Best Car Phone Mounts: Stay Connected and Safe

Keep the world at your fingertips while you’re on the move.

byRobert Bacon| UPDATED Oct 18, 2022 8:11 PM

Best Car Phone Mounts: Stay Connected and Safe

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For less than $100, there isn't a single piece of equipment that improves the livability of your vehicle more than a car phone mount. Seriously, it shocks me that these don't come as standard on modern vehicles. The best purchases are the ones that add benefit to your life every single day. Each time you hit the road using a phone mount, you know the information you need is available at a glance. You'll never need to root for your phone while driving or ask someone else to give you directions again. Make every trip easier. Pick up a car phone mount today.

Summary List

Best Overall: Ram Mounts X-Grip Large Phone Mount

Best Value: iOttie Easy One Touch 5

Honorable Mention: Quad Lock Car Mount

Best Magnet Holder: Peak Design Mobile Car Mount VHB Charging

Best Vent Mount: Belkin Car Vent Mount

Our Methodology

To choose the car phone mounts on the market, I employed The Drive’s comprehensive research methodology and evaluated dozens of mounts before choosing the top contenders. Although I haven’t personally tested these products, my selection is informed by consumer testimonials, expert reviews, and discussions on relevant online forums.

Best Car Phone Mounts Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall

Ram Mounts X-Grip Large Phone Mount

Ram Mounts is a brand synonymous with the phone mount industry, and the X-Grip Large Phone Mount is its flagship product. The spring-loaded x-design is trusted by thousands of motorcyclists around the globe to keep their phones protected. So it's more than capable of keeping your phone in place in the cabin of your vehicle. The 3.3-inch diameter twist-lock suction cup base provides excellent security on the other end. Between the x-grip and suction cup sits a medium-sized socket arm, which features ball and socket technology that allows for near-infinite adjustability. You can also get the same setup with a long arm. The product is made of powder-coated, marine-grade aluminum and features stainless steel components along with high-strength composite. So you can rest assured this model is built to last. Included in the sale is a tether, giving you extra piece of mind on bumpy roads. The x-design enables the mount to easily adjust to any phone size, and won't block your screen. It's one of the more expensive models on the market, but this is a good example of getting what you pay for.

Specs

Make: Ram Mounts
Model: RAM-B-166-UN10U
Mount type: Windshield

Pros

Trusted and secure x-grip design
High-quality construction
Fits virtually all phones
Tether included
No additional case required

Cons

Relatively pricey

Best Value

iOttie Easy One Touch 5

iOttie is one of the biggest names in the phone mount industry, and the Easy One Touch 5 is arguably its best product to date. You can fit this model to your windshield or dashboard via its suction cup. The mechanical arm has been upgraded and now extends from five to eight inches and pivots by up to 260 degrees, allowing you to view your phone from the angle that suits you. You can easily mount your phone with one hand using the locking side arms, which hold your device securely. Removing your phone is as easy as securing it, thanks to the new, larger one-touch mechanism. The universal cradle will work with any phone, and you can adjust the bottom foot easily by squeezing the spring button. You’ll also find a magnetic cord organizer behind the bottom foot, which neatly holds charging leads. This allows you to quickly plug your phone in while you’re on the move. One thing to be aware of is that the suction cup can lose suction if it’s exposed to intense sunlight for too long. This means you should keep this mount in a shaded area of the vehicle when it’s not in use.

Specs

Make: iOttie
Model: Easy One Touch 5
Mount type: Windshield and dashboard

Pros

Can use on windshield or dashboard
Magnetic cord holder
One-touch mechanism
Arm extends to eight inches
Highly adjustable

Cons

Can deteriorate if exposed to intense sunlight for too long

Honorable Mention

Quad Lock Car Mount

The Quad Lock Car Mount is one of the most premium mounts available and makes perfect sense for anyone who’s already in the ecosystem. This model mounts to your windscreen or dashboard via an industrial-strength suction cup, which features a new sticky gel base. So you don’t need to worry about the mount becoming loose on a rough ride. The body is very rigid, and the quad lock locking mechanism is tried and tested, meaning your phone is sure to stay in place. To use this mount, you need a Quad Lock phone case or adapter for your current phone case, which are sold separately. The patented locking mechanism makes it easy to lock and unlock your phone using one hand. Behind the locking mechanism sits a swivel ball that has 360 degrees of adjustability. You can get a wireless charging head, which is a rare feature that’s sure to tempt a few buyers, but it’s an optional extra.

Specs

Make: Quad Lock
Model: QLM-CAR-4
Mount type: Windshield or dashboard

Pros

Easy to use with one hand
Extremely secure
Good value
High-quality materials
Wireless charging head (optional)

Cons

Need to get a Quad Lock case or adapter

Best Magnetic Holder

Peak Design Mobile Car Mount

The Peak Design Mobile Car Mount takes my pick as the best magnetic phone car mount. What makes this model stand out is its wireless charging feature. As soon as you magnetically attach your phone, it starts to charge. If your phone doesn’t have wireless charging capabilities, you can charge it by plugging it directly into the mount. Peak Design’s magnetic technology, which it calls SlimLink, ensures your phone stays secure while you're on the Move. SlimLink works with all Peak Design and MagSafe phone cases. Keeping this mount in place is 3M VHB adhesive tape. One thing to bear in mind is this model works best on slightly curved surfaces. Style is subjective, but I think this model’s clean, low-profile design is one of the nicest on the market. The machined aluminum finish gives it a premium look, which it should be considering its high price point. You can mount your phone in landscape or portrait mode, which combined with the ball-head design, allows you to adjust the viewing angle. Included in the sale is a USB-C to USB-C cable, a cigarette lighter power adapter, and an extra adhesive pad.

