A drawing tablet stand will improve your work position, make you more productive and effective, and even greatly improve your art!
So let’s look at the best drawing tablet stands for digital artists available today!
Overview: Best Drawing Tablet Stand for Artists in 2023
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Foldable and Portable Laptop Stand for Desk - Adjustable 7 Angles (8.7°- 32.5°) Tablet Easel for Drawing Widely Compatible iPad Pro, Air, Galaxy, Surface
For 9.7 to 12.9-inch Tablets, Adjustable 4 Level Angles, Slip Resistance Pads Attached
For drawing tablets, 2-in-1 laptops, and regular laptops up to 16″. Aluminum finish, anti-skidding rubber pads. Adjustable viewing angle from 10° to 65° in 1° increments.
Portable Drawing Desk Stand for 10-16 inch Drawing Tablets, for example Kamvas 13, Kamvas 12, Kamvas 16 2021, Kamvas Pro 16/Pro 12/Pro 13, iPad Pro, Cintiq 16, Wacom One
For Drawing Tablets, Monitors, Compatible with iPad, Microsoft Surface Pro Series, and Laptops from 10″ to 16″. The tilt angle can be easily adjusted from 15° to 90°.
Drawing Stand, Laptop Stand Riser, Book Reading Stand, Foldable, Portable and Adjustable 6 Angles for Laptop, Digital Graphic Drawing Tablet, Artisul, iPad Pro, Wacom Cintiq
My Pick for iPad Pro: Astropad Compact Drawing Stand for iPads
Foldable and Portable Laptop Stand for Desk - Adjustable 7 Angles (8.7°- 32.5°) Tablet Easel for Drawing Widely Compatible iPad Pro, Air, Galaxy, Surface
Size range – Small up to 13 Inch Drawing Tablets
As I mentioned earlier, I’m not offering any specific recommendations like “best tablet stand for Wacom,” “best tablet stand for Microsoft Surface,” “best tablet stand for Huion” or any of the other specific brands and models – the real way forward is with universal stands that work great with any tablet and are designed to work well with all of them.
But I’m making an exception for my beloved iPad and Apple Pencil. I know, it’s not really fair, but when I first saw this simple and beautiful adjustable desktop tablet stand I knew just how perfect it would be for my iPad Pro, or any iPad for that matter, and how nice they would look together.
And that’s it – no real or special functionality which somehow makes the AboveTEK the best iPad holder, just a clean and complementary look and minimalist design. Of course it is a great tablet stand anyway, and definitely ticks all the boxes – fully adjustable, including nice angles for working and for viewing, solid and secure base, plenty stable for working on art, and high material and build quality overall.
So, one of the best stands you can get for drawing tablets, universal and great for any make or model of tablet up to 13 inches, that I have somewhat arbitrarily decided is the best stand for Apple iPads – but I think that once you get yours, and set your iPad in place, you’ll see why.
There are better stands on our list, if for a bit more money (and I have to say that the Elecom Aluminum Drawing Stand below, also looks stunning with an iPad sitting in it!), but in addition to its beauty and quality this AboveTEK Elegant is also quite cheap, and a really outstanding value.
For 9.7 to 12.9-inch Tablets, Adjustable 4 Level Angles, Slip Resistance Pads Attached
Drawing Tablets Pick: XP-Pen Multifunctional Pen Tablets Stand
For drawing tablets, 2-in-1 laptops, and regular laptops up to 16″. Aluminum finish, anti-skidding rubber pads. Adjustable viewing angle from 10° to 65° in 1° increments.
Size range: Very Small to 16 Inch Drawing Tablets
A beautiful and elegant stand for pretty much any sized tablet (from lightweight drawing tablet to heavy tablet or lightweight ultrabook computers to heavy laptop computers), the XP-Pen tablet stand is one of the most solid and substantial tablet stands I’ve ever used. It’s so easy to move the tablet to any angle, and the Stabile Pro will hold it there without movement, making working on art a real pleasure.
Without a clamping device, this stand makes removing your tablet super easy, and you can pick it up and move it around any time without thought or effort – a huge benefit – and the well designed arms and rubber rests hold the tablet in place without worry.
For an artist, this stand may take on many roles – holding your tablet for work or display, holding art books or any other book, holding canvases or drawing pads, even displaying completed artwork. But for anybody who wants a solid, totally usable stand of the highest quality, that itself looks and feels like a piece of art, the XP-Pen tablet stand is it – it’s my favorite stand overall, and receives my highest recommendation.
