If you drive for work, make lots of sales calls, or spend a good chunk of time on the road, this steering-wheel-mounted tray is a handy add-on for the driver’s seat.
When you need to read or jump on urgent work while you’re in the car, you can rest a laptop on it. I’ve had those moments on the highway when a client calls with something time-sensitive—there’s no “desk” in the car, so typing or using a mouse is awkward and I end up hunting for a rest stop bench or a café.
There are a few versions on the market. Because I’ll only use it occasionally, I looked for a budget option under about $7 and found one that’s surprisingly decent. You can spend $70 on premium models, and there are other low-price ones too, but many are too small to be useful. I chose a larger size for better usability.
How it’s built
A simple plastic panel that hooks onto the steering wheel.
The surface where your book or laptop sits is fairly rigid, while the clip section has a bit of flex and a grippy finish to prevent slipping.
It’s made in China, but it feels sturdier than I expected—doesn’t seem likely to snap easily.
Flip it one way and you get a meal tray (room for a lunch box and a bottle). Flip it over and you get a flat surface for a laptop or a book.
- Front layout: for meals.
- Back layout: for laptop/reading.
How to mount it
If you use a wheel cover, remove it first—thin covers might work, but a bare wheel is safest.
- Line it up at roughly the 1/4 position around the wheel and push it straight in.
- With it inserted, swing the front hook over the outer rim so it clamps on—at this point the tray will sit a bit angled.
- Press the tray downward until it sits level and locks in.
A 14inch laptop sits nicely; it overhangs a touch but is basically right. Around 15.4 inches is still usable, though mousing gets tight.
For reading, the lip keeps a book from sliding, and there’s a pen slot on the right—great for studying or taking notes in the car.
Flip it over for meals: it holds a lunch box and there’s a spot for a drink bottle.
Rounded corners, an anti-slip surface, and a simple, secure mounting method all feel thoughtfully designed.
only use this while the vehicle is safely parked or stopped. Do not use it while driving.