We use our smartphones to call or send text messages to our friends, family, and colleagues. We also need them to call 911, surf the internet, and post on social media platforms.
Nowadays, we can use our phones for banking, shopping, and even for navigation. We use them to navigate our way around the city when driving. That is why we need reliable magnetic phone mounts to hold our phones for us so that we can focus on driving. Here are our top picks for the best magnetic car mounts.
The Magnetic Phone Mount
IPOW Universal Magnetic Phone Mount Holder
IPOW Long Arm Universal Magnetic Cradle Windshield Dashboard Cell Phone Mount is a magnetic phone mount that comes with strong magnets that has a strong hold on your phone. Its swivel ball head joint is capable of 360-degree rotation, offering you any viewing angle, such as horizontal or vertical.
Its suction cup is easy to clean and dry, but it can melt and turn into slime over time. The same goes for the round knob with plastic washer. This magnetic phone mount can go as long as 7.6 inches, but its arm can be a bit hard to bend.
PROS
- Easy to put on and take off
- Can be positioned in both vertical and horizontal orientations
- Suction cup is easy to clean and dry
CONS
- Adhesive can melt and turn into slime over time
- Round knob with plastic washer loosens over time
- Arm can be hard to bend
Logitech Magnetic Car Mount
Logitech +Trip One-Touch Smartphone Air Vent Magnetic Car Mount is a compact magnetic phone mount that secures to any air vent with its clip. It also has a non-slip rubber face that keeps your phone in place. This mount is easy to install and works well with any smartphone or case. It also offers various viewing angles for your convenience.
However, this phone mount’s lock mechanism can break easily, so you have to be careful when clipping it in place. It also has problems working well with some phone cases, especially thick ones. It may also interfere with NFC functionality.
PROS
- Works with any smartphone or case
- Easy to install
- Allows you to position your phone at any angle
CONS
- Lock mechanism easily breaks
- Does not work with all phone cases
- Interferes with NFC functionality
CAW.CAR Accessories Car Phone Mount Magnetic
The CAW.CAR Accessories Universal Magnetic Car Phone Mount is an all-metal phone mount that uses a durable neodymium magnet. With its small size, it only leaves an inch of footprint, so you don’t have to worry about moving it to other areas. It is also capable of mounting multiple devices with its Ultra Slim Discs. Another great feature of this premium magnetic phone mount is that it’s easy to use. You can mount and dismount your phone with only one hand. It also offers different viewing angles with its 360-degree rotation feature.
It is compatible with any phone except the iPhone 7+ because the adhesive is not as strong as its magnet. Therefore, it cannot hold larger phones in place. It may also interrupt wireless charging.
PROS
- Mounting and dismounting your phone can be done with one hand
- Compatible with any phone, car, or GPS
- Tilts and rotates 360 degrees
CONS
- Not strong enough to support the weight of an Apple iPhone 7+
- Adhesive is not as strong as its magnet
- May interrupt wireless charging
TechMatte Car Phone Mount Magnetic
The TechMatte Car Phone Mount is a very powerful magnetic phone mount, as it has powerful magnetic technology and is made of durable plastic and rubber. Even its suction cup gel pad is powerful enough to keep it in place. Among its great features are its ease of installation and use, rotation capabilities, and compatibility with almost any phone in the market.
However, it also suffers some weaknesses, such as loss of power after some time and interference with NFC functionality. Moving this mount can also be a challenge, as its suction cup can be too stubborn and sticky to remove.
PROS
- Easy to install
- Easy to use
- Rotation-friendly
CONS
- Ball mount loses its grip over time
- May interfere with NFC functionality
- Cannot be moved easily because the suction cup is too sticky
WizGear Magnetic Phone Mount
The WizGear Magnetic Mount is a slim yet powerful magnetic phone mount that has a sturdy base. It is capable of swiveling your phone’s display so that you can enjoy different viewing angles. Because of its slim build, it will not obstruct your windshield view. It is easy to install and can fit into the back of any smartphone.
The problem with this magnetic phone mount, however, is the adhesive. It melts when exposed to high temperatures and leaves some hard-to-remove glue on the dashboard. It can also get annoying, as it vibrates a lot on rough and bumpy terrain.
