Laptop tables in the test 2023

Of course, if you own a laptop, you don’t just want it at home Desk use - because that's exactly the big advantage over a conventional computer, which is always on the spot. Buying a special laptop table is a good idea so that you don't have to keep the device on your lap when you use it on the couch or in bed. Actually, one should think that the selection of a suitable model should not be that difficult, because after all one is only looking for a suitable base. However, the opposite is the case, because numerous different versions can be discovered on the market. What you should definitely consider when looking for a suitable laptop table, we will tell you in our following purchase advisor.

Laptop table - what is that anyway?

A laptop table, as its name suggests, is a small table on which you can place your laptop when it is not being used on your desk. In most cases, these are side tables that, thanks to their high legs, can easily be placed next to the couch or sofa. This way you can easily access the laptop, which also has an optimal and safe location away from the desk. Alternatively, laptop tables are also offered in stores that are reminiscent of a breakfast tray - i.e. the tray with which lovers like to surprise their partner with a delicious breakfast in bed.

Of course, you could argue that you basically don't need a laptop table at all, since you can just put the laptop on your lap and use it as usual. While this is actually very convenient, it is not necessarily recommended for a number of reasons. On the one hand, the laptop can get very warm and in the worst case even overheat - which is never particularly beneficial for the built-in hardware.
On the other hand, a warm laptop in the lap is not necessarily very pleasant, especially in the hot summer months - so a high-quality laptop table can quickly remedy this. Even experienced doctors strongly advise against using a laptop on your lap. The reason for this primarily affects men: the warm laptop also warms up the testicles, which in turn can have a negative effect on sperm production and fertility. Is there a better reason for a laptop table?

What are the different types of laptop tables?

Laptop tables are offered in many different variations. All in all, one can say that there are a total of three different types to choose from in specialist shops - each of which is aimed at the very special preferences of the buyer. So that you can find the perfect laptop table for you, we have summarized the different types here with a brief description.

The side table

The side table, which is also sold under the name bed table, is ideal for placing next to the bed or couch. It offers enough space to put down the laptop, which is always ready to hand.

As a rule, a side table is a foldable table that can be set up in no time at all and dismantled just as quickly - which makes it extremely flexible in its use. Anyone who lies on the sofa in the evening and always wants to have their laptop to hand is well advised to use a laptop table of this kind, but it is also suitable for installation next to the bed or in a lounge corner. In most cases, such a side table comes with an adjustable height, but some models are also equipped with rigid feet. Laptop tables made of real wood or with a wood look are particularly popular in this category, as they have excellent durability and are also pretty to look at in almost every room from a purely visual point of view.

The bar table

A bar table is always a good choice if you use your laptop frequently to hold presentations or lectures. It offers enough space for storing the laptop, but other utensils such as a notepad, pens or a drinking glass can also be accommodated on it. The range of bar tables for laptops is immense, so that it is not so easy to find a perfect model - at the same time, the range is so wide that there should definitely be something suitable for every taste.

In addition to comparatively simple tables with four fixed feet, there are height-adjustable versions and models with an integrated swivel element for quick adjustment to a wide variety of situations. Models made of wood are rarely found in this area, as the focus is on functionality. Instead, the manufacturers rely on robust and at the same time light materials such as plastic or aluminum, but there are also versions with a solid base for optimal support.

The laptop desk

Of all the variants presented here, laptop desks are by far the most expensive to buy. For the money invested, there is also a sufficiently large desk where you can sit with your office chair and do a wide variety of work. In addition to a free storage space for the laptop, such a table also offers space for numerous other utensils that should not be missing on a well-equipped desk - such as writing materials, a desk lamp or various small decorative elements.

Especially in the area of ​​laptop desks, the selection of different models is really immense. In addition to classic models, which are designed for permanent use in a fixed place, there are also desks with castors, for example, which can be moved quickly and easily from A to B - this way you can move your preferred workplace from one place to another without having to lug the table around Move one corner of the room to the other. Another subcategory of laptop desks are the so-called corner desks. They can be easily placed in a desired corner of the room, which allows it to be used optimally. In fact, however, such a model can be set up in the room according to individual preferences, so that you are not automatically tied to a corner.

With regard to the material, there are laptop tables in the desk version made of wood and metal or in a robust plastic version - so there is something for every taste here too.

