Best Car Phone Mounts, Tested By Experts

Whether for music, GPS directions, or both, it’s increasingly common for people to pair their phones with their vehicles. The best car phone mounts can keep your smartphone stable and visible so you can use it hands-free while driving.

In this review, we recommend the five best car phone holders across a variety of styles and price points. Keep in mind that the mount that’s right for you may depend on the climate in your area, your preferences, and the type of phone you have (Apple iPhone vs. Android, large vs. small, etc.). In this buyers guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each phone mount, explain why we like it, and offer guidance on choosing the best option for your needs.

All of the car phone mounts recommended above performed well in our tests. Each one is relatively easy to install and compatible with most phones. We are hesitant to name one car phone mount the best overall because that depends largely on your preferences, the type of phone you have, and your area’s climate.

1. Best Dashboard Mount: Loncaster Car Phone Holder
2. Best Mounting System: Quad Lock Car Mount
3. Best Vent Mount: Mongoora Air Vent Phone Mount
4. Best Grip: Ram X-Grip Mount
5. Best Cupholder Mount: Topgo Cup Holder Phone Mount

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The Loncaster car phone holder was our favorite among the best car phone mounts. It is simple to install, inexpensive, and – because it holds your phone horizontally – extremely stable. This car dash mount with an ultra-soft silicone design is an easy recommendation.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $15
• Mount style: Adhesive pad
• Mount location: Dashboard

Our Experience

The Loncaster did not include any directions and required no assembly. The box included the phone mount only, which is a single rubber piece. To install the Loncaster, you simply remove the plastic backing and slap it on your dashboard. The sticky surface keeps the mount in place, and it remains stable because of the wide surface area.

This was the most stable of the car phone mounts we tested. There is nothing to adjust other than the placement of the pad on your dashboard. The Loncaster holder scores perfectly by all of our review metrics, and it is one of the cheapest options available. If you are looking for a low-cost car phone mount that is easy to install and use, the Loncaster is a no-brainer.

Once this mount is installed, it’s very easy to attach and remove your cell phone. There are no clips or magnets, as the phone slides between the grips on the pad and leans against the mount’s backstop. If you have an especially thick phone or phone case, it may not fit in the crevice, but the two phones we tested fit snugly and securely.

One downside to the Loncaster holder is that it is not particularly adjustable. While you can change the orientation of the mount, there is no way to adjust the viewing angle of your phone in the mount. We preferred the horizontal orientation for navigation, but you may prefer vertical.

However, placing your phone on the dashboard means it will get hit by a lot more sun, which can heat your phone up dramatically. On hot days, your phone may overheat on this mount. We tested the Loncaster in North Carolina during the summer. Temperatures while testing approached 90 degrees. While our test phone became quite hot on the dashboard, it did not get hot enough to shut off. However, the increased heat was certainly not good for the phone’s battery health.

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.2 out of 5 based on over 35,000 ratings

Positive reviews praise the Loncaster for its stability and especially its ability to hold heavier phones in place. Some customers say their thick phones will not fit this mount.

“This has stayed in place all summer (in the heat), using it multiple times a day to squish my iPhone 6s or iPhone X into.”

– Beau Chevassus

“I have a large, bulky, and heavy phone – Galaxy Note9 with an OtterBox case – and a job that requires a ton of local driving. . . . This is the first phone holder that has kept my phone in place.”

– Colleen

Adapter:

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Car Mount:

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The Quad Lock phone mount system is not designed exclusively for the car. The universal adaptor attaches to the back of your phone, allowing you to connect it to your car, bike, motorcycle, or home stand. While a little more expensive than the alternatives, the Quad Lock is a stable and easy-to-use system.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $15 for the adapter, $60 for the car mount
• Mount style: Suction or adhesive
• Mount location: Window or dashboard

Our Experience

For vertically oriented car phone mounts, the Quad Lock was the most stable. Attaching and removing our phones was slightly more difficult than with other mounts, but it was still an easy process.

While not quite as easy to install as the Loncaster, the Quad Lock also has a simple setup process. The adapter attaches to the back of your phone via adhesive, and the mount attaches to the dashboard or windshield with a suction cup. Also included in the box is an adhesive pad for the car mount if you want a more stable and permanent installation (for our tests, the suction alone worked just fine). A ball and socket design allows you to orient your phone in any angle or direction.

The Quad Lock system is the most stable of the phone holders we tested (on par with the Loncaster). However, it isn’t one of the best car phone mounts for you if you’re on a limited budget. It’s a little more expensive than other systems, and you will need to purchase both the adapter and the car mount.

This also isn’t a good choice if you don’t want to attach anything to your phone. While the Quad Lock adapter is quite thin, it will still add a couple millimeters of thickness to your phone. Similarly to the Loncaster, this car phone mount secures to the dashboard where it could get excessively hot from the sun during warmer months.

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 1,200 ratings

Customers rave over the Quad Lock Car Mount. A huge amount of customers note how much they trust this mount to securely hold their phone.

“Best phone holder ever! Case is sleek with a matte finish. Suction is incredible. Drove across Canada and never moved an inch. Installation is simple.”

