Working from home has become the standard recently, not that many people had a choice in the matter to begin with. But more and more workers are opting for remote or partly remote job positions.
However, working from bed or couch can cause some health issues in the long run including bad posture and neck pain. To protect your posture, you need a lap tray that places the laptop under an appropriate angle preventing your back from hunching and bending, while offering cushioned support to your lap and wrists.
According to The Wall Street Journal, 80% of young professionals admitted to be working from bed. This can affect their health in the coming years if they don’t decide to adopt a healthy form of working from bed, which implies the use of a posture-friendly lap tray.
But lap trays don’t have to be just used for work. They are great for allowing keyboard and mouse gaming without a PC or from your couch.
The best lap tray for keyboard and mouse is the Couchmaster CYCON². It offers the perfect option for people looking to game or work away from a traditional desk. It has USB ports, loads of room, and is backed by a physiotherapist as the best way to ergonomically operate a PC or Laptop from the couch.
No matter what you are using your lap tray for, we should have a great selection for you.
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Couchmaster CYCON² Gaming Desk for Keyboard and Mouse
The Couchmaster CYCON² lap tray is designed for gaming. However, it will definitely exceed you expectations when it comes to productive work as well. Whether you’re on the couch with your laptop on a coffee table or in bed with your laptop by your side, this desk will allow you to use a full-sized keyboard with your laptop wherever you go.
It comes with 6 USB 3.0 ports, ergonomic side support cushions, and side pockets to make work or play as easy and comfortable as possible. The desk is perfect for both left and right-handers due to its smart design.
From an ergonomic standpoint, any lap tray will be inferior to a standard desk. However, a study found using a lap tray instead of working on your lap reduces head tilt by 4 degrees, neck flexion by 2 degrees, and wrist extension by 9 degrees. Altogether putting your body in a more ergonomic position, although, regular breaks from sitting should be taken (even if you are in an ergonomic position).
I thought this youtube video really nicely shows off all the features of this tray, you’ll also be able to see it in action for gaming.
As you can see in the video this lap setup actually comes with a mousepad in the box and a cable made specifically for simplifying cable management when using the desk.
It is an all-around great tray for your keyboard and mouse, perfect for gaming and working with even the biggest of computer keyboards.
You can check the latest price on my favorite lap tray for keyboard and mouse here on Amazon.
Main Features:
- 6 USB ports for great connectivity
- Ergonomic design
- Mousemat included
- Thick and comfortable cushioning
Downsides:
- One of the more expensive options on this list
ROCCAT SOVA Gaming Lapboard
This particular lapboard is targeted toward gaming, the keyboard is built in so this can act as the perfect bridge for someone wanting to transition into gaming with a keyboard and mouse on a console.
The tray is on a comfort-tested padded underside so long hours of work or play can still be comfortable.
The setup takes, quite literally, no time at all. You simply plug the keyboard in and you are ready to go. The keyboard has this simple compatibility with PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Steam engine, and streaming devices.
If you want to learn more about this particular gaming lapboard, Linus Tech Tips has a great video with a full review of the board.
If you like the look of this lapboard built with couch gaming in mind, you can find this board here on Amazon.
Main Features:
- Built-in keyboard
- Plug and Play compatibility with all major consoles
- Ergonomic shape
Downsides:
- The mousemat built into the desk is low quality. I’d suggest buying your own mousepad to put on the board.
Sofia + Sam Memory Foam Lap Desk
The simple and elegant design on the Sofia + Sam memory foam desk provides a very professional-looking portable workspace. When used with a tablet in the purpose-built tablet slot, there is more than enough room for a keyboard and mouse.
On top of this, there is also a little phone slot for your mobile. Although, if you are trying to work productively, I would recommend keeping your phone out of your workspace to help remove unnecessary distractions.
Offering a cool, comfortable, and compact design this workstation can follow you wherever. And thanks to the built-in memory foam cushion and wrist rest, it’s not only portable but incredibly comfortable as well.
You can check the latest price on this lap desk here.
