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The Spruce Eats / Photo Illustration by Chloe Jeong / Retailers below
If you regularly use a cookbook or tablet to work your magic in the kitchen, you likely know the struggle of craning your neck to look down at recipes lying flat on the counter. Using a dedicated cookbook stand not only gives you a better angle for reading, but some even protect the pages from spills, splatters, and other messes. The one that's right for you, however, depends on the size of your kitchen, the material and design you desire, where you'll store it, the thickness of the book or tablet that needs holding, and more.
Here are the top cookbook stands for your needs.
Best Overall
Williams Sonoma Stainless Steel Cookbook Stand
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Courtesy of Williams Somona
Resists tipping
Weight/conversion chart on splatter shield
Sturdy
Attractive design
Small footprint
Doesn’t fold flat
If you have ever struggled with trying to convert measurements for recipes and had to walk away from prep to do so, this is the cookbook stand for you. The Williams Sonoma Stainless Steel Cookbook Stand has a measurement conversion chart imprinted on its splatter shield that displays liquid, dry, and weight conversions, as well as metric equivalents.
And the modern elegance of this model cannot be overstated. The base is crafted from brushed stainless steel with a sleek curvature that will accommodate most cookbooks and magazines without tipping over. Recipes and cookbook pages are protected behind the scratch-resistant, tempered glass shield, and the sturdy base will keep everything secure while you are cooking.
Price at time of publish: $40
Overall Dimensions: 14 x 5 x 9.5 inches | Base Material: Stainless steel | Splatter Shield: Yes
Best Bamboo
Wishacc Adjustable Bamboo Book Stand
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Wishacc
Adjustable
Versatile
Folds flat for easy storage
Non-slip base
No splatter shield
If you own a bamboo cutting board or a few light wood utensils, this cookbook holder will match well with your style. The back is adjustable to five different reading angles that you can change depending on where you place the stand or what device or size book you're using. You can hold the pages in place with a pair of clips attached to the front edge of the holder. When it's not in use, it can be folded flat for easier storage.
Price at time of publish: $20
Dimensions: 11 x 0.39 x 8.5 inches | Base Material: Bamboo | Splatter Shield: No
Best Personalized Cookbook Holder
Sweet NC Collective Wood Cookbook Stand
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Sweet NC Collective
Customizable
Sturdy
Handmade
Folds flat for storage
Limited personalization on standard model
Great for a wedding, Mother’s Day, or just because gift, this personalized poplar stand is a stylish addition to any kitchen, whether it’s empty or in use. Available in three finishes (Weathered Gray, English Oak, or Walnut), it can hold cookbooks, tablets, or even recipe cards. The standard model comes with the personalization of last name and date, but upgrades are available for further customization. Each stand is handcrafted in North Carolina. Plus, the brace slips out for lay-flat, compact storage.
Price at time of publish: $45
Dimensions: 11 x 11 inches | Base Material: Poplar | Splatter Shield: No
Best Under-Cabinet
The Yankee Builder Shop Under-Cabinet Cookbook Holder
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Courtesy of Etsy
Convenient storage
Sturdy
Versatile
Made to order
Pricey
If your kitchen has very little counter space, rest assured that this cookbook holder won’t take up an inch of it. It attaches (with included hardware) to the bottom of your kitchen cabinets and folds down to hold cookbooks, tablets, or recipe cards. These holders come in a standard size, but since they’re made by hand, they can be made in custom sizes to fit any cabinet. Besides cookbook holders, similar styles of spice racks and knife holders are made by the same seller, so you can take advantage of unused space.
Price at time of publish: $80
Overall Dimensions: 16.5 x 12 x 2.5 inches | Base Material: Oak wood | Splatter Shield: No
Best All-Wood Stand
Williams Sonoma Walnut Cookbook Holder
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Courtesy of William Sonoma
Attractive
Sustainably sourced materials
Easy to store
Durable
Pricey
Made from sustainably harvested American walnut with a clear varnish, this simple wooden stand can fit well in the décor of many kitchens. At 12.75 inches wide, it can hold most cookbooks, while the front lip helps to keep pages from flipping. While it’s not adjustable for very thick books, it can handle standard cookbooks with ease. The back brace folds closed for more compact storage when the stand isn’t in use.
Price at time of publish: $50
Overall Dimensions: 12.75 x 8 x 7.5 inches | Base Material: Walnut wood | Splatter Shield: No
Best for Large Cookbooks
Clear Solutions Deluxe Large Cookbook Holder
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Courtesy of Clear Solutions
Sturdy
Good splatter protection
Adjustable
Folds flat
Large footprint
Great for large, heavy cookbooks, this wide stand keeps your books neatly open, while the acrylic shield protects pages from kitchen messes when you’re searing steaks or measuring unwieldy ingredients. The black metal hinge makes it easy to fold down the shield when it’s time to turn the page, and it also allows the stand to fold flat for compact storage. You can also adjust the reading angle until it's comfortable for you. The base is made from cherry wood, and the front shield and back brace are made from sturdy acrylic.
