If you spend several hours a day working on a computer, you might want to get the best keyboard stand. Long periods of using a computer keyboard can potentially hurt your fingers, hands, wrists, and arms. It is one of the most useful computer accessories that you can buy if you type for many hours a day. While some health experts recommend laying the keyboard flat on a desk or slightly tilting its top side down, they also acknowledge that using a stand that gives the keyboard a slight incline makes typing more comfortable for some people.
After evaluating 30 of the most popular stands on the market today, we came up with a list of the seven of the best keyboard stands, with the Richboom Clear Computer Keyboard Holder emerging as our top choice. The lightweight and durable stand is designed with an incline, low front lips, and an anti-slip feature that facilitates relaxed and stable keyboard usage.
Top 7 Best Keyboard Stands Compared
#1 Richboom Clear Computer Keyboard Holder
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: Made from high-quality acrylic, this stand is hard-wearing but easy to carry around. It’s designed with a minimal tilt that helps minimize typing strain on your nerves and muscles. It also has a silicone grip that keeps the stand in place on your desk.
- Unobtrusive design
- Anti-slip silicone grip for stability
- Polished, thick, top-grade acrylic material
- May slip on glass surfaces
- May cause scratches on wooden surface
Most standard keyboards fit on the 17-inch wide and 5.5-inch deep Richboom riser. Because of its clear acrylic build, you won’t have to worry about how it would blend with your workstation. And while it’s very sleek and light, weighing just 9.6 ounces, it’s also durable enough for prolonged use.
Its back only rises 1.5 inches from the surface, creating an angle that’s ideal for preventing typing tension on your hands, wrists, arms, and elbows. Unlike other stands, it has low front lips on each side that will hold your keyboard well but won’t be hit by your wrists as you type, allowing you to work with ease. The Richboom Keyboard Holder has an anti-slip silicone covering to keep your keyboard stable. However, the edge where the right and left lips protrude are uncovered. Some users put felt pads underneath to prevent this part of the stand from scratching their desk. For tablets, read the best tablets keyboard.
#2 Source One Keyboard Stand
Award: Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Source One stand is very similar to Richboom’s product, but it’s available in two sizes for compact and full-sized keyboards. Like our top pick, this stand can work just as well for reverse or negative tilt.
- Best budget
- Comes in 12″ and 17″
- Polished, rounded corners
- No anti-slip feature
- Heavy (1.37 pounds)
With its basic, clean design and its sturdy build, the Source One Keyboard Stand is second to Richboom on our list. However, unlike the latter, it has no silicone grip along the edge of its riser. It’s also heavier and has a full front lip. Although most users claim that the front lip isn’t bothersome, owners of thin keyboards may want to explore other options as they might need to lift their wrists awkwardly to avoid hitting the lip while typing.
The Source One stand comes in two standard sizes, but customization is offered to users whose keyboards don’t fit the 12″ or the 17″ model. If you use a keyboard with your TV, check out best smart TV keyboard.
#3 3M Tilt-Adjustable Platform
Award: Best Wrist Rest
WHY WE LIKE IT: The stand’s top feature is its firm, (nearly) 2-inch 3M gel wrist rest for added comfort during prolonged use. This wrist rest has a black leatherette cover with anti-microbial protection that impedes the growth of bacteria on its surface, slowing down product deterioration.
- 3M gel padding
- 2-year warranty
- Anti-microbial cover
- Heavy (3.6 pounds)
- “Feet” can’t be detached once pasted
Most full-sized keyboards will fit into this 19.6-inch wide and 10.6-inch deep platform. The heavy duty keyboard stand even has enough room for a computer mouse. Its wrist rest is firm but soft enough to provide comfort to the heels of your palms and your wrists. The rest’s anti-microbial protection obstructs the development of microorganisms that cause product stains, odors, and decay. This wrist rest needs to be attached to the stand using the sticky tape that comes with the product.
The stand also comes with attachable “feet” that you can position depending on how high you would want the product to tilt. You can place the feet closer to the midsection of the platform for a higher tilt. You can also choose to tilt the platform upward or downward. However, the feet can no longer be detached once you stick them on the spots you choose.
There are also rubber grips along the back of the 3M Platform to prevent it from sliding when laid on a smooth surface. You may also want to look at gaming keyboards.
#4 ESC Computer Keyboard Stand
Award: Best Small
WHY WE LIKE IT: The ESC stand isn’t your usual keyboard holder. While most products in the category have a flat surface and a slope, this item is shaped like a triangular scale and can be attached behind the upper part of a keyboard for a positive tilt. It’s a handy stand that’s perfect for people on the go.
- Small & portable
- Non-slip technology
- Minimal tilt
- Not that stable for full-sized keyboards
The small keyboard stand’s micro-suction grip pad can be attached securely beneath the keyboard, but it’s also detachable so you can move farther from or closer to the midsection as needed. You get a “large” and “small” stand for every purchase. The larger stand is 1.37 inches high while the smaller stand, which you’ll find inserted inside the larger unit, is 0.87 inches high.
The ESC Stand is compact; it’s just 6 inches long and weighs 2.8 ounces, so you can easily pack it in your bag and bring it anywhere you need to work. It can support various keyboard sizes, although it might not be long enough to provide better stability for full-sized keyboards. However, it has non-slip foot grips that may help keep large keyboards in place.
