The Gradcafe
  • Funding
    • Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
    • Student Loans
  • Majors & Careers
  • Online Grad School
  • Planning
    • Admissions
    • Credit Transfer
    • Grad Exam
    • Preparing For Grad School
  • Student Life
  • Study Abroad
  • Funding
    • Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
    • Student Loans
  • Majors & Careers
  • Online Grad School
  • Planning
    • Admissions
    • Credit Transfer
    • Grad Exam
    • Preparing For Grad School
  • Student Life
  • Study Abroad
No Result
View All Result
The Gradcafe
No Result
View All Result

10 Best Lap Desks for Students in 2023

by Chriselle SyChriselle Sy
August 30, 2023
in Online Grad School, Preparing For Grad School
0
10 Best Lap Desks for Students in 2023

Not everyone has room for a full office setup. And if you have a proper desk, you might still want to be able to change up your working environment. Lap desks are handy for this purpose, allowing you to move around wherever and whenever you wish. 

Below, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best lap desks for students. We’ve even included a guide to help you pick the best desk for your needs. Let’s begin!

What Is a Lap Desk?

A lap desk is a versatile surface that can be used for working, studying, writing, eating, and even crafting.

Lap desks may or may not have a padded cushion for long-term comfort, ergonomic angles to prevent wrist strain, and built-in handles for improved portability. They may also have built-in LED lights, storage pockets for phones and tablets, and textured ledges to prevent slipping and sliding. 

So what’s the best lap desk for 2023? We’re glad you asked! 

Best Lap Desks for Students in 2023

1. LapGear Clipboard Lap Desk – Best Dual-Purpose Portable Laptop Desk

Key Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 12.9” x 17.9” x 2.6” for up to 15.6” laptops
    • Weight:  1.7 lbs
  • Materials: Plastic, fabric, microbeads
  • Colors or Styles: Black
  • Additional Features:
    • Dual microbead bolster cushions with a central channel for airflow
    • Mounted clip for holding papers, files, and more
    • Small device ledge to prevent laptops from sliding
    • Multifunctional slot to hold pens, phones, tablets, and other slim items
    • Built-in carry handle
    • 12-month warranty

Pros

  • Clipboard clip makes this lap desk multi-purpose
  • Design prevents laptops and books from sliding off
  • Large multi-functional slot
  • Bolster cushions are comfortable
  • LapGear offers well-known and reviewed products (with media mentions)

Cons

  • The clipboard clip can get in the way of left-handed users

Check Price

2. Wishacc Oversized Portable Bamboo Lap Desk – Best Large Student Lap Desk

Key Specifications:

  • Dimensions: For up to 17” laptops
    • 15.3” x 11.4” (17” laptops have no room for a mouse)
    • 21.1” x 12.9”
    • 24.0” x 13.8”
    • Weight: 
      • 2.82 lbs
      • 4.19 lbs
      • 4.64 lbs
  • Materials: Bamboo, fabric, MDF material
  • Colors or Styles: Natural bamboo and light chocolate brown cushion cover\
  • Additional Features:
    • Slot for phones, tablets, pens, etc.
    • Long device ledge to prevent laptops from sliding off
    • Elastic strap for papers, mail, etc.
    • Easy handles for portability
    • Hide-away bolster cushion for angled viewing

Pros

  • Comes in three sizes
  • Easy to carry around
  • Ledge prevents sliding
  • Elastic band can help keep things in place

Cons

  • Layered bamboo surface may experience delamination from extreme heat exposure
  • On the heavier side

Check Price

3. LapGear Designer Lap Desk – Best Laptop Lap Desk with Fun Designs

Key Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 13.75” x 17.75” x 2.75” (for laptops up to 15.6”)
    • Weight: 2.16 lbs
  • Materials: MDF wood, fabric, foam
  • Colors or Styles: Aqua trellis, blue blossoms, buffalo check, gold quatrefoil, gray argyle, gray damask, medallion, tropical palms
  • Additional Features:
    • Built-in carry handle
    • Small built-in ledge to prevent sliding
    • 6.25” x 0.75” device slot
    • Lap-conforming cushion
    • Elastic band strap on one corner to keep things in place
    • 12-month warranty

