A computer setup benefits from stands, which raise up your devices for hands-free use while easing problems like neck strain. That’s a big selling point of the SwitchEasy MagEasy Flipmount Magnetic Hoop Stand. It’s not a charger, but it mounts MagSafe iPhones nicely, and it includes a hoop that magnetizes any other device, like an iPad.
SwitchEasy sent me one to check out. You can read my thoughts below.
SwitchEasy MagEasy Flipmount Magnetic Hoop Stand
SwitchEasy’s MagEasy Flipmount Magnetic Hoop Stand is a straightforward, sturdy stand that does what it’s supposed to do. It holds up your small-to-medium-sized device and lets you adjust the viewing angle for comfortable use.
Adjustable viewing angles
The aluminum-alloy stand has a broad metal base on rubber platform that makes it quite stable on a table. The neck sticking up from the base is on a hinge, so you can move it back and forth to any position. The circular carbon-fiber magnetic platform at the top of the neck is also on a hinge, you can move that, too.
That makes the stand as useful for drawing on an iPad as it is for taking a FaceTime call on your iPhone or even playing on a gaming device.
One minor criticism of the adjustability is simply that the moving bits on hinges are pretty stiff out of the box. That’s probably by design, so the positioning won’t slip after you set them to a certain angle. But for a moment I wondered if they actually moved at all (until I applied enough force).
Hoop makes any device magnetic
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
One great thing about the stand is your devices need not be MagSafe-compatible. That’s because the included magnetic hoop can stick to almost any device. The hoop sticks magnetically to the stand, along with your iPad or other gadget.
I put the black hoop on the back of my iPad Air and it worked fine. It changes the look of the iPad a bit, adding a back ring around the Apple logo, but that’s no big deal.
And that’s especially true because SwitchEasy said an iPad easily attaches to the Flipmount with “no need to remove your iPad cover,” which would hide the hoop.
That suggests the hoop and stand have strong enough magnetism that you can still keep a cover on your iPad. But I found that my iPad with hoop would not stick on the stand with either of the cases I have for it. It seems they’re too thick. But the hoop might stick through a light sleeve or something like that.
Cable pass-through slot
The neck includes a cable pas-thru slot, or hole, high up on the neck. That’s another nifty feature. So if your device has a power or charging cable, you can keep it tidy. The cable can run out the back through the hole, out of sight.
Not exactly inexpensive
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
All-in-all, the SwitchEasy’s MagEasy Flipmount Magnetic Hoop Stand is perfectly good at its job. The price tag, however, seems a bit high for what the stand is and what it does.
If you go on Amazon and search for aluminum stands for iPhones and iPads, you see loads of products priced between $10 and $40. But SwitchEasy’s stand sells for $69.99. At that price, you almost expect it to charge your devices, as well.
Features:
- Adjustable angle for a comfortable viewing and portability
- Hidden cable pass-thru from the back
- Flat design, easy to flip and store
- Strong magnet holds your iPhone and iPad firmly without falling.
- Included hoop magnetizes non-MagSafe devices.
Specifications:
- Material: Aluminum alloy+PC/Carbon fiber
- Dimensions: (Fold)174×16.7 mm, (Stand)175×60 mm
- Weight: 468g
Price: $69.99
Where to buy: SwitchEasy
SwitchEasy 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.
★★★★☆
