The Top Clip-On Lenses for Smartphone Photography

Do you have a clip-on lens for your smartphone? How about a high-quality one, ideal for your style of photography?

When shooting traditionally with DSLR or mirrorless, you’re definitely using optimal gear. Why would you treat your phone photography differently?

For the purposes of this guide, a clip-on lens refers to anything added to your phone’s native camera.

Yes, that includes mounted and add-on lenses too. Which means, there are some serious phone photography juggernauts jockeying to become the top clip-on lens for smartphone photography.

Why Upgrade to the Top Clip-On Lenses for Smartphone Photography?

The camera on your phone is admittedly pretty good, but why not make it better?

A top clip-on lens accentuates the high-quality photo that your phone already takes by adding something your phone’s camera isn’t capable of doing. What is added depends on which of the five types of lenses designed to attach to your phone that you choose.

Typically, four kinds of lenses are available when purchasing clip-on lenses for phone photography – a macro, a telephoto, a fish-eye, and a wide-angle. When choosing which is best for you, keep in mind what kind of photographer you want to be!

There is also the anamorphic lens, which is ideal for phone videography.

The Four Phone Photography Lenses: Explained

Choosing a type of photography lens can be a struggle, but it doesn’t have to be.

When it comes to mobile photography, there are four types of lenses available to you. Each type of lens does very different things, so read thoroughly before purchasing. Seriously, good luck trying to take portraits on your smartphone with a macro lens.

If you want a couple of different lenses to test out against each other, then consider one of the smartphone lens kit options. These kits will come with multiple mobile phone camera lenses and sometimes even include a camera remote or phone tripod.

Smartphone Photography Lenses: Macro Lens–

Clip-on macro lenses are ideal for taking up close and personal photos that see what the naked eye cannot. Seriously, a good macro lens for your phone will allow you to capture the hairs on a spider or a water droplet on a leaf.

Interested in Macro Photography on your phone? Read our full guide here!

If you’re photographing small animals, arts and crafts, or jewelry then this style lens is the best for you! Any of the top clip-on lens providers should have this option, and many will include it in a lens kit!

Smartphone Photography Lenses: Fish-Eye Lens –

An intentional distortion of your image with the goal being a panoramic style photo – perfect for those mind-boggling landscapes.

The fish-eye lens creates a very stylized photo, so before you invest in one be certain that it’s the kind of lens is for you. These are a very specialized kind of lens, and as a result, the selection of them is pretty slim.

Smartphone Photography Lenses: Wide-Angle Lens –

So, you’re an aspiring phone photographer and you’re looking for the perfect first piece of high-quality gear. Well, you’re most likely going to want to go with a wide-angle lens.

A wide-angle lens uses the refraction of light through the lens to simply grow the field of view for the photographer. If you prioritize landscape over portraits, then the wide-angle lens is perfect for your purposes. Any of the top clip-on lens providers should have this option.

Smartphone Photography Lenses: Telephoto Lens –

Need to photograph something that’s 300 yards away? Well, then a telephoto lens is what you need. These lenses magnify your subject without any zoom (and you know why that’s good, right?).

The subjects of your photos will appear closer to the camera then they are, which is why the telephoto lens is perfect for both sports and wildlife photographers. Telephoto lenses are also great for portrait photography (it’s why Apple uses a Telephoto lens for its Portrait Mode)

Note – there is a whole article on Understanding Your Phone Camera Lens if you need additional explanation.

The Best Smartphone Camera Lens for Mobile Videography: Explained

When it comes to videography, you only have one serious option – an anamorphic lens.

The anamorphic lens is designed for videography, so if you’re shooting phone video with anything else, then you’re making a mistake. Yes, anamorphic lenses are expensive. But, they are nowhere as expensive as a high-end cinematography camera.

So, if you’re interested in making movies, short films, or starting a vlog then an anamorphic lens is a vastly superior introductory option to a traditional camera. You’ll even find that the quality is much higher than you were expecting.

Phone Videography Lens: Anamorphic –

An anamorphic lens is created for cinematography on your phone.

Seriously, even though these lenses are used for all kinds of phone videography, it’s clear they have the big screen in mind. Otherwise, why would anamorphic lenses have such cinematic lens flares?

If you’re considering phone videography, then you owe it to yourself to invest in an anamorphic lens. Shooting any other way would just be wrong.

The Top Clip-On Lenses for Smartphone Photography –

So, you’re joining the revolution and choosing phone photography over DSLR and mirrorless. Well, your transformation won’t be complete without a new smartphone photography lens! Just think too, that you’re saving hundreds of dollars even if you purchase the most expensive option on the market.

With that in mind, don’t just buy the most expensive offering or the one with the best reviews. When it comes to choosing the best clip-on lens for smartphone photography, the research is key.

There are so many options out there, and it’s imperative that you choose a lens that’ll work for you – not against you. We’ve compiled a list of best iPhone lenses of 2020 and we’re working on an Android-specific guide too.

We’ve given you all high-quality options, now it’s up to you to choose the lens that best fits your needs! Remember, consider your style of photography, your gear needs (i.e. does it come with a phone tripod or camera remote), and your device as you browse.

