A monitor that sits flat on the desk forces your neck to bend forward, and on a small desk the screen also steals the only flat surface you have. A riser fixes both problems at once: it lifts the panel toward eye level and turns the space underneath into storage for a keyboard, notebook, or dock. The picks below are the risers that came out ahead once we compared published dimensions, weight limits and the materials each maker specifies. When the choice is between a clamped arm and a desk riser, our arm vs stand comparison walks through both.
Quick Answer
A monitor riser lifts the screen toward eye level and turns the space underneath into storage for keyboard or notebook. The HUANUO riser raises a monitor roughly 3.9 inches on a vented steel shelf that keeps laptops cool, typically $25-$35. The BONTEC 2-pack provides two mesh platforms with slide-out drawers, while the Kantek extra-wide glass spans 39.4 inches and holds up to 60 lb on 8mm tempered glass.
Quick Picks
Short on time? These five risers cover the range of small-desk setups, from a budget shelf to a wide two-tier organizer with drawers.
- Best overall: HUANUO Monitor Riser with Vented Steel Shelf — sturdy, affordable, vented top that keeps a laptop or monitor cool.
- Best for two screens: BONTEC 2 Pack Adjustable Monitor Stand Riser with Drawer — two mesh-platform risers with a slide-out drawer each.
- Best warm brown option: loukin Monitor Stand Riser (22.4 x 8.2 inch) — brown finish, no assembly, supports 22 lb.
- Best extra-wide glass: Kantek Extra-Wide Glass Monitor Riser — 39.4 inches of 8mm tempered glass holding up to 60 lb.
- Best dual-monitor with storage: Fenge Dual Monitor Stand with Drawers — 42.5-inch two-tier shelf with fabric drawers.
How We Chose
Riser shopping looks simple until you measure your actual desk. Listings were compared on footprint, height gain, weight capacity, and whether the design adds storage without visual clutter. Every pick is a real, currently listed Amazon product, judged from spec sheets and patterns in owner reviews.
Comparison Table
| Model | Width | Height Gain | Weight Capacity | Extras | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HUANUO Vented Steel Shelf | ~23.6 in | ~3.9 in | Up to 55 lb | Vented top, open bottom storage | $25-$35 |
| BONTEC 2 Pack with Drawer | ~15.7 in each | Adjustable | 44 lb combined | Mesh platform, drawer, cable pass-through | $40-$55 |
| loukin Brown Riser | 22.4 in | ~4.7 in | 22 lb | Water-resistant brown surface, no assembly | $25-$40 |
| Kantek MS380 Glass Riser | 39.4 in | 3.3 in | 60 lb | 8mm tempered glass, clear | $60-$80 |
| Fenge Dual Monitor Stand | 42.5 in | Two-tier, adjustable | ~66 lb | Fabric drawers, 2-tier layout | $70-$100 |
Dimensions come from manufacturer listings and can vary slightly between batches.
Reviews of the 5 Best Monitor Risers
HUANUO Monitor Riser with Vented Steel Shelf
The HUANUO riser is often the first one remote workers buy, and it is easy to see why. Its steel frame raises a monitor roughly 3.9 inches — enough to bring many 24-inch screens closer to eye level at a standard chair height — and the perforated steel top lets laptops get airflow instead of resting on a solid board.
Owners praise the open lower shelf for tucking a keyboard or notebook under the screen. The footprint suits a 47-inch desk, and at a typical $25-$35 it leaves budget room for a separate keyboard tray. Check the current price, since the silver version dips during sales.
BONTEC 2 Pack Adjustable Monitor Stand Riser with Drawer
The BONTEC two-pack suits anyone running two monitors or a monitor-plus-laptop setup. Each riser carries a ventilated mesh platform and a slide-out drawer; the pair supports 44 lb combined.
Height is adjustable — important, because too low leaves you stacking books and too tall forces a forward head posture. Reviews mention smooth drawer glides and mesh tops that keep laptops cool. Expect to pay roughly $40-$55 for the set; confirm the current price before ordering.
loukin Monitor Stand Riser for Desk, 22.4 x 8.2 Computer Stand, Brown
If your desk leans warm and brown-toned, the loukin riser fits in without looking like office equipment. It measures 22.4 by 8.2 inches, raises the screen about 4.7 inches, and supports 22 lb — enough for a single monitor, laptop dock, or small printer. No assembly required.
