With the best iPad stands, you can make it that much easier to transform your iPad for all sorts of different uses. A good-quality stand can transform an iPad into a digital canvas, a lectern, a second computer monitor, a TV, a sheet music stand or all sorts of other things, and best of all, they tend to be pretty affordable.
Of course, there is also quite a lot of cheap junk out there, which is why it's best to be discerning, and pick up a quality product from a reputable manufacturer. To help you in that regard, we've put together this guide to pick out our favourite iPad stands, with a selection of different types and configurations,. Whether you need a long, gooseneck iPad stand that's completely free-standing, or a simple desk-bound option for setting up your iPad as a drawing canvas, we've got options for you on this list, at a broad range of price points.
Different stands will also fit different iPads – some are broadly compatible, while others fit quite specific models. Make sure you check compatibility before you buy, and check out our iPad generations article if you're not sure of the difference between the different types.
If you're still looking for a new iPad as well as a stand, then check out our guide to the best iPad deals where we keep up to date with all the latest offers on Apple's tablets. And if you're planning on drawing or note-taking using your iPad, you'll want to make sure you get the best iPad stylus too.
The best iPad stands available now
The TwelveSouth HoverBar Duo is one of the most impressive iPad stands we've seen, and we reckon it's going to be the best choice for the majority of users. The impressive flexibility of the stand allows it to be used in portrait or landscape orientations, while its broad compatibility means that pretty much any iPad is going to be able to fit on it.
The adjustable height makes the stand applicable to all sorts of use cases, whether you want your tablet high up for a flattering angle on a Zoom call, or low down to make it useful as a notepad or artist's sketchpad. The weighted desk stand means that the iPad is unlikely to topple over no matter what angle you put it at, and it's extra useful that the stand allows you to charge the iPad while using it – not all of them do.
The TwelveSouth HoverBar Duo feels like a premium product, with a durable build that sets it apart from the flimsier iPad stands that can saturate the market. Whatever you want to use your iPad for, it's a great choice.
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 iPad, rendering itself invisible when the tablet is viewed from the front (hence the name), and is therefore ideal for those who dislike a cluttered desk.
It also offers a suite of standing options, with a back panel that can be folded and set up to six different configurations, meaning you've got plenty of different viewing angles for your iPad. You can also use both portrait and landscape orientations for the iPad, though bear in mind that it can only charge when set up in the landscape position.
Another thing worth knowing is that the Moft Invisible stand can only hold iPads up to 11 inches in screen size, ruling out the iPad Pro 12.9 (opens in new tab) models. If you're using one of these larger iPads, you'll need to pick a different stand.
If you plan to mostly use your iPad for drawing, then you're probably going to want it at a pretty consistent, near-flat angle. The TwelveSouth ParcSlope is an excellent choice, laying your Pad at an 18° angle that's perfect for long sessions of digital drawing. It's sleek and well built, like all TwelveSouth Product, and has built-in cable management for keeping your desk uncluttered.
The asking price might seem a little high for a stand that doesn't allow for height adjustment, so this is really one exclusively for artists who are going to want to keep the iPad at a flat angle. It holds all iPads in landscape and portrait orientation (except the Mini, which can only be held in portrait orientation), and it can also hold one of the best MacBooks, making it a good choice if you have a multi-device setup.
The Satechi R1 is a premium iPad stand that's also useful for iPhones and MacBooks, making it a good choice if you're the sort of 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.
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 nicely compact size, making it a good option for travel, though the trade-off is that angle and adjustment options are a little limited. You've got a few heights to choose from, and no rotation. If you're looking for something more versatile, you may want to consider our next entry.
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.
The iPad is a beautiful piece of industrial design so it makes sense to pair it with a stand that looks just as striking, and we're quite taken by the looks of the Yohann iPad Stand. It probably the most interesting looking iPad stand we've seen, resembling 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 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.
Keeping passengers entertained during a long road trip can be tricky, especially if those passengers are young children. Luckily, this iPad Headrest Mount from iKross might help you avoid a nightmare journey. 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 in our eyes.
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?