Great Alternative: HUION Adjustable Drawing Tablet Stand
Portable Drawing Desk Stand for 10-16 inch Drawing Tablets, for example Kamvas 13, Kamvas 12, Kamvas 16 2021, Kamvas Pro 16/Pro 12/Pro 13, iPad Pro, Cintiq 16, Wacom One
Size range: Medium up to 16 Inch Drawing Tablets
With a clamp-on design, solid and strong supporting pole and arm and ultra-secure clamps, the Viozon tablet stand is ideal for larger and heavier tablets like the Huion, XP-Pen and Wacom 16 inch models, and will hold them – or any medium to large tablet – with real stability, making work easy and allowing for real focus and flow.
No, the big, utilitarian Viozon tablet stand isn’t the prettiest contestant in our buyer’s guide for best stands for drawing tablets, but it is one of the most useful, and I know lots of owners of larger drawing tablet have been wanting a stand that they can be confident with – and this Huion tablet stand (which is actually designed not just for tablets, but laptops and monitors as well) is definitely what they have been looking for.
Crafted out of premium aluminum, solid, stable and high quality in every way, perfect for big tablets and a lot more, the Viozon mount stand is an almost industrial quality product at an affordable price, and is my choice for best stand for larger drawing tablets.
Value Pick: Parblo PR 100 Adjustable Drawing Tablet Stand
For Drawing Tablets, Monitors, Compatible with iPad, Microsoft Surface Pro Series, and Laptops from 10″ to 16″. The tilt angle can be easily adjusted from 15° to 90°.
Size range: Very Small to 16 Inch Tablets
Ok, so the Parblo PR 100 isn’t as beautiful as the Thought Out Stabile Pro above, but it does have a certain understated elegance nonetheless, and that kind of beauty that can really only come from premium materials and simple, effective design.
And that’s what the PR 100 is all about – simple, effective design. This is a very basic, but incredibly solid and strong, zinc alloy stand that folds from a very low angle to vertical – 15 to 90 degrees.
For setting your tablet down to draw or paint, or for any other kind of work, this Parblo tablet stand is as effective as it gets, with a level of stability that gives absolute confidence and really allows you to get into your creative flow.
And, like the Stabile Pro, there are no clamps, only very secure rubber cushions and a curved bracket, so you can pick your tablet up and move it around with ease.
A basic work stand ideal for artists, with real strength and stability, usability and versatility, and a very high level of fit and finish, the Parblo PR 100 is a great tablet stand at a great price – an easy choice for best mid-priced tablet stand, for artists or anybody else.
Budget Pick: MAX SMART Drawing Tablet Stand
Best Cheap Drawing Tablet Stand
Drawing Stand, Laptop Stand Riser, Book Reading Stand, Foldable, Portable and Adjustable 6 Angles for Laptop, Digital Graphic Drawing Tablet, Artisul, iPad Pro, Wacom Cintiq
Size range: Small up to 16 Inch Drawing Tablets
Really, any and all of the recommendations on this list of best tablet stands for artists are great for drawing and painting – that’s kind of the point, although tablet stands that are great for working on art end up being great tablet stands in pretty much every other way as well.
But the MAX SMART adjustable desktop stand just seems like it was made for the working artist – and indeed it was. With a simple design, an open back that will keep your tablet cool, six different work angles, effective anti slip rubber pads and a low profile shelf at the bottom, this tablet stand does nothing to call attention to itself. It just lets you create, with focus and concentration, and with no worries or distraction.
If you are looking for the most basic tablet stand, and one of the most effective for artists, and don’t want the best tablet stand for watching movies, reading books or making video calls – just making art – the MAX SMART is an ideal choice – cheap, highly useful, solid and high quality, and clearly designed for artists and what we do.
Why is a Good Drawing Tablet Stand So Important?
You’re in the zone, drawing, painting, perfecting your latest piece, totally oblivious to your surroundings or even your body.
Then the spell breaks – you hear a truck outside and realize that you’ve been hunched over your tablet for hours and hours, and suddenly have a hankering for corn flakes and coffee.
You also realize that you can barely move your neck, there are needles shooting down your arm, and you can’t quite focus either your eyes or your mind.
We’ve all been there, and while we can laugh about how totally we get lost in work, and how we feel after, there is a serious side to it too.
Being unaware of our posture and position when working, spending long periods of time (or even short periods of time) with our bodies, spines, neck, head and arms stressed and at the wrong angles, hunched, tense and unnatural in how we sit and how we move – these all can lead to real physical pain and injuries, and a whole mess of other problems.
Luckily there is one solution, that not only will improve your work position, it will protect your body, make you feel better physically and mentally, will make you more productive and more effective and will even greatly improve your art – and it is as simple as a new stand for your tablet.
