Tenikle Review: Genius Shark Tank Product or Gimmick?

In This Article

Table of Contents

We’ve all seen the viral videos. A strange, silicone, octopus-like gadget slaps onto a window, securely holding a heavy smartphone while a creator films a perfect TikTok or GPS navigates a road trip.

Backed by Daymond John on Shark Tank, the Tenikle promises to replace your car mount, selfie stick, and tripod all in one $40 package.

But does it actually work? Or are you one failed suction cup away from a shattered phone screen?

In this comprehensive Tenikle review, we put the popular flexible mount through aggressive real-world testing. We stuck it to glass, wood, drywall, and car dashboards. We wrapped it around bikes and tree branches.

Here is the honest truth about what the Tenikle does brilliantly—and the hidden limitations the marketing videos don’t show you.

Quick Verdict

What is Tenikle?

The Tenikle is a flexible, multi-purpose phone and camera mount made of silicone. It uses a combination of bendable “tentacles” and strong suction cups to act as a tripod, car mount, or grip.

Best For: Content creators, frequent travelers, vloggers, and anyone who watches video on their phone while doing chores or working out.

Our Rating: 4.2 / 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Quick Pros:

Incredibly versatile (tripod, car mount, selfie stick).
Suction strength on smooth glass and tile is phenomenal.
Highly durable, waterproof silicone build.
Includes a standard 1/4-20″ thread for lightweight cameras.

Quick Cons:

Will not stick to textured walls, porous dashboards, or matte phone cases.
Takes some trial and error to bend the legs for a perfectly level shot.
A bit bulky to keep in your pocket compared to a PopSocket.

Final Recommendation:

If you need a mount to stick to your car window, bathroom mirror, or wrap around a treadmill bar, the Tenikle is an absolute game-changer. However, if you have a textured phone case or a leather dashboard, you will be disappointed with the suction features.

Product Overview Table

Feature	Details
Product Name	Tenikle 360
Price	~$45.00 (Often on sale for $35)
Material	Premium Silicone & Polycarbonate
Key Features	360° rotating head, 3 bendable legs, 10 suction cups, universal phone clip, 1/4-20″ camera thread
Weight Capacity	Up to 30 lbs (suction), but recommended for <3 lbs for stability
Best For	iPhones, Androids, GoPros, lightweight mirrorless cameras
Warranty	1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Refund Policy	30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

What Is Tenikle?

At its core, the Tenikle is a “third hand” for your devices. Designed by Hans Dose and famously pitched on Shark Tank (securing a deal with Daymond John), the device was born out of frustration with carrying multiple mounting accessories.

Instead of owning a bulky car mount, a dedicated selfie stick, and a rigid tripod, the Tenikle combines them all into one alien-looking, flexible silicone star.

It features three bendable legs lined with industrial-strength suction cups. You can stick the cups to a smooth surface, or you can ignore the cups entirely and wrap the flexible legs around a pole, a tree branch, or a steering wheel.

Who is it for?

TikTokers & Reel Creators: Need to film a dance in public? Stick it to a store window.
Travelers: Watch movies on an airplane by wrapping the Tenikle around the tray table latch.
Drivers: Slap it on the windshield for a reliable GPS mount that doesn’t block the AC vents.
Mechanics & DIYers: Stick your phone under the hood of a car to use the flashlight hands-free.

Key Features & Benefits

The Tenikle isn’t just a piece of rubber. It has some clever engineering baked in. Here is how its features translate into real-world benefits.

The 360-Degree Rotating Head

Older versions of the Tenikle required you to awkwardly bend the entire arm to get your phone level. The newer Tenikle 360 includes a rotating swivel ball head.

The Benefit: Once you stick or wrap the Tenikle to a surface, you can instantly spin your phone from portrait to landscape mode, or tilt it to get the perfect angle without un-sticking the whole device.

“Shure-Grip” Suction Cups

The device features multiple suction cups across its legs. When pressed against a completely smooth, non-porous surface, they create a vacuum seal.

The Benefit: You don’t need magnetic rings or sticky adhesives on your car or mirrors. You can stick it, pull it off, and stick it somewhere else leaving zero residue.

1/4-20″ Universal Camera Thread

If you unscrew the included phone clip, you reveal a standard camera tripod screw.

