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The best magnetic phone holders for cars 2024

• Secure your phone while travelling
• Vent, adhesive or suction fixings
• Ideal if using your phone as a sat nav

 

Written by Alex Boyd Updated: 29 October 2024

The days of the humble AM/FM car radio were a more innocent and less complicated time for in-car entertainment. Now, most entertainment on the go is delivered online, often via our smartphones, so investing in a magnetic phone holder makes a lot of sense. Our reliance on our phones is only going to increase as we use them not only for communication and entertainment but also as a sat-nav device.

Until recently, the brackets and clips used on phone holders were inevitably flimsy and brittle, subject to breaking or rattling within a short space of time. But mercifully, small, powerful magnets are taking over the task of holding your phone steady while you drive. And some of them do a mighty fine job of it. 

For a magnetic car phone holder to work as it should, there needs to be a firm grasp at both ends. The magnets in the holder need to be strong enough so that they snatch the phone from your hand when you attach it to the holder and allow an easy release. At the same time, the bracket needs to grip the air vent, dashboard or other in-car surface without rattling or shaking – or, indeed, falling off.  

The best magnetic car phone holders at a glance:

Editor’s choice: Belkin BoostCharge – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best suction holder: APPS2Car Magnetic Phone Mount – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best compact mounts: Ivoler Car Phone Holder (2 pack) – Buy now from Amazon UK

Long story short, you get what you pay for. We’ve yet to come across a £5 phone holder that is at a satisfactory standard. Here are some of the best magnetic phone holders available just now..

The best magnetic car phone holder 2024

Editor’s pick

Rrp: $59.99

Price: $34.99
Alternative Retailers
Target
$39.99
Newegg
$45.97
Walmart
$54.08
Belkin’s BoostCharge magnetic holder keeps a very strong grip on the device it holds and grips firmly to the air vent. So, that’s the basics covered. However, this version priced here also includes a USB cable with a cigarette socket adapter which connects to the holder to allow wireless charging of compatible iPhone models.

The MagSafe technology ensures a secure and stable fit with easy removal, and the installation process of fitting it to the air vents in the car should only take a few minutes. If required, it is available without the charging cable.

Pros

  • Easy installation
  • MagSafe Technology

Cons

  • Can cause the air vent to face downwards
Best CD slot holder

Rrp: $18.99

Price: $15.99
CD players have not been fitted as standard in new cars for a number of years now, but plenty of vehicles still have them. So, they may be old tech, but they can still be useful as a quick and convenient way of installing a magnetic phone holder.
 
Apps2Car have produced this mount which can hold any device up to an 11-inch tablet without compromising the ability to play CDs. Like the Belkin holder above, it fully rotates and swivels 360 degrees.

Pros

  • Suitable for larger devices
  • Fully adjustable

Cons

  • Car CD player required

Best magnetic air vent holder
The YOSH holder is small and discreet, perfect for cars with round air vent slats like Audi and Mercedes. It’s as solid as the Belkin model for an air vent mount, and although it can’t match the CD slot mount, it can hold up to a seven-inch smartphone.

This air vent mount stands out because its attachment is much stronger and more secure. Like the others here, this phone holder can fully rotate and is compatible with a wide range of smartphones.

Pros

  • Strong hook attachment to air vent
  • Holds smartphones of up to 7 inches

Cons

  • Can be tricky to adjust air vent once fitted
Best suction holder

Rrp: $25.98

Price: $13.29
Alternative Retailers
Walmart
$29.05
You may well use your phone as a sat nav when driving, in which case a dashboard or windscreen mount is more useful than one that attaches to an air vent. Of this sort of phone holder, this one from Apps2Car is our pick. It sticks to the dashboard or windscreen using a suction cup, and while many such designs suffer from being ineffective, this one works well because the suction cup sticks to a gel pad rather than straight onto the surface itself.

The arm is sturdy and can extend between 11.7cm and 16cm. Its angle can also be adjusted, and the magnetic mount swivels 360 degrees.

Pros

  • Arm extends up 16cm
  • Adjustable angle

Cons

  • Can bounce a little when fully extended
These may be small, but they don't lack any holding power. They are unobtrusive but extremely flexible, as once fitted, the rotating 360° ball allows you to position your phone as required. There's also the added bonus of it being a two-pack as, because of the size, you can unobtrusively fit the second one in a different position to suit a different driver or for your passenger.

Pros

  • Two-pack
  • Compact size

Cons

  • Only sticks to smooth plastic surfaces
Best for horizontal mounting

Rrp: $17.99

Price: $11.98
The Lisen holder performs best when fitted to a horizontal flat surface on the dashboard using the strong adhesive stickers supplied. The extendable arm and swivel design facilitate its flexibility, allowing for multiple-angle adjustments.

The sturdy metal ring contains 24 magnets, ensuring a secure fit, even for heavier smartphones, as you travel and allowing for easy adjustment.

Pros

  • Good adjustability
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • Only suitable for flat, horizontal installation

FAQs

Will a magnetic phone holder damage my phone or interfere with my GPS or other functions?

No, a magnetic phone holder will not damage your phone or interfere with its functions. Modern smartphones are built with flash storage, which is not affected by magnets. Additionally, GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi signals are unaffected by the type of magnets used in phone holders. However, placing the magnet very close to a wireless charger may affect charging speed, so it can sometimes be better to remove the phone from the mount while charging wirelessly.

How strong is the magnetic grip, and will my phone fall off while driving?

High-quality magnetic phone holders are designed to hold your phone securely, even on bumpy roads or during sudden stops. They use powerful neodymium magnets to provide a firm grip without being overly bulky. When properly installed, they’re very reliable.

Can I use a magnetic holder if my phone has wireless charging?

Yes, you can use a magnetic holder with wireless charging-enabled phones. However, you’ll need to place the metal plate away from the phone’s wireless charging coil to avoid interference. If possible, remove the phone from the magnetic mount while charging to get the best performance from both devices.

Will the metal plate cause my phone to overheat?

Generally, the metal plate should not cause overheating. However, if placed directly on the phone’s back, the plate can slightly affect heat dissipation. It is recommended that the metal plate is attached to your phone case, as this helps minimize direct heat build-up. If overheating occurs, repositioning the metal plate further down the phone may help.

Will using a magnetic holder void my phone’s warranty?

Using a magnetic phone holder will not void your phone’s warranty. Manufacturers understand that these accessories are popular and are unlikely to cause issues with the phone’s internal components. However, it’s always best to follow the phone holder’s instructions to avoid any unintended damage.

Can I use the magnetic mount for larger devices like a tablet?

Magnetic holders are primarily designed for smartphones, as they may not be strong enough to securely hold larger devices like tablets. If you’re considering mounting a tablet, look for holders specifically designed for heavier devices.

How we choose
All of these magnetic phone holders have been hand-selected by our team of experts, who have spent hours investigating and researching magnetic phone holders to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we’d never recommend a product we don’t believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about.

Alex Boyd is a Commercial Content Writer for Parkers, specialising in power tools and pressure washers. In his spare time, he enjoys DIY, travel, gardening and music.

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