Android Central 2021: Best Phone Grips and PopSockets
PopSockets have become a necessity as smartphones became more powerful and selfies more important. PopSockets can be used to stabilize your phone without causing cramps in your pinky finger. This can lead to an RSI. PopSockets Swappable PopGrips come in so many different designs that they can withstand the heat and rain of Disney World. If you are looking for something less round, these are the best PopSockets or phone grips.
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
PopSockets are one of the most widely-used and popular phone grips. They last a long while, reduce stress, and come with more options than any phone case. PopSockets also come at a remarkable price: Even PopGrips made with premium materials and franchised designs such as Marvel heroes and NFL teams, they still cost less than large pizzas. PopTops are addictive. PopSockets' trademarked accordion design is what makes them so addictive. It pops in and then out in a satisfying way. PopGrip is a great way to keep busy while you wait for the ferry or attending a staff meeting. One of the biggest problems with older PopSockets was their inability to wireless charge. You also had to take the entire thing off your phone, or disassemble the tops to swap the styles. PopSockets came up with the Swappable PopGrips, and now PopSockets to MagSafe. You can easily remove the bulk of the PopTops from your PopGrip base while wireless charging is available. This is a great innovation as wireless charging has expanded to more phones. PopGrips can be swapped to match your outfit or mood. PopGrips can become addictive once they are started. The pros: They are widely available
Easy swappable
Licensed designs available
Small footprint
Qi charging compatible with Cons: Not a reliable Kickstand
A little addictive
Top Overall PopSockets Swappable FlipGrips Change your style and improve your grip. PopSockets are already great. But switching between PopTops and wirelessly charging is the best part! Amazon: Starting at $8
PopSockets: Starting at $8
Best Ring Grip: Spigen Style Ring 360
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
PopSockets are much more popular and well-designed, but I must admit that the Spigen Style Ring 360 (formerly the Style Ring POP), will always be a favorite of mine and my phone cases. The Style Ring 360 has more functionality than PopSockets. This makes it easier to grip for many users who can see past the cutesy PopSockets designs. The best thing about ring grips is that you only need one hand to use them. Style Ring 360 can also be turned upside down and hung from the back of your hands when you need to hold a grocery bag or food tray. It's a big bling ring. But I tend to drop my phones less with a Style Ring 360 than I do with a PopSocket. Style Ring 360 allows your phone to be placed flat on a tabletop. A magnetic plate is concealed in the flat back of the Style Ring 360 so it can also be used with magnetic car mounts. Although the plate blocks wireless charging, metal grips almost always interfere with this. The 360-degree rotation base and 180-degree hinge allow you to use the ring as a kickstand for most smartphones in landscape or portrait modes. As long as it is not too close to your phone's bottom, it can be used as such. PopSockets, which are made of plastic, can last longer than metal grips such as the Style Ring 360's bearings and hinge. Some Style Ring 360s lasted over a year while others wore out in six months. It all depends on how heavy you use your phone and how much. Pros: Reliable grip
Portrait/landscape kickstand
Bold colors
Compatible with magnetic mounts: The cons of the hinges wearing out over time
Qi charging is not compatible
Best Ring Grip Spigen style Ring 2 If you love it, you should put a band on it. Spigen's second-gen Style Ring is flat and bold. It works better than PopSockets as a kickstand. Amazon $15
Best Thin Grip: Speck GrabTab
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
The loop grip is made of all-plastic and not metal like the Style Ring 360. The loop slides along a grooved track that goes from flat to loop to kickstand mode. Speck's grip allows for wireless charging and lets your phone rest flat on a tabletop. Although the GrabTab is larger than a Style Ring 360 or PopSocket, it is still a credit card-sized device. Speck makes use of this wide range of GrabTab styles. There are over 100 GrabTab options available. These include a Pride collection and a Fine Art collection. This allows you to spice up a dull case with a GrabTab. I have had one issue with the Speck GrabTab in the past few months. While the adhesive back allows it to be moved around between cases or devices, they are more susceptible to breaking during transfer. The GrabTab's groove for kickstand mode wears pretty quickly. However, Speck has been making improvements to this area that I am hopeful will improve. The Pros: Compatible with Qi charging
It is easy to use even with smaller fingers
There are tons of great designs
The case is super thick and thin.
