Steering Wheel Desk Accessories You Didn’t Know You Needed

If you spend a lot of time driving for work or even just long commutes, having a portable desk set up in your car can make things a lot more comfortable and productive. But trying to balance a laptop and papers on your lap or the passenger seat doesn’t work. That’s where steering wheel desk accessories come in handy!

These clever devices attach right to your steering wheel, creating a stable surface for your devices and documents. Keep reading to learn all about the different options available and how they can improve your in-car work sessions.

Benefits of a steering wheel desk

A steering wheel desk offers ergonomics, secures items, enhances safety, and boosts concentration compared to using your lap.

More ergonomic than your lap: 

Trying to balance devices and paperwork on your thighs or the seat next to you leads to hunching over and straining your neck and back. A steering wheel desk accessory lets you situate your work at the proper height and distance for good posture. This prevents pain and discomfort even during longer drives.

Keeps items secure: 

Instead of constantly chasing sliding papers and worrying about your expensive laptop crashing to the floor, steering wheel desks keep everything neatly corralled in one place. The solid build and grippy surfaces prevent anything from slipping around while the car is in motion.

Increases overall safety: 

Taking your eyes completely off the road to peek at a document in your lap is dangerously distracting. But a steering wheel desk keeps things right in your line of vision as you drive, reducing the need to look away from traffic.

Enables better concentration: 

Having to juggle multiple items in a cramped space is not just uncomfortable, but cognitively draining. It splits your focus between driving and trying not to drop all your stuff! With everything secured right in front of you, it’s much easier to zero in on work tasks.

Types of steering wheel desks

Steering wheel desks provide ergonomic benefits and come in types like basic wheel trays, folding desk attachments, and full workstations.

Basic wheel trays:

The most affordable and straightforward option is a simple wheel tray that sits flush against the wheel. Low-profile edges keep them from hitting your legs or the dash as you turn. An anti-slip surface holds items securely. These minimalist trays still offer ample usable space for smaller devices or a notebook and pen.

Folding desk attachments:

For those needing some additional functionality, there are steering wheel desks that fold out to provide different levels and orientations. Look for versions with adjustable clips or clamps to get the right angle. These styles often include storage trays and slots for pens, phones, and other accessories.

Full workstations:

On the premium end, you can find complete modular station set-ups. They clip onto your wheel and may extend out with side tables. These desks allow for mounting larger monitors and full-sized keyboards. Some even have areas for chargers, speakers, and other electronics. If you envision working for hours from your driver’s seat, this is the setup for you!

Key features to consider

Key features to consider in steering wheel desks include adjustable clips, storage organization, durable materials, comfort features, and cupholder integration.

Adjustable clips:

Your steering wheel size, shape, and thickness will vary from other cars, so having some range in how the desk attachment fits is crucial. Padding prevents any marking or damage to the wheel itself. Adjustable clips also allow tweaking the angle of the surface.

Storage and organization:

The best steering wheel desks integrate smart storage for all the little items you need access to while working. From securing holsters for phones and tablets to slots for writing instruments, ports for chargers, and trays for paper or notebooks, an organized workspace leads to optimum productivity.

Materials:

You want something durable that can handle being installed and removed regularly without any wiggle or wear. Metal attachments with powder-coated finishes avoid rust and stand up well to daily use. For the work surface, molded plastic, wood composites, and heavy-duty cardstock can take abuse in a moving vehicle.

Comfort features:

Contoured edges, smooth rounded corners, and padded neoprene flip-ups prevent sharp contact points that could scratch your forearms or thighs. Vibration-reduction technology also keeps devices from rattling around so much at highway speeds. Plus, low-glare surfaces reduce eye strain.

Cupholder integration:

The best steering wheel desks account for the fact that vehicles only have so many useful spaces to put things. Some integrate a cupholder so you don’t lose this convenience. Even more impressive are the models that have space for mounting phones and tablets but also slide back to allow access to controls behind the wheel.

