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The best lap desk
By Sarah Witman This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to lap desks. Lap desks are like the athleisure of workspaces: not the most elegant option but generally comfortable and functional. After spending 10 hours researching and 25 hours testing lap desks, we're confident that the LapGear Designer is the best for most people. It reigns supreme in terms of comfort and build quality, has one of the widest and sturdiest surfaces of any lap desk we tested, and offers extra storage options for your phone and other supplies. The LapGear Designer has a clean, simple design and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. It's sturdy and well made, and feels comfortable and cool in your lap. It measures 17¾ inches across—wide enough to fit a 13-inch laptop and mouse—and weighs about 2 pounds. It has a slot to perch your phone, a handle to carry it around or hang it up, and an elastic strap for storing index cards or a pen. Plus, it has a short and unobtrusive plastic laptop rest toward the front edge to keep your stuff from sliding off of the top and it works equally well for left- and right-handed people. The Avantree Multifunctional is the best option if you want a lap desk with built-in legs. Because it's basically a mini desk, it raises your laptop and other supplies off of your lap, making it a much better choice in terms of heat management and ergonomics. It's just as well constructed as the LapGear Designer and has many of the same features—a laptop rest, left- and right-hander accessibility, a sizable work surface—plus a few more. Its legs extend to almost 13 inches, and you can adjust the desk's angle as well, making it more customizable to your desired posture—just make sure you have an even surface underneath you so the legs aren't off-kilter. Plus, if you set the Avantree Multifunctional on a desk or table, you can also use it as a DIY standing desk or laptop stand. The LapGear eDesk isn't quite as comfortable, stable, or well built as the brand's Designer but it's your best bet if you want something that feels more lightweight and portable. It has a padded laptop rest that protects your wrists from chafing, and a cushy underside. You can use the tablet slot to prop up a book or iPad, or you can cover it up with your laptop. At nearly 18 inches across, the eDesk is plenty wide enough to fit a 13-inch laptop, yet it weighs only 1.4 pounds. By comparison the 2-pound Designer feels noticeably bulkier in your lap. Like the Designer, the eDesk has a fabric handle and raises your laptop about 3 inches off the top of your lap. The eDesk's aesthetic is simple and utilitarian, and it's available in a variety of colors. It's also one of the least expensive models we tested.