Unreliable kickstand
Transfers poorly
GrabTab Best Thin Grip Speck GrabTab is a stylish flat grip that is bright and lightweight. GrabTabs come in more than a hundred styles and can be used with Qi charging without disassembly. Amazon: Starting at $4
Get Speck starting at $10
Most Unique: Scooch Wingback Universal
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
The snappy black/silver grip can be used as a kickstand or a phone grip. It also acts as a magnet mount plate or standalone car mount. The Scooch Wingback's spring is extremely durable. This means it will last for years, unlike a Spigen Style ring or Speck Grab Tab. Although the Scooch Wingback's in-hand grip is not as natural for small fingers, it is easy to use and the kickstand is superior due to its springy metal back. While it may wobble when you're scrolling through Tinder matches, it won’t sink or flatten like most phone grips. It produces a high angle that allows you to reference your notes while typing on Chromebook. The spring can also be easily snapped flat or out using one hand. It's so satisfying that I often bounce my phone by the spring of the metallic tape. Pros: You can pop in/out with one hand
Portrait/landscape kickstand
Pros: Not long-lasting.
Qi charging is not compatible
Some phones are too big for their bulky size
The Most Unique Scooch Wingback Universal Slap Bracelet + Phone Grip = Awesome Scooch's phone handle can be awkward for those with smaller fingers but it is second-to-none for productivity. Amazon $15
Best Kickstand: CLCKR Phone grip and Expanding Stand
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
Although in-hand usage is the most important aspect of smartphone grip use, it can also do much more. You can get two accessories for your phone with a single grip: a phone grip that doubles up as a strong portrait and landscape kickstand. Although most phone grips are capable of being used as landscape kickstands, CLCKR's is able to do it vertically. The CLCKR's strap can be used as a hand-strap or flat stand. The strap is not like the Speck GrabTab and doesn't bend or flop around in use. It snaps back into position to stay flat. The kickstand is more stable than the Scooch because it locks in place. You can also choose from a variety of finishes and materials, as well as several colors. The CLCKR has one problem. It can't be used on phones smaller than 5.5 inches or with rear fingerprint sensors. It won't work on my Pixel 4a. I also have to be precise with where it is placed on the regular S21. The back of my phone is dominated by it even on the S20FE. It's not thick enough to be used as a phone grip but it is thick enough for wireless charging. Pros: Durable and long-lasting
Stable kickstand
Snap in to Lay Flat
Limited colors
Too thick to charge wirelessly
The Best Kickstand CLCKR Phone Grips and Expanding Stands This grip is tall and ready to get to work. The grip's banded design can be clicked in and out of the bracket at its top to switch between a grip, kickstand or flat grip. Amazon: Starting at $15
LoveHandle is the most comfortable:
Source: LoveHandle
Metal and plastic grips are durable, but can be difficult to hold for long periods of time if you're a power user. Fabric grips such as the LoveHandle are a great option. This cute little bow will help you keep your fingers from getting too tired of holding a Style Ring or pinching PopSockets. It's also elastic so it can be worn in many adorable styles. Fabric can also have its pitfalls. If you are like me and yoyo-yo your phone, elastic will wear down over time. Fabric can pick up stains from coffee spilled or sweaty fingers. You'll need to clean your LoveHandle and hands regularly. It is one of few phone grips that doesn't have any kickstand capability. However, this just means that it does one thing well and not trying to do two things badly like many other phone grips. The pros: A small footprint
It's easy to put on one-handed
Compatible with Qi charging
Straps can absorb sweat/odors and last for a long time
No kickstand
This stretchy grip is the most comfortable lovehandle. The bowtie-shaped grip works well with many cases and hand sizes and comes in dozens fun designs. Amazon: Starting at $10
Moft X Phone Stand - Dapper and Durable
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
