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
Everything You Need To Know About Car Phone Mounts
Benefits of Using a Car Phone Mount
Driving Safety
Several advocates, including the National Transportation Safety Board and the Governors Highway Safety Association, recommend against using your phone when driving. But the fact is that phones have become an integral part of every facet of our lives, including driving.
With a car phone mount, you can access your phone much more safely when you’re on the road.
Easy to Use and Convenient
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.
Our recommendation is to study your state’s laws before buying a phone holder.
Types of Cell Phone Car Mounts
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).
