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The 5 best car phone holders for a hands-free experience
It’s never a good idea to operate your phone while driving. Instead, you can get a car phone holder for hands-free phone use. Here are our top picks.
Driver concentration is important to stay safe when behind the wheel. Paying attention to your surroundings and avoiding distractors helps to ensure the safety of yourself and others. One such distraction would be using your mobile phone while driving.
Of course, you might want to use your phone for calls, music, or navigation. That said, it might be illegal to hold and operate it in your state. Up to 31 states have criminalized handheld phone use while driving, which can attract fines of up to $2,750.
Instead, consider shopping for the best phone holder for your car, which will allow you to operate your phone hands-free, stay safe and avoid legal penalties. Be sure to mount your holder before beginning your journey, and its position should allow you to see the road clearly at all times.
Read more: See the best car dash cams approved by our editors
Browse the best car phone holders
Best dashboard and windshield cell phone holder
iOttie Easy One Touch 5 Universal Dash and Windshield Mount for Mobile Phones
Top car phone holders for everyday travel
We have reviewed and identified the best car phone holders to help inform your decision. Here are options we believe are ideal for everyday use.
Best-rated phone holder for car
Specifications:
Mounting type: Windshield, vent, and dashboard
Dimensions: 3.5 x 3 x 5.8 inches (H x W x D)
Compatibility: iPhone SE to 14 models and Samsung Note 8 to S23 models
Pros & Cons
Supports three mounting options
Boasts up to 65 pounds of suction force for optimal stability
Compatible with all 4 to 7 inch phones
Some customers have complained that it doesn’t stick well
Seems a bit bulky in the car due to its size
If you’re looking for a handy travel assistant, the Andobil Phone Mount for Car makes a great pick with an average rating of 4.4 stars on Amazon. The Andobil phone holder is designed for iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, but it’s compatible with most smartphones. Its triangular structure with a non-slip rubber pad holds your mobile phone firmly.
This holder features an extended 7.3-inch mechanical arm for convenient reach, and its ball head rotates up to 360 degrees to allow you to set the ideal angle and position. It uses a three-layer nano-gel suction cup to ensure a firm grip on your dashboard or windshield, keeping your phone stable even when driving on bumps, potholes, or rough roads.
Best magnetic phone holder for car
Specifications:
Mounting type: Air vent
Dimensions: Not specified by retailer
Compatibility: iPhone 12 Mini to iPhone 14 Pro Max models
Pros & Cons
Easy to install and use in your car
Allows you to charge your phone in any position
Cable management system keeps away cables neatly
Only supports MagSafe-compatible phones and cases
Not ideal for heavy phones
Magnetic car vent mounts are quite convenient, allowing you to effortlessly position your phone without struggling with the cradle like in standard phone holders. If you want one, the Belkin MagSafe Vent Mount Pro Car Phone Holder makes the best pick. It uses MagSafe technology for precise magnetic alignment to keep your phone stable.
It features a sturdy air vent clip to secure firmly on your car’s vent, while its high-quality ball joint lets you flip from portrait to landscape orientation with one hand. This Magsafe phone holder has an integrated cable management system to keep your charging cable or earphones neatly organized, and it works will all MagSafe-compatible phones.
Best phone holder for car vent
Specifications:
Mounting type: Air vent
Dimensions: 5.6 x 4.5 x 3 inches (H x W x D)
Compatibility: All 4 to 7 inch smartphone models and brands
Pros & Cons
Compatible with 99% of phones and air vents
Protects your phone from scratches
Allows you to switch the viewing angle as needed
Some reviewers noted poor material quality
The ball joint might loosen in some cases
For most people, the ideal spot for mounting a phone is the car air vent. This location allows for convenient use as well as seamless positioning. If you prefer a car vent mount, then the Humixx Phone Mount for Car Vent Clip makes the ideal accessory to have in your car. The clip has a non-slip silicone pad to prevent scratches on your air vent fan blades.
The pull-down feet and the panel also feature cushioning silicone pad for phone protection, while the flexible 360-degree rotatable ball joint lets you set a vertical or horizontal position for a better view. You can also adjust the viewing angle as needed. More importantly, this phone holder has a triangular stability design to hold your phone firmly in place.
