The Best iPad Stands for a Versatile Home Use

The following is an up-to-date and detailed comparison of the most visible iPad Stands on the market to help you find the best iPad stand for your specific needs.

There are many lists and blog posts about the best iPad stands out there. Most blog posts about the best iPad stands promote the best-selling and most lucrative products.

The best-selling products are not necessarily the best products.

We provide a different perspective and try to find out which iPad stand is the best for specific needs and make an in-depth rating in terms of function, use cases, design, and sustainability.

In 2014, we launched a Kickstarter for a different iPad stand, offering the combination of high functionality and versatility, exceptional aesthetics, and sustainable manufacturing in Europe - all condensed into one product.

Why did we do a Kickstarter? 

In our search for a good iPad stand, we didn't find a single product that excited us and that we would have liked to buy. As of today, almost all iPad stands focus on either functionality or aesthetics, but not on both. And almost all of them are industrially manufactured in Asia.

Our Kickstarter was the antithesis of the broad market.

We believe that our product is great and unique, and so did our Kickstarter backers and many, many customers over the past years. However, we are just a group of like-minded people who have the same expectations for design, quality, function, and sustainability. Of course, there are different needs and expectations for an iPad stand than ours. We appreciate the diversity.
  

The Criteria

In evaluating the products, we distinguish four main criteria, which are composed of a number of sub-criteria:

1. Functionality
We simply look at the amount of different functions and possibilities that a stand offers. In our overall rating, functionality is weighted with 1.

2. Versatility / Use Cases
Ultimately, the variety of use cases in which the stand can help you use the iPad hands-free and more comfortably is the most important aspect of a product for most people. Sometimes, for specific use cases, a stand specialized in this particular use case can be the best option. In the overall ranking, this criterion is weighted with 1.

3. Aesthetics / Design
For the majority of iPad users and especially for private use in a home environment, aesthetics is im-portant. Even though some people say that this is a subjective and individual criterion, we as architects and designers see clear differences in the quality of the design. Aesthetics and design receive a weighting of 0.5 in the overall rating.

4. Sustainability
We believe that sustainability is nowadays an important aspect of any product and of good product design. Of course, this is an aspect that not all people address in the same way. That is why we have given this aspect a lower weighting of 0.5 in our overall rating. 

The Rating

In our overall rating, we weigh functionality and versatility twice as highly as aesthetics and sustainability. Of course, everyone can prioritize these criteria individually. Depending on your particular needs, your rating may yield a different best iPad stand.

In any case, it's worth remembering that this is one of the best iPad accessories you can buy. So take your time to choose the one that is more adequate to your needs.

List of best iPad Stands

1. Compass Pro by Twelve South

Best for Travelers

The compass pro is a sleek, simple tripod stand. It can be a great companion when traveling. It is l and folds into a compact shape, making it ideal for travel. The product itself feels a bit rickety and fiddly when you unfold the iPad and place it on the stand. Once it's in place, however, it does what you'd expect it to do.

Since it's a tripod and the rear support in the middle is a single pedestal, stability is a bit weak when u it is at the lowest angle for writing. If you apply pressure to the top corners, the iPad can tip easily.  Using it in bed or on the couch is not possible with this stand. The stand needs a stable surface, which does not necessarily have to be flat.

Twelve South gives no indication of how much they care about their production and their ecological footprint.

Pros

• Simple and light weight

• Great for travelling

Cons

• Reduced stability 

• Reduced versatility in home environment

Recommendation

Great if you're looking for an iPad stand that's specifically designed for travel or desk use.

2. DraftTable by Elevation Labs 

Best for Professional Artists and Designers

This iPad stand, as the name suggests, is aimed at people who use the iPad intensively for drawing at the desk. The DraftTable's robust construction offers an unparalleled level of sturdiness, ensuring the iPad remains secure even during intense sketching or design sessions. Moreover, the stand is wide and sta-ble, eliminating wobbling concerns, and its rubberized feet ensure it stays put. 

Specialized for drawing at the desk, the holder unfortunately does not cut a good figure in other situa-tions at home. The iPad cannot be placed at a steep angle. Thus, the holder is not suitable for watching movies or such. It is also not particularly suitable for use in bed, on the couch or in the kitchen.

