Most tablets don’t include kickstands. More’s the pity: they’re freakin’ great. But in the face of this absence and obsession with thin cases, we have to make do with kickstands and other tools to keep our tablets upright without holding them. Here are the best.
Though the iPad is far and away the most popular tablet around, we’ve selected designs that will work with most Android and Windows-powered tablets as well. The desktop stand is best for those who need a regular hands-free display, the articulated option is for those who need a more flexible, precise position, the kitchen stand adds a wall or cabinet mount option, the mobile kickstand is for those who like to travel with their tablets, and the semi-permanent option is for people whose tablets are more or less always in display mode.
We also have a dark horse pick, specifically for those with the later generation of Amazon tablets. Because, well, it’s really cool.
Best Desktop Stand: Stouch iPad Pro Tablet Holder Stand ($34)
Most basic tablet stands are, well, basic: little more than an evolution of the document holder. This model from Stouch expands in that idea with a sturdy gripper instead of a simple tray, which can rotate freely like a good monitor stand.
It’s flexible enough to accommodate even the largest iPad Pro model and looks good doing it thanks to an aluminum design that fits in well with Apple hardware. The main arm includes a hinge to adjust the viewing angle and a nice wide base to keep it stable. It’s a little pricier than similar designs, but the extra few dollars are worth it.
Best Articulated Stand: Suptek Long Arm ($24)
If you’re using your tablet stand on a counter or standing desk, you’ll need a little more reach. This stand from Suptek includes two articulated arms and cable routing built into the base and bottom gripper, with both arm segments rotating 360 degrees and the tablet tray itself switching from portrait to landscape easily.