Popular steering wheel desk accessories

Now that you know about the many benefits of in-car desks and the product variations available, take a look at some top-rated models on the market across the price spectrum:

LapGear eDesk:

The LapGear eDesk gets high marks for its simple and adaptable design. Soft padded clips keep it secured on wheels of various thicknesses without any slipping. Yet the surface easily lifts off for storage. A roomy 15.6-inch area provides ample space for laptops. There is also a slot for your cell phone, a mesh pocket for smaller supplies, and dual USB plugins.

Cushion Lab Steering Wheel Table:

For larger vehicles, the Cushion Lab Steering Wheel Desk provides an expansive surface. The full 19.5 width fits over sizable truck and luxury car wheels. Side lips prevent papers and devices from sliding away. You can even use the convenient groove to upright tablets and phones for optimal viewing. An integrated cupholder and storage tray keep additional items within reach but out of the way.

Mophorn Folding Car Desk:

When you need the capacity to handle monitors and full-sized accessories, the Mophorn Folding Car Desk is the ultimate solution. The steel frame installs securely on the wheel to keep the wood laminate desktop surface steady. It folds out into a 35 x 20-inch work zone! Off to the sides are two smaller pull-out trays. Built-in installation keeps cables managed. An adjustable drawbridge provides space for a keyboard, paperwork, or notepads.

How to install and use a steering wheel desk

Getting set up with one of these handy accessories takes just a few quick steps:

Identify Best Placement: Take note of available space between your wheel and legs/dash. You generally want to avoid knocking knees or obstructions while turning. Also consider optimal visibility over the desk surface, so you can easily glance down and refocus on the road.

Secure Clips or Clamps: Adjust clips/clamps wide enough to fit over the wheel without being painfully tight. Rubber pads should make flush contact all the way around. Turn the wheel in both directions to check for clearance. There should be no wobble or slipping of the desktop surface.

Situate Work Items: Determine the ideal placement for your laptop, notebook or documents. Adjust any modular pieces like side tables, device stands or external keyboard trays if applicable. Think through what you will need frequent access to. Having to reach across the main surface constantly can cause distraction.

Manage Cables: Don’t forget your chargers! Use built-in holders and organization slots to securely situate any device power cords, earbud cases or other loose items that might get tangled around pedals. Check that cables don’t strain too much when you turn the wheel fully in either direction.

Adjust Your Seat: This allows you to want clear sightlines over your steering wheel desk without needing to crane your neck down. Bring your seat height up a few notches up from the normal driving position. Tilt the backrest more upright as well, but still allow the airbag clearance zone! Having wheels/trays right up in the expansion zone can prevent proper airbag deployment.

Take Breaks: Even with optimal ergonomic positioning, sitting in one place working for too long gets uncomfortable. On longer commutes or work trips, take regular short breaks to unclip the desk unit and readjust. Doing some shoulder rolls or light stretches is also advised. This also gives your eyes a rest from screen glare!

Recommended activities for your car desk

Wondering exactly what you can accomplish with one of these mobile workstations? Here are some great ways to put your steering wheel desk into action:

• Catch up on emails and communications
• Review reports, presentations, briefs and documents
• Fill out timesheets, schedules, or expense forms
• Write new blog posts or marketing copy
• Compare notes and study materials
• Watch training or educational videos/webinars
• Take phone interviews or client consultation calls
• Enter data and reconcile spreadsheets or databases
• Arrange travel reservations or event registrations
• Outline proposals, service agreements, or quotes
• Research options for upcoming projects
• Compile contact lists, calendar invitations

So don’t waste all that windshield time simply zoning out to music or talk radio. Equip your car with one of these incredible multi-tasking accessories! Driving downtime can now be leveraged for productivity. Just don’t try texting or reading novels, as attentive road focus should still be the priority while operating any motor vehicle.

With the convenience of a stable place to organize your devices and tasks at hand, you may start looking forward to longer commutes and road trips. Arriving focused and centered at your destination after wrapping up major projects beats frustration over wasted transit time or unsafe attempts to work only using your cramped lap space. Upgrade to a smarter, easier workflow that moves with you!