Best car phone mounts in 2023

Using a car mount is both a convenient and safe way to store your phone while driving, and these are the best ones

A safe and secure way to view information on your phone while driving is to make use of a car mount, and that's especially true for older cars without features like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. You can complete tasks and see information like directions, Now Playing music, or incoming phone calls. All this can be done without taking your eyes off the road thanks to car mounts, which typically clip onto air conditioning vents or stick to dashboards and windshields. Due to these connection methods, they are guaranteed to work with just about every vehicle make and model out there. Since there are a lot of different car mounts available, it's important to choose the right one.

Though a car mount can make your driving experience safer, it can also be disastrous if you choose the wrong one. Worst-case scenario: if your phone doesn't make a secure connection to the car mount, both devices can go flying off the dash. As such, you'll need to choose the right mount for the size and weight of your phone and any case you've installed. You can also pick mounts that include premium features like wireless charging. Luckily, most of these options are affordable and work with many of the best phones on the market. To help you out, we've curated a list of the best car phone mounts available in 2023.

For a premium feel at a reasonable price point, consider this mount. Belkin has been making Apple accessories for a while, and the Car Vent Mount Pro is sturdy, modern, and convenient, sliding into most air conditioning vent slats. But the grips are short, which may be incompatible with longer slats. Also, this model will only work with MagSafe-compatible iPhones or cases.

The iOttie Easy One Touch 5 is a simple car mount that accommodates almost any smartphone. It can be adjusted horizontally to fit various screen sizes, and its clamp-style design provides a secure hold. Best of all, one touch automatically releases the spring-loaded clamps when it's time to go.

Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro Wireless Car Charger takes the already-great Car Vent Mount Pro and adds a Qi-compatible charger. In fact, it’s the first MagSafe-certified car charging mount on the market. It’s a premium buy, but users will appreciate the one-touch mounting and charging on this accessory.

If you’re searching for an affordable MagSafe car mount, look no further than this Best Buy Essentials option. It’s priced reasonably and comes from Best Buy's in-house essentials line. It attaches to a car’s air conditioning vents, and despite the low price point, it has a premium black and silver style.

Peak Design’s Mobile Car Mount VHB brings the magnetic experience to iPhone and Android users. iPhones attach via MagSafe, and Android devices can connect with a Peak Design case. The mount attaches to a flat or curved surface with an adhesive, but has a limited range-of-motion once mounted.

For thicker devices — or ones with a large protective case attached — the Bracketron OneClick Clamp Vent Mount has large, rubberized arms that will anchor most smartphones. It’ll fit smartphones or cases up to 3.25 inches wide. This model isn't too hard on the wallet either and can sometimes be found on sale (which makes the price point even easier to handle).

Smaller phones will fit nicely in Belkin’s original Car Vent Mount, which was designed for the iPhone 6 series. Phones smaller than 5.5 inches will sit securely in the mount. It’s made out of premium materials, including aluminum arms, and is affordable. Like most mounts, it attaches to a car’s air conditioning vents.

The Anker MagGo wireless car charger brings the MagSafe experience to the dashboard. Instead of attaching to air conditioning vents, Anker’s option uses a suction cup or an adhesive pad to securely sit on a flat surface. It’ll also bring 35W charging in your phone's battery needs a little pick-me-up. And it’s worth noting that MagGo is not officially MagSafe certified.

Samsung users, especially those with foldables, will appreciate the brand's charging mount. It can extend to fit an opened Galaxy Z Fold device, so you know it's not messing around regarding adjustability. However, the mount’s clamps are short, so thick cases won’t work well. This model also keeps tabs on power with the standard Qi charger (also compatible with non-Samsung devices).

The Mobile Car Mount VHB Charging is like the standard Car Mount VHB, but with wireless charging capabilities. However, it’s limited to just 5-7.5W charging speeds. At $80, Peak Design’s car charger carries a high price tag, but it is one of the few magnetic chargers to support iPhone and Android.

This car mount from Spigen is compatible with MagSafe and has wireless charging functionality. It uses a suction cup to stay secured on your dashboard or windshield, but there's also a version available that attaches to your car vents. It's on the expensive side, but it's certified for 15W MagSafe charging.

ESR is an accessory maker known for making great MagSafe accessories that are affordable, and the company's HaloLock car mount is no different. It attaches to your phone's car vent and has an adjustable slider to ensure it's secured. Since it has MagSafe support, it'll work with the iPhone 12 series and newer.

If you’re looking for a low-cost car mount for a newer iPhone, the Best Buy Essentials Magnetic Car Vent Mount is a simple, reliable, and affordable option. It securely attaches to a car’s air conditioning vents, and it’s made out of quality materials, all for a modest price point. Since it connects to smartphones via MagSafe, it only works with the iPhone 12 or later — unless you use a MagSafe case or magnet ring.

For a more reliable MagSafe mount, look to Belkin’s Car Vent Mount Pro. It’s MagSafe certified, unlike options from Anker and Best Buy that simply use the same magnetic alignments. Plus, it’s made out of high-quality metal, silicon, and rubber that contorts to fit any air conditioning vents.

For wireless charging capabilities, Belkin offers a similar version at a higher price point. Like with other MagSafe car chargers, compatibility is limited to the iPhone 12 or later. But if you buy this model, you won’t have to pick up a standalone car charger for your smartphone.

Android users should consider Samsung’s Wireless Car Charger Vent Mount Holder, which provides immense compatibility and Qi wireless charging functionality. Though the mount is made by Samsung, it is compatible with all the best Android phones out there.

There are also two options from Peak Design for Samsung and Apple devices: a car mount and a car mount that adds wireless charging. iPhones 12 or later can attach to the stands out-of-the-box, but Samsung devices will need a Peak Design case to magnetically connect to the mounts.

Brady Snyder is a technology journalist that has written about mobile devices and computers for multiple publications. He graduated from St. John's University in 2023 with a B.S. in Journalism and a minor in English. Prior to joining XDA Developers, Brady wrote over 500 articles for Screen Rant's tech team, where he covered an Apple beat. Based in New York City, he reviews consumer technology, software, and services. Brady is an expert in iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS — but experiments with Android and Windows as well.