#5 Yoshiko Laptop Stand
Award: Best for Laptops
WHY WE LIKE IT: Made of high-grade ABS and aluminum alloy, this sturdy 3.5-pound stand has a weight capacity of 55 pounds. Because it can be easily raised to a maximum height of 18.5 inches, it can serve as a standing desk converter as well.
- Great for standing
- 19-inch platform can support up to 17-inch devices
- Adjustable tilt and height
- Fragile mouse board
Generally simple to assemble, the Yoshiko Laptop Stand provides stable support for keyboards, tablets, notebooks, and laptops. It can be placed on top of desks or softer surfaces (such as couches and beds) without toppling, as long as the device on top is within the stand’s weight capacity.
Aside from its adjustable height, the incline of the stand’s platform can also be modified easily up to 80% for typing comfort and accuracy. It also has a mouse board that can be attached to its left or its right side. However, this mouse board is rather flimsy, so exercise caution when using it. Check out our wireless keyboards list for more options.
#6 WINKINE Computer Keyboard Stand
Award: Best for Apple
WHY WE LIKE IT: This product also resembles the transparent and acrylic Richboom stand. It has low front lips that do not span the whole width of the holder, so it will work well with thin Apple keyboards. Just like our top pick, the Winkine stand has silicone grips at the back, but they’re removable and are just a few inches wide.
- Mousepad included
- Minimal incline
- Lightweight
- Partial silicone grip coverage
Similar to the Richboom and Source One keyboard stands, the Winkine keyboard holder’s basic design gives users the option to use it at a raised angle or at a downward tilt. This product also requires no assembly, except for the silicone grips that have to be attached at the bottom of the riser. Its low front lips allow users to type without any discomfort.
The 17-inch wide and 5.7-inch deep holder only weighs 9.3 ounces and stays firmly in place as you type away, thanks to the silicone strips at the back. And as a bonus, the product comes with a mouse pad with a memory foam wrist rest. On the other hand, for iPads, read our iPad keyboard cases list.
#7 Nat-Hom Computer Keyboard Stand
Award: Best Dual Purpose Stand
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Nat-Hom is another model that’s similar, in terms of build and design, to the Richboom stand. But unlike our top pick, this keyboard holder features a rubber grip instead of a silicone base. The stand also doubles as a whiteboard.
- Low front lips
- Can be used as a whiteboard
- Riser has non-slip rubber strip
- Problematic rubber strip
- Thin build
The 17-inch wide and 5.7-inch deep Nat-Hom Stand has an incline of 1.2 inches and is easy to use and clean. But while it looks like the Richboom holder, its acrylic build isn’t as thick, making it seem less durable than our top choice.
Its 0.3-inch front lips should be low enough for most people, but there have been a few complaints from users about hitting them while typing. The stand’s rubber grip also tends to come off. And despite this rubber base, the stand still slides on some surfaces. These computer accessories will also work with most gaming keyboards.
How We Decided
Most keyboard users are seated when typing. So for this buying guide, we only focused on basic stands you can place on a table top. The only laptop stand we considered has adjustable legs and may function as a basic keyboard stand as well.
We excluded other types of holders and risers, particularly keyboard trays and standing desk converters. This is why our list doesn’t include top-rated brands like Vivo, Flexispot, Ergotron, and iMovR. These are more recognized for their standing desk products.
We also picked table stands that help promote the right typing posture. A good stand would allow you to have your wrists slightly raised while you type, so you can avoid putting pressure on your tendons.
We also selected products with just the right positive tilt. If the riser is too high, your wrists will be forced to take a strenuous flexed posture upward.
All products listed here generally have durable, ergonomic designs and enable stable use.
Best Keyboard Stands Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Factors to Consider
- Good Ergonomics
Look for stands with low inclines. Keeping your wrists on a neutral position, which is what a downward-angled stand will allow you to do, will help minimize wrist strain from typing. Meanwhile, if you usually hunch over the keyboard to have a better view of the keys, opting for a stand with an upward tilt may help you maintain a better posture. - Stability and Durability
Don’t just look for stands that are aesthetically pleasing. Choose one that will keep your keyboard securely in place as you work. Go for a product that’s made of high-quality and durable material so it won’t break easily and can be used for a long time. - Size and Assembly
Choose a holder that’s just the right size for your keyboard. It should be spacious enough to hold your keyboard well, but light and compact enough to be used inconspicuously and conveniently. Like the lightweight models we selected, a good keyboard holder shouldn’t take up too much space on your desk. It should also be “good to go,” so you can use it as soon as you take it out of the box. This also applies to the best monitor stand.
Keyboard Stand FAQs
What is the correct posture for pain-free typing?
To avoid muscle pain when working on the computer, make sure that your keyboard is at the right height. Your hands and forearms should be parallel to the floor. Aim for a neutral position wherein your forearms and elbow joints form a 90-degree angle. Wrist pain starts when you raise your forearms and bend your wrists down to reach the keys or when you bend downward too much on a negative tilted keyboard. Also, keep your head and torso aligned. While it’s alright to bend forward slightly when typing, you should keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
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