD.

This isn’t an ideal option for people who aren’t using a connected monitor, as it takes up a decent amount of space on your desk. It also isn’t adjustable, meaning from an ergonomic perspective, you can’t dial this in to exactly the correct height for your eye level.

I love this sleek single-piece aluminum stand for its high-quality stability and its laptop cooling effect. The tilt design brings the screen closer while also improving airflow. Available in six different finishes—silver, gold, space gray, black, midnight, and starlight—the anodized aluminum look complements Apple’s aesthetic, giving off an industrial, modern vibe. The wide base makes it one of the most stable stands I’ve tested. Plus, I like the space-saving keyboard slot underneath, which helps keep my desk clutter-free.

Moft is known for its origami-based designs, which you can tell by looking at this folding desk mat. It’s a convenient work companion. At just shy of 20 inches long, it can balance your laptop with room to snap your phone to the magnetic wireless charger and keep a to-do list in view with its memo holders.

There are three bundles to choose from, each with different accessories. The Digital Kit ($158) comes with a tablet holder, cable organizers, and a magnetic wireless charging pad (there’s a sticker to make any phone magnetic if yours doesn’t support MagSafe or Qi2). The Paper Kit ($128) has book and memo holders, and the full kit goes for $187. All kits include a nice wrist rest—former reviewer Medea Giordano vouches it’s the best she has ever tried—that doubles as a leg cushion if you attach it to the bottom of the mat and work from the couch. You can add an Apple Watch holder for $14.

There are also two NFC spots embedded in the mat, which you can customize to your liking using the Shortcuts app on iPhones. If you have an Android, you’ll need to download the NFC Tools app, then go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences, and you should see an NFC option. Giordano used it to automatically set timers for a more structured workday.

I work from home, and some days, I just can’t leave my bed in the morning or make it off the couch after lunch. The Nnewvante, which is also in our Home Office Gear guide, is a great stand for those lazier days. You can’t adjust the stand’s height, but you can raise the base to an angle suitable for whatever you’re doing—sketching, watching a movie on a tablet, eating breakfast, or typing on a laptop—and the built-in stopper keeps things from sliding off into your lap. You can also potentially put it on your desk for a low-maintenance sit-stand desk converter.

The smaller surface on the right stays flat and is a good place for morning coffee or tea. There’s even a small drawer for storing knick-knacks! And when you’re done with it, you can fold up the legs for slimmer storage. Even better, it’s made of bamboo.

Despite its thin aluminum frame, this simple Rain Design stand is rock solid. Don’t worry about it buckling while you type away in your living room, office, or airport. The fixed height raises your laptop 5.5 inches, and it folds up to just 9.5 x 6 inches—small enough to fit into any bag that fits your tablet or laptop. I also appreciate that it comes with a svelte carrying sleeve for easy packing. Bonus: It weighs less than a pound.

If you need something a bit lower, there’s also the foldable mBar pro ($55) and the mBar fixed stand ($25), both of which elevate your laptop 3 inches.

I used this Hemudu Dual Monitor Stand for a couple of years, and it’s still holding up. It’s strong enough to support my monitor, my laptop, and the occasional 10-pound cat skipping across. The tempered glass top is a refreshing take compared to the industrial-looking options and gives a contemporary vibe. It’s not portable, and standing while working isn’t an option with this one. But if you’re primarily sitting at your desk, it does the job for a steal.

Branch’s stand is beautiful, but if you want something even more luxe and made from real wood, go with Grovemade’s Walnut Laptop Stand. It’s made of solid walnut, hand-sanded, and finished with vegetable-based oil. You just have to shell out for it. WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu recommends it in his Home Office Gear guide, saying it’s best suited for a desk or table to make room for a separate keyboard and mouse (though you can use it on a couch, too). It has a stainless-steel stop to keep your laptop from sliding off, and it’s lined with leather to protect it from scratches. The stand’s feet are made of natural cork to prevent it from moving around. It supports up to 200 pounds.

We also like Grovemade’s Walnut Laptop Riser ($200) and the Desk Shelf ($180 for medium). All the products come in other wood options, too.

This one uses a floating design, meaning only the front of your laptop is actually attached to the stand. It’s more than just a conversation starter, though it’s certainly that. The way this thing just hovers over your desk is undeniably cool. It’s surprising how solid the laptop feels when it’s slotted in. Depending on your laptop, it can also help with cooling, as nothing obstructs airflow.

It’s not adjustable, and the keyboard is mostly inaccessible, so this is only for anyone using an external mouse and keyboard. But the height is perfect for me, and let’s face it, it’s just a fun gizmo to have on your desk.

Former WIRED reviewer Brenda Stolyar raved about this Twelve South stand after several months of use. You can push it down or stand it up to 22 inches high, and you can adjust your keyboard angle by up to 45 degrees. When using an external monitor, Stolyar says she can align her MacBook at the proper height alongside it; if she’s working solely off the MacBook, she can place it at a comfortable viewing angle.

Portability-wise, it folds flat and comes with a padded neoprene travel sleeve. Her only gripe is that it’s wobbly when typing; she uses hers with an external keyboard at home. It also comes with a hex hinge tool to tighten the hinges, should you need to.

You should also consider Twelve South’s Curve SE ($20) isn’t adjustable, but it raises laptops to the right level for comfortable side-by-side working. It’s like the original Curve, but this one clicks together for easier shipping. It’s also a little wobbly if you aren’t using an external keyboard.

Storing your laptop vertically is a great space-saving solution, a newer option made possible by single-cable USB-C connections, both freeing up and cleaning up your desk. There are tons of options out there, but I enjoyed using the Coreminded Adjustable Vertical Laptop Stand. It’s made from solid oak (there’s a darker walnut, too), while the interior is lined with felt to prevent scratching.

Adjusting the width of the opening is a little clunky, using four screws on the bottom. Fortunately, the packaging includes a hex key. That adjustability allows you to expand it from 0.5 inches up to 1.5 inches, meaning it can handle just about every laptop possible, including the thick gaming laptop I tried on it.