The world of in-car entertainment extends way beyond the infotainment system, and most modern motorists will rely on a smartphone in some way on the average drive, which means getting the best car phone holder is essential. With the ability to stream your favourite music or double as a sat nav, this beacon of entertainment deserves to be safe.
Investing in a quality car phone holder not only gives your smartphone a decent home but it’ll also ensure you stay on the right side of the law.
There are so many car phone holders to choose from, including wireless car chargers, you could be wondering where to start. This is why we’ve scoured the market to select the best phone mounts, each one designed to keep your phone locked in place while you’re on the move. Don’t be tempted by the really cheap phone holders, they’re cheap for a reason.
The best phone holders 2024 at a glance:
The best car phone holder: Belkin Car Vent Mount – Buy now from Amazon
Editor’s pick: Blukar Car Phone Holder – Buy now from Amazon
Best for windscreens: Mous Limitless 3.0 Suction Mount – Buy now from Mous
The best car phone holders 2024:
The best car phone holder
The air vent positioning of the phone holder will mean it's not blocking your vision as you drive, making it a discrete and safe choice even if it does mean sacrificing some airflow. The diecast aluminium arms make use of springs to adjust to fit any mobile up to 5.5" but will require both hands to operate. The mount does at least swivel up to 180 degrees.
Pros
- Secure but gentle phone holding
- Excellent adjustability
- Compatible with a wide range of phones
Cons
- Restricts some air flow from the vents
- Must be careful to avoid damaging air vents
Editor's pick
It's also rather simple to use, which means you can mount your phone using one hand every time you get into your car. Simply press the arms, which clamp onto the phone until it's nice and snug, and to release, simply press the one-button release at the back. There's even a ball-joint which can be rotated to make sure your phone is always within sight. The Blukar is more affordable than most other car phone holders.
Pros
- Silicon design to protect your phone from scratches
- Suction cups to mount on windscreen or dashboard
- Great value for money
Cons
- Low price may not translate to quality
- Strong suction may make it hard to remove
The best car phone holder for simplicity
The rotation ball provides 360 degrees of flexibility for vertical and horizontal viewing angles, while the frame itself feels robust and built to last.
Pros
- Solid build with durable plastic
- Universal phone holding
- Can be mounted to dashboard or widescreen
Cons
- Requires a relatively flat dashboard
- Sticky gel pad may become less effective over time
Best suction phone mount
Using magnets to hold your phone in place and connected to the glass via suction, the Mous is a sturdy choice. Best of all, it's such a low-profile design that it won't block your vision.
Pros
- Easy to mount to glass
- Excellent build quality
- Low-profile design
Cons
- Requires a Mous case
- Magnetic system may not inspire confidence in some
The best car phone holder for versatility
Rrp: $39.99
Rrp: $39.99
The base expands to fit most cupholders, while the mount provides a wide variety of viewing positions thanks to a swivelling and tilting head. Because there are no suction pads involved, it's easy to transport the Belkin from one car to another. It even includes a small gap to hold and organise a charging wire.
Pros
- Almost universal fit
- Adjustable head for optimal phone positioning
- No suction or adhesive required
Cons
- Means sacrificing a cupholder
- Phone won’t be in your eyeline
The best car phone holder for PopSockets
Rrp: $11.69
Rrp: $11.69
Pros
- Simple to install
- Comes in several colours including glow in the dark
- Attaches to air vents without glue
Cons
- Only works if you have a Popsocket on your mobile phone
- May struggle with heavier phones
The best car phone holder for MagSafe phones
Pros
- Simple to install
- Very sleek design
- Attach your phone with one hand
Cons
- Why not get one that charges your phone at this point?
- Requires MagSafe case if you want more peace of mind
So why do you need a car phone holder?
It’s illegal to hold a mobile phone while driving or riding a motorcycle. If you’re caught breaking the law you face receiving six penalty points on your driving licence and a fine of £200. In extreme cases, you could be banned from driving and given a maximum fine of £1,000.
It’s actually legal to use a phone or sat nav while driving if it’s placed in a dashboard holder or a windscreen mount as long as you don’t touch it. This leaves you free to use a voice control system such as Siri or Google Assistant.
How to buy the right car phone holder, and how to use it
There’s nothing complicated about a car phone holder – you just have to decide which one is right for you. Some are mounted to the windscreen, others to the dashboard, some are designed for air vents, while a small number sit in a cupholder.
In the case of a windscreen mount, you simply attach the suction cup to the glass, adjust the holder to the desired position, and then place the phone in the cradle. Other mounts feature a magnetic holder at the end, so there’s no need to worry about adjusting the cradle. The good thing about a windscreen mount is that it can be easily removed when not in use, but it will leave a circular mark on the glass.
If this is a concern, you should consider a mount that attaches to an air vent. Some of the products look really neat, and many of them are less prone to wobbling when driving over rough surfaces. You simply attach them to the vent and let the magnets do their work.
What to consider when choosing a car phone holder
Are the cheapest products worthwhile?
While it’s possible to spend a few pounds on a cheap mount, we’d advise against it. More expensive products are subjected to tougher quality control checks and come with a decent guarantee. Lower-quality mounts are also liable to vibrate and shake themselves to bits.
Take care when ordering an air vent mount
Car phones designed for air vents are only suitable for traditional vents. If your car has a circular air vent, you should look at a windscreen or dashboard-mounted phone holder.
Make sure the phone can be recharged
If the car phone holder comes with a cradle, make sure that it leaves the charging port free. Running the sat nav will eat away at the battery life, so you’ll be left high and dry if you’re unable to charge on the go.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tool Editor for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. He also contributes to What’s The Best.
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