#1 Rain Design iLevel 2 Best overall laptop stand
Editor's take
A beautifully built, knob-adjustable aluminum stand that combines rock-solid stability with an ideal height range for everyday ergonomic laptop work.
Top-ranked due to overall balance of stability, ease of adjustment and premium feel; ideal for primary home or office desks.
The Rain Design iLevel 2 is the rare laptop stand that feels like a permanent upgrade to your workspace rather than just another accessory. Milled from anodized aluminum, it has the reassuring heft and rigidity you want when you are trusting it with your primary work machine. The finish and gently curved edges give it a polished, almost monitor-like presence on the desk, so it looks natural alongside premium laptops and external displays. What sets the iLevel 2 apart is its side-mounted adjustment knob. Instead of fumbling with multiple joints, you simply slide the knob from left to right and the platform tilts smoothly, raising or lowering the screen while the base stays firmly planted. This simplicity makes it far more likely that you will actually tweak the height throughout the day as your posture changes. The mechanism raises the bottom of the laptop screen by roughly 6.5 to 8.5 inches above the desk, which is an ideal range for most people once an external keyboard and mouse are in the mix. The platform's geometry and lip easily accommodate 11-inch to 15-inch laptops while keeping them securely in place. Rubberized contact points and the solid base work together to eliminate wobble, even when you are typing vigorously. The open design underneath also helps air circulate to the underside of the machine, preventing the trapped-heat problem that plagues flat-on-desk setups. For many users, the iLevel 2 strikes the best balance of adjustability, stability and aesthetics. It does not attempt to convert your desk into a full standing workstation, and very tall users may still want a dedicated monitor arm. But for day-in, day-out laptop work at a sitting desk, there is little else this refined or this easy to live with.
The Rain Design iLevel 2 is the rare laptop stand that feels like a permanent upgrade to your workspace rather than just another accessory. Milled from anodized aluminum, it has the reassuring heft and rigidity you want when you are trusting it with your primary work machine. The finish and gently curved edges give it a polished, almost monitor-like presence on the desk, so it looks natural alongside premium laptops and external displays. What sets the iLevel 2 apart is its side-mounted adjustment knob. Instead of fumbling with multiple joints, you simply slide the knob from left to right and the platform tilts smoothly, raising or lowering the screen while the base stays firmly planted. This simplicity makes it far more likely that you will actually tweak the height throughout the day as your posture changes. The mechanism raises the bottom of the laptop screen by roughly 6.5 to 8.5 inches above the desk, which is an ideal range for most people once an external keyboard and mouse are in the mix. The platform's geometry and lip easily accommodate 11-inch to 15-inch laptops while keeping them securely in place. Rubberized contact points and the solid base work together to eliminate wobble, even when you are typing vigorously. The open design underneath also helps air circulate to the underside of the machine, preventing the trapped-heat problem that plagues flat-on-desk setups. For many users, the iLevel 2 strikes the best balance of adjustability, stability and aesthetics. It does not attempt to convert your desk into a full standing workstation, and very tall users may still want a dedicated monitor arm. But for day-in, day-out laptop work at a sitting desk, there is little else this refined or this easy to live with.
Key specs
- Material: Anodized aluminum
- Adjustment mechanism: Side knob that tilts the platform upward as it slides
- Height lift range: Approx. 6.5 to 8.5 in from desk to bottom of screen
- Laptop size compatibility: Designed for 11 to 15 in laptops
Pros
- Exceptionally sturdy anodized aluminum construction
- Smooth, knob-based adjustment that encourages frequent fine-tuning
- Height range suits most ergonomic sitting setups with external input devices
- Securely holds a wide range of laptop sizes without wobble
- Premium design that complements modern laptops and monitors
Cons
- Height range is not tall enough to replace a dedicated standing desk solution
- Bulkier and heavier than ultra-portable travel stands
- Best used with an external keyboard and mouse rather than typing directly
Brand: Rain Design · Model: iLevel 2 · Release: 2025