Best Monitor Riser: Lift Your Screen Without Losing Desk Space
A monitor riser is the simple answer when your screen sits too low and you want a little storage under it, without clamping an arm to the desk.
By Nate Brooks
Homeofficebasics is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
The short answer: A monitor riser is useful when a stock stand leaves your display too low and you want keyboard space underneath. Choose the VIVO Glass Tabletop Riser (paid link) for one screen. Choose the VIVO 39-inch Extra Long Stand (paid link) when two smaller screens need one shelf.
Our picks
A monitor riser is not exciting hardware, which is why it often works. You place it on the desk, put the screen on top, and gain a few inches of height plus a small storage bay underneath. There is no clamp to measure and no gas spring to tune.
The catch is that a riser cannot fix every setup. It is fixed-height, and it still uses desktop depth. Check your sitting posture before buying one. If the desk is too high, a riser makes the screen worse. Fix chair and desk height first.
Check height before style
Sit in your normal work position with your feet supported. Ideally, your eyes land near the top third of the display. If the screen is much lower, measure the gap and compare it to the riser's listed height. A tall stack of books may show you what you need, but a proper shelf is safer and less annoying.
Also measure depth. You need room in front for a keyboard and mouse. On a shallow desk, an arm may be better because it moves the monitor back and clears the surface.
VIVO Glass Tabletop Riser for one screen
The VIVO Glass Ergonomic Tabletop Riser (paid link) is a simple single-screen option. Its glass shelf and steel legs create usable space beneath the display for a keyboard, notebook, or small dock.
Use it for a typical monitor that already has a stable base. It does not tilt the display or independently adjust height, so it is not the choice for a monitor that needs a major change in position.
VIVO 39-inch shelf for two screens
The VIVO 39 inch Extra Long Monitor Stand (paid link) is the better route for two office monitors, or one monitor plus a laptop. It is a long shelf rather than an arm, so both displays move together.
Measure your screens bezel to bezel. Two 24-inch panels commonly fit; two large ultrawides may not. Stay within the listed capacity and do not balance a heavy printer on the same platform.
When to choose an arm instead
Choose a best monitor arm if you need independent screen height, rotation, or more clear desk space. Choose a dual monitor stand when two screens only need a low shared shelf. A riser is best when you want a straightforward, no-clamp change.
Bottom line
Buy a monitor riser for a modest height correction and extra space below the screen. The VIVO Glass Tabletop Riser is the simple one-screen choice. The VIVO 39-inch shelf is better for a pair of smaller displays. Measure height and depth before you order. For paper height next to the keyboard, see document holder for desk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a monitor riser better than a monitor arm?
A riser is cheaper and needs no clamp. An arm gives more adjustment and frees more desk space.
How high should a monitor riser be?
Aim to put the top third of the screen near eye level while you sit comfortably. Your chair and desk height change the answer.
Can a riser hold two monitors?
Only if the shelf is wide enough and its listed capacity covers both displays.