We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (2024)

We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (1)

This article was updated in September 2023.

Cellphones are integral to our daily lives; we use them for work, fun, and, of course, communication. They've even infiltrated our vehicles, where they provide music, maps, and hands-free messaging. Since holding a phone in your hand is far too distracting when driving (and illegal in most states), when you must use yours for navigation or selecting the right music, a car phone mount is the tool you need.

The idea of a car phone mount is simple: display necessary information while minimizing distraction. To combat the distraction factor, phone holders have been engineered to hold your phone close to your line of sight to the road.

Three main types of car phone mounts have emerged: cupholder, vent, and window/dash. All perform the same basic function in different locations that cater to your vehicle. In general, car phone mounts range from $20 to $70. The pricing seems to correlate more with the number of features than the quality of the mount. Surprisingly, one of our favorites was among the cheapest.

Our Top Picks

Things to Consider

Before you decide on a phone mount for your car, there are some important factors to think about.

Types of Phone Mounts

Cupholder Mounts

Cupholder mounts are practically useless unless they raise your mobile device up near your radio and HVAC controls so you can keep your eyes focused on the road. They're great for truckers, cargo vans, and some pickups, where they can provide a nearly ideal position for the phone. The only drawback is there's one less spot for that gas station slushy.

PROS:

  • Great for vehicles with raised cupholders
  • Ideal phone positioning and adjustability

    CONS:

    • Only usable in certain vehicles
    • Takes up a cupholder

    Vent Mounts

    Vent mounts blend some attractive perks to create a cheap and useful place to secure your phone. They come in all kinds of variations, including magnets and clamp types, and they might include wireless charging. The line of sight is excellent, but you will lose out on some air-conditioned airflow.

    PROS:

    • Great line of sight
    • Works with just about every kind of vehicle

    CONS:

    • Clamping, which varies greatly among designs, is sometimes inadequate
    • Blocks airflow from the vent

    Window/Dash Mounts

    Mounts that keep your eyes on the road come in handy during tricky city driving, where the slightest distraction can cause you to miss a turn—or worse. However, the excellent line of sight to your phone comes with diminished road visibility, and any blockage increases risk.

    PROS:

    • Fantastic line of sight
    • Flexibility to mount on windshield or dashboard

    CONS:

    • Impedes road visibility
    • Can leave a residue ring on the windshield
    • Dash mounting requires a sticky mounting plate

    Choosing the right phone mount for you and your vehicle really comes down to where you want to see the display. If you have high cupholders, that style might be the easiest route. If you want to see your phone raised toward the road without mounting it on the dashboard or windshield, a vent mount is a great choice. And if you want the best line of sight to your phone, albeit with a slight knock against overall visibility, a window/dash mount would work for you.

    Whatever your personal preference, remember that safety is the theme here. Our phones should be on display only for necessary things—not for scrolling Facebook or catching up on streaming. So go out there, fire up your favorite map and music apps, throw your phone on your new mount, and enjoy your next drive!

    How We Tested Phone Mounts

    To test phone mounts adequately, we employed five different parameters:

    • Mounting strength
    • Phone grip strength
    • Grip adjustability
    • Magnet strength (if applicable)
    • Charging operation (if applicable)

    These parameters were tested with simple hand tests and aggressive driving around curves to create a stressful environment for these little devices. Here are the Best Car Phone Mounts.

    Best Window/Dash Car Phone Mount

    Belkin Universal Car Mount

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (11)

    Best Window/Dash Car Phone Mount

    Belkin Universal Car Mount

    Pros
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (12)Twist-to-lock suction is very easy to use
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (13)Strong phone grip
    Cons
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (14)Side tabs open together, inserting phone requires two hands

    Fantastic budget-friendly window/dash mount. The suction-cup operation is easy for attaching and removing the mount. The head telescopes for easy adjustment. However, the tabs require two-handed operation.

