Tablet and phone stands are certainly plentiful in today’s market, so we don’t blame you for struggling to decide between what works and what’s best. In many ways, Twelve South has provided some serious quality across a range of phone, tablet, and laptop accessories, including the HiRise 3 Deluxe charging stand and AirFly Pro 2, two options that I still use today.
The Twelve South Curve Mini adjustable compact stand might not jump out at you from the get-go, but ultimately serves as a well-built and sleek option, perfect for those who are travelling or simply want a stylish stand for an additional screen in their workplace setup.
Design
From a design perspective, the Curve Mini is absolutely gorgeous. Available in Dune, Slate and Coastal Blue colour options, we had the pleasure of trying out the Dune option, and it’s probably my favourite of the bunch. The lightweight aluminium design also gives the stand a nice matte finish, which really stands out without feeling too loud.
In the box, you’ll also get a nice fabric sleeve to transport the stand around. The Curve Mini basically folds flat with two adjustable hinges, and at just 0.24 kg, feels so light that you’ll barely notice it in a backpack or smaller bag with your tablet in tow.
The base of the stand provides slip-resistant silicone pads, so it feels relatively sturdy, and the stand itself never looks like it’s bearing the weight of my 11-inch iPad Air. The top plane of the stand also includes two small arms that pop out to hold the tablet, which can easily be pushed back into to fold flat into the aforementioned fabric sleeve.
Performance
The Curve Mini is certainly sturdy enough, and while it’s made primarily for tablets, you could even get a phone to fit rather nicely. My iPhone 17 Pro fits well, and given I use this primarily next to my PC, makes for a more versatile option.
Speaking to its primary support for tablets, I would say that while my 11-inch iPad Air feels like the perfect fit, I would question the support for larger, heavier tablets like the 12.9 or 13-inch iPad Air or Pro, or an even bigger one like the 14.6-inch Samsung Tab S10 Ultra. While the stand is stable enough with my iPad on board, it also feels like the threshold, given that those larger tablets are much wider, causing the stand to lose a little balance.
But by the same token, the Curve Mini is incredibly flexible and versatile, with up to 6 inches of elevation and two hinges that can be adjusted to your liking. You can drop the stand for a flatter approach if you feel like you’re looking over it, or pop it up to a higher, more vertical position, making it a great little work buddy while travelling.
Even after hours of use and leaving my iPad on it overnight, the Curve Mini held firm, with no noticeable wilting or sagging, a testament to the stand’s solid aluminium build quality.
I felt it was suitable to leave this observation for the performance category, as it holds the most value here, and that’s pricing. At A$99.95, you’re getting an incredibly sleek and solid tablet stand, but it is very much just that. It won’t charge your tablet or hold anything else, so it is incredibly minimal in that regard, and worth weighing up for the premium price tag.
That being said, if you’re an everyday user like I am, it’s definitely worth picking up.
Verdict & Value
The Twelve South Curve Mini adjustable compact stand is an incredibly stylish, sleek and well-built stand that caters for a wide range of tablets.
While I worry larger tablets could compromise the balance of the stand, and the premium price tag will ward off casual or infrequent users, there’s no denying just how good this feels to use in any situation or workspace.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Premium, stylish design; Solid build quality; Folds nicely into the included fabric sleeve
Lowlights: Premium price tag might appeal more to consistent users; Larger tablets could compromise balance
Manufacturer: Twelve South
Price: A$99.95
Available: Now
Review based on unit supplied by Twelve South, which can be purchased at a range of leading hardware retailers, including Twelve South’s official website.