The 3 Best Smartphone Macro Lenses –

[table id=12 responsive=”collapse” /]

Macro lenses are ideal for:

• Smartphone macro photography
• Close-ups (animals, jewelry, snow, etc.)
• Certain Types of Portraits
• Perfect plant photography

If any of these types of phone photography appeal to you, then maybe you’re a macro photographer! Did you answer, yes? Then click here to learn all about phone macro photography – from tips on technique to gear breakdowns.

Best Quality Option – Moment Macro 10x Lens

• The Moment 10x Macro Lens will require the purchase of an M-Series Case
• Removable diffuser hood is great for improving both clarity and lighting
• 1-inch working distance isn’t great (but is better than most cheaper models)
• Crafted with aerospace-quality metal and hand-polished glass (same as high-grade 4k film lenses)
• Moment’s Unrivaled Warranty + Customer Service

Moment Macro 10x Lens Tech Specs –

• Lens Distortion – less than 1%
• Lens Focal Length – 25mm
• Magnification – 10x
• Weight of Lens – 34.7g

Best Budget Option – Easy-Macro 4x Lens Band

• Super simple design of the Easy-Macro 4x Lens Band makes shooting a breeze
• Great for beginner smartphone macro photographers

Easy-Macro 4x Lens Band tech specs –

• 4x optical zoom
• 0.3 oz weight

Best Deal Option – Rhinoshield 2-in-1 Add-On Camera Lens

• Mounting the RhinoShield 2-in-1 Add-On Camera Lens will require the additional purchase of a RhinoShield Case (Mod NX Case, PlayProof Case, or SolidSuit Case) or a RhinoShield lens adapter
• Also comes with a wide angle lens
• High-quality phone case manufacturer 
• 0.8oz weight isn’t concerning

Rhinoshield 2-in-1 Add-On Camera Lens Tech Specs –

• 4x optical zoom with the Macro offering
• Wide Lens features over 60% more FOV than phone’s native lens

The 3 Best Smartphone Fish-Eye Lenses –

[table id=13 responsive=-“collapse”/]

Fish-eye lenses are ideal for:

• Artsy and retro shots
• Action and sports photography
• Landscape photography (as an accentuation of your wide-angle)
• Cityscape and street photography

You may think you don’t know what the fish-eye effect is all about, but if you’ve seen a 90s music video then you’re mistaken. The fish-eye lens look is very noticeable and in 2020, is rarely useable. It’s more of a specialty lens than the other three.

If you know your style of phone photography would benefit from a  fish-eye lens then, by all means, get one. But, if you’re a beginner looking to get gear that you can use for lots of styles of photography, then the fish-eye lens is not for you.

Best Quality Option – NEW Moment 14mm Fish-Eye Lens

• Surprisingly great smartphone vlogging lens
• Mounting the Moment 14mm Fisheye Lens will require the purchase of an M-Series Case
• Both cheaper than a GoPro and wider than a Wide-Angle Lens
• 50-degrees more FOV than Apple’s Ultra-Wide Camera
• Moment’s Unrivaled Warranty + Customer Service

Moment Fisheye 14mm Lens Tech Specs –

• 14 mm equivalent Focal Length featuring 170-degree FOV
• F/1.7
• Should support all smartphones with sensor sizes up to 7.6mm
• Higher resolution in the center of photos and lower resolution along the edges
• Weight of Lens – 73.1g

Best deal Option – Black Eye Pro Fish-Eye G4 Phone Camera Lens

• Purchase of the Black Eye Pro Fish-Eye Lens comes with clip-on option but consider the Black Eye Phone Case for better mounting
• Ideal for 2018 or newer smartphones
• Android and iPhone compatible 

Black Eye Pro Fish-Eye G4 Phone Camera Lens Specs –

• 175° Field of View is impressive
• 5.6 oz weight isn’t heavy at all

Best Budget OPTION – KeyWing 3 in 1 Phone Lens Kit

• KeyWing 3 in 1 Phone Lens Kit also includes macro and wide lenses
• Cost-effective beginner lens kit
• Quintessential fisheye effect

KeyWing 3 in 1 Phone Lens Kit Specs –

• 120° Wide Angle Lens
• 198° Fisheye Lens
• 20X Macro Lens (working distance 1.18″-3.54″)

3 Best Smartphone Wide-Angle Lenses –

[table id=15 responsive=”collapse” /]

Wide-Angle lenses are ideal for:

• Legendary landscapes
• Capturing cityscapes
• Certain kinds of Portrait Photography

If you’re looking to purchase your first high-quality phone camera lens, then this is the list for you. Wide-angle lenses are the most versatile lens available for smartphone photography. Seriously, they do it all!

It’s worth noting that the lenses on this list are more expensive than those on the other lists. This is done intentionally as the competition for the best wide-angle lens is more competitive than the others.

