Quick answer

For most phone photographers mounting to a tripod, the Kaiser Smartphone Holder is the safest first buy because its adjustable clamp fits phones from 56–85 mm. Choose the Joby GripTight 360 if you switch between portrait and landscape constantly, and add the Kaiser Swivel Joint only when you need to aim a light or small camera, not just the phone.

Clamp first: the fit question that decides everything

A phone clamp mount is only useful if it grips your phone securely. The Kaiser Smartphone Holder uses a rubberised quick clamp with a stated span of 56–85 mm, which covers most bare phones but not every case-and-grip combination. Measure your phone with the case on before buying; if it falls outside that range, no amount of rotation or threading will fix the fit.

The Joby GripTight 360 does not list a clamp range in the supplied specifications, so treat it as a rotation-focused mount rather than a universal fit guarantee. That distinction matters when you are buying for a specific phone rather than adding a second mount to a kit.

Rotation versus aiming: two different jobs

The Joby GripTight 360 rotates a full 360°, so you can flip between portrait and landscape without unclamping the phone. That is a real time-saver for social video and vertical stills, but it does not help you tilt the phone up or down independently of the tripod head.

The Kaiser Swivel Joint is a different tool: it tilts continuously up to 90° and rotates 360° with a central locking screw, designed for small lighting units, lightweight cameras and studio equipment. It can be part of a phone setup, but it is not a phone clamp on its own. Pairing it with a clamp gives you aiming control; buying it alone leaves you without a way to hold the phone.

The selfie stick exception

A selfie stick solves a problem clamps do not: reach. The Cullman SMARTselfie Easy extends to 76 cm and includes a Bluetooth shutter, so you can hold the camera away from your body for group shots and travel photos without a tripod. The trade-off is stability and mounting flexibility. A clamp on a tripod holds a fixed position and accepts a 1/4"-20 thread; a selfie stick is handheld by design. If your goal is repeatable framing or long exposures, the clamp-and-tripod route is the more controllable choice.

Trade-offs that decide your choice

  • Kaiser Smartphone Holder (clamp): Best when fit is your main worry: the 56–85 mm rubberised clamp grips most bare phones and mounts to tripods, clamps, suction stands, monopods, rigs or ball heads. The trade-off is that it does not add its own aiming control, so you rely on the tripod head or ball head for tilt. Measure your phone with its case before ordering.
  • Joby GripTight 360 (rotating mount): Best when you constantly switch between portrait and landscape: the 360° rotation lets you change orientation without unclamping, and the 1/4"-20 thread fits standard supports. The trade-off is that the supplied facts do not state a clamp range, so verify fit for your phone rather than assuming universality. Check the clamp fit for your specific phone model.
  • Kaiser Swivel Joint (aiming accessory): Best when you need to aim a small light or lightweight camera precisely: it tilts up to 90°, rotates 360° and locks with a central screw. The trade-off is that it is not a phone clamp, so it only helps phone photography when paired with a holder. Budget for a clamp if you do not already own one.
  • Cullman SMARTselfie Easy (selfie stick): Best for handheld reach and group shots: it extends to 76 cm and pairs with iOS and Android phones via Bluetooth shutter. The trade-off is that it trades tripod stability and fixed framing for portability, so it suits casual travel photos more than repeatable studio setups. Choose this only if handheld reach matters more than fixed positioning.

Product facts at a glance

Which phone mount fits your shooting?

Best for

  • Photographers who want a secure, adjustable clamp for tripod stills and video
  • Content creators who switch orientation often and want a rotating mount
  • Studio users aiming small lights or lightweight cameras alongside a phone setup

Not for

  • Phones or cases outside the clamp's stated 56–85 mm span
  • Anyone expecting a swivel joint to hold a phone without a separate clamp
  • Shooters who mainly need handheld reach rather than fixed framing