Main Features:
- Desk light included
- Memory foam cushion
- Fits laptops up to 15 inches
- Built-in Wrist Rest for ergonomics
- Handle for portability
Downsides:
- Some buyers found the wrist rest compresses after use, making it less effective than when brand new
Huanuo Keyboard Tray
The height of the tray can be adjusted more than 7″, meaning that it really can be used as a desk with the correct ergonomic height for you. Whether it be on your kitchen or living room table, you really can create a desk wherever you need one.
There’s more than enough room on the tray to fit a full-sized keyboard along with a mouse. While the built-in soft-touch wrist rest and optional tilt of the tray allow for maximum comfort, even if your setup is makeshift.
Whether you are improvising an office space or simply looking to make more room on your desk, these easy to install mouse and keyboard tray will do the job just fine. You can find this keyboard tray on Amazon by clicking here.
Main Features:
- Attaches to a huge range of tables
- Saves space on your desk
- Built-in wrist rest and adjustable angle for optimal ergonomics
Downsides:
- Installation requires an electric screwdriver
LapGear Home Office Lap Desk
This particular lap tray maximizes comfort, organization, and storage. It fits a 15.6″ laptop and has space left for a mouse and a notebook. To put that into perspective the latest MacBook Air has a 13.3 inch screen so would fit comfortably on this desk.
Although I personally find my phone a massive distraction while trying to get work done, there is a phone slot that is convenient when gaming or if you regularly have to take calls.
The cushioned underside allows you to work with the laptop on your lap for hours without feeling pain caused by desk edges. The cushion flexibly conforms to the shape of your lap, ensuring you feel no discomfort while typing.
Another great feature is the anti-slip working surface that helps the devices get a firm grip on the desk, eliminating the risk of sliding. You don’t have to adjust the laptop every time it slides some inches away being on a slight slope. Check the latest price on Amazon here.
You can even increase the slope for your best comfort, being sure the laptop will stay frozen in place. The mouse pad provides a smooth glide and is comfortable on the touch, preventing skin irritation after a couple of hours of typing or gaming. You can use this desk for working at home or take it to your office and sit on a cozy couch or a beanbag, doing your job. The desk has a handle you can use to transport it conveniently.
If you want to see it in action I thought this video did a great job of fully showing off this particular lap tray.
This video gets across how great this lap tray is for gaming, however, it doesn’t take much imagination to realize how useful it could be for work also.
Main Features:
- Lightweight for easy portability
- Great Value
- Variety of color options
- Mousepad integrated into the tray
Downsides:
- Some users pointed out that it’s not particularly durable, although this is probably to be expected at this price point.
HUANUO Lap Desk
While being the best budget option, this desk is fitted with all major features a high-quality, versatile, and functional lap tray must-have. It has a working surface enough to fit a small laptop and a mouse, and there is even a phone slot to safely rest your device while being focused on the laptop screen.
Moreover, you get a pair of pockets in the back of the desk where you can store your office supplies, AirPods, and other belongings of inconsiderable size. The desk is generously padded both on top and bottom to provide comfort to your knees, legs, and wrists. The upper cushion strip works not only as a pillow for your wrists but also as a barrier for the laptop in its attempt to slide off the desk.
The only thing you may feel is lacking on this desk is space. The desk can fit a laptop as large as 15.6″, but the mouse space gets reduced as the keyboard size goes up.
So when you have to work with a big mouse, you may get some struggles manipulating it. But with good mouse skills, you can overcome this challenging situation. Small size is compensated, though, by light design and portability. You can carry the desk around with hardly any effort.
Even more, being extremely light, the desk doesn’t feel like a burden on your lap when using it for several hours. All this for an incredible price! You can see the latest price on Amazon here.
Main Features:
- Great Price
- Wrist Rest
- Lightweight & Portable
Downsides:
- On the smaller side, there is limited room for a mouse (so not ideal for gaming)
In Summary
A lap tray is a perfect solution for those who are tired of working at the office desk or have no choice but to work away from an office desk. You can get comfortable in your sofa or chair and place the desk with a laptop on your lap, preventing your back and neck from straining and keeping the laptop from sliding and disturbing you.
If you want the best lap work experience ever or are looking to use your keyboard and mouse for couch gaming, the Couchmaster CYCON² Desk is here to exceed your expectations.
For similar ergonomic reasons to what I have outlined above, lap desks can be a great alternative to using an iPad on your lap. So here are some lap desks perfect for an iPad.
