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The Best Collapsible Phone Holder

Last updated on March 15, 2024

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It’s admirable to try and limit your screen time. Too much exposure to the blue light wavelengths on your devices is rough on your eyes, and constantly leaning forward to read your phone’s screen can give you a dreaded case of stiff, painful “tech neck.”

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However, too much of your life is dependent on your cell phone for you to hang up the mobile towel forever. Anything that makes your phone easier on your eyes (and the rest of your body) is a welcome addition to your life. Collapsible phone holders are a popular, inexpensive solution to many a cell phone woe.

Collapsible phone holders were an instant hit when they were launched in 2014. The colorful accessories stick to the back of your phone case, and the top “pops” out to create a handle for your phone. You can pop it back in instantly so that your phone flattens for storage in your purse or pocket.

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Collapsible phone holders give your phone added stability when taking photos, and they reduce the likelihood that you’ll drop your phone while reading or texting. As our parenting expert and mom of two Kate Desmond reports, a collapsible phone holder allows you to more safely hold your phone while you’re carrying something — be that a child or groceries.

“A collapsible phone holder allow you to be nearly hands-free,” Desmond says. “You can pop up the socket, slide it between your fingers to carry your phone, and you can still carry 17 grocery bags from your car with ease.”

You can also use them as a kickstand to watch videos on a tabletop, or add them to the back of your tablet or e-reader for added stability. This allows you to set up your phone for easy viewing, whether you want to watch a video while you cook or entertain bored kids at a restaurant. Desmond points out that children seem to love collapsible phone holders for more than viewing pleasure.

“The amount of joy children get out of playing with a PopSocket is equal to or bigger than the joy they get from staring at your actual phone,” she says.

Collapsible phone holders come in a range of gorgeous colors and finishes. Once you’ve decided which design you want to show off, take a look at our Tips & Advice to make sure you know how to care for your collapsible phone holder.

One note of caution:

“Make sure the placement is just right before you stick the collapsible phone holder to your device,” Desmond says. “The first time I had one I made the mistake of putting it too high up on the back of my phone, and it made it awkward to carry.”

Our Picks For The Top Collapsible Phone Holders

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Yoozon Angled Wide Compatibility Collapsible Phone Holder

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Yoozon

Angled Wide Compatibility Collapsible Phone Holder

As long as your smartphone measures between 4 and 10 inches, this collapsible phone holder works wonders. It's available in black, mint green or purple gray and rests nicely on any flat surface. Use it at the office for Zoom calls or at home when chatting with a friend.

Overall Take

Sleek DesignThis collapsible phone holder also works to hold your phone upright during a charge.

 Runner Up

Nulaxy A4 Universal Case Friendly Collapsible Phone Holder

Nulaxy

A4 Universal Case Friendly Collapsible Phone Holder

In addition to using this collapsible phone holder with your smartphone, you can also use it to display your tablet. It's fully collapsible, so it doesn't take up much space when you don't need it. You can rely on the holder when you do need it, as it's made from a high-quality premium aluminum.

Overall Take

Universal CompatibilityThis cellphone holder is universally compatible and able to be used with all 4- to 10-inch smartphones.

 We Also Like

OMOTON Tabletop Anti-Skid Collapsible Phone Stand

OMOTON

OMOTON Tabletop Anti-Skid Collapsible Phone Stand

This collapsible phone holder offers a strong design and a large capacity for big phones. The silicone pads will keep the stand from scratching your phone and also prevent slipping. In addition, the designed holes in the back of the base allow for cords to stay attached to the phone but out of the way for convenient charging.

Overall Take

Larger CapacityThis collapsible phone holder is great for big phones to stay within view while staying attached to cords that stay out of the way

 Strong Contender

UGREEN Portable Multi-Angle Collapsible Phone Stand

UGREEN

Portable Multi-Angle Collapsible Phone Stand

This collapsible phone holder is ideal for smaller phones. The stand easily folds up and opens, so you won’t need a degree to use this stand. The multiple angle settings and grip on the bottom helps to give your phone stability during use.

Overall Take

Portable StandTake this collapsible phone holder anywhere with super portability when folded.

Our Expert Consultant

Kate Desmond 
Parenting Pro and Safe-Sleep Expert

Kate Desmond is a writer and infant safe-sleep expert. She has spent the last eight years working as the marketing director for Charlie’s Kids Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to educate families about SIDS and safe sleep. In that role, she travels around the country learning and educating caregivers and providers on the latest and greatest safe-sleep information to prevent infant death.

As mom to two elementary-aged daughters, she spends hours researching the best and safest products for her own kids. She is quick to get in the weeds with other mamas, and uses humor to cope with parenting woes from potty-training to teaching kids to read.

What to Look For

  • Collapsible phone holder are universally helpful, but they won’t stick to all phone cases. If you’re using a case that’s silicone, waterproof, soft or highly textured, your collapsible phone holder won’t stick to it. 
  • The positioning of your collapsible phone holder will affect how you use it and how you use your phone. Putting it in the center of your cell phone’s back is great when you’re using it as a kickstand to watch videos on a tabletop. Some people prefer placing it closer to the bottom of their phone for a more secure grip. 
  • If you have a phone with wireless charging capability, you might need to make some adjustments to make sure you can use your collapsible phone holder. Older collapsible phone holders will need to be repositioned near the bottom of your phone so that your smartphone can connect with your wireless charger. However, this means that your phone won’t lie flat when it’s placed on a tabletop. 
  • Newer PopSockets have swappable PopGrips. The base sticks to the phone, and you can remove the top of the PopSocket for wireless charging. You can also switch the top out for other designs. 
  • If you need to remove your collapsible phone holder, just push the top down and then work your fingernails under the base. Once it loosens, pull it off slowly.
  • If you have leftover adhesive stuck to your phone case after you’ve removed your collapsible phone holders, you’ll need to carefully remove it with a solvent that’s safe to use on plastics. Applying mineral oil and scrubbing with a damp, soapy cloth might work. You can also try scrubbing it off with a little bit of hot water and a stiff brush. 
  • To clean your collapsible phone holder, remove it from the back of your phone and run it under cold water for about three seconds. If it’s underwater longer than that,  it might lose its stickiness. Lay it upside down on a dry cloth and let it air dry for 10 minutes. If it isn’t completely dry after this, blot the base with a paper towel. Then reattach it, and don’t use it for at least an hour. This gives it plenty of time to re-adhere to your phone.

More to Explore

Collapsible phone holders are a fun and funky product, and they’ve got the backstory to match. A philosophy professor named David Barnett glued two buttons to the back of his phone case in 2012. He was trying to keep his earbud cords untangled throughout the day. He upgraded the earbud cord holders to two pop-out handles, then began a Kickstarter campaign.

The first PopSocket was launched as a full case, and users quickly started taking advantage of the handles for propping their phones up and preventing drops during text message sessions. PopSockets took off after that, creating standalone handles that you could add to any case. Today, PopSocket has added accessories, like car mounts and more styles than you can imagine. That’s not bad progress for what started as a couple of glued-on buttons.

More to explore