The Best Tablet Mounts
While tablets provide a fantastic combination of processing power and portability, having to hold one while you're using it isn't exactly ideal. Tablet mounts are convenient accessories that are made to anchor on a variety of surfaces and support beams in cars, desks, and so much more. Most tablet mounts utilize a padded claw-like grip that provides multiple contact points to avoid damaging the surface it's mounted on. We've found that these attachments are ideal for anyone looking to mount their tablet to a piece of workout machinery, in the car, to keep the kids entertained on long car rides, or on your work desk. Regardless of your use case, we've rounded up a list of our favorite tablet mounts here. All of these are structurally sound and affordable enough to use for countless work projects and all the engaging entertainment you could ask for.
Lamicall Gooseneck Tablet Holder
Mounting made manageable
This gooseneck tablet holder by Lamicall is a fantastic product that will accommodate whatever angle you want to position your tablet. If you’re concerned about dings and scratches on your device, you can set your mind at ease knowing this tablet’s locking mechanism sports a generous amount of padding. And unlike other holders and mounts that are similarly designed, this table anchor is built to last. While most clips use a coil and rely on tension to stay up, Lamicall’s gooseneck mount relies on a thick, threaded core for an immovable hold. And best of all, this unit’s sleek design looks like it belongs in a futuristic officescape. The thoughtful detailing and generous length make it a present-day marvel for tablets of all sizes.
Pros:
- It fits both smartphones and tablets
- The coil is covered by gorgeous faux leather
- The gooseneck is nearly three feet long
Cons:
- Precise positioning can take time due to the rigidity of the tube
Lamicall Car Tablet Holder
Keep car rides calm
If you’ve got a long road ahead of you and a fully packed automobile, check out this car tablet holder by Lamicall. This one aims to turn your car into a mobile movie theater to provide your passengers with a blockbuster experience on the go. The swivel attachment to this anchor allows you to turn your tablet in any direction you please — with some caveats, that is. First, the mounting bracket opens to just under nine inches, making this a tough squeeze for oversized devices. Also, this unit is only compatible with headrests. Nevertheless, Lamicall’s holster is impressive, connecting to any headrest width and featuring bolstered rubber padding that allows a rock-solid grasp that won’t loosen with bumps or sharp turns.
Pros:
- A great gift for couples with young children
- Available with a red or black mounting bracket
- No tools required for installation
Cons:
- It may not be compatible with tablets in cases
Tackform Universal Tablet Holder
High performance entertainment
When your exercise routine has you in an indoor space for long periods of time, music alone can get somewhat boring. This universal tablet holder by Tackform offers a surefire grip for any treadmill, bike machine, and elliptical you’ll come across. Featuring dense plastics and powerful torque to keep the tablet stable and the picture clear at all times, this holster is particularly impressive for its four anchor points that can handle accommodate screens up to thirteen inches. While the use case is fairly limited to gym rats, if you’ve got a workout video you need to watch and a horizontal bar to clip the mount on, no mounting system will get you set up more quickly than Tackform.
Pros:
- Works on stationary or traditional road bikes
- Formidable screw-on hold for high intensity
Cons:
- It may be unstable with larger iPads
Bentley Mounts Universal Tablet Wall Mount
Keep your eyes on the prize
This universal holster will provide unmatched stability and visibility on your countertop, near your entertainment center, or even in your bedroom. No matter your tablet of choice, this mount from Bently Mounts can hold it. The eleven-inch latch and full circle rotation can accommodate nearly any device on the market, while the lightweight arm provides a wide range of tilt and swivel. Although you’ll need to do some work before installation, the metal core is reassuring and provides an appropriate level of reinforcement for such expensive devices. This scratch-resistant brushed aluminum arm is sleek enough to serve as a centerpiece for smart home control, recipe retrieval, or bedtime stories, depending on your needs.
Pros:
- The articulated arm stays in place
- Drywall screws included with purchase
- The tablet grips are padded with rubber
Cons:
- Overtightening the screws can easily snap the plastic anchor
Dockem Koala Tablet Wall Mount
Wall-mounted wonder
Not only is it unsafe to store tablets on tabletops or end tables, but it can also add to unnecessary clutter. Dockem’s Koala wall mount is an ingenious fix for limited surface area households. While other anchors depend on invasive methods that damage walls, with Dockem’s mount, removal will seldom require more than a small paint touch-up, if anything at all. The Koala mount relies on double-sided adhesive to install its two-piece holder, which can be set to any length you like. This muted mount is truly universal in its sizing. As such, it’s the affordable solution you’ve been waiting for when it comes to charging, streaming, or exercising in style.
Pros:
- An excellent value for the price
- Supports up to five pounds total weight
- It won’t cover the volume buttons or input ports
Cons:
- The adhesive will not work well near high moisture areas
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tablet mounts need to be installed on wall studs?
As a rule of thumb, wall studs should be used, if possible, for all wall-mounted projects. Studs can easily support weights above 100 pounds and give you peace of mind for attachments that extend far from the wall. While a tablet hardly calls for heavy-duty reinforcements, some extra hardware wouldn’t hurt. If you’re concerned about wall mounts and large tablets being too much for drywall alone, consider plastic sleeves, anchors, or toggle bolts.
Are there any other accessories that work with a tablet while it’s mounted?
Tablet mounts can be restrictive depending on their construction. If your enclosure is large enough, we recommend adding a hardshell case to every tablet while it’s mounted. Screen protectors also go hand in hand with cases for all-around protection, while hand strap holders can allow your tablet to transition from anchored accessory to mobile machine immediately.