Special variant: The foldable tray for the bed

If you don't want to put your laptop down in bed, you can also find foldable tablets in specialist shops and on the Internet. This is less a real laptop table than a practical storage option for your laptop. In its design, such a tray is reminiscent of a breakfast tray on which breakfast is served in bed in the morning. The great advantage of such a tablet lies in the fact that the laptop does not have to be placed on the lap, but is placed on a stable surface. What many laptop owners don't know is that a laptop can reach temperatures of up to 70 degrees. Since this is a gradual process, so the heat increases gradually, the user often does not even notice it - at the same time, however, such intense heat can cause severe tissue damage and even increase the risk of cancer immensely.

Collapsible laptop trays can be opened and closed in no time at all and stored in a cupboard or storage room to save space when not in use for a long time.

Laptop tables: These criteria must be observed when purchasing

If you now think that it can't be that difficult to find a suitable laptop table, you should know that there are definitely one or two criteria that a good model should meet. So that you can find a suitable laptop table for your individual needs as quickly as possible, we have put together a small checklist that will certainly make your purchase easier.

height and adjustability

If you are looking for a suitable laptop table, the height of the table plays an extremely important role. When making a purchase on the Internet, find out about the dimensions of the respective model and check them for their suitability for everyday use. There's little point in choosing a laptop table that's a few inches too high or too low just because it might be a little cheaper to buy - after all, a laptop table that's the wrong height only hurts your back.

If you choose a laptop desk, it usually has a standard height of 72 cm. However, since most models in this area are height-adjustable, you can usually easily adjust your table to a desired height of between 66 and 75 cm. In the event that the desk is designed with a fixed height, an adjustable desk chair can prove to be a good combination. Ideally, both the table and the chair are height-adjustable, so that you can set up a comfortable workplace relatively easily.

The issue of height adjustability also plays an important role with a bar table: If the table is too low, you always have to look down slightly during lectures or presentations, which can lead to pain in the neck and back area in the long term. Ideally, the laptop should be at eye level - this also has the advantage that you can keep an eye on both your listeners and the screen as they change on the fly.

The resilience

The resilience also plays a decisive role in a laptop table. In particular, cheaper models tend to have a relatively low load limit, which already ends at 4 or 4 kg. Although an average laptop with a 17-inch screen only weighs around 3 kg, your hands are of course still on the table when you work - which adds another kilogram, which in this case would already fully exhaust the load limit. It is therefore essential to find out in advance about the weight of your laptop and also ask yourself whether other objects should also be placed on the laptop table. If you prefer to be on the safe side, retailers also offer extremely heavy-duty versions that can easily carry 20 kg, 40 kg or more. Such quality has its price, but you can enjoy your laptop table for a very long time.

The material

When it comes to the choice of material, there are basically no fixed specifications. You are free to choose whether you prefer a model made of wood or an alternative version made of glass, metal or plastic. Of course, wood has the advantage that it is a natural material, which is also extremely robust - which is not necessarily the case with glass. If you can't decide between the different materials, there are also laptop tables that are made of different materials on the market.

Ergonomic features

When looking for a suitable laptop table, you should also pay attention to ergonomic features. An adjustable angle of inclination is particularly important here in order to make working as comfortable as possible - this is particularly recommended for very long work. Many models also have an integrated mouse pad, which also contributes to pleasant work. Special anti-slip devices on the shelf have also proven to be very advantageous: they prevent the laptop from slipping back and forth during work.

Integrated ventilation

More and more retailers are now also selling special laptop tables that have integrated ventilation. In many cases, these are just built-in vents that allow for better ventilation of the remote laptop — however, many models also have a real rotating fan built in. If a laptop is used frequently, a built-in fan can prove to be a practical feature, since a working device that has become too hot is automatically cooled down. However, the fans built into laptop tables are not nearly as powerful as the fans built into the laptops themselves. A laptop table with an integrated fan is therefore not really necessary. If your laptop tends to heat up quickly, a separate laptop cooler that is connected via USB can prove to be a more sensible and, above all, more powerful alternative.

Conclusion

Finding a suitable laptop table is much easier than it might seem at first glance. Just ask yourself in advance what purpose you will need your new table for in the future and then decide on a robust laptop desk, a functional bar table or a flexible side table. If you then keep an eye on the load capacity of your preferred model and ideally decide on a height-adjustable table, nothing should go wrong.