TELESIN vs Sanwa Direct MagSafe Neck Phone Holders: One for Filming, One for Watching

This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.

Quick take

I bought two MagSafe neck-mount phone holders: the Sanwa Direct 200-DGCAM041 and a TELESIN neck mount. They look similar, but they suit different jobs. The TELESIN is light (221 g on my scale) and folds up small, with a short arm that keeps the phone close to your chest, which is great for point-of-view filming but cramped for watching. The Sanwa Direct has a long flexible arm (386 g), and it is the one I would pick for watching videos lying down.

What I tested

TELESIN MagSafe neck mount (¥4,369 list price, about ¥3,500 with a coupon at the time of recording)
Sanwa Direct MagSafe neck phone holder 200-DGCAM041 (¥3,480 at the time of recording)
Both bought with my own money and used with an iPhone at home: unboxing, weight, putting them on, filming, browsing and watching videos lying down

Side by side

	TELESIN	Sanwa Direct

Price in Japan (at recording)	¥4,369 (about ¥3,500 with coupon)	¥3,480
Measured weight	221 g	386 g (670.5 g with my iPhone in a case)
Arm	Short, hinge with no tension adjustment	Long gooseneck, tension set with a screw
Best for	Hands-free POV filming	Watching and using the phone

What I found

The neck band on the TELESIN is soft and rolls up much smaller than the Sanwa Direct.
The TELESIN neck lock releases with a button and clicks in very satisfyingly. It is easier to put on than the Sanwa Direct.
With the TELESIN the phone sits very close. Filming is easy and your hands have room to work, but replying to messages, watching video or checking your own footage feels cramped.
The TELESIN hinge is metal and stiff, but it has no tension adjustment, so if it ever loosens there is no fix.
The Sanwa Direct feels lighter than the numbers suggest because the weight spreads across your neck and chest. Watching videos lying down was clearly easier than holding the phone.
Bend the Sanwa Direct arm downward and it films from almost the same spot as the TELESIN. iPhone stabilization kept walking footage watchable.
The Sanwa Direct has an action camera mount and works as a (large) desk stand. Its plastic joint looks weak and the screw must be tight or the arm sags.
Neither one is something I would wear in public without feeling self-conscious.

TELESIN and Sanwa Direct neck holders side by side — Top: TELESIN. Bottom: Sanwa Direct with its much longer arm

Who it is for

TELESIN: you mainly want hands-free POV footage of cooking, crafts or other hand work, and you want something light that packs small.
Sanwa Direct: you want to watch videos or read in bed without tired arms, with the option to film too. I could only find this long-arm design from Sanwa Direct.
Both: one for filming and one for watching at home is a reasonable setup.

Watch the review

【撮影用 or 視聴用】どっちが買い？TELESIN vs サンワダイレクトのMagSafe首掛けスマホホルダーをガチ比較

The video is in Japanese. Chapters: 01:14 unboxing and weight, 04:07 wearing it and POV filming, 05:32 comparison with the Sanwa Direct.

Limitations

I used both at home for a short time, so I cannot speak to long-term durability. Sanwa Direct is a Japanese brand, and its holder may not be sold outside Japan. Prices are Amazon Japan prices in yen at the time of recording.

Products

TELESIN MagSafe neck mount: on Amazon Japan

Sanwa Direct neck phone holder 200-DGCAM041: on Amazon Japan

The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.

More reviews in English