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Using a tablet or smartphone onstage would have seemed ludicrous just a few years ago, but modern musicians often use these digital devices to enhance their performances.
Tablet holders that attach to mic stands or drum stands are the most effective tools for ensuring that you can see the device. They’re designed to keep the tablet firmly in place, withstanding the inevitable movements that occur when drumming.
In this guide, I’ve selected the finest holders for tablets that you can attach to a stand onstage. I’ve rated them based on the most important qualities, such as their durability, stability, and overall value.
What are the Best Tablet Holders?
| Image | Recommended ProductsProduct | Features | Price |
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Best for Stability
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Most Versatile Tablet Holder
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Best for Reducing Vibrations
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Best Affordable Option
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Best Entry-Level Tablet Holder
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How I Tested and Selected the Best Tablet Holders
I find that using a tablet is a great way to have sheet music readily available whilst drumming. I also regularly use my iPad for learning new lessons on Drumeo, and following drum notation on Songsterr.
In order to mount my iPad on my drum set, I went in search of a good tablet holder so that I could attach my tablet to a piece of drum hardware so I could read charts and follow sheet music while I played.
When looking at these tablet holders, I wanted to see how stable they felt when in position. I then considered how simple their designs were, as that was really important for durability and comfort.
I checked the durability and stability of each holder to ensure it withstands the vibrations and movements of drumming without compromising the tablet’s safety.
Ease of installation and portability were also key considerations. Drummers need holders that can be easily attached to their drum kit or other hardware, and if they’re on the move, they should be able to carry the holder without hassle.
In-Depth Tablet Holder Reviews
IK Multimedia iKlip Xpand Tablet Holder For Mic Stands
IK Multimedia iKlip Xpand Tablet Holder For Mic Stands Review
When you’re looking for a tablet holder for your device, you’re going to have to trust it with your valuable device. It has to securely hold your tablet and grip to the mic stand securely without even the slightest room for movement.
There are a lot of different tablet holders for mic stands on the market, so what makes the IK Multimedia iKlip the best iPad holder for musicians? It’s very sturdy and the expandable arms are super tight meaning you don’t have to worry about your device falling out.
When trying it out, I found the spring action was really tight and the holder could fit all tablets between 7-12” inches in size.
The smart bracket design also allowed me to charge my device whilst it was in the holder, which I thought was incredibly useful.
The iKlip also features a strong bolt arm that connects to a mic stand, and the holder has a ball joint positioning system that lets you position your device at any angle making it perfect for drummers! This is the best tablet holder for mic stands or cymbal stands for the money.
Pros
- Robust and sturdy design
- Ball joint positioning system for any angle
- Strong bolt arm connection to mic stand
Cons
- It is sturdy, but mostly plastic construction
ChargerCity Heavy Duty Tablet Holder For Mic Stands
ChargerCity Heavy Duty Tablet Holder For Mic Stands Review
The ChargerCity Tablet Holder is the real deal. It features a lightweight and heavy-duty design that offers a lot of adjustability for flexible positioning on your drum set. This is a really sturdy iPad holder for musicians looking to read music notation or control backing tracks.
This is a more expensive tablet holder, but it’s worth the extra investment.
The overall build quality is very high quality with solid aluminum construction. It’s rock solid and it has tons of adjustment options, which means it will support your tablet however you choose.
I really felt like this holder was a cut above the rest in my testing process, so it was the one I ended up getting, and I’ve been using it reliably ever since.
Overall this is without a doubt the best tablet holder for mic stands in terms of quality and performance. It’s ultra versatile and it’s a professional quality piece of equipment that will stay firmly in place for live gigs.
Pros
- Incredibly sturdy and strong metal design
- Huge range of flexibility for positioning
- Stays firmly in place
Cons
- Ball joint is plastic instead of metal
Tackform Tablet Holder For Mic Stands
Tackform Tablet Holder For Mic Stands Review
This professional Tackform Tablet Holder is the perfect choice for any musician wanting to read music notation on their device whilst performing. It features an ultra-sturdy aluminium construction and it feels significantly better quality than the plastic alternatives available.
The Tackform iPad music stand has tons of mounting adjustments and flexibility for positioning making it ideal for drummers.
