PopSockets
PopSockets designs, manufactures, and sells mobile device accessories, anchored by its collapsible PopGrip and a MagSafe-compatible ecosystem (wallets, cases, mounts, chargers). The company serves general consumers and accessibility users globally, selling 290M+ units across 115 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersBoulder, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PopSockets does
PopSockets is a Boulder, Colorado-based consumer hardware company that designs, manufactures, and sells mobile device accessories, anchored by its flagship PopGrip, a collapsible phone grip with a swappable PopTop. The product is built around an accordion-grip mechanism compatible with MagSafe-enabled iPhones and select Android devices, expanding into an accessories ecosystem that includes PopWallet+ (magnetic wallet with grip and stand), PopCase, PowerPack portable battery, Kick-Out and Suck-Up mounts, softgoods wallets, MagSafe adapter rings, and Kindle cases. Core engineering differentiators include the 2.6mm Low-Pro ultra-thin MagSafe grip (30-lb tensile strength, 100,000 open-close cycles, MagSafe pass-through charging) and accessibility-focused variants such as the Hikawa Grip & Stand developed with Bailey Hikawa. Manufacturing appears to be outsourced; PopSockets itself operates as a brand-led designer and distributor.
The company sells primarily direct-to-consumer through popsockets.com and 30+ regional websites, with distribution through Apple Stores globally, third-party retailers, and a corporate sales program for bulk orders. Pricing ranges from roughly under $20 for budget accessories to $54.95 for the Hikawa Grip & Stand, with standard MagSafe grips clustered in the $30-$40 band and cases at ~$40. Revenue streams comprise consumer hardware sales, licensing arrangements with major IP holders (Disney, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel, Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Bridgerton, ACOTAR), and a corporate merchandise channel. PopSockets has shipped 290+ million products across 115 countries over roughly eleven years, bootstrapped from less than $500,000 of founder David Barnett's house-fire insurance proceeds and without institutional venture capital, culminating in a recently announced founder-CEO succession and continued product expansion into accessibility via the Phone Better Initiative.
PopSockets firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PopSockets
- Legal name
- PopSockets Inc.
- Website
- https://popsockets.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- PopSockets designs, manufactures, and sells mobile device accessories, anchored by its collapsible PopGrip and a MagSafe-compatible ecosystem (wallets, cases, mounts, chargers). The company serves general consumers and accessibility users globally, selling 290M+ units across 115 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PopSockets industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Phone Accessories
- NAICS
- Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)
- SIC
- Electric Housewares & Fans (3634)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Collectible Card Games (CCGs/LCGs) Retail (CRALALAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Pop Culture Collectibles Retail (Figures, Statues, Funko, etc.) (CRALAGAK)
Keywords
Where PopSockets is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boulder
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
PopSockets business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Consumer Hardware Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling phone grips, cases, wallets, mounts, and accessories directly to consumers through e-commerce and retail channels. Products range from $20-$60 with various licensed collaborations commanding premium pricing.
- Corporate Sales: Bulk corporate sales program for branded merchandise, fundraising, and corporate gifting purposes.
- Licensing Revenue: Licensing agreements with major IP holders (Disney, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Pokémon, etc.) that generate both revenue from licensed product sales and brand visibility.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | MagSafe PopGrip - $30-40 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hikawa Grip & Stand - $54.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | MagSafe Cases - ~$40 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kick-Out PopWallet - $50 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | MagSafe PowerPack - varies |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Budget Accessories - under $20 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
PopSockets product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PopSockets designs, manufactures and sells the original collapsible PopGrip phone grip and a MagSafe-compatible ecosystem of mobile device accessories, including PopWallet+ wallets, PopCase phone cases, PowerPack portable chargers, Kick-Out stands, Suck-Up mounts, Car & Desk Mounts, Softgoods wallets, MagSafe Adapter Rings and Kindle cases. The portfolio centers on a swappable PopTop customization system and licensed collaborations with Disney, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Marvel, Pokémon and other major entertainment franchises.
