Most modern cars have built in Sat Navs, but those of us with older models have to reply on using cell phone maps. The problem is reading your cell phone’s map and directions while you are driving: the solution being a secure car phone mount.
We have been through every product on Amazon, read all the reviews and tested the top holders. Here are the 4 most secure car phone mounts you can buy.
Contents
Beam Electronics Universal Smartphone Car Air Vent Mount Holder Cradle
Beam Electronics’ Universal mount will fit any car that has air-vents that are flush to the dashboard. This means that you are not damaging the interior of your car, or covering delicate leather with double-sided tape.
Facts:
Material: Plastic
Phone Widths: 1.9 – 3.7 Inches
Dimensions: 2.72 x 3.39 x 5.51 Inches
Weight: 2.08 oz
Rotatable: Yes
Colors: Grey
Mounting Method: Air-Vent Clamp
You can also rotate and lock the mount, so you can orientate your phone in either a vertical or horizontal position. And the phone will not fall out because it has retractable side-arms holding it in place. These side-arms can hold phones up to 3.7 inches wide or as narrow as 1.7 inches.
The air-vent clamp has a soft-silicon cover to prevent it from scratching your car. And the back of the phone mount also has soft padding to absorb impacts and protect your phone.
Pros:
Simple to install.
Soft foam padding for your phone.
Adjustable quick-release phone clamp.
Will fit most cars, without damaging the interior.
Cons:
Hard to clamp the phone in with one hand.
It will put a lot of weight on the air-vent.
WizGear – Universal Magnetic Air-Vent Mount
![Magnetic Phone Car Mount, WizGear [2 PACK] Universal Air Vent Magnetic Phone Car Mount Phone Holder, for Cell Phones and Mini Tablets with Fast Swift-Snap Technology, With 4 Metal Plates](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41EznqEw0cL._SL160_.jpg)
WizGear’s universal mount secures to an air-vent in your vehicle, using magnets to attach to your phone. The pack comes with two mounts and 4 metal plates. These metal plates need attaching to the rear of your phone, for the magnet to work.
Facts:
Material: Plastic
Phone Widths: 1.9 – 3.7 Inches
Dimensions: 4.1 x 3.33 x 1.5 Inches
Weight: 1.75 oz
Rotatable: Yes
Colors: Black
Mounting Method: Air-Vent Clamp and Magnet
Accessories: 4 x Metal Plates, 4 x Protective Films
You need to stick the metal plate to the back of your smartphone — this plate does not affect your phone signal. You can also use the magnet if you put the metal plate between the back of your phone and its cover.
The kit also comes with 4 adhesive pads so you can stick the metal plate direct to the back of your phone. The air-vent clip has two preset air-vent widths, but these cannot be adjusted, and the kit comes with two of these.
Pros:
The clip is small and unnoticeable when your phone is detached.
Quick to attach, release, and rotate.
The kit comes with two air-vent clips.
You do not need to use double-sided adhesive.
Cons:
Small vent clips.
It has trouble clipping to an air-vent when holding a large phone.
iOttie – Easy One Touch 4 Dash
iOttie’s Easy One Touch car phone mount can either sit on your dashboard or your windshield. A quick-release clamp makes it easy to attach and remove from the mount, and it offers a high-degree of movement freedom.
Facts:
Material: Plastic
Phone Widths: 2.3 – 3.5 inches
Dimensions: 3 x 5 x 9 Inches
Weight: 2.4 oz
Rotatable: Yes
Colors: Black
Mounting Method: Suction-Cup
Accessories: 1 x Dashboard Pad
The mount comes with a soft foam pad, which allows the suction cups to work on most dashboard services, even uneven ones. And the suction cup also works well on the window, or even on your office desk.
There is an adjustable swing-arm behind attaching the phone mount to the suction cup, which is adjustable in height and angle. The user can also extend the length of the swingarm up to 8.3 inches in length.
Pros:
Extendable swing-arm.
Quick-release phone mount.
Suction-cup for rigid mounting.
No adhesive required.
Cons:
A large phone-mount to have sitting on your dashboard.
Larger smartphones and phablets will not fit.
Conclusion
WizGear’s magnetic phone mount is simple and a great solution for most vehicles. Though the air-vents on some cars are countersunk, and you may not be able to use them. The vent clips are also a little thin and may dent the vent.
Beam Electronics’ has a better way of attaching the mount to an air-vent, in a way that will not do any damage. Your phone is still going to be in the way of the vent, so it depends on whether you mind having your phone hindering the airflow.
iOttie is the best car phone mount, with a superior suction cup and an extendable arm. The mount will attach your phone to the car without leaving a mark. But, this is a large phone mount, and some drivers may find it obscures their field of view.
IPOW’s Anti-slip silicone pad is the easiest way to mount your phone to any surface. It is the most portable, so you can use it in your office or even in a rental. And you are not blocking any of the air-vents.