Cooling Stands with Fans

A stand and a cooler in one

A cooling stand with fans does two jobs. Like a laptop stand, it lifts the laptop and tilts the screen up towards your eyes. Like a cooling pad, it has fans that blow air at the laptop's base. It suits people who want the screen higher and the laptop cooler at the same desk, such as anyone running long video calls, edits or games on a laptop that gets warm.

What is in this range

• Folding aluminium stands with a fan fixed between the arms. On one, the fan comes off when you do not need it.
• Stands with two or four fans, in aluminium or ABS plastic, several with a set number of height positions.
• A raised stand with four fans, a display for the fan speed and two USB sockets, for laptops up to 17 inches.
• A flat fan unit that sits under a laptop, and also suits a router or a TV box.
• A ventilated aluminium riser with no fan, an open frame that lifts the laptop and leaves the base open to the air.

The sizes stated run from 10 or 11 inches up to 17.3 and 18 inches.

How to choose a cooling stand

Height. The Health and Safety Executive's guidance puts the top of the screen level with your eyes, with your forearms roughly horizontal. Set your chair first, then pick a stand that reaches the height you need.

Fans and vents. Look at where your laptop draws air in. The fans should sit under the intake, not under a solid part of the base.

Power. The fans run from a USB port on the laptop. Check the plug: some have USB-A, one comes with a USB-C cable for the fans.

Carrying. Most fold. Check the folded size if it is going in a bag.

A stand needs a keyboard

Raise the laptop and its keyboard rises with it. The HSE's advice for laptops is a separate keyboard and mouse so the screen can be raised, so put a keyboard and mouse on the desk in front.

Questions people ask about cooling stands

Is a cooling stand better than a cooling pad?

A stand raises the screen further; a pad is lower and more often typed on directly. If you use a separate keyboard, a stand does more.

Are the fans loud?

Several state a noise level, and many let you set the speed. Turn them down for calls.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.

More to look at

• Laptop cooling pads
• Adjustable laptop stands
• Clip-on laptop fan coolers
• Keyboard and mouse sets
• For gamers
• Guide: How to keep a laptop cool
• Guide: How to choose a laptop stand