The best iPad stand is a worthwhile investment that can make your tablet even more adaptable for use in different situations. Apple suggests an iPad can replace a laptop, and the latest iPad Pros certainly can for many uses. In fact, it offers several devices in one. Paired with an Apple Pencil, an iPad makes a great drawing tablet, and its portability also gives it the flexibility to use in situations where a laptop would be impractical.
However, to get the most out of that versatility, you need one of the best iPad stands to place your device in the position where you want it and ensure it stays put. A simple but immensely useful piece of kit can allow you to transform your iPad into a second monitor using Apple’s Sidecar feature, use it in the car, follow (or make) video tutorials while working with your hands, film from different angles, and simply browse or doodle from the comfort of your bed.
What makes the best iPad stand? It needs to be strong enough to support the tablet's weight and to last, but also flexible enough to allow you to position your tablet where you need it. In the guide below, we've selected seven of the best iPad stands available now, and each has its own advantages and uses, so you're sure to find the best iPad stand for your needs.
If you've not yet bought an iPad, or if you're ready to upgrade, check out our iPad generations roundup to find the best tablet for you and see our guide to the best iPad deals to find the best price. You'll also want to make sure you have the best iPad stylus if you want to take notes or use your iPad as a drawing tablet.
The best iPad stands available now
For most people, unless you use your iPad for one very specific purpose, the best iPad stand will be one that offers the flexibility to serve for a variety of different situations. After all, an iPad has so many different uses. And this is just what makes the Twelve South’s HoverBar Duo so good.
This iPad stand can hold your tablet almost anywhere you want, in portrait or landscape orientation at a range of different angles and heights thanks to its highly adjustable holder. That makes it the best iPad stand all round, whether you want to make Zoom calls, to connect a second monitor to your Mac, or to watch TV and movies. It comes with a weighted desk stand and an overhead clamp, extending its utility even further.
Apple's iPads are fairly expensive purchases, especially if you opt for a Pro, but that doesn’t mean your stand has to cost a lot. Moft’s Invisible Tablet Stand offers an affordable iPad stand that also boasts some clever functionality. Something like an origami creation, it has a back panel that can be soldered in six different ways to prop up your iPad at various angles in both landscape and portrait orientation. It offers a lot of flexibility and proves that affordable doesn't have to mean cheap and tacky.
Satechi’s R1 looks so smart that you would expect it to cost a lot more than it does. Made from aluminium, it offers a classy, premium look that would even look the part if it were unveiled on-stage by Apple itself. It can hold any iPad, iPhone or even a MacBook, and yet it folds down into a tiny package that's perfect for travel. It comes in three colours so you can pick one to complement your Apple gear. It's an ingenious iPad stand and a brilliant buy for this price.
The iPad is a beautiful piece of industrial design so it makes sense to pair it with a stand that looks just as striking. The Yohann iPad Stand is another very sleek iPad stand, and one that looks like a piece of sculpture rather than a strictly utilitarian object. Carved from a single block of wood (you can choose from walnut or oak, according to your taste), it can hold your iPad in several positions, both landscape and portrait. There are cut-outs for the speakers and charging cable, so you don’t lose anything in the name of beauty. There’s also a version for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with a built-in Apple Pencil holder.
The iPad's highly portable so no doubt many iPad users will want to use it 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 solves 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 is sturdy enough to keep your iPad in place while you're watching, reading or browsing, but not that it won't keep it still enough to use for drawing with a stylus.
Keeping passengers entertained during a long road trip can be tricky, especially if the passengers are young children. Luckily, you can avoid a nightmare journey with this iPad Headrest Mount from iKross. It clamps onto your car headrests, with plenty of options for positioning. You can place an iPad in landscape or portrait orientation, tilt it however you like, and extend the stand so the tablet sits between the two front seats, allowing everyone in the back of the car to see. That versatility makes it a great companion for long journeys.
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 all folds away and serves as a tough plastic shell for your tablet. This two-in-one convenience makes this one of the best iPad stands when it comes to value for money.
Read more:
- The best iPad screen protectors
- The best iPad keyboards
- iPad vs iPad mini: which iPad is right for you?
