Car phone mounts aren’t just for people who can’t live outside the Twittersphere for more than a few miles. They’re also great for using your phone’s many driving apps without having to take your eyes off the road. Having your phone in your eye line allows you to use maps and control your audio without looking down in your lap or fumbling around in your cupholder.
In this day and age, car phone holders are one of those accessories we can’t live without anymore. Just like with car air fresheners, a long drive isn’t the same without them.
These accessories are suitable for everyone. From Uber and Lyft drivers to those who can’t stop chatting on the phone when they drive, you really can’t go wrong with a good cell phone holder.
We saved you a lengthy search by doing the homework for you. We looked at countless phone mounts and picked the best of the lot. After the list, we’ll answer some of your most pertinent questions and tell you what to look for in a good mount.
With more than 30,000 car phone mounts showing up on Amazon, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve done hours of research and compiled this list of the 10 best car cell phone mounts on the market.
How We Picked Them
We do thorough research every time we showcase products here on AutoWise, spending hours researching the top products on our lists. Here are some of the steps in our research:
Reading hundreds of online customer reviews
Considering the average star rating and number of reviews of each product
Analyzing each products’ specs to see if it’s worthwhile
Researching external reviews
Looking into the “Amazon’s choice” program
Calling in products and our own testing when possible
What do you get when you place two magnets inside a phone holder? An iOttie Magnetic cell phone stand, that’s what.
Install this car phone mount directly in your car’s CD slot. We’re willing to bet you don’t use it that often anymore, right? There is a built-in lever for you to adjust the fit. Make sure to fit it snugly in the slot, so that your device doesn’t fall out.
Since it uses strong magnets to hold cell phones in place, it is compatible with most smartphones. You don’t even need to take your phone out of its case. The magnets are strong enough to still hold it securely.
The ball joint pivot allows you to rotate your device as you like. While there is no wireless charging feature included in this mount, there is nothing blocking your phone’s charging port.x
Sleek design? Check. Strong magnetic hold? Check. Stable stand? Boom. This is a dashboard phone holder for all phone users.
Schosche’s MagicMount is fixed in place by an adhesive strip, which means you can place it anywhere with a smooth surface. Granted, can work on a rougher surface, but smooth and clean is the best way to make sure it’ll stay.
There are four magnets inside this dash mount. They all work together to firmly hold your phone in place, even on bumpy roads. No matter what kind of phone you have, the Scosche’s magnets will keep it in place.
The head of this product rotates a full 360 degrees. This gives you unobstructed viewing angles of your phone’s screen allowing you to keep your attention on the road.
(My personal overland build came with the Scosche mounts installed when I bought it and I love them. A variety of cases work with the system, by just adding a metal strip. This is a solid and well-constructed product. I’ll be installing them in my other vehicles and highly recommend them. – Bryon Dorr, AutoWise EIC)
Pros
Affordable and quality product
Sturdy stand that withstands strong impacts.
Universal hold for smartphones and other small devices
If you’d rather trust your device’s safety to a cradle phone holder, we hear you.
This stand is supported by a heavy-duty suction cup. Wet its wedges, place it on your dashboard, and apply pressure. That’s all you need to do in order to install it. It’s been designed in a way for the suction power to be strong enough to withstand the impact of potholes and speed bumps, so there’s no need to worry about it falling off on bumpy terrain.
The cradle works with a wide range of smartphones, even wider ones like the iPhone Xs Max or the Samsung S8 Plus.
The built-in telescopic arm rotates on a 225-degree arc and can be extended up to 8.3 inches, so you can tweak your view of the phone as you see fit.
The side lever, when pressed, locks the side arms of the cradle in its widest position. Then, once you put your smartphone against the body of the cradle, the arms close around your device for a solid, secure fit.
If you want to give this as a gift to your dad, make sure to also combine it with another product from our list of best gifts for car-loving dads.
Pros
Snug and secure smartphone hold
Sturdy, impossible-to-break mount stand
Ability to rotate the mount’s head as needed
Cons
If exposed to heat, the suction cups may not stick
This bestselling air vent magnetic car mount sports over 22,000 reviews and an average 4-star rating, so you can trust this product to keep your phone safe.
The WizGear mount comes with simple installation instructions. It has been designed to fit any car with horizontal air vents. Slide the mount in the vents, push it all the way in until you hear a click, and you’re done.
The mount comes with an adhesive metal plate for the back of your phone or phone case. This attaches to the mount’s magnet, making this a universal mounting option.
As a side note – we love how inconspicuous this mount is. Its low profile makes it hard to notice when not attached to a phone. If you want to keep your car’s interior aesthetic as pristine as possible, this is the product for you.
