5 Best iPhone Rigs & Cages
The future of media is video, but surprisingly it’s not $25,000 dollar video production set ups that are changing the game on social media and online. Teenagers with a decent smartphone are making global viral hits everyday on tiktok and Youtube, in the past something like “The Blair Witch Project” filmed on a camcorder was considered a one of a kind work of film masterpiece. The last two generations of iPhone specifically have upped the quality of video production, now you can film professional style videos on an amateurs budget.
Of course, there are accessories to help make this happen. One of the cost accessories you will need to pick up is a “Rig” or “Cage” that will be the base of your filming set up. The rest of your attachments such as LED lights, microphones, clips and tripods will connect to this Rig or Cage. We use the words Rig or Cage interchangeably, usually cages are model specific to your smartphone, GoPro or DSLR camera where as rigs can be used universally with most devices. Here are our top 5 picks for rigs and cages under $100 to get started. Check out below to find extra products you may also find helpful.
Best 5 iPhone Rigs & Cages
Thanks to the companies below and a few awesome delivery drivers, I was able to get my hands on these products to test. Here are my top 5 choices for smartphone rigs under $100.
Universal Vs. Model Specific
Universal rigs can fit nearly every smartphone, iPhone. Some models can even fit Go Pro, DJI or small DSLR Cameras. The rig either has a clip to hold the phone, or a thread slot for direct attachment to a camera, or for a separate clip.
Model specific rigs are most common for DSLR cameras and GoPros because those are used the most often for amateur filming. iPhone models are the exception for smartphones since the camera quality is so good and many people have one. So you can pick up an iPhone 13 specific cage. Other smartphones with decent cameras exists but aren’t are commonly sold such as the Sony Xperia so accessories for it aren’t easy to find.
Hot Shoe Vs. Cold Shoe Slots
The hot shoe is the bracket part on the top of your DSLR camera used to attach a flash LED light or microphone. The hot shoe has it’s own electrical contact in the bracket to synchronize the timing.
Cold shoe slots are the exact same but without the electrical contact, so you can attach an LED light, microphone or even another clip for a second phone, but you’ll need to operate them manually or connect them via bluetooth to the smartphone or camera.
1/4-20 17mm Thread
Most non professional videography accessories used 1/4-20 17mm ong threads slots to attach other accessories like LED lights, microphones, tripods etc… These are universal threads, not owned by a single company, so you can mix and match products from multiple brands and they’ll work just fine together.
Professional equipment which is very expensive can also use larger 3/8-16 thread sizes.
- Smartphone Model: iPhone 13 Pro Max
- Lens Attachments: 3 Slots for regular, Anamorphic, Wide
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 200g
- N# Attachments: 6 X 17mm thread slots, 3 cold shoe slots
- Dimensions: 17.68cm in X 9.39cm X 1.55 cm
- Colours: Steal
- Price: $45.99 USD
Advantages
- Model perfectly fits the iPhone 13 Pro Max, making it smaller and easier to use than Universal Rigs.
- Durable and lightweight
- Fits most attachments such as LED lights, Microphones and clips.
- Includes Lens mounts directly on the frame
- Good Price at $45.99 USD on Amazon
Disadvantages
- If you are using an anamorphic lens attachment that doesn’t swivel, then it won’t line up properly in landscape mode. You need a matching lens that can swivel like this one.
- As a model specific cage, you can only expect it to last 1-2 years, or as long as you keep using that model of iPhone.
- The Aluminum frame can interfere with the signal from your data or Bluetooth devices.
- The 17mm threads are off-center in portrait mode, making it off balance when connected to a tripod in portrait mode.