Pros

  • Many fun designs and colorways are available
  • Easily portable and relatively lightweight
  • Device slot to help hold your phone or other small items
  • Smooth surface for comfortable use
  • LapGear offers well-known and reviewed products with media mentions

Cons

  • Device ledge on the smaller side (may not always prevent sliding)

Check Price

4. Honey-Can-Do Portable Laptop Lap Desk – Ergonomic Portable Lap Desk for Laptop

Key Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 23.23” x 15.75” x 2.52” for up to 15” laptops (with room for a mouse)
    • Weight: 3.17 lbs
  • Materials: MDF wood, foam, fabric
  • Colors or Styles: Black, blue, hot pink, indigo blue, mint, white
  • Additional Features:
    • Sturdy integrated handle
    • Side sleeve for cross
    • Detachable foam cushion attached with hook-and-loop tape

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Unique shape is ergonomic and comfortable
  • Foam cushion is removable

Cons

  • No device ledge, so laptops and other items may slide off
  • Foam cushion attachment point may look and feel cheap

Check Price

5. Huanuo Adjustable Lap Desk – Adjustable Lap Desk for Laptops and Reading

Key Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 11” x 14.8” designed for laptops up to 15.6”
    • Weight: 1.04 lbs
  • Materials: Plastic, foam
  • Colors or Styles: Blue, gray, standard (black)
  • Additional Features:
    • Multi-angle tilt adjustment with eight angle settings
    • Rubber-edged, fold-out lip prevents item from sliding. 
    • Folds flat to create a flat writing surface
    • Two foam bolsters for comfortable use

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight
  • Multi-angle adjustments can help improve ergonomics
  • Integrated fold-out lip has a rubber edge and helps prevent sliding
  • Cushions are relatively comfortable
  • Sturdy

Cons

  • No room for a mouse
  • Some reviews state that it feels cheaply made

Check Price

6. Fun Express EZDesk Magnetic Dry Erase Lap Desk – A Handy Dual-Purpose Portable Desk

Key Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 14.17” x 19.68” for up to 17” laptops
    • Weight: 1.3 lbs
  • Materials: Plastic, magnetic whiteboard, fabric, foam
  • Colors or Styles: Whiteboard with black cushion
  • Additional Features:
    • Snap-on adjustable dock for smartphones and tablets
    • Comes with two magnetic dry-erase markers with eraser caps
    • Comes with two magnetic buttons
    • Graphing rule overlay on one half
    • Comfortable bottom cushion

Pros

  • Comfortable cushion
  • Dual-purpose surface is great for studying

Markers already included

  • Snap-on device holder

Cons

  • No ledge to prevent items from sliding
  • Will likely require a mouse pad for comfortable mouse use

Check Price

7. LapGear Bamboo Pro Lap Board – A Comfy Lap Desk with Wrist Support

Key Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 15” x 22”
    • for laptops up to 17” (with no mouse)
    • or laptops up to 15” (with a mouse)
    • Weight: 5.07 lbs
  • Materials: Triple-layered natural bamboo with natural stain
  • Colors or Styles: Natural bamboo and black
  • Additional Features:
    • 18 ventilation holes 
    • 8.25” x 6.5” mouse pads on the left and right sides
    • Multiple slots for tablets, phones, pens, and more
    • 12-month warranty

Pros

  • Ventilation holes allow for heat dissipation
  • Left-handed and right-handed friendly
  • Integrated wrist rest
  • Plenty of slots for devices and small items

Cons

  • Not a consistent surface. Can be hard to write on
  • No cushion, just a literal board
  • On the heavier side

