If you spend long hours at a desk, the height of your screen shapes your comfort more than almost any other part of your setup. A monitor that sits too low pulls your head and gaze downward for hours at a time, while a screen placed at the right height keeps your posture relaxed and natural. A good monitor stand is one of the simplest, most affordable upgrades you can make to an everyday workspace.
This buyer's guide walks through the main types of monitor stands, the eye-level rule that ergonomics specialists recommend, and how to choose the option that fits your desk, your screen, and the way you actually work.
What Is a Monitor Stand and Why It Matters
A monitor stand — also called a monitor riser — is a platform that lifts your screen several inches above the desk surface. Most laptop screens and many budget monitors sit lower than the ideal viewing height, which quietly encourages you to tilt your head forward and round your shoulders to see the display clearly. Across a full workday, that forward-leaning posture can leave the neck and upper back feeling tight and fatigued.
Raising the screen lets you keep your head balanced over your shoulders and your gaze close to level. Many monitor stands also create useful storage space underneath for a keyboard, a notebook, or a slim laptop, which helps clear desk clutter and keep your work surface organized. A well-chosen riser is designed to support a more comfortable, tidier desk — a small change that you feel by the end of a long session. (This is a comfort feature — not a treatment claim. See disclaimer below.)
Types of Monitor Stands: Risers, Arms, and Floor Stands
Not every monitor stand works the same way. Knowing the main categories makes it far easier to match a product to your desk and budget.
Fixed-height risers. These are simple platforms — wood, metal, acrylic, or molded plastic — that lift the screen a set amount, usually three to six inches. They are stable, affordable, and add storage underneath. The trade-off is that the height is not adjustable, so you choose a riser whose lift matches your chair and desk.
Adjustable-height stands. These let you fine-tune the lift, often through stacked tiers, telescoping legs, or a height dial. They cost a little more than fixed risers but make it much easier to dial in true eye-level placement, which is especially helpful if more than one person shares the desk.
Monitor arms. A monitor arm clamps to the edge of your desk and holds the screen on a movable bracket. Arms free up the entire desk surface and allow you to tilt, swivel, and reposition the display throughout the day. They require a compatible VESA mount on the back of the monitor and a desk edge sturdy enough for the clamp.
Floor stands and pole mounts. Free-standing floor units hold one or more screens on a vertical pole. They suit shared spaces, presentations, or desks where clamping is not an option, but they take up more room and cost more than a basic riser.
Why Eye-Level Screen Placement Supports Desk Comfort
The reason a monitor stand matters comes down to one idea: your screen should meet your eyes, rather than your eyes traveling down to meet your screen. When the top of the display sits roughly level with your eyes, you can look at it with your head upright and your neck in a neutral, relaxed position.
Public workplace-safety guidance has long emphasized this point. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in its Computer Workstations eTool, advises on monitor placement for desk setups:
"The monitor should be placed directly in front of you. The top of the monitor should be at or slightly below eye level."
— Source: OSHA Computer Workstations eTool
OSHA also recommends keeping the screen roughly an arm's length away — about 20 to 40 inches from your eyes — and positioning it to avoid glare from windows and overhead lights. A monitor stand is the practical tool that makes the height part of that guidance easy to achieve, and it pairs naturally with a supportive chair setup. For a full walkthrough of an ergonomic workspace, see our ergonomic desk setup guide.
Our Top Picks for an Ergonomic Desk Setup
A monitor stand works best as part of a complete, considered desk setup. These three Cusheal products are designed to work together for an eye-level, comfortable workspace.
DeskCommand™ Ergonomic Monitor Stand. A sturdy desk riser built to lift a single monitor toward eye level, with open storage space underneath for a keyboard or notebook. It is intended for desk workers who want a stable, clutter-reducing way to raise a standard monitor without mounting hardware. (This is a comfort feature — not a treatment claim. See disclaimer below.)
DeskRise Adjustable Laptop Stand. An adjustable-angle stand that raises a laptop screen closer to a comfortable viewing height. It suits anyone who works mainly from a laptop and wants to lift the display while using an external keyboard and mouse. For a deeper comparison of laptop-specific options, read our laptop stand buyer's guide.
Want everyday posture support? See the full posture support collection for braces, belts and more.
ErgoSoft™ Memory Foam Desk Footrest. A cushioned memory-foam footrest that supports your feet once your chair is raised to align with a higher screen. It is intended for shorter desk users, or anyone whose feet no longer rest flat on the floor after adjusting chair height. (This is a comfort feature — not a treatment claim. See disclaimer below.)
How to Choose the Right Monitor Stand for Your Needs
With the categories clear, a few practical checks will help you settle on the right model.
Measure your target height first. Sit at your desk in your normal working posture and note where your eyes land relative to the screen. The riser should lift the top of the display to roughly eye level. If you are between heights, an adjustable stand gives you room to fine-tune.
Check the weight capacity. Every stand lists a maximum load. Confirm your monitor's weight — available in its manual or on the manufacturer's site — sits comfortably within that limit, with margin to spare for stability.
Match the footprint to your desk. Measure the depth and width of your desk and the base of your monitor. A riser should be wide enough to hold the screen's stand securely without overhanging the desk edge.
Decide how much you value storage. A platform riser doubles as a shelf; a monitor arm clears the desk entirely. If a cluttered desk is your main frustration, a riser with generous clearance underneath is often the more satisfying pick.
Consider single versus dual screens. If you run two monitors, look for a wider platform or a dual-mount arm rated for the combined weight, rather than improvising with two separate risers at slightly different heights.
Think about materials and finish. Wood and metal risers tend to feel solid and look at home in a styled workspace, while molded options are lighter and often less expensive. Choose the finish that you will be happy to look at every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you put your monitor on a stand?
For most desk workers, raising the screen toward eye level makes a noticeable difference in comfort and helps you keep an upright, relaxed posture. A stand is a low-cost way to achieve that, and it adds tidy storage underneath. If your monitor already sits at eye level on its built-in base, a stand is optional.
What is the best height for a monitor stand?
A common guideline is that the top of the screen should sit at or slightly below eye level when you are seated in your normal working posture. The exact lift depends on your height, your chair, and your desk, which is why adjustable stands are popular — they let you match the height precisely.
Are monitor stands universal?
Most platform-style risers are universal, since the monitor simply rests on top with its own base. Monitor arms are different: they require a VESA-compatible mounting pattern on the back of the screen. Always check the stand's listed dimensions and weight capacity against your monitor before buying.
What can I use instead of a monitor stand?
Sturdy books, a shelf, or a small storage box can raise a screen in a pinch. A purpose-built riser is generally more stable, level, and predictable, and it is designed with the right clearance and weight rating, so it is the more reliable long-term choice.
Can a monitor stand hold two monitors?
Some can. Wider platform risers and dual-mount arms are made for two screens, but you should confirm the combined weight of both monitors stays within the stand's stated capacity. A single-monitor riser is not designed for a dual setup.