Reviewers note that rubber feet grip the desktop well, so the riser does not slide while you type. The trade-off is capacity: 22 lb rules out a heavy 32-inch monitor, and the narrower footprint suits a 24-inch screen or smaller. Typical pricing lands around $25-$40, so check the current price before ordering.
Kantek Extra-Wide Glass Monitor Riser with 8mm Tempered Glass Platform (MS380)
The Kantek MS380 solves a different problem: it is wide enough to park two monitors side by side on one clean glass surface. The platform spans 39.4 inches of 8mm tempered glass and carries up to 60 lb, so a pair of 27-inch screens fits comfortably.
Because it adds only 3.3 inches of height, this riser suits people who need a modest lift plus under-monitor storage. Owners like the stable metal legs, though some note glossy surfaces show fingerprints. The typical range is $60-$80; check the current price, since wide glass risers are rarely discounted.
Fenge Dual Monitor Stand, 2-Tier Desk Organizer with Drawers
The Fenge stand is the most ambitious option here: a 42.5-inch two-tier structure holds a monitor on top while the lower tier and fabric drawers absorb desk clutter. Capacity sits around 66 lb across the top platform.
This is the pick for a small apartment desk that doubles as a general workspace: the drawers swallow pens, cables, and accessories that would otherwise live on the surface. Reviews warn that assembly takes a few minutes and that fabric drawers suit light items better than heavy tools. Pricing typically runs $70-$100; check the current price and weigh the two-tier layout against a simpler riser plus a separate organizer.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Monitor Riser
Four measurements decide whether a riser actually helps your posture.
- Height gain vs. your eye line. Your eyes should meet the top third of the screen. Measure from the desk surface to your seated eye level, subtract your monitor’s height, and that is the lift you need. Fixed risers add roughly 3-5 inches; adjustable models offer a range.
- Width and depth. A riser must be wider than your monitor’s feet yet shallow enough to leave forearm room. On a 40-inch desk, a 39-inch riser leaves almost no work surface.
- Weight capacity. Most risers carry 22-60 lb. A 24-inch monitor weighs roughly 8-12 lb; a 32-inch model can hit 18-20 lb. Add a laptop and dock before trusting the lower end of that range.
- Stability and materials. Steel and tempered glass feel solid under heavy screens; lightweight wood can wobble if your desk shakes. Rubber or silicone feet stop sliding and protect the finish.
FAQ
How much height does a monitor riser add?
Most fixed risers add 3-5 inches; adjustable models extend higher, often up to 6-7 inches. Measure your seated eye level first, then pick a riser whose range brackets that number.
Can a riser replace a monitor arm?
For raising a screen and reclaiming desk space, yes. Arms add more adjustability and free the surface entirely, but they need a clampable desk edge and cost more. If your desk is glass, too thin, or you want storage underneath, a riser is the safer, cheaper route.
Will a riser fit my laptop?
Nearly all risers handle laptops, since most weigh under 6 lb. The real question is width: check the platform depth against your laptop, and prefer a vented or mesh top so the underside stays cool.
Shop These Picks on Amazon
These links open Amazon listings for the specific products covered in this guide so you can check current models and prices yourself. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you – it helps keep RemoteErgoLab free.
- HUANUO Monitor Riser for Desk with Vented Steel Shelf on Amazon
- BONTEC 2 Pack Adjustable Monitor Stand Riser with Drawer on Amazon
- loukin Monitor Stand Riser for Desk, 22.4 x 8.2 Computer Stand, Brown on Amazon
- Kantek Extra-Wide Glass Monitor Riser with 8mm Tempered Glass Platform (MS380) on Amazon
- Fenge Dual Monitor Stand, 2-Tier Desk Organizer with Drawers, 42.5in Black on Amazon
Related Guides
- Simple fixes when your monitor sits too low
- The best monitor arms for small desks
- The complete home office ergonomics checklist
- Ergonomic Keyboards for Small Desks: 5 Compact Picks
- Standing Desk Types for Small Spaces: 4 Compared
Disclosure
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. RemoteErgoLab researches products using real listings, spec sheets, and owner reviews; we do not claim to have tested every item in this guide. Prices and availability change frequently, so confirm details on the product page before buying.