PROS
- Won’t obstruct your windshield view
- Complementary design fits into the back of any smartphone
- Installation is fast and easy
CONS
- Difficult to remove the glue from the dashboard
- Adhesive can melt when exposed to high temperatures
- Base vibrates a lot
Magnetic Phone Holder Mount for Car by iOttie
The iOttie Magnetic Phone Holder Mount is a multi-purpose magnetic holder that can be moved to any area of your car. It is also a powerful magnetic phone mount that uses 3M VHB adhesive. With this phone mount, you can enjoy different viewing angles as it offers 360-degree rotation. Weighing only 2.08 ounces, it doesn’t take up too much space, and is easy to install.
However, it only sticks well on flat surfaces, so if you have a textured dashboard, then you’ll have to choose another type of magnetic phone mount. It also does not work well for the Apple iPhone X.
PROS
- Does not take up too much space, so it is safe to use when driving
- Easy to install, as tools are not required
- Does not lose easily its grip on your phone
CONS
- Only sticks well on flat surfaces
- Cannot be moved easily due to its super sticky adhesive.
- Does not work well with iPhone X
APPS2Car Magnetic Phone Car Mount
The APPS2Car Magnetic Phone Car Mount is a two-pack universal magnetic phone mount that is equipped with strong magnets and a VHB adhesive mounting base. It will surely keep your phone in place, even on the roughest terrain. Because it is a universal phone mount, it can support iPhones, Samsungs, Google Pixels, Huaweis, and LGs. It is also easy to install. All you have to do is remove the plastic on the 3M adhesive, place the mount anywhere you like, and mount your phone on it.
The 3M tape, however, is only for one-time use, so you will have to purchase more if you want to move your mount somewhere else. It also does not fit some dashboards. The bolt and nut also tend to loosen, especially after a rough ride, but they do not totally come off. They just need adjusting after every trip.
PROS
- Takes up minimal space
- Provides full access to all controls and ports
- Will keep your phone in place even on the roughest roads
CONS
- 3M tape may not fit some dashboards
- 3M tape is for one-time use only
- Ball joint and nut tend to loosen, so the phone mount may need adjusting every now and then
Best Magnetic Phone Mount Buying Guide
A reliable magnetic phone mount should be able to support your smartphone, no matter what terrain you are traversing. You want to avoid distractions, such as your phone dropping to the car floor or going askew when you rely on it for directions. These distractions can throw you off and cause you to lose your focus while driving, causing potential harm to yourself and others.
To help you find the right magnetic phone mount that can offer you full support and allow you to focus on the road, we have prepared a magnetic phone mount buying guide. The guide includes everything you need to know about purchasing and using a magnetic phone mount. Read it to learn about the benefits, types, and key features of a magnetic phone mount.
Do You Need a Magnetic Phone Mount?
Before you purchase a magnetic phone mount, consider whether you really need one. There are people who opt not to get one because they don’t really need it. These people include those who do not have a car, or who have a car but do not really drive it. However, if you are a person who drives and relies on their phone for directions, then you really need a magnetic phone mount.
You may ask why you would need a magnetic phone mount in particular. Well, this is because of the ease of mounting that it offers. You can easily mount and dismount your phone in one simple move, which can be useful when you’re in a hurry. There are other benefits to having a phone mount. Read the list of benefits below to find out whether you really need to purchase a phone mount or not.
Benefits
- There are times when you may feel the urge of grabbing your phone and looking at the screen for no reason. With a magnetic phone mount, you won’t be distracted because the phones will be within your line of sight and just an arm’s length away.
- With a magnetic phone mount, talking on the phone will be easier. You won’t have to position your phone between your ear and shoulder, which can be difficult while driving.
- Whether you are driving along in your car or with someone, you do not have to worry about getting lost because getting directions to a place is easy with a phone mount. You just have to look at the screen in front of you, and you are good to go. Also, your companion won’t have to dictate directions and can just take it easy until you reach your destination.
- Some magnetic phone mounts have charging capabilities so you can mount and charge your phone at the same time. This saves you time and effort. A separate cable may be required, though.
- A magnetic phone mount lets you look at your important messages and e-mails without taking your eyes off the road for a long time. The close proximity and the position of your phone on the phone mount make this possible.
The Most Common Types of Magnetic Phone Mounts
There are different types of magnetic phone mounts, and these types have something to do with the part of your car where you can mount your phone. That being said, not all areas in your car can be a good place to mount your phone. You can only choose from the dashboard, windshield, air vent, or CD player.
