The 8 Best Wide Angle Phone Lenses
Updated by · How we research
Eight clip-on and mount-on wide angle lenses for iPhone and Android phones, compared on optics, fit and extras. The Xenvo Pro Lens Kit leads for most people. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Most phones sold since about 2019 already have a built-in ultrawide camera, and it is usually sharper and straighter than a clip-on. An add-on still earns its place on a phone with one rear camera, for a fisheye look, or to get the main camera's extra detail in a wider frame. It has to sit squarely over that main lens.
Editor's Notes
November 1, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The Xenvo Pro Lens Kit now leads this list, and the Moment Wide 18mm moves down for a practical reason. It's Moment's older M-Series lens, and Moment now points owners of anything newer than an iPhone 13 to its T-Series lenses instead, which we list as a special honor. The glass is still lovely if you already own an M-Series case.
Six earlier picks dropped out after their makers or sellers stopped offering them: the Criacr 9 in 1, CoPedvic PLK-01, Black Eye Pro Cinema Wide G4, Sirui 3 in 1 Kit, Ztylus Designer Revolver M Series and Techo Universal. In their place are clip-on kits from KEYWING, APEXEL, NEEWER and Ailun, a dedicated fisheye, and an 11-lens sampler.
The best evidence was a five-lens comparison shot on one iPhone and a photographer's look at a clip-on next to a phone's own ultrawide camera. Beyond those, we leaned on makers' optical specs and fit notes. One honest tip: if your phone has an ultrawide camera, try it before buying anything.
April 15, 2021:
We removed the Aukey Ora, BullyEyes Easy Clip and Anazalea Super Wide, all due to availability issues. We also replaced the Criacr 5 in 1, which seemed to be missing in action, with the Criacr 9 in 1, which is essentially the same kit, just with a few more bells and whistles. It also comes with a zippered storage case, instead of the compact cylinder the company offers with its 3-in-1 and 5-in-1 kits. Both solutions seem to be serviceable, but if you prefer the cylinder and don’t think you’re likely to use the extra lenses, then you may want to opt for a smaller set.
We also added the CoPedvic PLK-01 to our list, which caught our eye with its included mini tripod and 22x telephoto lens. The telephoto glass is a nice touch, but before you go getting too excited about it, it should be noted that it’s a fixed-length model, so while it does boost your smartphone’s utility, it won’t provide any zoom functionality.
For further gear to help take your smartphone-photography game to the next level, check out our rankings for face-tracking gimbals.
January 10, 2020:
Despite the fact that you will have to purchase a compatible case to use it, the Moment 18mm Wide is still a top choice to beat, as it offers quality that many of the off-brand, low-budget options simply cannot match. We've added the Black Eye Pro Cinema Wide G4 and the Sirui 3 in 1 Kit, as well, either of which can help take your "iPhoneography" to new heights. For those who are looking for options a little less pricey, we've selected the Criacr 5 in 1 and kept the Aukey Ora. These are simple and affordable, and each is designed with an eye toward excellent portability. We like the Ztylus Designer Revolver M Series, too, especially since each comes with an eye-catching and matching case. This model doesn't offer universal compatibility, though, and won't allow for wireless charging, like many iPhone X cases do. Finally, we ultimately opted to remove the Olloclip Active Set, as it has been known to occasionally scratch the iPhone; this may not be likely, but for most, the risk isn't worth it.
Special Honors
Sandmarc Wide Lens Sandmarc sells a 16mm wide lens for iPhones from the iPhone 7 through the iPhone 17 family. Each edition comes with a matching case and a clip mount, and the company backs its lenses with a lifetime warranty. It's a good fit for iPhone owners who want a case system without relying on one maker's older mount. sandmarc.com
Moment T-Series Wide 18mm This is the current version of Moment's wide lens. Moment says it keeps distortion under 1 percent, uses multi-coated glass to fight flare, and mounts with a drop-in case on recent iPhones and Pixels or a universal mount on Galaxy phones. It carries a lifetime guarantee against defects. It costs several times as much as a clip-on kit. shopmoment.com
Check The Camera You Already Have
Most phones from the last several years have a built-in ultrawide camera, and the phone corrects its distortion in software.