– Shawn

“Extremely easy to install. Decent adjustability. Throw as many potholes and gravel roads you’d like at it, doesn’t budge.”

– Brett Hemphill

The only negative reviews of the Quad Lock are written in Spanish. One appears to complain that the mount does not stay well attached to the windshield. While the product photos show this mount attaching to the window, we found that it also attached well to the dashboard.

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The Mongoora Air Vent Mount attaches to your car’s air vent which has both benefits and drawbacks. This positioning can help keep your phone cool, preventing overheating and preserving battery life. However, it also blocks the air vent. Depending on the strength of your car’s vents, it also means you won’t be able to hold especially heavy phones.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $12
• Mount style: Clip
• Mount location: Air vent

Our Experience

This mount clasps around your car’s air vent. Depending on the thickness of your vent slats, this may not be an especially stable connection.

For our small test phone, the Mongoora vent mount offered good stability and it was easy to attach and remove. The clasps extend extra wide to accommodate most phone sizes. The rotating design makes it easy to position and angle the phone, and it is even possible to hold your phone horizontally.

The Mongoora mount is a good low-cost option if you have a light phone. It’s particularly suitable for you if you don’t want to mount your phone on the dashboard. The air vent location will help keep your phone cool thanks to the airflow, so we recommend this mount if you live in a hot environment.

If you have a large phone, a PopSocket^®, or a thick phone case such as an OtterBox^®, this mount may not work for you. Depending on the design of your vehicle’s air vents, this may also be a poor choice. While this mount firmly grips phones, it may not be able to firmly attach to your car’s vent.

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.1 out of 5 based on around 7,400 ratings

Reviewers appreciate the Mongoora for its ball joint design and easy installation. Most are able to position their phones exactly how they want with few issues. The mount is made from thick plastic and most say it is more durable than other brands that offer similarly-designed mounts.

Some have issues with the device connecting to their vents. Cars with thin vent slats or with certain vent designs offer less stability. A few Subaru owners claimed to have this issue. We tested this phone in a Subaru and it worked well for us, though the connection could have been more secure.

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Like the Quad Lock, the Ram X-Grip mount works not only in your vehicle but also with bikes and motorcycles. Unlike the Quad Lock, no mounting device needs to be attached to your phone.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $60
• Mount style: Adhesive suction
• Mount location: Windshield or cup holder

Our Experience

The Ram X-Grip mount we purchased was attached to the car’s windshield. However, this isn’t your only option. Ram also sells mounts that can be drilled into your car’s dashboard. This is a permanent attachment that you may not desire.

In terms of adjustability, this was the best car phone mount we tested. Featuring ball joints and 360-degree rotation in several locations, the Ram mount may take a little longer to set up since there are extra knobs to adjust, but the result is a much more customizable experience.

The Ram grips the phone excellently, and even the heaviest, bulkiest of phones will stay securely attached to this phone mount. However, you must pay attention to how you insert your phone because the grips are strong enough to depress the side buttons. It’s easy to inadvertently turn your phone off while trying to put it in this mount. In fact, this happened during our test.

While your phone is easy to view if mounted on the windshield, the Ram X-Grip does block some of your visibility. Depending on where you live, it may not be legal to attach items to your interior windshield.

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.7 out of 5 based on over 1,200 ratings

The Ram is one of the best car phone mounts because of its stability and grip strength. Reviewers also like that the mount can be used in other places besides the car. The Ram X-Grip appears to last for a long time without losing strength or wearing out.

“I’ve had many, many poorly made mounts that lose suction, fail to grip, or just suck overall. The Ram mounts are sturdy as hell, suction like the Kraken itself, and will hold any size phone with any case on it, even phones with PopSockets. Easy to use, and you can even open and close it with one hand.”

– Matt Golon

Those dissatisfied with the Ram X-Grip say the mount vibrates too much. The rigid design did cause the mount to shake some during our testing on bumpy roads, but we found the mount mostly stable. Shaking may be more of an issue with larger phones.

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The Topgo cup holder phone mount is one of the best car phone mounts because it’s easy to install in your car’s cup holder and keeps your phone off the hot dashboard and air vents.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $25
• Mount style: Tension
• Mount location: Cup holder

Our Experience

The Topgo mount is easy to install but a little harder to adjust than some of the others. The gooseneck is stiff, which is good for stability but can make the mount hard to angle. Depending on the style of your cup holder, it may also take some finagling to get this mount to work. The adjustable base expands outward, but if your cup holder is especially large, this mount will not fit securely.

Once on the road, the Topgo mount was the least stable of those we tested. While the vibration didn’t present a big issue, it was more noticeable than with other options. We also found the positioning of the mount to be fairly low, making it difficult to consult the phone without taking our eyes off the road. This may be a personal preference, however, and not an issue for shorter drivers. The gooseneck swivel puts your phone between 4.0 and 7.0 inches above your cup holder.

Once the mount is installed, attaching and removing the phone is simple. A button in the back opens the side clamps, which are easily pushed around the phone. This should work for most phone sizes. The clamps are deep, so it can work even if your phone has a PopSocket.

