Hands on with new iPad magnetic charging stands
The iPad Pro and iPad Air lineups have Smart Connectors, which third-party accessory makers can use to charge the iPad while attached to magnetic stands. Here are some of the best iPad stands.
iPad magnetic charging stand roundup
Magnetic stands for iPads are nothing new. Third-party accessory makers have offered a variety of stands, cases, and keyboards that utilize iPad's built-in magnets -- especially in iPad Air and iPad Pro models.
However, these stands could never provide power to the iPad while it was charging until now. Accessory makers like Kuxiu and Lululook have figured out how to use Apple's keyboard integration with the Smart Connector to access the desired power passthrough option.
It is a simple trick that causes the iPad to see the stand as a connected smart keyboard. Like Apple's Magic Keyboard Case, the iPad can draw power from the Smart Connector "wirelessly" while magnetically attached to a stand.
Users connecting their iPad to such a stand will see a system prompt for adding a Chinese keyboard. Ignore the prompt, and everything will work as expected.
Here are the stands AppleInsider has tried with the magnetic charging function. The Kuxiu models can be found sometimes discounted on Amazon.
Kuxiu X36 Pro Max iPad Magnetic Charging Stand
The Kuxiu X36 Pro Max iPad Magnetic Charging Stand is identical to the non-charging counterpart that preceded it. Everything we covered in the non-charging unit review applies here.
Hold your iPad high with a sturdy foldable magnetic charging stand
Despite the joints still being a bit stiff and needing two hands to perform more extreme adjustments, it is a good-looking iPad stand. The iPad Pro or iPad Air is suspended in the air without noticeable wobble.
The one repeat complaint you'll see from these current charging stands is the lack of cable management. The issue is mitigated somewhat by the X36 having hollow arms to pass the cable through, and adhesive cable holders are included in the packaging.
For those using an iPad Pro as a desktop computer connected to a monitor, you'll likely not take advantage of the charging option too often. However, if you switch between an iPad and Mac using the same cable, know that your iPad will stay charged even when not running on the monitor since the Kuxiu X36 always provides power.
Charge iPad Pro automatically once it is magnetically connected
The Kuxiu X36 was already an excellent iPad stand. It is made even better with the addition of power passed through the Smart Connector.
Buy at Amazon
Note that the magnets in any of these iPad stands align to specific iPads. You'll need to make sure to order the correct model, be it for the M4 iPad Pro, M2 iPad Air, or previous generation 11-inch iPad Pro.
Get the Kuxiu X36 Pro Max iPad Magnetic Charging Stand from the Kuxiu website for $111.99, marked down from $139.99. Get it on Amazon for a discounted $119.98 with the on-page coupon (13-inch M4 model linked, be sure to choose your model).
Lululook 360 Rotating Foldable Magnetic iPad Charging Stand
Lululook has an interesting rotating magnetic charging stand. It has a rotating base, a height-adjustable arm, and a rotatable iPad mount.
The Lululook 360 rotatable magnetic iPad charging stand
Like in the other magnetic charging stands in this roundup, there is a USB-C port in the back of the magnetic mount to provide power to the iPad through the Smart Connector. There isn't any kind of cable management, and the 360-degree rotation is restricted with a cable connected.
Once you've chosen the iPad's tilt, angle, and height, you can freely rotate the base with one hand. It is versatile in that it can fit into any space and showcase the iPad display to one or multiple users thanks to its simple rotating mechanism.
Fold the stand up to slip it into a bag for travel. Take it out anywhere, like your favorite coffee shop, to work from an iPad like it's a tiny iMac. It could also function as a small payment kiosk.
The joints are easily manipulated with both hands but stiff enough to keep the iPad upright without issue. There is no need to worry about sag or balance except at the most extreme angles.
Attaching a cable to a rotating stand takes away from the utility slightly
The Lululook 360 Rotating Foldable Magnetic iPad Charging Stand is an excellent evolution of the iPad stand. It is both well-designed and functional.
Buy at Amazon
Choose the model for your iPad and pay only $129.99 on the Lululook website, down from $199.99. Cut the price even further on Amazon -- get it for $99.99 with the on-page coupon (13-inch M4 model linked, be sure to choose your model).
Kuxiu has a basically identical option called the Kuxiu X44 Pro Max iPad Magnetic Charging Stand at a discounted $109.99 on its website.
Kuxiu X33 Pro Max iPad Magnetic Charging Stand
If you're looking for a more traditional magnetic iPad stand, then the Kuxiu X33 Pro Max is a great option. It has two hinges with a large foot, which makes the iPad look similar to a tiny iMac when standing up.
A traditional folding magnetic iPad stand
The hinges can be adjusted so the iPad is standing tall in a monitor-like fashion, or it can be positioned low so the iPad is angled up from a desktop for drawing. Like the other stands in this roundup, it lacks any real cable management with a USB-C port in the back of the stand.
Buy on Amazon
The iPad can be rotated to portrait or landscape. And since the USB-C port on the iPad is free, it can stand vertically while charging without a cable getting in the way.
The Kuxiu X33 Pro Max iPad Magnetic Charging Stand is $95.99 on the Kuxiu website, down from $119.99. It is also being discounted with an on-screen coupon on Amazon, bringing its final price to $99.99.
Charge the iPad through the Smart Connector
Same magnetic iPad stands, minus the charger
If you'd like to get one of these iPad stands but don't want to pay the premium for the charging, that is still an option. Every one of these stands can be purchased at a lower price, usually at a discount.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Why is Apple so opposed to wireless charging of iPads?
I've been using an XFLEX stand for years just to hold my iPad while I read. It has a rubberized metal base and an 18" long gooseneck which can connect on either the long or short axis and magnets help keep it in place. It uses one of the sticky suction cup things to hold it which can make it a pain to take it off. But since I seldom take it off, that isn't an issue for me. It would be nice if I could charge it as well but there just really isn't a need to. The real advantage for me with the base I have is of being able to use it on a table, slide it between the arm and cushion of an easy chair or put a 10 pound sandbag on the base and extend it over the water in my hot tub. it's really hand to have it held just in the right place that I can sit in my recliner or lie in the hot tub with it perfectly positioned so I can just tap to change pages.
Unfortunately, I don't believe the XFLEX is made anymore.