- Dashboard or Windshield Phone Mount
This is the most common area within a car where you can mount your phone. Not only is it accessible to the driver of the car, but it is also within their line of sight.
There are many areas of your dashboard or windshield where you can install your magnetic phone mount. You just have to make sure that the surface you want to attach it to is flat in order for the magnetic phone mount to attach properly to the dashboard or windshield. You can use some glue or any sticky substance, such as a 3M adhesive, to adhere your magnetic phone mount to the dashboard or windshield
- Air Vent Phone Mount
There are magnetic phone mounts that are meant to be attached to your car’s air vents. You just have to make sure that your air vents are strong enough to carry the weight not only of the mount but also of your phone.
There are multiple air vents inside you car, but if you are the driver, you would want to attach your magnetic phone mount to the air vents nearest to you. Aside from holding your phone in place, mounting your phone on air vents allows it cool down with the use of the air that comes out of the vents.
- CD Phone Mount
If you own a car that has a CD player and you don’t want your magnetic phone mount near your dashboard or windshield or air vents, then you can attach a magnetic phone mount to it instead.
This magnetic phone mount is designed to fit into the CD slot itself. The downside of this, though, is that you will have a hard time putting in and taking out CDs from the CD player and access the display options. However, if you don’t use your CD player that much, then it is a perfect place to mount.
What to Consider When Buying Magnetic Phone Mount
It may seem easy to pick the perfect magnetic phone mount because it is a simple tool that does not need electricity (unless it can double as a phone charger) or has complicated wiring or power connections. However, choosing the right one that has the following key features can help turn you into an efficient driver.
- Installation
Ease of installation is one of the key features you need to consider when buying a magnetic phone mount. The reason for this is because messing up the installation can damage your dashboard, windshield, air vents, and CD player. The adhesive you use for installing the mount may leave marks and scratches that can be devastating to car owners.
- Protection
Aside from helping you focus on the road while driving, magnetic phone mounts also help protect your car and phone from scratches. It would be better to choose a magnetic phone mount that is made of silicon, rubber, or other materials that will not scratch your phone and your car.
Consider the ability of the magnetic phone mount to keep your phone in place, especially when traveling on rocky or bumpy roads. A reliable magnetic phone mount will not drop your phone or let it slip from its grip. Finding a sturdy magnetic phone mount can also protect your car’s surfaces from dents that your phone can make during its fall.
- Compatibility
Choose a magnetic phone mount that is compatible with your phone. You must try fitting your phone in it with and without its case just to be sure that your phone will fit the mount either way. Most magnetic phone mounts work well with Android and iPhone devices, so you will not have a hard time with this feature.
Remember, however, that depending on the thickness of your phone’s case, there are magnetic phone mounts that cannot accommodate your phone. This will cause you to sacrifice your phone’s case and mount your phone unprotected from unforeseen events, but you can always find a thinner case for your phone to resolve this issue
Tips for Buying and Using Magnetic Phone Mounts
Despite being a simple tool, a magnetic phone mount may still give you some trouble when it comes to getting the perfect one for you and using it for your daily driving. That is why we have gathered some tips to help you in buying and using one.
These tips will help you maximize the use of your magnetic phone mount. Read through these tips and learn more about mounting your smartphones on your car’s surfaces.
- To help keep the phone in place, make sure that the metal plate at the back of your phone is in direct contact with the magnetic phone mount.
- It is rare that a magnetic phone mount interferes with GPS. Most smartphones nowadays can easily resist magnetic interference, so don’t worry about this.
- If your windshield rises steeply from the dashboard, then it will be hard for your to find the perfect area to install your magnetic phone mount.
- Choose a magnetic phone mount that will allow you to use your phone in both landscape and portrait configurations.
- For your phone to be effectively charged using a magnetic phone mount without overloading your battery, your mount should have about 5-10 watts.
Our Top Pick
Our top pick for the best magnetic phone mount is the IPOW Long Arm Universal Magnetic Cradle Windshield Dashboard Cell Phone Mount. With its powerful suction cup and magnets that hold your phone firmly, you will not have to worry about your phone falling off or damaging your dashboard. It is also easy to use, as you don’t have to use both hands to mount and dismount your phone. Overall, it allows for easy installation and ample protection for your phone and car.
