The 10 best lap desks for comfy study sessions are here — now starting at $17
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Whether for work, school or casual surfing, almost everyone these days uses a laptop or tablet on a daily basis. In fact, we’re willing to bet that you’re reading this article on one of these devices right now.
Using a laptop on your lap for long periods of time can get heated and uncomfortable, so having something in between your device and your body is a good idea. When not on a desk, the best way to use a laptop is on a lap desk.
A lap desk can help you stay productive when away from a table while keeping you cool when you’re using your laptop on your actual lap. If you work from home or study in a dorm room, a lap desk is the perfect addition to your workflow and comfort level on a couch or bed.
We rounded up the best lap desks for back-to-school students, professionals, and everyone in between. Scroll down and find one that’s perfect for you.
Mind Reader Adjustable Laptop Lap Desk
If you’re looking for an inexpensive lap desk for your laptop, then this one from Mind Reader is a good budget pick. It features eight adjustable angles for optimal viewing, while it also has two comfy cushions at the bottom that rests between you and your laptop. The lap desk even has ventilation slots, so your laptop won’t overheat on your lap.
“I'm constantly sitting and looking down when doing school work. It got to a point where my shoulders and neck were sore everyday and my hips ached from sitting either in a chair or on my bed criss-cross-applesauce style,” wrote a college student on Amazon. “My laptop stays firmly in place on its surface because of the fold up lip, and the adjustable tray makes viewing or writing at any angle a total breeze. The soft pads underneath vary in size with a gap between them that helps with keeping your legs from getting too hot, and they're so soft they also make you forget there's anything on top of you at all!”
For only $17, it’s a very good investment, so you don’t burn your lap while doing your schoolwork.
Shop it: Mind Reader Adjustable Laptop Lap Desk, $17, amazon.com
Honey-Can-Do Portable Laptop Lap Desk
Made from medium-density fiberboard, this sturdy lap desk for Honey-Can-Do features a removable pad for when you need the added comfort and when you don’t. The pad itself features very clever slots, so you can pull any laptop cables you may need while working through it. Now cables aren’t a jumbled mess when you’re using this lap desk — which comes in mint for a fun retro style and look.
This lap desk, which is 16 inches deep and 23.5 inches across, is great if you work from home or on a dorm hall floor and want to move from a desk to the couch. It can also comfortably support any 15-inch laptop on its surface.
“I love this! I have tendonitis but also am not able to sit at a desk, and needed a workstation to make my laptop setup more ergonomic in bed or on the couch,” an Amazon reviewer wrote. “The size and shape of this desk are perfect, and it's sturdy enough that I think it will hold up well. It is big, but I wanted it to be big enough to accommodate a laptop and a gel wrist rest, so it's ideal for me.”
Shop it: Honey-Can-Do Portable Laptop Lap Desk, $23 (was $27), amazon.com
LapGear Designer Lap Desk
If you have a larger laptop, then this lap desk from LapGear might be a good match for you. It features a 18.5-inch width and 14.5-inch depth, which is suitable for massive 17-inch laptops. The surface is flat and smooth with the proper ventilation your laptop requires.
The lap desk has a media slot for your smartphone at the top, while its tapered micro-bead pillow gives your lap some much needed comfort while working on a couch, in a chair, or on a bed. It also has a carrying handle and comes in Aqua Trellis for some added panache.
“I like this desk. I was worried that it would not be any better than holding the laptop in my legs directly, but it actually is better, very much,” wrote a very satisfied Amazon reviewer. “It makes me tense my legs less and hold the computer less with my forearms. So I can type more easily for longer and door in a more comfortable seat than at a table or desk. Helpful because I have lots of back pain. I put my feet up on an ottoman and I can work for hours like that.”
Shop it: LapGear Designer Lap Desk, $52, amazon.com
HUANUO Lap Desk with built-in mouse pad
HUANUO has really outdone themselves with this lap desk. Not only does it feature a dual-bolster cushion at the bottom for elevation and comfort, as well as a single cushion that rides across its surface as a wrist support, but it also includes two media slots (a smaller one for a smartphone and a larger one for a tablet) and a built-in mouse pad for better work efficiency.
In addition, this lap desk is suitable for 15-inch laptops, while it can also be used as a laptop mount on a desk. This is a very luxurious lap desk and plenty of bells and whistles to make you more productive while working on a couch or chair.
“This has got to be the best laptop lap desk I have ever owned! The wrist-rest is cushiony, and the cushions on the back are super comfortable on my legs and a slight incline, which are perfect,” a very happy Amazon reviewer wrote. “It's sturdy and light. Love the handle, mouse pad with borders so the mouse won't fall off, and the tablet/phone slots. I don't write a lot of reviews, but I am so happy with this product that I had to give it a good review.”
Shop it: HUANUO Lap Desk with built-in mouse pad, $50, amazon.com
Sofia + Sam Oversized Memory Foam Lap Desk
While most lap desks are made with micro-bead cushions, this laptop lap desk cushion from Sofia + Sam is made from 100 percent memory foam. This makes the lap desk lightweight and comfortable. It gives your lap more pressure relief and cooling while you work on your laptop.
