The best iPad stands can make your tablet even more versatile, allowing you to fix it in place while you read, write, draw take video calls and more. iPads have so many potential uses, but without a stand, it can sometimes be a challenge to keep the tablet in one position. The best iPad stands can transform your iPad into a digital canvas, a lectern, a TV, second monitor, a sheet music stand or whatever else you might need. And many of the best stands are very reasonably priced.
That's not to say you should jump in and buy the first iPad stand you see. For a start, there's a lot of cheap rubbish around that you wouldn't want to trust to hold your tablet. But on top of that, some very good stands serve for particular purposes, be they desk-based stands or free-standing options, or iPad holders for bed. Crucially, you also need to make sure the stand fits your iPad.
To help you choose the best iPad stand for you, we've picked out our top choices for a range of uses, price points and iPads. We've evaluated them based on their form, build quality, versatility, customer feedback and value.
If you're looking for a new iPad as well as a stand, see our guide to the best iPad deals where we track the latest offers on Apple's tablets. And if you're planning on drawing or note-taking using your iPad, you'll want to choose the best iPad stylus too.
The best iPad stands available now
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We think the Twelve South HoverBar Duo is one of the best iPad stands overall, especially if you want flexibility. We've been impressed by just how adjustable it is, allowing you to use it in portrait or landscape orientations in all kinds of use cases, whether it's finding the right angle for a Zoom call or taking notes. It's also broadly compatible with any iPad.
The height can be adjusted so that you can set it high if you're standing or find that a more flattering angle for a video call, or you can lower it to fix your iPad in the perfect position for sketching or taking notes. In either case, we found that the stand has a premium, durable feel and a good weight to it, which should prevent it from toppling over. The flexibility of this stand also leaves the charging port free so you can charge your iPad while you use your tablet.
You don't necessarily need to spend much money on one of the best iPad stands, especially if you want a simple desktop option that will do the job. For the minimalists among us, the Moft Invisible Tablet Stand is a fantastic way of keeping your iPad setup sleek and chic. It tucks in unobtrusively behind your tablet, becoming invisible when the tablet is viewed from the front (hence the name). This makes it perfect for anyone who hates desk clutter.
Despite its simplicity, this iPad stand still offers a good range of standing options. The back panel can be folded in six different ways, giving you plenty of different viewing angles for your iPad. You can use it in both portrait and landscape orientations, though bear in mind that you'll only be able to charge your tablet in the landscape position.
The Moft Invisible stand comes in different sizes for different iPads (and other tablets) up to 13in so check the size of the model you're viewing before you buy and search for another version if it's not the right size.
The Satechi R1 is a premium iPad stand that's useful for iPhones and MacBooks as well, making it a good choice if you're an Apple aficionado with a lot of the company's products. Constructed from premium aluminium, the R1 comes in black, silver or space grey, which means you can match it to the finish of your iPad for the perfect look.
Sturdy and unobtrusive, this is a particularly good choice if you're planning on using your iPad as a second monitor. It folds down to a nice compact size, making it a good option for travel, though the trade-off is that angle and adjustment options are a little limited. You can choose different heights, but bear in mind that there's no option to rotate.
If you plan to mostly use your iPad for drawing, then you're most likely to want to use it in one position, fairly close to flat but at just enough of an angle to make it easier to view your work without having to hunch over. The Twelve South ParcSlope is an excellent choice for this, holding your Pad at an 18-degree° angle that's perfect for long sessions of digital drawing. We found it to be sleek and well built, like the TwelveSouth Product we placed at number one above. It also has built-in cable management to help keep your desk nice and tidy.
The price might seem a bit steep for an iPad stand that doesn't allow for height adjustment, so this is probably one just for artists who want to keep the iPad at a low angle. It holds all iPads in landscape and portrait orientation (except the iPad mini, which can only be held in portrait orientation). It can even hold the best MacBooks, making it a good choice if you have a multi-device setup.
If you don't want to stand your iPad on a table or desk and would rather have it free-standing on the floor, then the CTA Digital Gooseneck Floor Stand for iPad is a cost-effective way of making this happen. The long gooseneck is highly adjustable, meaning you can contort it to pretty much any angle you'd like, but at the same time it's made with solid steel construction, so you can be confident your iPad is firmly supported.
Wheeled versions of the CTA Digital Gooseneck Floor Stand are also available; just be aware that these will bump up the price. However, if you deliver a lot of video lectures or talks on Zoom, a free-standing iPad can be just the thing to make sure you don't spend all day hunched over your desk. Note that if you like, you can also use this iPad stand when you're lying down.
Many iPad users will want to use their tablet for reading, working or watching entertainment in bed or while lounging on a sofa. The problem is that it isn't actually very easy to hold an iPad comfortably while you're lying down, and you'll often find yourself having to sit up in order to stop your arms from aching, defeating the whole point of being in bed.
The flexible Lamicall LS07 gooseneck iPad stand aims to solve this problem, allowing you to position your iPad exactly where you need it. Clamp it to a nearby desk or table, move your iPad into position, and you’re ready to relax. The stand proves sturdy enough to keep your iPad in place while you're watching, reading or browsing, but note that it isn't stable enough to keep your iPad still for drawing with a stylus.
Some iPad cases allow you to solve two problems at the same time by doubling as stands, but few can lift your tablet like the Moft Float. Its double-hinge stand folds out from the back of the case and can raise your tablet up to 3.15 inches in landscape mode, giving it the appearance of a miniature monitor, which is great for desktop use.
In portrait mode, the stand holds the iPad in a convenient position for reading. When you’re done, the stand folds away and serves as a tough plastic shell for your tablet. This two-in-one convenience makes the Moft Float one of the best iPad stands when it comes to value for money.
How should I choose the best iPad stand for me?
The best iPad stand for you will largely depend on what you want to do with it. If you only want to use your iPad to watch films or other media, then you probably just need a device that can hold it still in the position that you need. What form that takes may depend on where you want to use your iPad – for example, if you want to use your iPad in bed or lying on a sofa, a gooseneck iPad stand can be useful
If you want to write or draw on your iPad or to otherwise use the touchscreen, then you might need something that will hold the device more firmly so that it won't wobble when you touch the screen. For that, you have versatile options like the Twelve South Hoverbar Duo at the top of our selection or the Twelve South ParcSlope if you're looking for an iPad stand that's super stable for drawing.
You also need to check the size compatibility of each stand. Some stands are broadly compatible and will fit any iPad but others are designed for specific models. Some stands come in different versions for different sized devices, so you need to check you order the right one. You can check our guide to the iPad generations if you're not sure of the difference between the various iPad models.
How do I elevate my iPad
Many iPad stands will elevate your iPad, including most of the selections above. To test how much elevation you need, try holding your iPad in the place you want it to be and measuring the distance from a surface such as your desk or the floor. Some of the best iPad stands, including our top pick, the Twelve South HoverBar Duo, enable you to adjust to a range of different heights.
Do I need a tablet stand?
Holding an iPad for a long period of time can cause back and neck pain, and be quite annoying. We recommend using an iPad stand designed for the tasks you most use your iPad for, whether that's reading, drawing or watching films in bed. Our list above has a range of options for a range of different uses.
Read more:
- The best iPad screen protectors
- The best iPad keyboards
- iPad vs iPad mini: which iPad is right for you?