Check Price

8. Sofia + Sam Multi-Tasking Lap Desk with Cushion – A Student Lap Desk with Built-in Mouse Pad

Key Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 18.9” x 14.6” x 4.1”
    • Weight: 5 lbs
  • Materials: MDF wood, plastic, memory foam
  • Colors or Styles: Black
  • Additional Features:
    • Slide-out mouse areas with built-in mouse pad on left and right sides
    • Phone slot on the mousepad area
    • Long device slot for phones and tablets on the surface area
    • Integrated wrist rest also acts as a device ledge to prevent sliding
    • USB light (requires 4 x AA batteries)

Pros

  • Ergonomic
  • Left-handed friendly
  • Built-in USB light
  • Integrated wrist rest
  • Device slot

Cons

  • Light requires 4 x AA batteries
  • Wrist rest may get in the way

Check Price

9. LapGear Sidekick Lap Desk – A Lap Desk with Phone Holder

Key Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 11” x 17”
    • Weight: 1.23 lbs
  • Materials: MDF, fabric, polystyrene
  • Colors or Styles: Black, grey
  • Additional Features:
    • Built-in non-slip silicon strip to prevent slippage
    • Device ledge also helps stop slippage
    • 6.5” phone slot holds most smartphones horizontally
    • Built-in carry handle
    • 12-month warranty

Pros

  • Small and incredibly lightweight
  • Comfortable microbead cushion
  • Device ledge doesn’t get in the way of working

Cons

  • Device slot (on the side) could be better designed

Check Price

10. Huanuo Laptop Desk – An Ergonomic Lap Desk with Storage

Key Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 12.8” x 17” x 3.5” 
  • for laptops up to 15.6” with no mouse
  • for laptops up to 14” with a mouse
    • Weight: 2.97 lbs
  • Materials: MDF wood, foam and fabric, plastic
  • Colors or Styles: Black, dark brown wood grain, light brown wood grain, marbling
  • Additional Features:
    • Built-in cushioned wrist pad that acts as a device ledge
    • Built-in storage pockets
    • Device slot

Pros

  • Relatively lightweight
  • Wrist pad allows laptops and items to stay put
  • Has a device slot

Cons

  • No carry handle
  • Wrist rest may get in the way

Check Price

7 Benefits of Using a Lap Desk

Not sold on the idea of a lap desk just yet? There are plenty of reasons to pick up a lap desk – even if you already have a desk study set up or another space to work from. 

1. Improved Ergonomics

Using a laptop on your lap becomes uncomfortable after a while. Lap desks can significantly improve ergonomics and reduce potential aches and pains.

2. Heat Distribution and Dissipation

Laptops can get hot. Not only can a well-designed lap desk help dissipate and distribute this heat, it can also prevent your laptop from overheating.

3. Heat Protection

According to the National Library of Medicine, direct lap use is not recommended. That’s why so many students prefer a lap desk.

4. Convenience and Stability

Let’s face it: Working on the couch or in your bed without a sturdy surface is uncomfortable and inconvenient. A lap desk can help with this problem.

5. Boosted Productivity 

A sturdy working surface can boost your productivity. After all, it’s much easier to study when you aren’t struggling for a surface to type on.

6. Versatility

The best lap desk for a college student is versatile and allows you to use it with a laptop, tablet, book, and notebook. They can even be a dining surface for those couch dinners.

7. Portability

Lap desks are also portable. You might have purchased a lap desk for classroom use but may want to bring them straight home to use on your sofa.

How to Choose a Lap Desk for Students

Laptop desks for laps are quite handy indeed. However, with so many options out there, it can be challenging to choose the right one to suit your specific needs. When choosing the best lap desk for writing or the best lap desk for laptop use, it’s important to consider a few factors, such as the ones below:

  • Size and Portability – Lap desks come in many sizes and weights. Choose one that can accommodate your activities and offer portability for your needs.
  • Stability – If you don’t want to worry about a lack of stability, choose a desk with sturdy supports and without adjustable angles.
  • Surface – Some surfaces are better for writing than others. If you need to write a lot, you may want to select a lap desk that features a smooth, consistent surface.
  • Durability – Considering you’ll be moving your lap desk around, a robust and rugged option can help ensure you don’t waste your money.
  • Adjustability – Some lap desks offer adjustability, allowing users to change laptop angles for easier viewing. This can be especially useful for preventing neck and upper back pain.
  • Heat Dissipation – If your laptop tends to run hot, you may want to find a laptop desk offering features that help dissipate heat instead of trapping it.
  • Additional Features – Most lap desks are multi-functional. However, you may want to look at bonus features like device slots, ledges, pockets, and mouse pads.

