A good phone mount for your car is an essential accessory for any vehicle that doesn’t include a built-in navigation system. Phone mounts provide a safe and simple way to make calls, get turn-by-turn directions, and use your phone’s voice assistant. But some mounts work better with certain cars and phones than others.
We’ve gathered our favorites here, followed by some tips to keep in mind when shopping.
More About Our Picks
Ainope Gravity Phone Holder
Best for Large Phones and Bulky Cases
Bottom Line:
If you want a mount that works with your big phone as well as makes it easy to place and remove you phone, this one’s for you.
Why We Picked It
The Ainope Gravity is one of our favorite vent mounts. This budget-friendly model works on most standard car vents and can easily accommodate phones with displays up to 6.7 inches, including those with thick cases. Simply slide your phone into the mount and the clamps automatically clip into place for a perfect fit. When you’re ready to remove your phone, tap the button on the bottom of the mount to release the clamps.
Who It’s For
This mount is perfect for anyone who has a big phone and hates fighting with car mounts to get their device in and out. The snapping clamps here stretch out to fit big phones with big cases, so you won’t have to worry about your phone falling out while you drive.
Best for Hands-Free Amazon Alexa Support
Bottom Line:
Alexa makes things easier around the home, so why not put it to work in your car with this do-it-all phone mount?
Why We Picked It
iOttie’s Aivo Connect is the next best thing to a built-in navigation system. It works with Alexa’s Auto Mode and turns your phone’s display into a mini navigation panel. Built-in microphones can easily detect your voice prompts over music and road noise, and you can even connect the dock to your car’s speaker system via the aux jack or Bluetooth. In addition to its support for Alexa, the Aivo Connect features 10W Qi wireless charging, an IR proximity sensor that automatically opens and grips your phone, and a twist locking mount that can attach to your dashboard or windshield.
Who It’s For
This is ideal for anyone who already relies heavily on Alexa. It’s also good for easily distracted drivers, because it helps you keep your hands safely on the steering wheel.
iOttie iTap Magnetic 2 Dash & Windshield Mount
Best Affordable Mount
Bottom Line:
This mount has lots of useful features and mounting options, plus it doesn’t cost too much.
Why We Picked It
This phone mount is stylish, easy to use, and won’t break the bank. It attaches to your dashboard or windshield with a powerful suction base. Just note that because it uses magnets to hold your phone instead of clamps, you need to attach a protective sticker and metal plate to your phone or phone case. The mount supports both landscape and portrait modes; the ball joint pivots so you can adjust your phone to any viewing angle.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking to mount your phone on your dashboard or windshield without spending too much money, this is a fantastic and flexible solution.
Kenu Airframe Qi Wireless Charging Vent Mount
Best Qi-Compatible Vent Mount
Bottom Line:
If you want to charge your phone (and a friend’s phone), this is the mount for you.
Why We Picked It
Kenu’s Qi-compatible vent mount easily clips onto most vents. The 10W Qi wireless charging pad features foreign object detection and automatically turns off in hot conditions to protect your phone from overheating. It comes with a 4-foot USB cable as well as a 12V DC car charger, plus it has an extra USB port for charging a second device.
Who It’s For
If you want to lock your phone into place on your vent and charge it at the same time, this Kenu mount should appeal. 7.5W Qi wireless charging isn’t the fastest we’ve seen, but it’s still plenty convenient. If you’re frequently in the car with other people, the extra USB port could be helpful, too.
Moshi SnapTo Universal Car Mount with Wireless Charging
Best for Tesla Owners
Bottom Line:
If you want a charger that can go anywhere, including a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y, this is the one to get.
Why We Picked It
This Moshi car mount scores high points for its durable and attractive design. It comes with a suction-powered base that attaches to your windshield or dashboard, and an air conditioning vent clip. It even ships with a flexible adapter for Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The mount supports wireless charging up to 10W and uses a powerful magnet array to hold your phone in place. It comes with a universal mounting pad that you can attach to any phone or case, though Moshi also makes some quality cases for iPhones.
