Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Moment 14mm Fisheye Lens | Best Overall | 4.7/5 |
| Apexel 195 Degree Fisheye Lens | Best Budget | 4.6/5 |
| Sandmarc Fisheye Edition Lens | Best Premium | 4.7/5 |
| Xenvo Pro Lens Kit with Fisheye | Best for Video | 4.5/5 |
| Selvim 4-in-1 Fisheye Clip Lens | Best Compact | 4.6/5 |
I picked up the iPhone 11 fisheye trend partly out of curiosity and partly because skating clips look great with it. Five lenses went on my phone in a month, here is what I learned.
What Matters Most
The real distortion angle, edge sharpness, alignment system, and build of the clip are what matter. Cheap clips slide off and ruin shots, while plastic lenses ghost in sunlight.
My Setup
I used an iPhone 11 with a slim silicone case for most tests. I shot static scenes for sharpness and skateboard runs for real action. I judged the look in the native Camera app and in Filmic Pro.
The Lenses I Tested
The Moment Fisheye 14mm Lens for iPhone is the premium pick. The glass is real and the bayonet mount is rock solid.
The Apexel HD Fisheye Phone Lens Kit bundles fisheye, macro, and wide for the price of half a Moment lens.
The Sandmarc Fisheye Lens for iPhone gave the most distortion in my tests, which is what I want from a fisheye.
The Xenvo Pro Fisheye Lens Kit is the budget kit I keep recommending. The clip is metal and the lens is clean enough.
The SELVIM Fisheye Phone Lens is the cheapest of the bunch and a fine starter if you just want to try the look.
Common Mistakes
Pointing a fisheye toward the sun produces massive flare with budget lenses. Forgetting to wipe the rear element after a coat pocket trip will softens every shot. Always inspect both surfaces before recording.
Final Recommendation
For most iPhone 11 owners, the Xenvo Pro is the right combination of price and quality. Serious shooters should invest in the Moment Fisheye, and anyone who wants the wildest fisheye look should grab the Sandmarc.
Frequently asked questions
Do iPhone fisheye clip lenses work with cases?+
Most clips work with slim cases but fail with heavy bumpers. The Moment lens system needs its own case for proper alignment.
How much distortion should a real fisheye produce?+
True fisheye images bend straight lines noticeably and approach a 180 degree field of view. Lenses below 170 degrees are really wide angles in disguise.