Pros
Affordable and super effective, as reviewed by thousands
MPow’s 086 Air Vent Phone Mount has been designed to fit most car air vents thanks to its three-level settings. Thus, if you’ve had a hard time finding compatible phone cradles, this may be the product for you.
Its clip can be adjusted to fit pretty much all horizontal car vent blades. Switch the position of the lever located on the back of the mount to switch into any of three positions. This ensures the clip’s grip is secure and makes installation simple.
The cradle supports all phones that are between 4 and 6 inches wide. The one-click button on the back will outstretch the cradle’s arms to the max. Put your phone in place and the arms will close in on your phone, holding it in place.
There is padded material along the inner sides of the cradle to keep your phone safe from getting scratched. The mount also had anti-slip rubber pads for extra security.
Its ball joint at the base of the cradle rotates 360 degrees, allowing you to turn it whatever way you want.
Pros
Versatile, strong, and scratch-free cradle
Adjustable clip for air vents fits more cars than before
Customizable viewing angle thanks to cradle ball joint
We have yet another car vent mount, but this one wins brownie points for being easy to install and for preventing air vent damage.
The vent clip comes fully padded with a silicone pad. This offers protection for your car’s air vents, which many vent mounts don’t offer.
Installation can be done in less than a minute with just one hand. Simply push the product onto the vents and adjust the lever to the grip you want.
There is a quick-release button at the back of the product. When pressed, the side-grip support arms extend fully. Then, once your phone is in place, they’ll hug it. This mechanism makes the cradle compatible with most smartphones, even those with wide screens.
At the bottom of the cradle, there’s a 0.6-inch space. It is the right size for a phone car charger to go through, so you can charge your device without ever having to take it out of the cradle.
If you can’t decide where to mount your car phone holder, the Vansky universal holder is for you.
This cell phone mount can be adjusted to any configuration that may suit you. It supports dash, windshield, and car vent clip positions, giving you all you need to find a position that works for you and your car.
The windshield mount attachment has a long extendible neck that can be molded. Play around with its form until you find a viewing angle that works for you.
Both the windshield and the dashboard attachment come with a suction cup that provides a secure fit on any clean, smooth surface.
The cradle has padding along the inside to prevent scratching and supports phones whose screens are between 3.5- and 7-inches diagonally. The quick-release button on the back makes it easy to place and take off your phone from the cradle.
Pros
Quick release button
Three different mount positions
Padded cradle minimizes scratches and phone damage
This CD slot phone holder is highly rated for one reason: the magnets hold just about any phone in place.
Installing the TechMatte holder couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is slide it into the CD slot and tighten the side knob to ensure a solid grip.
The mount comes with two magnetic metal plates. One of them has an adhesive surface that sticks to the back of your phone. The other is placed between your phone and the case. These plates make the magnetic pull of the mount work.
Since there is no cradle, all smartphones can be held securely. As long as they have a flat back (and what phone doesn’t?), the magnetic plat will work with it.
Lastly, this product is rotation-friendly, meaning it holds phones both in the portrait and landscape position. This gives you more freedom to use whatever app you want, regardless of how they’re displayed on your phone’s screen.
For more amazing products for your smartphone, check out our list of the best cellphone boosters!
Pros
Very strong and sturdy magnetic hold
The stand is easy to install and to remove from CD slot
Holds devices in whatever spacial orientation desired
Cons
Beware if driving through or parking in hot areas, as plastic can melt
The last CD mount on our list is the Bestrix Universal Holder, which is highly rated on Amazon and made by a trusted electronics accessories brand.
On the CD slot attachment, you’ll find rubber pads to help you fix the product in place. They come in three different sizes, meaning one of them is bound to fix your car’s stereo. Since there are no screws to tighten, the installation is simple. All you need to do is adjust the one-touch lock lever.
The cradle is designed to hold most phones and GPSes. If your device is between 3.5 and 6 inches diagonally, you won’t have a problem with it. Cases are also supported, so long as they aren’t too big.
There is a button on the back of the cradle that releases the side grips keeping the phone secured. This is useful if you’re in a rush to get out of the car or if you simply can’t be bothered to try and unclasp your phone.
Pros
Will not damage car’s stereo CD slot
Easy installation and removal
Quick release feature for convenience and ease of use
This vent mount from Auto Tech fits most vent designs. Horizontal, vertical, or slanted blades all work with this mount. Thousands of customers have installed this product in their car and it’s never let them down. Unique vent designs that other brands don’t cater to work well with this vent mount.
The mount’s sleek design prevents your car’s vents from getting damaged and it weighs significantly less than similar products on the market. Its slimmer design also minimizes air blockage when you’ve got the AC blasting.
You can rotate this vent mount in whatever direction you please. Its ball joint allows for 360-degree rotation, allowing you to rest your phone in portrait mode, landscape mode, or anywhere in between.
