Belkin Car Universal Mount (Car Mount Compatible with iPhone 14/14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 12, 11, XS, XR, X, SE, 8, Devices From Samsung, LG, Sony, Google and More)

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One of the most popular options is a clip that attaches to your air-conditioning vent. These are ideal for lighter smartphones, but the grip might not be firm enough to hold heavier devices and it also obstructs the airflow.

The ball joint on the vent mount gives you a wider range of tilt and swivel, so you can keep the phone in view, and – with a little practice – you can insert and remove it single-handed, with the arms releasing as you pull the phone vertically out of its cradle. It can only hold the phone in portrait mode, but it’s one affordable, sturdy mount.

A final option to explore is a bespoke mount. Swedish firm Brodit make custom mounting units for each model of car to create a permanent mount for your phone. Attaching your phone to the mount It’s also worth bearing in mind the position of your USB charging port or adaptor, so you can charge your phone while you drive. Do I need wireless charging in my car phone holder? ESR’s lightweight mount and charger is a top option for recent iPhones, giving you a Magsafe mount that fits with ease into a vent, then provides secure 18W wireless QI charging via a USB-C cable connected to your car’s USB outlet. The ball joint on the vent mount means it works with both horizontal and vertical vents, while a support arm holds the central square pad steady no matter how rough the road. ESR also sells a dashboard version, if you’d rather have it fitted there. You'd struggle to find anyone who would claim that the magnets in a phone mount could damage your phone.

It is illegal to use your mobile phone while driving unless you have hands-free access to the phone - the holder can provide this as long as you're using the device in a hands-free capacity, such as by voice command. Are magnetic car mounts safe for phones? Dash and windshield mounts are more versatile and are typically a better choice for most people. Some attach via a suction base. Others use an automotive-grade adhesive that shouldn't damage your car. You can't easily move adhesive mounts once you place them, though, and the adhesive does break down over time. If you plan to use your mount in multiple cars, or simply don't want to clean gummy residue when you eventually remove it, choose one with a suction mount. And if your car still has a CD player, you can also choose to mount your phone there. A growing number of automatic and MagSafe-compatible options are now available. Automatic mounts use an IR proximity sensor, open when your phone is in range, and automatically adjust their grip to accommodate your phone once it is seated. MagSafe mounts attach to the MagSafe array on newer iPhones.

CASE COMPATIBLE

You can also get suction grips and cradles that attach directly to your dashboard, although this won’t work if it has a textured surface. Another possibility is to connect the holder to your car stereo.