Pot magnets are designed for clamping directly onto a steel surface; they are made from a large magnet encased within a steel shell. They are magnetic on one face only, creating a solid clamping force. However, they should not be used to attract other magnets or attract through a gap as they have a shallow depth of the magnetic field.

Pot magnets have many advantages and can be supplied with a tapped hole, a countersunk hole, a counter-bored hole, a threaded stud or a threaded collar all for convenient mounting. They can also be supplied with hooks and eyebolt attachments, ideal for hanging a variety of items.