Most phones from the last several years have a built-in ultrawide camera, and the phone corrects its distortion in software. A clip-on lens can't get that correction, which is why How-To Geek calls the built-in lens almost always the better choice (How-To Geek). GearLab, after comparing five add-on lenses on one iPhone, put it more bluntly: every extra piece of glass costs some image quality (GearLab).
There are still good reasons to buy one. A phone with a single rear camera has no ultrawide at all. A clip-on over the main camera can also pull in more detail than a small ultrawide sensor. When PhotographyBanzai put a Xenvo kit on a Moto G Stylus, the center held more detail than the phone's own ultrawide, though the built-in camera saw slightly wider with straighter lines (PhotographyBanzai). If you want sharper glass for every camera on your phone, not only wide shots, see our list of phone camera lenses.
Clip, Case Mount Or Fisheye
Universal clips are the most common type. A spring clamp with rubber pads holds the lens over the camera, so one kit fits almost any phone. Many kits put the wide lens on top of a macro lens; unscrew the wide part and the macro works alone. Bigger bundles trade quality for variety (PhotoWorkout).
Case systems lock a lens onto a matching phone case or mount, which keeps it aligned and makes it quicker to swap. Moment's current wide lens, for example, uses a drop-in mount on its cases for the iPhone 14 through 17 and a universal mount for recent Galaxy phones (Moment). The trade-off is that the case ties you to one phone, so a new phone often means a new case.
A fisheye is a look, not a fix. It bends straight lines into curves and often leaves a dark ring around the frame, which suits skateboarding clips and pet portraits more than real estate photos. A true wide lens keeps lines straight. For fisheye glass for full-size cameras, see our fisheye lens list.
Getting A Sharp, Even Picture
Put the lens over the main camera, the one the phone uses at 1x, and center it carefully. Phones with several cameras can switch away from it on their own: on an iPhone 13 Pro or later, turning off Macro Control in the camera settings stops the jump to the ultrawide, and some Galaxy phones need a similar setting turned off. Don't zoom, since that often hands the shot to another camera.
Take thick cases off. PhotographyBanzai saw dark corners even with a thin case on, and a big clamp can sit crooked over a bulky one (PhotographyBanzai). Keep the clip's rubber pads clean so grit doesn't scratch a glass phone back.
Store lenses capped in their pouch. A loose lens left on a sunny dashboard can focus light like a magnifying glass, and small caps and lenses don't belong near young children. Wipe the glass with the included cloth before each shoot, because a single fingerprint softens the whole frame.
How we researched this
We compared 20 wide-angle, fisheye and multi-lens kits for phones, read makers' optical specs and fit instructions, and weighed an independent five-lens comparison on an iPhone, a photographer's side-by-side with a phone's own ultrawide camera, and two photography sites' guides. We looked at long-term owner feedback patterns for each pick and checked every major brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; none turned up. Prices were checked on 2026-11-01.
Sources (7)
- GearLab: The 5 Best iPhone Lenses
- PhotographyBanzai: Xenvo smartphone lens kit overview
- PhotoWorkout: best lenses for Android phones
- How-To Geek: Are camera lens add-ons for smartphones worth buying?
- Moment: T-Series Wide 18mm lens
- Sandmarc: iPhone wide angle lens
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls
Frequently asked questions
Is a clip-on wide lens better than my phone's ultrawide camera?
Usually not. A built-in ultrawide has its distortion corrected by the phone. A clip-on helps most on a phone with one rear camera, or when you want the main camera's detail in a wider frame.
Do clip-on lenses work with a phone case?
A thin case may work, but expect dark corners. Thick or rugged cases often stop the clip from sitting flat, so take the case off for the best results.
Will a clip-on lens fit both an iPhone and a Samsung Galaxy?
Universal clips fit most iPhones and Galaxy phones, as long as the lens can cover the main camera. Case systems such as Moment's need the matching case or mount for your model.
What's the difference between a wide angle lens and a fisheye?
A wide angle lens shows more of the scene and keeps lines mostly straight. A fisheye shows even more but bends lines into curves and often leaves a dark ring around the picture.
Can I use a phone lens for video?
Yes. The lens sits in front of the camera, so it works for video and photos alike, with the same soft edges. Lock the phone to its main camera so it doesn't switch lenses mid-clip.
