Magnetic soap holders compared: what really matters
In short: A magnetic soap holder lets the soap hang freely, which is why it dries better than in any dish. The models differ mainly in three ways: how they stay on the wall (suction cup or adhesive pad), what goes into the soap (pin, disc or bottle cap) and how much weight they can carry. If you rarely move the holder and want a soap to stay safely in one spot for years, an adhesive pad and a bottle cap are your best bet.
The differences at a glance
| Suction cup holder | Holder with adhesive pad (e.g. Soapi) | |
|---|---|---|
| Grip on the wall | Vacuum. Can come loose if the suction cup dries out or the temperature changes | waterproof adhesive pad, stays firmly in place |
| Moving it | any time, no tools needed | comes off tiles and glass without residue, a new pad is needed (Soapi: replacement adhesive pad €1) |
| Surfaces | only very smooth and flat, without grout lines | smooth and flat: tiles, glass, mirrors, stainless steel, acrylic |
| Waiting time | none | none with Soapi, hang the soap straight away |
| Price | usually cheaper | Soapi €12.95, with a 10-year durability guarantee |
1. Mounting: suction cup or adhesive pad?
A suction cup is handy if you often want to move the holder to a different spot. Its weakness is grip: it works by vacuum, and that weakens when the suction cup dries out, limescale gets underneath or the tile has a fine texture. Sooner or later the soap falls down, often right in the middle of your shower.
An adhesive pad, on the other hand, holds for good without you having to press it back on. What matters is that it is made for wet areas. Soapi uses a waterproof adhesive pad that can take weight as soon as it has been pressed on. Worth knowing: no adhesive pad holds reliably on wallpaper, woodchip, plaster or painted walls, so drilling is the only option there.
2. What goes into the soap: pin, disc or bottle cap?
Every magnetic soap holder needs a metal part in the soap. Many models come with a small pin or disc that is pushed straight into the soap. That works, but it is also easier to pull back out, especially as the soap gets smaller and softer.
Soapi relies on an ordinary bottle cap from a drinks bottle. Its crimped edge digs into the soap and so holds more firmly. On top of that, almost everyone has bottle caps at home, they are made the same way all over the world, and for every new soap you simply take the next one. You never need to buy spare parts.
3. Load capacity: how heavy can the soap be?
Most soaps and shampoo bars weigh 80 to 150 g. A holder should carry at least that, ideally with some margin for large handmade bars. Soapi holds up to 250 g, depending on the shape of the soap.
4. Rust: what to look out for
In the shower, rust is the most common annoyance with metal soap holders. Make sure there is no exposed metal on the holder itself. On Soapi, the magnet is fully enclosed in plastic, so the holder cannot rust. The metal part in the soap is always a consumable: a lacquered bottle cap rarely rusts, and if it does, you just use a new one for the next soap.
5. Material and origin
Many soap holders come anonymously from the Far East. If you want to know what the thing is made of and where it is produced, look for information on the material. Soapi is injection moulded in Berlin. The housing is injection moulded from recycled plastic, around 90 % of which comes from discarded fishing nets and ropes. The nets are processed in Denmark.
Which soap holder suits whom?
- You move house often or want to keep changing the spot: A suction cup is flexible, but needs a very smooth surface.
- You want a solution that stays put in one spot for years: adhesive pad and bottle cap, for example Soapi.
- You use large, heavy handmade soaps: Check the load capacity, Soapi holds up to 250 g.
- You have wallpaper or plaster on the wall: Neither a suction cup nor an adhesive pad holds reliably there, a drilled solution is better.
More on the difference between a dish and a magnet: Soap dish or magnetic soap holder? All the facts about Soapi: Soapi at a glance.
Frequently asked questions
Which magnetic soap holder is the best?
That depends on how you use it. For a soap that should stay in one spot for good, a holder with a waterproof adhesive pad and a bottle cap is the most stable solution, because neither the holder comes off the wall nor the counterpart out of the soap. Soapi holds up to 250 g and comes with a 10-year durability guarantee.
Does a suction cup soap holder stay up permanently?
Not always. Suction cups hold by vacuum, which can weaken over time, especially if the suction cup dries out, limescale gets underneath or the surface is not completely smooth.
Why a bottle cap instead of a metal disc?
The crimped edge of the bottle cap digs into the soap and holds more firmly than a smooth pin or a flat disc. What's more, almost everyone has bottle caps at home, so no spare parts are needed.
Can I use a magnetic soap holder in a rented flat?
Yes, as long as you mount it without drilling. Soapi comes off tiles and glass without residue, so nothing is left behind when you move out.
How much does a good magnetic soap holder cost?
Simple suction cup models are cheaper. Soapi costs €12.95 each or €24.99 for a set of three and is designed to stay in one spot for many years, with a 10-year durability guarantee.