- Need to buy a handle or tripod to hold it properly, the cage can’t be held comfortably alone
- Smartphone Model: Universal
- Lens Attachments: None
- Material: PC – Plastic
- Weight: 184g
- N# Attachments: 5 X 17mm thread slots
- Dimensions: 30.50cm X 15.19cm X 3.82cm
- Colours: Black
- Price: $19.95 USD
Advantages
- Universal Rig can be used with almost every smartphone on the market and future phones
- Rig has built in handles, so there is no need to buy additional ones
- Very lightweight
- Excellent Price at $19.95
Disadvantages
- Plastic body feels a bit cheap
- No lens mounts, you’ll need an additional clip to mount any lenses
- 17mm thread can be a bit wobbly on tripods
- Smartphone Model: Universal up to 98 mm wide devices
- Lens Attachments: None
- Material: Plastic and Rubber
- Weight: 220g
- N# Attachments: 3 X 1/4-20 thread slots, 3 X cold shoe slots
- Dimensions: 13.49cm X 8.51cm X 2.59
- Colours: Black
- Price: $36.99 USD
Advantages
- Universal Rig can be used with almost every smartphone on the market and future phones
- Built in handles
- Built in wireless remote control in the right handle
- Compact collapsible frame
- Excellent Price at $36.99
Disadvantages
- Plastic body feels a bit cheap
- No lens mounts, you’ll need an additional clip to mount any lenses
- 17mm thread on the bottom can be a bit wobbly on tripods
- Smartphone Model:
- Lens Attachments: None
- Material: Plastic and Rubber
- Weight: 160 grams
- N# Attachments: 4 X 1/4-20 thread slots, 3 cold shoe slots
- Dimensions: 24.26cm X 14.50cm X 5.51cm
- Colours: Black and Red
- Price: $23.99 USD – SALE for $13.79 USD
Advantages
- Universal Rig can be used with almost every smartphone
- The slot for the phone can be tightened and fits even extra wide devices up to 7.97cm wide.
- Handle can be detached and used on the sides or bottom
- Lightweight
- Very cheap price if purchased on sale
Disadvantages
- Plastic body feels a bit cheap and is fragile
- Handle is a little bit uncomfortable
- The tightened winch on the rig can be seen in extra wide angle shots using most phones.
- Smartphone Model: Semi-Universal
- Lens Attachments: None
- Material: Aluminum & Rubber
- Weight: 245g
- N# Attachments: 10 X 1/4-20 thread slots, 4 cold shoe slots
- Dimensions: 24.26cm X 12.49cm X 5.51cm
- Colours: Steal Black and Red
- Price: $88.95 USD – SALE for $69.95 USD
Advantages
- Universal Rig can be used with almost every smartphone
- Durable high quality rig
- Loads of thread and cold shoe slots for the maximum amount of attachments
- Extended to fit most smartphones securely
- Double handles come included
Disadvantages
- Expensive at nearly $88.95 USD, look for it on sale
- No lens frame mounts, will need another clip to attach lenses
- Smartphone Model: Universal
- Lens Attachments: None
- Battery: 8000 mAh
- Material: Plastic and Rubber
- Weight: 300 grams
- N# Attachments: 1 X 1/4-20 thread slots, 3 cold shoe slots
- Dimensions: 32.51cm X 25.09cm X 4.40cm
- Colours: Black
- Price: $79.95 USD
Advantages
- Rig can be used for smartphones, small cameras and Go Pro devices
- Mobile LED Selfie light
- Includes a large powerbank for the lights and to charge your phone or camera for 2.5 hours
Disadvantages
- Expensive compared to other simple LED lights
- Plastic frame is fragile
- LED attachments can short circuit
- Smartphone Model: Universal
- Lens Attachments: None
- Battery: 5000 mAh
- Material: Plastic and Rubber
- Weight: 100 grams
- N# Attachments: 1 X 1/4-20 thread slots, 2 cold shoe slots
- Dimensions: 24.49cm X 20.90cm X 4.29cm
- Colours: Black
- Price: $65.99 USD
Advantages
- Includes white light and tan light filters
- 200 LEDs offer enough brightness to be functional indoors even in the daytime
- Can be mounted on a tripod
Disadvantages
- Battery can’t be used to power your smartphone or camera.
- Battery life is only 1 hour which can be annoying on extended on the go filming
- Plastic frame is a bit fragile
Disclaimer: The links above are affiliate marketing links and we make a small commission from sales that helps supports the site.
Backpacking Gear You’ll Love
