The 8 Best Kickstand Phone Cases
Special Honors
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Editor's Notes
April 05, 2021:
We removed the Zizo Bolt Series and Temdan Shockproof in this update due to availability issues.
The other selections on the list continue to be excellent choices for those looking to keep a kickstand attached to their phones at all times. While a dedicated phone stand offers more stability, these cases are more portable, which is a big plus for many.
We updated the Spigen Tough Armor from the model made for the iPhone 11 Pro to a newer one that can accommodate the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro. If you have an older phone or an Android, the company has plenty of options for Apple, Samsung, Google, and LG devices.
The Kitoo Military Grade, Arae Wallet, and ESR Reinforced were also replaced with options that fit the newest models of phones available at the time of this update. However, we left the Youmaker Shockproof and Schnail Titan Series as they were in order to leave some options for those who use older devices.
The Fitfort 360-Degree and Spigen U100 also remain on the list. While neither of these options are actually cases, the fact that they work with a variety of phone types is convenient and they can essentially add the equivalent of a built-in kickstand to any compatible case, so you can choose a case with a look and level of protection that you like, without having to worry about whether or not it has a kickstand.
February 11, 2020:
At this time, we've opted for a range of models that work with a variety of smartphones, both older and newer, so there's one to accommodate most users. For those who prefer the iPhone, we've added the Spigen Tough Armor for the iPhone 11 Pro and kept the ESR Reinforced for the X/XS and the Temdan Shockproof for the 7/8. There's also the Kitoo Military Grade, which is available for many phones, including the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy. We removed the Iconflang Grip, however, since its ring suffers from durability problems, which can be difficult for users who are not always gentle with their devices. Those who would prefer a phone ring might consider the Fitfort 360-Degree, which attaches to all types of phones or tablets. We added another case-less kickstand, as well, the Spigen U100. It resembles the kickstand you'll find on the maker's other models, but provides nearly universal compatibility. It's easy to apply, but you might want to treat it carefully, as the finish can scratch.
Why You Need A Kickstand Case
These stands don’t just come in handy for watching videos, however.
If you own a smartphone, then there’s been at least one occasion in your life where you wanted to watch a video on the thing, but your hands were otherwise occupied. In that instance, there’s a good chance you might have tried to find some way to prop the phone up against a mug of coffee, or a book, just enough to let you enjoy the video. But then the mug might have spilled, or the book might have moved, or the phone itself may simply have slid down and fallen flat on its back, rendering your video invisible to you.
It’s an all too common occurrence, and one that is easily remedied with the use of a kickstand case. Essentially, a kickstand case is any phone case with a part or parts dedicated to allowing you to prop your phone up without any extra tools. That will allow you to safely enjoy videos no matter what your hands are up to.
These stands don’t just come in handy for watching videos, however. Some also offer you the ability to prop your phone up in its vertical position. While this is generally frowned upon for recording video, it’s by far the more popular orientation for live Facetime with your friends and loved ones. With a kickstand phone case, staying connected and getting some valuable face-to-face interaction is much easier, even if you’re in the middle of cooking dinner or swaddling a little one.
Actors also stand to benefit from a little phone support, as filming auditions becomes much easier when you don’t have to set up a phone tripod or try to get your gadget to balance on a stack of books just to get the light right. This is also true for vloggers or anyone else who uses their phone to record personal videos on a regular basis.
Of course, these are mostly individual considerations. A good phone kickstand case can also be a boon to a group, especially now that phone sizes are back on the rise after a long spell of getting smaller and smaller. Now, with a decent sized phone and a good kickstand, you can set up a little viewing station to share your favorite viral videos on the go, without having to bust out a tablet or bring your laptop along.
Choosing The Right Kickstand Case For You
If you’ve ever shopped for a phone case of any kind, you know that there are endless varieties and colors all boasting comparable features and claiming to protect your phone from the fiery depths of Hades. A lot of those claims are hard to qualify, and that only adds to the frustration and confusion that goes into purchasing a case. Deciding to go with a kickstand case will significantly narrow down the field of options, especially since many are tailored to specific brands and models, but there are still additional considerations that can help you come to the best decision in the least amount of time.
One such design combines the kickstand and ring-style grip that’s become so popular among people who never seem to be able to put their phones down.
For starters, you ought to ask yourself whether you want as simple a case as possible — one with little more than a covering for the back and sides of your phone, along with the addition of the kickstand — or whether you want something that offers additional functionality. Most kickstand cases are rather simple in design, but there are more ambitious options out there, as well.
For example, if you’re the type to prefer a phone wallet, then look for a model that completely envelops your phone while also providing you with slots for credit cards, an ID, and even cash. Be careful with these, however, as some market themselves as kickstand cases based on the mere fact that their foldable parts could, theoretically, support your phone. The best of these will have a specific combination of parts that stick together to form the support, and those should be clearly visible in the product’s images.
Even some of the simpler designs might offer additional functionality, however, so take a close look at these to make sure they aren’t even better than they seem at first blush. One such design combines the kickstand and ring-style grip that’s become so popular among people who never seem to be able to put their phones down. These rings make holding your phone for extended periods a much more comfortable prospect, and some models design their rings to lock into place and double as kickstands, maximizing the case’s functionality without increasing its bulk.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options along these lines, you can start to think about style. There’s probably a good chance that you won’t actually wait this long to consider how a given case looks, and that you might even make your decision based more on this than any other feature or specification. And that’s okay, but if you take these other aspects into consideration first, you’ll have a highly functional case that you’ll absolutely love.
Other Smart Phone Accessories
Tricking out your smartphone doesn’t stop with the case. There are plenty of additional accessories that can make your phone look cooler and work more efficiently for you.
On the decorative side, feel free to outfit your phone with charms, stickers, and anything else that can increase its visibility.
On the decorative side, feel free to outfit your phone with charms, stickers, and anything else that can increase its visibility. Not only are these fun additions that give your phone a unique personality, they also make it harder to lose your phone around the house.
More functionally, it’s a great idea to pair your phone with a nice Bluetooth headset. This is especially true if you like setting up your phone on its new kickstand for Facetime sessions, as you’ll be able to hear everything clearly, and you won’t have to hug the phone to be heard on the other end.
If you find that your phone is still a little too small to be used for entertaining, even with the convenient addition of a kickstand, there are portable projectors out there than can do the trick. These can actually take a signal from your phone over a simple cable (some can even work wirelessly), and display it wherever you like.