    Suction-cup strength: Great

    Phone grip: Excellent

    Grip adjustability: Decent; requires two hands

    Best Vent Mount

    Sandmarc Active Wireless Car Mount

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (15)

    Best Vent Mount

    Sandmarc Active Wireless Car Mount

    Pros
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (16)Excellent vent grip
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (17)Design looks great
    Cons
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (18)Mount does not come with stick-on magnet for your phone

    Top-notch vent grip with an adjustable knob, strong magnet without a case, looks sharp, braided cord. Does not come with a cigarette-lighter adapter, only a USB-C connection. You will also need a separate sticky magnet, as this lacks one in the package.

    Vent grip: Excellent

    Magnet strength: Great without a case; decent through a thick case (you will need a separate sticky magnet)

    Charging: Charges through case

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    Best MagSafe Car Phone Mount

    iOttie Velox Magnetic Wireless-Charging Vent Mount

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (19)

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (20)

    Best MagSafe Car Phone Mount

    iOttie Velox Magnetic Wireless-Charging Vent Mount

    Pros
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (21)Magnet-powered security and wireless charging for MagSafe iPhones
    Cons
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (22)Only really works with MagSafe

    If you have a MagSafe iPhone and/or case, this is the mount to get. The Velox also doubles as a charging pad, producing 7.5 watts of charging power via the MagSafe system.

    Vent grip: Decent

    Magnet strength: Good without case; decent with case

    Charging: Charges through case

    Best Cupholder Phone Mount

    iOttie Auto Sense Wireless-Charging Cupholder Car Mount

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (23)

    Best Cupholder Phone Mount

    iOttie Auto Sense Wireless-Charging Cupholder Car Mount

    Pros
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (24)Very easily expands in cupholder
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (25)Automatic phone-grip function
    Cons
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (26)Needed to adjust bottom feet to align wireless charger with phone battery

    Wireless charging, simple expansion in the cupholder, and automatic clamping on the phone. Excellent cup mount at an affordable price.

    Cupholder grip: Excellent

    Phone grip: Great

    Grip adjustability: Excellent

    Charging: Charges through case

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    Best Premium Car Phone Mount

    Scosche MagicGrip Double-Pivot Auto-Grip

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (27)

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (28)

    Best Premium Car Phone Mount

    Scosche MagicGrip Double-Pivot Auto-Grip

    Now 57% Off

    Pros
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (29)Qi-certified wireless charging
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (30)Automatic arms
    Cons
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (31)Pricey

    The Scosche MagicGrip is a fantastic, do-it-all window/dash phone mount. With Qi-certified wireless charging, auto-sensing arms that close on their own, and an all-around good grip, it really feels like the ultimate phone mount—if you're willing to shell out some dough.

    Suction grip: Good

    Phone grip: Good

    Grip adjustability: Great; arms close automatically

    Charging: Charges through case

    Best Car Phone Mount For Ride-Sharing

    WeatherTech CupFone Two View with Hand-Sanitizer Holder

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (32)

    Best Car Phone Mount For Ride-Sharing

    WeatherTech CupFone Two View with Hand-Sanitizer Holder

    Pros
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (33)Fantastic adjustability
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (34)Comes with two bottles of Purell hand sanitizer
    Cons
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (35)Nesting cup design is tricky

    Awesome choice for ride-sharing. Excellent adjustability. The nesting cup design is difficult to use. Comes with two containers of Purell hand sanitizer that fit perfectly in the slot.

    Cupholder grip: Good, once you manage to separate the adapters to find the correct size

    Phone grip: Great

    Grip adjustability: Excellent

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    Best Budget Vent Car Phone Mount

    iOttie Easy One Touch 5 Air-Vent Mount

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (36)

    Best Budget Vent Car Phone Mount

    iOttie Easy One Touch 5 Air-Vent Mount

    Pros
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (37)One-handed operation is very useful
    Cons
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (38)Vent grip could be better

    If you're looking for a vent phone mount on a budget, we liked this option from iOttie for the price. We really liked the one-handed operation for opening and closing the arms, but the grip on the vent left something to be desired.

