Car phone mounts have become essential accessories for drivers since they ensure your smartphone has a secure and convenient home in your vehicle. Most importantly, they help you keep your focus on the road. You can mount these accessories in several different locations in your car, including your air conditioning vents, cup holder, dashboard, and more, while some even charge your phone wirelessly. PCMag has been reviewing cars for a little over a decade and writing about phones for more than 30 years, so you can trust that all our picks below can get the job done. To further help you navigate your options, make sure to read to the end for some tips to keep in mind while you shop.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best for Large Phones and Bulky Cases
Ainope Gravity Phone Holder
The budget-friendly Ainope Gravity 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.
This mount is ideal for anyone who has a big phone and hates fighting with car mounts to get their device in and out.
Best MagSafe-Compatible Mount
Belkin BoostCharge Pro Wireless Car Charger
The MagSafe-compatible Belkin BoostCharge Pro Wireless Car Charger gets power via your car’s DC or USB port. You simply place your phone on top of it and rely on the built-in magnet to secure your device. It supports wireless charging at up to 15W, depending on your device.
This mount is a worthwhile choice if you have a MagSafe-capable iPhone and an open AC vent. But if you need something that affixes to your dashboard or windshield, look elsewhere.
Best CD Player Mount
iOttie Easy One Touch 6 CD Slot Mount
iOttie’s latest CD player mount, the Easy One Touch 6, improves upon the previous version with a flexible, lightweight construction that the company says allows it to install without the need for extra brackets or clamps. The updated cradle now offers better cable management and a more easily adjustable foot, too.
If your car has a CD player that you no longer use to listen to music, this is a top option. iOttie also sells variants of this mount that work with your vehicle’s air vents, dashboard, and infotainment screen.
Best Qi-Compatible Vent Mount
Kenu Airframe Qi Wireless Charging Vent Mount
Kenu’s Qi-compatible 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 and a 12V DC car charger, as well as features an extra USB port for charging a second device.
If you want to lock your phone into place on your vent and charge it at the same time, this Kenu mount should appeal. If you’re frequently in the car with other people, the extra USB port could be helpful, too.
Best for Adjustable Arm
Scosche MagicMount Pro2
The Scosche MagicMount Pro2 uses adhesive to attach to your car’s air vent, dashboard, or window and supports several different configurations. You can mount it directly onto a flat surface, for instance, or affix a swiveling arm for more adjustability. Its MagSafe-compatible design makes for easy iPhone mounting, and you get magnetic plates for other phones in the box.
If you don’t need to charge your phone while it’s mounted in your car, the Scosche MagicMount Pro2 is a versatile choice that doesn’t lock you into a single position. The company also sells several variants of this design, including one that sits flush on a surface and one with an adjustable extension arm.
Best Cup Holder Mount
Topgo Cup Holder Phone Mount
The inexpensive Topgo Cup Holder Phone Mount has an adjustable base that fits snugly into just about any center console cup holder. You can easily change your phone’s viewing angle using its goosenecked arm.
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.
Buying Guide: The Best Car Phone Mounts for 2024
What Are the Different Types of Car Phone Mounts?
First, you need to choose where you want to position the mount. Some attach to your air conditioner vent, while others attach to your dashboard or windshield. Still others attach to a CD player tray or the back of an infotainment touch screen.
If you have a standard air conditioner vent (with horizontal slats), plenty of excellent options exist. Vent mounts are often not compatible with circular or small AC vents, however.
Dash and windshield mounts are more versatile and typically a better choice for most people. Some attach via a suction base, and others use an automotive-grade adhesive that shouldn’t damage your car. However, you can’t easily move adhesive mounts once you place them, 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 one in between the phone and its case. If you use wireless charging, ensure 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.
Can You Wirelessly Charge Your Phone With a Car Mount?
Mounts with built-in Qi wireless chargers are increasingly common. Your vehicle’s DC or USB port powers these mounts, which save you the trouble of plugging 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.
Recommended by Our Editors
Car phone mounts typically offer up to 15W of charging for both Android phones and iPhones. MagSafe-compatible chargers function like standard Qi wireless chargers, also delivering up to 15W for iPhones.
Steven Winkelman contributed to this story.