MOFT manufactures device stands for phones, tablets, and laptops. Although this stand was originally designed to be used as a kickstand for your phone, you can also use it as a phone grip if it isn't flat on your lap or propped up on a table. The inside of the MOFT X has a soft, suede-like feel. It won't damage any fingers like ring grips or PopSockets. The MOFT X's back snaps back into position, so unlike the Spigen GrabTab, which never seems to be flat again after the first use, the MOFT X will remain flat against your phone's back. However, magnets will not allow you to use wireless charging. I keep a small, non-grip case on my nightstand for overnight wireless charging. The larger footprint makes it uncompatible with certain phones. The pros: A stable vertical kickstand
It is easy to keep flat even with cards in it
Compatible with mounts
More expensive
Larger footprint
The MOFTX Phone Stand is stylish and durable. It's part wallet, part kickstand. The grip is one of the most versatile and useful kickstands available. You can also keep a few cards close by in the pouch. Amazon: Starting at $20
Classic Style: Spigen Style Ring
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
This was my first phone handle, and I still love it. Despite its larger profile, the Spigen Style Ring works well. This all-metal phone grip is available in six colors. It features a squared-off bottom to its ring. This provides a more stable kickstand in portrait and landscape than round grips such as the PopSocket. The ring rotates on the central post. While it won't allow your phone to sit flat on a desk as the Style Ring 360, its central post appears to last slightly longer than the Style Ring 360's. These metal grips can cause sore fingers in some people but it has never caused me any problems. The pros: A reliable grip
Portrait/landscape kickstand
Multiple colors Cons: Will not lay flat on the table
Over time, wears out
Not compatible with Qi charging
The Classic Style Spigen Style ring Old school form factor still works well. The Style Ring has been trusted by thousands of people for years to protect their phones and keep them in kickstand mode. Amazon: $14
Ghostek Loop is the best for your car
Source: Ghostek
There are many phone grips available that are compatible with Qi and magnetic enough to work with car mountings. However, it is rare to find one that supports both. Ghostek's Ghostek Loop grip is able to strike that balance. The plastic base attaches to the phone, then locks in the main module. This includes a metal plate that can be used for car mountings, a strong fabric loop for tight gripping the phone, and a landscape kickstand. This mount is a remarkable combination, and you will either love it or hate it. This loop isn't elastic so it doesn't stretch like the LoveHandle. However, the fabric can absorb sweaty smells and may still absorb some funky smells. You can swap Ghostek Loops for a different color or to give your favourite loop a break, but there aren’t nearly as many options. Because Ghostek Loops are made of unique plastic colors, it's much easier to have a base and a loop clash. The pros: A removable strap
Compatible with Qi charging (with the strap removed)
Landscape kickstand
Compatible with magnetic mount Cons: Strap can absorb sweat/odors for a long time
Some people can find it strange.
The Car Ghostek Loop is the perfect combination of both. This strange-looking phone grip combines all the best qualities of a metal grip with the adaptability and comfort of a fabric loop. Amazon: $10
Ghostek $10
Best Wallet Grip: Shinji Pouch B-Flap
Source: Shinjimoru
Phone grips can monopolize your phone's back, so if you are used to having a stick-on slot for your credit or work card back there, this is good news! Stick-on wallets can be purchased with phone grips. Sinjimoru offers a variety of card pouches with phone grips attached, including some that have elastic phone grips. However, the Sinji Pouch B–Flap is our favorite. This grip is available in five warm colors, including ruby red or autumn gold, despite its rather boring name. You can store up to five cards and cash in the pouch. The elastic strap can be worn with one to four fingers, depending on how comfortable you are. The elastic can wear over time like the LoveHandle. However, some users have reported seams breaking after a few months. If you are a hard worker, a metal grip or plastic grip might be a better option. Con: Built-in wallet and secure flap
You can slip on one-handed by using the straps
Compatible with Qi charging (when wallet is empty). Cons: Elastic/fabric wears down over time
There are limited color options
Large footprint
Best Wallet Grips Shinji Pouch B Flap Grip your card and phone tight. This phone grip is attached to a stick on wallet with a folding flap. It will keep your cash and cards safe. Amazon: $10
PopSockets are the best smartphone grips
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