    Vent grip: Poor

    Phone grip: Great

    Grip adjustments: Excellent; easy one-handed operation

    Best Adjustable Window/Dash Car Phone Mount

    Scosche MagicMount Pro² Extendo

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (39)

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (40)

    Best Adjustable Window/Dash Car Phone Mount

    Scosche MagicMount Pro² Extendo

    Now 17% Off

    Pros
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (41)Intuitive Extendo function to bring the phone closer to you
    Cons
    • We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (42)Magnet could be a tad stronger

    We loved the Extendo function of this window mount, which really unlocks a plethora of positioning options.

    Suction grip: Great

    Magnet strength: Good; better with included sticky magnet

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    How We Tested Phone Mounts

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (43)

    When testing these mounts, we measured five parameters: mounting strength, phone grip strength, grip adjustability, magnet strength (if applicable), and charging operation (if applicable). These were tested under aggressive driving on curves and simple hand tests to simulate jarring driving.

    We used the base iPhone 13 and, when testing with a case, an OtterBox Commuter. During testing of magnet strength and charging operation, we tested each applicable mount with both case-on and case-off tests and noted the results.

    For the magnet test in particular, none of the mounts had magnets powerful enough to hold the phone through its case. To combat this, a stick-on magnet is included with most magnetic mounts—but this adds a semi-permanent accessory to your phone case, which some folks don't necessarily want.

    In short, to enjoy the strength of a magnetic phone mount fully requires removal of the case or installation of the sticky magnet.

    FAQs

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (44)

    What type of car phone mount is best?

    Depends on what kind of car phone mount you're looking for. There are mounts with magnets, clamping arms, wireless charging, and even Alexa integration. Our advice is to think about the features you'd most prefer, and search for a phone mount with them in mind.

    Where is the best place to put a phone holder in your car?

    Depends on the car. Cupholder mounts are super easy to use, but you need a vehicle with cupholders near the windshield—or an extender, such as on the WeatherTech. Vent mounts are great, but the phone blocks airflow from the vent it's mounted to. Window/dash mounts are an optimum choice for line of sight with the road, but they can decrease your visibility through the windshield or leave a sticky ring on your dashboard.

    Do magnetic car phone mounts damage cell phones?

    No. Modern chip technology is made with nonmagnetic materials, so your phone is totally safe.

    Are car vent mounts safe?

    Car vent mounts are safe, but phones are a distraction no matter where they are. However, you should minimize risk by positioning your vent mount near your view of the road.

    How can you keep the suction cup on a phone mount from falling off?

    All of the dashboard and windshield car phone mounts we tested had impressively strong suction cups. However, they won't stick well if the mounting surface is dirty or porous. Clean the inside of your windshield with glass cleaner and dry with a lint-free towel before applying.

    For dashboards, either attach the suction cup to the included mounting plate—or clean and dry your dash well, and avoid placing the mount over any holes, cracks, or porous material.

    Do car phone mounts damage air vents?

    They can. Vent-style car phone mounts are designed to secure themselves to just about any style of air vent without causing damage. However, installing the mount incorrectly can cause issues.

    When sliding a vent mount onto the fin of an air vent, push consistently and smoothly, without any jerking motions. If you need to exert an excessive amount of force to slide the mount on, try a different approach. This is one of the most common ways your car's air vents can get damaged.

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    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (45)

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    Collin Morgan is a Commerce Editor at Hearst Autos, where the former Rust Belt mechanic and gadget enthusiast presents the best gear for your automotive endeavors.

    We Tested 20 Car Phone Mounts to Find the Best (2024)

    FAQs

    Is it better to put a phone mount on the dash or windshield? ›

    if you are comfortable with all phone holders. then I should recommend the dash phone holder because after a long time windshield phone holder loses its capacity to stick on the glass. and for vent, if there is a situation where you have to on AC then you have to remove it for a while. but a dash phone holder is best.

