If you’re reading this, you’ve most likely acknowledged the importance of having a reliable laptop stand as a DJ. Or perhaps, you’re at least curious as to why so many musicians bang on about setting yourself up with a good laptop stand.

Either way, getting to grips with the endless range of options available can seem daunting. But as is the case with most things, it’s pretty easy to narrow things down, once you know what you’re looking for.

Do I Really Need a Laptop Stand?

If a laptop forms a core part of your equipment setup, then yes – you’re going to need a laptop stand when performing on stage. Technically speaking, you could get away with sitting your laptop on some other surface within arm’s reach, but a proper DJ laptop stand looks so much more professional.

In addition, these things are designed specifically to safeguard what’s probably your most important on-stage asset. With a safe and secure stand, you avoid the risk of damaging or destroying your laptop at the worst possible time.

Plus, given the fact that the best DJ laptop stands on the market are cheap as chips, there’s really no reason to deny yourself the pleasure of owning one.

Which Laptop Stand Should I Buy?

It’s mostly a judgment call, as most of the best laptop stands for DJs are pretty similar by design. What you want is something safe, secure and durable, but at the same time compact and portable enough to cart around.

To make things all the more straightforward, we’ve compiled a shortlist of five of the best DJ laptop stands money can buy right now. All of which score top marks for their versatility, portability and overall value for money.

Let’s get started:

Hola! Music’s Multi-Purpose Tripod Stand

First up, Hola! Music’s Multi-Purpose Tripod Stand has been a staple on the scene for some time. Manufactured from heavy-duty steel yet weighing in at less than 5kg, it delivers the perfect combination of durability and lightweight practicality. The height of the stand can be adjusted between 33 inches to 53 inches, with a robust metal safety pin to keep things in place.

Simple yet effective, the Hola! Music Multi-Purpose Tripod Stand has been designed to cope with heavier equipment and laptops of all shapes and sizes. It’s easy to assemble, simple to put away and pretty discreet in its appearance.

All of which is up for grabs at a price within any established or aspiring DJ’s budget, which goes some way to explain why Hola! Music’s Multi-Purpose Tripod Stand continues to be one of the top-selling stands in its class by a country mile.

Pyle’s Pro DJ Laptop Projector Stand

Next up, Pyle’s Pro DJ Laptop Projector Stand is both a fantastically versatile piece of kit and a questionable tongue twister in one (try saying it fast 10 times). Perfect for all types of laptops, projectors and other sound equipment, this top-selling stand is also super simple to adjust and extremely durable.

Not that you’d know it from its portability – Pyle’s Pro DJ Laptop Projector Stand is fantastically lightweight and folds down to a compact size, making it great for DJs and performers on the road. Overall, excellent value for money and a reliable workhorse you can count on – even when things get a little wild on stage.

AxcessAbles DJLTS-01 Portable Folding Laptop Stand

Simplicity is the name of the game with the AxcessAbles DJLTS-01 Portable Folding Laptop Stand, which is also one of the cheapest laptop stands you can buy that’s still good enough to get the job done. What this thing lacks in terms of no height adjustments or rotation it more than makes up for in its versatility and user-friendliness.

It’s made with aluminium to keep the whole thing exceptionally lightweight, and has also been designed to actively prevent the equipment it accommodates from overheating. It has a durable black powder coat finish which looks great, and a maximum weight capacity of around 9 kg. As an added bonus, the AxcessAbles DJLTS-01 Portable Folding Laptop Stand is designed to take up as little space as possible, making it great for use at home, on stage and elsewhere.

Samson LTS50 Laptop Stand

Another great looking piece of kit, the Samson LTS50 Laptop Stand provides huge room for manoeuvre with its broad range of height settings. The top plate features a cool silicon surface to keep your laptop securely in place, and the stand itself features a sleek black finish with predominantly stainless steel construction.

The Samson LTS50 Laptop Stand is another no-nonsense laptop stand that swaps frills and gimmicks for reliable performance. Though the tray itself may be a little on the small side to accommodate some of the larger laptops – something to bear in mind before ordering.