When testing it, it was super secure no matter what angle I set it up. It held my tablet firmly in every position I tried, which was a testament to its build quality.
Whether you are using a tablet holder for reading music or controlling a mixer remotely, this tablet holder mounts perfectly without shaking or vibrating. It’s a very high quality piece of equipment that is sturdy and reliable.
It’s a pricier option but this is well worth the money and you can feel totally confident leaving an expensive tablet in this holder on stage.
Pros
- Heavy-duty aluminium construction
- Doesn’t block any speakers or ports
- Superior design and function
Cons
- Expensive
Hola! Music Tablet Holder For Mic Stands
Hola! Music Tablet Holder For Mic Stands Review
Up next we have the affordable Hola! Music Tablet Holder for Mic Stands and this is a budget-friendly iPad holder for music stands. Besides the price, there’s a lot to like about this tablet holder.
This tablet stand fits most tablets and smartphones from 6 inches to 15 inches which makes it super versatile. It also tilts and swivels for a perfect viewing angle.
Overall, I thought the construction was surprisingly good for a product of this price. It was a lot sturdier than I expected, making it feel reliable.
It fits nicely onto any mic stand or cymbal stand on a drum set. The grips are not as easy to use because they are not spring loaded, but they are supportive, and they require tightening by hand.
Overall this is one of the best tablet holders to buy on a budget because it works great. There’s plenty of adjustment for comfortable viewing and I like that it can fit your smartphone as well as your tablet.
Pros
- Fits smartphone or tablet device
- Lots of adjustment options for viewing angle
- Best tablet holder for mic stand on a budget
Cons
- No spring-loaded mechanism
- Plastic construction
- Won’t fit tablets with a protective case
Amazon Basics Tablet Holder For Mic Stands
Amazon Basics Tablet Holder For Mic Stands Review
Lastly on our list we have this affordable Amazon Basics Tablet Holder for Mic Stands – another budget friendly iPad mic stand holder. This product is lightweight and features a plastic construction that makes this ideal for beginners or home practicing, but this is not suitable for professional use.
It didn’t feel nearly as secure as the other options, which is why I wouldn’t use it at a gig. However, it felt more than good enough to simply use at home.
I thought this was quite a neat option to use for a small practice set that didn’t have too much weight.
The unit clips easily to any mic stand or cymbal stand, but the construction quality is cheaper than the other options reviewed and the connections are not as sturdy.
I would recommend this tablet holder for beginners and home practicing, rather than use on stages that are prone to lots of shaking and vibration.
Pros
- Budget priced
- Adjustable and flexible positioning
- Holds tablet securely
Cons
- No spring-loaded mechanism
- Connection to mic stand is not very sturdy
- Won’t fit tablets with a protective case
Tablet Holders for Mic Stands Buyer’s Guide
Modern musicians have the advantage of being able to use devices in a range of ways for rehearsals and live performances. Reading music notation on a tablet or iPad is a great way to follow music whilst you play. And many bands are beginning to utilize devices on stage to control live mixes.
As a drummer, I love being able to follow sheet music on music notation software on my iPad, and it’s so much more convenient than paper sheet music that falls off the stand on stage.
Singers and other musicians can also benefit from a tablet holder for mic stands in order to remember lyrics or chord structures for particular songs, especially for musicians who perform in covers bands.
What Features Shall I Look For In a Tablet Holder?
If you’re going to mount an expensive device on stage or in the rehearsal studio, the tablet holder has got to be secure. It needs to attach firmly to a mic stand or cymbal stand and have strong components to prevent it from rattling or shaking, or even worse – dropping your device.
For this reason it’s worth investing in the best tablet holder for mic stands you can afford. It will outlast any of the cheaper, affordable options and it will be much more reliable and secure. It will even be cheaper in the long run as it will last you longer.
The tablet holders featured with metal construction are much sturdier and reliable than cheaper plastic tablet holders. For all types of performances I would definitely recommend going with a heavy-duty product such as the ChargerCity or Tacklife tablet holders. The iKlip is also a quality and good-value for money choice.
A functional tablet holder will also offer a range of adjustments allowing for flexible positioning on a mic stand or hi hat stand so that you can conveniently see it without it being an obstruction, or alternatively being obstructed whilst you play the drums.
