Summer has finally arrived. And whether you’re taking a road trip to one of your favorite tourist spots or packing up your camping tent for an outdoor adventure, odds are you’re getting there by driving—and you’ve probably never been there before. Cue the need for a car phone mount so you can see your navigation app.
The best car mounts keep your phone easily accessible.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
The best car phone mounts can help you keep an eye on Google Maps without worrying about taking your eyes off the road for too long. As a plus, many of them come with Qi charging, so you won’t have to consider that much-dreaded low battery life notification.
As seasoned road trippers, we’ve taken into account factors like design, price and features to make sure you have the best car mounts available ahead of your road trip. Here are the best car phone mounts that you can add to your car right now.
The iOttie ticks all the boxes on our list for the best car phone mount. Not only does it use an automatic sensor to clamp your phone securely into place, but it also has an adjustable bottom foot for charging. Because it’s adjustable, the mount works across most phones to mold to your phone’s shape, making it compatible with most market devices.
The addition of wireless Qi charging makes puts this mount over the top, making it our top pick.
Pros:
Automatic clamping sensor
Qi wireless charging option
Cons:
Uses a Micro-USB charge port
Belkin
Belkin MagSafe Vent Mount Pro
Grip: MagSafe | Charging: No | Charging cable type: N/A
Best for: iPhone users who want to keep their device off the dashboard.
The Belkin MagSafe Vent Mount Pro clips onto your car’s vent, making it great for keeping your windshield clear. Perfect for iPhones, the mount uses MagSafe to attach magnetically and securely to the mount.
Because this device works only with iPhones and other Apple products. Those with Android phones will want to look at other options for their road trip.
Best for: iPhone users who use their phone both vertically and horizontally.
If you just need a magnetic mount—no strings attached—the Scosche Car Phone Mount will work best for your daily needs. Its simple design can be peeled and stuck vertically and horizontally on your dashboard or beside your car vent to offer ultimate versatility in your car.
While this model comes in a peel-and-stick, Scosche offers vent stands and even a flush design to make sure that you have the best car mount for your needs.
You don’t need to spend upwards of $50 to make sure you can navigate–and Arteck’s car mount provides an easy-to-use car mount without that hefty price tag. Using gel sticky pads, you can mount it straight to your dashboard. It features a slim design to keep your dashboard clutter-free, too.
Because it has such a low price tag, it doesn’t come with a built-in car charger. You can easily get around this quirk by investing in a car charger, so it’s not a deal breaker.
Best for: Maximizing your dashboard space with a creative cup holder design.
WeatherTech’s CupFone Cup Holder fits right into your car’s cup holder and comes with various cup sizes so you can fit it to your car’s design. While some of the entries in this article only offer iPhone compatibility, WeatherTech’s design works with most phones.
For those that want to add a bit of fun flair to their car, the adjustable knobs come in a variety of colors. Plus, you’ll get a 360-degree rotational view, so if your friends need to change the destination for an impromptu snack stop, you can just swivel it without worry.
Pros:
Color options for some fun flair
Adjustable cup sizes
Cons:
No charging
No option for landscape mode
What To Look For In A Car Phone Mount
Car Design
First and foremost, you’ll want to take a look at your car and your needs. If your car has a flat dashboard, it may make sense to opt for one that sticks directly onto that panel. Some car models opt for a more curved dashboard design. In that case, you may want to opt for a car phone mount that sticks to a vent or a cup holder.
Charging Option
Some of the best car phone mounts come with wireless charging or a dedicated cable so you can charge it while it’s in use. However, if you’ve already opted for a car charger, you may not need that handy built-in cable. The charging features available come down to personal preference as well as what you already have on hand.
Your Phone Model
It may seem silly to consider, but making sure your phone is compatible with your mounting choice is essential. As an example, the Belkin that made our list is geared toward iPhones but not Android devices, while others on our list opt for a more universal fit. You’ll want to take a look at your device and make sure the car mount you choose works with your device as well as any case you use for it.
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