Buying Guide
The Best Monitor Stand for Desk
Three monitor stands ranked on load rating and load; the WALI riser is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
A monitor stand raises the screen toward eye level and can add storage underneath. These are ordered from the lowest listed price.
Rankings weigh load and platform as the makers state them; if a maker skips load, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
WALI Adjustable Computer Monitor StandUndercutting the HUANUO riser on price when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the HUANUO riser the next step up.
Check price for WALI Adjustable Computer Monitor Stand on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
HUANUO Monitor Riser with Vented Metal PlatformA vented steel platform.
Best for: Buyers who want vented steel platform.
Check price for HUANUO Monitor Riser with Vented Metal Platform on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Spacrea Dual Monitor Stand Riser with DrawerThe top of this price range, adding a drawer.
Best for: Spending more than the HUANUO riser costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Spacrea Dual Monitor Stand Riser with Drawer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the HUANUO riser on price when we checked. | Spending as little as possible, with the HUANUO riser the next step up. | Check price for WALI Adjustable Computer Monitor Stand on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A vented steel platform. | Buyers who want vented steel platform. | Check price for HUANUO Monitor Riser with Vented Metal Platform on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a drawer. | Spending more than the HUANUO riser costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for Spacrea Dual Monitor Stand Riser with Drawer on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
WALI Adjustable Computer Monitor Stand
WALI's adjustable stand offers a 44 lb (20 kg) limit.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the HUANUO riser the next step up.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
Its 14.6 by 9.3 inch shelf raises a screen by 4.5, 5.3 or 6.1 inches. The vented shelf also works for a laptop or printer. It assembles without tools, and the space underneath holds a keyboard or notebooks.
The black finish suits most desks. It also comes with the lowest price among the risers here. Measure your monitor stand's footprint against the WALI riser's platform before ordering. It undercut the HUANUO riser and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Load
- 44 lbs
- Height
- Adjustable
Pros
- Holds up to 44 lbs
- 44 lb (20 kg) limit
- Adjustable height
- The lowest price among the risers here
Also Consider2 of 3
HUANUO Monitor Riser with Vented Metal Platform
HUANUO's riser has a vented steel platform and a 44 lb limit.
Best for
- Buyers who want vented steel platform.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the WALI riser cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also suits a laptop or printer. Its perforated steel platform lifts a monitor by about 4 inches and lets a laptop breathe. At 14.57 inches wide it suits a single screen.
It assembles in about two minutes, and the space underneath stores a keyboard or papers. Its solid steel plate holds monitors, laptops and printers. At 3.94 inches tall it raises the screen a modest amount, which suits shorter desks.
Measure your monitor stand's footprint against the HUANUO riser's platform before ordering. It was priced above the WALI riser and below the Spacrea riser at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Load
- 44 lbs
- Platform
- 14.94 in steel plate
Pros
- Holds up to 44 lbs
- Vented steel platform
- 44 lb limit
- Room for a laptop or printer
Cons
- Costs more than the WALI riser at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Spacrea Dual Monitor Stand Riser with Drawer
What the Spacrea riser brings to the table is a drawer, plus two pen holders.
Best for
- Spending more than the HUANUO riser costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Pass if a published load rating matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It holds two monitors side by side, and a built-in drawer keeps small items off the desk. It raises the screens to a more comfortable eye level. A pen holder and drawer are built in, and the one-piece steel plate carries two monitors steadily.
It clears clutter from the main desk. You also get a dual-width platform. Measure your monitor stand's footprint against the Spacrea riser's platform before ordering.
The Spacrea riser's drawer needs clearance in front, so keep the keyboard slightly forward. Only the HUANUO riser came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks. There is no published load rating figure, whereas the WALI riser is rated for 44 lbs.
Key specs
- Platform
- Dual
- Storage
- Drawer, 2 pen holders
Pros
- Built-in drawer
- Two pen holders
- Dual-width platform
- The top of this price range, adding a drawer
Cons
- No published load rating
- Costs more than the WALI riser at the time of writing
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up three monitor risers on load rating and platform, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and load rating and platform are missing for at least one pick.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Spacrea riser gives no load rating; the WALI riser gives no platform.
- Price range
- From the WALI riser to the Spacrea riser, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Monitor Stand for Desk
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Setup checks
Measure your monitor stand's footprint against the WALI riser's platform before ordering.
Extras that separate them
The WALI riser: adjustable height. The HUANUO riser: a 44 lb limit. The Spacrea riser: two pen holders.
A light bar and two monitors on arms above a keyboard Budget
All 3 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the WALI riser at the low end to the Spacrea riser at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible, with the HUANUO riser the next step up: the WALI riser. Spending more than the HUANUO riser costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Spacrea riser.
A desk with a monitor on an arm and a vertical second screen Wood, metal or plastic
Steel and wood feel stiffer; plastic risers are lighter and cheaper. Check that the legs sit flat.
How to Choose a Monitor Stand for Desk
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the HUANUO riser the next step up | WALI riser | Undercutting the HUANUO riser on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want vented steel platform | HUANUO riser | A vented steel platform |
| Spending more than the HUANUO riser costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Spacrea riser | The top of this price range, adding a drawer |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The WALI riser, the HUANUO riser and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Monitor Riser | Load | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| WALI riser | 44 lbs | Not listed |
| HUANUO riser | 44 lbs | 14.94 in steel plate |
| Spacrea riser | Not listed | Dual |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Spacrea riser our Premium Pick?
It carries the badge for the top of this price range, adding a drawer. It makes sense for spending more than the HUANUO riser costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Do the HUANUO riser and the Spacrea riser differ on platform?
The HUANUO riser uses 14.94 in steel plate; the Spacrea riser uses dual. The WALI riser has no platform listed, so 2 of 3 picks are covered here.
Will the WALI riser work with my setup?
Measure your monitor stand's footprint against the WALI riser's platform before ordering. In this guide it ranks first of 3, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
What extras do the WALI riser and the HUANUO riser include?
The WALI riser: a 44 lb (20 kg) limit. The HUANUO riser: a vented steel platform. The Spacrea riser: a drawer.
Who should choose the WALI riser?
The WALI riser carries our Lowest Price Here label for undercutting the HUANUO riser on price when we checked. It ranks first of 3 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits spending as little as possible, with the HUANUO riser the next step up.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the WALI riser, chosen for undercutting the HUANUO riser on price when we checked. Look at the HUANUO riser for a vented steel platform and the Spacrea riser for the top of this price range, adding a drawer if those matter more to you.
The top of the screen should sit at or slightly below eye level.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Monitor Stand Risers
- Related guideThe Best Computer Tower Stands for Your Desk
- Related guideThe Best Monitor Arms
- Similar guideThe Best Monitor Mount for Desk
- Similar guideThe Best Ergonomic Monitor Stand
- Also see: chairs, desks and desk setupHow to size an office chair to your height and your desk
- Also see: monitors for work and everyday useHow to Set Up Dual Monitors
- Similar guideThe Best Monitor Light Bars
- Topic hubAll monitor arms and accessories guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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