Best dashboard and windshield cell phone holder
Specifications:
Mounting type: Dashboard and windshield
Dimensions: 4.7 x 4.2 x 5.7 inches (H x W x D)
Compatibility: Fits all phones and smartphone-case combinations.
Pros & Cons
Supports all phones and phone-case combinations
Easy to lock or release your phone with one hand
Offers two mounting options for convenience
The suction might weaken over time
Does not stick to leather
The iOttie Easy One Touch 5 Universal Dash and Windshield Mount for Mobile Phones makes a great option for dashboard and windshield phone mounting. Thanks to its Easy One Touch mechanism, you can easily lock or release your phone using only one hand. This holder has a sleek black matte finish that complements your car’s interior.
Its telescopic arm extends from 5 inches to 8 inches for easy access to your phone, and it pivots on a 225-degree arc for different views. The iOttie car dash mount is universal, allowing you to use it with all smartphone-case combinations for a seamless driving experience. It also includes a cord organizer and three preset settings for all phone sizes.
Best car cup holder mount for phone
Specifications:
Mounting type: Cup holder
Dimensions: 6.90 x 4.50 x 3.10 inches (L x W x H)
Compatibility: Fits all phones between 2.7 and 4.5 inches in width
Pros & Cons
Innovative design that fits in your cup holder
Brings your phone close for easy access
Made from durable plastic material
Might not be suitable for navigation
Inconveniencing if you need to use the cup holder
Most car phone holders support air vent, windshield, or dashboard mounting; some can support two or all of the options. The Cshidworld Car Cup Holder Phone Mount Cell Phone takes a different approach — it mounts in your cup holder, making it easy for you to access your phone for calls. It rotates 360 degrees for convenient view angles.
This Cshidworld phone holder has an adjustable base to fit in cup holders ranging from 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches in diameter. Its extendable neck lets you adjust the height, while the 360-rotation lets you adjust the angle for operability and a better view. The built-in soft mat protects your phone from damage, and you can release your phone in seconds with a touch of a button.
Best budget-friendly phone holder
Specifications:
Mounting type: Dashboard and windshield
Dimensions: 1.18 x 3.15 x 5.91 inches
Compatibility: Holds all cell phones
Pros & Cons
Compatible with all phone sizes
Cost-friendly option for hands-free phone use
Easy to install and use
You’ll need to wait for eight hours for the adhesive to stick firmly before using it
Adhesive may not work well in high-heat areas
If you’re shopping for a simple, cost-friendly car phone mount, the PopSockets PopMount 2 Multi-Surface Mount offers value for money. This simple phone holder mounts on any vertical surface for hands-free phone operation. It supports portrait and landscape viewing modes to offer flexibility.
The PopSockets PopMount phone holder is compatible with all cell phones, and its strong adhesive holds firmly on most surfaces. It has a black finish that pairs seamlessly with the interior of your car, and you can use it with PopGrips to ensure exceptional stability and support for your phone.
Best phone holder for car — FAQs
Which type of mobile holder is best for a car?
Are dashboard phone holders legal?
Where is the safest place to put a phone holder in your car?
Our verdict
A car phone holder is a must-have accessory in your car. At some point, you’ll need to operate your phone while driving, and the only way to do so safely is by using a car phone holder. Car phone mounts allow you to use your phone hands-free while driving, making it easy to stay focused and control your car.
This post covers our top picks if you’re shopping for the ideal car phone holder for your iPhone or any other phone. The Andobil Phone Mount for Car is a buyer’s favorite and it supports three mounting options for flexibility. Or, you can opt for the Belkin MagSafe Vent Mount Pro Car Phone Holder, which offers a strong magnetic connection for a firm hold.
Regardless, be sure to pick the best phone holder for car that supports your phone size and weight and offers a seamless experience.
Prices updated on 05/06/2024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
Written by
Odinga Fanuel
With over nine years working within media, Odinga Fanuel is passionate about sharing reliable information with everyday readers. For Smart Shopper, Odinga specializes in writing about tech products, household appliances, travel, automotive and more.
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