The 7 Best Book Stands

This book stand for desks features a foldable design but it can handle up to 22 pounds thanks to its sturdy base and solid construction. Although it’s durable, you'll be surprised by how comparatively weightless this natural bamboo option is. The lower lip can accommodate books 3 inches thick (or approximately 1500 pages), with metal and rubber page keepers that fold down flat if you don’t need them. The entire thing collapses down flat, so you can tuck it into a drawer when not in use. It's adjustable to five different angles so you can find the position that works for what you're reading.

According to a reviewer: “I ordered this to use in my kitchen for holding my cookbooks. For that purpose it works well, but I'm also using it to hold my tablet for online recipes and watching movies. Also, I use it to hold my heavier hardback novels because that task usually has my hands hurting pretty fast, as well as my neck from tilting my head down. Now, I can read much longer at a time without the hand or neck issues.”

• Available colors: Bamboo

Although it’s an investment, this collapsible book holder for reading boasts a 4.7-star overall rating for a reason. Designed for heavy volumes (think: medical and law textbooks), it’s super sturdy and features a wide tray that holds thousands of pages. And while the weight limit isn’t listed, one reviewer wrote it held an 8-pound nursing textbook. You can adjust the angle for the best view, and — uniquely — customize the height by choosing one of six elevated levels which go all the way up to 8 inches high. The stainless steel page holders are flexible for holding books of all sizes, and the soft tips help prevent damage. This wooden number is also available in an extra-large version.

According to a reviewer: “I am in law school and I needed a sturdy book stand to hold my very large law books. I have used several other book stands in the past, and they never stood up to the task. However, this book stand is fantastic! It holds even the largest textbooks while I make notes and feels extremely sturdy. I couldn't be happier with this purchase.”

With a soft dumpling body covered in plush microfiber fabric and a thick silky cord for easier carrying (or marking your page), The Book Seat book rest is exactly what you want for crawling into bed. The shape gives you a nice steady base without needing firmer materials, and the soft fabric feels comfy on your lap. For convenience, it has clear page holders to prop your book open — use the adjacent drawcord to tighten or loosen the hold. Reviewers rave about its ability to accommodate their e-readers and tablets (although no weight limit is specified). A pocket on one side has room for your phone or the remote control.

According to a reviewer: “So lightweight yet it never tips over. Seems to have some sort of magical properties to keep it balanced even when I wiggle around. Holds all sizes of books and tablets and each one seems to fit just fine. The book holder/bar tilts down so you can easily turn your pages With no irritation. You can literally get under the covers all the way up to your neck and easily read your book only to bring your arm out to flip the page. [...] It’s worth every penny especially if you read for a while every night.”

• Available colors: 11

Lightweight, portable, and wallet-friendly, it’s not surprising that this desktop book stand is a hit with students — several of them have even left glowing reviews praising its stability and compact design. It's made from a blend of PVC and ABS plastic that's capable of holding up to 10 pounds, and thanks to its foldable design, it's backpack-ready. With 180 degrees of adjustment, you can rest assured you're always at the right angle for any book or desk. Anti-slip rubber pads on the stand’s legs and page holders ensure that neither your table nor book are damaged while you’re using it.

One thing this stand lacks, however, is height adjustability. If you're looking for that feature specifically, you might want to consider this premium model from A+ Book Stands.

According to a reviewer: “Not only is this product essential for my graduate school reading and work, but it has become one of my favorite personal tools as it allows me to read and knit at the same time! TRUE GAME CHANGER! This stand holds some of my most cumbersome textbooks with ease and was way more compact than I expected, making it a perfect addition to the insane amount of books and papers I stuff into my backpack to lug to and from libraries and coffee shops.”

• Available colors: Black, White

Made from elegant cast iron, this hands-free book book holder feels like an heirloom piece straight out of the box. Designed with an ornate lattice pattern, the decorative stand will look great on your kitchen counter or in your study — even when it’s not in use. While the manufacturer doesn’t list its exact weight capacity, several customers report that its sturdy base does an excellent job of holding up heftier books. The heavyweight iron material has a powder-coated steel finish, which makes it resistant to rust — in other words, this piece will stand the test of time.

The only downside? Some reviewers noted that the protective rubber pads on the bottom of the stand are a bit thin — but you can always add your own to ensure the stand doesn’t scratch your countertop. Other than that, customers are more than satisfied with their purchase — the stand has an average of 4.9 out of five stars on Amazon after 1,500 ratings.

According to a reviewer: “I had a large and heavy cookbook so I needed a heavy and steady holder. This is welded together well with a very nice paint on it. Some holders are on 3-4 feet and can tip over if a heavy book is placed on it. Not this one ! Rubber protectors on the bottom are slim but effective. I am very happy with this purchase !!!”

• Available colors: Coffee Gold, Red, White

This rustic cookbook stand is a charming and decorative option — it looks like a traditional cutting board and hangs up when not in use so your counters stay clear. When it's time to meal prep, a wood kickstand folds out so you can read instructions at a glance. Although no weight limit is provided, one reviewer wrote that it can “withstand even the heaviest of cookbooks” — so you should feel confident in its supportive abilities. Not to mention, the exposed wood grain adds a natural touch to your kitchen.

According to a reviewer: “I absolutely love this cookbook holder. It was exactly what I was looking for and perfectly fits my cookbook. The quality is nice and I really like the rustic feel of it.”

• Available colors: Brown, Vintage Gray, White

This bath tray with a reading stand is the smartest one you'll find. The center features a water-resistant fold-down book stand to help keep your books or tablets upright. It's fully adjustable to fit your tub: The expandable wings on either side feature brilliant little compartments, with one dedicated to your phone and a spill-proof slot for sliding in the base of a wine glass securely. Plenty of additional dividers create the perfect setup for candles and products so you don't have to lift a finger. It's made from lightweight bamboo that is naturally resistant to water damage, but you'll find it stained in rich mahogany as well as crisp white and pastels so you can match your spa vibes.

According to a reviewer: “The caddy is perfect for holding my phone or book in the tub while I read. It makes our bathroom feel like a spa. It's constructed well and comes with rubber grippies to keep it from sliding around.”

• Available colors and styles: 9

A vertical book rack makes use of narrow spaces to get your collection off the floor and readily accessible. Each shelf holds anywhere from five to 10 books, and safety details — like nonslip foot pads and a wall anchor — ensure it stays steady and secure no matter how high you stack your volumes. Shoppers were impressed with the overall quality of the book rack, but noted that assembly takes quite a bit of effort and patience. An added bonus? There’s a fabric storage drawer at the base of the unit that can hold extra books, magazines, or anything else you like.

According to a reviewer: “This bookcase is more appealing to the eye than any other I’ve seen. Very sturdy and even comes with a wire to attach it to the wall if needed. And on the plus side, it takes up barely any room!”

• Available colors: Brown