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If you’re not yet living in a state where holding your phone whilst driving is illegal, chances are that day will come sooner or later. Since California passed the first hands-free law in 2008, 35 other states have followed suit, and the associated fines are hefty if you’re caught.
Even if your state isn’t yet on the hands-free bandwagon, having a good car mount for your phone is a common-sense safety tip, and excellent for content creation in today’s influencer economy. Calls and voice texting aside, using your cellphone for navigation can be crucial if you’re driving an older car without GPS or a base model that doesn’t include navigation.
Fortunately, there are hundreds if not thousands of car phone mounts currently on the market. Unfortunately, the majority of them are cheap plastic garbage. There are great models to be found, with the help of the right experts, that’ll keep you driving safe and ticket-free.
What the Experts Say
“The most important thing when shopping for phone mounts are the two points of contact,” says Collin Morgan, head of testing for Hearst Autos, which includes Car and Driver and Road & Track. “It’s vital to have a solid connection between the mounting surface and the mount, whether that be on the windshield, dashboard, or vent. Additionally, a secure grasp on your phone is equally important, via either magnet or clamps. Once those two points of contact are set, any extra features are an added bonus.”
Not surprisingly, many of the bargain-bin mounts fall well short of that bar. Fortunately, that leaves several excellent options to choose from. Here are some expert picks:
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Scosche MagicGrip Wireless Charging Double Pivot Windshield/Dashboard Phone Mount
Scosche may not be a household name, but their rep for making good car mounts, chargers, and other accessories is impeccable. The MagicGrip, which doubles as a wireless charger, is usually at the high end of the price range for a car phone mount, but it’s half off on Amazon right now.
“This thing is awesome,” Morgan says. “The automatic arms are a really nice feature.”
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iOttie Velox Magnetic Wireless Charging Air Vent Car Phone Mount
This is another mount that also doubles as a charger, in this case, a 7.5-watt MagSafe-compatible one that will give your iPhone a powerful boost even as you use it for navigation or phone calls. “The one-handed clamping operation is super handy, especially when you need to keep one hand on the wheel,” Morgan says.
Important note: Check your vehicle first to make sure your air vent fins are horizontal, and not vertical or circular, otherwise this will not fit.
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Scosche MagicMount Pro Extendo Magnetic Phone Holder
Scosche’s second entry on this list comes courtesy of a great feature that’s not instantly apparent, says Morgan. “This mount’s best trait is the highly adjustable Extendo function, which opens up tons of positioning options,” he says. The arm extends an additional 3.5 inches, from its retracted length of 5.07 inches to 8.61, and it has 220 degrees worth of angle adjustment so it can be perfectly positioned and repositioned no matter who’s driving.
Even while fully extended, the Scosche MagicMount Pro Extendo remains sturdy thanks to locking nuts located near the base of the mount and at the end near your phone.
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OtterBox Performance Car Dash & Windshield Mount for MagSafe
OtterBox has a sterling rep for phone cases and screen protectors, so it’s not surprising to see their entry into the car phone mount business has resulted in a quality product like the OtterBox Performance Car Dash & Windshield Mount. This is a MagSafe mount that works with any MagSafe-compatible phone case, even if it’s not an OtterBox.
Morgan gives kudos to this car phone mount for its easy adjustability, including the ability to flip your phone to landscape view. It also claims its adhesive mount can be moved multiple times, another huge plus.
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Akron Double Robust Car Cup Holder Tablet Mount
Not every car phone mount goes on your windshield or dash, and not every car mount is meant for a phone. With many new vehicles now equipped with extra-large in-dash touchscreens, some drivers like to replicate that experience by using their iPad or other tablet as their in-car mobile option. This tablet mount from Arkon mounts in your vehicle’s cupholder, which can be a tricky proposition.
“We’ve tried other cupholder mounts, and found they only work with specific vehicles because the cupholders have to be up high, like in a contractor van,” Morgan says. “But this might solve those issues with the extra height.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Phone Mounts
Are There Downsides to Using a Vent Mount as Opposed to a Dashboard or Windshield Mount?
The vent-mounted variety is very common, but your vehicle’s vent fins are far less sturdy than your dashboard or windshield, so unless you’re getting a really good vent mount, the windshield- or dash-mounted versions are better buys. “As phones get heavier,” Morgan says, “the added weight combined with a nasty bump could mean broken vent fins.” Morgan says the iOttie Velox is an exception to this rule, with a surprisingly strong magnet and its ability to stay mounted even while being subjected to a bumpy set of testing runs.
I Have a Newer iPhone. Is it Essential That I Find a Car Mount That Says it Supports MagSafe Charging?
Essential? No. Worth it? Absolutely, especially if you’re looking at a mount that boasts wireless charging. Plus, MagSafe has become so common now that it should not drive up the price. “If your iPhone is new enough to support MagSafe, just get a MagSafe phone mount to avoid headaches,” Morgan says.
I Live in an Extreme Climate, What Can I use Instead of a Suction Cup Mount?
Extreme cold makes a rubber suction cup stiff, and extreme heat makes it floppy. Either way, those are easy ways to have your car phone mount fall off, especially when it’s mounted to a windshield. A dash mount may be a better call if you live in an extreme climate, and even then, look into using Velcro or two-sided mounting tape instead of a suction cup. Many dashboard versions come with permanent adhesive mounting plates.