The Benefit: You can mount a GoPro, a ring light, a microphone, or a lightweight DSLR camera directly to the Tenikle. It bridges the gap between a casual phone accessory and a piece of professional creator gear.

Silicone Over Wire Construction

The legs are made of an internal bendable wire coated in high-grade silicone.

The Benefit: It is 100% waterproof and virtually indestructible. You can use it in the shower, drop it in the mud, or run it under the sink to clean it without rusting.

How It Works (And How to Not Drop Your Phone)

Using the Tenikle requires a tiny bit of a learning curve. If you just gently press it against a wall, your phone will fall. Here is the proper way to use it:

Step 1: Prep the Surface

Suction cups require smooth, clean surfaces. Wipe down the glass or tile. Dust breaks the vacuum seal.

Step 2: The “Push and Roll” Technique

Don’t just push the center of the Tenikle. Press the center, and then firmly roll your thumbs over each individual suction cup to push all the air out.

Step 3: Attach the Device

Open the spring-loaded phone clip, slide your phone in, and adjust the 360-degree ball head to frame your shot.

Step 4: The Wrap Method (No Suction)

If you are attaching it to a bicycle handle or a shopping cart, ignore the suction. Bend all three legs tightly around the bar, twisting them over each other to create a lock.

Real-World Testing & Performance Analysis

Marketing videos are great, but we wanted to know how the Tenikle performs in daily life. We tested it for two weeks. Here are our unvarnished results.

The Suction Test

Glass/Windshields: Flawless. We stuck it to a car windshield in 90-degree heat. It held an iPhone 14 Pro for a 4-hour drive over bumpy roads without budging.
Bathroom Tile/Mirrors: Excellent. It held securely to the shower wall, making it great for listening to podcasts or watching videos while getting ready.
Drywall/Painted Walls: FAIL. Do not try this. The micro-textures in paint will cause the suction to release within 10 seconds.
Textured Car Dashboards: FAIL. If your dashboard has a faux-leather or textured plastic finish, the Tenikle will not stick. It must go on the windshield or a smooth infotainment screen.

The Wrapping (Tripod) Test

Wrapping the Tenikle around a pole or fence works brilliantly. The silicone grips nicely against metal and wood, preventing it from slipping down.

Using it as a standard standing tripod on a table takes some finessing. Because the legs are totally flexible, you have to spend a few seconds bending them into a perfect tripod shape to ensure it doesn’t tip over backward from the weight of a heavy phone.

The Phone Case Dilemma

The phone clip opens wide enough to accommodate heavy-duty OtterBox cases. However, if you try to use the suction cups to hold your phone (bypassing the clip), you must have a perfectly smooth phone case. Matte, leather, or textured cases will not suction.

Pros and Cons

To be as objective as possible, here is a balanced look at the device.

The Pros:

All-in-one replacement: Replaces a tripod, car mount, and selfie stick.
Incredible holding power: On glass, the suction is strong enough to hold a bowling ball (literally, they tested this).
Waterproof and durable: Easy to wash, won’t rust.
Travel-friendly: Flattens out to easily slide into a backpack or laptop bag.
Upgraded 360 head: Makes framing shots incredibly easy.

The Cons:

Surface limitations: Completely useless on drywall, wood, or textured plastic.
Requires two hands to mount: You can’t just drop your phone in with one hand while driving; you have to pry open the clamp.
Fidgety as a table tripod: Getting all three legs perfectly level on a flat table takes a little adjusting.
Lint magnet: The silicone material tends to attract dust and pet hair (though it washes off easily).

Comparison: Tenikle vs. Joby GorillaPod vs. Standard Car Mounts

How does the Tenikle stack up against the competition?

Feature	Tenikle 360	Joby GorillaPod (Mobile)	Standard Magnetic Car Mount
Mounting Method	Suction + Wrapping	Wrapping only	Magnets / Vent Clips
Stick to Glass/Walls?	Yes	No	No
Stand as a Tripod?	Yes (requires bending)	Yes (very stable)	No
Durability	High (Silicone)	Medium (Plastic joints pop out)	High
Portability	High (Flat)	Medium (Bulky joints)	High
Price	~$45	~$35 – $50	~$15 – $30

Verdict against the GorillaPod:

The Joby GorillaPod is slightly better if you only need a standing tripod for uneven terrain, as its segmented legs offer superior stability. However, the Tenikle destroys the GorillaPod in versatility because the GorillaPod cannot stick to windows, mirrors, or flat surfaces.