It should be noted that the Topgo is not compatible with all cup holders. Do not buy this mount if your cup holders are more than 3.0 inches in diameter. This is also not the right choice for you if you want your phone positioned higher in your vehicle. Our tester (who is 5.0 feet, 10.0 inches) thought this mount was too low, at least if you use your phone for GPS navigation.

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.3 out of 5 based on over 38,000 ratings

Reviewers note that the mount works well even with larger phones.

“I have an iPhone 7 with [an] OtterBox and [it] fits [the Topgo] like a glove. It’s adjustable and completely sturdy in the cup holder. I absolutely love it!”

– Tammy Jean Oberley

Some reviewers say the Topgo was too small for their cup holders. The tension bars only extend so far, so if you have a really large cup holder, this product may not be compatible with your vehicle.

Need more options? The three recommendations below are based on online research, though we haven’t had the chance to test them in person.

Havis Rugged Phone Cradle

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Cost: Around $75

This phone cradle may rival the X-Grip in strength and durability. It mounts with a suction pad and firmly holds your phone with its rubber grips. The Havis can rotate a full 360 degrees for optimal positioning. This phone mount also includes a three-year warranty.

iOttie One Touch 5

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Cost: Around $25

As the name suggests, you can dismount your phone from this holder with one touch. The easy-to-use design makes it a breeze to position and use this mount. The telescopic arm and suction grip allow this holder to be positioned nearly anywhere in your car. It boasts a large number of positive Amazon reviews and most feel the iOttie offers unbeatable suction and grip.

WixGear Magnetic Phone Holder

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Cost: Around $15

This simple, low-cost magnet attaches to your car’s air vent. You’ll need to attach a metal plate to the back of your phone or phone case for this magnet mount to work, however. We wouldn’t recommend this option for those with especially heavy phones, but for most phone sizes, these strong magnets are plenty stable.

All the car phone mounts we recommended are good picks for some drivers, but none are suitable for every driver. If you’re shopping for a new car phone mount, there are several factors to consider before making a purchase.

Car Phone Mount Location

Many drivers use car phone mounts so they can consult GPS directions. Some mounts attach to your windshield, while others may have you looking below your dashboard. Several common mount locations include:

• Windshield: Good for phone visibility, may obstruct view
• Dashboard: Good for phone visibility, can get hot
• Air vent: Cooled by the A/C but not always the most stable
• Cupholder: Will not obstruct view, may be too low
• CD slot: Will not obstruct view, but many cars don’t have CD slots

Be aware that law enforcement in many cities can pull you over for obstructing your view of the windshield, and this includes doing so with a car phone mount. Check local laws before purchasing or installing this type of car phone mount.

Local weather conditions may also impact where you want to mount your phone. While the dashboard is a good place for phone visibility, mounting your phone here can make it very hot in the summer months. An overheated phone may shut down, and extreme temperatures can reduce its battery life.

Types Of Car Phone Mount Grips

There are several common methods for a phone mount to grip a phone:

• Clamp: Clamp phone mounts grip your phone around the edges with a spring-loaded clamp. These mounts do not require you to attach anything to your phone, but use depress side buttons.
• Magnet: A magnetic car phone mount uses a magnetic surface to support your phone from the back. These mounts are very stable, but require you to attach a metal plate to your phone. If you aren’t careful when detaching a magnet mount, you can accidentally detach the entire mount when removing your phone.
• Adapter: An adapter mount works similar to a magnet mount, but uses a specialized adapter. These specialized adapters can be more secure than magnet mounts but will add thickness to your phone.
• Suction: Suction cup mounts work by squeezing out air after the cup has been sealed to a surface – like a windscreen of a car, in this case. A low-pressure region is created inside the suction area while atmospheric pressure outside the cup creates suction.

If your mobile phone is on the heavy side, like the new iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, you may benefit from an adapter or magnetic phone holder. However, clamp mounts such as the Ram X-Grip can securely hold even the heaviest of phones.

Extras

Do you plan to mount your phone in not just your car but also on a bike, motorcycle, or boat, or in a kitchen? Some manufacturers offer cell phone holder systems that allow you to easily attach your device to multiple locations.

Other things to consider are how much a holder mount allows you to adjust the field of view, allows easy access to charging cables, or works with thick cases. Phone size is another consideration because devices like the iPhone 13 Pro Max may be too large for some car phone holder mounts. 

Wireless Charging 

Some car phone mounts have wireless charging features, but none of the phone mounts we recommend have this capability. Based on customer reviews, most wireless chargers are finicky, so the technology may not be all that useful.

Cost

Even some of the best car phone mounts are available for under $20. While more expensive mounts may offer added benefits, you don’t need to spend a lot to get an effective phone mount.

Ultimately the best car phone mount for you will be one that securely holds your phone, doesn’t break the bank, and holds your phone in your preferred orientation. Our pick for the Best Dashboard Mounted Car Phone Holder is the Loncaster Car Phone Holder, but we stand by all of our recommendations.

*Data accurate at time of publication.