Twelve South Compass Pro
Price: £54.99

Available from Amazon, Very

When unboxing the Compass Pro by Twelve South, it’s immediately obvious where it gets its name. This neat little stand looks like a proper nautical compass in its box, and that satisfying first visual impression carries over into a tactile one when you pick it up. This stand is smooth to the touch and has a satisfying weight to it that reassures you that it’ll keep your iPad or tablet sturdy. It also seems hard to break and unlikely to ever suffer with age.

Unfolding the Compass Pro was a fun game. If you’re sensible, you’ll read the neat little instruction guide that shows you all of its positions and options, or if you’re like me, you’ll sit fidgeting with it and get excited every time you find a new feature (I recommend this option).

You can set the Compass Pro to three heights – the regular, most apparent height when you unfold the stand is best for every-day desktop use, whereas the shorter back leg that is neatly slotted away and hidden against the main one can be used to set your tablet at a lower angle best for typing or sketching. Lastly, the bottom of the main back leg extends outwards to give it extra height best for hands-free use such as watching a video or presentation.

When I think of device stands with multiple leg options, I instantly assume that they’re going to be stiff, clunky, and that the legs you’re not using will get in your way. This couldn’t be less true for the Compass Pro – whichever back leg you’re not using, it folds away so you would never know it was there. The little feet that hold up your tablet, too, fold away and come out with an easy pop when you need them, making this stand flat and easy to pack and take with you. My one complaint is that the extendable end of the main back leg was quite stiff to pull out – especially the first time. Everything else was a sleek, smooth and easy experience, and then this element was more like the stiff and slightly clunky IT accessories I’m used to. It did ease up after a couple of uses, but it wasn’t on a par with the rest of the product.

Overall, though, this is a great tablet stand. It’s attractive, which IT accessories don’t always bother to be – even its packaging is attractive when you first open it! We received the gunmetal grey, but it is also available in matte black. It’s sturdy, reliable, versatile, pleasant to use, and its adjustable heights make your tablet feel comfortable and convenient no matter what you’re doing with it. It even comes with a little carry-pouch to make it neater to pop away in your bag.

The one point in favour of iPad and tablet cases with an in-built stand capability, over something like this, is that those are always attached to your tablet and don’t need bringing in and out whenever you want to use it. However, this is a tiny price to pay for the ergonomic advantage of having these comfortable height options (and far more stability. My tablet case is always falling over.)

I didn’t think there could be so much thoughtful design in something as simple as a tablet stand, but Twelve South have proven me wrong!

4.5/5

Pros:
Sturdy
Sleek design
Three height settings
Flat & compact to carry
Feels satisfying to hold
Carry pouch

Cons:
Extendable leg is a little stiff