Should I buy a laptop stand if I work from home?

Probably yes — a laptop stand is one of the easiest, lowest-cost upgrades for home-office ergonomics if you spend a lot of time working on a laptop.

Why it helps: laptops make you look down at the screen, which can contribute to neck, shoulder, and upper-back strain over time. A stand raises the screen closer to eye level, which usually makes it easier to sit upright and reduce that forward-head posture.

One important catch: if you raise the laptop, it’s usually best to pair it with an external keyboard and mouse. Otherwise, you may end up reaching up to type and click, which can create awkward wrist, arm, and shoulder positions.

You may not need one if you already use a height-adjustable external monitor, or if you only use the laptop for short sessions. If you’re unsure, try propping it up on sturdy books for a day or two to see whether the higher screen feels better before buying one.