Pros

• Robust construction and sturdy support

• Multiple Angles for drawing at a desk

• Portability

Cons

• Reduced versatility

Recommendation

The DraftTable is an ideal match for professional artists, graphic designers, or architects who rely on their iPad Pro for detailed work.

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3. Wooden iPad Stand by Yohann

Best for a Versatile Home Use

Yohann iPad stand is specially designed for versatile use at home. At home, there are many different situations where you may want to use your iPad, such as on your desk, on the duvet in bed, on the couch, in the kitchen, reading recipes, watching movies, and talking to your friends and family via FaceTime. Due to its variety of angles, it's also a great iPad stand for drawing.

Since it's made from a single piece of wood with no moving parts, it's effortless to use with one hand and can be easily carried around your home. You can switch between three different angles for portrait and landscape views.

The stand is made of beautiful solid wood like oak and walnut, and a high amount of handwork is part of the manufacturing process. It makes a great addition to a minimal wooden desk setup, workspace or even your kitchen or bedroom.

Optimizing for versatility and ease of use comes with the fact that it is not the most stable stand. For attentive users who appreciate the different angles and light weight, it is stable enough. For use cases where high stability is important or rough handling is expected, this stand may not be the right choice.

Yohann is sustainably made in Italy and Germany in collaboration with a workshop for the disabled. Yohann supports several tree-planting projects. For every product sold, two trees are planted.

This is probably the best iPad stand for iPad users appreciating versatility and a beautiful reduced wood-en design with sustainable manufacturing.

Pros

• Easy switching between viewing angles

• Stand with highest versatility for home use

• Works on tables, kitchen countertops, on the lap and in bed

• Lightweight

• Can be easily carried around the apartment

• High quality wood

• Sustainable material and production

Cons

• Works for any iPad, but not for any tablet

• Optimized for home use but not for travelling

Recommendation

If you want to use your iPad in an elegant way in a variety of home situations and aesthetics is important to you, this should be your product.

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4. Wood iPad Stand by Grovemade

The Wood iPad Stand helps you support your iPad on your desk in portrait or landscape mode. It works for almost any iPad or tablet. For people who have a passion for inconvenient combinations of materials, this is the product to get. The product is a composite of wood, stainless steel, and wool felt. It is handmade in Oregon.

Aside from desk use, there aren't many other use cases you can think of with this stand. If you choose to use the iPad in some other situation at home, like the couch or on the duvet, the stand won't be of much help to you.

Grovemade manufactures in Oregon. The use of steel might feel a bit excessive and does not support the sustainability of the product. There is no mention of offsetting the environmental footprint on their website.

Pros

• Special Design

Cons

• Limited versatility: only one angle on a desk

Recommendation

If you love felt and this mix of materials and you're looking for an iPad holder that you'll only use on your desk, this is your choice. 

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5. iPad Pro Stand with Apple Pencil Holder 

by Yohann

Best for a Versatile Home Use and the Use with the Apple Pencil

In addition to the familiar features of the regular Yohann iPad stand mentioned above, this stand offers the possibility to magnetically attach the Apple Pencil to the front of the stand so you always have it at hand. When you're done with the Apple Pencil, you can slip it into the soft-lined hole on the back of the iPad to keep it safe and never lose it again.

Offering even more functionality and versatility, this stand has no drawback over the basic Yohann iPad stand.

Pros

• Easy switching between viewing angles

• Stand with highest versatility for home use

• Works on tables, kitchen countertops, on the lap and in bed

• Lightweight

• Can be easily carried around the apartment

• High quality wood

• Sustainable material and production

• Additional Apple Pencil features

Cons

• Only for normal-sized iPads and the large iPad Pro

• Optimized for home use but less for travelling

Recommendation

If you love to work with the Apple Pencil and you want to use your iPad in a variety of home situations or in your design studio, this could be the perfect product for you.

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6. Encore by Just Mobile

The Encore stand is made of an aluminum ring with rubber buffers and a movable rubber prop. It has a sleek design and is lightweight. It can be used to present the iPad on a desk, but not for typing or drawing. It is also not possible to use it in bed or on the couch.

 Pros

• Simple and light weight

Cons

• Reduced versatility

Recommendation

If you like aluminum tech design and are just looking for a simple iPad stand, this might be yours.

