I did not buy a laptop stand for years because I thought it was a luxury. Then my neck started aching every afternoon, my chiropractor gave me a look, and I bought a $25 stand out of desperation. It was the best $25 I have spent on my workspace, and I have now tried enough of them to tell you which kind to get.

What Neck Pain Has to Do With Your Laptop

A laptop screen sits too low, so you bend your neck forward and down to see it. Hold that for hours and your neck and shoulders take the strain. A stand raises the screen to eye level, which is the single biggest ergonomic fix there is.

The Three Types

Foldable aluminum stands. These are the most popular, about 20 to 40 dollars. They fold flat, fit in a bag, and raise the screen four to six inches. Great for home and coffee shops.

Adjustable height stands. These have a sliding mechanism and go higher, about 40 to 80 dollars. Best if you are tall or use an external monitor on the side.

Riser stands with a cooling fan. These are heavier, about 30 to 60 dollars, and they add airflow under the laptop. Useful for gaming laptops that run hot, less useful if you travel.

What I Tested and Learned

I tried the foldable aluminum first, and it worked, but the laptop wobbled when I typed. The cheap hinges were loose. Spend a little more on a stand with a solid locking hinge and the wobble disappears.

The adjustable height stand was the winner for me. Eye level is the goal, and I set it so the top of the screen is just above my eye line. My neck stopped aching within two weeks.

What to Look For

• Rubber grips so the laptop does not slide
• A locking hinge, not a friction hinge
• Height that reaches eye level for your height
• Open design so air flows underneath
• Weight under two pounds if you travel with it

The Cheap Alternative

Before you buy anything, try a stack of books or a ream of printer paper under the laptop. If raising the screen makes your neck feel better, a real stand is worth the money. If it does not, your pain may not be screen height related.

My Top Pick

For most people, a mid-range foldable aluminum stand with a locking hinge, around 30 dollars, is the sweet spot. It raises the screen, packs flat, and does not wobble. That is the one I recommend to friends, and the one I keep in my bag.

The stand did not cure my neck by itself. I also raised my chair and started taking breaks. But it was the piece that made the biggest difference, and it was the cheapest fix I tried.