This iPad Stand Has the Gripping Power of a Gecko

Item: Slope iPad Stand from Dekke
Price: $44.99 to $49.99
Overall Impression: The gripping power is a bit startling at first (it is extremely grippy!), but the Slope quickly became an everyday fixture in the kitchen.

An iPad stand with the gripping power of the mighty gecko, known for its gravity-defying wall-clinging abilities? As someone who routinely knocks her iPad off its stand while swinging from cutting board to stovetop, I was definitely intrigued by the sound of this securely anchored device.

Characteristics and specs: The Slope has a slim, streamlined design that could very well have been designed by Apple itself. Needless to say, it looks beautiful with the iPad and is easily slipped into a cupboard or drawer when not in use. There are gripping pads on both the front surface and the bottom, so not only does it hold the iPad securely, but it also holds the stand securely on the surface.
Favorite details: I love the angle of the Slope — instead of the iPad resting in a base, the Slope brings the iPad closer to regular screen-reading level.
Potential problems: While the stand was great on smooth, polished countertops, like granite and marble, it was less grippy on unfinished surfaces, like butcher block counters. It can also be a bit cumbersome to use the Slope if you have a cover on your iPad.
Good for small kitchens? Yes. The Slope doesn’t take up much room on the counter and it’s easy to store when not being used.

Those grippy pads are fierce! Straight out of the box, the pads had so much suction that I was a little concerned about being able to remove my iPad later. The trick is that the pads grip the iPad (and the work surface) only when in complete contact — removing the iPad is as easy as lifting an edge to break the seal. Also, the pads become a little easier to use after the stand has been in use for a little while. They are just as excellent at holding the stand firm, but just a little less grabby about it.

The technology used here is really interesting. It is, indeed, based on the suction toes of gecko lizards, though the pads themselves are more like paper-thin sponges — lots of teeny-tiny nooks and crannies. A vacuum is created when you press the iPad against the pad (and press the air out of the tiny nooks), which is what holds the iPad in place.

I found the design really elegant — the Slope looked good on my counter, almost like a miniature Mac display. I liked how sturdy the whole assembly felt, and I felt very confident that it would stay anchored even if I accidentally elbowed it while moving around the kitchen. The trade-off, though, is that it’s less easy to move the stand around once you’ve positioned it. I usually nudge the iPad a lot as I work, pushing it aside to make room on the table or bringing it closer to read something, so I felt like I had to adjust my flow a bit with the Slope.

The Slope will also grip your iPad however you choose to position it — horizontal, vertical, or otherwise. I love this versatility, though perfectionists may become annoyed at the near-impossibility of sticking the iPad at a perfectly level, 90-degree angle. I also like that you can tip the stand over and use the base as the iPad surface for a different angle.

On the whole, this iPad stand has been a very welcome addition to my kitchen. I recommend it for anyone who appreciates good design, where beautiful form meets dependable function — and for any of my fellow cooks who are prone to knocking their iPads off the counter.

Find It! Slope iPad Stand, $44.99 to $49.99 at Dekke

Apartment Therapy Media makes every effort to test and review products fairly and transparently. The views expressed in this review are the personal views of the reviewer and this particular product review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the manufacturer or an agent working on their behalf. However, the manufacturer did give us the product for testing and review purposes.