Laptop overheating is a problem that every second user faces. It is especially acute in the summer, when working with resource-intensive programs (Adobe Premiere, AutoCAD, modern games) or if the cooling system is clogged with dust. Even budget models like Lenovo IdeaPad 3 or Acer Aspire 5 can warm up to 95–100°C, which leads to throttling (automatic performance degradation) or sudden shutdowns.
In this article we will analyze 15 options, what can be placed under a laptop to improve ventilation - from improvised means (books, cork stands) to specialized cooling panels with USB power. You will find out what materials increase the temperature instead of cooling (for example, soft fabrics or rubber), how to properly position the laptop on the stand, and when you can’t do without cleaning the cooling system. At the end there is an FAQ with answers to frequently asked questions and a table comparing the effectiveness of each solution.
Why does the laptop get hot: the main reasons
Before looking for what to put under the case, it is important to understand source of the problem. In 80% of cases, overheating is not due to the lack of a stand, but to:
- 🔥 Cooling system clogged with dust — even a thin layer on the radiator reduces heat transfer by 30–40%. This is especially true for laptops older than 2 years.
- 🖥️ Thermal pastewhich has dried out or been applied incorrectly. In budget models (HP 250 G8, Asus Vivobook) it is often saved at the factory.
- 🌡️ Incorrect location — if the laptop is placed on a soft surface (bed, sofa), the ventilation holes are blocked.
- ⚡ High load — video rendering, mining or gaming at maximum settings forcing the GPU to work at its limit.
Laptop stand won't solve these problems completely, but can reduce the temperature by 5–15°C, if selected correctly. For example, Cooler Master NotePal X3 with fans it gives better results than a wooden board, but it also costs 10 times more. Below is a detailed analysis of each option.
- Never
- Only in summer
- When gaming/rendering
- Constantly, even in office tasks
TOP 5 improvised means: what to add right now
If your laptop starts to heat up and you don’t have the time or budget to buy a cooling pad, use these 5 available solutions. They will lower the temperature by 3–8°C (according to tests NotebookCheck):
- 📚 Thick book or magazine — raises the body by 1–2 cm, improving air circulation. It is better to choose hardcover publications (for example, encyclopedias).
- 🪵 Wooden cutting board — natural material does not accumulate heat. Optimal thickness: 1.5–2 cm.
- 🍽️ food tray - metal or plastic with a ribbed surface increase the heat transfer area.
- 🧊 Ceramic tiles — cools due to high thermal conductivity. Suitable for temporary use (for example, when watching movies).
- 📦 Shoe box — if you cut holes for the ventilation grilles of a laptop, you will get an impromptu stand.
Important: Avoid soft surfaces (towels, blankets, foam mats). They block airflow, worsening the situation. Also don't use glass or mirrored substrates - they reflect heat back to the body.
Before using the tools at hand, check where the ventilation holes of your laptop are located (usually on the bottom or side). The substrate should not block them.
Specialized stands: comparison of effectiveness
If your laptop gets hot regularly, it's worth investing in professional stand. They are divided into 3 types:
- Passive — without fans, improve airflow due to the design (ribbed surface, slope).
- Active — with 1–5 fans powered by USB. Reduce temperature by 10–20°C.
- Hybrid - combine an inclined surface and coolers (for example, IETS GT500).
The table below compares popular models by price, noise level and efficiency (data based on tests Tom’s Hardware And RTINGS.com):
| Model | Type | Temperature reduction | Noise level (dB) | Price (₽) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooler Master NotePal X3 | Active (1 fan) | 8–12°C | 22–28 | 1 800–2 500 | Adjustable tilt, USB hub | Plastic body, noisy at max speed |
| IETS GT500 | Hybrid (5 fans) | 15–20°C | 25–30 | 4 500–6 000 | Metal body, backlight | Heavy (1.2 kg), expensive |
| Havit HV-F2056 | Active (3 fans) | 10–14°C | 18–24 | 2 200–3 000 | Quiet, lightweight (500 g) | No tilt adjustment |
| Rain Design mStand | Passive | 3–6°C | 0 | 3 500–4 200 | Aluminum alloy, stylish design | No fans, high price |
| TopMate C5 | Active (5 fans) | 12–18°C | 26–32 | 3 000–3 800 | Powerful cooling, RGB lighting | Noisy, takes up 2 USB ports |
Key Takeaway: active stands with 3–5 fans (IETS GT500, TopMate C5) show the best results, but are not suitable for everyone due to noise and price. Passive enough for office work Rain Design mStand or budget Havit HV-F2056.
How to check the effectiveness of the stand?
Use temperature monitoring programs (for example, HWMonitor or Core Temp). Run a stress test (in AIDA64 or Prime95) and compare the indicators before and after installing the stand. A difference of 5°C or more is considered a good result.
What NOT to put under a laptop: 4 dangerous mistakes
Some "folk" advice not only does not help, but also aggravate overheating. Here's what you absolutely can't use:
⚠️ Attention: If the laptop is already overheated (temperature above 90°C), first turn it off and let it cool for 15-20 minutes. Placing anything under a hot case is dangerous - this can lead to plastic deformation or thermal paste peeling off.
- 🧦 Soft fabrics (towels, blankets, mouse pads) - block ventilation and accumulate heat.
- 🟠 Rubber mats - do not allow air to pass through and can melt at high temperatures.
