The Best Car Phone Mounts: Keep Your Phone Close While Driving
| Best Choice |
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Beam Electronics Car Phone Mount | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Best Price |
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Auto Tech Cell Phone Holder | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Premium Pick |
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iOttie Easy One Touch Mount | CHECK LATEST PRICE |
- 1. Beam Electronics Car Phone Mount
- 2. Auto Tech Cell Phone Holder
- 3. iOttie Easy One Touch Mount
- 4. Maxboost Universal Car Mount
- 5. WizGear Magnetic Car Mount
- 6. TechMatte Car Phone Mount
- 7. Humixx Magnetic Phone Mount
- 8. Lisen Car Phone Holder
- 9. Bestrix Cell Phone Holder
- 10. TSV Universal Phone Holder
- Best Car Phone Mount Buying Guide
By: Norah Tarichia
Think of the number of times in a day when you need to pick up your phone to make or answer a call, reply to a text, read a notification, or navigate. It’s quite often. Admittedly, reaching out for your phone comes as second nature, even if you simply want to check the time. However, when you’re driving, having your phone in your hand is not only strenuous but can also be a safety issue. You need to be hands-free and only focus on the road. This is the beauty of having a car phone mount.
Typically mounted either on your windshield, dashboard, or air vents, a phone mount helps to secure your smartphone so you can have it at a safe distance during the drive. While driving, you can employ the voice assist feature on your phone so you can access the maps, make calls, open an email, and perform a myriad of tasks without having to touch your device. So, if you are looking for a high-quality phone mount for your device, you can start here.
The Best Rated Car Phone Mounts
Beam Electronics offers another strong choice with their universal phone mount. The holder works by latching onto the air vents of your car, providing a secure hold. Air vent installation also precludes the possibility of having your view of the road obstructed by an object on the windshield.
It’s easy to slide your phone in and out of the mount, thanks to the quick-release button located on its back. Beam Electronics’ holder also boasts real toughness in its design – it can withstand both hot and cold conditions, all the while keeping your phone stable for easy visibility. Its soft, padded interior cradles your phone throughout your journey, keeping it safe from bumps and scratches. Finally, this mount comes with a full year’s warranty for your peace of mind.
- Air vent mount
- Soft faux leather mounting pad
- Quick-release button
- Compatible with most smartphones
- Brand Beam Electronics
- Model Beam Electronics Air Vent Car Mount
- Weight 3.04 oz
Simple, easy-to-use design
Cushions your device from bumps and scratches
Can withstand almost any weather condition
Air vent positioning keeps your windshield clear
Comes with a one-year warranty
Not compatible with Google Pixel 5
Clamps not durable
Auto Tech’s luxury phone holder certainly lives up to its name. The device keeps your smartphone securely in place through an attachment to the car’s air vents. It can handle potholes and rough surfaces, as well as sudden stops, all while keeping your phone safely encased in its rotatable cradle.
Once mounted, your phone can be rotated 360 degrees, so can be used in portrait mode, landscape mode, or anywhere in between. The phone mount also boasts a sleek design, which blends into your car’s interior, and a gripping mechanism capable of holding even heavier smartphones steady.
- Air vent mount
- 360-degree rotation
- Non-slip, faux leather mounting pad
- Compatible with almost all smartphones
- Brand Auto Tech
- Model Black-CarMount01
- Weight 1.13 ounces
Stays firmly in place, even over rough terrain and potholes
Sleek design blends in easily with most car interiors
Phone can be rotated from portrait to landscape position while in the holder
Grips your phone on the sides, keeping the charging port free
Metal can poke through silicone cover
Doesn’t work on all air vents
Not durable plastic pieces
The iOttie Easy One Touch Mount can effectively keep your phone from flying across the cabin when you make a sharp turn. This is because it’s designed with the patented Easy One-Touch lock mechanism that automatically locks in the phone once you have opened the locking side arms and attached your phone to the trigger. This is easy to accomplish with just one hand. An adjustable foot cradle at the bottom of the mounting plate also helps to provide a steady grip on your phone.
Adding to its ergonomic design is a telescopic arm that can extend from four to 6.5 inches, and a 225-degree adjustable ball head so both the driver and passenger can access the device. Lastly, it attaches to either the dashboard or windshield with a suction cup. You can attach devices ranging from 2.3 to 3.5 inches in width.
- Telescopic arm
- Capable of a 225-degree rotation
- Dashboard- and windshield-compatible suction cup
- Brand iOttie
- Model HLCRIO125
- Weight 0.52 ounces
Easy one-handed operation
Compatible with all smartphones thanks to its fully adjustable mounting system
Sturdy design keeps phone steady for ease of use
Comes with a one-year warranty
Suction cup loses grip
Susceptible to heat
May not work with phones in cases
Experience hassle-free phone mounting whenever you go on a short drive with the Maxboost Universal Car Mount. For a decent price, you get a pair of compact phone mounts that don’t take up much space or obstruct your view of the road. Each unit comes with four, pre-installed magnets, and a non-slip, rubberized exterior on the mounting head for a powerful grip.
