To test tablet stands, we used them in our everyday lives for various purposes. The point of a portable tablet is that it serves multiple functions, so we wanted to ensure we tested ours across different settings. From table to countertop, couch to bed, we assessed the stability of these stands, folded and unfolded their hinges, examined the quality and durability of the materials and moving parts, folded them up and carried them around if applicable, and measured and weighed the units. Adjustability Tablets are sleek, impressive pieces of technology that have taken us from the world of clunky, boxy desktop computers to the future of portable touch screens. Whether in use at a professional workspace or in addition to a minimalist desk setup, we ranked the design of each stand to see how well they complemented the iPads we used with them. After all, we believe form lends to function. This stand doesn’t raise the tablet very high off the desk, but you could adjust for that by putting it on top of a box or book, although that’s not ideal as it will reduce its stability. If you seek a no-frills, easy-to-use stand, the Stump Stand takes away the headache of angle adjustments and moving parts. This model is made entirely of silicone with a weighted base. There are two grooves in which to place your tablet: an "upright" option and a "lean" option. One more angle option ("ramp") where you lean your tablet on the stand's angled base provides a moderately steady typing stand orientation. It's the simplest construction we encountered.

All of the stands we tested have some kind of viewing angle adjustment, which is one of the most important metrics in our evaluation. Not every stand on the market is adjustable, but all of our chosen stands will allow the user to select a setting that is more ergonomic for viewing or more accessible if viewed from different heights. Some only have 3-4 angle options, while others have an infinite number of possibilities. Unlike some of the stands that can wobble when you are controlling the screen with a hand, the Lamicall Tablet Stand is sturdy and rigid, although you can move it around the desk with ease. We measured each stand's stability using several methods: Assessing their performance on different surfaces, examining their methods for holding a tablet, measuring their weight and sensitivity to movement, and evaluating how well they could hold a tablet in landscape and portrait mode.The iBeani Tablet Holder is something quite different from other tablet stands we have tested. It’s a small bean bag, available in a dazzlingly wide range of colors and patterns (over 21), that is altogether less metallic and angular than the rest. Its squashability means you can angle the tablet’s screen as you want it, although it will move around a bit if it’s resting on you and you move about. It adds a little height and you can knead the bean bag into different angles.

It will sit on a desk, but probably makes more sense on a bed or on your lap or for use in bed. Sitting on the couch for a video call, the iBeani comes into its own.