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Buying guide

The goal is simple: hands‑free viewing at eye level without the mount slipping, wobbling, or refusing to fit your tray. Use this as your checklist before you buy.

1) Start with your tray table

Most people succeed with a tray‑table clamp mount — if the tray has a usable lip. Look for clamps that open wide enough and don’t require a perfectly straight edge.

Check tray thickness (thin metal vs thick plastic).
Check clearance: will the clamp hit the tray latch?
Think about armrest trays: the edge may be too thick or rounded.

2) Stability beats clever features

On a plane, vibration is constant. Prioritize:

Grip: rubber pads + strong spring/clamp tension
Hinge quality: a hinge that doesn’t droop after 10 minutes
Weight: heavy enough to be stable, not so heavy it slips

3) Rotation: portrait + landscape is the real upgrade

You’ll want landscape for movies, portrait for scrolling. Ball‑joint style mounts tend to give the best flexibility.

4) Case thickness (the silent deal-breaker)

Some cradles don’t open wide enough for rugged cases. If your case is thick, look for:

Wide jaw opening or elastic grip
Silicone pads that “bite” without crushing buttons
A secure backstop so the phone doesn’t slowly slide out

5) MagSafe & magnetic mounts (fast, but picky)

Magnetic mounts feel premium because they’re one‑handed. But strength varies wildly. If you go magnetic, use a known magnetic case or MagSafe ring and test it before travel.

6) Turbulence plan: “Can I stow this in 2 seconds?”

Even a great mount is annoying if it takes forever to remove. Choose something you can stow quickly and that won’t become a projectile if the flight gets rough.

Recommended starting points

Edit these picks in src/data/products.json any time.

Universal tray-table clamp mount (ball‑joint)

Clamps onto most tray tables and rotates your phone to any viewing angle.

Movies and shows Hands‑free scrolling Most economy seats

Paid link Check on Amazon

Key points

Very adjustable angles (portrait/landscape)
Usually compact in a carry-on
Works with most phones and cases

Watch-outs (tap to expand)

Needs a tray edge to clamp
Some thick armrest trays won’t work

Tip: open in a new tab so you can keep comparing.

Seatback-pocket hanger mount (no clamp)

Hangs from the seatback pocket or tray latch area to hold your phone at eye level.

Seats with flimsy trays Minimal setups People who hate clamps

Paid link Check on Amazon

Key points

Fast setup
Lightweight
Often fits more seats than clamps

Watch-outs (tap to expand)

Less stable in turbulence
Angle range depends on seat design

Tip: open in a new tab so you can keep comparing.

MagSafe / magnetic in‑flight mount

Snaps your phone on magnetically (best for iPhones with MagSafe or a magnetic case).

iPhone MagSafe users Fast on/off Quick snack-and-watch flights

Paid link Check on Amazon

Key points

Super fast attach/detach
Clean minimal feel
Often works with one hand

Watch-outs (tap to expand)

Requires MagSafe or magnetic case
Magnet strength varies a lot

Tip: open in a new tab so you can keep comparing.

Ultra‑compact folding stand (backup option)

A tiny stand that works anywhere a flat surface exists (tray table, airport, hotel).

Backup/ultralight Airports + hotels When mounts don’t fit your seat

Paid link Check on Amazon

Key points

Fits in a pocket
Works beyond flights
Cheap insurance

Watch-outs (tap to expand)

Needs a flat surface
Less eye-level comfort on a plane

Tip: open in a new tab so you can keep comparing.

The “don’t buy this” checklist

Anything that requires adhesive on plane surfaces.
Anything that blocks the tray latch or seat controls.
Flimsy hinges that droop with a phone’s weight.
Hard plastic jaws with no padding (slips + can damage cases).