Pyle Portable Folding Laptop Stand

Last up, the Pyle Portable Folding Laptop Stand really doesn’t need much of an introduction…if you already know anything about laptop stands. This thing is just about as versatile as it gets, having been designed to work with everything from laptops to workstations to mixers to all-in-one DJ systems.

The adjustable height length is 12.6” – 16.7” inches, so it’s capable of accommodating most preferences. It boasts seriously rugged build quality and features anti-slip legs for added safety on stage. Along with being foldable, the Pyle Portable Folding Laptop Stand can also be disassembled to make it even easier to transport. It’s slightly heavier than some of its counterparts, but this is a small price to pay for its rock-solid build quality.

How to Find Your Perfect DJ Laptop Stand

Deciding which type of DJ laptop stand is best for you means first establishing your preferences and priorities. All laptop stands have their own unique pros and cons to consider, and bring different types of features to the table.

A few key considerations to bear in mind when shopping for a DJ laptop stand:

Tripod vs. On-Table Laptop Stands

It’s entirely up to you whether you go for a floor-standing ‘tripod’ style laptop stand, or a stand designed to sit on top of another surface. It depends on how you set up your kit on stage, and whether you will be pairing your laptop with any other equipment (such as a keyboard).

Both options are perfectly viable, just as long as the quality of the stand itself is up to scratch.

Adjustability

All DJs and performers have their own preferred heights, angles and general positions for their equipment. Adjustability is therefore a big deal, so that you can set things up exactly as you like. The Hola! Music Multi-Purpose Tripod Stand is probably the most extensively adjustable stand of its kind you can buy right now, but most other top-selling stands offer plenty of versatility.

Being able to adjust the height of a laptop stand is particularly important, as it’s not like all DJs and performers are the same size.

Sturdiness and Durability

It’s inevitable that your laptop stand will be exposed to the occasional (or regular) knock on stage. Chances are, it will also be subject to rough treatment every now and again while in transit. You therefore need to ensure the stand you choose is up to the job, in terms of sturdiness and durability.

Don’t make the mistake of underspending on a weak and wobbly stand that puts your entire set (and equipment) at risk. Also, check the maximum weight capacity of the stand, and ensure it can accommodate your equipment.

Portability

Last up, this is something that applies more to mobile DJs and performers than those with regular slots at the same clubs. If you’ll be taking the show on the road, you need a stand that’s as portable as possible. Most decent DJ stands can be folded down to a compact size, but some stands are significantly lighter or heavier than others.

Whether or not this is a big deal is down to you to decide, but a lightweight, portable and practical DJ stand is always the preferable choice.

Laptop Stand FAQs

Still not sure where to start when shopping for a DJ laptop stand? Check out the following FAQs for answers to a handful of commonly asked questions:

Do I really need to buy a laptop stand?

You can technically get away without a laptop stand, but this doesn’t mean you can’t benefit hugely by adding one to your rig. The more reliant you are on your laptop as a DJ or performer, the bigger the advantages of setting yourself up with a high-quality laptop stand.

What matters most when choosing a laptop stand?

The personal preferences and requirements of the artist in question. Every DJ is unique, as is every on-stage setup. You, therefore, need to think about the type of laptop stand that will best suit your requirements, and help you put on the best possible show.

Do I need to buy an adjustable laptop stand?

Yes, but the importance of the extent to which a laptop stand can be adjusted is really a judgment call. For example, if you buy a laptop stand that doesn’t offer height adjustments but its standard height is perfect for you, it’s not a big deal.

Which is better – a table stand or a tripod stand?

Neither, as they are both designed with entirely different environments in mind. A floor-standing tripod stand is no good if you want to put your laptop on a table, just as a table stand cannot be used as a floor stand. They’re both equally versatile and useful in their own ways.

Should I buy a lightweight or heavyweight laptop stand?

The benefit of a lightweight laptop stand is its portability – particularly if it’s a stand that can fold down to a small size. By contrast, some DJs prefer the kinds of heavier stands that feel more solid under their equipment. There’s no right or wrong choice, as it depends on your needs and preferences. But if you’ll be lugging your laptop stand (alongside the rest of your rig) to and from shows on a regular basis, a lightweight stand could be the better option.