Best Quality Option – Beastgrip x Kenko Pro Series

• Will need a BeastGrip mounting solution to use the BeastGrip x Kenko Pro Series Lens
• Japanese Kenko optics are impressive
• Awesome 100% satisfaction guarantee

Beastgrip x Kenko Pro Series Specs –

• 122g is pretty substantial
• 0.75x is uniquely wide
• 58mm equivalent focal length

Best Budget Option – ULANZI 16mm Wide Angle Phone Camera Lens w CPL Filter

• This Ulanzi 16mm Wide Angle Lens purchase also comes with CPL Filter
• Ulanzi is known for their cost-effective mobile photography and filmmaking gear
• Middle of the pack field of view wise

ULANZI 16mm Wide Angle Phone Camera Lens Specs –

• 100-degree field of view
• Universal screw mount design

Best Deal Option – Moment Wide 18mm Lens

• Mounting the Moment 18mm Wide Lens will require the purchase of an M-Series Case
• Moment’s Unrivaled Warranty + Customer Service
• Multi-layer, low flare broadband anti-reflection lens coating
• Film grade optics and aerospace grade construction
• The best beginner Moment lens

Moment Wide 18mm Lens Tech Specs –

• 18 mm equivalent focal length
• Distortion – <0.5%
• 0.63X magnification ratio
• 76.2g weight is professional feeling

3 Best Smartphone Telephoto Lenses –

[table id=2 responsive=”collapse” /]

Telephoto lenses are ideal for:

• Wild animal photography
• Sports and action photography
• Portrait photography

Do you need to capture something far away? Are you pretty sure that you won’t be able to get up close to take the photo?

Well, a telephoto lens allows you to take that photo from hundreds of yards away!

This is the most logical choice as a first lens if you don’t go with the wide-angle. A telephoto lens is also great for portrait photography.

Best Quality Option – Beastgrip Pro Series – 3x Tele Conversion Lens

• iPhone only
• Will need a BeastGrip mounting solution to use the BeastGrip Pro Series Tele Lens
• Nice looking blurry bokeh background
• Awesome 100% satisfaction guarantee
• Comes with front and back lens mounts
• Built in 58mm filter mount

BeastGrip Pro Series – 3x Conversion Lens Specs –

• 3x optical zoom (6x when mounted on a phone’s native tele lens)
• 85mm equivalent focal length

Best deal Option –  Moment Tele 58mm

• Mounting the Moment 58mm Tele Lens will require the purchase of an M-Series Case
• Best for dual lens devices
• Moment’s Unrivaled Warranty + Customer Service

NEW Moment Tele 58mm Lens Tech Specs –

• Approximately 2x optical zoom when mounted over a single-lens camera or wide side of a dual-lens and approximately 4x optical zoom when mounted over the new iPhone telephoto lens
• 58mm equivalent focal length
• Designed for f/1.8 lenses 
• Multi-layer, low flare broadband anti-reflection lens coating

Best budgey Option – Ulanzi 65mm 2x Telephoto Lens

• The Ulanzi 65mm 2x Telephoto Lens is a cost-effective yet professional intro into mobile tele lenses
• Ulanzi’s mounting is surprisingly effective
• Universal compatibility

Ulanzi 65mm 2x telephoto lens specs –

• 2x optical zoom (4x when mounted on a phone’s native tele lens)

The Top Lenses for Smartphone Videography –

[table id=16 responsive=”collapse” /]

Phone videography is a great chance to break into videography without the steep price tag associated with the traditional cinematography option.

Seriously, if you’re a budding videographer, then you owe it to yourself to at least consider phone videography. It’s unbelievably cheaper and higher-quality than you may think.

Learn more about phone videography here!

But, what lens should I use for mobile filmmaking? Well, if you want that Hollywood widescreen look with the Michael Bay style lens flares then you’re going to need an anamorphic lens for your smartphone. While these lenses are more expensive than the photography ones discussed above, the results from an anamorphic lens are distinctly different. At the same time, when I’m shooting videos for the Youtube channel, for example, I’m using all five types of lenses.

Best Quality Option – BeastGrip 1.33x Anamorphic Lens

• aa

BeastGrip 1.33x Anamorphic Lens Specs –

 

Best Budget Option – ULANZI 1.33x Anamorphic Lens

Best Deal Option – Moment 1.33x Anamorphic Lens

 

Moment Anamorphic Lens Tech Specs –

• Will require the purchase of an M-Series Case
• 1.33x magnification
• 2:40:1 Cinemascope
• Aerospace-grade metal
• Distortion – Vintage Anamorphic barrel-type distortion
• Hand polished glass found in 4k film cameras
• Moment’s Unrivaled Warranty + Customer Service

Are Clip-on Lenses for Mobile Worth It?

First things first, there’s no industry standard for what the differences between a clip-on and a mounted lens is so I’ve included both here. If you’re really interested in the ability to clip-on the lenses like you’re probably thinking, then check out this Sandmarc Lens Review (they include both case mounting and a clip-on option with each purchase).

With that out of the way, let us know in the comments what type of lens you shoot with most and what your brand of choice is. As always, if you tag your Instagram shots #photoswithphones maybe we’ll share your work on the site.