Specs

Make: Peak Design
Model: M-CM-AA-BK-1
Mount type: Adhesive and magnetic

Pros

Wireless charging
Sleek design
Power adapter included
Premium finish

Cons

Premium price point
Compatible case or adapter required

Best Vent Mount

Belkin Car Vent Mount

If you already know you want a vent mount, you won’t be disappointed with the Belkin Car Vent Mount. This is one of the most secure vent mounts on the market, as long as you push it all the way into your vent when attaching it. Thanks to the 360-degree rotating mechanism, you can easily view your phone in landscape or portrait. This model has a low-profile design and fits most vents. The matte surface on the holder provides a good grip, and it will work with phones sized up to 5.5 inches. The flexible rubber clip on the back keeps charging and audio cables within reach so you can top up your battery easily. The spring-mounted arms move smoothly, but you’ll need to use two hands to fit your phone. Although this model has a low-profile design, it’ll still block some airflow from your vents, which could be an issue for some people.

Specs

Make: Belkin
Model: F7U017bt
Mount type: Vent

Pros

Secure vent grip
360-degree unidirectional adjustment
Low-profile design
Cable holder

Cons

Blocks some airflow

Our Verdict

The Ram Mounts X-Grip Large Phone Mount offers a tried and tested design that's sure to keep your phone secure. It’s also built with high-quality materials and is sure to last. If you’re on a tight budget, check out my value pick, the iOttie Easy One Touch 5. This model is great if you want something that has a low-profile design.

Consider Secondhand

When we start shopping for tools and products, we never overlook the secondhand market. In fact, it’s usually the first place I look. Whether you’re scrolling through Amazon’s Renewed section, eBay for car parts or tools, or flipping through the pages of Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, you have hundreds of thousands of used tools, parts, and gear ready to be shipped to your doorstep. Refurbished to like-new status, they’ll be willing to give you many more years of faithful service all while saving you money.

Secondhand Tips

To make your secondhand search easier, here are two tips to finding the best deals and making sure your new-to-you stuff wasn’t destroyed by the previous owner.

Make sure the mounting mechanism grips securely.
Check the holder to ensure it clasps your phone tightly.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Car Phone Mount

Type

The type of phone mount you choose is the most important thing to consider. For example, if you don't want your phone to interfere with the airflow from your vehicle's vents, then you might want a mount with a suction cup. For some people, suction cup mounts take up too much space, so they should consider a magnetic mount that uses an adhesive to stick to the dashboard. So think about what will work in your car and how you want the cockpit to look before you choose a mount.

Versatility

Extra Features

Some mounts have additional features worth spending a few extra bucks on. Wireless charging is a great option but is usually only available on high-end models. Look out for mounts that can hold your charging cable, so you can easily charge while you’re on the move. Lastly, some mounts have a one-hand operating system, which comes in useful if you need to place your phone in the holder while you’re driving.

Car Phone Mounts Pricing

For around $12, you can get a magnetic phone mount that sticks to your dashboard via an adhesive strip on the back. The majority of models are priced between $15 and $25. You’ll find vent, cup, suction, and CD mounts in this price range, some of which will have the extra features, such as the ones I mentioned above. For $25 to $60, you’ll get high-end mounts that are extremely secure and offer features such as wireless charging.

FAQs

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

Q: How can I tell if a car phone mount will fit my phone?

A: Some car phone mount companies list compatible phone models, but actual measurements are a better guide. Use the factory specifications for your phone or measure diagonally from the top and bottom of your screen.

Q: Can I use a car phone mount if I have a bulky case?

A: Sometimes. Cases add bulk and weight to the phone, so consider the phone mount type and case-friendly features. Some gravity phone holders work better without a case, and thick cases can reduce magnet holders’ effectiveness.

Q: Can magnets damage my phone or battery?

A: No. The car phone holder magnets themselves do not cause damage to the phone or battery. Phones use solid-state storage and memory unaffected by magnets.

Q: Does the magnetic phone holder metal plate affect wireless charging?

A: It can. If you want a magnetic phone holder and use wireless charging, be aware that the steel magnetic mounting plate can interfere with the power transfer. Mounting the steel plate to the case and removing the phone for wireless charging is a good solution.

Q: Can heat damage my vent-mounted phone?

A: Yes. Excessive heat can reduce the performance and longevity of your phone over time. Some phones have a built-in thermal overload shutdown feature, but this won’t help if the phone gets blasted with heat from an external source. Consider a different style of car phone mount if running your heater is a necessity.

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