Nextstand K2 Review: Is This The Best Travel-Friendly Laptop Stand?
The Nextstand K2 is known for being one of the most affordable collapsible laptop stands on the market, but does a low price equal low quality? We’re here to test just how travel-friendly this laptop stand is by putting it to the real digital nomad lifestyle test.
We’ve been using our laptop stand for a while, and in this Nextstand K2 review, we’ll be sharing our in-depth experience of the features, performance, and whether or not it is digital nomad-approved.
Nextstand K2: Pros and Cons at a Glance
Our First Impressions of the Nextstand K2
Looking at just the Nextstand K2’s long, cuboid-shaped packaging, you might never know that inside is a laptop stand that can raise your computer up to 32cm in the air.
The misleadingly shaped box opens to reveal a fabric pouch with two plastic clips. Inside the bag, you’ll find the fully collapsed laptop stand.
At first glance, the Nextstand K2 looks and feels like two long bars of plastic. When folded, it sits at 1.5 x 1.5 x 14 inches (38 x 38 x 356 mm), a way more compact size than most other stands. It doesn’t necessarily feel like the most durable material, however, Nextstand's reinforced nylon and fibreglass plastic is a lot stronger than it looks.
To set up the laptop stand, all you have to do is grab the feet and pull them apart…that’s it!
For thinner laptops, you can insert the plastic clips into the pivot grips, or to adjust the height, you simply squeeze the small position levers underneath the hinges and pull the stand to your desired height.
If we’re being completely honest, the first time looking at the set-up stand left us dubious - it doesn’t look like the most stable laptop stand on the market. That being said, as soon as we placed our laptop on the stand, that concern melted away. It might feel a little flimsy, but the Nextstand K2 had absolutely no issues in practice.
Nextstand K2: Specs and Features Overview
Here's how the Nextstand K2 presents itself specs-wise:
| Nextstand K2 | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.52 lbs (0.23 kg) |
| Folded Dimensions | 1.5 x 1.5 x 14” (3.8 x 3.8 x 35.6 cm) |
| Height Range | 5.5” to 11.8” (14 cm to 30cm) |
| Material | Fiber-glass reinforced nylon |
| Max Load Capacity | 20 lbs (9 kg) |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Design and Portability
In our eyes, the Nextstand K2’s best feature is its portability. The clever fold-down design makes it ideal for fitting into pretty much any backpack or laptop bag, and the reinforced nylon material is ultra lightweight compared to any metal alternative and to other portable laptop stands in the market.
The trade-off for this travel-friendly design approach is that the Nextstand K2 isn’t exactly the sleekest piece of nomad gear. It certainly isn’t the coolest-looking laptop stand, but if you’re looking for an optimized lightweight laptop stand for remote work, then this is the product for you.
Ergonomics and Adjusability
We love just how height-adjustable this laptop stand is. With a height range of 14cm to 30cm and eight position settings, it can be adjusted for the perfect posture position, no matter where you’re working from. We were also impressed by how well the Nextstand K2 works even at the maximum height.
As with most adjustable laptop stands, the higher the setting, the more difficult it is to type. In the tallest positions, the keyboard’s angle may be too steep for some to feel comfortable typing, and there is going to be more wobbling. Luckily, this is why travel mice and keyboards exist. Thanks to the stand’s minimalist structure, there’s loads of room for your wireless gear to be placed in front of/underneath it.
Laptop Compatibility
We know what you’re thinking: how can 230 grams of plastic hold a heavy (and expensive) larger laptop? Well, with the help of reinforced nylon and fibre-glass as well as some clever physics, the Nextstand K2 can hold weight up to 9 kg.
For context, that’s the equivalent of four 16” Macbook Pros!
You’re also covered when it comes to ultra-thin laptops, although you will have to use the separate plastic spacers. These slide into the pivot grips to adapt the laptop stand for smaller devices like notebooks. Hands in the air, we don’t love having to keep track of these two extra plastic pieces as we travel, especially as they cost $24 to replace.
The travel-friendly laptop stand can hold any laptop that’s between 10" to 17" wide, so long as the front edge is less than 0.8” (2 cm).
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Unlock your discountNextstand K2: Performance Review
As a community of digital nomads working and traveling from all over the world, we’ve been able to test the Nextstand K2 in a whole lot of environments. From cramped cafes to coworking spaces, airport lounges, and bumpy trains, we’re happy to report consistent success.
The stand might be simple, but they haven’t overlooked key details like non-skid feet and arc grips, which keep your laptop stable and minimize wobbling. Thanks to the compact design, the stand can be set up on even small surfaces to turn a tray table or mini-hotel desk into a workable digital nomad desk.
In other words, this is truly a travel-friendly laptop stand that can be used just about anywhere.
On top of this, as the stand only connects with your laptop in two places along the sides, the majority of it is open to the air…hello ventilation! This cooling assist is particularly huge for nomads working from hot climates with little to no AC who struggle with overheating tech.
Is the Nextstand K2 Laptop Stand Worth it for Remote Work?
One thing we cannot deny is just how budget-friendly the Nextstand K2 laptop stand is. For a lightweight, portable, and practical piece of gear, it comes in at a fraction of competitor prices. In our opinion, it’s more than worth the money.
The Nextstand K2 is made for frequent travelers who need a reliable laptop stand to add to their digital nomad setup. It isn’t the most impressive-looking piece of gear, however, it is a great option for anyone who values practicality and performance over aesthetics and that's why it has become our most used laptop stand by our own team.
We’ve had zero issues when it comes to durability. However, if you’re looking for a super sturdy, travel-friendly laptop stand without budget limitations, then you might want to consider something like Roost, which offers a similar foldable structure but is made of carbon fibre. Of course, this premium material also comes at a premium price, so if you prefer a no-frills solution, we would still recommend the Nextstand K2 instead.
Our Verdict
When it comes to the title of best travel-friendly laptop stand, there’s no denying that the Nextstand K2 is a standout option. It has everything we would look for in terms of weight, size, and practicality, not to mention coming in at a great price point.
If you don’t care about flashy gear and want a laptop stand designed for the versatile nomad lifestyle, then this could be the product for you.
Use FREAKINGNOMADS10 to get 10% OFF your first order
Don't miss out — Make sure to apply the code at checkout to secure your discount!
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