Nexstand K1 Carbon Fiber Laptop Stand Review

The Nexstand K1 carbon fiber is a travel-friendly laptop stand that’s collapsible, lightweight, and universally compatible…but after having used the slightly bulkier but way cheaper Nexstand K2 model for some time, we wanted to see whether the K1 is worth the higher price point.

Spoiler alert, we think it is.

With so many portable laptop stands claiming to be digital nomad-friendly, we’ve been putting the Nexstand K1 to the test for the past few months. Based on our hands-on experience, we’re bringing you this in-depth review of the Nexstand K1’s features, performance, and genuine value for remote workers.

Nexstand K1 in a nutshell:

First Impressions

On first glance, the Nexstand K1 doesn’t look too different from its budget-friendly counterpart, the Nexstand K2. Both arrive in a sleek fabric travel bag no bigger than the size of a water bottle, inside of which is the fully foldable laptop stand. As soon as we picked up the K1, however, the improvements were very clear. Being made of carbon fiber, the Nexstand K1 is extremely light (we’re talking less than an iPhone).

To set it up, you simply grab the two legs and pull them apart. From the first unfolding, the quality of the K1 compared to the K2 is so obvious. The movements are not only super smooth but also stable. There’s no wobbling or resistance at all. We played around with the different height settings by pressing the buttons on each hinge and effortlessly sliding the stand up and down.

Nexstand K1: Specs and Features

Design and Portability

We feel pretty safe in saying that the Nexstand has perfected the portable laptop stand design. By folding down to 1.5 x 1.5 x 14” and slipping into its handy travel bag, we’ve been able to fit the stand into any piece of nomad luggage, including carry-ons.

What makes the stand even more travel-friendly is that it is made of incredibly durable carbon fiber. Even without the travel bag, we feel confident that the Nexstand K1 can survive just about any amount of bumps, turbulence, or even drops that happen when you travel for a living.

From a purely aesthetic point of view, we actually really like how this piece of nomad gear looks. It has a certain ruggedness to it, mixed with the carbon fiber sheen and sleek black buttons. It might not be the prettiest gadget, but we definitely get a lot of questions about the K1 from other digital nomads when we use it out and about.

Ergonomics and Adjustability

Let’s start with this - using almost any laptop stand is going to improve the ergonomics of your digital nomad setup. We might have some great nomad health insurance options these days, but we’d still rather not need physio thanks to years of bad posture and hunching over to work.

That being said, the Nexstand K1 is especially great when it comes to ergonomics, thanks to the huge height range it offers. You can choose between seven height settings to set your laptop between 5.5” and 11.8” (14 cm - 30 cm), making it work for a variety of tables, desks, and counters. The best practice is to set the top of your laptop just about at eye level to keep your back and neck straight (just remember to pair it with a wireless keyboard and travel mouse).

Compatibility and Performance

The Nexstand K1 describes itself as having universal compatibility, and we have to agree. We’re yet to find a laptop that doesn’t work in this stand.

From a tech perspective, the portable laptop stand works with laptops with a length of from 11" to 17” (28cm to 43cm) that weigh below 17.6 lbs…you can buy 40” TVs that weigh less than that.

Even when placing heavier laptops at the tallest height setting, we’ve continuously found the Nexstand K1 to be very stable. The hinges are strong, and unlike the K2, this model has rubberized feet that securely grip the table and minimize any shaking. We feel totally safe using our valuable nomad laptops on the stand, even on wobbly cafe tables or jerky train rides.

The Nexstand K1 also has a very ventilation-friendly design that helps reduce the chances of your laptop overheating. This feature has come in particularly useful for us when taking advantage of our digital nomad lifestyle and working from beautiful (but hot) places like Thailand, Mexico, and Portugal.

Is the K1 Laptop Stand Worth it for Nomads?

We want to be straight up: this is not a budget laptop stand. With a RRP of almost $100, the Nexstand K1 is definitely an investment. However, along with that price, you get a seriously solid piece of gear that is portable, durable, and ergonomic.

If you’re a digital nomad who’s looking for a long-lasting and travel-friendly laptop stand, then the K1 is going to be really hard to beat. It’s one of the top devices we always bring with us on our travels, and after a lot of use and miles, our Nexstand K1 is still just as good as the day we got it.

If you’re not quite ready to drop the cash on a premium item, then we’d recommend taking a look at the Nexstand K2. It uses the same collapsible design and dimensions as the K1, but at a way more reasonable price point. It isn’t made of carbon fiber, and you will notice the difference in stability and durability, but the K2 is still one of the best ergonomic travel laptop stands on the market.

Comparing the Nexstand K1 and K2:

Our Verdict

The truth is, we use our Nexstand K1 basically every single day. It’s a must-have for our travels, and thanks to the lightweight and small fold-down dimensions, it easily fits in our everyday, carry-on, or travel backpacks. So, do we recommend this product? Absolutely.

No matter how much battering and travel we’ve put the laptop stand through, there’s barely a scratch to show for it. And even if there was, thanks to the one-year warranty, we could easily get a replacement. If you can fit the K1 into your budget, we know you won’t regret it. That being said, for a cheaper and almost as good option, the Nexstand K2 is a great alternative.

Ready to get your travel-friendly laptop stand?

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