Who It’s For
What makes this charger stand out is the adapter for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. It works just fine in other cars, but this is definitely the way to go if you own a Model 3 or Y.
Best for Keeping Your Mount in One Place
Bottom Line:
If you want to make sure your mount never moves, this is the one for you.
Why We Picked It
The Scosche MagicMount Dash attaches to your window or dashboard with automotive-grade adhesive, so don’t plan to use it in a rental car. Once you place the mount, it stays put. It uses magnets to hold your phone in place and lets you rotate the display to your preference.
Who It’s For
A lot of car mounts are removable, but this one uses some incredibly sticky adhesive that keeps it firmly in place on your dashboard or windshield. So long as you don’t need to move the mount between cars, this security is a real benefit.
Topgo Cup Holder Phone Mount
Best for Putting Your Phone in the Cup Holder
Bottom Line:
Want to keep your phone handy in your cup holder? You can’t do any better than this Topgo model.
Why We Picked It
The Topgo Cup Holder Phone Mount is an inexpensive and practical way to make sure your phone is easily accessible. This mount has an adjustable base that fits snugly into just about any center console cup holder. You can easily adjust your phone’s viewing angle using its goosenecked arm.
Who It’s For
If you don’t mind losing access to a cupholder, this mount keeps your phone close. Its holster is wide enough to fit smartphones up to 3.54 inches wide, but it’s not ideal if your phone’s case is thicker than half an inch.
What Are the Different Types of Phone Mounts?
First, you need to choose between the two basic types of car phone mounts: mounts that attach to your air conditioner vent and mounts that attach to your dashboard or windshield.
If you have a standard air conditioner vent (with horizontal slats), plenty of excellent options exist. Car mounts, however, are typically not compatible with circular or small AC vents.
Dash and windshield mounts are more versatile and are typically a better choice for most people. Some attach via a suction base. Others use an automotive-grade adhesive that shouldn’t damage your car. You can’t easily move adhesive mounts once you place them, though, and the adhesive does break down over time. If you plan to use your mount in multiple cars, or simply don’t want to clean gummy residue when you eventually remove it, choose one with a suction mount.
What Is the Best Magnetic Car Phone Mount?
Most mounts use either spring-loaded clamps or magnets to hold your phone in place. Both have benefits. Spring-loaded mounts can handle almost any phone, but you might balk at their bulky sizes. Slapping your phone onto a magnetic mount is fast and easy, but requires you to attach a metal plate to the back of your phone or slide it between the phone and its case. If you use wireless charging, make sure the plate isn’t on or near the charging coil. Some manufacturers make cases with built-in magnets that work seamlessly with their magnetic car mounts.
A growing number of automatic and MagSafe-compatible options are now available. Automatic mounts use an IR proximity sensor, open when your phone is in range, and automatically adjust their grip to accommodate your phone once it is seated. MagSafe mounts attach to the MagSafe array on newer iPhones, such as the iPhone 14.
Can I Wirelessly Charge My Phone With a Car Mount?
Mounts with built-in Qi wireless chargers are increasingly common. Your vehicle’s DC port powers these mounts and save you from needing to plug in your phone each time you hop in the car. Most are compatible with both Android devices and iPhones. If you often forget to plug in your phone and it supports wireless charging, this is a no-fuss way to keep it juiced up.
Car phone mounts usually max out at 10W for Android phones and 7.5W for iPhones. MagSafe-compatible chargers work just like a regular Qi wireless charger and also max out at 7.5W. We have yet to see a MagSafe-compatible car dock that supports 15W wireless charging, which is the max supported by the iPhone itself.
Recommended by Our Editors
Phone mounts are just the beginning. Adding the right technology to an older vehicle can make it feel brand new. Upgrade your old car with our favorite high-tech accessories for a dramatically different ride.
Steven Winkelman contributed to this story.
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