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Many home workers use a laptop alongside an external monitor, yet the laptop often ends up flat on the desk, well below eye level. A laptop tray turns a monitor arm into an adjustable laptop mount, lifting the screen beside your monitor and clearing valuable desk space. It is a tidy upgrade if you already own an arm with a standard VESA plate.
This guide explains how to choose the best laptop tray for a monitor arm. It covers the features that matter, how trays compare with standalone stands, and how to set one up safely. If you have not yet chosen an arm, start with our guide to the best monitor arm, because the arm’s weight rating decides which trays will work.
A tray does not replace sound ergonomic habits, and comfort varies from person to person. It simply gives you more flexibility in where your laptop screen sits.
The 7 Features That Actually Matter
Laptop trays look similar, but small details decide whether your laptop sits securely and stays cool. These seven features deserve the closest attention.
1. VESA Compatibility
Most trays attach to a 75 x 75 mm or 100 x 100 mm VESA plate. Check which pattern your arm uses and whether the tray supports it. Some trays are designed for specific arm brands, so confirm compatibility before ordering.
2. Laptop Size Range
Trays list a supported screen size or width range. A tray that is too small leaves the laptop overhanging, while an oversized tray can look bulky with a compact machine. Measure your laptop’s width rather than relying only on its screen size.
3. Weight Capacity
The tray and the arm both have weight limits. Add the tray’s weight to your laptop’s weight, then compare the total with the arm’s rated capacity. An overloaded arm may sag or drift out of position.
4. Retention Method
Trays secure laptops with a front ledge, adjustable side arms, clamps, straps or adhesive pads. Clamping designs hold the laptop most firmly, while simple ledge trays make it quicker to lift the laptop off. Choose based on how often you remove the laptop.
5. Ventilation
Laptops often draw air through their base, so a solid tray can trap heat. Perforated or slotted trays allow better airflow. If your laptop runs hot under load, a dedicated laptop cooling pad may still suit long sessions on the desk.
6. Port and Cable Access
Side clamps and ledges should not block ports, vents or the power button. Leave room for a single USB-C cable to a dock, which keeps the arm tidy when you move it. Check where your laptop’s charging port sits, because some clamps press against one side of the machine.
7. Build Quality
Steel and aluminium trays feel more solid than thin plastic designs. Look for protective pads that prevent scratches and stop the laptop sliding when you adjust the arm. A rigid platform also flexes less when you tap the trackpad or touchscreen.
Laptop Tray vs Laptop Stand: Which Is Better?
A traditional laptop stand sits on the desk and needs no arm. It is simple, portable and quick to set up, but it still occupies desk space and offers limited height and angle adjustment.
A tray on a monitor arm floats the laptop above the desk and moves freely with the arm. That suits people who switch between typing on the laptop and using it as a second screen. However, it depends on an arm with enough weight capacity and range.
If you mainly use your laptop closed with an external monitor, a vertical laptop stand saves even more space. For a wall-mounted setup, check whether your monitor wall mount accepts a VESA tray before you buy.
Budget Tiers: What to Expect at Each Price Point
Prices vary by material and brand, so use these bands as a general guide.
Under $25
Budget trays usually offer a steel platform, a front ledge and basic pads. Some add adjustable side arms and a safety strap.
$25–$50
Mid-range trays often add stronger clamps, better padding and more precise size adjustment. They suit people who adjust the arm frequently.
$50–$150
Branded trays from established mount makers add refined fit, tested compatibility with their own arms and more secure attachment options.
Over $150
Complete laptop arms with integrated trays appear here. They suit people who do not own a suitable monitor arm yet and want one matched system.
Our Picks
If you’re ready to shop, here are four laptop trays and arms worth considering across different budgets:
Best Budget
Mount-It! VESA Laptop Tray for Monitor Arm
The Mount-It! tray is an inexpensive way to add a laptop to an existing arm. It attaches to 75 x 75 mm and 100 x 100 mm VESA plates and holds laptops from 11 to 17 inches. Expandable side arms, anti-slip traction pads, a front ledge stopper and a safety strap help keep the laptop in place.
Mount-It! rates the tray for devices up to 17.6 lb, although your arm’s own limit will usually be lower. A ventilated platform helps airflow. The strap adds a step when removing the laptop, so it suits people who leave the laptop mounted most of the day.
Best Mid-Range Value
HumanCentric Laptop VESA Mount Tray
The HumanCentric tray uses heavy-duty adjustable clamps that grip the laptop from the sides, holding it firmly even when you move the arm. The clamps adjust from 9.5 to 16.5 inches wide, and the tray fits 75 x 75 mm and 100 x 100 mm VESA plates.