Product overview
PopSockets is a consumer hardware company that has sold over 290 million products across 115 countries, specializing in mobile device accessories. The product portfolio centers on the PopGrip (collapsible phone grip) as the core offering, with supporting products including PopWallet+ (MagSafe wallet with grip/stand), PopCase (MagSafe phone cases), PowerPack (MagSafe portable battery), and various mounts (Car & Desk Mount, Suck-Up Grip & Mount, Kick-Out Grip & Stand). The ecosystem is built around MagSafe compatibility for iPhones and select Android devices, with swappable PopTops allowing users to customize the grip's appearance. PopSockets offers a Custom Design Tool with AI-powered features for personalized products. The company has expanded into accessibility-focused products through the Phone Better Initiative and Hikawa Grip & Stand collaboration, while maintaining licensing partnerships with major brands including Disney, Pokémon, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Marvel, and others. The business operates without institutional venture capital, bootstrapped with under $500,000 in initial funding.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PopGrip: The original collapsible phone grip product line
- PopWallet+
- PopCase
- PowerPack
- PopMount
- PopTops
- Kick-Out
- Suck-Up
- Softgoods
- Hikawa Grip & Stand
Products and services
- PopGrip (MagSafe) Collapsible phone grip that attaches magnetically via MagSafe or adhesively to phones and cases, providing a secure hold, a stand in portrait or landscape mode, and a mounting point for PopSockets accessories.
- PopWallet+ (MagSafe) MagSafe-compatible wallet that attaches magnetically to phones, combining wallet functionality with a grip and adjustable stand for portrait and landscape orientations.
- PopCase (MagSafe) MagSafe-compatible protective phone cases for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models, designed to work with PopSockets MagSafe grips, wallets and other accessories.
- PopTop (Swappable Tops) Swappable decorative tops that attach to PopGrip bases, letting users change the look of their phone grip without replacing the entire product.
- PowerPack (MagSafe) MagSafe-compatible portable battery pack that attaches magnetically to phones for wireless charging on the go.
- Suck-Up Grip & Mount MagSafe suction-based grip and mount that adheres to smooth surfaces such as mirrors and windows, enabling hands-free phone mounting.
- Kick-Out Grip & Stand MagSafe-compatible grip with an adjustable kick-out stand for hands-free viewing in portrait and landscape orientations.
- Car & Desk Mount Magnetic mount for car dashboards and desks that pairs with MagSafe PopSockets products for hands-free phone positioning while driving or working.
- Softgoods Wallets MagSafe-compatible wallets made from soft materials such as leather alternatives, combining wallet functionality with MagSafe grip and stand capability.
- Hikawa Grip & Stand Accessibility-focused MagSafe grip and stand designed in collaboration with Bailey Hikawa for users with disabilities affecting grip, strength and mobility.
- Low-Pro MagSafe Grip Ultra-thin MagSafe iPhone grip measuring 2.6mm, PopSockets' thinnest grip, which passed a 30-lb tensile test and 100,000 open-close cycles and allows MagSafe charging through it.
- MagSafe Adapter Rings Adapter rings that add MagSafe compatibility to non-MagSafe phones or cases, extending PopSockets' accessory ecosystem.
- Kindle Cases MagSafe-compatible protective cases designed for Kindle e-readers, including Paperwhite and Colorsoft models.
Quantifiable outcome
- 290+ million products sold across 115 countries
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use PopSockets
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PopSockets technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature4 records
PopSockets partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- Bailey HikawacoreDesigner Bailey Hikawa collaborated with PopSockets on an accessibility-focused adaptive MagSafe Grip & Stand. Originally launched as a limited edition through Apple in November 2025, the product sold out within days and is now being scaled for wider distribution through PopSockets partnership starting May 19, 2026. The grip was developed with input from people whose disabilities affect muscle strength and dexterity. PopSockets also announced it will hire its first Accessibility Advisor as part of this partnership.
