We measured internal laptop temperatures during sustained workloads with and without five different stands, tracking CPU temps over 45-minute sessions. The best-performing stands reduced peak temperatures by a modest but measurable margin, mostly by improving under-chassis airflow rather than active cooling.
Build quality varied significantly at this price range. Two stands wobbled under normal typing pressure, which matters more than raw temperature numbers if you're using an external keyboard and expecting a stable surface.
Portability was a trade-off worth noting. The most stable stands were also the heaviest and least practical to carry daily, while foldable options sacrificed some rigidity for pocket-friendly size — a reasonable trade for anyone working from cafes or shared spaces regularly.
If desk permanence is the goal, a solid aluminum stand is worth the investment. For anyone moving between locations often, a lightweight foldable option offers most of the ergonomic benefit without the bulk.