5 Best Lap Desk For College Students

Lap desks are increasing in popularity, particularly among students. Students are becoming more and more aware of the negative effects technology is having on our health. It’s convenient to do college homework on a laptop because you can take it with you everywhere you go but it’s impossible to achieve a good posture while working on your lap. Keeping your laptop on your lap, despite its name, is not a smart idea.

First and foremost, laptops can get quite hot. Although the risk of actual burns is minimal, it is possible to suffer medical issues due to prolonged exposure to hot laptops. ‘Toasted Skin Syndrome’ is a real thing and it has been associated with laptop use, a lap desk avoids any chance of this occurring.

In addition, the heat is bad for the laptop. If your computer gets hot, you may notice it slowing down – and heat shortens the life of your laptop’s battery. The effects of heat can be harmful to you and your laptop. Getting a well-ventilating lap desk as a college student is one of the easiest ways to avoid these issues.

That said, let me show you some of the lap desks I recommend to other college students looking for a better way to work.

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MAiO Lap Desk

My overall favorite on this list, as a college student myself, is the MAiO Lap Desk. It can be used as a laptop stand, work stand, or reading desk no matter where you are working from. This means you can do college work while reclining on your bed, sofa, or even while traveling.

It also has a built-in mouse pad. With non-slip borders to keep your precious mouse from flying off your lap desk, the leather mouse pad performs excellently with almost every mouse. If you don’t already use a mouse while working on your laptop this is all the more reason to.

The MAiO is equipped with a wrist pad and a high-quality cushioned base for added comfort while working. The wrist rest also features an anti-skid barrier to keep your laptop from slipping and getting damaged. It is very soft to the touch and will always retain its shape, making it ideal for long hours of writing essays or solving problems.

Slots for a tablet and smartphone are also included in the tray, which is convenient if you like to have them on hand while working. Personally, I don’t have the self-control to keep them that close to where I’m working. I’d get no work done. But if it works for you, then you have the option with this lap desk.

It also includes a USB lamp as a bonus. Despite its small size, this effective little light may be all you need to take notes while studying on your laptop while pulling an all-nighter.

You can find the MAiO lap desk here on Amazon.

HUANUO Laptop Desk

If you’re looking for a stylish, comfortable, and convenient lap desk, the HUANUO Lap Laptop Desk is a perfect choice. It’s large enough to fit laptops up to 15.6 inches and comes with an anti-slip wrist rest, storage pocket, and a tablet holder for maximum convenience.

The cushioned pillow conforms to your lap for more comfort and stability, great for when you are writing essays. And the whole desk is easy to transport around campus thanks to its lightweight and portable design. So whether you’re studying in your dorm room or catching up on work in a coffee shop, make sure you do it in style with the HUANUO Laptop Desk.

If you want to learn more about this laptop desk here is a quick video of it in use.

DELAM Laptop Bed Tray

This Laptop Bed Tray from DELAM is the best lap desk for in-bed use as a student.

This smart lap desk effectively functions as a breakfast tray and a study space. It has a work area that measures 11.75″ x 19″ and can hold up to 22 pounds. The work surface is spacious enough to accommodate a laptop, coffee mug, and other items, thanks to an added storage drawer.

The Mount-It lap desk has a hollowed-out tabletop that allows air to circulate around your laptop, keeping it cool and preventing overheating while you study, game, or watch Netflix.

This versatile laptop tray has adjustable legs and a tilting tabletop to relieve eye strain and neck ache, allowing you to work for extended periods of time. You’re sure to find a comfortable viewing position with four tilting options.

The Mount-It bed tray is also made of moisture-resistant bamboo, giving it a more natural look and feel to some of the other lap desks on this list. And this desk is sure to add a stylish touch to your dorm room.

You can get this bed desk for college here on Amazon.

Fayquaze Portable Foldable Laptop Table

The Fayquaze Portable Foldable Laptop Bed Table is the perfect lap desk for studying from the comfort of your bed, sofa, or couch.

The laptop tray table has ample room for a laptop up to 17″ and a mouse. While you study and take notes, there’s more than enough room for you to place your notebook alongside your laptop on the lap desk. Whether you’re sitting at the desk or standing, you can adjust the desk to keep your laptop computer at the perfect height.

