Phones keep getting bigger and heavier, and that makes them harder to hold for a lot of people. Stiff fingers, a weaker grip, or hands that tire fast can turn a simple video call into a juggling act. The good news: the right phone grip can make a big difference. Here is what to look for, and what to skip, if you are shopping for yourself or for a parent or grandparent.
1. A grip you hold with your whole hand, not your fingertips
Many grips are small knobs you pinch between two fingers. That pinch is exactly the motion that is hardest for tired or stiff hands. Look for a grip wide enough to rest between your fingers so the weight of the phone sits on your hand instead of your fingertips.
FAB POPS® grips use our patented AIRPOP Technology®: the grip expands out from the phone so you can slide two fingers around it and let the phone rest against your palm. It folds flat again when you put the phone in a pocket.
2. A built-in stand, so you do not have to hold the phone at all
The easiest way to take strain off your hands is to put the phone down. A grip that doubles as a kickstand lets you set the phone on a table for video calls with the grandkids, recipes, or watching shows. The FAB POPS grip works as a landscape (sideways) stand.
3. A magnetic mount, so the phone can hang where you need it
This is the feature most people do not know they want until they have it. FAB POPS grips have magnets built in, so the phone snaps onto metal surfaces: the refrigerator while you cook, a filing cabinet, a toolbox, or a car dashboard. For surfaces that are not metal, the grip comes with our Anywhere Adapter, a thin metal plate that sticks on and gives the grip something to hold onto. No clamps to squeeze and no clips to wrestle with.
4. Easy to put on, and removable
Look for a grip that goes on in one step. FAB POPS grips stick on with a strong adhesive that bonds to glass, metal and hard plastic, including hard cases with some texture. It is not a permanent bond: to remove it, slide a card or thin flat object under the edge and work it all the way around.
One honest note: adhesive grips do not stick well to silicone cases or soft, rubbery cases. If the phone lives in one of those, apply the grip to the phone itself or switch to a firm case.
5. Something you can find by feel
A grip also gives your fingers a landmark on the back of the phone, which helps you pick it up the same way every time and makes a drop less likely. Solid black is easy to spot, and there are plenty of colors if you want one that stands out on a nightstand.
6. What to skip
- Tiny ring holders that you hook one finger through. They put all the weight on a single finger.
- Grips that only work with one phone brand. Families pass phones down and switch brands. A grip that works on any phone saves money.
- Anything that needs tools or a lot of twisting to attach.
A quick note on hand pain
A phone grip is a convenience, not a medical device. If holding your phone causes pain, it is worth mentioning to your doctor or an occupational therapist, who can suggest other tools and hand-friendly habits too. For more on this, read our guide: Phone Grip for Arthritic Hands: What Actually Helps.
Where to start
If you are buying one grip to try, start with our black Universal Collapsible Magnetic Mount & Grip. It is a grip, a stand and a magnetic mount in one, and it comes with the Anywhere Adapter. Every FAB POPS grip is backed by our Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects.
Browse all styles in our magnetic phone grip collection.