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7. iPad Frame Stand by Freeformmade

This wooden iPad stand is a nice solution to using your iPad permanently in a fixed place, for example, as a point of sale in a store or a restaurant. It forms a wooden frame around your iPad, so it is well p. You can even mount it on the wall to reduce the risk of theft. It's available in three different types of wood and should appeal most to iPad users with a penchant for country style.

For home use, it lacks a bit in flexibility and versatility. It doesn't even allow for use in landscape mode.

Freeformmade products are made from sustainable materials. They give no indication of where the products are made and do not offset their environmental footprint.

Pros

• Stabil and save

• Great for point of sale

Cons

• No portrait view

• Reduced versatility for home environment

 Recommendation

Ideal if you're looking for an iPad stand for a permanent location in a restaurant or store, and country style is your thing.

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8. Tstand

The Kickstarter initiative focuses on a hands-free experience for in-home use. While it boasts adjustability and a raised stance, it's unfortunate that it's restricted to just the raised stance. Even though the makers say it's versatile enough for varied settings, including planes, its considerable size might challenge that claim. The Tstand is made from plastic and features a gentle touch surface. The size and reduced versatility for in-home use could be a drawback for some.

Pros

• Suits a majority of tablet designs

• Provides a raised view

Cons

• Rather large and bulky

• Limited angle flexibility

Recommendation

If you spend a lot of time with your iPad on the sofa and in bed and don't miss a hands-free iPad experience in any other location, this product might suit you.

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9. Levo iPad Stand

The Levo iPad Stand is a marvel in ergonomic design, allowing users to engage with their tablets in the most comfortable and flexible manner. As a standalone support, it boasts a design independent of the bed, ensuring no instability due to mattress movements. It seamlessly caters to a range of tablets, making it a universal choice for tech enthusiasts. Furthermore, the stand's adjustable features, both in terms of height and viewing angles, prioritize user comfort, ensuring they don’t experience physical strain during extended use. Perhaps its most convenient feature is the addition of wheels, promoting effortless mobility around the room. Such considerations especially come in handy for individuals in care or those confined to bed, providing them with an invaluable tool for entertainment or communication.

While the Levo iPad Stand offers numerous advantages, its presence in a typical home environment can be a bit imposing. Its sheer size and bulkiness can overshadow other pieces of furniture, potentially clashing with the room's aesthetics or causing spatial constraints. Even with its wheels, the stand, be-cause of its size, might be seen more as a permanent fixture rather than a mobile accessory. As such, it may not be the ideal choice for those who prioritize space-saving designs or have smaller living quar-ters. This might make potential buyers weigh the benefits of its functional attributes against the spatial and aesthetic compromises it demands.

• Secure and stable design independent of bed

• Universally compatible with various tablets

• Adjustable height and viewing angles

• Comes with wheels for easy mobility

• Large and bulky in size and appearance

Recommendation

This stand might suit you well if you spend a lot of time lying in bed or on the couch.

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10. Stabile Pro Pivoting iPad Stand

by Thought out

This stand is bent from solid steel. It holds the iPad elevated and the viewing angle is adjustable. The weight of the material makes the stand relatively stable. The mount can be fixed to the table surface with a screw. This could be interesting for retail use.
The design does not reflect the claim of the brand name "Thought Out" at all. It is rather relatively un-thought out and simple. The stand consists of a base and an adjustable tray for the iPad. The curved shape looks a bit ungainly. To prevent injury to the iPad, rubber bumpers are placed in the appropriate places. The curved shape looks a bit ungainly and does not complement the reduced Apple design.

Pros

• Sturdiness and stability

Cons

• Reduced versatility for home use

Recommendation

This stand can be useful for the use in a retail shop as a point of sale or to show presentation videos.

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 Conclusion

In summary, it's great that the market offers so many different solutions for a hands-free use of the iPad. Every iPad user has individual expectations in terms of material, aesthetics, functionality.
We think that versatility in home use is important for the vast majority of iPad users. You don't want different stands for different situations, but one stand that can serve you well in all situations. From this point of view, the Yohann iPad holder has a clear advantage. Other holders are very specialized for certain situations, the Yohann iPad stand is specialized to be as versatile as possible.
The quality of the design and materials as well as the holistic approach to sustainable design are further reasons for the noticeably high overall score.
As mentioned before, the other stands are great for spedific tasks and may fit better someones personal needs.