Just found my new favorite phone grip!

In 2022, we hailed a straightforward magnetic ring from Anker as the top MagSafe phone grip, but the landscape has changed significantly since then! Nowadays, you can grab two or even three magnetic rings to enhance your grip on your iPhone, the latest Pixel, or virtually any phone with a magnetic case or mounting ring attached to the back.

The standout options I’ve encountered are the double-sided Syncwire Magnetic Phone Ring Holder, priced between $15 and $25, and the more recent OhSnap Snap Grip 5 at $40.

Unlike the Anker that we relied on for years, both of these are double-sided magnetic rings. I can leave them on while using a MagSafe charger or car mount, and they allow me to attach my phone directly to surfaces like a fridge, filing cabinet, or certain gym equipment, thanks to their bidirectional magnets.

What truly sets these apart is their magnet strength. The OhSnap 5 features magnets so powerful that it doesn’t require any adhesive to stay attached to my phone, while the reverse side is just strong enough to hold onto my magnetic car mount yet detaches easily.

My wife’s bulkier version of the Syncwire also comes off without hassle, as I mentioned in my September video, but the standard version can be a bit stubborn. I often find myself making a trip back to the car after accidentally leaving my Syncwire stuck to the charger.

As shown in my videos, the Syncwire is a fairly conventional ring, but it boasts an impressive ratcheting mechanism that minimizes scratches on my phone compared to the Anker and doubles as a great fidget toy.

The OhSnap takes a different approach: instead of slipping a finger through a ring, you position your fingers in or around a set of flexible arms attached to a retractable disc. It may look a bit odd, but it’s surprisingly versatile. You can hold it between any two fingers like a PopSocket or insert your fingers into the little cage formed by the arms. Plus, you can slot the disc into a notch to create a basic phone stand.

$40 is a steep price for a phone grip, especially considering that each version has had its quirks. (A colleague of mine had her Snap Grip 3 break, the Snap Grip 4 had stronger fingers but was plagued by adhesive issues, and now the soft-touch coating on my Snap Grip 5 is peeling after about a month of use, although it’s easy to remove.)

However, the Snap Grip 5 is noticeably thinner and lighter than the Syncwire, and I no longer accidentally leave it in the car. As someone who loves a good deal and enjoys fidgeting, I might stick with my ratcheting Syncwire, but I’m definitely considering gifting a Snap Grip or two this holiday season!

And just to clarify, my phone case is the Spigen Ultra Hybrid ZeroOne Edition. A lot of folks have been curious about that!