Since they have an open design, you can attach almost any type of smartphone, and you can also position your phone at any angle. Attaching directly to your vehicle’s horizontal or vertical air vents, this mount has a simple design that’s easy to attach and detach.
- Compatible with virtually all smartphone designs
- Includes four, pre-installed magnets
- Non-slip, rubberized mounting plate
- Attaches to the air vent
- Brand Maxboost
- Model MB000049
- Weight 2.5 ounces
Easy installation
Sleek design is barely noticeable in your car
Phone can be rotated to landscape and portrait positions, as well as anywhere in between
Easy to take your phone in and out of the holder
Not strong magnet
Not compatible with large or heavy phones
Like Beam Electronics phone holder, WizGear’s mounting system can be easily attached to the air vents of your car. Once installed, the smartphone is quickly and firmly mounted using a powerful magnet. The set comes with magnetic strips that are easily attached to your phone. They can grip onto the magnet on the holder itself even through a plastic case, so the appearance of your phone needn’t be affected.
WizGear’s magnetic phone holders also swivel back and forth, so you can see your screen as clearly as possible. Not only is this easier on your eyes, but also promotes safer driving, since you won’t be squinting at a screen that is difficult to see. Finally, a pack of two of these holders can be had for a reasonable price.
- Compact, magnetic phone holder
- Rubber mounting panel
- Attaches to the air vent
- Two-pack
- Brand WizGear
- Model Magnetic Mount
- Weight 3.84 ounces
Easily installed
Magnetic holding system grips phone firmly and easily
Universally compatible with smartphones, regardless of their design
Air vent clamp not strong
Can damage air vent
TechMatte’s car phone mount is attached to your dashboard or windshield through a sturdy suction cup. Your phone is then connected to a pad through a series of strong magnets. With its one-year warranty and durable design, this mount will keep your phone safe even on rough terrain. Customers report that the magnets are strong enough to withstand sudden stops and potholes too.
The adjustable positioning also allows you to see your phone at any angle, making it easy to keep an eye on navigation without being distracted from the road ahead. All this along with the strong and reliable suction cup installation makes this phone mount also a great value option.
- Magnetic phone holder
- Capable of 360-degree rotation
- Soft foam padding
- Strong suction cup
- Brand TechMatte
- Model 4070198
- Weight 5 ounces
Compatible with almost any smartphone
Strong magnet holds your phone in place over rough terrain or sudden stops
Lets you adjust your phone to any angle for comfortable viewing
Comes with a one-year warranty
Suction cup melts in the sun
Won’t work through thick cases
Not meant to be taken on and off
Compact, bracket-free phone holders are convenient for short drives and that’s why more than one makes our list. The reason you are going to want the Humixx Magnetic Phone Mount is that it can be attached to any flat surface — in your car, your home, or your office — via a strong adhesive base. Your phone is then secured in the holder through powerful magnets. A small magnetic circle is attached to your phone, which aligns with the magnetic surface of the phone mount.
The silicone surface of the mounting circle means that the back of your phone won’t be scratched, but can be easily rotated a full 360 degrees. Because the phone is mounted via a magnet rather than gripped in a cradle, Humixx’s holder is compatible with virtually all smartphones. This magnetic holding mechanism also makes attaching and removing your phone as simple as touching it to the magnetic pad and gently pulling it off.
- Magnetic phone holder
- 360-degree adjustable
- Aluminum alloy and smooth silicone construction
- Installs on any flat surface
- Brand Humixx
- Model ZJ-07131-J
- Weight 1.92 ounces
Compact, discrete design
Can be used outside the car
Eight strong magnets hold your phone in place
Compatible with the vast majority of smartphones
Doesn’t stick to textured materials
Doesn’t work with larger phones
Adhesive negatively affected by heat
Lisen’s magnetic phone holder is another great option that mounts easily onto your car’s air vents. Fixing a nagging issue that’s typical with most air vent-mounted phone holders, this model utilizes a special hook-shaped grip with three grasp points to ensure a firm grip on the vent so it stays in place even when driving on rugged terrain.
Also, there’s nearly no chance of your phone ever falling when you take into account the six, built-in magnets that are capable of securing objects four times as heavy as the average smartphone. To ensure comfortable viewing of your phone, the magnetic holder rotates 360 degrees, and different shapes of metal pads are included to accommodate various sizes of devices.