The cradle makes it compatible with most phones. Smaller phones (such as the iPhone SE) and larger phones (such as the Galaxy Note 7) alike fit. Moreover, the anti-slip silicone lining of the mount keeps your phone extra secure.
Pros
Super affordable and easy to use
360-degree rotation feature makes it versatile
Fits virtually all car vents, regardless of design
Cons
Doesn’t have a quick-release button
Everything You Need To Know About Car Phone Mounts
With a wide variety of navigation apps available (Google Maps, Apple’s Maps, Yandex, Waze, among others), it’s useless carrying around a paper map. But constantly checking it and trying to make sense of the directions while at the same time keeping your attention on the road can be tricky.
Phone car mounts make it easier for you to follow your map app’s instructions. Since the phone holder is placed in the eyesight of the windshield, there’s no need to constantly look up and down from the screen to the road.
Not to mention that changing music tracks and accepting calls can all be done hassle-free with this accessory.
Device Safety
When you place your phone on the passenger’s seat, it can fall onto the floor. The main consequence of this is that it may get damaged. It could also slide under your pedals, causing an accident.
To prevent it, there’s no better solution than using a phone mount holder. That way, it will never fall off. No scratches and no accidents — what else could you ask for?
Who Are They For?
Uber drivers (along with all other professional drivers) are obviously in need of getting a phone car mount. It makes their rides simple to manage. Also, if they need to reach a part of town they’re not familiar with, they can look at the map on their screen.
For similar reasons, people going on road trips should also consider getting one.
If you like chatting on the phone while driving but can’t connect your phone to your car through Bluetooth, you need this accessory. Most states have made holding up a phone in the car while on a call illegal. Others have made it illegal to wear headphones while driving, too. So, with the phone mount, you can take calls hands-free easily and avoid legal trouble.
Music-lovers who want to switch between songs will also benefit from having this accessory on hand. Not all vehicles have the ability to connect the car’s entertainment system to the phone (through Bluetooth or via the aux chord). This makes switching between tracks trickier. With a phone mount holder, your phone’s music library will be a touch away at arm’s reach. It’s a safe way of keeping entertained even on long, boring trips.
Vloggers, too, would do well to install a phone holder in their car. With one, you can talk to the camera (and your audience) easily and without any hassle.
Are Car Phone Mounts Legal?
As you may know, over half of the fifty American states have anti-windshield obstruction laws. This means that having an object blocking your view of the road is illegal. It may seem minor, but you can be stopped for it and there are fines in place.
Thus, not all car phone mounts are legal in every state. For example, if you are driving through New York, you can’t have a dashboard or windshield mount phone holder. Instead, you’ll want to opt for an air vent mount or CD slot mount holder.
The market for car phone holders is pretty vast, as there is more than one type of product. So, to know which is the best car phone mount, you need to first learn what options are available.
Magnetic
A magnetic phone mount keeps your cell phone in place through the power of magnetism. Your device will be secured by placing it onto the magnet. Taking your phone out is as simple as pulling it from the mount.
Its main advantage is being compatible with most smartphones, if not all, regardless of size. On the other hand, the hold isn’t as secure as that of a cradle, so make sure to read the product’s reviews. Moreover, you’ll need to apply a magnetic metal plate to your phone, which some people are reluctant to do.
Cradle
Cradles are more popular but won’t keep all phones in place. When looking at cradles, you’ll need to check if it is compatible with your cell phone’s dimensions. Their biggest advantage is that they have a strong grip over the phone, meaning it won’t accidentally slip out if you hit a pothole, for example.
Vent Clip
Can you guess where you mount vent clip phone holders? That’s right, to your car’s air vents. Their biggest advantage is that they keep your cell phone near eye level without obstructing your view of the road. On the other hand, not all car vents accommodate the clips, especially if they have a unique design.
Windshield Mount
Windshield mounts stay in place thanks to a suction cup. Their biggest disadvantages are that they leave a mark on the glass and that they can fall off if not properly secured. Not to mention they’re not legal in all states. On the plus side, they keep your phone at eye level.
Dashboard Mount
A dashboard mount works in cars that have flat frontal interior designs. They come with an adhesive strip that keeps the structure in place. Its main advantage is the fact they’re convenient for the driver. However, removing the adhesive strip is hard and can leave marks on the dash when you remove it.
CD Slot Mount
These are by far the rarest in the phone holder for car category, but they exist! You insert them in your CD slot and they’ll stay in place. They don’t obstruct your view of the road and are in a good location for charging. They do block the CD slot, but seriously, when was the last time you actually used a CD?
Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Cell Phone Car Mount
Finding the right cell phone mount takes a bit more effort than searching “phone mount for car” and clicking the “Buy Now” button. Here are a few things to consider.
