About a month or two ago, I started seeing more and more content creators on TikTok and Instagram using a strange mount on the back of their phones. At first glance, I thought it might be a MagSafe wallet or charger. It turns out that the creators were using Octobuddy’s silicone phone mount to attach their phones to a mirror, window, or similar flat surface. Octobuddy is widely used by gym fans, TikTokers, and lifestyle vloggers.

I’ve been using the Octobuddy on my iPhone 15 Pro for about a week now. It’s an easy to install and use business card sized mount with small suction cups. With an adhesive back, the Octobuddy can be attached to the back of any phone. Users can then attach their device vertically or horizontally to a mirror and start recording content. It’s much easier to use on a daily basis than using a tripod or other mount. However, it does have the odd issue. While it’s affordable and efficient, it ultimately relies on you having a flat and clean surface to attach your phone to. Plus, you need a certain amount of confidence to use it.

Octobuddy

Per

• Affordable
• Easy to set up
• Versatile for horizontal and vertical orientation

Disadvantages

• The suction power is not 100% guaranteed
• Does not support all phone cases

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Price, specifications and availability

Octobuddy retails for $18.99 and comes in a variety of colors, including ash blue, chalk pink, Darth Vader black, teal, spade green, and clear. The Octobuddy is made entirely of silicone. There are three sizes available, two of which offer a total of 24 suction cups. Octobuddy comes in 3.25″ x 2.25″ and 3.9″ x 2.6″ sizes, and there is also a smaller 1″ x 1″ mount.

The mounts support a 4×6 grid. The 3.25″ x 2.25″ Octobuddy fits comfortably on an iPhone 15 Pro (filling the area between the camera array and the bottom). On a larger device like an iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra, you’ll have much more room when attaching the Octobuddy. Installation is easy. All you have to do is peel off the protective film, attach the Octobuddy to your phone with the adhesive, and you’re good to go.

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What I liked about the Octobuddy Silicone Phone Holder

A flexible and versatile alternative to a traditional phone holder.

Once set up, the Octobuddy is an easy-to-use phone mount with minimal effort. For example, I could just walk up to my patio door, clip my phone to the window, and start recording with the front-facing camera. The Octobuddy is super versatile, allowing me to shoot a video horizontally and move my camera vertically. If I use a tripod, I need to find enough space to set it up and take a few minutes to securely attach my phone. If I want to change the orientation, it takes a little longer to set up.

Octobuddy offers a lot of flexibility and utility that should appeal to content creators of all kinds.

The Octobuddy’s versatility extends even when I’m away from home. I can easily find a window, smooth wall, or sign to mount my phone on and record a video. With the Octobuddy, the usage limitations depend on what surfaces you have available nearby. It’s also great when you’re shooting a video on the fly. Instead of always carrying a gimbal or tripod, you can take the Octobuddy with you wherever your phone is. With the Octobuddy, you have a lot of flexibility and utility, which should appeal to content creators of all kinds.

Content creators who specialize in makeup tutorials can easily attach their phones to their mirrors during their routine. This will undoubtedly save space around their sink. For gym enthusiasts, the Octobuddy can be used to attach a phone to a mirror during a workout. For vloggers, the possibilities are numerous. You can take the Octobuddy to events or on the go and attach it for hands-free recording.

What I didn’t like about the Octobuddy Silicone Phone Holder

It is difficult to trust this mount

With the Octobuddy, you get what you pay for in many ways. Using the silicone phone mount requires a lot of trust. Over the last week, I’ve had the mount slip off a mirror or other surface a few times. Luckily, I was close enough to catch it before my phone hit the ground. I’ve come to the conclusion that the weight of the phone is not the cause of the problem. I’m convinced it has to do with the surface being used. Outdoor surfaces can be more problematic as dust, dirt, etc. can affect the suction power. With that in mind, the Octobuddy is ultimately not as reliable as a tripod mount.

You’ll also need to consider whether an Octobuddy silicone mount can be used with your phone case. Some phone cases, like Apple’s silicone phone case, will work just fine. Other rugged cases, like an Otterbox case, will likely be incompatible. Depending on the finish of your case, you’ll likely have to forego using it. The Octobuddy’s adhesive backing allows you to attach it to the phone itself. I’ve found it relatively easy to stick it to a phone and remove it when needed. However, like the adhesive backing on a Pop Socket, the adhesive will wear off over time if it’s removed too often.

Finally, and this is just a personal complaint, the Octobuddy just doesn’t feel that great. Part of this is certainly a sensory issue. When I hold my phone in my hand, I find it a little uncomfortable to feel the little suction cups on the back. I’m also very conscious of how the Octobuddy’s silicone feels when I put it in and out of my pocket. I’ve seen it get stuck a few times and rip the corner off the phone. This is certainly a minor inconvenience, but it’s not enough to make me ditch the mount.

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Should you buy the Octobuddy Silicone Phone Holder?

If you’re a content creator or regularly shoot video with your phone, Octobuddy is a small investment with a lot of functionality. With an affordable price and easy setup, it’s worth trying out and experimenting with. The limits of what the mount can be used for depend on the surfaces around you and your imagination. At $18.99, Octobuddy is certainly more affordable than many tripods, mounts, or camera gimbals.

The downside to the Octobuddy is that it relies on silicone suction cups, so it’s best to consider what surfaces you’ll be using before entrusting your $1,000+ phone to the Octobuddy mount.