- Magnetic phone holder
- Hook-shaped mounting clamp
- 360-degree adjustable
- Compatible with 4- to 6.7-inch smartphones
- Brand Lisen
- Model LV633
- Weight 1.7 ounces
Stays steady even when driving on rough terrain
Uses six powerful magnets that can even secure large devices
You don’t have to remove the phone case
Only compatible with horizontal air vents
Slightly on the expensive side
Bestrix’s offering in the car phone holder department can be attached via the CD slot on your car stereo. It’s held in place without suction cups, so it could be a good option if your car has an uneven dashboard, or you’ve found it difficult to get suction cups to remain in place on your windshield in the past. When your phone has been secured, it can be rotated so you can find the best possible viewing angle.
The mount can also hold phones whilst they’re still in their cases, saving you the hassle of removing your phone’s case every time you undertake a journey. The adjustable gripping mechanism can handle a huge variety of smartphones, case and all, and cradles your device on three sides for optimum security.
- 360-degree angled head
- Adjustable CD slot tongue
- One-touch removal
- Compatible with smartphones that are up to six inches wide
- Brand Beatrix
- Model CD-9087
- Weight 4 ounces
Rotation allows you to find the optimum viewing angle
Roomy enough to hold phones even in bulky cases
Stays firmly in place even on bumpy terrain
Does not support Multi-CD Changer
Vibrates and shakes while driving
Blocks use of CD player
The TSV Universal Phone Holder lets you mount your phone at eye level without obscuring your vision of the road. This phone mount can either be mounted on the windshield or dashboard, and features a long 5.9-inch gooseneck arm that brings your smartphone closer to you. The unit attaches to any flat surface with a suction cup that’s also integrated with an adhesive gel for maximum grip.
This phone mount is compatible with devices that are up to 3.5 inches wide, and it’s easy to attach or detach your phone with just one hand. Once you have your phone locked on the mount, you can rotate it to any angle for comfortable viewing thanks to the 360-degree adjustable ball head.
- Suction cup mount
- 360-degree adjustable
- Long aluminum gooseneck
- Brand TSV
- Model N/A
- Weight 1 pound
Adjustable design
Maintains a strong grip on your phone
Includes a foot cradle for additional stability
Can easily be taken off and transferred to another vehicle
Suction cup may come loose with vehicle vibrations
Gooseneck arm may also need to be readjusted after intense vehicle vibration
Best Car Phone Mount Buying Guide
As we have already established, smartphones have become intrinsic to our everyday lives and not just for the reason of making calls or receiving texts. However, we have to use a phone mount so we can stay safe while driving and still maintain our interaction with the device.
Now that you are aware of what the market has to offer, let us now show you how we separated the real from the fake with a simple buying guide. We will also cover some of the common questions on phone mounts plaguing most buyers.
Do You Need a Car Phone Mount?
Driving with your phone in your hand can endanger your life and that of your passengers. A phone mount lets the driver put their smartphone right at the front without blocking their view of the road so they can drive safer with no distractions.
If you are attached to your phone, you could use a good phone mount to keep your device in view while keeping both hands on the wheel. It will help give your hands a break so you can ride more comfortably, and only rely on the voice-assist feature on your phone for safety.
Another benefit is that you won’t have to worry about your device falling on the car floor, especially if you get one that’s advertised to be an exact match for your device.
- Secures your phone in place, even when the road gets bumpy
- Prevents losing your phone in the cracks around your driver’s seat
- Makes it safe for you to follow GPS on your phone
- You can also attach other devices such as car GPS devices
- Lets you make hands-free phone calls without breaking the law
- Easily play music or podcasts without a fuss
Different Kinds of Car Phone Mounts
Phone mounts come in different styles, designs, and even colors, but the main differentiating factor is how they attach to your vehicle. With this in mind, your main options are as explained below.
Air Vent Mounted
Air vent mounts attach to the blades of your car’s front air vent, letting you conveniently place your phone just to the left or right of the steering wheel, depending on the vent placement in your car. They tend to work better with rectangular vents than round ones and they can hook very firmly into place.
However, using an air vent mounted car phone holder also brings the risk of overheating your phone when you’ve got hot air blowing in the winter.
Magnet Mounts
Magnetic car phone holders are typically fitted with multiple magnets on the mounting plate that adheres to any metal surface on your vehicle. You simply place your mount on the flat surface and it snaps in place. They come in different designs, ranging from compact mounts with a similar magnetic mounting head to larger versions with gooseneck arms.
Some manufacturers include a slim metal plate in the package so you can use it to install the mount on textured surfaces for better grip.
Suction Cup Mounted
Suction cups are the most common type of mounts for car phone holders. They are designed to stick to your windshield or dashboard, making them the most versatile. However, they can fall off if the surface isn’t clean enough, and some suction cups are stronger than others, so your mileage may vary.
CD Slot Mounts
Another type of car phone mount is one that slots into your car’s CD player. This is an extremely secure method of mounting that barely obstructs your driving view, if at all. However, installing them tends to be a bit more complicated and it will render your CD player useless while you’re using it.