It is designed for laptops from 10 to 15.6 inches, so larger 17-inch machines need a different tray. The clamp design costs slightly more than the budget pick, but it offers a more secure hold for people who reposition the arm often. It suits most 13- and 14-inch work laptops, which are common in home offices.
Best Overall
Ergotron Notebook Tray
The Ergotron Notebook Tray is a well-made add-on from an established arm manufacturer. It holds laptops and convertible notebooks up to 17.3 inches and 12 lb, and it attaches to 75 x 75 mm VESA plates. Ergotron recommends it with its LX and MXV arms, and it can also suit other compatible mounts.
Several attachment options, including hook-and-loop strips, non-slip pads and clips, let you match the hold to your laptop. You can use a convertible in laptop or tablet mode, with or without a docking station. Check that your arm’s VESA plate and weight rating suit the tray before ordering. It costs more than generic trays, but its fit and finish suit a setup you plan to keep for years.
Best Splurge
Ergotron LX Single Laptop Arm with Notebook Tray
If you do not already own a suitable arm, the Ergotron LX Laptop Arm combines an arm and tray in one matched system. It supports laptops up to 17.3 inches weighing 2.5 to 12 lb. The arm offers 13 inches of lift, 360 degrees of rotation and 75 degrees of tilt.
A two-piece desk clamp fits desks 0.4 to 2.4 inches thick, and a grommet mount is available separately. Built-in cable management keeps the setup tidy, and the arm works with or without a docking station. It costs considerably more than a tray alone, so it makes most sense when you need a dedicated laptop arm.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring the arm’s weight limit. The arm must carry both the laptop and the tray. Add both weights before you buy.
Choosing the wrong VESA pattern. Not every tray fits every plate. Confirm 75 mm or 100 mm compatibility first.
Blocking vents or ports. Clamps and ledges can cover important openings. Position the laptop so air and cables flow freely.
Over-tightening the tension. Too much spring tension can make the arm drift upwards. Adjust gradually after mounting the laptop.
Skipping the safety strap or clamps. A loose laptop can slide when you move the arm. Use the retention features every time.
Typing on a bouncing tray. Arms can flex under heavy typing. Use a separate wireless keyboard for long writing sessions.
Mounting the laptop too low. A tray only helps if the screen sits at a comfortable height. Align the top of the laptop screen with your other monitor.
Leaving cables tight. Short cables can pull when the arm moves. Leave a little slack and route cables along the arm.
How to Set Up a Laptop Tray on a Monitor Arm
Start by checking the arm’s VESA plate and weight rating, then remove any monitor if you are converting an arm. Attach the tray to the VESA plate with the supplied screws, making sure every screw is fully tightened.
Place the laptop on the tray, adjust the side arms or clamps, and fit any strap or retention pads. Next, adjust the arm’s tension so it holds the tray steadily at your chosen height. Connect a single USB-C cable to a USB-C docking station to reduce the number of cables moving with the arm.
Finally, add an external keyboard and a wireless mouse so you can work comfortably without reaching up to the laptop. Follow the manufacturer’s current installation guidance and check the fixings periodically, especially after moving the arm a lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a laptop tray fit any monitor arm?
Most trays fit standard 75 x 75 mm or 100 x 100 mm VESA plates. Some are designed for specific brands, so confirm compatibility first.
How much weight can a monitor arm hold with a tray?
It depends on the arm. Add the laptop and tray weights together and compare the total with the arm’s rated capacity.
Can I type directly on a laptop mounted on a tray?
Light typing is usually fine. For longer sessions, an external keyboard avoids bounce and keeps your posture more comfortable.
Will my laptop overheat on a tray?
Ventilated trays help airflow. Avoid blocking intake vents, especially during demanding tasks.
Can I use a tray with a dual monitor arm?
Yes, if one side of the arm has enough capacity for the laptop and tray. Check each side’s rating separately.
Do I need tools to install a tray?
Usually only a screwdriver or the supplied hex key. Follow the included instructions and tighten all fixings.
Is a laptop arm better than a tray?
A dedicated laptop arm suits people without a compatible arm. If you already own one with enough capacity, a tray is the more economical choice.
Final Thoughts
The best laptop tray for a monitor arm holds your laptop securely at a comfortable height without overloading the arm. The Mount-It! tray is an affordable starting point, and the HumanCentric tray adds a firmer clamping grip. Meanwhile, the Ergotron Notebook Tray offers the best overall build and fit, and the Ergotron LX Laptop Arm suits people who need a complete matched system.
Whichever option you choose, confirm VESA and weight compatibility, keep vents clear and set the arm tension carefully. Those checks keep your laptop safe and your desk clear.