Price at time of publish: $63
Dimensions: 15.75 x 6 x 1.5 inches | Base Material: Cherry wood | Splatter Shield: Yes
Best for Small Spaces
Yamazaki Home Cookbook and Tablet Stand
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Courtesy of Food52
Versatile
Easy to store
Adjustable
Too small for some cookbooks
This minimalist design from Japan is perfect for small spaces. It’s made from white powder-coated steel for strength with an ash wood top piece that adds an attractive design element. The simple base slides easily to accommodate books of any thickness or even items as thin as a tablet. For easy recipe reading, the sliding base allows books to be held at different angles for the best viewing, whether you’re baking your favorite cake or following a step-by-step recipe for paella.
Price at time of publish: $25
Dimensions: 7.87 x 8 inches | Base Material: Steel | Splatter Shield: No
Best for Electronic Devices
Stump Stand
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Courtesy of Amazon
Small footprint
Versatile for all electronic devices
Grippy base
Multiple viewing positions
Somewhat wobbly with larger devices
With so many recipes available electronically, a stand that can accommodate devices is valuable to plan and prepare weekly meals. The Stump Stand is crafted from durable silicone, has a metal weight inside for stability, and can hold nearly any electronic device, from cell phone to tablet.
The silicone base is grippy, keeping your device secure on the counter, and grooves in the base provide a variety of viewing angles. And, the small profile fits any size of kitchen counter and makes it easy to transport and store. The cutout for the home button of your device is the icing on the cake for this versatile option.
Price at time of publish: $25
Dimensions: 1.38 x 1.38 x 0.63 inches | Base Material: Silicone/rubber | Splatter Shield: No
Best Farmhouse Style
Home Basics Cast Iron Moroccan Lattice Cookbook Stand Holder
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Home Basics
Metal stoppers to keep pages in place
Two color options
Matching accessories available
No splatter shield
This cast iron cookbook stand will add a bright pop of color to any countertop. The lattice design looks good in a vintage kitchen but would still be at home in a more modern setting, where it would add a bit of contrast. The holder has non-slip feet to keep it from sliding on your countertop, and the heavy weight keeps it stable, no matter how hefty your cookbooks are. Made from a solid piece of metal, it won’t fold for storage but would look good on a shelf or resting on the counter.
Price at time of publish: $33
Dimensions: 10.5 x 5.5 x 9 inches | Base Material: Cast iron | Splatter Shield: No
For the best of the best, let your cookbook rest on the Williams Sonoma Stainless Steel Cookbook Stand, a sturdy, attractive, and small-footprint option featuring a convenient conversion chart on the included splatter screen. If you're looking to buy a gift for a wedding, birthday, or another special event, we recommend the handmade Sweet NC Collective Wood Cookbook Stand.
What to Look For in a Cookbook Stand
Materials
This comes down to aesthetics and functionality. Metal and plastic cookbook stands offer ease of cleaning. Plastic is generally lightweight but can be less durable than other choices. Metal offers stability but is heavy and often not as easy to store. Wood cookbook stands are attractive but require some care to keep the wood pristine.
Size
A quick inventory of your cookbook collection should give you a good idea of your needs in the size department. Some cookbook stands offer adjustable areas to accommodate a number of different sizes and orientations of cookbooks. Be sure to check the measurements of your largest and smallest book against the dimensions of the stand you are considering.
Another factor is the amount of space you have on your kitchen counter. For cozier places, one of the under-counter space savers or a collapsable model that stores easily might be right. If you have loads of space, you can think more about purchasing a statement piece that becomes part of your kitchen aesthetic.
Design
There are many elements to consider in the design department, the big one being whether or not it has a splatter shield. If you have a lovingly curated collection of books you want to keep safe from stains and spills, a splatter shield is a must. Another option if you have books or loose recipes that need to be secured, but not necessarily protected from spills, is page clips to keep everything in place.
On the features front, an adjustable viewing area is something to think about. Most cookbook collections comprise books of different sizes, and adjustable stands allow flexibility. Plus, they often fold flat for storage, and if you use a tablet or device for recipes, it’s nice to have something versatile that can accommodate all of your cookbook stand needs.
FAQs
What else can I use my cookbook stand for?
Pretty much any reading material is fair game for cookbook stands. Most can hold tablets, magazines, homework materials, sheet music, and so on. The multipurpose design makes it easily transportable to other tasks that normally occupy your hands, and most are small enough to move from room to room. Next time you want to stream a movie or practice the saxophone, grab your cookbook stand. They can even become part of your decor with photographs or decorative plates.
Are cookbook stands easy to clean?
It depends on the material you choose and whether your model has a splatter shield.
Acrylic and metal models tend to be the easiest to clean if you have any splatter or errant food debris—most wipe or spray clean. Wood models are sturdy but require extra care. They are prone to humidity and water damage, and some might need a swipe of mineral oil to preserve their functionality and beauty.
A shield protects your cookbooks and loose recipes but needs to be cleaned periodically. Made of acrylic or glass, a quick dose of Windex restores them to pristine condition.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
With a dad who was a machinist and a mom who loved to cook, the author of this roundup, Donna Currie was probably predestined to become enamored with kitchen gadgets. From garlic presses to food processors, she loved to tinker with them all, testing their pros and cons, and always looking for the best of the best. Her love of gadgets and cooking led to a recipe blog, Cookistry, and a cookbook, "Make Ahead Bread." Her work has appeared on Serious Eats, Fine Cooking, and more.
Carrie Honaker, who updated this roundup, is a food writer, restaurateur, and avid home cook. Her work has appeared in many publications, including Bon Appetit, Allrecipes, and Wine Enthusiast.