It also has an iPad slot, an integrated cup holder, and a storage drawer for pens, pencils, phones, styluses, and sticky notes. The lap desk’s foldable legs make it incredibly portable and easy to store, ideal for transporting it to and from your college campus.

The Steel Feet are stable, have a high bearing capacity, and are long-lasting. The lap table is also corrosion-resistant, basically, the desk should last you a long time

You can get this comfortable lap desk on Amazon.

Mind Reader Adjustable Lap Desk

The Mind Reader Adjustable Home Office Lap Desk is the best lap desk for students on a budget. It can be adjusted to eight different viewing angles. This means you can get the correct angle whether you are studying from a chair, couch, table, or even bed. The front has a simple pop-up lip that keeps your book, laptop, tablet, or drawing equipment in place and prevents them from slipping off.

The desk’s top doesn’t have a massive surface area, but if all you need to do is fit your laptop on it, it will do. You’ll be able to fit a laptop up to 15.6 inches in this space. Dual-bolster cushions on the bottom are packed with microbeads that mold to any shape. There’s also a carry handle at the top to help you move it around easily between classes.

The lap desk, however, is not large enough to accommodate a mouse. If you only use your trackpad and the idea of having no mouse doesn’t bother you, you can get this great value lap desk here on Amazon.

In Summary

While doing homework on a laptop is convenient, it is not ideal for your back or wrists. Using a lap desk while reading, writing, working, or even gaming on the couch or in bed is more comfortable for your body.

There are a variety of lap desks and laptop trays available, ranging from simple rigid platforms to trays with advanced features. We recommend the MAiO lap desk if you need more space and comfort. This is the lap desk that looks the most like your actual study desk, and I feel it is the best fit for most students.

If you are still trying to decide upon which lap desk is best for you scroll down to find our complete guide.

What To Look For In A Good Lap Desk For A Student

The type of lap desk you choose is determined by how you want to use it, but there are some general guidelines to consider when making your decision. They include:

Functionality

What are your plans for your lap desk? If you’ll only use it once in a while, one of the models with some cushioning on the underside is a good option. These will stabilize your laptop and insulate your body from the laptop’s heat, though they aren’t always as effective at keeping your laptop cool.

If you plan to use your laptop tray frequently, look for one with extra features like a phone slot, chord holders, or a small lamp. Some designs can also be used as a laptop riser or a standing desk conversion.

Price

You’ll have no trouble finding a lap desk that meets your budget thanks to a large number of options available for purchase. With prices ranging from $15 to hundreds of dollars, you’ll have to consider the factors listed above when making your final decision.

Whatever your preferences, there are a number of alternatives available. No matter your budget we hope that this guide will have assisted you in selecting the best laptop desk for you, to help you boost your productivity and comfort while working.

Size

The best feature of a laptop is its portability. And, depending on how you intend to use your laptop tray, you will most likely want to be able to move it from one place to another—so examine the size and weight before you buy to ensure it is not too hefty.

You’ll need to take some measurements. Determine the width of your laptop, then compare it to the width of the lap desk to ensure that it will fit snugly on its surface. If you’re going to use a mouse with your laptop, you’ll need some extra space to move the mouse about. Always go for a lap desk that is wider than your laptop to ensure that it is stable when typing.

Comfort

You’ll want something that’s both comfy and durable enough to hold your laptop and last a long time. However, different materials have their benefits and drawbacks; for example, a wooden platform is very durable, but it might be heavy. Also, the bottom cushions on some options may not be detachable for cleaning.

Although plastic models are lightweight and some designs can assist keep your laptop cool, they may not be very durable for long-term use. Collapsible aluminum variants are also lightweight and serve to keep the laptop cool, but they can wobble when fully expanded to maximum height.

Why You Should Use A Laptop Desk As A Student

Using a laptop isn’t ideal for ergonomics in any case, because you can’t adjust the height or angle of the screen and keyboard independently. Raising your laptop to a height that allows you to type comfortably while also viewing the screen —  a few inches off your lap at the absolute least is the ideal option. However, if you want to work comfortably, you can make use of a lap desk.

Some lap desks even have room for a mouse and a slot to put your phone. But the best reason to use a lap desk while studying is that they help you maintain a healthier posture, while helping to prevent your laptop overheating.

Here are some suggestions if you are looking for lap desks specifically chosen for an iPad that will fit your workspace.