How to Choose the Best Cell Phone Holder for Your Car

The first thing you’ll want to do when shopping for cell phone car mounts is research compatibility. Depending on the make and model of your cell phone, certain car mounts may be too small to accommodate your device. So, before you buy, you’ll want to measure your cell phone’s dimensions, including any extra space you may need for a smartphone case.

Once you know what size you require, you can find car phone holders made specifically for Apple, Samsung, LG, Google, and other popular brands. Or, if you want a more versatile purchase, consider exploring universal car phone holders that can adjust for almost any type of cell phone.

Typically, there are three main locations where you can attach a phone mount in your car: the windshield, dashboard or cupholder. Each placement has its benefits, but to determine which area is best for you, you’ll want to compare the pros and cons before buying.

Windshield phone mounts allow you to put your smartphone higher up so you can avoid looking down and away from the road. However, since these mounts can partially obstruct windshield visibility, they’re illegal in some states. So be sure to check your state’s laws and regulations to see if windshield phone mounts are prohibited or must be attached to a specific area on your windshield.

Dashboard phone mounts are one of the most common types of car phone holders. They’re a perfect middle ground between windshield and cupholder mounts, allowing you to keep your phone in an easy-to-access location that’s not too far from your driving sight line. Dashboard phone mounts also come in various attachment styles so you can find movable and semi-permanent options for mounting your new car phone holder.

Lastly, cup holder phone mounts offer significant stability, fitting securely into your car’s built-in cup holder because the base fills the space. However, since cup holders are often positioned far below the windshield or dash, these mounts may require you to take your eyes off the road and, therefore, can be less than ideal. But if you plan on only using voice commands to your car stereo receiver and don’t need to see your smartphone while driving, cup holder phone mounts can still be a good option for hands-free operation.

After determining where you want to mount your car phone holder, the next aspect to consider is attachment style. You can find car phone mounts that use clips, suction cups or adhesive to attach to the inside of your vehicle.

Car vent phone holders are a great option for anyone who wants to mount their smartphone on their dash. With a simple design, Vent mounts use clips that easily attach to your car’s air vents and can be removed and repositioned whenever you like. However, you may want to utilize a different type of mount in the winter months to avoid blasting your smartphone with hot air from the heater.

If you’re hoping to mount your phone on your windshield, consider buying a suction cup phone holder. These car phone holders offer secure stability without permanent attachment so you can easily move your suction cup to a new location or second car. But keep in mind, suction cup mounts can only adhere to smooth, flat surfaces. So, if you want to use a suction cup mount on your dash, you may need to attach an adhesive-backed piece of plastic to get a smooth enough surface.

And for the most secure and semi-permanent option, you can explore adhesive car phone mounts. These items use a sticky surface area to attach your car phone holder to your dashboard or windshield. In most cases, once you mount your adhesive car phone holder, they cannot be removed and reapplied elsewhere. So, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got your placement just right before you attach your mount.

No matter which attachment style you choose, you can find car phone holders that use magnets for added convenience. Most car phone mounts require you to maneuver your cell phone screen into an attached clamp or frame. But with magnetic phone mounts, you just press the back of your phone up to the magnet and you’re ready to go.

Choosing a car phone holder for your vehicle can help you practice safe driving and stay focused on the road. To get the best positioning for your preferences, don’t forget to explore car mounts for your windshield, dash, and cup holder. You can reposition your mount whenever you like with a suction cup and car vent phone holders or find a semi-permanent solution with an adhesive mount.

With so many options, you can even find models with special features for added convenience, like magnetic mounts or a phone holder that works with wireless charging. No matter what you’re looking for, a new smartphone car mount can help you safely access your device while keeping your hands on the wheel.