GoDonut is a tough, portable stand that’s compatible with a wide range of handsets and small tablets. It can be used in landscape or portrait, and offers multiple viewing angle. Plus, it’s colorful and fun.
I tested GoDonut with iPhone and iPad. And other devices, too. Here’s why I like it. And why I don’t.
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GoDonut review
There are device stands in all shapes and sizes. It’s not surprising, as an iPhone or iPad is much more useful when they’re pointed toward you, not lying flat on a table.
GoDonut’s design emphasizes ruggedness and simplicity. The result is easy portability.
Hardware and design
It’s not hard to guess how GoDonut got its name. It’s essentially a plastic donut with slots to hold your iPhone or iPad at various angles. It’s a simple idea but it works.
The stand comes in a rainbow of colors: black, blue, green, red, orange, purple… I could keep going.
As a chunk of plastic, GoDonut is no more fragile than a hockey puck. I’m confident it would survive years riding around in a backpack with a bunch of heavy textbooks. I wouldn’t hesitate giving one to a small child.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Check the viewing angles
On one side of GoDonut is a slot that holds my iPhone 12 at 40 degrees past vertical with the phone held in portrait mode. The same slot props up the handset at 35 degrees past vertical in landscape mode. Either angle is right for watching video. Or recording it.
Flip GoDonut around and there’s a slot that holds up the iPhone at 60 degrees past vertical. This angle works well when using your handset or tablet with a keyboard.
In all these angles, my iPhone 12 was held securely. I can repeatedly tap on the screen without the handset ever coming loose.
Small tablets. Not big ones.
Do not use GoDonut with a 12.9-inch iPad Pro. This tablet is simply too large for a small stand like this. It’ll fall over — I know for sure.
But I also tested the stand with an 8-inch tablet and had no problems. It’s as stable and secure as when using a handset instead.
There are drawbacks
While I generally like GoDonut, it has some drawbacks. Most notably, the “lip” on the bottom of the stand is tall enough to cover the bottom of the iPhone’s screen in portrait mode. Basic navigation between iOS applications requires access to this part of the screen.
And while that’s not a problem in landscape mode, iOS isn’t great at landscape. So while GoDonut is a great “lean back” accessory, if you’re actively using your handset you might have to hold it in your hands so you can touch the whole screen. Of course, this doesn’t apply to users of the iPhone SE 2020. This model lacks an edge-to-edge screen so you don’t need access to the bottom.
The other drawback is that inserting the handset into this stand in portrait mode blocks access to the charging port. You can switch to landscape, of course. Or iPhone 12 series users can get a wireless charger that clips to the back of the handset.
Take GoDonut 360 for a spin
The GoDonut 360 is an enhanced version that comes with a removable spinner on the bottom. This lets you easily change the direction your handset or tablet is pointing. It comes with a lock for when you want to keep the device from rotating.
I tested this version as well. It works fine but seems unnecessary — the regular unit is round and rotates easily enough.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
GoDonut final thoughts
The GoDonut can live in your backpack or purse and be ready to come out in a meeting, in a coffeehouse, in class, wherever. Use it to get caught up on TV shows during lunch. Or even take out a controller and play games.
The iPhone or iPad stand is tough and stable… as long as you don’t try to use it with a full-size tablet. As a bonus, GoDonut is fun thanks to a range of bright colors. It’s also affordable.
Pricing
GoDonut Original sells for $19.99 on the manufacturer’s website. It’s available on Amazon for the same price. GoDonut 360 costs $29.99 on Amazon.
Comparable products
There are tons of cheap iPhone stands on the internet. Be careful about trusting your expensive iPhone to a sub-$10 stand, though. The GoDonut is affordable and it definitely does what it’s supposed to.
But if you’d like a desktop accessory that’s more professional looking and less plasticy, there’s the Laut Free Stand ($49.99). It doesn’t block access to the handset’s charging port.
And you might consider going with a desktop model that offers a lot more features, espcially charging. These days, that often means MagSafe. A top-tier option is the Belkin Boost↑Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand ($99.95).
GoDonut provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