    Where is the best place to put the phone holder in the car? ›

    The ideal mounting location should be in a place that does not require the driver to take their eyes off the road too far. For example, a location above the windshield or dashboard provides a direct line of sight, but should not block the view ahead.

    What is the best car phone charger for 2024? ›

    After testing more than 60 models, we've determined that the best car charger is the dual-port Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger. You can fast-charge phones, tablets, and laptops on its USB-C port and simultaneously charge a second phone on its USB-A port. No other charger offers as much power for a better price.

    How do I choose a mobile holder for my car? ›

    The car mobile phone holder must keep the device at eye level. If you have a preference for windshield-mounting, be certain the front visibility is not hindered. Based on the design you opt for, some double up as a wireless charger for phones too.

    Are magnetic car phone holders good? ›

    The short answer is yes, absolutely. Your cell phone is completely safe mounted on a magnetic holder or inside a magnetic case. The magnets that are usually used for smartphone mounts are tiny and hidden from view, hardly the type of industrial magnet that can do damage.

    Do CD slot phone mounts damage? ›

    Will a CD Slot Mount Do Damage? Nope! While it's a reasonable assumption to think something mounted in your CD player slot could do some damage to your audio system, they're perfectly safe.

    What are the disadvantages of a car phone holder? ›

    The disadvantages of a car phone holder are limited. They may block airflow from vents (for air vent mounts), obstruct visibility if improperly placed, and some designs might not work well with thick phone cases. If not securely attached, they can damage your phone or distract the driver.

    Do phone mounts damage vents? ›

    Do car phone mounts damage air vents? They can. Vent-style car phone mounts are designed to secure themselves to just about any style of air vent without causing damage. However, installing the mount incorrectly can cause issues.

    Where do you put your phone in your car so it doesn't overheat? ›

    Keep your phone out of direct sunlight.

    Since the interior of a car can get hotter than it is outside, your phone could overheat and destroy your battery. Store your phone in the center console or in the trunk so it is away from windows where sunlight cannot reach it.

    Where do you put a magnetic phone holder? ›

    Several types of magnetic phone holders are available on the market, designed to attach to your car's dashboard, cd player, windshield, or air vents, allowing you to access your phone while driving easily. Desk mounts are designed to sit on your desk or table, keeping your phone within reach while you work.

    Is it illegal to have a phone mount on your windshield in Texas? ›

    Section 547.613 - Restrictions on Windows (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person commits an offense that is a misdemeanor: (1) if the person operates a motor vehicle that has an object or material that is placed on or attached to the windshield or side or rear window and that obstructs or reduces the ...

    Can I leave my car phone charger plugged in all the time? ›

    On average, a car phone charger only pulls about five Watts of energy which is negligible. But if done for long periods of time without starting the car or recharging the car battery, your battery will definitely be on its way to complete drainage.

    How many years can a phone charger last? ›

    The lifespan of a phone charger can vary depending on a number of factors, including the quality of the charger, how often it is used, and how well it is taken care of. In general, a high-quality charger can last for 2 to 3 years, while a cheaper charger may only last for 1 year or less.

    Do car chargers drain phone battery? ›

    Theoretically, it's possible. However, it's highly unlikely because charging a phone only uses a small amount of power from a car's battery. At the end of the day, if you're still worried about charging your phone, just know that vehicle manufacturers have given vehicles USB plugs and wireless chargers for a reason.

    Do suction car phone holders work? ›

    All of the dashboard and windshield car phone mounts we tested had impressively strong suction cups. However, they won't stick well if the mounting surface is dirty or porous. Clean the inside of your windshield with glass cleaner and dry with a lint-free towel before applying.

    Do car bag phones still work? ›

    Because of their durability, many examples of these phones are still in working order today. The Bag Phones are a derivative of the Motorola Tough Talker series of transportable phones, which in turn descended from the DynaTAC car phones introduced in 1984.

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