User Reviews & Community Feedback

We aggregated hundreds of reviews from Reddit, Amazon, and YouTube to find the consensus outside of our own testing.

What Users Love:

The “Shower Mount”: Many users rave about using it to watch Netflix in the shower or bath.
Gym Use: Reddit users frequently mention wrapping it around squat racks or treadmills to film their form or watch videos.
Durability: Several users noted they have had their Tenikle for over two years without the silicone tearing or the wire breaking.

What Users Complain About:

The “Dropping” Fear: The most common complaint comes from users who tried to stick it to a slightly porous surface, resulting in their phone falling. Rule of thumb: If it’s not smooth like glass, don’t suction it.
Dust buildup: Users note that dropping it on the floor means it picks up dust, which ruins the suction until you wash it.

Pricing & Value for Money

The Tenikle 360 retails for around $45, though the company frequently runs bundles or discounts bringing the price closer to $35.

Is it overpriced?

If you view it strictly as a car mount, $45 is expensive. You can get a cheap vent clip on Amazon for $15.

However, if you view it as a 3-in-1 tool (a car mount, a vlogging tripod, and a shower/gym mount), the value becomes obvious. Buying a high-quality Joby tripod ($40) plus a good car mount ($20) costs more than a single Tenikle.

For creators, travelers, and tech minimalists, it is absolutely worth the money.

Is Tenikle Legit or a Scam?

Because the product looks so weird and features heavily in Instagram and TikTok ads, many people wonder if it’s a dropshipping scam.

Tenikle is 100% legit.

It is an original, patented product invented by Hans Dose.
It was successfully pitched on Shark Tank (Season 13).
The company is based in the USA.
They offer legitimate customer support and honor their 30-day money-back guarantee.

It is not a cheap knockoff, though cheap knockoffs do exist on Amazon. Make sure you are buying the branded “Tenikle” to get the high-quality silicone and the strong internal wiring.

Who Should Buy It? (And Who Should Pass)

BUY IT IF:

You make TikToks, Reels, or YouTube videos and need to mount your phone in weird places.
You travel frequently and want a mount for airplane tray tables and rental cars.
You like watching videos in the bathroom, kitchen, or gym.
You are tired of carrying multiple tripods and mounts.

PASS ON IT IF:

You need a mount specifically for a textured, faux-leather car dashboard.
You want something small enough to stay permanently attached to the back of your phone (like a PopSocket).
You are using heavy, professional DSLR camera setups with massive lenses (it will tip over).

FAQs

How long do Tenikle suction cups last?

The suction on a clean, smooth surface (like a window) can last for days or even weeks. However, temperature changes (like a freezing car overnight) can cause the air pressure to shift, causing the mount to release. It’s recommended to re-press the cups daily if leaving it in a car.

How long do Tenikle suction cups last?

Yes. The included spring-loaded clamp opens wide enough to hold almost all smartphones, even those with bulky protective cases like OtterBox or LifeProof.

Does Tenikle work in the heat?

Yes. High-grade silicone is extremely heat resistant. Unlike cheap plastic mounts that warp or adhesive mounts that melt in the summer sun, the Tenikle holds up well in hot cars.

Is the Tenikle safe for driving?

Yes, as long as it is mounted to the windshield or a smooth glass infotainment screen. Avoid mounting it in areas that obstruct your view of the road or block airbag deployment zones.

Can I take the Tenikle on an airplane?

Absolutely. It contains no batteries or restricted materials. It’s a favorite among travelers for wrapping around airplane seatbacks to watch movies.

Final Verdict

The Tenikle 360 is one of the rare viral gadgets that actually lives up to its marketing hype—provided you use it correctly.

It is a brilliantly engineered, nearly indestructible mount that solves the annoying problem of how to prop up your phone in everyday situations. While the suction cups demand smooth surfaces to work their magic, the ability to bend, wrap, and twist the device means you can mount your phone practically anywhere.

If you are a content creator, a frequent traveler, or just someone tired of their phone falling off their dashboard, the Tenikle is a highly recommended, versatile addition to your everyday carry.