I will try to answer these questions in the article:
Why should you use a stand with your drawing tablet?
What angle should a drawing tablet be at?
Is it better to draw with a stand?
Do you need a stand for a drawing tablet?
Can I use a laptop stand for a drawing tablet?
Who makes the best drawing tablet stand?
Do artists use drawing tablet stands when they work?
Are drawing tablet stands expensive?
What is the best affordable drawing tablet stand?
What is the best tablet stand for an iPad?
What is the best tablet stand for a Wacom?
What is the best tablet stand for a Huion tablet?
What is the best tablet stand for a Microsoft Surface?
What is the best tablet stand for an XP-Pen drawing tablet?
Perhaps the single most important thing about the best drawing tablet stands – even more than how much they will improve your techniques and your art – is that they dramatically improve your posture when working, and this leads to:
- Better physical health
- Much lower chance of repetitive stress or other alignment injuries
- A clearer mind, better focus and concentration
- Better mental attitude
- Better energy and motivation
- Lower levels of fatigue
- Lower stress
- Less tension, pain and discomfort
- Greatly improved productivity, efficiency and effectiveness
- And yes, better technique and better art!
In recent decades ergonomics has been a very important part of the workplace, with companies making sure that their employees’ workstations allowed them to sit (or stand) properly, with their spines aligned and their heads, necks and arms at the right angle to prevent injury, increase comfort and productivity, and eliminate pain and fatigue.
Even long before that, though, people were taught to type sitting upright, with their arms parallel and their hands above the keyboard – not just because you could type faster, but also because it was better for your body and more comfortable.
Artists at art school, or taking private lessons, have also been instructed to sit or stand upright, with their spine, neck and head in proper alignment, and even learned the best way to move their hands and arms when painting or drawing – again because it made your art better and improved your techniques, but also because it reduced pain and fatigue and increased energy and concentration.
These days, with so many artists using graphics tablets, not to mention so many of us working from home, a lot of this is out the window, and now the typical picture is of a digital artist, illustrator or designer hunched over a tablet that is sitting flat on a desk or table, or holding the tablet with one hand while trying to draw with the other.
But with tablets, just like with painting, drawing, typing or so many other activities, proper ergonomics is absolutely crucial.
Proper working posture dramatically improves energy, focus and effectiveness and will prevent repetitive stress injuries, other physical problems and conditions, pain and discomfort when working, as well as mental fatigue and lack of focus.
Lots of artists don’t even know they had been feeling physical discomfort, or a hazy and groggy mind, until they begin working with a good drawing tablet stand. But once you do you will see everything changing for the better, like:
- Physical comfort and health
- Mental focus and attitude
- Productivity and effectiveness
- And even your art!
What Kind of Stand is Best for You and Your Drawing Tablet?
There are a few really basic things you should consider when selecting the best drawing tablet stand for your drawing tablet – or any tablet, for that matter. You should select a tablet that:
- Promotes a healthy and effective working position
- Fits with or is compatible with your specific tablet
- Is solid and stable
- Is overall high quality and will last
- Works not just with your tablet, but with your budget
The best tablet stands will be adjustable, and hold firmly at every position, and you can easily find the best angle so that you can sit or stand with your back, head and neck, arms and hands straight and free from tension and stress, promoting an easy and natural range of motion.
Good stands will also keep your tablet rock-steady when you are working, so you can really just drop into your creative flow without worry or distraction.
As far as the question of compatibility goes, getting a stand that works with your particular tablet is not really a concern.
Pretty much all of the best tablet stands are universal, at least within a certain size range, and so you can choose instead based on features, quality, look and feel, price or other factors and you can rest assured the stand will work great with your particular tablet.
How Can You Find the Best Drawing Tablet Stand?
We’re going to consider all of these factors in putting together a list of the best tablet stands currently available, with working position, adjustability, stability, overall quality, price and value all high on the list.
Regarding price and value, our list of recommended tablet stands for drawing tablets won’t shy away from premium, expensive, stands, but only if they are really great and definitely worth the money, and we will also include plenty of nice mid-range and budget options.
I have used a lot of different stands, with various drawing tablets running Windows, Apple and Android OS, and so I have developed some strong preferences and ideas about what makes a great tablet stand and which products are best, avoiding the weak tablet stands that don’t support the heavier range of drawing tablets.
I have also asked my colleagues and friends, as well as some of my students, and have gone through tons of product reviews on the web from verified customers.
So if you are looking for the best new stand for your graphics tablet, whether you have an
- Apple iPad Pro
- Wacom Drawing Tablets (Wacom Cintiq, Wacom One Tablet Stand)
- Microsoft Surface
- Samsung Galaxy Tab
- XP-Pen Display Tablet
- Huion Drawing Tablet
…or any other tablet, you can be totally confident that you will find a really great choice on our list.