What to Consider When Buying a Car Phone Mount
Besides considering how the phone mount attaches to your vehicle, you also need to look into other design features so you can determine if the mount is a great fit for your phone. We have done most of the legwork for you, and have come up with a few variables that you should look into before buying your next phone mount.
Phone Holding Mechanism
How does the phone mount grasp or cradle your phone? Some options have locking brackets that grip the phone on the side. A few high-end options also include a foot cradle for your phone that offers more stability so your phone doesn’t move up or down even if you hit a bump.
Another option convenient for rental cars or anyone with multiple vehicles is a magnetic phone holder. While most don’t work well with phone cases, you can get a high-end option with a powerful magnet that holds your smartphone firmly in place even if it has a protective case.
Adjustability
When your vehicle comes to a complete stop, you may want to have your phone facing slightly in your direction so you can punch in controls. In this case, a phone holder with a rotating ball head will come in handy. You can get an option that’s fully adjustable so you can rotate your phone to completely face you.
Alternatively, you can get a phone mount with a flexible arm so you can twist it and get the phone to face your direction or the passenger’s side.
Dimensional Limit
Not all phone mounts are designed to handle large phones. The size and weight of the phone usually go hand in hand. This is why you should look into the dimensional limit of the phone mount and only attach your phone if it’s compatible with the mount. Large phones need a mount with bigger clamps and a strong arm that can support the weight.
Magnetic phone holders are often not strong enough to support large phones. However, that’s not to say that you can’t get a high-end option with a large and powerful magnet that can handle your phone.
Best Phone Mount For Car FAQ:
Q: What is the purpose of a case-compatible holder?
Case-compatible holders have the versatility to hold your phone without removing its case, saving you time and trouble getting in and out of the car.
Q: What should be the capacity of a charging-compatible holder?
Your charging-compatible holder should have a minimum capacity of at least five watts. Be careful not to choose a capacity higher than 10 watts, or you may overload the battery.
Q: Are there any device-specific mount holders available on the market?
Most car phone holders are compatible with many types of smartphones. It is possible to buy one intended for a specific model or device, but it’s unlikely you’ll find more benefits other than your phone fitting into it easily.
Q: What additional features should you look at before buying a car mount holder?
Top features to look out for include:
- Rotating and pivoting joints
- Ease of installation
- Mechanisms for securing and releasing your phone
- An open gap in the support to allow charging
- Weather resistance
These are the most common features for general quality of life, and you can expect to be satisfied with most products that offer them.
Q: What is the best iPhone car mount?
Many different car phone mounts will suit iPhones well. Although, the best is probably magnetic car mounts. iPhone’s back panels are well flat and well-suited to the adhesive plates that are used with magnetic holders. Making them the perfect solution for iPhone car mounts. Aside from that, if you are looking for an iPad holder, you can check out a few options on the best iPad holders on the review prepared by our team of experts.
Q: Are magnetic car mounts safe for phones?
Yes. Most magnetic car mounts are safe for phones. They have been specially designed to be powerful enough to hold your phone in place but not so powerful that they penetrate the phone’s casing and damage any of its sensitive components.
Q: What is the best cup phone holder?
The best phone cup holders are designed to hold your phone securely in place while limiting the possibility of damage to your car’s air vent. Good cup phone holders are paddle and are made in a way that they won’t break any of the grills on your air vents.
Q: Are car vent mounts bad?
No, not if they are designed well. The biggest issue with car vent phone mounts is they either block air from blowing out, clamp wrongly on the vent’s grill potentially causing damage, or hold the phone too close to the vent and cause the phone to overheat from hot air.
Q: Where should I place my phone mount?
The dashboard of your car is usually the best place to mount a phone holder. That way, your phone stays in your line of sight, it doesn’t obscure the windshield at all, and it keeps the phone in reach for ease of use.
Q: How do I get my car mount to stick to my dashboard?
To ensure a car mount sticks well onto your car’s dashboard, pick a nice flat spot so the adhesive can stick well, clean the surface down with an alcohol wipe, peel off the adhesive paper, and firmly push the mount onto the dashboard for at least a minute or to ensure complete adherence.
Our Top Pick
For optimal positioning of your phone as you drive or navigate, we recommend the Beam Electronics Car Phone Mount. It’s compatible with a wide range of phones, and lets you rotate your phone by a full 360 degrees. Also, since it’s mounted on the air vent, it lets you keep your windshield free of obstructions. This will help you stay safe on the road.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a more affordable option than the Beam Electronics Car Phone Mount, then you can opt for the Auto Tech Cell Phone Holder. It also installs on the air vent and maintains a solid grip on your phone even when you drive on rugged terrain. However, you can’t go wrong with either option.
Sources:
- Mobile phone acessories – Wikipedia