They certainly can. Most laptop stands have ventilation grilles that promote airflow underneath the laptop. The base tends to be the hottest area of a laptop since that’s where the CPU and GPU are located, and, when lying flat on a desk, there’s nowhere for that heat to go. But what really sets this laptop stand apart are two USB-powered fans located within the tray, which provide your laptop with a continuous stream of air, helping keep it cool. It also features a removable mouse board that can double up as a makeshift beverage holder perfect for a cuppa while you’re working. This laptop stand features a cutout in the tray to provide airflow to your laptop, but there is also a second cutout in its hinge that can be used for running wires. Additionally, the base plate features a recessed area under the tray where you can keep your headphones or other business accessories while working. There are also two hooks at the base of the tray and rubber pads to prevent your laptop from sliding off the stand, while its rubber feet prevent it from moving on your desk or table. The Rain Design iLevel2 Laptop Stand is slightly different from this list because it works best with an external keyboard and mouse. While you can type on a Macbook Air placed on this stand, the laptop tray flexes quite a lot, which is why Rain Design recommends against doing so.

Laptop stands don’t have to be ugly, as Rain Design’s minimalist mStand360 proves. Made from a single sheet of aluminium, this stand “conforms to all economic guidelines” and has been designed to function with all sizes of Apple MacBook, which effectively means it will work with any size of non-Apple laptop too. The platform has an elevation of 15cm (5.9in) and a slight tilt that improves air circulation around your laptop’s base. Best of all, the m360 can swivel through (you guessed it) 360 degrees, which comes in incredibly handy whenever you need to show your colleagues what’s on your screen. For starters, find out the weight of your laptop as this will give you a better idea of which types of stands you can use. While lighter laptops and ultrabooks will pair well with portable laptop stands, bigger business laptops or even mobile workstations are best used with a heavier and more durable laptop stand.Suitable for devices with screens between 11in and 17in, and capable of bearing up to 10kg, the Vonhaus is versatile enough to work with a wide variety of laptops, notebooks and tablets. There are seven different heights to choose from, giving you a choice of angles between 25 and 47 degrees, and the main plate has a ventilated design to avoid excessive heat buildup. Affordable and portable, the Vonhaus is a strong choice for hybrid workers. If your laptop suffers from overheating issues, you’re going to want a stand that provides some form of cooling. The Trust GXT 1125 does exactly that by incorporating five USB-powered fans into its top plate, all of which are illuminated by blue LEDs when active. Collin is the B2B Hardware Editor for TechRadar Pro. He has been in journalism for years, with experience in small and large markets, including Gearadical, DailyBeast, FutureNet, and more. The ParcSlope is a space-efficient laptop stand specifically designed for use with MacBooks and iPads and, after using it, we never want to work with our laptop flat on the desk again. Every aspect of its minimalist design serves a practical function. It tilts your keyboard at an 18-degree angle, which is ideal for typing, and although the 7cm elevation may not seem like much, it provides a very comfortable viewing angle and improves airflow to the base of your device. It’s also low enough to ensure you can still see an external monitor positioned behind it, which is a bonus.

Unlike the previous two entries on this list, the Besign LSX3 Aluminum Laptop Stand is meant to be stationary, as you aren’t able to fold it up. This laptop stand comes unassembled and you need to put it together using the four included Allen head screws. Two of the screws attach the laptop tray to the stand’s adjustable centerpiece, while the other two are used to attach the base to it. Although relatively limited compared to other options on this list, the Oripura laptop stand sets itself apart by only using recyclable materials in its construction. If you’re concerned about the environmental impact of your working accessories, the focus on sustainability could make this your ideal laptop stand.Purchasing the best laptop stand available is the simplest way to ensure better posture while you’re sat staring at a screen all day long. While the base has a length of 7.8 inches (198mm) and a width of 9.9 inches (251mm), the stand’s laptop tray is 8.8 inches (223mm) long and 11.6 inches (294mm) wide. The Brocoon Laptop Stand is also 10.2 inches (259mm) tall when extended and weighs 3lbs (1.36kg). Key specs – Weight: Not specified; Size: 16 x 29 x 28cm; Adjustable? No; Materials: 100% recyclable materials (not specified) Just as laptops come in various sizes and form factors, so do laptop stands. Some are designed to be stationary and are meant for more permanent setups at your home or office, while others can be folded up and taken with you so you can work comfortably from anywhere. Though slim and light, its carbon fiber frame holds laptops weighing up to an impressive 8kg, while the rubber feet prevent the stand from slipping on desk surfaces. With seven levels of elevation to choose from, there’s no need to hunch ever again.