Why Trust Us?

At The GradCafe, our primary aim is to enable our readers to get the most out of their education. Whether that’s by providing helpful guides, product reviews, and recommendations, or otherwise, we always strive to provide accurate and valuable information to the best of our ability.

Related Reading: Best Academic Planners

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a Lap Desk Replace a Computer Desk?

If you don’t have the space for a computer desk or similar working surface, a lap desk certainly can do the job. However, when it comes to prolonged use, lap desks are unlikely to be as comfortable as normal desks.

2. Are Lap Desks Good for You?

Lap desks aren’t as good as an ergonomic desk setup – but they’re definitely much better than using your laptop directly on your lap. Lap desks can help prevent pain and other issues associated with using your laptop directly on your lap.

3. Do Lap Desks Prevent Overheating?

It depends on the lap desk. Most lap desks have a flat surface, so if your laptop has rubber feet (or anything else to create airflow underneath), you’ll reduce your laptop’s chances of overheating. However, to truly prevent overheating, you may want to use a laptop cooler.

Conclusion

We evaluated the best lap desks for students. Our recommendations included those with additional features (such as wrist support or storage). We also considered the cost. Those with the best overall value ranked at the top of our list of lap desks for students. Please consider each option based on your needs. After all, the best lap desks for students help boost productivity, make studying much easier, and offer a sturdy surface for writing and reading.

Whether you need the best laptop desk for bed use or a versatile option that’s highly portable, we hope that our recommendations above helped!

Looking to give your professor a token of appreciation? Consider these gifts for professors!

Tags: campus lifetech
Previous Post

What Does the Class of 2023 Want From Employers?

Next Post

The 10 Best Electronics for Back to School (from $36)

Related Posts

7 Best Laptops for Engineering Students in 2023
Planning

7 Best Laptops for Engineering Students in 2023

September 12, 2023
Grad School Resume 2023: Tips, FAQs, and Templates
Planning

Grad School Resume 2023: Tips, FAQs, and Templates

September 18, 2023
How to Write the Best Personal Statement for Graduate School
Planning

How to Write the Best Personal Statement for Graduate School

August 30, 2023
Back-to-School Deals: Babbel Language Learning
Preparing For Grad School

Back-to-School Deals: Babbel Language Learning

August 23, 2023
The 10 Best Electronics for Back to School (from $36)
Preparing For Grad School

The 10 Best Electronics for Back to School (from $36)

August 4, 2023
Back to School Deals: Dell Laptop with Microsoft Office $450
Preparing For Grad School

Back to School Deals: Dell Laptop with Microsoft Office $450

July 20, 2023
Next Post
The 10 Best Electronics for Back to School (from $36)

The 10 Best Electronics for Back to School (from $36)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Result
View All Result

Recent Posts

  • How to Write a Standout Letter Of Intent For Graduate School
  • As a Class of 2023 Graduate, You’re Part Of The Job-Hopping Generation
  • 7 Best Laptops for Engineering Students in 2023
  • 5 Things Bill Gates Has To Say To This Year’s New Grads
  • Grad School Resume 2023: Tips, FAQs, and Templates
The Gradcafe

© 2023 TheGradCafe.com All rights reserved

  • Contact Us
  • Partner With Us
  • Results Search
  • Submit Your Results
  • Forum
  • About Us
  • Write For Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Funding
    • Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
    • Student Loans
  • Majors & Careers
  • Online Grad School
  • Planning
    • Admissions
    • Credit Transfer
    • Grad Exam
    • Preparing For Grad School
  • Student Life
  • Study Abroad