The Best Bed Trays for a Stable Surface Whenever (and Wherever) You Need One

Key Features

• Surface height: 9-13 inches
• Fold-up legs? Yes

Whether you do your best work standing up or horizontal, this laptop desk has you covered. Its foldable legs adjust to five different heights, between 9 and 13 inches, so you can use it in bed or on top of any table to create a standing desk.

Additionally, the surface also tilts forward to four different angles, with a maximum of 36 degrees. Reviewers say that this bed tray's surface has just enough of a grippy texture to hold papers and devices in place when it's tilted, but it doesn't feel sticky or rubbery.

As one happy reviewer says, “This desk is everything I wanted. It’s highly adjustable, so you can get it positioned *exactly* how you want it. I’m also notorious for sitting in super weird positions when I’m in bed or on the couch, but this thing accommodates it all.”

This bed tray comes in three different colors, and there's even a handy storage drawer on the device's left side to hold your pens and spare chargers.

More: These Clever Treadmill Desks Let You Walk While You Work

Key Features

• Surface height: 7-9 inches
• Fold-up legs? Yes

This bamboo-wood bed tray is two units in one — the height-adjustable legs fold underneath, and the center compartment flips up to easily turn into a bath caddy.

The width of this tray can extend from 30 to 43 inches long to fit your bathtub. One user advises, “As long as you place the caddy properly on the tub, with the curved edges right at the edge of the tub, it is sturdy and strong.”

But no matter where you're using this serving tray, it features two deep cubbies, removable trays, indented slots for both a drinking glass and a stemmed wine glass, and a designated spot for propping up a tablet or book. Bamboo is a very quick-drying material, and it's easy to clean, too — just wash it with soap and water.

Key Features

• Surface height: 8 inches
• Fold-up legs? Yes

What good is a bed tray if your drink is out of arm's distance? This one helps you feel less nervous about having your water and devices close to each other.

This bed tray can be used for any number of tasks, but for working on a laptop, the left side tilts up to four different angles, which allows users to elevate their wrists. The flat part of the desk can hold your mouse if you need one to work.

However, one obvious drawback of this bed tray is that it may be awkward (but not impossible) for left-handed people to use. One person says, “I am left-handed, and I don’t have an issue with it. It doesn’t bother me to have everything on the right side of the desk — I can still work well because the larger area is on the left side.”

Key Features

• Surface height: 3.5 inches
• Fold-up legs? No

Whether you're reading in the dark or just need a little extra illuminating to get tasks done, this genius lap desk features an attachable USB light that can plug into a built-in port or directly into your laptop.

The light really makes this serving tray stand out — as one reviewer says, “I liked the idea of the light but doubted its capacity to actually be useful, but I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s got decent power and a smart hideaway for the light itself and its battery housing.”

Unlike most plush lap desks that feature wobbly bean-bag-like bottoms, this one is made of 3.5 inches of cushy, yet stable memory foam that won't easily move around while you work. Also great: Its extendable side surface, two device slots, and ergonomic wrist bar that's ideal for hours of typing.

Key Features

• Surface height: 2.5 inches
• Fold-up legs? No

A great pick for working while sprawled out on the couch or in bed, this lap desk is no-frills, but it gets the job done. This design is best if you want a bed tray that holds just your laptop — it also provides you more flexibility to get up often without having to gently maneuver your way around the standing bed tray that you've set up with all of its accessories.

The comfy but not overstuffed cushion wedge underneath the desk surface helps tilt the surface forward while preventing legs from getting overheated.

Reviewers love this simple serving tray’s many convenient features, with one saying, “It’s very lightweight, and I love having the removable padding on the back. And, since I carry it around with me often, the handle is much more useful than I expected it to be.”

Key Features

• Surface height: 10 inches
• Fold-up legs? Yes

Made from bamboo wood, this bargain-friendly, fold-up breakfast tray is a sturdy and easy-to-clean eating surface. Its raised handles allow you to easily carry it from place to place.

As one user sums up, “This bed tray is just the right size and fits nicely in a chair. Plus, it’s sturdy and folds easily.” Just keep in mind that its raised border and lack of adjustable features make it much better suited as an eating surface than for working on for long stretches of time.

Key Features

• Surface height: 7.5 inches
• Fold-up legs? Yes

This under-$20 lap desk features legs that fold under and a top that folds up, so you can store it — and items inside of it — as easily as possible.

While this may not be a high-end-looking product (as the entire unit is made of plastic), it’s a great surface to use for painting, coloring, or other craft projects where things could get a little messy.

Says one reviewer, “I use this table for doing crossword puzzles and for diamond embroidery crafts. It’s excellent for storing my craft supplies and pens. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to store when not in use.”