The surface itself is on the larger side with 22 inches across and 14.5 inches deep, so it can support 20-inch laptops with ease. If you’re looking for the most comfortable lap desk, it’s right here.
“I have a laptop, but still like to use a mouse with it, so the size of this table is perfect,” wrote an Amazon reviewer. “Not too heavy or large to sit comfortably on your lap, but big enough to have room for your mouse on the side or a notepad to take notes on. The memory foam is comfortable and lightweight and the look is expensive with the beautiful stained wood top. I highly recommend this lap desk for anyone looking for one that's a little bit roomier with a classic look!”
Shop it: Sofia + Sam Oversized Memory Foam Lap Desk, $34 (was $42), amazon.com
Aidata Laptop Pad
This Aidata laptop pad is the most portable lap desk on this list. It features a grippy anti-slip rubber surface that keeps your laptop in place instead of sliding off the pad. The pad can comfortably support a 14-inch laptop, while it’s compact and slim enough to pack in any backpack or laptop bag. It even features a handy retractible mouse pad. Rest assured, this lap pad is designed for portability.
“This is a low tech solution to laptop computing,” wrote an Amazon reviewer. “It is a brilliant design that’s lightweight but strong, while it’s packed with the right features to make it a five star product. It’s lightweight and made from durable materials with a non-skid surface that hugs your lap and the laptop at the same time. The slide-out mouse pad is brilliantly designed to be functional, but not add extra weight to the lap pad.”
Shop it: Aidata Laptop Pad, $19, amazon.com
HUANUO Lap Desk
The HUANUO lap desk is a versatile little piece of furniture. While it can be used as a traditional laptop or tablet stand, it’s also designed to be used as a pillow, if you turn it over. The cushion is comfortable enough to rest your head on, while it’s hard surface — which is made from bamboo — won’t get in the way of your deep sleep.
It’s lightweight and portable, so you can take it around your office or home, while it’s large enough to support any 15-inch laptop with an anti-slip bar built-in. The lap desk even comes with a five-year warranty to give you better peace of mind that if it gets damaged, HUANUO will replace it for free.
“This is the best lap desk I've found in 20 years of trying,” wrote a happy review on Amazon. “It meets my every need with my 13-inch MacBook Pro. I use it mostly in my recliner, and no matter what position I feel like being in — legs straight out, legs folded, or a leg to one side — this lap desk's extremely comfortable pillow lets the laptop adjust to whatever angle I need it to be.”
Shop it: HUANUO Lap Desk, $30, amazon.com
LapGear LapDesk Schoolhouse
Remember when you were in grade school and the desk you were using flipped up, so you could store all of your books, notebooks, and pens? Well, that’s the idea behind LapGear’s Schoolhouse LapDesk.
This lap desk is built with a solid brass hinge, so it can easily open to reveal a padded storage compartment for all your office and school supplies. Made from real wood with a veneer finish and a micro-bead cushion at the bottom, this stylish lap desk also features a smooth and flat surface that can support up to a 17-inch laptop.
“I wanted a lap desk for using my laptop on the couch, but as a writer and researcher, I also just needed a place to keep junk without losing it in the cushions,” wrote a delighted Amazon reviewer. “Pens, jump drives, a calculator, notebook, and 200 page plant history book I'm currently using for research all fit perfectly. The bean bag underside and soft fabric are comfortable even on bare skin. I like the old school look, and had no problems with anything breaking, falling apart, or being broken in shipping.”
Shop it: LapGear LapDesk Schoolhouse, $50, amazon.com
Sofia + Sam All Purpose Lapdesk
Sofia + Sam lap desks are known for their comfort and functional design. The company’s all-purpose lap desk is very solid and comfortable with its cooling memory foam cushion. It’s built to just get the job done again and again without drawing attention to itself.
This portable workstation can support a 17-inch laptop, while a 13-inch laptop can leave some room to comfortably use a mouse at its side. It even features a padded wrist support that doubles as an anti-slip barrier that keeps the laptop in place, even at a sloping angle.
Shop it: Sofia + Sam All Purpose Lapdesk, $33 (was $36), amazon.com
Stock Harbor Laptop Lap Desk
The Stock Harbor lap desk is designed with high functions and multitasking in mind. It features an adjustable surface, so your laptop or tablet can be raised to a higher level and lets you work at multiple angles. The desk is made from high quality bamboo that’s stable and durable, while its also suitable to support a large 21-inch laptop.
It’s very versatile and doubles as a meal tray, so you can go from breakfast in bed in one moment to answering emails and creating spreadsheets in the next. The lap desk even comes with a very clever slide-out cupholder — which is large enough for 30-ounce beverages — that also doubles as a handy pencil holder while you work.
“Such a great product! This tray keeps me productive, even when I don’t want to leave my bed,” wrote a very excited Amazon reviewer. “Honestly, it’s one of the best products I’ve purchased. Great quality, cool drink/pencil holder, and you can adjust the elevation level to your liking. It’s just so convenient, I use it all the time. Highly recommend!”
Shop it: Stock Harbor Laptop Lap Desk, $43, amazon.com
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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