Design of Car
This is the first thing to keep in mind: the design of the inside of your car. Is your dashboard flat? What kind of air vents does it have? Does the windshield rise at a drastic angle? The design of your car will determine what kind of phone mount you can get.
Phone Model
Second, think of whether your phone will fit the holder’s cradle or not. For example, a cradle designed for an iPhone 6 may not fit an iPhone X. Do your own research about what smartphones are supported by the product.
Mount Purpose
What do you intend to use the mount for? If you want to record using it, you’re better off choosing a mount that supports both portrait and landscape orientation. But if you’re just looking for one to accept or decline calls with, any mount will do.
Ease of Use and Installation
Of course, you need a mount that is easy to install, remove, and use. Thus, we recommend considering the pros and cons of each mount type. If you’re driving a rented car you need to give back in pristine condition, an adhesive dashboard mount is not ideal.
Quality of the Stand
This should be high on your list of demands. You need a phone holder that keeps your phone secure in its place. A weak stand may lead to your device getting damaged. So, look for one that has a base that you can rely on. You don’t want your phone mount flying off every time you hit a speed bump or a pothole.
Charging Feature
If you find yourself running out of battery during the day, being able to charge it on the way to work or on the way home is a handy feature. Thus, look for a model that doesn’t obstruct your phone’s charging port.
Other Features to Consider
Certain models offer additional features. While we don’t think they’re a must, we can see their benefits.
Quick-release: Taking your phone off a magnetic phone holder is easy, but that isn’t always the case with cradle holders. Mounts with a quick-release feature make it incredibly easy (and fast) to get your phone off the holder. This may be important for you if you’re always strapped for time.
Telescopic Feature: No, you won’t see any planets with this mount, but you will be able to rotate your phone freely while it’s still attached to the holder. This feature allows you to switch from portrait mode (vertical) to landscape mode (horizontal). It may come in handy depending on the apps you use.
How To Use A Car Phone Mount
1. Read The Instructions
As soon as you get your phone mount holder installed, using it will be a piece of cake. All you’ll have to do is place your phone in it when you walk into the car and take it out when you’ve reached your destination.
2. Where to Mount Phone in Car?
There are different types of phone mounts for cars. Generally speaking, you will either mount the phone holder on the dashboard, on the windshield, in the CD slot, or on the air vents.
3. How to Install Car Phone Mount?
In a nutshell, phone holders stay put thanks to suction cups, adhesive strips, or air vent clips. Installing them is, more often than not, super easy.
The foolproof way of installing a phone mount is to follow the product’s instructions. Manufacturers know what works for each item, so read the user’s manual.
4. How to Remove Car Phone Mount?
If yours is a phone suction cup holder, wet it using a warm towel. Then, with a butter knife, gently lift the suction cup from the place where it’s attached.
If it is stuck to a surface with adhesive strips, it could be tricky to remove. Soak a clean cloth in rubbing alcohol and apply it to the strips. Let it sit for a few minutes and then try removing the adhesive strip. Apply more alcohol until it is gone.
Lastly, if your phone mount has vent clips, you should be able to unclip it. Look for a button near the clips to work as an unclasping mechanism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cell phone car mount?
The best cell phone car mount is the one that lets you use your phone safely without taking your eyes (or attention) off the road. If you need to use your phone while you drive, find a mount that is compatible with your car, will put your phone within your sight range while you look at the road, and ideally, will allow you to use your phone hands-free.
Are magnetic car mounts safe for phones?
Contrary to common belief, magnetic mounts do not adversely affect cell phones.
Is it legal to mount phone on windshield?
It depends on what state you live in. Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Vermont allow phone mounts anywhere on the windshield.
Arizona, California, Hawaii, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, and Utah allow phone mounts in specific locations on the windshield. Usually this is near the bottom, but exact location varies by state.
The following states don’t allow phones or GPS units on the windshield. Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
That said, regulations are always changing, so be sure to check on your state’s laws regarding phone mounting.
Are car vent mounts bad?
Vent mounts are easy to install and provide an unobstructed view through your windshield. However, be aware of your phone’s temperature when using the heater. Blasting hot air on it can lower your phone’s lifespan over time. Also, your phone can shut down if it overheats (as anyone who’s left their phone in a hot car on a summer day can attest).
Billy Brown loves automotive adventures. He has tested and reviewed autos for various print and digital outlets for the past decade. His testing methods have included doing donuts in a Volvo XC90 in Barcelona, drifting a Lexus ISF around switchbacks in Northern California, and jumping a Subaru Crosstrek in a mountain bike park in Miami. If you couldn't guess, Billy loves to have fun with vehicles and share his enthusiasm and expertise with others.
