Monitor stands help lift your monitor up at least a few inches higher on your desk — an important accessory if you suffer from neck or back pain, especially if you have a monitor that you can’t easily adjust on your own, like an iMac. The best options also have storage spaces and other useful little features, but you want to make sure it’s durable enough to last. Check out our top picks for a variety of stands that should suit your particular monitor and needs.
Twelve South HiRise Pro
Twelve South makes some remarkable products for Macs, and this HiRise stand is one of our favorites. It’s an adjustable stand that can fit the iMac’s base at four different levels up to 3.66 inches high. The top is created with padded leather so you can happily toss anything from your keys to your phone there without worrying about scratches. The front plate, which has both a walnut and aluminum side depending on which look you like best, has a little shelf and storage space for anything you might want to store, from AirPods and battery packs to tools and external hard drives. The back includes a slot for routing and managing all your cables, too.
The big caveat here is that it’s designed specifically for iMac monitors. There’s a chance that another monitor will fit, but it’s not at all guaranteed.
Amada Bamboo Monitor Stand
This 16-inch bamboo stand looks beautiful — and while the design may look simple at first glance, it’s made to support a variety of uses. The bottom space is large enough to stow away your keyboard and mouse when you aren’t using them, or it can hold textbooks, notebooks, storage drives, and lots of other potential accessories. On the top, you have a couple of short slots that are designed to hold phones and similar devices, and a longer slot that’s great for paperclips, pens, and other small supplies you may need.
While the first version of this stand preserves the natural bamboo look, there is also a black bamboo version that may be a better fit for your accessories, so take a look at both before you make up your mind.
Twelve South Curve Riser
If you didn’t like the enclosed, vent-like look of our first Twelve South pick, give this one a look. It’s a more minimalistic option that supports monitors with bases up to 10 inches wide for steady, reliable support with around four inches of lift. The open shelf is a particularly strong option for fitting in a dock that needs multiple cable attachments, an audio interface accessory with easy access to dials, or even a Mac mini — although you can use it for other things, too!
The downside is that this stand isn’t adjustable at all. But it’s also great for more than just iMacs, and the extra compatibility is a handy feature.
Eutuxia Dual Monitor Stand
All right, what about those who have a dual monitor setup and want stands for both their monitors? You don’t have to buy the same model twice, not when this dual monitor stand pack is waiting to help out. Each stand is made with beautiful tempered glass and lifts monitors up to 3.2 inches (20-pound max). There are no explicit storage options, but you can fit all kinds of accessories in the open space under the stand. Setup may take a little extra work for these stands, which require assembly and possibly some DIY adjustments to get them just right, but they are very affordable and make a stylish choice for all kinds of workstations.
Simple Houseware Metal Monitor Stand
This mesh monitor stand has some extra height at 5.8 inches, ideal for those who may be using shorter desks. It’s also an excellent fit for at-home classrooms and streaming class sessions, which have been quite common: The center holds a sliding drawer that’s great for notebooks and physical textbooks, while two pockets on the outside are great for school supplies and other accessories. If you want a little more space, you can just remove the drawer and use that area for something else, or even see how it works as a laptop stand.
AmazonBasics Premium Wall Mount
When some people search for a stand, they quickly realize what they have in mind is a wall mount that will allow them to position a monitor however they please, or fold it back to increase desk space. While most AmazonBasics supplies are designed to be affordable alternatives, this wall mount is an exception: It’s a high-end, sturdy model that can tilt, rotate, retract, and move however you for any type of monitoring position. It supports compatible monitors up to 25 pounds, and as with most mounts, it’s made to work with VESA-compliant models.
EleTab Gaming Monitor Desk Mount
Looking for a more affordable desk mount that’s a better complement for your gaming style? This VESA-compatible mount, designed for screens from 17 to 32 inches and up to 17.6 pounds, is made to complement a gaming setup. While the all-metal design looks a bit like a robotic dragon tail, it still holds hidden cable clips for alignment and management so everything stays tidy. Adjustments include 180-degree rotation, 360-degree swivel, and 45-degree tilting, plus a spring-based height-adjustment option — so you’re certain to get the exact position you need for comfort and playability.