The 10 Best Tablet Stands
Special Honors
Camelback Displays These commercial models aren’t really appropriate for home use, but if you’re looking to utilize an iPad to inject some interactivity into your tradeshow or festival booth, there’s plenty to choose from here. Camelback offers both full-sized and countertop holders in a variety of styles, some of which hold multiple devices. camelbackdisplays.com
Wenger Universal This freestanding structure is designed to accommodate just about any tablet for use as a music stand, but it can be utilized for other applications as well. You can adjust the height, angle and orientation to your liking, and its spring-loaded clamps ensure the device won’t come loose. wengercorp.com
The Tstand Built to rest comfortably on your chest, the Tstand positions the screen at an ideal viewing angle to help prevent neck and back problems that can result from hunching over a device for long periods of time. You can also convert it to desktop mode for use at your workstation. tstand.com
Editor's Notes
April 12, 2020:
Availability concerns led us to remove the Spinido Ti-Apex and iKross Mount. We upgraded the Lamicall Dock; it can accommodate almost any mobile device (including the Nintendo Switch), and users routinely come away impressed with the strength of its hinge. Although it holds tablets rigidly in place, the angle and orientation can be adjusted quickly and smoothly.
These stands vary in size and style, so it’s important to consider how you intend to use the tool when evaluating the options. If you’re just looking to position your device at a convenient angle for general everyday use, a basic stand should suffice. However, if you require extensive adjustability (height, tilt, swivel, etc.), a more advanced model with an articulating arm is probably the way to go.
Even though the MoKo Pillow doesn’t allow for any angle modification, it’s a nice choice for use when you’re laying in bed or relaxing on the couch. It’s lightweight and soft, making it ideal for resting on your chest or lap, and it has storage pockets for small items like earbuds and chargers.
Upping The Convenience Factor
These platforms provide a firm, secure base to keep that gadget steady.
Tablet owners know from experience that in a variety of situations — from lying in bed to sitting in the backseat of a car to preparing food in the kitchen — streaming video or surfing the Internet is far easier when using a mobile device than it is on a laptop or desktop computer.
That being said, a tablet by itself isn’t designed for multi-angle viewing. Sure, you can rest it against a wall or prop it up on your chest while you’re horizontal on the couch, but the slightest movement or vibration can tip it over. You can also hold it yourself, but then how is one to multitask?
A quality tablet stand solves this problem immediately. Available in myriad styles to accommodate different brands and sizes, they free up your hands to swipe or type and relieve the stress on your wrists that may result from holding up your device for extended periods of time.
These stands also eliminate the need to contort your body one way or another to obtain the optimal viewing angle, which helps to protect your neck and back from unnecessary strain. If the rapid rise in popularity of standing desks has taught us anything, it’s that the health benefits of proper posture are real.
Stability is another significant benefit. If you’ve ever attempted to read a blog post or follow an instructional video on a device that’s bouncing or shaking, you know how irritating (and potentially nauseating) that can be. These platforms provide a firm, secure base to keep that gadget steady.
Whereas a wall-mounted tablet offers hands-free accessibility in a specific location, most personal stands give you the freedom and flexibility to set up shop wherever you happen to be at the time.
Theoretically, you could use the same tablet holder for perusing the weather in the morning, managing a playlist while you get ready, firing off some emails in a taxi to the airport, watching a movie on the plane, giving a presentation during a business meeting in the afternoon, and streaming a baseball game in your hotel room that night.
How And Where Will You Use Your Tablet Stand?
Plenty of stands are functional enough to work for all of the activities listed above, but some lend themselves to certain applications better than others.
The most portable styles are lightweight and ideally fold up when they’re not in use, so that you can quickly pack it up and store it in a bag when you have to hit the road.
Heavy-duty models with wide bases and thick arms may be great for anchoring large devices in a semi-permanent location, but if you’re a frequent traveler, it’s probably not the type for you. The most portable styles are lightweight and ideally fold up when they’re not in use, so that you can quickly pack it up and store it in a bag when you have to hit the road. You can also go with a hybrid that gives you the option to mount it to a wall or a cabinet or use it as a freestanding item on its own.
The most versatile models will provide near total flexibility — that is, the ability to position the device in landscape or portrait mode, as well as the option to tilt, rotate, and swivel the stand in an effort to produce just about any viewing angle imaginable. Many are adjustable as well, so that they’re able to hold tablets in a wide array of sizes, with or without a case.
For some, a standard counter or tabletop holder may not cut it. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can get yourself a floor stand, which typically incorporates an extendable arm that you can position anywhere from eye level to just above the ground. With one of these, your viewing angles are essentially limitless.
You may have noticed that tablets are now a staple in local shops and small businesses nearly everywhere you go — and in each case, you’ll typically see a stand positioning the device so that you can easily complete transactions. This is a cost-effective way to process orders without investing in expensive equipment, and it fosters a modern vibe within your workspace.
There’s No Shame In Accessorizing
While a reliable stand may end up being the most important tablet accessory you invest in, it’s certainly not the only one out there.
Styluses serve as a nifty tool for those whose work includes detailed drawing and graphic design, as their fine tips offer a level of precision you can’t achieve with your fingers. Or, if you simply want to avoid leaving prints and smudges on your screen, they’re useful for that as well.
A screen protector is a worthwhile investment in the same vein.
A case is basically a must-have, unless you only use your mobile device in a room constructed with pillows for its walls and floors. A screen protector is a worthwhile investment in the same vein. Some cases even feature a built-in stand, so keep an eye out for one of those if you’re interested in both items.
Some cases also come with an integrated keyboard, though it’s easy enough to purchase one separately. When you’re trying to get some work done or catch up on emails on the go, a tablet keyboard can be a lifesaver, as it will allow you to type far more efficiently than you possibly could on a touchscreen.
For those tech addicts who switch from gadget to gadget throughout the day, a charging station will definitely come in handy. Some simply provide two or three ports for straightforward charging, while others include more advanced features such as smart chips that can detect the power level of each device and adjust the charge speed accordingly.
When it comes to storage and transportation, you can always stuff your device into a purse or a bag, and some of you may even be lucky enough to own a backpack with a dedicated tablet slot. You may discover that you’ll feel a bit more comfortable, however, taking your gadget from place to place in a soft carrying case. Not only will it remain secure and easy to carry, but many of these include additional pockets for small items like chargers and thumb drives.