I found out about this thing when I was searching for a solution for a top-down phone holder to make tabletop videos. It looks like an arm from an IKEA work lamp (Tertial) and what inspired it was most probably the adjustable microphone suspension arm.

Just replace the lamp or microphone holder with a phone or tablet holder and you get something that everyone should know about, and probably want.

The thing has no official name. Chinese sellers use a cloud of words like: Phone Tablets Holder 360 Adjustable Lazy Holder Mount Clamp Sturdy Aluminum Alloy Arm Gooseneck Stand Holder. But basically, it is an extra hand to hold your device in mid-air.

When clamped to the headboard of a bed, this thing turns your device into a floating screen. You can watch videos in bed – hands-free – and the screen is right in your face. Pair your device with a game controller and it turns into an awesome in-bed gaming console.

I clamp it to my work desk. It holds my phone up and out of the way when I work, I use it as an overhead mount when making desktop videos and I even use it as a stand when doing FaceTime.

The thing is quite versatile.

Keep a sharp eye out when you buy one of these things. Read the description and look at the photos carefully. You want one that comes with a clamp large enough for the surface you want to clamp it to. Also, look out for ones that have a standard tripod screw (1/4” 20 UNC) and come with a gimbal. These models are more versatile, the phone and tablet holder can be replaced and the gimbal adds the must-have range of motion.

What I got was one from Shopee Mall – so I know it is “genuine” – and was sold by a company called UGREEN. It doesn’t have the tripod screw mount or a gimbal, but the part near the phone holder swings side to side. This gives it the same range of motion as a gimbal. That also this thing can be installed parallel (to the side of) to where you want the tablet or phone to be.

As of the writing of this post, the thing I got is marked as sold out, but I will definitely get another one once it restocks.