Best Monitor Stands and Risers of 2026: 8 Models Compared

What to look for in a monitor stand or riser

A monitor stand lifts the screen toward eye level and frees the desk space underneath. The 8 stands compared here fall into two groups: single-platform risers for one monitor or a laptop, and wide shelves built for two or three screens. They run from a 2.6 lb ABS riser to a bamboo set rated for 130 lb. The sections below explain which figures matter and what values this set offers. If you are unsure whether a stand is enough, our answer on choosing a monitor arm or monitor stand compares the two.

Rated load

The rated load is the weight a stand is meant to carry. Add up the monitor and anything else that will share the platform, such as a laptop or a printer, and stay below the figure. Five of the 8 stands list 44 lb: BONTEC, Canyora, ECOLOVI, OPNICE and WALI. CHOEZON states 130 lb (59 kg), Amazon Basics 22 lb (10 kg), and gianotter gives no rating at all. On two-screen stands the listing should say whether the figure applies per shelf or to the whole stand; BONTEC states 44 lb without saying which.

Lift height and eye level

Ergonomic guidance generally puts the top edge of the screen at or slightly below eye level, so the right lift depends on your chair, desk and monitor. Four stands list height steps: Amazon Basics 2.87, 4.2 and 4.8 inches; Canyora 4.13, 4.92 and 5.7 inches; WALI 4.5, 5.3 and 6.1 inches; and ECOLOVI 4.0, 4.8, 5.5 and 6.1 inches. The Canyora and ECOLOVI change height with leg buttons. The others are fixed or list no steps: gianotter is 4.3 inches tall, CHOEZON 4.7 inches on the main platform and 5.1 inches on the sides, and OPNICE 6.3 inches overall. BONTEC gives no height. To find your number, stack books under the screen until it feels right, then measure the stack.

Platform size and number of screens

Check the top surface against the foot of your monitor, not just the screen size. The one-piece tops in this set measure 14.6 × 9.3 inches (WALI, Canyora), 14.6 × 9.1 inches (ECOLOVI), 20.5 × 9.5 inches (OPNICE) and about 11.6 × 11 inches (Amazon Basics, tapered toward the sides). The multi-screen options are wider: gianotter is 40.6 inches long, BONTEC expands from 31.5 to 42.5 inches, and CHOEZON combines a 15 × 9.8 inch main platform with two 10.2 × 7.5 inch side platforms. A compact foot suits a small top; a wide or splayed foot needs a deep, flat surface.

Material and stability

Two stands are plastic (WALI and the ABS Amazon Basics), three are metal (gianotter, OPNICE and the Canyora shelf), two are wood (BONTEC and ECOLOVI) and one is bamboo (CHOEZON). Material alone says little; the rated load and the grip on the desk matter more. Non-slip features are listed for WALI (rubber pads), BONTEC (non-slip pads), OPNICE (slip resistant) and Amazon Basics (non-skid feet), but not for the other four. Powder coating appears on the gianotter and OPNICE, lacquer on the BONTEC, and only OPNICE lists rust and scratch resistance.

Storage and extras

Drawers appear on the CHOEZON, gianotter and OPNICE, pen holders on the gianotter and OPNICE, a phone slot on the CHOEZON and BONTEC, and a cable opening on the BONTEC, which also has three open compartments. WALI and Canyora add ventilation holes, 150 of them on the Canyora, which helps if a laptop or printer sits on the shelf. ECOLOVI lists a 12.5 × 7 inch space underneath. The most feature-rich stands sit in the upper price classes (CHOEZON, BONTEC, gianotter); OPNICE is the exception, with a drawer and pen holders in the entry class.

Assembly and weight

The gianotter needs no assembly. WALI and Canyora go together without tools, the Canyora in under 30 seconds by its listing, CHOEZON uses twist-lock legs, and BONTEC is described as easy to assemble. The other stands give no assembly details. Weight is listed for only three: Amazon Basics 2.6 lb, gianotter 6.8 lb (3.08 kg) and BONTEC 7.3 lb (3.3 kg).

Which stand suits which setup?

• Three monitors or heavy gear: the CHOEZON has the highest rated load and three platforms.
• Two monitors, flexible layout: the BONTEC expands to 42.5 inches and its side shelves swivel.
• Two monitors, ready to use: the gianotter needs no assembly but lists no load rating.
• Single screen, best value: the Canyora has three height steps and comes as a two-piece set.
• Entry class with the most height choices: the ECOLOVI has four steps up to 6.1 inches.
• Metal with a built-in organizer: the OPNICE adds a drawer and two pen holders to a powder-coated steel frame.
• Plain plastic with the highest lift: the WALI reaches 6.1 inches and has a vented shelf.
• Light loads and a small lift: the Amazon Basics, with a 22 lb rating and up to 4.8 inches.
• Reach or tilt, not just height: a stand only raises the screen, so if you want to pull it closer or tilt it, see monitor arms compared.

Common mistakes when buying

• Judging by platform size only: the monitor’s foot has to sit fully on the top with some margin, so measure its width and depth.
• Reading “adjustable” as height steps: the OPNICE lists the word without any figures, and on the CHOEZON it refers to movable platforms, not to height.
• Mixing up units: listings quote pounds, kilograms or both. Convert before comparing a 10 kg rating with a 44 lb one.
• Ignoring the lowest rating: the Amazon Basics is rated for half of what most rivals list, so add up everything that will sit on it.
• Skipping missing data: the gianotter lists no load and the BONTEC no height. A gap in the listing is a question to settle before ordering.

Setup and care tips

Place the stand on a flat, clear part of the desk and center the monitor’s foot over the platform so the weight is spread evenly. Wipe plastic, metal and lacquered surfaces with a slightly damp cloth and keep wood and bamboo away from standing water, and follow the maker’s guidance if one comes with the stand. A raised screen also changes where a clip-on lamp sits, which is why our comparison of monitor light bars is a natural next read. If a small printer shares the desk, the portable thermal printers are compared separately. The desk upgrade checklist walks through the whole setup, and the computer and office category collects more desk and office gear.

How we compared

This ranking is a desk review of data: manufacturer specifications, listing details, delivery contents and price class. Of 16 stands and risers considered, we selected 8 for this comparison. Each is scored on four criteria relative to the other seven – load capacity and lift (35%), features and storage (25%), build and materials (20%), setup and handling (20%) – and the weighted result is a score out of 10. Gaps in the data are not guessed; where a missing figure matters, it lowers the rating. The full scoring method is written up in detail.