Buying guide for best cell phone stands
Most people rely heavily on their cell phones, so you might as well make using yours easier. A cell phone stand comes in handy whether you're settling down to enter an internet rabbit hole or in a situation where it is impossible to hold and use your phone simultaneously.
When shopping for a cell phone stand, you will notice that there are stands for specific situations, such as when you are traveling in a car or via a bike. In addition to determining which type of stand you require, you'll need to consider its adjustability — whether you can tilt it, adjust the height, and rotate between portrait and landscape modes. You might also want to check the size and weight of any cell phone stand you're considering, especially if you'll be using it on the go.
Key considerations
Types of cell phone stands
Home cell phone stands
Home cell phone stands are made from use on tables, desks, and similar surfaces. These are the types of stands you might use at home or in an office. The majority are freestanding and therefore require a flat surface. However, you can find some models with clamps and similar mechanisms, which is useful in small spaces and on surfaces that aren't completely flat. Home cell phone stands are great for general web surfing, making video calls, and watching videos on your phone.
Car cell phone stands
Car cell phone stands can be mounted on the dash, on the windshield, or in the heating vents, depending on your chosen model. They are not designed so you can send texts or check social media while you're driving — not only is this dangerous for yourself, your passengers, and other road users, it's illegal in most places. Rather, car cell phone stands allow you to use your cell phone as a GPS device. You can also find some cell phone stands that are meant to be mounted in the back of the car — for instance, on one of the front headrests — so passengers can watch videos on long drives.
Bike cell phone mounts
These cell phone stands are meant for use on your bike. They generally attach to the handlebars so the phone is easy to view while you're cycling. Cell phone bike mounts are ideal for anyone cycling unfamiliar routes who needs easy access to their map app of choice. They also give you easy access to music players to skip, change, and pause tracks if you're listening to music on your bike ride. Some models are suitable for filming your ride from a first-person perspective.
Cell phone tripods
Cell phone tripods are specifically designed to hold a phone still while you film or take photos. Although not your standard cell phone stands, these products still fit under the cell phone stand umbrella, and you can use them simply for surfing the web and watching videos if you choose. Cell phone tripods are useful for camerawork that requires the phone to be completely still, such as time-lapse videos, low-light photography, and any other shots that need a long exposure time. You can also use a cell phone tripod to take group photos on a timer.
Adjustability
A large degree of adjustability can make a cell phone stand more pleasant to use. You should be able to adjust the angle of the cell phone in the stand both vertically and horizontally to get the best view of the screen possible. Ideally, you should also be able to rotate the stand so you can view the screen in landscape and portrait modes. Portrait mode is better for scrolling social media and video chatting, whereas landscape is best for watching videos. It's great to have the option of both since a single orientation will never be right for every circumstance.
Some cell phone stands are also height-adjustable, so you can bring them closer to eye level as needed. While not essential, this can be extremely useful in some circumstances.
Case-compatible cell phone stands are stands that can accommodate phones while they're still in their cases, saving you the trouble of removing the phone from its case before using the stand.
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Features
Color
The majority of cell phone stands come in plain colors like black or gray. Most buyers are fine with this, but some prefer a brightly colored cell phone stand to show off their personality. If you do a bit of digging, you can find some cell phone stands in brighter hues and even a few patterned options.
Portability
If you plan to take your cell phone stand with you from place to place, it should be easily portable. For instance, you might want to use it both at work and at home. If you’re buying a tripod stand, you will probably need to carry it with you to take photos or videos whenever the moment strikes. Cell phone stands that lend themselves to portability are relatively lightweight and compact. They are also durable enough to withstand being thrown into a bag and lugged around.
DID YOU KNOW?
If you want to film or take photos with your phone in its stand, make sure that none of the lenses are covered by the stand.
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Cell phone stand prices
Inexpensive: You can find some basic cell phone stands for $8 to $10. These might not be the most durable models, but they are fine for occasional use.
Mid-range: Options in the middle range cost between $10 and $20. This includes a wide scope of stands and mounts for bikes, cars, and desks as well as some phone tripods.
Expensive: The costliest cell phone stands cost between $20 and $40. At this price point, you'll find durable options that may have novel ways of keeping the phone in place and/or wireless charging capabilities.
Some cell phone holders double as wireless chargers so you can top up your phone battery while you use them.
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Tips
- Check that your cell phone will fit in your chosen cell phone stand. Many are universal, so they should fit any smartphone. However, others are limited as to what sizes they can accommodate.
- Durability is important for frequent use. If you'll be using your cell phone stand daily, it's worth paying a little extra to get a highly durable model that won't break after a few months.
- Check clamp capability before buying. When using a cell phone stand that's designed to clamp to a desk or other surface, make sure the clamp will accommodate the thickness of any desk or table you're likely to use it on.
FAQ
Q. Is a cell phone stand the same as a cell phone holder?
A. A cell phone stand is a type of cell phone holder because it holds cell phones in place, but not all cell phone holders are cell phone stands. For example, an armband cell phone holder for running could not really be described as a cell phone stand.
Q. Is there a difference between Android and iPhone cell phone holders?
A. Both Android phones and iPhones are similar in shape and size, so standard cell phone holders should fit either type of phone. That said, it's a good idea to check the minimum and maximum size of phone that can be accommodated before making a purchase. This is especially important if your cell phone is larger or smaller than average.
Q. How does a car cell phone stand attach to a vehicle?
A. The mount itself may attach to your dashboard in several ways. Some are spring-loaded and clamp into place. Some are magnetic; a magnetic plate must be attached to the back of your phone or placed between the phone and its case. There are other mounting methods as well, such as a powerful suction cup or sticky silicone adhesive.
