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If you spend hours looking down at a screen, your neck is doing the same job as if you were holding a bowling ball out in front of you all day. The fix usually isn’t a new chair — it’s getting the screen up to eye level. But should you get a monitor riser or a laptop stand? It depends on your setup.
The core problem: screen height
Neck strain from screens usually comes down to one thing: the top of your screen sits below eye level, so your head tips forward and down for hours at a time. Over weeks, that adds up to real strain in the neck and upper back.
The fix is the same either way — raise the screen so your eyes land near the top third of it when you sit up straight. The right tool depends on what you’re working with.
If you use a desktop monitor: get a monitor riser
A monitor riser lifts your screen directly, which is the simplest fix if you already have a separate keyboard and mouse. Look for one that:
- Raises the screen 4–6 inches (most desk setups need this much)
- Has a stable, wide base — wobble while typing is worse than no riser at all
- Ideally includes storage underneath, since it’s otherwise wasted desk space
Best for: anyone using a desktop monitor, or a laptop already connected to an external monitor.
If you work directly on a laptop: get a laptop stand
A laptop stand raises the whole laptop, screen and all. This solves the neck-height problem, but it puts the built-in keyboard at an awkward height for your wrists — which is why laptop stands work best paired with a separate keyboard and mouse.
Look for one that:
- Adjusts to at least eye level for your sitting height
- Folds flat for portability if you also work from cafes or while traveling
- Has good airflow underneath, since laptops run hotter when propped up
Best for: anyone working primarily off a laptop screen, especially if a monitor isn’t practical (small desk, hybrid work, travel).
What if you use both a laptop and a monitor?
Use the monitor as your primary screen (raised on a riser or arm) and let the laptop sit closed or off to the side on a stand, used mainly for keyboard shortcuts or a second display. This gets you one screen at true eye level without paying for a full second monitor.
The bottom line
- Desktop monitor only → get a monitor riser
- Laptop only, no external monitor → get a laptop stand plus a separate keyboard and mouse if your budget allows
- Both → riser for the monitor, stand for the laptop, monitor takes priority
Either fix costs less than $40 and can be set up in under five minutes — one of the fastest, cheapest changes you can make for desk-related neck pain. If pain is severe, persistent, or radiates into your arms, it’s worth checking in with a doctor or physical therapist rather than relying on setup changes alone.
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