- ApplecoreApple serves as a key retail distribution partner for PopSockets products, particularly the Hikawa Grip & Stand accessibility accessory. The product relaunched globally on Apple on May 19, 2026, at $54.95 in three colors. PopSockets' Low-Pro grip also launched exclusively at the Apple Store before wider retail availability.
- Electric PickssecondaryLimited-edition summer collection collaboration with jewelry brand Electric Picks. The collection features phone grips, cases, and wristlets designed to be stylish and practical, with golden tones and secure MagSafe compatibility. Available exclusively online.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PopSockets competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Spigen: Mobile accessories manufacturer with strong cases, grips, and MagSafe-compatible product lines serving the same smartphone-first consumer. Direct competitor in phone grips and MagSafe accessories.
- Belkin: Major consumer electronics accessories brand selling MagSafe chargers, power banks, and mounts. Direct overlap with PopSockets' PowerPack, mounts, and MagSafe ecosystem.
- CASETiFY: Direct-to-consumer phone case and accessory brand selling customizable, often licensed/designer cases to the same iPhone-first consumer. Closely comparable on GTM, target customer, and customization tooling.
- Speck Products: Phone case brand offering protective cases and accessories for iPhone and Android. Comparable on smartphone accessory focus and target consumer, particularly iPhone users.
- OtterBox: Leading protective phone case brand offering cases and accessories for iPhone and Samsung. Comparable on core product (mobile accessories), customer base, and broad retail distribution.
- Nomad Goods: Premium smartphone accessories brand offering leather MagSafe wallets, cases, and chargers. Comparable on premium MagSafe accessory positioning and licensed/designer collaborations.
- Anker: Leading consumer charging accessories brand with MagSafe-compatible power banks, chargers, and cables. Comparable in portable power (PopSockets' PowerPack) and smartphone accessory ecosystem.
- Mophie: Specialist in phone battery cases and wireless charging accessories. Directly comparable on MagSafe/portable power product category overlapping with PopSockets' PowerPack line.
Emerging players
- Bandolier: Direct-to-consumer phone case and crossbody strap brand. Comparable on premium smartphone accessory positioning, designer collabs, and female-skewing customer base.
Broad incumbents
- ZAGG (now owned by EverQuote): Broad mobile accessories brand spanning cases, screen protection, and power. Overlapping customer and product category but a wider, less specialized portfolio than PopSockets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PopSockets social profiles
Digital presencePopSockets financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PopSockets leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
PopSockets funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PopSockets M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PopSockets
What does PopSockets do?
PopSockets designs, manufactures and sells the original collapsible PopGrip phone grip and a MagSafe-compatible ecosystem of mobile device accessories, including PopWallet+ wallets, PopCase phone cases, PowerPack portable chargers, Kick-Out stands, Suck-Up mounts, Car & Desk Mounts, Softgoods wallets, MagSafe Adapter Rings and Kindle cases. The portfolio centers on a swappable PopTop customization system and licensed collaborations with Disney, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Marvel, Pokémon and other major entertainment franchises.
Is PopSockets a public or private company?
PopSockets is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was PopSockets founded?
PopSockets was founded in 2014. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is PopSockets based?
PopSockets is headquartered in Boulder, United States, in the North America region.
How does PopSockets make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Consumer Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sales and licensing Revenue.
Who are PopSockets's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Spigen, Belkin, CASETiFY, Speck Products, OtterBox, Nomad Goods, Anker and Mophie. Bandolier is listed as an emerging player. ZAGG (now owned by EverQuote) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does PopSockets have an API?
No public API is recorded for PopSockets.
What industry is PopSockets in?
PopSockets's product category is Mobile Phone Accessories. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALALAG, Collectible Card Games (CCGs/LCGs) Retail, with a secondary code of CRALAGAK, Pop Culture Collectibles Retail (Figures, Statues, Funko, etc.). Its NAICS code is 45912 and its SIC code is 3634.