- 📄 Paper or thin cardboard — do not provide sufficient clearance for airflow.
- 🔋 Metal objects with sharp edges (such as coins) - may scratch the case or block openings.
Also avoid stands with closed bottom (for example, some models Logitech). They create a "greenhouse effect", worsening cooling. If you are using MacBook Pro or Dell XPS with side vents, make sure the stand does not block them.
How to properly position a laptop on a stand
Even the most expensive stand will not help if the laptop is not positioned correctly. Follow these rules:
- Tilt — optimal angle: 5–15°. This improves airflow and ergonomics for the hands.
- Distance to wall - at least 10 cm so as not to block the air intake.
- Ventilation hole position - they must be open. For example, at MSI GF63 The holes are located on the side - the stand should not cover them.
- Table surface - must be smooth and solid (wood, glass, metal).
☑️ Checking the correct location of the laptop
For laptops with dual cooling system (For example, ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14) it is important that the stand does not overlap lower And lateral grates. Otherwise, the temperature may even increase.
Additional ways to reduce laptop temperature
The stand is only part of the solution. To make your laptop heat up less, combine it with these methods:
- 🧹 Cleaning from dust - carry out once every 6 months. To do this, disassemble the case (or use a can of compressed air).
- 🔧 Replacing thermal paste — on average it dries out in 2–3 years. Best options: Arctic MX-6, Noctua NT-H2.
- ⚙️ BIOS/UEFI setup - disable
Turbo Boost(in sectionAdvanced → CPU Configuration) if the laptop is used for office tasks. - 🌬️ Software FPS limit - in games, set the limit to 60 FPS through NVIDIA Control Panel or Radeon Software.
- 🔌 Disable charging at 100% - many laptops (HP Spectre, Lenovo Yoga) heat up more when the power supply is connected.
Preventive advice: if you often work on your knees or in bed, buy lap desk (For example, Honey-Can-Do Bamboo Lap Desk). It prevents ventilation from being blocked and protects against overheating.
Combining the stand with cleaning the cooling system and replacing thermal paste can reduce temperatures by 20-30°C - this is equivalent to buying a new laptop in terms of performance.
Comparison of effectiveness: improvised means vs professional stands
To help you choose the best solution, we tested 7 options on a laptop Lenovo Legion 5 (i7-10750H + RTX 2060) in a stress test FurMark. Results:
| Option | CPU temperature (max) | GPU temperature (max) | Reduction relative to "without stand" | Noise level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Without stand (on table) | 94°C | 88°C | — | 48 dB |
| Book (thickness 2 cm) | 89°C | 84°C | CPU: 5°C, GPU: 4°C | 48 dB |
| Wooden board | 87°C | 83°C | CPU: 7°C, GPU: 5°C | 47 dB |
| Rain Design mStand (passive) | 85°C | 81°C | CPU: 9°C, GPU: 7°C | 47 dB |
| Havit HV-F2056 (3 fans) | 78°C | 76°C | CPU: 16°C, GPU: 12°C | 52 dB |
| IETS GT500 (5 fans) | 74°C | 72°C | CPU: 20°C, GPU: 16°C | 58 dB |
Conclusion: active stands with fans (Havit, IETS) give the best results, but increase noise. Passive solutions (Rain Design) are quieter, but less efficient. Improvised tools (book, board) work 30–40% worse than professional ones, but they are sufficient for office tasks.
FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions
Can I use a cooling pad for MacBook Air (without fans)?
MacBook Air (models with chips M1/M2) do not have active cooling, so the stand will not reduce the temperature significantly. However, it will help improve ergonomics and prevent the passive cooling grilles on the bottom from blocking. The best choice is passive stands like Rain Design mStand.
How often should I clean my laptop from dust if I use a stand?
The stand reduces the rate of clogging, but does not eliminate cleaning. Recommended interval:
- For office laptops (HP 255 G9, Dell Latitude) - once every 12–18 months.
- For gaming (ASUS TUF, MSI Katana) - once every 6 months.
- For intensive use (mining, rendering) - once every 3 months.
Use antistatic brush and a can of compressed air (for example, DataVac).
Will a stand help if the laptop turns off due to overheating?
If laptop turns off (and not just slows down), the problem is more serious than a lack of airflow. Most likely you need:
- Cleaning the cooling system (radiator + fan).
- Replacing thermal paste.
- Checking temperature sensors (may give false signals).
The stand in this case is a temporary solution. Contact the service center if you are not confident in your disassembly skills.
Is it possible to make a cooling pad yourself?
Yes, for this you will need:
- Base (wooden board, plastic tray).
- USB fans (eg Arctic BioniX P80).
- Glue or double-sided tape for fixation.
- USB hub (if you need to connect several fans).
Step-by-step assembly instructions
1. Cut holes for fans in the base (the diameter should match the size of the coolers). 2. Secure the fans with adhesive tape or screws. 3. Connect them to a USB hub (if you are using more than 1 fan). 4. Install rubber feet on the bottom for stability. 5. Connect to laptop and check the airflow direction (should blow up, on the body).
Which stand is best for a laptop with side vents (like Dell XPS 15)?
For laptops with side ventilation grilles (Dell XPS, Razer Blade) choose stands:
- C open sides (For example, Cooler Master NotePal X-Slim).
- C adjustable tiltso as not to block airflow.
- Without high sides (they can block the holes).
Avoid models with a closed body (such as some stands Belkin).