On that note, you will notice that I’m not offering any recommendations for the best tablet stand for this or that specific tablet (with the exception of the iPad – see below), and all of the tablet stands listed here are in fact universal and meant to work great with any tablet. They all do have a specific size range, but I will let you know what size tablets will work with each of the drawing tablet stands that I recommend.
FAQs – Best Drawing Tablet Stand
No, you don’t need a stand for a drawing tablet. But you can get one to see how it feels and if it makes drawing on your tablet more enjoyable.
To make a drawing tablet comfortable, you can try drawing at different angles. For example, up to ±20 degrees drawing angle is considered comfortable when you use a drawing stand.
±20 degrees angle is considered the best to draw at.
Bonus: How To Optimize Ergonomics with Drawing Stand
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I spent so much time at the beginning of this article emphasizing what is maybe the best and most important reason to get a good tablet stand.
Yes, they are handy and convenient, and they make working easier and more productive, and can even make your art turn out better, but they also will make you healthier and feel better.
This is, in fact, such an important point, that I thought it would be really valuable to close this guide by talking about some other simple ways you can make your work habits and work space as healthy and productive as possible.
All of these hacks are simple and doable, and most of them are totally free, but they will all make a big difference in:
- How you feel when you work and after you’re done
- How much you get done and how good your work is
- Your focus and concentration
- Your levels of stress and anxiety
- Your energy and attitude
…and they will all greatly reduce your chance of sustaining a repetitive stress or other work related injury – a horrible fate for an artist, or for anybody!
So let’s take a look at some basic tips and methods to make your work and workplace ergonomic and healthy:
- Don’t lie your tablet flat on the desk, but use a good tablet stand instead.
- Keep your tablet, mouse and keyboard close together, to avoid too much reaching or large arm movement.
- If you use two monitors, keep the primary monitor directly in front of you.
- And make sure that any monitors, or display tablets, are at line of sight – that is, so that you don’t have to look down or look up too much.
- Sit with a straight back and neck.
- Try to be mindful of when you might be holding tension, and try to relax your body.
- Your arms should be parallel to your work surface, not angled down or up too much,. And so if your keyboard, mouse or other input devices are on the desktop make sure your chair is high enough.
- Your arms and wrists should be relaxed and always able to move fully, freely and naturally, and there should be no stress on your wrists or shoulders when working.
- You should have a good, ergonomically designed work chair, and maybe a foot rest as well.
- Your workspace should have good ventilation, and if possible natural air flow.
- Your workspace should also have good light, and natural light whenever possible, and you should let your mind and eyes be aware of the change of light throughout the day.
- Also, the light in your studio, office or work area should not be too bright, or contrast too much with the level of light on your monitor, and the light should not change in brightness too much or too often when you’re working.
- Remember to take breaks, move around and stretch, get outside when possible and drink plenty of water.
I have written an “office suite” of articles about the best chairs, desks and lamps for artists, and all of my choices were made with ergonomics – among other factors – in mind. Please feel free to check any or all of them out:
I know there are a lot of dos and don’ts and shoulds and shouldn’ts on the above list, but these basic considerations and practices really can make you so much more clear of mind and healthy of body, and make your work better, more fun and productive, and I encourage you to try and incorporate as many of them as possible.
Thanks so much for reading my latest article – Best Drawing Tablet Stand: A Buyer’s Guide and Review – and please check out my website – Art Side of Life – for more buyer’s guides, articles, tutorials, artist interviews and tons of other resources for commercial artists, fine artists, art students and beginners, crafters and anybody else exploring their own creative side!
Other articles in the Drawing Tablets series:
- Best iPad for Drawing
- Best iPad for Procreate
- Best Drawing Tablet for Beginners
- Best Tablet for Drawing and Artists
- Best Standalone Drawing Table
- Best Animation Tablet
- Best Tablet for Photoshop
- Best Drawing Tablet with Screen for Artists
- Best Cheap Drawing Tablet with Screen
- Best Tablet with Pen Stylus for Drawing
- Best Large Screen Tablet for Artists
- Best Android Tablet for Drawing
- Best Samsung Tablet for Drawing
- Best Drawing Tablet for Kids
- 7 Best Digital Notepads & Smart Notebooks
- Best Note Taking Tablet
- Wacom Tablet vs iPad Pro
- Huion vs Wacom – Which Tablet is Better?
- XP Pen vs Huion – Which Tablet is Better?
- Best iPad Pro Accessories for Artists
- Best Drawing Stylus
Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
