Buying guide for best popsockets
These days, we invest quite a bit of money in our smartphones, which makes it all the more frustrating when they suffer any sort of damage – and it’s even worse if the screen gets shattered or the case gets scratched because you dropped the phone. No matter how careful you are, it’s often difficult to get a good grip on the sleek, smooth surface, so drops seem inevitable. Enter the PopSocket, a device that makes it much easier to keep your phone in one undamaged piece.
There are many PopSockets on the market, and while they might all seem the same, some options could work better with your phone than others. You want to choose the right material, design, adhesive, and other features to make sure it provides an effective grip and complements your phone.
At BestReviews, we want to make shopping as uncomplicated as possible. Our in-depth product research provides all the facts you need to understand the items you’re considering. That means you’ll know exactly what to look for when you start shopping. If you’re ready to buy a PopSocket, our shopping guide has all the tips you need to make the right choice.
What is a PopSocket?
The name may sound mysterious, but a PopSocket is a very simple product, essentially a small disk that attaches to the flat back of a smartphone or tablet (or its case) with a gentle, reusable adhesive. There’s a small accordion-like stem connected to the disk that enables you to expand or “pop” out the device to provide a better grip on your phone or tablet. At the end of the accordion stem is a decorative disc that often features some type of pattern or design to dress up your phone as well as help with your grip.
"The accordion stem on a PopSocket can be expanded and collapsed at least 12,000 times."
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PopSocket benefits
There are plenty of reasons to add a PopSocket to your smartphone or tablet, including the following:
Improves grip: The main reason many people like to use a PopSockets is that it provides an easier way to grip your phone and reduce your chances of dropping it. It can be particularly helpful if you carry your phone in your hand when you run or perform other vigorous activities.
Makes texting easier: Because it makes it easier to grip your phone and hold it steady, a PopSocket can help you text more quickly and accurately.
Improves selfies: If you’re tired of blurry, off-center selfies, a PopSocket can help you get the perfect photo all by yourself. That’s because it makes it much easier to hold your phone with one hand, so pressing the shutter button is a piece of cake.
Serves as a kickstand: When you’re watching videos on your phone or tablet, you can use your PopSocket as a kickstand to prop up the device so you don’t have to hold it. This feature also works well if you’re taking a group photo.
Keeps earbuds tangle-free: If you find yourself constantly untangling your earbud cord when you throw your phone or tablet in your bag, wrapping the cord around a PopSocket can help keep things neat.
Personalizes phone: PopSockets are available in a wide array of colors, patterns, finishes, and shapes, so they’re an ideal way to customize the look of your smartphone or tablet to express your personality.
- Removes easily: One of the most convenient things about a PopSocket is that you don’t have to leave it on your phone or tablet all the time. The adhesive on the base is reusable, so you can remove the PopSocket whenever you’re not using it and put it back on when you need it.
Did you know?
A PopSocket’s stem can turn 360°, so you can easily adjust the angle of your smartphone or tablet.
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PopSocket features to consider
Material
The disk that forms the PopSocket base is made of plastic, but the accordion stem is usually made of a combination of polycarbonate, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), and polyurethane to provide durability but still allow for the flexibility necessary for the accordion to expand.
PopSockets often incorporate other materials to make them more decorative. Some disks have aluminum frames to give them a more polished, finished look. The disk itself might feature natural wood, such as rosewood, bamboo, or zebrawood; colored aluminum; faux leather; or crystals. The aluminum options are available with both smooth and textured disks, which often resemble a diamond.
Colors/patterns
A big part of the appeal of PopSockets is not just their functionality but also the wide array of colors and patterns that allow you to customize the appearance of your smartphone or tablet. You can find PopSockets in nearly every color under the sun, including basic options like black and white, as well as bold shades like red, hot pink, turquoise, and silver.
But your options aren’t only limited to color. PopSockets are available with a variety of patterns and designs on the decorative disk. You can choose from floral, stripe, plaid, butterfly, tie-dye, star, and chevron patterns, as well as whimsical novelty designs like popsicle or avocado.
There are also PopSockets that feature designs with artwork from your favorite movies, TV shows, cartoons, or sports team logos. You’ll usually pay a little more for an option with licensed artwork, but if you’re a fan of a particular pop culture reference, it might be worth the added expense.
Adhesive
To stay in place on the back of your phone, the PopSocket base uses a gel adhesive. The adhesive is reusable, so you can take the PopSocket off your phone and put it back on as many times as you want. However, it’s important to note that the gel adhesive doesn’t always work well with waterproof, silicone, or textured cases. The gel adhesive can also dry out over time. To keep it sticky, don’t leave it unattached to a surface for more than an hour at a time.
Accessories
While a Popsocket is convenient all on its own, it can be even more effective with certain accessories.
Car mount: Some PopSockets come with a mount that enables you to use your phone hands-free in the car. The mount clips onto the horizontal, vertical, or angled air vents in your dashboard without any adhesive, so you can view the screen from all angles in both portrait and landscape mode when you’re behind the wheel.
- Multi-surface mount: You can also find PopSockets that include a mount that enables you to attach your phone to a variety of surfaces, including a kitchen cabinet, bathroom mirror, or stationary bike display. The mount allows you to watch videos hands-free while you’re doing a variety of chores or tasks around the house.
PopSocket prices
PopSockets vary in price based mainly on the materials used. In general, you can expect to pay between $8 and $50 for one.
Inexpensive: Standard PopSockets made of plastic usually cost from $8 to $15.
Mid-range: PopSockets made of aluminum, faux leather, or wood range from $15 to $25.
Expensive: PopSockets made of high-end materials like crystals tend to be limited editions so the prices can be fairly high, usually between $25 and $50.
Tips
For a large device like a tablet, it’s often best to stick two PopSockets on the back for proper balance.
If you’re having trouble removing a PopSocket from the back of a device with a hard case, slide a piece of dental floss beneath it to loosen it.
It might sometimes be easier to remove the case from your device and then pull the PopSocket free.
FAQ
Q. What will a PopSocket stick to?
A. The adhesive on a PopSocket can adhere to most smartphone, tablets, and cases. However, it can sometimes have trouble gripping textured surfaces, such as leather, or silicone phone or tablet cases.
Q. Where should I position a PopSocket on my phone?
A. You can place a PopSocket anywhere you want on your phone or tablet. Some users prefer placing it higher up on the device, while others find it’s more convenient to place it lower. You can even stick two PopSockets on your phone or tablet if you like. If you find that you’re having trouble using the PopSocket as a kickstand for your device, try placing it closer to the edge of the phone or tablet.
Q. What should I do if my PopSocket loses its stickiness?
A. If the gel adhesive seems to lose its stickiness, cleaning the base often helps. Rinse it thoroughly with warm water and allow it to dry completely. Don’t let the PopSocket sit unattached to a surface for more than an hour or it could permanently lose its stickiness.
