This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
Magnetic MagSafe desk stands make watching videos at a desk or on the sofa much more comfortable, but there are so many on Amazon that it is hard to know which to pick. I have bought seven over time, and here I compare the five that are still on sale. My top pick is the Aoviho Magnetic Stand: it cost in the ¥2,000 range at the time of recording, and its 360-degree rotation is wonderfully smooth.
What I tested
- CIO Mate Magnet Stand: the design-focused one
- Aoviho Magnetic Stand: value and smooth rotation
- A three-joint aluminium alloy magnetic stand: mechanical look with adjustable joint tension
- VRIG 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand: charges while you use it
- Cooper Cases MagStand: built for height
- I compared design, how smoothly they rotate, charging and height adjustment
What I found
- CIO Mate Magnet Stand. Clean, stylish design in lots of colours, so it blends in with a room. The downside: when you pull the phone off, the base tends to lift a little unless you hold it down.
- Aoviho Magnetic Stand. Cheap, yet the base is heavy and stable. Above all, the 360-degree rotating base moves very smoothly, which is a real advantage when you just want to turn the screen slightly on your desk.
- Three-joint aluminium alloy stand. You can tighten each joint with a hex key, so if it loosens over time you can fix it and keep using it. The magnet is deliberately a little weaker, which means you can pull the phone off one-handed, and that turned out to be quietly handy. The mechanical look will divide opinion.
- VRIG 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand. A built-in charger for a price in the ¥2,000 range (at the time of recording) is good value. My favourite trick is to put a power bank on its wide base and charge from that, so you can watch videos while charging even where there is no wall outlet, without worrying about cables.
- Cooper Cases MagStand. The long arm lifts the screen quite high, which is great when you are standing, for example following a recipe on your phone or iPad in the kitchen.
Stands that look similar can differ a lot in rotation smoothness, stability and magnet strength.
Who it’s for
- Best handling and value: the Aoviho, with its smooth rotation and stable base
- Fewer cables on your desk: the VRIG, paired with a power bank
- Using it while standing: the Cooper Cases MagStand for height
- Blending in with your interior: the CIO in one of its nicer colours
- Something to keep for years: the three-joint model with adjustable tension
If you are unsure, the Aoviho is hard to go wrong with. If you have a clear goal such as charging or height, pick the model built for it.
The video is in Japanese.
Limitations
These are my impressions from using each stand at home, not lab measurements. Prices are approximate Amazon Japan prices at the time of recording and will have changed. I could not find a current Amazon Japan listing for the three-joint aluminium stand, so it has no link below.
Products
CIO Mate Magnet Stand: on Amazon Japan
Aoviho Magnetic Stand: on Amazon Japan
VRIG 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand: on Amazon Japan
Cooper Cases MagStand: on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All MagSafe Rings & Stands (49) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.